oaklandhater
05-10-2005, 08:04 AM
John Clayton
ESPN.com
The San Diego Chargers used the 12th pick in the first round to draft pass-rushing linebacker Shawne Merriman to help their defense, but the team feels as though it was blindsided by his first NFL act.
Merriman notified the Chargers he will not participate in the team's mini-camp and offseason program because of "language problems" in an insurance policy in case the Maryland linebacker is injured before reaching a contract agreement. This news came to the Chargers Thursday when they learned Merriman fired his agent, Gary Wichard, and hired Kevin and Carl Poston.
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith expressed disappointment Thursday in Merriman's stance. The team's offseason training program for rookies goes from May 6 through July 1 and Smith won't change the language of the protection policy.
"We're disappointed he isn't going to be here," Smith said. "Kevin Poston is uncomfortable with the language [which] is standard with what all players receive in the NFL. We haven't had a problem with our other draft choices in past drafts."
Draft choices sign an injury protection agreement just in case they suffer a serious injury during a mini-camp. Most of those contracts are standard throughout the league.
Merriman is the only draft choice to take this position this spring. Last week, 26 mini-camps didn't have any draft choices out because of an insurance issue.
"In 16 years, we've never had a client hold out of a mini-camp," Poston told The Associated Press on Thursday night. "Unfortunately, the language of the mini-camp agreement is not standard across the league. Players have held out of mini-camp due to the way the mini-camp agreement was written. In fact, we only requested the Chargers use the exact same language as another team and they declined. Shawne Merriman is the No. 12 pick and he should be afforded the same level of injury protection as other NFL rookies."
Smith said the Chargers have had only two players injured before they were under contract, and reached fair settlements with them.
"We do have a history of taking care of players," Smith said. "Everybody else has always signed and gone out on the field."
The Chargers projected Merriman as a starter opposite outside linebacker Steve Foley to help punch up their lethargic pass rush.
Smith said he anticipates opening contract negotiations with Merriman in early July. "Hopefully things will work out there and he'll join us the first day of training camp," Smith said.
John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
ESPN.com
The San Diego Chargers used the 12th pick in the first round to draft pass-rushing linebacker Shawne Merriman to help their defense, but the team feels as though it was blindsided by his first NFL act.
Merriman notified the Chargers he will not participate in the team's mini-camp and offseason program because of "language problems" in an insurance policy in case the Maryland linebacker is injured before reaching a contract agreement. This news came to the Chargers Thursday when they learned Merriman fired his agent, Gary Wichard, and hired Kevin and Carl Poston.
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith expressed disappointment Thursday in Merriman's stance. The team's offseason training program for rookies goes from May 6 through July 1 and Smith won't change the language of the protection policy.
"We're disappointed he isn't going to be here," Smith said. "Kevin Poston is uncomfortable with the language [which] is standard with what all players receive in the NFL. We haven't had a problem with our other draft choices in past drafts."
Draft choices sign an injury protection agreement just in case they suffer a serious injury during a mini-camp. Most of those contracts are standard throughout the league.
Merriman is the only draft choice to take this position this spring. Last week, 26 mini-camps didn't have any draft choices out because of an insurance issue.
"In 16 years, we've never had a client hold out of a mini-camp," Poston told The Associated Press on Thursday night. "Unfortunately, the language of the mini-camp agreement is not standard across the league. Players have held out of mini-camp due to the way the mini-camp agreement was written. In fact, we only requested the Chargers use the exact same language as another team and they declined. Shawne Merriman is the No. 12 pick and he should be afforded the same level of injury protection as other NFL rookies."
Smith said the Chargers have had only two players injured before they were under contract, and reached fair settlements with them.
"We do have a history of taking care of players," Smith said. "Everybody else has always signed and gone out on the field."
The Chargers projected Merriman as a starter opposite outside linebacker Steve Foley to help punch up their lethargic pass rush.
Smith said he anticipates opening contract negotiations with Merriman in early July. "Hopefully things will work out there and he'll join us the first day of training camp," Smith said.
John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.