Bernstine Ends Holdout, Signs 4-Year Deal With Chargers

LA JOLLA — Rod Bernstine, the Chargers’ first-round draft pick, on Tuesday signed a three-year contract with an option year worth $1.43 million, according to a source close to the negotiations.

The signing of the All-American tight end from Texas A&M;, which ended a 19-day holdout, was announced at a news conference in which Bernstine; his agent, Ralph Cindrich of Pittsburgh; and Steve Ortmayer, director of football operations were present. Ortmayer and Cindrich declined to reveal terms of the contract.

With incentives, the value of the contract could increase to $1.55 million, according to the source.

Bernstine, who flew into San Diego Tuesday, will practice today with the Chargers.

“Rod said it was time to play football,” Cindrich said.

Bernstine signed at about 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Bernstine, 22, was the 24th player selected in the National Football League draft in April. In 1986, during his senior year, he was eighth in the nation in receptions, and led all tight ends with 65 catches for 710 yards.

“I’ve been working out,” said Bernstine, who had been staying with his brother in Vallejo, “but I haven’t put on pads since January.”

Cindrich described the terms of the contract as “respectable for both sides.”

“It took time to get it done,” Cindrich said. “But San Diego has gotten a real fine athlete.”

Though owner Alex Spanos said last week that the team would consider trading Bernstine if a deal wasn’t reached by last Sunday, both Cindrich and Ortmayer said that the goal was always to sign Bernstine.

“Our primary objective was always to sign him and make him part of the San Diego Chargers,” Ortmayer said.

Ortmayer now will concentrate on negotiations with the three remaining unsigned Chargers: linebacker Billy Ray Smith, defensive end Earl Wilson and linebacker Thomas Benson. At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Ortmayer said he had no update on Wilson or Benson, but that he had met with Smith’s agent, George Kalafaitis, three times in the last 24 hours.

“Things are moving along but it’s time for Billy Ray to be here,” Ortmayer said.

Cindrich, who has represented other NFL players during contract disputes, including New York Jet wide receiver Al Toon, described Ortmayer as a tough but fair negotiator.

“Sure, I threw up my hands several times,” he said. “Ort’s a street-fighter. But it never came to blows.”

Bernstine said he had completely entrusted Cindrich with his contract negotiations. But Bernstine, who reported to both Charger minicamp and rookie camp in May, said he began to get restless last weekend.

“Last weekend, I saw my friends playing for Kansas City and the L.A. Rams,” Bernstine said. “That only makes it worse.”

It was Cindrich’s idea, during negotiations, to keep Bernstine in Vallejo, away from the pressures of San Diego and home in southeastern Texas.

Bernstine grew up in Vallejo but moved to Bryan, Tex., at age 14. He went to college at nearby Texas A&M; and switched from fullback to tight end in his sophomore year.

Bernstine smiled throughout the news conference and said he needed to call his mother to let her know his good news.

He said he was happy with his current physical condition and with his weight, which he said is 238 pounds. The 6-foot 3-inch tight end has been running and lifting weights on his own.

“But it’s not the same as working with a few good fellows,” Bernstine said.

Bernstine said he didn’t expect resentment from the other players because of his holdout.

“All rookies get picked on and have a few fights,” he said. “I’m just excited to get out there and perform.”

Tackle James FitzPatrick will be out for three to four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee this morning.

“I could go and play on it right now,” said the second-year player from USC. “But then it would get even worse by the end of the season.”

FitzPatrick, who spent most of his rookie year out with a back injury, first injured his knee last week. He reinjured it Monday when he caught his foot on another player, fell and felt his knee pop.

“It’s not even swollen much--there’s probably just a chip floating around in there,” FitzPatrick said.