Chargers reign as AFC West Champs in danger
The San Diego Chargers are in deep, as in deep trouble. Pro Bowl players LT Marcus McNeill and WR Vincent Jackson did not sign their tender offers and it appears that these two key pieces of the Chargers high powered offense are prepared to sit. Perhaps as long as November.
Both players have demanded a long term contract but the Chargers refused as have many other teams refused to sign long term contracts to restricted free agents with the uncertainty surrounding a labor agreement/lockout in 2011.
San Diego seems to have been preparing for such actions by Jackson and McNeill by signing veteran OT Tra Thomas and WR Josh Reed this past week. Chargers fans have to be concerned about the loss of these two key players possibly until November.
The Chargers face Problems
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The San Diego Chargers now face the very reality that they start the 2010 season without two of their Pro Bowl players. It was reported earlier this week that WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill were sent letters from the Chargers organization informing them if they did not sign their tender by the June 15th deadline, that they would face a even further reduced salary for the 2010 season.
Now ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that both players do not plan on reporting for training camp and a possible holdout for the 2010 year is a very real possibility. Schefter reports that ESPN’s John Clayton was told that the Chargers plan on signing veteran OT Tra Thomas in order to prepare for a protracted holdout by McNeill.
An extended holdout by Jackson however would be a significant blow to the Chargers offense. Jackson has improved his numbers every year in each of his 5 seasons with San Diego. He’s recorded over 2200 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in the past two seasons.
Floyd Signs, Jackson and McNeill face problems
The San Diego Chargers finally saw WR Malcom Floyd sign his tender offer yesterday, ending his holdout. However, WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill remain unsigned and face a drastic cut in pay for 2010 if they don’t sign their tender offer prior to the June 15th deadline.
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Chargers general manager A.J. Smith confirmed to the media yesterday that the team has sent letters to both Jackson and McNeill. Media sources state it is possible that both players could sit out a portion or all of 2010. That would be a devastating blow for the Chargers hopes to repeat as AFC West division champions and a possible run for the Super Bowl next season.
Gates Proclaims Foot Fine
The collective sign you just heard was San Diego Chargers fans after hearing TE Antonio Gates proclaim his foot is just fine. After two years of foot injuries, Chargers fans everywhere were holding their collective breath as word surfaced that the Pro-Bowl tight end was in North Carolina seeing a foot specialist.
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Gates told reporters, “Just taking precautionary action because of the struggles in the past and all the things I’ve been through. It was never a major problem; it was something I wanted to make sure wasn’t any worse.”
Reports have stated that Gates is suffering from a mild case of plantar fascitis, a condition which will heal with rest.
Last season, Gates had his best receiving yardage season while playing with the Chargers, logging 1157 yards. In his career with San Diego, Gates has been a very valuable part of the Chargers offense catching 479 passes for 6,223 yards and scoring 59 touchdowns.
That collective sigh might be short lived though, as the Chargers have to deal with the issues surrounding Marcus McNeil, Shawne Merriman, Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd.
Jackson absent, angry.
The San Diego Chargers are preparing to hold voluntary workouts this week and 4 key players are not planning on attending, one of them WR Vincent Jackson. Jackson has not been offered a long term contract and that could be cause for concern in San Diego.
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Jackson has become one of Chargers QB Phillip Rivers favorite target and why not. Jackson is a huge target at 6’5″ 230 pounds and catches nearly everything thrown his way. Entering his sixth year, Jackson has improved his numbers every year in the league. Last year was a career best recording 68 receptions, 1167 yards and 9 touchdowns.
The Chargers however have decided to take the hard line with Jackson. San Diego tendered Jackson and he has yet to sign the offer. If Jackson does not sign by June 15th, the Chargers have the right to lower the tender offer and as they are posturing themselves now, it appears they will.
Jackson does face the possibility of a 4 game suspension this year due to some driving related charges, but the Chargers are playing hardball with a very valuable piece to their high powered offense.
San Diego needs to get a deal locked up with Jackson and let him finish his career with the Chargers, otherwise if he were to leave in free agency, San Diego would be left with a huge hole to fill on offense.
