Weddle wants to get out of the house

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Thursday, July 19, 2007 11:46 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO --- Eric Weddle recently moved into a house in Escondido. He's hoping not to see a lot of it next week.

If the Chargers' second-round draft choice is trolling around the house during the middle and latter part of the week, it means he's a holdout. The team's rookies are scheduled to report to training camp on Tuesday, and Weddle, a safety, is one of six unsigned rookies as the reporting date approaches.

Only fourth-round pick Scott Chandler, a tight end from Iowa, has signed a deal with the Chargers.

"No one wants to hold out," Weddle said Thursday after a luncheon at the San Diego Hall of Champions. "I don't want to hold out, but that's how the business works."

As Weddle spoke, not a single second-round draft pick had reached a deal with the NFL team that selected him. Later Thursday, the stalemate was broken as Pittsburgh signed linebacker LaMarr Woodley and Miami inked center Samson Satele.

Weddle predicts that things will quickly fall into place once other picks around him start finalizing deals. He was selected 37th overall, nine picks before Woodley. The only signed players picked earlier than Weddle are two late first-round picks: San Francisco offensive tackle Joe Staley at No. 28 and Chicago tight end Greg Olsen at No. 31.

"Once they start falling and once guys start getting their deals done, we'll have a barometer," Weddle said. "No one wants to make that first step. I'll be ready to go whether it's Tuesday or however long it takes.

"The quicker, the better," he added.

Chargers' rookies are scheduled to practice for the first time on Wednesday. Veterans report on July 27, and the first full-squad training camp practice is the following day.

First-round pick Craig Davis also remains unsigned, but general manager A.J. Smith said he's optimistic that everyone will be signed by Tuesday's reporting date.

"The goal is to have everybody done on time," Smith said. "If they're not there, they'll get there whenever they decide to get there."

An agreement with Davis, a receiver from LSU, could quickly come together since Staley (selected two picks earlier) signed a five-year deal worth a reported $8 million and Olsen (chosen one pick after Davis) signed for approximately $7.7 million over five years.

On the other hand, receivers Robert Meachem (No. 27 by New Orleans) and Anthony Gonzalez (No. 32 by Indianapolis) are unsigned, and their negotiations could affect what Davis receives.

The team's other unsigned picks are linebacker Anthony Waters (third round), receiver Legedu Naanee (fifth), linebacker Brandon Siler (seventh) and cornerback Paul Oliver (fourth-round supplemental pick).

"We're going to offer contracts to our likings, and I'd like to have everybody there the first day," Smith said. "If they're not there the first day, then there's probably an issue on their part, and they'll express that and then we'll express it.

"Then whenever they decide to come in, they'll come in."

In his case, Weddle is hoping that day comes early next week. The former Utah standout was selected after the Chargers shipped three draft picks to Chicago to swap draft positions with the Bears and move up 23 spots. Smith was convinced then ---- and reiterated Thursday ---- that Weddle wouldn't have remained on the board if the team had stayed at the bottom of the second round.

"I'm really excited," Weddle said. "I'll continue to run and work out to be in top shape and ready to compete in training camp. I want to try and help and contribute any way possible for this team."

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

Some key training camp dates leading up to regular season:

Tuesday: Rookies report.

July 27: Veterans report.

July 28: First full-squad training camp workout at Chargers Park, 4 p.m.

August 1: Autograph session for fans 14 and under at 6:30 p.m., preceding night-time practice at Chargers Park.

August 4: FanFest 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium, 10:15 a.m.

August 12: Chargers vs. Seattle, 5 p.m.

August 18: Chargers at St. Louis, 5 p.m.

August 23: Training camp ends.

August 25: Chargers at Arizona, 7 p.m.

August 30: Chargers vs. San Francisco, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9: Regular-season opener vs. Chicago, 1:15 p.m.

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