By Joe Kay
The Associated Press

Ben Roethlisberger will work out privately later this month for the San Diego Chargers, who have the first overall pick in the NFL draft and are in the market for a dependable quarterback.

Ben Roethlisberger will work out for the San Diego Chargers. (Steven M. Herppich/file photo)

Roethlisberger, who led Miami of Ohio to a No. 10 ranking this season, is scheduled to throw for the Chargers on the school's campus in nearby Oxford on March 23.

He will have dinner with New York Giants officials the next day, then work out for scouts from a variety of NFL teams on March 25.

"The throwing sessions are probably the single most important factor in the scouting process," agent Leigh Steinberg said Tuesday.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said at the scouting combine in Indianapolis last month that his was looking for an upgrade at quarterback.

San Diego has Drew Brees and Doug Flutie, who avoided being cut by restructuring his contract in the offseason. Smith said the Chargers were considering taking a quarterback with the top pick.

Roethlisberger left Miami after his junior season, and is considered one of the top passers available, along with Eli Manning. He threw at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, but didn't run the 40-yard dash or do agility drills.

Draft prospects are allowed to work out for scouts on their college campuses. Next month, teams can bring prospects to their facilities for workouts.

Steinberg said the Chargers and the Giants, who have the fourth overall pick, are the only teams that have asked for private meetings with Roethlisberger so far.

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