Chargers Select Pope Despite Reservations

SAN DIEGO —  Notify Ripley’s.

Believe it--the Chargers used a second-round pick Sunday to select Fresno State defensive back Marquez Pope, and Pope is represented by Steve Feldman .

Feldman and General Manager Bobby Beathard waged war the past two years in negotiations involving linebacker Junior Seau and defensive end Lee Williams. Feldman has charged Beathard with driving several of his clients to switch agents, while Beathard has done his best to avoid players represented by Feldman.

So, did Beathard think twice before selecting Feldman’s client Sunday?

“We certainly did think about that for a long time and that was entered into the decision,” Beathard said. “But we signed Pat O’Hara, the (Plan B) quarterback, and Steve Feldman represented Pat and we worked it out quickly.

“We called Feldman just before we made our pick and he said he didn’t think there would be a problem. We had talked about it (Saturday) night and we said, here’s a player, an awfully good player, and it doesn’t seem right to stay away from him just because of who represents him.”

Feldman had eight Charger players before Beathard’s arrival, but until O’Hara and Pope arrived, he was down to only Seau.

“I called Bobby on O’Hara and said, ‘I know you think I’m a (expletive deleted), but if you want O’Hara, don’t let that stop you from doing a deal. I think with the O’Hara deal the ice started to thaw, and this should melt it entirely.”

Does that mean Pope will report to training camp on time?

“It means that we’ll negotiate in good faith like we always have,” Feldman said, “and I would look forward to getting him in here on time.”