Update: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman told the San Diego Union-Tribune Thursday that he won’t report to training camp until the organization makes it clear as to what their plans for him are. Said Merriman: “It’s not about me wanting more money. I will show what I deserve. I don’t have to ask for it. I feel like I’ve proved what I’m worth, and I will still prove it. To me, it really comes down to, ‘Am I on the trading block this week? The third week of the season, am I on the block?’ Where is that comfortability for me?…I’m only coming back to be the guy on the defense. I’m not coming back to be a guy. I want to be on a team where someone is going to be building a defense around me.”

Fantasy Impact: Merriman’s initial request about finding assurance from the organization about what their long-term plans are, including any potential trade involving him is reasonable. However, general manager A.J. Smith is notorious for not acquiescing his player’s demands, even when it’s likely in the best interest of all parties involved. The last part about wanting a defense to be built around him completely loses what credibility he had in his stance. After racking up 39 1/2 sacks through his first three years in the league, Merriman has accumulated just four over the past two seasons. Additionally, a pattern of bold and demanding statements like these and a reputation for being overly enamored with the southern California social scene would lead many coaches, coordinators, and executives to wonder if he has the leadership and maturity to be a defense’s leader and focal point. I believe Merriman has one foot out the door in San Diego and with this offseason’s losses of key veteran defenders like Jamal Williams and Antonio Cromartie, you can expect to see a decline in the performance of the Chargers defense.