PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AFC : Means, Chargers Still $10 Million Apart

After eight days and $32,000 in fines, Pro Bowl running back Natrone Means and the San Diego Chargers remained about $10 million apart Sunday.

Means, who was expected to report to training camp along with the team’s veteran players on July 23, is being fined $4,000 for each day he fails to report.

The third-year running back, who set a Chargers’ single-season rushing record with 1,350 yards last season, is seeking a five-year contract worth $16.6 million, as well as a $3 million signing bonus.

The Chargers, who have offered Means a four-year deal worth $6.2 million and an $800,000 signing bonus, have repeatedly said they are not open to further negotiations and that their offer is final.

Means’ absence was particularly evident in a scrimmage between San Diego and the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, when the Chargers rushed for only 31 yards on 10 carries.

With Means absent, San Diego is rotating a backfield of Rodney Culver, Ronnie Harmon and rookies Terrell Fletcher and Charlie Brown.

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Houston Oiler holdout center Bruce Matthews has promised to sign with the team this week after agreeing to a four-year, $10.3 million contract.

Matthews, who has been to seven consecutive Pro Bowls, will probably sign today or Tuesday.

“I’m glad it’s over, because I’m ready to get back to work,” he said. “I’m excited about the season. I wanted to stay in Houston all along. This means I should be able to finish my career with the Oilers.”

Matthews’ decision leaves veteran tackle David Williams, tight end Pat Carter and safety Blaine Bishop as holdouts.

The team, which has little room under the salary cap, probably will have to place a couple of veterans on waivers or renegotiate their contracts before Matthews can sign.

Speculation has centered on guard John Flannery, due to make $900,000, and quarterback Bucky Richardson, at $400,000.

Defensive tackle Ray Childress might be asked to rework his $2.05 million contract to give the Oilers room under the cap to sign Matthews and center Erik Norgard.

A free agent, Norgard was waived late in the offseason to save money.

Cornerback Steve Jackson reworked his contract last week to help the Oilers sign top draft pick Steve McNair.

If Matthews plays out his contract, he will have spent 16 years with the Oilers, tying former defensive end Elvin Bethea’s team record. Matthews, who turns 34 in August, has played 174 games--second in Oiler history to Bethea’s 210.