CHARGERS: Insurance policy Shelton already paying off

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Friday, September 5, 2008 7:09 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- L.J. Shelton had just arrived at Lindbergh Field in late April to visit with the Chargers when his cell phone rang. On the other end was New England coach Bill Belichick.

Shelton, a free agent, didn't have much time for a chat. He was in a hurry to get from the airport to the Chargers' offices in Murphy Canyon.

" 'I just got here and I'm taking my visit,' " Shelton recalled Friday as his words to Belichick. " 'I'll get back to you.'

"Good thing I didn't have to."

The Patriots were planning to bring Shelton in for a visit immediately after his visit with the Chargers and Belichick was a bit concerned.

"He said after I visit with San Diego that he wanted the opportunity to talk to me," Shelton said. "I told him I couldn't promise him that. We'll see."

The veteran offensive tackle had no need to fly across country after meeting with the Chargers. All went well on his visit and Shelton signed a two-year contract.

At the time, Shelton was viewed as an insurance policy in case of injury to someone. The premium would certainly be skyrocketing now as the 10-year veteran opens the season Sunday against the Carolina Panthers as the Chargers' starting left tackle.

Marcus McNeill hasn't practiced in a month because of neck issues so Shelton, a veteran with 125 games of NFL starting experience, gets the call.

"It's unfortunate for Marcus and the situation that he's in," Shelton said. "I don't want to take too much joy in it, but this is why I'm here ---- to step in and not have a whole lot of drop-off and for the offense to be able to move the ball and score points."

Shelton started all four of the team's preseason games while McNeill was sidelined so he has had a prolonged opportunity to fit in with the other linemen.

McNeill has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons but nobody is seeing Shelton in the lineup and beginning to panic.

"The greatest thing is he is a veteran, so he knows what he's doing," said left guard Kris Dielman, who lines up next to Shelton. "We have good communication. It's fun to have him in there.

"Hopefully, everything is all right with Marcus. L.J. has stepped up and done a great job for us so far."

Chargers coach Norv Turner said Friday that he doesn't know how long it will be before McNeill can return. What he does know is that landing the 6-foot-6, 345-pound Shelton was significant.

And with Carolina standout defensive end Julius Peppers looming as Shelton's first test, Turner feels much better seeing a 32-year-old veteran replace McNeill instead of a young novice.

"He's got a challenge," Turner said. "He's playing against one of the better defensive linemen in the league. He knows it. He's met those challenges a lot of times in his career.

"When you're able to get a veteran who has played at a high level, it does make it more comforting but we know we're going to have be very aware of that side of the ball and be careful not to put L.J. in a compromising position."

Shelton and Peppers were among the NFL players who worked out at Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz., this past offseason so Shelton is very familiar with the Panthers' star.

Shelton has also become way too familiar with losing during his 10 NFL seasons ---- which is why signing with the Chargers was such an appealing option.

Shelton, the 21st overall selection of the 1999 NFL draft, spent his first six NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before playing for Cleveland (2005) and Miami (2006-07). The Dolphins went 1-15 last season.

"I didn't want to be in a losing situation again," Shelton said. "I've done enough of that my whole career to last me a career."

And he gets reminded of that fact every time there's a family reunion. His father, Lonnie, was a rugged NBA power forward for 10 seasons and was on the Seattle SuperSonics' squad that won the 1978-79 NBA title.

"I need a ring," Shelton said with a laugh.

That ring on the finger would be more welcome than the ringing of a cell phone with Belichick on the other line.

Truth be told, Shelton was never enthused about joining the Patriots.

"That was another reason that made (signing with the Chargers) easy," Shelton said. "Being in Miami, I hate those guys."

Chargers notes

Sunday's game will be televised by Fox 5 San Diego after the station "guaranteed the purchase of enough tickets" to have the blackout lifted by Friday's deadline. ... TE Antonio Gates (toe), OLB Shawne Merriman (knee) and DT Jamal Williams (knees) were all designated as probable on Friday's injury report. As expected, C Nick Hardwick (foot) and LT Marcus McNeill (neck) were listed as out. ... ILB Derek Smith starts in place of suspended Stephen Cooper, who will miss the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's banned substances policy. "Thank goodness we have Derek," defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said. "He is a seasoned vet. He will step right in. He has made a darn good adjustment to our schemes and our calls. You can't beat that experience he brings." ... Carolina will be without star WR Steve Smith, suspended for the first two games of the season due to a training camp altercation with teammate Ken Lucas. Panthers coach John Fox said regular-season punishment was the only option. "We couldn't be too soft," said Fox, a former San Diego State defensive back. "I think if you hold a guy out of the preseason, you're doing him a favor."

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.