In the hopes of landing a lucrative new contract , missing the first part of training camp, Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman is planning to report to San Diego’s camp this weekend and will sign his $3.269 million tender, according to league sources.
According to sources, Merriman misses the work too much and his teammates to stay away any longer. Once he reports, San Diego will be left with two holdouts offensive tackle Marcus McNeill and wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The ones who also want long-term extensions are Jackson and McNeill and do not plan to report until they get them.
Last season, the Chargers won the AFC West and they finished 13-3, tendered Merriman, a restricted free agent, at a first- and a third-round pick in March.
To try to resume a career that got off to a tremendous start, he is now willing to report to the Chargers but has fallen off since. From 2005 through 2007, Merriman totaled 39½ sacks, but posting only four sacks after sitting out almost the entire 2008 season because of two torn ligaments in his knee. Merriman has also dealt with off-field problems, the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker struggled last year.
In 2009, Merriman’s then-girlfriend, reality TV personality Tila Tequila, accused Merriman of domestic violence and she eventually sued him for damages after the San Diego district attorney declined to file charges against him. Merriman countersued Tequila and the two settled out of court in February.
Also, in the media multiple times last season, Merriman publicly clashed with Chargers general manager A.J. Smith and was suspended for the first four games of the 2006 season for violating the NFL‘s steroid and related substances policy. With 17 sacks, Merriman finished that year.
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