Posted on: Saturday, June 12, 2004

Chargers' Fonoti AWOL from camp

Advertiser News Services

The San Diego Chargers welcomed new left tackle Roman Oben yesterday, only to have two other projected starters from their shaky offensive line stay away from the opening day of minicamp in San Diego.

Center Jason Ball was a no-show because he wants to be traded, and guard Toniu Fonoti, who missed all of last year with injuries, was absent without an excuse. Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson wasn't particularly pleased, since the Chargers' biggest rebuilding project is the line.

"Both of those guys, we absolutely need them here because they're starters on the offensive line," said Tomlinson, who rushed for 1,645 yards last year.

Ball had been asking for a new contract, and now he's demanding a trade. The Chargers, an NFL-worst 4-12 last year, declined the request.

Ball is an exclusive-rights free agent who was tendered a $380,000 contract for next season, which he didn't sign.

Fonoti, a Kahuku High alum from Hawai'i, was at the Chargers' complex earlier in the week.

"We're expecting him to be here, and he's not right now," general manager A.J. Smith said.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer said all he knew was that Fonoti was in Houston. "He's supposed to be here," Schottenheimer said.

Fonoti was a second-round pick out of Nebraska in 2002 and started 14 games as a rookie. He missed all of last season with a foot injury. Listed at 350 pounds, he's battled his weight in his two pro seasons.

Fonoti was absent from voluntary workouts earlier this year because of an illness in the family.

Oben was acquired from Tampa Bay on Wednesday for a fifth-round draft pick in 2005.