Shawne Merriman reports to Chargers camp

Merriman shows up two weeks late

Some might say better late than never, but we'll have to see if that hold true for Shawne Merriman and the San Diego Chargers.

Merriman finally arrived to training camp on Friday to a tentative response from Chargers fans and their reaction is understandable. After leading the league with 39 1/2 sacks from 2005-07 but hasn't been much of a factor since as he battled various knee and foot injuries.

“I didn’t lose anything (by not being in camp),” Merriman said. “But … these guys have been out here working every single day and I have to work myself like they worked themselves the first couple weeks while I wasn’t here. And I’m prepared to do that.”

“I have a lot to prove,” Merriman added. “I’m willing to work. I’m not going to talk about what I’m going to do … I know what the expectations are.”

Money is motivation

Merriman is in the final year of his contract with San Diego and the Chargers haven't expressed any interest in signing him to a long-term deal, so he needs to get back on the field to showcase himself. Now we just have to wait and see if he still has the skills.

Chargers: Vincent Jackson not on the block

Rumors, rumors, and more rumors

Last week the word on the street was that the San Diego Chargers were looking to deal their No. 1 wideout, Vincent Jackson. That's despite the fact that Jackson hasn't signed his tender yet and could be facing a three-game ban for violating the league's personal conduct policy following a DUI charge in the offseason. Some think Jackson may even sit out if San Diego doesn't re-work his contract. So, there's a lot to digest here.

Chargers prepared to play without Jackson

"We lost a couple of great players ... and it hurts," Chargers GM A.J. Smith told the San Diego Union-Tribune last month. "We are trying to build a championship team, and losing the services of both Vincent and Marcus [McNeil] just made that more difficult -- but not impossible. In due time, Coach [Norv] Turner will name two new starters. We will rally as a team, compete and try to win as many games as we can."

Even with Antonio Gates going over the middle to haul in everything in his time zone, playing without Jackson for the year would be really rough for the Chargers, who are counting on Josh Reed (of all people) to fill the void.