July 30, 1999

By Bernie Wilson
AP SPORTS WRITER

Every so often during San Diego Chargers practices, Junior Seau switches sides, pulls on a white jersey and, presto, the All-Pro linebacker turns into a tight end.

Sometimes he makes great catches. Other times, he simply looks like a linebacker trying to catch the ball.

What in the name of Polynesia are the Chargers doing? The team now has what it calls its ``coconut package'' in which Seau, from Samoa, and tight end Alfred Pupunu, from Tonga, would be on the field at the same time.

After losing 31 games in three seasons, the Chargers think they can only gain from experimenting with their best player.

``I guarantee you if we had the No. 1 offense, this would never come up,'' said Seau, the Chargers' live-wire leader who's entering his 10th NFL season. ``The fact here is we need identity on offense. If I can add a spark to the offense, then let's do it. I have no problems about it. We're going to put the best players on the field.''

The Chargers had the 24th-ranked offense and the overwhelming number of blunders by quarterbacks Ryan Leaf and Craig Whelihan repeatedly undid the work of the NFL's top-ranked defense.

After the Chargers' 5-11 debacle, Seau urged the team to sign a veteran quarterback.

Then he played some tight end during his eighth straight Pro Bowl appearance. He was the primary receiver on the play during which John Elway threw his final scoring pass, but couldn't get open and Elway dumped off a 3-yarder to Sam Gash.

Seau later spoke to new coach Mike Riley, who wants to have some fun while trying to win. Riley agreed to give him a look at tight end beginning with minicamps.

``Athletically, you can do nothing but agree with him,'' said Riley, who made the jump from Oregon State to his first NFL job. ``I think he'd be great. If he played that full time, he'd probably be Pro Bowl at it.''

Technically, Seau is being used as an H-back, a hybrid tight end/fullback who lines up in different spots and goes in motion a lot more. He is used as a receiver and blocker.

If this experiment works, Seau can expect to be in for about 10 plays on offense during the regular season. The way he looks at it, an improved offense will mean the defense will be on the field for 12-14 fewer plays this year.

New starting quarterback Jim Harbaugh had his doubts during spring workouts.

``I'm really taking it a lot more seriously now,'' Harbaugh said. ``He can really make us better on offense. We've got good tight ends, don't get me wrong, but Junior, he just has a spark to him or something. He comes over there and he just makes plays.

``We're firing all our bullets, and damn the torpedoes. I kind of like it.''

Harbaugh then uttered these magic words: ``We've got an open-minded coach.''

Seau knows this never would have been possible under Kevin Gilbride, the stubborn former head coach who was 6-16 when he was fired six games into last season.

About the only one not excited about seeing Seau at tight end is defensive coordinator Joe Pascale, who doesn't want the two-way duties interfering with his concentration and zest on defense.

``Believe me, I'm the first to say that if it deteriorates what I've done, and the bread and butter of who I am and what I stand for, I'll definitely step aside,'' Seau said.

And what if Seau gets hurt playing offense? The coaching staff is all too familiar with New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn. He injured his knee on a kickoff return during an exhibition game last year and was out for the season.

That hardly sways Seau, who has missed only three games in his career.

``The way I play this game is 100 percent, full out, smash someone in the mouth, get up and get back in the huddle,'' he said. ``When I have the ball in my hand it's not going to change anything. They're going to have to come after me rather than me going after them.''

Coaches are chronic worriers, but this staff wants to give it a shot.

``He deserves that,'' offensive coordinator Geep Chryst said. ``If anyone has equity in this team, it's Junior.''

The Chargers plan to use Seau mostly inside the opponents' 20-yard line and in other short-yardage situations.

``I think it's good to have him out there,'' tight end Freddie Jones said. ``He brings an energy that we need over there.''

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