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Key free agent Phillips signs new six-year contract
Linebacker Shaun Phillips was handed his opportunity last season and made the most of it. Phillips jumped into his first full-time starting role that now appears his for the long-term.
Today Phillips signed a new six-year contract with the Chargers that will keep him in San Diego through the 2012 season. The signing eliminates Phillips’ opportunity of becoming a restricted free agent on March 2.
“Shaun is an integral part of our defense,” said General Manager A.J. Smith. “He is a great pass rusher and last year he solidified his talents as an outstanding player against both the run and the pass. His play and his production speak for themselves. He made a lot of big plays for us last year that helped us win football games, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to watch him continue to do that over the years to come.”
“The key in this league is keeping your best players, and Shaun is another example of how this organization is committed to doing that,” said Head Coach Norv Turner. “I’ve had to coach against Shaun the last few years and he’s become an outstanding complete player. He’s one of many guys that I’m really looking forward to working with.”
Phillips became a full-time starter in 2006 and delivered a breakout season. He racked up a career-high 11.5 sacks to rank ninth in the league overall and second among NFL linebackers, behind only teammate Shawne Merriman (17). The Chargers became one of only two NFL teams this season to feature two players with at least 11 sacks and it was the first time since 1994 that two Lightning Bolts had at least 11 sacks in the same season. Phillips led the team with six tackles for loss, while he and Merriman tied for the team lead with four forced fumbles. He finished the season with 63 tackles.
Phillips was involved in several key plays during the season:
* Making just his fourth career start in the Bolts’ season-opener on Sept. 11 in Oakland on ESPN, Phillips racked up a pair of sacks.
* In a Sunday Night Football game against Pittsburgh on Oct. 8, Phillips had a sack, three tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure that led to the game-clinching interception by Marlon McCree.
* In a 48-19 win at San Francisco on Oct. 15, Phillips had two sacks and tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by Luis Castillo.
* In the Chargers’ come-from-behind win at Cincinnati on Nov. 12, Phillips sacked Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer early in the fourth quarter. On the play, he forced and recovered a fumble after the Chargers had closed to within 38-35. One play after his theft, LaDainian Tomlinson scored a touchdown to give the Bolts a 42-38 lead.
* During a Dec. 10 NBC Sunday Night Football game at Denver when the Broncos were driving for a potential game-tying score late in the fourth quarter, Phillips sacked Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer and forced him to fumble. The Broncos recovered the fumble, but the clock expired as both teams scurried for the loose ball and the Chargers escaped with their first victory at Denver since 1999.
Phillips is the latest on a long list of core Chargers players who have signed long-term extensions with the team. A total of 24 players are under contract with the Bolts through at least the 2009 season, eight of whom are signed through at least 2011.
Linebacker Shaun Phillips was handed his opportunity last season and made the most of it. Phillips jumped into his first full-time starting role that now appears his for the long-term.
Today Phillips signed a new six-year contract with the Chargers that will keep him in San Diego through the 2012 season. The signing eliminates Phillips’ opportunity of becoming a restricted free agent on March 2.
“Shaun is an integral part of our defense,” said General Manager A.J. Smith. “He is a great pass rusher and last year he solidified his talents as an outstanding player against both the run and the pass. His play and his production speak for themselves. He made a lot of big plays for us last year that helped us win football games, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to watch him continue to do that over the years to come.”
“The key in this league is keeping your best players, and Shaun is another example of how this organization is committed to doing that,” said Head Coach Norv Turner. “I’ve had to coach against Shaun the last few years and he’s become an outstanding complete player. He’s one of many guys that I’m really looking forward to working with.”
Phillips became a full-time starter in 2006 and delivered a breakout season. He racked up a career-high 11.5 sacks to rank ninth in the league overall and second among NFL linebackers, behind only teammate Shawne Merriman (17). The Chargers became one of only two NFL teams this season to feature two players with at least 11 sacks and it was the first time since 1994 that two Lightning Bolts had at least 11 sacks in the same season. Phillips led the team with six tackles for loss, while he and Merriman tied for the team lead with four forced fumbles. He finished the season with 63 tackles.
Phillips was involved in several key plays during the season:
* Making just his fourth career start in the Bolts’ season-opener on Sept. 11 in Oakland on ESPN, Phillips racked up a pair of sacks.
* In a Sunday Night Football game against Pittsburgh on Oct. 8, Phillips had a sack, three tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure that led to the game-clinching interception by Marlon McCree.
* In a 48-19 win at San Francisco on Oct. 15, Phillips had two sacks and tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by Luis Castillo.
* In the Chargers’ come-from-behind win at Cincinnati on Nov. 12, Phillips sacked Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer early in the fourth quarter. On the play, he forced and recovered a fumble after the Chargers had closed to within 38-35. One play after his theft, LaDainian Tomlinson scored a touchdown to give the Bolts a 42-38 lead.
* During a Dec. 10 NBC Sunday Night Football game at Denver when the Broncos were driving for a potential game-tying score late in the fourth quarter, Phillips sacked Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer and forced him to fumble. The Broncos recovered the fumble, but the clock expired as both teams scurried for the loose ball and the Chargers escaped with their first victory at Denver since 1999.
Phillips is the latest on a long list of core Chargers players who have signed long-term extensions with the team. A total of 24 players are under contract with the Bolts through at least the 2009 season, eight of whom are signed through at least 2011.
