Merriman's last year in San Diego?

[Champ]

Per ESPN Insider

It seemed innocent enough when the Chargers drafted Larry English with their first-round pick this year. But by selecting the OLB/DE hybrid from Northern Illinois, the Chargers made a choice:

Philip Rivers > Shawne Merriman.

It wasn't so explicit, but here's the deal: Both Rivers and Merriman are in the final year of their contracts, and if neither player is signed before becoming a free agent, the Chargers are going to slap the franchise tag on Rivers, as Ed Thompson of Scout.com points out.

Selecting English has made their intentions even clearer. English plays the same OLB/DE hybrid as Merriman. Both are hard-hitting, oversized linebackers who will occasionally line up at defensive end and rush the quarterback. Plus, Merriman's off-field and injury problems make him more of a gamble than Rivers, who has proven himself to be a franchise quarterback. In fact, just a few days ago, Merriman's company sued Christian Laettner's company -- yes, that Christian Laettner. This is in addition to Merriman's steroid suspension in 2006.

[seaplus]

i thought they reworked LTs contract to make more room for all good players they are going to have to resign after next year. if Shawne does really well like in years past i dont think they will let him go. Philip is definitely going to get signed again and for how much really depends on the contracts eli and ben get.

[Macken]

he will be a big FA if this happens.. i see many teams making room towards the end of the year to make a move on merrimen

[steeljake]

they must know something about how his surgey went and the rehab is going.

[OKCL]

Unless the Chargers win the super bowl and he has a big part in that, he's not staying. I thought every1 already knew he was leaving...

[bringbackjimmy]

there is also the chance that there is no cap after this yr so I can guess you can say he is the next Dallas Cowboy.:yahootongue:

[Hasselbeck]

I'd be all for signing him in Seattle to a 1-year minimum salary deal so he can learn behind future Hall of Famer Aaron Curry

[T.Dot]

That's a joke, A.J. absolutely loves Shawne.
No way we let him go, maybe the other Shaun (Phillips)

[T.Dot]

Why would you pick the exact same position as him with your first pick in the draft then?

To replace Phillips when he leaves after this season.
You know there is two outside linebacking positions and Chargers drafted English to be the weak side guy

[T.Dot]

The same way we've been paying for both Phillips and Shawne

[f16harm]

he won't be a free agent. he'll be a restricted free agent unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.


which we all know isn't going to happen in time.

[Kia Kaha]

He might become a Baltimore Raven
He played in Maryland
Baltimore needs a passrusher
Terrell Suggs is being a bitch about his contract

Although it would rock if we could get Suggs and Merriman even though that will never happen lol

I would love him here but Wherever he ends up i will always back him

[Argath]

If there's no salary cap, the redskins will become the Yankees of the NFL

[f16harm]

II I got it correctly - free agency under the no cap scenario includes the provision that a player has to be a 6 year vet of the NFL to be unrestricted. Under that definition Merriman would be restricted. Therefore, all of this talk of signing with other teams is wishful thinking.

that's what I said already.


And why is it the Ravens fans are always the first to say; "so-and-so could come to Baltimore, he is .....*insert list of reasons that were devised by drawing from any kind of connection they can contrive*

[Kia Kaha]

that's what I said already.


And why is it the Ravens fans are always the first to say; "so-and-so could come to Baltimore, he is .....*insert list of reasons that were devised by drawing from any kind of connection they can contrive*

get fucked!

:nana:

I really dont care what you think. Merriman is a beast, its just wishful thinking