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Chargers call upon an old friend Maurer to be reunited with former Oregon State coaches Next weekend will act as a reunion of sorts for Oregon State University tight end Marty Maurer. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound former Cascade Christian product wasn't taken in the seven-round National Football League draft that concluded on Sunday, but said Monday he will sign a free agent contract today with the San Diego Chargers. That signing reunites Maurer with former OSU and current San Diego head coach Mike Riley, who was responsible for bringing Maurer to the Beavers. Financial terms of the deal were not available, but if Maurer makes the active roster he stands to make the league minimum of $206,000. With San Diego, Maurer will also reunite with former Beaver offensive coordinator Paul Cryst, who is the Chargers' tight ends coach. Maurer hasn't had much contact with Riley since the coach left for the NFL ranks two years ago, although the two did talk on the phone a year ago after the Beavers' bowl game in Hawaii. "For me there were a couple options I had," said Maurer, "but the best fit for me was to go back with coach Riley." Cryst worked extensively with Maurer during his first two seasons with OSU and by all accounts the two had a solid working relationship. He contacted Maurer after San Diego's final pick in the seventh round of the draft, hoping to shore up Maurer as a free agent. "They know me as a person so that was one of the things they talked about," said Maurer. "They said knowing me they felt comfortable that I'll be able to grasp what they want me to do there." Like many, Cryst was surprised at Maurer's 20-pound weight gain since the conclusion of the season. "He was pretty shocked to hear that I was at 260," said Maurer. "I think a lot of people are shocked when they hear of my weight now. "For me, 260's a pretty good weight. Actually losing five pounds wouldn't be too bad for me either." Maurer fared well in pre-draft workouts, running the 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds and bench-pressing 225 pounds 16 times. He caught 36 passes for the Beavers last fall for 420 yards and a touchdown as OSU posted a best-ever 11-1 record and a victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Maurer's next step will be to attend a three-day mini camp next weekend with the Chargers. Once there, he said he hopes to make a lasting impression. "I'm on their team until I get cut," said Maurer. "That's the approach I'm taking. "I wanted a shot and here it is, I have my shot. Now it's time to go out and prove that I belong there." Also on Monday, a handful of other Oregon State and Oregon seniors signed free agent contracts with NFL teams. OSU safety Terrence Carroll signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and defensive end LaDairis Jackson inked a deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Oregon defensive lineman Jason Nikolao will join former Grants Pass High and Portland State quarterback Jimmy Blanchard standout as part of the invitees to the Jacksonville Jaguars mini-camp. Duck wide receiver Marshaun Tucker agreed to a free-agent contract with the Tennessee Titans. As reported in Monday's Mail Tribune, former Grants Pass High and Oregon linebacker Matt Smith has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.