Smith Is Back, Helps Defense Take Shape

LA JOLLA — One more piece of the Charger puzzle fell into place Monday when free-agent linebacker Billy Ray Smith rejoined the team, after agreeing to a series of one-year contracts for five years late Sunday night.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The contract won’t be signed until today, but Smith practiced with the team Monday afternoon. He said he had secured insurance in case he was injured during practice.

“I wanted to be out here today and play before the 49ers game (Thursday),” said Smith, who worked out in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. “Some guys can come in and play in the season opener, but I felt I needed 1 1/2 or two weeks to get back into it.”

Coach Al Saunders seemed relieved to have Smith, who led the team in tackles last season with 110, back in uniform.

“He’s obviously kept himself in condition,” Saunders said. “He picks up the tempo of the defense.” Smith’s appearance in training camp ended his 23-day holdout. It also leaves inside linebacker Thomas Benson as the Chargers’ lone unsigned player.

After the Ram game Sunday, Smith’s agent, George Kalafaitis, and Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations, settled on all but one point in a proposed contract.

Then shortly before midnight, Smith called Ortmayer.

“He (Smith) said ‘It’s time to play. Let’s do the deal,’ ” Ortmayer said.

Kalafaitis said compromise was necessary from both parties in the negotiation.

“In any kind of difficult negotiations that take place, neither party is completely satisfied or completely bitter,” Kalafaitis said.

Ortmayer said that the team’s offer to Smith, which he had described as “hellacious” on Friday, had not really changed.

“We had no interest in beating them down,” Ortmayer said. “We did what we felt was right for us.”

Smith, the team’s first draft pick in 1983 and the highest drafted defensive player in Charger history, seemed satisfied with the contract.

“I think it correlates with my position in the league,” Smith said. “I think I’m one of the best in the league.”

The four-year veteran out of Arkansas was third on the team last season in sacks with 11. That number was the second highest sack total of any NFL linebacker, behind Lawrence Taylor. Smith, 26, also forced a team-high four fumbles and knocked down six passes during the 1986 season.

Ortmayer wouldn’t compare Smith’s contract with Chip Banks’. Banks, an All-Pro linebacker acquired from Cleveland in the off-season, also practiced Monday. Banks has been bothered by an injured Achilles’ tendon.

Smith, who worked out with the team for two weeks before the beginning of training camp, said he would be able to pick up where he left off, but was a little rusty on some calls.

“I had problems with some signals, but I think I can get those down,” he said, laughing. “I’ll stay up and use flashcards.”

Smith called the negotiation experience interesting.

“I learned a lot,” he said.

One thing in particular stuck out in his mind: his first visit to the owners’ private box at San Diego Jack Murphy stadium.

“You should see the food in there,” he said. “That was part of getting the deal done, I get all the leftover food after the games.”

Ortmayer said there was nothing new to report with Thomas Benson’s negotiations.

“It still remains a question,” Saunders said. Ty Allert started in Benson’s spot against the Rams.

“We have a short week this week and then just one more preseason game,” Saunders said. “We have to make plans.”

Wide receiver Bobby Johnson, acquired last week from the New York Giants, made his first appearance Monday afternoon in training camp.

Johnson said he couldn’t tell much from the first practice except that the Chargers’ tempo is different from the Giants’.

“Ours (the Giants’) is more intense,” Johnson said. “The coaches here are loose.”

Johnson wasn’t sure how he would respond to the new approach.

“You get lackadaisical,” he said. “I prefer hollering.”

Charger Notes

After watching film of Sunday’s game, Saunders praised the play of Jamie Holland, Mark Vlasic and Tim Spencer on offense and Danny Walters, Ted Watts, Jim Lachey and Don Macek on defense.

“Macek looks like it’s midseason,” Saunders said about the veteran center. “He has totally dominated those he’s played against.”

Saunders also praised the performances of linemen Earl Wilson and Mike Charles, both of whom joined the team last week.

“Charles and Wilson were our best two defensive linemen on the field in terms of production,” Saunders said.

Additions to the injured list after Sunday’s game include cornerback Nelson Jones (ankle), tackle Jim Lachey ( knee), center Jim Leonard (neck), running back Kevin Scott (knee), running back Curtis Adams (groin)and quarterback Mark Herrmann (shoulder).

Saunders said either Dan Fouts or Herrmann would start Thursday’s exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers. Tom Flick and Mike Moroski will also play and the Saunders said he would like Vlasic to get into a two-minute offense situation. Rick Neuheisel is not expected to play.