Present, future with Chargers up in air
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 22, 2008
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, shown in July, is seeking definitive answers about the damage to his left knee.
Shawne Merriman was in New York yesterday to see a specialist and was pondering seeing another doctor today, as he and his advisers attempt to gather enough information to decide when and if he will play this season.
“It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do,” Merriman said by phone. “If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out.”
Merriman's options for fixing what he said was a torn posterior cruciate ligament (among other issues) in his left knee range from doing nothing to having a surgery that would delay the start of his season to undergoing reconstructive surgery that would keep him out all season.
Even as Merriman deals with his knee, he faces scrutiny back in San Diego.
General Manager A.J. Smith famously does not talk about “the Chargers' football business.” And when Smith does comment on personnel matters, it is often in a sort of conundrum, but with a definite message buried not too far below the surface or between the lines.
Asked yesterday how he felt about Merriman's latest venture, wherein the linebacker will fly from San Diego to Los Angeles after practice each Thursday and tape a show about the NFL on Fox Sports Net, Smith said this:
“My feeling about any of his off-the-field activities will be between me and Shawne. Shawne has many, many activities off the field, and that's his business, along with his agents, marketing people, publicist and business partners. My only hope is that he remembers his high-level football performance is what drives his off-the-field attraction.”
Smith would say no more.
He didn't have to. His concern is clear.
There has long been a quiet unease among the Chargers brass regarding Merriman's many off-field activities – endorsements, appearances and business endeavors.
When told of Smith's quote, Merriman was clearly hurt by the inference. He prides himself on being able to maintain a packed schedule and still keep football first.
“You can question a lot of things,” he said. “But you can't question my commitment to football. . . . How I approach the game, I've never had that question. I am shocked to the fullest.”
Said Tom Condon, Merriman's agent: “If you think a guy is doing too much, wouldn't you talk to him about it?”
Merriman said he asked Norv Turner if the coach was OK with his doing the FSN show and Turner said it was. Turner yesterday acknowledged the conversation but stopped short of saying he had been approving.
Chargers sources said the team has made its concerns about his being stretched thin known to Merriman on several occasions.
Merriman said yesterday that if his off-field activities are a source of contention for the Chargers, “I'd consider shutting down everything else I'm doing.”
To be clear, there is no animosity between Merriman and his employers. Smith and the Chargers brass consider Merriman a great player and value his services.
But this breach of perspective presents as good an opportunity as any to talk about a reality many Chargers fans will find difficult to comprehend.
Take this to the bank: Merriman will not be a Charger after his contract expires at the end of the 2009 season.
The reasons are many – his commitments outside football being just one.
Merriman is one of five Chargers stars whose contracts expire after '09, and Smith has made no secret the team will not re-sign them all.
Left tackle Marcus McNeill and quarterback Philip Rivers are going to be the highest priorities, in part due to crucial positions they play and difficulty finding top-echelon players there. The Chargers will likely wait and see how 30-year-old receiver Chris Chambers performs this season before exploring an extension much like the one Keenan McCardell received in 2005. Chambers' situation may or may not affect that of receiver Vincent Jackson, who is on the verge of becoming a star.
Merriman, meanwhile, will command a gigantic salary befitting a player already a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons. Merriman has 39½ sacks since 2005, most in the NFL in that span.
At the same time, outside linebackers are generally deemed more replaceable than quarterbacks – or even left tackles or receivers.
Condon, the powerful agent who was hired by Merriman last year, expressed incredulity that the Chargers would not want to retain his client.
“With Shawne being as productive a player as he is,” Condon said, “ . . . why would they not want him back?”
Both Condon and Merriman expressed Merriman's desire to remain in San Diego beyond '09. Condon said there have been no discussions with the Chargers, while it is known the Chargers have engaged agents for some of the other members of the class of '09. Smith has said a few times the current activity is “the most we've had since I've been GM.”
Merriman, 24, is more concerned with his health right now.
He said he might not be finished visiting specialists – he also was in Birmingham, Ala., this week – and could go to Miami for a consultation today before returning to San Diego. One source close to Merriman said the doctors he has seen have been surprised he has been able to play with the condition his knee is in.
“I've been playing like that since the end of last year,” said Merriman, who did have arthroscopic surgery on the knee in March.
Merriman insisted his focus is on doing “what's best for the team” but acknowledged he has to think beyond this year and beyond '09.
“That's always a reality,” he said. “But I have to have that explained to me too. I just want to play.”
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
August 22, 2008
JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, shown in July, is seeking definitive answers about the damage to his left knee.
Shawne Merriman was in New York yesterday to see a specialist and was pondering seeing another doctor today, as he and his advisers attempt to gather enough information to decide when and if he will play this season.
“It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do,” Merriman said by phone. “If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out.”
Merriman's options for fixing what he said was a torn posterior cruciate ligament (among other issues) in his left knee range from doing nothing to having a surgery that would delay the start of his season to undergoing reconstructive surgery that would keep him out all season.
Even as Merriman deals with his knee, he faces scrutiny back in San Diego.
General Manager A.J. Smith famously does not talk about “the Chargers' football business.” And when Smith does comment on personnel matters, it is often in a sort of conundrum, but with a definite message buried not too far below the surface or between the lines.
Asked yesterday how he felt about Merriman's latest venture, wherein the linebacker will fly from San Diego to Los Angeles after practice each Thursday and tape a show about the NFL on Fox Sports Net, Smith said this:
“My feeling about any of his off-the-field activities will be between me and Shawne. Shawne has many, many activities off the field, and that's his business, along with his agents, marketing people, publicist and business partners. My only hope is that he remembers his high-level football performance is what drives his off-the-field attraction.”
Smith would say no more.
He didn't have to. His concern is clear.
There has long been a quiet unease among the Chargers brass regarding Merriman's many off-field activities – endorsements, appearances and business endeavors.
When told of Smith's quote, Merriman was clearly hurt by the inference. He prides himself on being able to maintain a packed schedule and still keep football first.
“You can question a lot of things,” he said. “But you can't question my commitment to football. . . . How I approach the game, I've never had that question. I am shocked to the fullest.”
Said Tom Condon, Merriman's agent: “If you think a guy is doing too much, wouldn't you talk to him about it?”
Merriman said he asked Norv Turner if the coach was OK with his doing the FSN show and Turner said it was. Turner yesterday acknowledged the conversation but stopped short of saying he had been approving.
Chargers sources said the team has made its concerns about his being stretched thin known to Merriman on several occasions.
Merriman said yesterday that if his off-field activities are a source of contention for the Chargers, “I'd consider shutting down everything else I'm doing.”
To be clear, there is no animosity between Merriman and his employers. Smith and the Chargers brass consider Merriman a great player and value his services.
But this breach of perspective presents as good an opportunity as any to talk about a reality many Chargers fans will find difficult to comprehend.
Take this to the bank: Merriman will not be a Charger after his contract expires at the end of the 2009 season.
The reasons are many – his commitments outside football being just one.
Merriman is one of five Chargers stars whose contracts expire after '09, and Smith has made no secret the team will not re-sign them all.
Left tackle Marcus McNeill and quarterback Philip Rivers are going to be the highest priorities, in part due to crucial positions they play and difficulty finding top-echelon players there. The Chargers will likely wait and see how 30-year-old receiver Chris Chambers performs this season before exploring an extension much like the one Keenan McCardell received in 2005. Chambers' situation may or may not affect that of receiver Vincent Jackson, who is on the verge of becoming a star.
Merriman, meanwhile, will command a gigantic salary befitting a player already a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons. Merriman has 39½ sacks since 2005, most in the NFL in that span.
At the same time, outside linebackers are generally deemed more replaceable than quarterbacks – or even left tackles or receivers.
Condon, the powerful agent who was hired by Merriman last year, expressed incredulity that the Chargers would not want to retain his client.
“With Shawne being as productive a player as he is,” Condon said, “ . . . why would they not want him back?”
Both Condon and Merriman expressed Merriman's desire to remain in San Diego beyond '09. Condon said there have been no discussions with the Chargers, while it is known the Chargers have engaged agents for some of the other members of the class of '09. Smith has said a few times the current activity is “the most we've had since I've been GM.”
Merriman, 24, is more concerned with his health right now.
He said he might not be finished visiting specialists – he also was in Birmingham, Ala., this week – and could go to Miami for a consultation today before returning to San Diego. One source close to Merriman said the doctors he has seen have been surprised he has been able to play with the condition his knee is in.
“I've been playing like that since the end of last year,” said Merriman, who did have arthroscopic surgery on the knee in March.
Merriman insisted his focus is on doing “what's best for the team” but acknowledged he has to think beyond this year and beyond '09.
“That's always a reality,” he said. “But I have to have that explained to me too. I just want to play.”
i woudn't worry about it... slow week in camp no news...
