Dielman leaves big dough on table

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Sunday, March 4, 2007 12:08 AM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Kris Dielman was dining in Seattle on Friday night when he received a text message from his agent informing him that a huge-money contract agreement had been reached with the Seahawks. All that was needed was Dielman's signature.

Dielman held off on inking the deal, partly because of a plea from Chargers teammate Lorenzo Neal not to accept any deals while in Seattle. What ensued was a real Sleepless in Seattle night.

Then Saturday morning, after a lot of pacing and not a single minute of sleep, everything came together for Dielman and the Chargers. The free-agent left guard opted for the comfort of San Diego over the riches offered by Seattle, signing a six-year deal worth $39 million, including $17 million guaranteed over the first two seasons.

The Seahawks' offer was $10 million more than what the 26-year-old Pro Bowl alternate accepted from the Chargers.

"I'm a Charger; I love being a Charger," Dielman explained at a Saturday afternoon press conference. "Just being in Seattle felt weird. It didn't feel right. I just wanted to sit back and wait. Then Lorenzo got a hold of me. When you've got your teammates calling you, that means a lot."

Keeping Dielman was general manager A.J. Smith's top offseason priority. But as recently as Thursday, Smith feared that Dielman would be leaving.

Then the free-agency period started Thursday night, and the market exploded Friday, with Cleveland signing Cincinnati guard Eric Steinbach to a seven-year, $49.5 million deal.

But Dielman and agent Mike McCartney continued to talk with the Chargers. Team president Dean Spanos and executive vice president of football operations Ed McGuire worked deep into Friday night negotiating the deal before terms were agreed to on Saturday.

The chain of events was so remarkable that Smith admitted to being surprised when he received the Saturday morning phone call that Dielman would be remaining with the organization. But Smith wasn't surprised to learn that Dielman, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2003, told reporters Saturday he felt loyalty to the Chargers for giving him an opportunity to become a pro football player.

"This is the kind of kid he is," Smith said. "This is his team, and it was important for him to be a Charger. Some players will go anywhere for the highest dollars. Other people just want to be comfortable and get a contract in line with what they're worth.

"We gave it our best shot. I'm just glad the gap wasn't so large that it couldn't get done."

Dielman certainly received high-priority treatment from the Seahawks. The team flew him to Seattle on a private jet Friday morning with the team's two offensive line coaches ---- Bill Laveroni and Keith Gilbertson ---- on board. He received a tour of the team's facilities and, when he toured Qwest Field, the scoreboard was lit up with a welcome message for him.

He was dining with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and two Seahawks linemen, perennial Pro Bowl tackle Walter Jones and tackle Tom Ashworth, when the text message arrived. Numerous things scurried through Dielman's mind, including the visit to Seattle's stadium.

"When I walked out of the tunnel on their side, it just didn't feel right at all," Dielman said. "I couldn't see myself doing that."

Dielman's return flight to San Diego was on a commercial jet ---- "Alaska Airlines Flight 580, row 21," he said ---- but it qualified as one of the more enjoyable flights he has ever taken.

He thought about the order he repeatedly gave to his agent ---- "Make sure you keep San Diego in the mix. I'm going to give them every opportunity to get me back here" ---- and was ecstatic that he will continue blocking for NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson.

Locking up Dielman through 2012 means that all five starting linemen are signed through at least the 2008 season. Center Nick Hardwick and right tackle Shane Olivea are signed through 2011, left tackle Marcus McNeill is signed through 2009 and right guard Mike Goff is signed through 2008.

The Chargers now have 26 players signed to contracts that run through at least the 2009 season. Dielman joins cornerback Quentin Jammer, kicker Nate Kaeding and linebacker Shaun Phillips as players signed through 2012.

-- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

More Stories

12 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Allan wrote on Mar 4, 2007 12:41 AM:A geat athlete and great person. Glad he is staying.

flash19sd wrote on Mar 4, 2007 7:08 AM:This is huge news and a real blow to all the Spanos/AJ haters. Great O-lines are the common denominator to all the great Charger teams of the past and, now, present. Lo Neal commands such respect among his peers, not only on this team but throughout the league. I'm not at all surprised he influenced Dielman's decision. I'm sure he spoke for LT as well while LT grinds through his recent grief. It's nice to see the bond the players on this team have developed. The mantra this past year was "let's win for the Chargers". This year it should be "let's win for ourselves". With that attitude, the magic will happen guys.

chris H wrote on Mar 4, 2007 7:23 AM:This just shows the type of playes that AJ Smith gets to play for the Chargers. The way to win in the NFL is to play well together and with the core of this team together for the next 4 seasons it should be a good run. So when we see all these teams give out big money and sign big names and the Chargers sit back it is fine because the Bolts are where they need to be and all other teams want to be. In AJ we trust!!!

Marco wrote on Mar 4, 2007 7:26 AM:Great move by San Diego, and a better one by Dirty Dielman, he's a fine example of what the league needs: hard working good down to earth people, and a terrific teamate, i like what the chargers front office is doing this offseason.

Rob wrote on Mar 4, 2007 7:52 AM: This is just a fantastic story with a happy ending. The offensive live must stay together for a shot at the supper bowl in 2007. Kris is a rising star on this team and you have to keep your best players. However, When AJ was quoted as saying "This is the kind of kid he is, This is his team, and it was important for him to be a Charger. Some players will go anywhere for the highest dollars. Other people just want to be comfortable and get a contract in line with what they're worth." He could have just as easily been talking about Donnie. You have to keep your players that give all they have and play at a high level. With the exception of jumping off sides on a blitz, Donnie played at the high level needed to beat New England and win the Super Bowl. Donnie may only have 2 to 3 more years left at playing at this high level. But the last time I looked at a calendar, this included 2007. A great GM needs to know when to play the money game while building a great team and when it's time to win at all costs. Keeping Kris was the right move. Creating a major hole in the middle of the defense is not.

LOYALTY wrote on Mar 4, 2007 8:38 AM:...think I'll order my Dielman jersey TODAY!

Rick wrote on Mar 4, 2007 9:05 AM:boy it feels great to be a chargers fan. Spanos and AJ doing a great job keeping the same player together.Cant wait till draft day keep up the great work guys. once a charger always a chargers thx Rick

Jerry wrote on Mar 4, 2007 10:38 AM:The signing of Kris Dielman is huge. This offensive line is as good as the line that protected Dan Fouts. I just wish AJ would recognize that Donnie Edwards is just as important to the Chargers. He has done nothing but give 110% to the team. I will be disappointed with the departure of Donnie Edwards. Thanks Donnie for all your efforts!

Sean C. wrote on Mar 4, 2007 10:49 AM:I don`t think he really left 10 mil. The Chargers guaranteed 17 mil. How much did Seattle guarantee. As a lineman how long will he play, 7 yrs ?Not likely. Have any teams shown interest in Michael Turner since he was given the high tender? We have Shawne & Shaun locked up with expensive contracts, we can`t pay everyone top dollar due to the reality of the salary cap. Donnie wanted big money perhaps he`ll get it elsewhere... most likely not

boltnutty wrote on Mar 4, 2007 11:30 AM:we need M.turner like rocky needed Apollo.U better hope he's not picked up.the 5th or 6th best running back in the nfl behind the 1st.dont worrie about donnie MR. WILLIS is on his way!

James wrote on Mar 4, 2007 2:44 PM:Hey Rob, Were you one of those fans that thought Drew Brees leaving would hurt? I'll bet you were...I like Donnie Edwards but you'll see that Wilhelm will do the same things...there will not be a big hole in the middle...Donnie is in his mid-30's looking for big dollars from that position but he's not, Zach Thomas, Jonathan Vilma, nor is he Ray Lewis...AJ knows football and players and anyone who's ever played football and really knows football knows that AJ made the right move...APPARENTLY YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW FOOTBALL!!!

James wrote on Mar 4, 2007 4:35 PM:Enough with Donnie...I love the guy but this is Professional Football with a Salary Cap...It may not be nice but you have to prioritize your players...who is indispensible...and whom, unfortunatley can be replaced...that's just the way it is...Not Personal...Just Business...If Joe Freakin' Montana had to go at one point than certainly anybody, including Junior Seau, and especially Donnie Edwards can be replaced...this ain't the 70's, you can't keep everyone like the Steelers...SO STOP!

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.

Submit Comment[-]

(optional)
   

Advertisement

Videos