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Marques Harris, SDC LB (1 Viewer)

obxlegends

Footballguy
Shawn Merriman is visiting with Dr. James Andrews today to explore remedies in dealing with his knee. More often than not when you get to to the point of seeing Dr. James Andrews some kind of surgery generally follows. This is a situation that you want to keep your eye on especially if you're a Merriman owner.

Marques Harris seems to be the logical pickup here.

 
Any chance we will see Waters or Dobins moved up the depth charth on the inside and an ILB moves outside? I'd heard good things about Waters in particular.

 
At first I thought this to be good news for Shaun Phillips, but with Merriman off of the field, offenses sure will pay more attention to Phillips.

 
If Merriman doesn't play, Harris and Tucker would both rotate in (along with Phillips). They're both good players, although neither one is Shawne Merriman, obviously. Tucker is an especially good pass rusher, and in sack-heavy leagues could be worth something.

(Tucker has been getting first-team reps throughout camp in place of Merriman, and has been impressive both in practice and in the first two preseason games. If you're a subscriber, check out each of Bob Henry's four training camp updates so far.)

 
http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/chargers-lock-up.htm

The Chargers are at it again.

Linebacker Jyles Tucker and cornerback Steve Gregory became the seventh and eighth Chargers since last December to receive new contracts as the two young players signed new deals Monday.

“Both Jyles and Steve did it the hard way,” Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said. “They came to us as undrafted free agents, spent some time on the practice squad and earned their way to the 53-man roster by working extremely hard. Both have become productive players and we're extremely excited to have them in the fold for years to come.”

Tucker, who was scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent following the 2008 season, signed a new five-year contract that runs through 2012. Gregory, who was set to become a restricted free agent next March, inked a new four-year deal that takes him through 2011.

“It’s a special day and the path that I took makes it even more special,” Gregory said. “We took the tough road. You’re doubted and you’re the underdog. It’s so nice to know that the Chargers value me enough to make it happen and I’m so happy to be in San Diego for a long time.”

On top of signing extensions on the same day, Gregory and Tucker have a lot in common. Both signed with the Chargers as undrafted rookie free agents, Gregory in 2006 and Tucker in 2007. Both earned their stripes on the Bolts’ practice squad during before being elevated to the 53-man roster during their rookie seasons.

In addition, both have learned new positions since coming to the NFL and made their initial marks on special teams. Gregory (5-11, 185) played cornerback at Syracuse and now serves as the primary backup to Clinton Hart at strong safety. In two NFL seasons, Gregory has posted 21 special teams tackles - 12 as a rookie and nine last season.

Tucker (6-3, 258) joined the Chargers prior to last season following a standout career as a defensive end at Wake Forest. The Chargers converted him to outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense, and after spending the first 10 weeks of the season on the practice squad was brought up to the active roster.

It didn’t take long for Tucker to make an impact. He recorded six special teams tackles in six games and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after his three-sack performance in the regular season finale at Oakland. He added three special teams tackles in the post season and has followed up with a strong training camp.

“I don’t even have any words right now,” said Tucker, who appeared overcome with emotion after signing his new deal Monday afternoon. “It’s crazy that it all worked out this way. I couldn’t have done any of this without my family and without the Lord. I just feel so blessed.”



Tucker’s extension is particularly rare. He’s the first player in the 2007 NFL rookie class to receive a contract extension and new deals are very seldom given to a player just one year into their career.

Both Tucker and Gregory continue the Chargers’ trend of locking up their young players before they hit the free agent market.



“In all sincerity, it’s a unique situation,” said David Canter, the agent for both Tucker and Gregory. “The Chargers are very progressive. It can be viewed as a gamble but at the same time it can play out nicely for both parties. It takes two sides to get a deal done and this came together quickly and smoothly.”



After Monday’s transactions, the Chargers now have 18 players signed through at least the 2011 season and 33 signed through at least 2012.

“Everyone is well aware of my philosophy by now,” Smith said. “We identify from within and reward our own. Today we were able to take care of two young players that we’re very excited about.”

 
Tucker looked good at OLB.

Was the injury bad? Looked like just a stinger or something.

Will he be a 3 down LB?

 
I guess this is the Merriman thread.From Scouts, Inc.:

The decision by Shawne Merriman to play with two torn ligaments in his left knee will undoubtedly affect the San Diego defense this year.Since nothing new was found wrong with the knee itself, the team has already had weeks to consider how he will be used should he take the field. The fact that he hasn't practiced or played since the team's first preseason game will most likely mean he is not ready to play full-time. Jyles Tucker has been getting extra work and the team will no doubt carry an extra player (or two) at the position as insurance.With roster limits already making it tough to carry extra bodies at any position, the individual versatility of a player or the scheme becomes an issue. This is where the Chargers' defensive scheme may work in their favor. A 3-4 OLB has several roles on defense and a combination of players with Merriman may make the most sense for the Chargers to get through the season.This injury will most likely affect Merriman's rotational type movements, so a pass rushing role makes the most sense where he can just go forward and control how he will find his way to the QB. His overall aggressiveness will be limited, which will probably mean fewer spin moves and hard counters, but the decision of when to cut or how hard to change direction is primarily up to him.If he were to be used in more of a run playing role, his ability to protect himself is compromised. A 3-4 OLB is often engaged with bigger players where leverage and knee bend are necessary to get off blocks. On top of that, once engaged, it is tough for any player to protect himself from trash around his feet or knees while trying to disengage.Merriman is known for his pass rushing ability and sack production. But he's responsible for so much more, like dropping into coverage, lateral movement into the flat on screens or toward the middle on draws, getting off blocks, tackling, etc. What sets the great ones apart is their ability to flat out beat an offensive tackle.With his knee, the question becomes can he still do this? Expect San Diego to line him out a little wider than normal in something of a 9-technique so his angle isn't as severe. It would be more of a straight-line rush rather than him getting engaged off the snap. Or they could bring him late, let someone else engage the tackle, clear a path with Merriman left to beat just a back.Watch him early. Is he just coming forward? Is he playing a general role or is he in there every down? Merriman is known for his ability to do it all. Drop in coverage, stuff the run, attack the QB. Moves? He's got them all. Spin moves, hard moves, counter moves. But will his knee allow him to use them? If he's just coming straight ahead, that's a sign his knee is limiting what he can do.It wouldn't be surprising if the first play Carolina runs in the season-opener is right at Merriman. Teams will watch and learn how much juice he has. Teams will attack him early and don't expect to see him double-teamed as often early on. Teams will play him straight-up until he proves himself. If he starts having success, teams will once again give him the respect he's had for much of his career.Either way, Merriman will most likely wear a restrictive brace to secure the knee and he will have to be smart about protecting his lower body when his hands are free. It is possible the Chargers could help themselves by carving out a role for Merriman while also developing some younger players, like Tucker, along the way. This could ultimately benefit the team late in the year if they are forced to play without Merriman.
 

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