Chargers to Resume Talks With FitzPatrick Today

SAN DIEGO —  The Chargers will try again today to reach agreement with first-round draft choice James FitzPatrick of USC after negotiations broke off Friday night.

General Manager Johnny Sanders spent much of the afternoon and evening talking with FitzPatrick’s agent, Leigh Steinberg. The club is believed to be offering a five-year contract worth $1.8 million.

Steinberg returned to his home in Los Angeles Friday night but planned to return here today for further negotiations with Sanders.

Steinberg and Sanders did reach an agreement on receiver Curt Pardridge, a sixth-round draft choice from Northern Illinois.

Meanwhile, the Chargers’ efforts to sign their other first-round pick, defensive lineman Leslie O’Neal of Oklahoma State, also stalled. O’Neal is believed to be seeking a four-year contract in excess of $1.7 million. Sanders said he will talk today with O’Neal’s agent, Marv Demoff.

The Chargers signed seventh-rounder Fred Smalls, a linebacker from West Virginia.

Charger Notes Defensive back John Hendy will miss two to four weeks of training camp with a partially dislocated left shoulder suffered in a Wednesday workout. Hendy is regarded as a possible starter at free safety. . . . Linebacker Ty Allert, a fourth-round draft choice from Texas, agreed to terms Thursday but still had not signed as of late Friday afternoon. . . . Linebacker Tommy Taylor, a fourth-round pick from UCLA, has not agreed to terms and is not expected for today’s workout. . . . The Chargers have received a new proposal from George Kicklighter, the agent for Lionel James. James is entering the option year of his contract. He is expected to report with other veterans next Friday, even if he hasn’t signed a new contract. . . . Defensive lineman Earl Wilson, who was 26 pounds overweight at 291 during mini-camp last month, has been ordered to trim down to 275 by Friday. He faces a fine of $25 a day per pound for every pound over 275.