McNeill/Chargers to open talks?
According to Jason LaCanfora from NFL.com, it seems that LT Marcus McNeill and the Chargers might be talking this weekend about a long term contract.
Fron LaCanfora-
“McNeill is optimistic something can be worked out, though these talks have been preliminary. But the dialogue is scheduled to resume through the weekend, according to the source, and could result in a face-to-face session sometime in the next few weeks. Ample time remains prior to the start of the season to get something done, and the odds of working out a long-term deal with McNeill certainly seem higher than they are with the team’s two other unsigned veterans — Shawne Merriman and Vincent Jackson.”
McNeill is the one player who is holding out that the Chargers truly can’t do without. After offering a long term contract to TE Antonio Gates earlier this week, it makes sense for McNeill and the front office to come to their senses and get a long term deal done.
Chargers missing another player
[picappgallerysingle id="6500954"]
Already missing from San Diego Chargers training camp are WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeil, now you can add LB Shawne Merriman to the list. Merriman is now upset that the team has offered him up on the trade block and he told the San Diego Union Tribune, “I need to know that I’m not going to be on the trade block every three weeks. This is literally day to day how things progress, how things move”.
Merriman has not signed his tender offer, which was 3.269 million during the offseason. He told the newspaper that him holding out isn’t about money. Usually when people say it isn’t about the money, it’s about the money.
Merriman has never recovered to the dominant player he once was after tearing two tendons in his knee. Merriman added that, “I have not complained. I have not caused a distraction by saying I’m not coming in unless I get certain things”. That is exactly what he’s doing, he is asking not to be traded. The Chargers reportedly tried to trade Merriman during the NFL draft, but got no takers. He should be happy to be employed, sign his tender come in and play and be done with it. Period, end of story. These hold out players are really starting to aggravate the hell out of me.
Chargers offer contract, but not to Jackson or McNeil
The San Diego Chargers front office has drawn ire from fans this offseason for taking such a hardline stance with veteran WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeil. However, in a somewhat surprising move, San Diego has offered a contract extension to TE Antonio Gates. According to Jason LaCanfora via Twitter, the deal is for 5 years, 20.4 million guaranteed for a total value of 36.175 million.
[picappgallerysingle id="7653605"]
Chargers GM A.J. Smith, who has been staunch in his refusal to offer long term deals to Jackson or McNeil said, Antonio is a special player and person. He is everything we are looking for in a Chargers player. His talent and contributions to our team speak for themselves. His work ethic and desire to be the best are unmatched. He has been a major part of the success we have had over the past several years, and we are thrilled he will continue to be with us for years to come”.
Gates needs 62 receptions and just over 500 yards in order to eclipse former Charger great Kellen Winslow’s career numbers.
Chargers camp opens with no Matthews
[picappgallerysingle id="1683856"]
The San Diego Chargers opened their camp yesterday with the rookies reporting. One key rookie who wasn’t there, was RB Ryan Matthews. Matthews joins the majority of other first round selections who have failed to sign a contract yet. I don’t remember a season with so many unsigned first and second round picks remaining unsigned as training camps open.
Holdouts for running backs are not as big a deal as say defensive ends or lineman. However, if this holdout becomes lengthy, it could create some issues for the Chargers.
Chargers Turner moving forward without big names
[picappgallerysingle id="1579385"]
San Diego Chargers training camp for rookies starts today, and Norv Turner is poised to move forward, with or without big names. He sat down with the Union-Tribune and was asked a variety of questions ranging from the strength of the Chargers schedule to the distractions surrounding the team this offseason. When Turner was asked about the absence of WR Vincent Jackson, OT Marcus McNeil and Shawne Merriman he responded that the team is moving forward with or without them.
“We’re going to go have a great training camp and get ready to play with the guys who are in camp. I’d love to have Marcus McNeil, Vincent Jackson and Shawne Merriman here. But if they’re not here, I’m not going to talk about it at all. Once Day One starts, we’re going. The lesson that this team learned over the first month of last season — I re-learned it — is sometimes you think you can’t make it without a guy. All of a sudden we didn’t have Nick (Hardwick), we didn’t have Jamal (Williams), we didn’t have some guys, and over a period of time we got better. We managed to find a way. … From a mindset standpoint, if one of those guys isn’t here or all of them aren’t here, it’s not different than if in the opening game they got hurt and you have to go play.”
Now Norv can try to spin the absence of these players in camp but the loss of Jackson and McNeil for 10 games this year is going to be not only a distraction but a detriment to the overall effectiveness of the offense. I realize that clubs are taking a hard line on salaries this year but the Chargers organization needs to realize that your window of opportunity to really make a run for the Super Bowl is small. Players get older, some leave via free agency and it is difficult to maintain that high level of play on the field. If the Chargers are serious about making a run this year, sign these two players and get them in camp.
