CHARGERS NOTES: Bolts have interest in ex-Bengals OT Anderson
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers are interested in four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said Wednesday.
Anderson, 33, was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, ending a 12-year tenure with the team.
Anderson also is considering Baltimore and Tampa Bay. He reportedly visited with the Ravens on Wednesday.
"My understanding is Willie has narrowed it to three teams, and we're happy to hear that," Smith said. "The minute he was released, I thought he was someone who could help us."
Smith said the Chargers are interested in signing Anderson as a backup to starting right tackle Jeromey Clary.
Anderson played in four consecutive Pro Bowls following the 2003-06 seasons before appearing in just seven games last season due to foot and knee injuries.
Smith said the team's interest in Anderson is unrelated to the status of left tackle Marcus McNeill, who hasn't practiced in four weeks and missed the preseason because of neck issues. Chargers coach Norv Turner said McNeill saw a doctor Wednesday.
It has become clear that veteran L.J. Shelton will start Sunday's opener against Carolina, though Shelton said Wednesday that he hasn't been told he's the starter.
Merriman says he's ready
Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman practiced and said he plans to play at his usual all-out pace despite two torn knee ligaments.
"As far as going out there watching yourself, that's how you get hurt," Merriman said. "You go out there and you play tentative and you worry too much about what's going to happen rather than making something happen, that's when guys get hurt."
Captains appointed
Turner announced that quarterback Philip Rivers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson will be the offensive captains; Merriman and defensive tackle Jamal Williams will be the defensive captains, and Kassim Osgood will be the special teams captain.
The captains were selected by a vote of the players.
"It's always an honor," Tomlinson said. "I'm glad that my teammates still view me as a captain. It's always very humbling, but at same time, a lot goes along with being a captain. You have to take that role serious."
Notes
C Nick Hardwick (foot) worked on the side for 45 minutes Wednesday morning. Hardwick said his timetable hasn't changed, meaning he's still at least a few weeks from being ready to play. ... TE Antonio Gates (toe) was a full practice participant and is counting on the excitement of the game to help him ignore any pain. "I'm banking on the fans and the adrenaline," Gates said. "Some of it is mental at this point. You still understand that your pain ---- my toe, in my case ---- limits me to doing certain things." DT Jamal Williams (knees) also was a full practice participant. ... OLB Shawne Merriman will make his first trip to Los Angeles on Thursday for his weekly in-studio analyst gig on Fox Sports Net's weekly Pro Football Preview show. The process of Merriman leaving the Chargers' complex and flying to L.A. to tape the show and returning to San Diego will take approximately six hours each Thursday. The show airs on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Boltum wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:50 AM:It's about numbers A.J. When you let great players go for NOTHING in return,, Brees, Edwards, Turner, Flo to name a few, you have no young back up people ready. Your then forced to go get, over the hillers, like Derek Smith, Shelton, Newberry and now maybe Anderson? Now Smith is talking about letting Merriman, Egor and others go for nothing in return, nuts just nuts. Could stupidity like that be why Smith and his buddy Teddy are 60 somthing years old and have no SB rings?
RE Boltum wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:49 PM:AJ has never "talked about letting Igor or Merriman go" get your facts straight goofball
RAIDERMANN wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:56 PM:Wow Boltum, You are very right about AJ. It seems him AL have somethings in common. Giveing away players. Maybe it was something Al Davis left a curse there in the 60's when he started the Chokers. And there's is talk about merrimann & Igor. Your facts are solid. RAIDERMANN OUT !!!!!!!!! LET FOOTBALL BEGIN!!!!!!
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