AJ Smith On Rumors Of New McNeill Negotiations: "Absolutely Untrue."

Chargers General Manager AJ Smith was in rare form yesterday, responding to the increased chatter surrounding the team's big-name holdouts. In an interview with beat reporter Kevin Acee, Smith made it crystal clear that negotiations with Marcus McNeill have made no progress, and that there would be no guarantees that Shawne Merriman would not be placed on the trading block.

According to Acee of the Union-Tribune, AJ Smith came out yesterday to shoot down any rumor that the Chargers and McNeill's camp were to seriously begin contract negotiations this week. This statement refutes a report by NFL.com's Jason La Canfora saying the two sides were expected to get something done soon.

As for Merriman holding out of training camp in protest of a lack of assurances that he wont be traded this season, Smith had this to say:

“It was very disappointing to hear Shawne’s demands and desires regarding the Chargers,” Smith said. “But it certainly is his right to voice them. We will not guarantee him that he won’t be traded. That is not in the best interest of the organization. We will not be building a defense around Shawne. Our hope was that he would become an integral part of our defense. Obviously he has a lot on his mind going into the season. He will have to work that out with his agent.”

Merriman Wont Report On Time, Wants Guarantee He Wont Be Traded

Shawne Merriman has announced he wont report to training camp with the rest of the team's veterans Friday, and suggested he may continue to sit out until he receives assurances from the Chargers that he wont be shopped for trade.

Speaking with Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Merriman made it clear he is unhappy with his name constantly being associated with trade rumors and speculation.

“It’s not about me wanting more money,” he said. “I will show what I deserve. I don’t have to ask for it. I feel like I’ve proved what I’m worth, and I will still prove it. To me, it really comes down to, ‘Am I on the trading block this week? The third week of the season, am I on the block?’ Where is that comfortability for me?”

“I’m only coming back to be the guy on the defense. I’m not coming back to be a guy. I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me.”

Merriman, making it known on multiple occasions that he is happy in San Diego and wishes to remain a Charger, is looking for a commitment from the team. He's not demanding more money and has accepted his restricted free agent tender. What Merriman wants, however, is some assurance that he's going to be a Charger for the entire season and is willing to let his performance set the price for his upcoming free agency.

“I’m waiting for the green light to have a great year,” he said. “I need to know I’m not going to be on the trade block every three weeks. … The question is do I have stability enough to go play football and not worry about the other things. This is literally day to day how things progress, how things move. I don’t want this to be a distraction to my teammates. I don’t want this to be a distraction to me. I just want to get something resolved soon and go from there. The bottom line is when I get back on the field I plan on doing what I do best, and that is playing. I just hope to get rid of the unnecessary talk. One thing needs to happen — we need to get over the hump. And me not being there is not going to help us get over the hump.”

Three And Out: May 12, 2010

Shawne Merriman makes a bold move as he fires his super agent Tom Condon, NFL preseason power rankings begin to trickle out, and a video report from rookie orientation.

MERRIMAN FIRES AGENT, WAS BEING ACTIVELY TRADED ON DRAFT DAY

The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports that Shawne Merriman has parted ways with agent Tom Condon and CAA after apparently being unhappy with Condon making virtually no progress towards getting Merriman a long-term deal with an NFL team, including the San Diego Chargers. Acee speculates that the friction between Condon and Chargers GM AJ Smith did not help matters, but he also says the Chargers were set to trade Merriman to one of at least two teams but the deal feel through as a long-term contract was never finalized.

Two things strike me as a bit odd; Chiefly, Kevin Acee has long contended that the Chargers do not have interest in locking up Shawne Merriman with a contract extension, but as this continues to drag on it is somewhat surprising that the Chargers have not made any attempt to quell this notion. In fact, they are all but admitting that Merriman is not part of their future. I'm not sure that's an appropriate way to handle one of your better young players, especially when the guy hasn't done anything unforgivable or egregiously wrong. I would have hoped the organization would have had a little more tact when the subject of Shawne Merriman arises.

Secondly, if the Chargers are actively trying to trade Merriman and a new agent may allow this process to happen more smoothly, what do the Chargers expect to receive in return? What is Merriman's perceived value among NFL teams? Is he a known commodity who has had some unfortunate set-backs in the form of injury, or will he ever return to his once dominant form?

SOURCE: San Diego Union-Tribune


PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS FROM AROUND THE WEB

9th - USA Today:

"Ryan Mathews must step in and fill the Tomlinson shoes very quickly."

5th - FOX SPORTS:

"Well, A.J. Smith is the man under the microscope in S.D. thanks to the uncertain futures of L.T. and L.O. ("Lights Out" Shawne Merriman). Already the team has been quietly bickering and tweeting for a month after their shocking home playoff loss to the Jets, with claims of selfishness made public. So much for that 11-game winning streak entering the playoffs. Chances are that Tomlinson and Merriman will be shown the door, ending a wildly successful, yet bittersweet era for the franchise."

4th - ESPN:

"Rookie RB Ryan Mathews will have to produce immediately. (Kuharsky)"

3rd - CBSSports:

"It's time they get past just being a really good regular-season team. It's time this talented team gets to a Super Bowl."


VIDEO REPORT FROM CHARGERS ROOKIE CAMP

Merriman Snubbed In Team Captain Vote?

The San Diego Chargers announced their offensive and defensive captains for the 2009 season. Voted on by their teammates, the usual suspects of Philip Rivers and Ladainian Tomlinson earned offensive co-captain designations, Kassim Osgood was voted the special teams captain, and Jamal Williams and Stephen Cooper were named the defensive captains. Apparently Shawne Merriman did not earn enough votes to be named as a captain.

Perhaps his time away from football last year was a factor. His public legal battle with Tila Tequilla certainly didn't help much either. But I must say it is mildly surprising that the team's most vocal and intense leader did not earn a captain designation.

Chargers.com: Chargers select captains

MERRIMAN INTERVIEW FEATURED IN OCT. ISSUE OF PLAYBOY

The Game’s Most Dangerous Linebacker Talks About His Hits, His Comeback, Being Hazed as a Rookie, and His Troubled Childhood

“I’m so dangerous right now I scare myself,” says Shawne Merriman in Playboy’s October 20Q, when asked about his rebuilt body (issue on newsstands and online at www.playboydigital.com Friday, September 11). The San Diego Chargers’ linebacker, nicknamed Lights Out for his ability to knock players out, is healthy and strong following knee surgery, and is ready to hit everything that moves. “I’m 100 percent healthy for the first time since entering the league…Now I’m the strongest I’ve ever been…If you’re wearing a different-colored helmet than me, you’re in trouble.”

Playboy.com: Shawne Merriman: 20Q

ODDS AND ENDS

Chargers co-headliners for Week 1 Monday Nighter

The fans see a pair of blowouts and so do the oddsmakers. Both the Chargers and Patriots are double-digit favorites for tonight’s games and while the Pats are following a trend of covering the spread in this situation, San Diego’s Week 1 trend focuses on the total.

The Pats are 8-2-2 ATS their past 12 Week 1 games as a favorite and they are favored by 11 at home to the Bills, according to NFL odds aggregator OddsShark.com. San Diego, when they are favored in Week 1, has been a consistent UNDER play (going 8-2 past 10 times).

Most NFL observers are aware of the Bolts’ 11-game win streak against the hated Raiders, but they have also been a money-making 7-0 ATS at Oakland. (See the matchup report here.)

While the trends pointed to many Week 1 UNDERs, six games played OVER the total (although the Giants-Redskins game barely crept over 39.5 with a 23-17 score) for a 8-6 mark favoring UNDER bettors.

Fully 87.8% of OddsShark.com visitors were picking the Chargers to cover the 10-point spread. A lot of money pushed the number from -7 to -10.5 at some places that offer steep favorite lines. Nearly 80% of bettors are on the OVER.

Shawne Merriman's Presence Felt At Start Of '09 Training Camp

Shawne Merriman, with a brace on his knee and a blue mohawk on his head, was the star of practice today. As the team kicked off the start of their 2009 training camp, only the rookies were required to report today. Merriman, too eager to get back on the field, was out practicing with his young teammates as one of only a handfull of veterans participating. "I don't think there's anyone more ready than me right now to play football again" he says.

If Merriman was showing trepidation towards his knee today, it certainly didn't show. He was moving laterally, running and jumping, showing burst and explosion. The coaching staff monitored Merriman's workload, but he looks to be cleared to participate fully. "They gave me a helmet and a jersey, that's all the clearance I need."

The team practiced sans pads today, so Merriman's prowess couldn't be fully displayed. Itching for contact, Merriman had to resort to "banging my head on the goalpost" since he wasn't allowed to actually hit anyone. Asked if he'd play in the preseason, Merriman said "I better get one play. I better get one play. I'll be furious if I don't get one play. I might not make it but I just want to hit someone and then go to the sidelines. If I get that, I'm happy. I expect to play a little bit. Hopefully I'll be allowed to get on the field."

The fans are anxious to see Lights Out play football again, and it's easy to overlook the work Shawne Merriman was put in in order to get his knee back to full strength. We sometimes take for granted that guys will come back the next season and be at 100%. It's important to acknowledge the work these guys do simply to prepare their bodies for an NFL season. Merriman described his rehab process as "ridiculous", spending 4 hours a day, 5 days a week working on recovering his knee; "The hours I put into my body over the last seven to eight months...ridiculous. Ridiculous. That's all you can really say."

Like a caged animal, Merriman is itching and scratching to be unleashed. At times he seems angry, not at anyone in particular, just angry at the situation. He doesn't want to talk about contracts. He doesn't want to hear people doubting him or his abilities. He hates feeling helpless when his teammates are struggling to get off the field on third downs. He knows he could have made a difference last season, and it's almost like he's preparing himself to make up for the time the missed. Merriman has high expectations for himself and his team; he is focused on the task at hand and he's playing with a chip on his shoulder. It'll be fun to watch Merriman try to retake the NFL by storm.

Top 10 Linebackers In The NFL [2009 Edition]

The Linebacker has long been one of my favorite positions to watch. Growing up a Chargers fan during the nineties, I like many of you, had to suffer through some bad years. Sure there were bright spots; the 94 season was one of them. But really, being a Chargers fan was about being a fan of the players. Guys like Rodney Harrison, Normand Hand, Natrone Means, heck even Curtis Conway! But for me personally there wasn't any Charger or player in the NFL who I loved to watch as much as Junior Seau. He was worth the price of admission. He could fire up the crowd like no other with his lightning bolt fist pump thing he did. Naturally I've become pretty fond of watching linebackers play, and Junior had a lot to do with it. So it was a lot of fun looking around at each team and coming up with what I feel are the top 10 linebackers in the league.

Here are the top 10 linebackers in the NFL, according to BoltHype:

[UPDATED for the 2009 Regular season]

1. Demarcus Ware
Demarcus Ware is now without question the best linebacker in the NFL. Amazing pass rush skills, yes...but Ware is not one dimensional. He can do it all.


2. Brian Urlacher
Urlacher didn't have his best season in 2008, but you can blame his defensive line for not keeping him clean. He has the talent to be the league's best defensive player.


3. Patrick Willis
As someone who already has over 300 tackles in his first 2 seasons, Willis figures to be among the NFL's leading tacklers for years and a perennial All-Pro.


4. Shawne Merriman
It's hard to drop Merriman down this low, when he could potentially be ranked as high as #1. The sackmaster needs to bounce back from an injury year.


5. Rey Lewis
Lewis is getting older and has certainly lost a step, but he makes up for it with his on-field leadership and his experience. He'll still put you into the ground.


6. Joey Porter
He does a lot of talking on the field, but just check his stats... the man produces. Porter is one of the more savy pass rushers in the game.


7. James Harrison
NFL fans were introduced to the pitbull that James Harrison is on the football field. The reigning Defensive Player of the year plays with a chip on his shoulder.


8. Kirk Morrison
A bright spot on a disappointing team, Morrison is the leader of a very underrated defensive unit. Always around the ball, he shows veteran instincts at a young age.


9. Jon Beason
The Carolina Panthers have a heat-seaking missile in Jon Beason. Active and aggressive, Beason has 200+ tackles in two seasons and plays well in coverage.


10. James Farrior
Underrated and behind the shadow of many great Steeler defenders, Farrior is the stabilizer in the middle of that unit. He deserves to be mentioned among the better inside linebackers in the NFL.


--

So what do you guys think? Any glaring omissions? Someone ranked way too high? Share your thoughts in the comments below [Keep in mind that the list has been updated since it was originally published last year]:

Larry English And The Future Of The Pass Rush

Was drafting outside linebacker Larry English in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft a shrewd football move, or an unnecessary one? BoltHype's newest blogger Jeff Williams offers up his take..

On a team who’s best defensive player is an outside linebacker, the Chargers spent their first round pick on... an outside linebacker? Seems pretty stupid at first glance, doesn’t it? While I was hoping we would take a DE like Robert Ayers or an OT like Michael Oher, apparently AJ Smith had something else in mind. I am happy he went with a defensive player in the first round, and the sound of a more vicious pass-rush is music to my ears. I’m still a little worried about our ability to stop the run, but maybe 4th-rounder Vaughn Martin will surprise us.

From what we’re hearing from the Chargers’ brass, Larry English will be more than a backup to Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. In college he played some defensive end, but he’s already being touted as part of a three-headed monster at linebacker, with Merriman and English rushing off the outside, and Phillips roaming the middle looking for a good angle from which to blitz. And honestly, I do like that sound of that. English was a stud in college, albeit against limited competition. But a stud is a stud - he has the size and the attitude to succeed on the defensive front seven.

The one concerning aspect of his drafting is that it is yet another sign that Merriman is not going to be a Charger for as long as we'd all like him to be. Much has been written about Merriman’s future contract demands, and the Chargers’ concerns about his ability to stay healthy. Add to the mix a capable replacement in English (if everything goes according to plan), and Merriman could be gone before you know it. I think we can safely assume that Lights Out will be a Charger through 2009. What about 2010, even with a franchise tag available? Why would AJ offer him a large 1-year deal, just to see him walk with little compensation in return? If English turns out to be a solid performer, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Merriman franchised in 2010 and his rights be traded to the highest bidder. And who else (besides AJ) wouldn’t offer up the world for a guy like Merriman? Obviously if a new bargaining agreement isn’t worked out before 2010, we have another year before we have to worry about it. But with a guy of Merriman’s caliber, I’m already starting to worry about it.

Maybe the trio of Merriman, Phillips, and English will be so dominant that AJ decides we have to keep the three of them together. Maybe the defense pulls together and wins us the ring we are so desperate for, allowing Merriman and AJ to become close buddies united around that common purpose. Maybe, Larry English was the key to unlocking the door to a championship...or maybe he's here to show Merriman the door. The clock is ticking on that Super Bowl dream.

Breaking Down The Roster - Linebackers

Continuing our breakdown of the entire Chargers roster, we focus this week on the all-important linebackers. The Chargers at one point had arguably the most talented group of linebackers in the league - can they regain their form? Hit the jump for Jeff Williams' commentary...

Less than a week until the draft! I seriously can't wait. My wife has already been warned that I will be unavailable for a majority of the weekend. And like any good wife, I can count on her to not complain about it until at least an hour into the thing. Gotta love her...

Anyway, just a few positions left to cover in our review of the current Chargers roster. Next up we look at the linebacker spot. Just last year I wrote that the linebacker corps is probably the deepest of any team in the NFL. Last year, the Chargers put that statement to the test and I'll admit that the results were mixed, if not entirely disappointing.

With Shawne Merriman taking a not-so-unexpected early exit from the season and Stephen Cooper serving a four-game suspension, the Bolts quickly put their depth to the test. Jyles Tucker replaced Lights Out and was a below-average to average player. If you look at it objectively, you have to admit that it would have been all but impossible to replace the league's best defensive player, but Tucker did nothing to earn him a reprieve from any criticism. Replacing Cooper was free-agent signee Derek Smith. Yeah, he was cut before the end of the season once Cooper was back in game shape.

You've heard it before, and you're going to hear it again (and again) - the Chargers defense was a different unit without Merriman. Shaun Phillips was average. Matt Wilhelm was exposed as a 2nd stringer, and began sharing more time with back-up Tim Dobbins. The rest of the much-heralded back-ups were no better than anyone else's back-ups, and our former Defensive Coordinator did nothing to adjust. Rather than create ways to rush the passer, our LB's were forced into pass coverage far too often, and they didn't seem to be very good at it. Ron Rivera was able to slow the bleeding, but the LB corps never found a way to plug the hole created by the loss of Merriman.

Going into the 2009 draft and season, the linebacker position has received a lot of attention. Merriman should be recovered from his knee injury (if you believe him, he'll be in the best shape of his pro-career). Kevin Burnett was signed to compete for a starting inside spot next to Cooper. Former 3rd rounder Anthony Waters was cut because he wasn't making the progress that the team had hoped he would. Now some "experts" and a lot of fans expect the Bolts to take USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, although recent reports that he may have torn a hamstring are likely to end that discussion. Beyond Rey, there isn't much 1st or 2nd round talent available at inside LB. The Chargers might draft a project later in the draft, but expect the competition for starting inside LB to be a three-man race between Wilhelm, Dobbins, and Burnett. I'm picking Burnett to earn the 1st-string spot.

Working Out With Shawne Merriman

Shawne Merriman pumps iron at California's Venice Beach:

Defenceless

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Defenses win championships. As we've seen in games past, without a pass rush and bums like Cromartie giving it up like a virgin on prom night, the Lombardi will continue to be just a gleam in our blue and yellow eyes. Defenses like the Steelers, Eagles and Ravens (heck, even the Cardnals, WTF???) play at a level unknown to our defense (at least this year). The tenacity, the viciousness the "rip off their heads and sh*t down the hole" mentality. The Chargers D didn't have that yesterday. I watched in amazement to see our D line actually get blown off the ball multiple times, several yards off the line of scrimmage. The occasional blitz did little or nothing to help the cause as Ben Rothlesburger stood in the pocket most of the day for what seemed eons, completing passes that should never have been. Letting a team get 22 first downs just won't cut it. The Steelers wanted it more then we did.

While I like the fact that Steven Cooper stepped up this year as a leader and a motivator, we need to see more of this from other players. And why Brandon Siler isn't a starter yet or at least rotated in and not just during goal line stances, I couldn't tell you. The kid has a motor and has the potential to make huge plays.

I remember playing HS football and our defensive line coach telling us to get into that "rage" mindset, and to "pretend that the QB and RB just raped your mother" (true story) and "You have no friends out there, only enemies". While it all seems somewhat cliche, it worked. You want to hit harder, you want to injure, you want to inflict as much chaos as one could possibly commit. I remember during my senior year, a certain school's team decided to trash our field prior to the game. Not only did we win that game, but we took 5 of their players out of the game. Not playing dirty mind you, but playing with R-A-G-E.

The Chargers need to find that rage next year. Hopefully it will come with the return of Shawne Merriman.

Thanks for an exciting month and a half end of the season. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

PS - Ever see Cromartie on a play where the ball sails over a receivers head and the guy acts like he actually defended the pass? Funny.

Shawne Merriman Stops By Manny Pacquiao's House For Dinner

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Shawne Merriman Stops By Pacquiao's For Dinner

It's The Coaches, Stupid?

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In the beginning of 2007, most Charger fans were screaming for Marty Schottenheimer's head after the debacle against the New England Patriots. Fans had enough of "Martyball" and wanted a change of guard. Sure, Marty was somewhat an inspirational coach, with his "One play at a time" mantra. But that can only take a team so far. So, we saw that the team was capable of execution, but poor coaching decisions in the playoffs showed Schottenheimer the exit. But like many will argue, exactly how much responsibility should fall on the coaching staff?

Enter Norv Turner. Last season, the team sputtered at the start, no doubt the regime change contributed to this. And if one made a case to argue that coaching was to blame, they would be hard pressed to find someone to counter them. But they eventually found their stride with good offensive plays called which lead to a respectable playoff run. The defense, anchored by Shawne Merriman, was stalwart through most of the season. Forced turnovers were aplenty, interceptions were bountiful and sacks were volumenous. And the offense (when everyone was healthy) was banging on all twelve (eleven?) cylinders.

But something about this season is appallingly different. The most glaring being the absense of Merriman. The D has lost it swagger, its tenacity. To me, some players are going through the motions. It looks like new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is trying to right the ship, and he did to some degree by keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the endzone and calling some plays to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. But every single team we've played this year has thrown for over 200 yards, with many over 250 and 300. Completely unacceptable and thus prompting the departure of Ted Cottrell. But now that Cottrell is gone, the last 2 games showed more of the same pass defense. So, while a coaching change might have been necessary, what about the players? When are some of these guys going to be held accountable? If Chargers GM AJ Smith says the players are "On Notice", then its time to act and call these players out. And they know who they are.

Offensively, execution is the sticking point. I think Turner is calling the right plays, though I would like to see him mix it up a bit more. We are at times too predictable and when a defense knows exactly what you're going to do, its nearly impossible to execute a play to the best of your abilities. To Phillip Rivers: Like it or not, you are the leader of this offense. So when you have a bad day, the O has a bad day. LT has become relegated to a support role. And while teams still respect him, its apparent he's not the #1 priority anymore as simply containment is the key to defending him. Bottom line is you can't turn the ball over deep into an opponent's territory, or anywhere on the field for that matter. So until Rivers can manage the game like he has in seasons past, the offense will continue to struggle.

All of the players need to ask themselves "Am I doing everything I can on each and every play to help this team win?". I'm tired of seeing such a talented team underachieve.

Without It's Centerpiece, Chargers Defense Is Sub Par

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What happens to a team when it losses the most dominant defensive player in the game? How effective can a 3-4 defense be without a feared pass rusher? Clearly we are seeing the answer to those questions just about every week from the sans-Merriman San Diego Chargers.

Not only was Shawne Merriman a schematic nightmare for offensive coordinators, he was also the emotional leader for his team. Bill Williamson of ESPN asked an AFC scout to quantify the effect losing #56 had on the Bolts. The personnel man's response? "I can't believe the Chargers miss one player so much. But not having Merriman is killing them. They aren't the same defense without him."

This isn't a revelation to Charger fans, but what it does do is provide a glimpse into what the Chargers could regress to if they fail to resign Shawne Merriman after the 2009 season. The prevailing thought is that the team will have all its money tied up in extending Philip Rivers. But if the team was smart, they'd sit Rivers and Shawne down and ask them if there is a way to keep them both. Try to foster some sort of good will and open dialog between the parties involved. I think I know guys want to make as much money as they possibly can. And I'll never put a guy down for trying to get all the money he can. But a Super Bowl is a rare, rare thing and the fans here in San Diego deserve to call a Championship team their own. So all I'm asking for is for everybody involved try to get together and work this thing out. I see no reason why everyone can't win in this situation..

Chargers Defensive Problems: Linebackers

Chargers Defensive Problems: Linebackers

WHAT NEEDS TO IMPROVE:

The Chargers need a better job of utilizing their talent. The loss of Shawne Merriman not only affected their ability to rush the passer, but the defense also lost a four-down linebacker. Right now, the Chargers don't have enough four-down linebackers. You can make the case that Shaun Phillips and Stephen Cooper can play all four downs, but beyond those two, who else has that kind of ability?

Matt Wilhelm is a great backup and a good rotational guy, but he isn't a full-time starter. At least, he hasn't proved to be one yet. He came in to the year with the reputation of being a great cover-linebacker, but Wilhelm has been exposed by tight ends all year long. He's more of a finesse player who doesn't really player with power and leverage. Wilhelm is versatile (he can play outside and in), which is good to have in a 3-4 defense. But he doesn't excel in any one area which leads me to believe he is best used in a rotational role.

Antwan Applewhite has tremendous size and power, but he doesn't always use it. He plays to high and seems to be more of a natural defensive end. I have hopes for Applewhite, and was excited by his addition to the practice squad. But he is still developing into an outside linebacker and has some work to do on the fundamentals of the position. He does a good job of being aggressive with opposing blockers, but doesn't seem to have a ton of pass rush tools besides the bull rush. I'm not that down on Applewhite because I know he is stepping up due to injuries at the position. But he'll be a far better player in the coming seasons.

Another guy who does well in rotation but is struggling as a starter is Marques Harris. Harris is a high energy, speed guy who can come in every so often and make a quick impact. But Harris just isn't stout enough to hold up well against powerful tackles. He struggles against the run and is forced to take wide angles on passing downs.

Shaun Phillips and Jyles Tucker need to step up their game. I think both are good players, but they need to be great players. Without Merriman on the field, Phillips/Tucker are getting more attention and while they are pressuring the QB, they aren't getting enough hits on him. They are so close, too often. We need them to seal the deal.


WHAT WE NEED MORE OF:

Brandon Siler. Siler is one of the few guys on defense who plays with a consistent intensity. Brandon Siler plays with emotion and intensity, and players around him can feed off of that.

Schematically, Siler is best used on rushing downs. He isn't the most fluid runner and. The Chargers use Siler on special teams where he plays like a demon. Siler is also counted on in goal line situations because he doesn't let plays go through him. But he can be a dominant force in the middle and the Chargers need to get him on the field more. Siler is the type of player that the Chargers defense can funnel plays to. He is a big hitter who craves contact. The defense needs to mix up their rushing linebackers more, and I think Siler would be deadly as a rusher up the middle. He has the power to blow up the center and intimidate the quarterback. If the Chargers want to improve on defense, they need to get a player like Siler more snaps on gameday. (photo credit Tim Casey)

We also need Tim Dobbins to play more. He is a similar player to Siler in that he can lay the wood and is not shy about tackling. Dobbins is faster than Siler and is a little more savvy on defense. Dobbins reminds me of a heat-seeking missile. He is relentless in pursuit and can do a pretty job of blitzing. Again, he might best be used in run support but his ability to cover is under-rated. We've seen him make plays on the ball and while his range might be slightly compared to Matt Wilhelm, Dobbins is quicker to the ball and runs through people as opposed to dragging them down by their shoelaces.

As for Anthony Waters, its tough to get a read on him because he doesn't play enough. Is he an outside linebacker? Is he an inside guy? The fact that he can play both positions is a tremendous boost to the defense but without playing time, he can't get better and we won't know what kind of player he is. We need to see more of him. The Chargers invested a day one pick on Waters and those kind of players need to make an impact for your football team.


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Chargers Defense Without An Emotional Leader

With the San Diego Chargers losing Shawne Merriman for the season, who will emerge as the defense's new emotional leader? The Chargers lost much more than just a good player; they lost a team captain, a leader on defense, a guy who teammates feed off of. Merriman was the most feared man on that defense, and without him, who will bring the intensity and fire to the huddle and on the sidelines?

Quentin Jammer and Jamal Williams are great players; veterans who guys look up to. Their way is to lead by example, by taking care of business on the field. They aren't big rah-rah guys and they don't get into people's faces.

Guys like Luis Castillo, Shaun Phillips, and Steven Cooper play with passion and have the potential to step up and lead the defense. Can they be players their teammates rally around? Will they step up their games and force opposing offenses to gameplan around them?

This was supposed to be the Chargers big year, the year they finally make it to the Super Bowl. Certainly losing a player of Shawne Merriman's caliber hurts the Chargers' defense on the field. But only time will tell as to what type of intangible impact the loss of Merriman will have.

The defense was criticized for poor tackling and playing with a lack of intensity. Without Merriman, how much worse will it get? At this point, I wonder if a trade is in the works? If the Chargers want to leapfrog the Colts, Steelers, Cowboys, and Patriots, they can do it by retooling. But who is out there? Every team thinks they have a chance right now, so it wont be easy to steal away a good pass rusher via trade. The only guy who I can think of is Terrell Suggs from Baltimore. He would be a one year rental essentially, because the Ravens franchised him (you can trade a franchised player, right?). But it'll take a lot to get him, and the Chargers might be comfortable with going with Phillips, Tucker, Harris. We'll just have to wait and see what happens on Sunday. But AJ Smith will make the occasional mid-season trade if he thinks he can help the team (Chris Chambers) so I wouldn't rule it out completely.

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Merriman Shuts It Down

It was never really a question of "if," but rather of "when" Shawne Merriman would be forced to undergo season-ending surgery. The San Diego Chargers announced today that Merriman would be placed on IR, following his decision to go ahead and get surgery on his knee:

"Shawne informed me he did not feel right (on the field) and thought it best to shut it down," said Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith. "The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery."

While losing a player of Shawne Merriman's caliber certainly hurts the Chargers chances of winning a Super Bowl, it's not nearly the blow that New England suffered when they lost Tom Brady for the year last Sunday.

Shawne tried to give it a go this season, and he earned a lot of respect from the fans. But watching him play against the Panthers, it was clear that 56 was not the same player as last year. Its probably best to have the surgery now anyways; there were plenty of former players pleading with Merriman to not play this season - Rod Woodson and MarcellusWiley were particularily outspoken.


Shawne, if you are reading this, I just want to thank you for what you brought to this team; your relentlessness and passion for the game really inspired fans and helped bring the edge back to the San Diego defense that it lost when guys like Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison left town. In case we never get to see you play in Bolts again (which I HOPE isn't the case!), thanks for the memories man. Hope your recovery goes well.

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Marcellus Wiley Begs Shawne Merriman Not To Play

Former San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl defensive end Marcellus Wiley knows a thing or two about playing through major injuries. In 2001, Wiley played an entire season with a screw in his foot as a result of a break he suffered in practice. In a situation that eerily mirror's Shawne Merriman's current predicament, Wiley went against his doctor's wishes and decided to sip another tablespoon of “Suck it up Juice” and go play on Sundays...even though he would be in excruciating pain for the entire week. So when Wiley reaches out to warn Shawne Merriman of the potentially irreversible damage he could be doing to his body and career, he is doing so from first-hand experience:

Well, I have a story to tell you that may not change your mind, but you can relate to.

It’s 2001 and I’m the man! (Just like you!) I was coming off 10.5 sacks and just signed the biggest contract in San Diego Charger’s history. Because of my status, I was afforded lots of off-the-field opportunities, just like you! I was a media darling and you could see me everywhere from the top of Los Angeles to the bottom of San Diego during any given day. (More on the Fox TV deal later.) And then, something happened that would change my playing career forever.

During the Wednesday practice before our first regular-season game against the Washington Redskins, I broke my foot! Immediately, I was cared for by a great medical staff including head trainer James Collins and head surgeon Dr. Chow. They told me I had two options:

1) I could have surgery. The surgery would entail putting a metal pin in my foot, and I could play whenever that healed, maybe in 4-8 weeks. But that was going to be risky. Risky, because that course of action meant that my foot wouldn’t heal until after the season, due to continuous wear and tear. (Ask Jevon Kearse about the effects of this injury.) I would have to wear a bone stimulator daily AND rehabilitate it around the clock. With all that said and done, I STILL wouldn’t be 100 percent.

2) I could have the surgery, wait until I was 100 percent, which probably would have been the next year, and then play the next season at my best.

Marcellus Wiley shares the rest of his torturous story via his new blog; take a glimpse into his motivations and the consequences he ultimately suffered from his regrettable decisions. Will Merriman heed the warnings? Time will tell, but ultimately a man must make his own decisions.

Read: Memo to Merriman: Please Don’t Play!

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Comparing Merriman To The NFL's Best Pass Rushers

Shawne Merriman is pretty good. He might be the best linebacker in the league. But beyond position, he is clearly the game’s best pass rusher. But that’s easy for me to say, because I’m a Chargers fan, right? I guess so. But there are some interesting numbers that back up my claims.

Sacks are an easy statistic to look up. So I could have easily gone ahead and added up all of Shawne’s sacks since 2005 (Merriman’s rookie year) and compared it to his league counterparts'. His 39.5 sacks since 2005 already puts him at the top of the list. But there are a number of guys who have similar sack totals, so there is not enough information in that statistic to make for an interesting argument.

Let’s take Jason Taylor; Taylor has 36 sacks since 2005. That’s a very impressive number. Diminishing it’s impressiveness, however, is the fact that Jason Taylor only recently started playing a DE/LB hybrid role. The same is true of Derrick Burgess. Burgess has 35 sacks since 05. But again, he only recently started playing with his hand off the ground. Defensive Ends are allowed to rush the quarterback every down, so their opportunities for sacks are greater. Merriman, on the other hand, is often asked to drop into coverage. Sure he blitzes a lot, but his opportunities to rush the quarterback are lower than those of a defensive lineman. But since I don’t have Shawne Merriman’s blitz totals on hand, I unfortunately can’t compare his opportunities to any other player.

But what I can do is compare Merriman’s number of games started versus guys like Taylor and Burgess. This will at least allow me to see the difference between starting sixteen games and having 11 sacks and starting ten games and having 11. Now, all of the sudden we arrive at an interesting statistic; something I call Sacks per Game (SPG)

Lets compare Shawne Merriman’s SPG with some of the best pass rushers in the NFL (numbers reflective of 2005-07 regular seasons):

Shawne Merriman
37 starts, 38.5 sacks = 1.04 SPG

Derrick Burgess, DE/LB
42 starts, 35 sacks = 0.83 SPG

Osi Umenyiora, DE
43 starts, 33.5 sacks = 0.77 SPG

Jason Taylor, DE/LB
48 starts, 36 sacks = 0.76 SPG

Jared Allen, DE
45 starts, 34 sacks 0.75

Aaron Kampman, DE
47 starts, 34 sacks = 0.72 SPG

Shaun Phillips, LB
32 starts, 23 sacks = 0.71 SPG

Demarcus Ware, LB
48 starts, 33.5 sacks = 0.69 SPG

Merriman is the only guy in the league who averages 1 sack per game since 2005. Nobody else can claim that, although Derrick Burgess comes close. The scary thing is, Merriman only started 10 games his rookie year and also missed some time with a suspension and an injury. Imagine Shawne’s sack totals with 48 games under his belt, instead of just 37! And did you guys notice Shaun Phillips numbers compared to Demarcus Ware’s? I guess that’s a discussion for another day…

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Shawne Merriman Considering A Future In Pro Wrestling

The WWE was in San Diego for their "One Night Stand" event at the San Diego Sports Arena. Shawne Merriman, a huge pro wrestling fan, was in attendance and actually helped lay a beatdown on somebody. Asked if Merriman would consider becoming a wrestling superstar after football, Shawne replied: "If the people want it, they'll get it"

Merriman certainly has the persona and charisma to do well in pro wrestling. His Lights Out attitude would easily transfer into the ring and the Lights Out dance would have the crowds going wild. Already I can see glimpses of the pro wrestler in Shawne coming out on the field. Remember that career-ending tackle on Priest Holmes? Look closely and you can see what is basically a "clothes-line" hit. (By the way, anyone have video of that hit?)

EDIT: I ditched the YouTube idea and just embedded the player... hit play and it should work:



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