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.
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.
Comment