saintz08

Chargers eye QB Manning

Potential No. 1 pick gets private workout with San Diego


Thursday March 25, 2004


By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer

With the Saints' indoor practice facility serving as a backdrop, San Diego Chargers officials put prospective No. 1 draft pick Eli Manning through a private 45-minute workout Wednesday.

In addition to the passing session, Manning underwent interviews, blackboard work and game-tape evaluations with Chargers president Dean Spanos, General Manager A.J. Smith, Coach Marty Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and assistant general manager Buddy Nix.


The Chargers held similar meetings Monday and Tuesday with Philip Rivers of North Carolina State and Ben Roethlisberger of Miami of Ohio, who, along with Manning, are considered by most experts the top three quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL draft.

The Chargers have the No. 1 pick.

"That was the last piece of the puzzle for us," Smith said. "Now we'll go back and decide how we're going to rank them. We're through with the quarterbacks. There are still several defensive players we might want to take a closer look at."

Smith said no team has contacted him about trading up to the No. 1 spot, although the New York Giants at No. 4 are showing keen interest in Manning.

Approximately 10 days before the draft, Smith said the team would identify two, perhaps three players who are worthy of being selected No. 1 and begin preliminary contract talks with their agents.

"I've put the word out already, if anyone is interested (in making an offer), feel free to call," Smith said. "If that happens we'll look at the possible picks and players and entertain trading down. But that hasn't happened yet.

"Right now I'm totally open-minded. We could just stay put, but if a call or two comes in then we'll entertain the offers. That's when you weigh their offer versus your game plan of staying put."

Manning likely will not work out at Ole Miss' pro day Wednesday in Oxford, Miss., but said he might go to support his teammates.

"There's not a whole lot left for me to do," Manning said. "It's a matter now of sitting and waiting. I don't know if another team will want to work me out. No one has said anything so far. Now it's kind of wait-and-see what the next step is. I don't know what it is right now."

Manning's agent, Tom Condon, said his client has put his best foot forward through the entire evaluation process.

"He's done a great job in everything," Condon said. "They love him in the interviews. He was off the charts in the intelligence tests. He's a very fine athlete."

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