Chargers cut big bait
+ Neal, McCree, Olivea released on eve of free agency
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers aren't normally busy during the NFL's free-agency period, but they had an eventful time leading up to it Thursday, releasing Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal, free safety Marlon McCree and offensive tackle Shane Olivea.
"We decided to go in a different direction," said general manager A.J. Smith, who announced the moves in a mid-day press conference, nine hours before the free-agency period began at 9:01 p.m. Thursday night.
The Chargers attempted to trade Neal but found no takers. McCree became expendable with the emergence of Eric Weddle, and Olivea lost his starting job to Jeromey Clary during the 2007 season.
The three players started a combined total of 146 regular-season games for the Chargers. In 2007, Neal missed time with a broken fibula and Olivea was demoted in late November. McCree started every game in the regular season and postseason, though his playing time decreased as the year wore on.
Asked during a phone interview whether McCree's departure was tied to the organization's interest in seeing Weddle on the field more, Smith touched on all three players.
"The only way I'll answer that is Marlon was a starter, split time this year, and most likely would not be a starter next year and not happy," Smith said. "Lorenzo Neal, same situation. His position being phased out, (playing) time being phased out, under contract, not happy with the situation. Shane Olivea lost his job. It's really hard when a veteran is a starter and some other guy takes your job.
"It's three players that we just decided as an organization to part ways with and give them an opportunity to go elsewhere."
All three players had extensive time remaining on their Chargers contracts. McCree, who turns 31 next month, and Neal, 37, had contracts that ran through 2010, while Olivea was signed through 2011.
In fact, it was just 18 months ago that Olivea signed a six-year contact and was viewed as a part of the team's foundation.
Asked why the play of the 26-year-old Olivea had fallen off since signing the long-term deal, Smith declined to answer in specifics.
"I'm not going to comment on any of the individual players as to why," Smith said. "But I'm on record that there are a lot of reasons why you're a Charger and lots of reasons why you're not a Charger. I don't get into particulars.
"No matter how long your contract is ---- two years, six years, four years ---- you're a Charger one year at a time. At the end of the year, we decide who is going to be a Charger in the future. That's how we operate."
Now that the free-agency period has arrived, Smith expects two of the team's three unrestricted free agents ---- running back Michael Turner and cornerback Drayton Florence ---- to sign with other teams. He hopes that backup quarterback Billy Volek can be retained.
The Chargers also placed a second-round tender on outside linebacker Marques Harris, who is a restricted free agent. Any team signing Harris would be required to give up its second-round draft pick. If no team signs Harris to an offer sheet, he will make $1.417 million while playing for the Chargers in 2008.
Smith said the Chargers won't pursue kicker Dave Rayner (restricted free agent) or running back Tyronne Gross (exclusive rights free agents).
Smith also said 11 players have gone or will undergo offseason surgeries. Tight end Antonio Gates had toe surgery earlier this week and will miss four to six months. Gates joins quarterback Philip Rivers (knee) and fullback Andrew Pinnock (knee) as players facing that type of recovery period. Clary (shoulder) will be sidelined three to four months.
Guard Mike Goff (both knees), defensive lineman Ryon Bingham (shoulder) and linebacker Brandon Siler (shoulder) underwent surgeries requiring rehabilitation time from four to six weeks. Center Cory Withrow (knee) needs up to four weeks of recovery time.
Sometime in the next few weeks, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman (torn knee cartilage), defensive tackle Jamal Williams (both knees) and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill (shoulder) will undergo surgeries. Smith declined to forecast the severity or rehab time for those players.
Rivers' surgery was the only one previously disclosed by the organization. He underwent surgery more than five weeks ago and says the knee is responding well.
"It's doing really good," Rivers said. "It's always hard to judge. People will say, 'You're ahead of schedule, you're a little behind or you're right on track.' I'd like to think I'm a little ahead. Everything's going good.
"The hardest thing for me right now is just being patient. It's coming along. I have all my flexion and all my range of motion so you're kind of like, 'Let's go, let's take off,' but you still have to strengthen your quads, your calves, your hamstrings ---- all that kind of leaves you when you have that surgery. That takes time to get the strength back."
Rivers said he hopes to begin running sometime in the next month.
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.
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