ARTICLE: Both sides say Edwards won't be returning

[dmq]

Both sides say Edwards won't be returning




By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 9, 2007


Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards pressures Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at Qualcomm Stadium Jan. 14.
KO OLINA, Hawaii – It has long been a foregone conclusion that 2006 was linebacker Donnie Edwards' last season as a Charger.

Neither the team nor Edwards' side officially said as much, however, until yesterday.

But with free agency looming, Edwards' agent confirmed yesterday the sides have not talked and that Edwards will leave when the free-agency period begins next month.

“We're not doing anything (with the Chargers),” Tom Condon said.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith later said the team sent Condon a letter two days after the team's playoff loss to New England last month and said they would not be pursuing Edwards.

“What Tom Condon told you is correct,” Smith said. “Donnie will not be part of the San Diego Chargers this year.”
It is clear the decision to let Edwards go was made quickly. Smith said he has not contacted the agents of any other potential free agents regarding the team's plans.

Yesterday was the first time Smith spoke of Edwards since July 31.

Although Edwards led the Chargers in tackles each of the past five seasons and led all NFL linebackers with 17 interceptions since 2002, Smith had tired of Edwards' repeated attempts to rework his contract.

Smith put Edwards on the trading block in April, and the Chargers and New Orleans Saints came close to a deal in late summer.

It was in June that Smith said: “It has become crystal clear to me that Donnie is very unhappy with his contract and has been for a few years. We have always appreciated Donnie Edwards' playing ability, and we believe he is well-compensated. However, because of his unhappiness we will do everything possible to find him a new team – a team that will appreciate him the way he would like and will compensate him with an amount that will make him very happy and content.”


Dire situation?
The most pressing free-agent issue remains left guard Kris Dielman. The team has not spoken with Dielman's agent in more than two weeks, and it has been even longer since meaningful dialogue was shared.
Teammates have expressed pessimism regarding the possibility of Dielman staying and have said his loss would be greatly felt.

The market for Dielman will be fierce. Dallas, Miami, Seattle and Cleveland, among others, are expected to bid for his services.

 

[CATCH17]

I'd sign him ASAP.

If you watch the Chargers play you'll see that he is their best pure linebacker.

He may be 33 but he doesnt play like it and you can just tell hes in really good shape.

 

[Jarv]

I don't know much about Kris Dielman, but I know we need a guard.

 

[THUMPER]

Dire situation?
The most pressing free-agent issue remains left guard Kris Dielman. The team has not spoken with Dielman's agent in more than two weeks, and it has been even longer since meaningful dialogue was shared.
Teammates have expressed pessimism regarding the possibility of Dielman staying and have said his loss would be greatly felt.

The market for Dielman will be fierce. Dallas, Miami, Seattle and Cleveland, among others, are expected to bid for his services.

I'd love to get Dielman as a replacement for Rivera. To me, you can never spend too much on quality OLs as it all starts up front.

 

[superpunk]

I don't know much about Kris Dielman, but I know we need a guard.

I've been hoping for Eric Steinbach. The BEngals were SO good to his side last year.

Edwards....eh. He'd be good, in that he's familiar with the defense, but LB isn't a priority. I think we'll see alot out of the LBs we do have here. Ellis, if he comes back, may move back down to the DE spot.

 

[CATCH17]

I've been hoping for Eric Steinbach. The BEngals were SO good to his side last year.

Edwards....eh. He'd be good, in that he's familiar with the defense, but LB isn't a priority. I think we'll see alot out of the LBs we do have here. Ellis, if he comes back, may move back down to the DE spot.

Either one is a upgrade.

 

[silverbear]

The market for Dielman will be fierce. Dallas, Miami, Seattle and Cleveland, among others, are expected to bid for his services.

I wonder if this is just the author speculating... I sure hope not, Dielman would be my second choice at guard... my first choice would be to bring in big ol' Leonard Davis and move him to guard, but that scenario mostly worked if we hired Norv Turner, figuring he'd want to go back to the type of big, mauling offensive line that characterized the Jimmy Johnson Cowboys...

But Dielman would be a better fit in what the Cowboys have been trying to do these last coupla years, and if they plan on continuing that scheme, he'd be a logical choice...

 

[silverbear]

I don't know much about Kris Dielman, but I know we need a guard.

Jarv, just ask yourself who the best running back in the game is... then ask yourself who was opening the holes for that running back...

 

[Clove]

I like Edwards next to Ayodele, atleast for 2 or 3 years. I also like the Guard, those would be my only 2 FA I would go after, and pay. Unless you can get a power house corner back.

 

[BARRYRAY]

I know we're probably dreaming but if we could fill these two as FAs it might really change our draft, I still think we look for a corner and move Henry to FS, although it was hard to tell if Henry had lost a step becasue of age or injury, he just wasn't the same. It would really get us closer if we pulled this much off...

 

[TDHND]

Maybe Wade can use his connection and get both in Dallas.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I'd sign him ASAP.

If you watch the Chargers play you'll see that he is their best pure linebacker.

He may be 33 but he doesnt play like it and you can just tell hes in really good shape.

We need to get over this clamoring for players 30+ years.

It just ain't cost-effective.

I'd expect this from Jerra, but not from the so-called astute observers here.

I'd say T.O. is an exception but he'll be slowing down in the next couple of years, too.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

We need to get over this clamoring for players 30+ years.

It just ain't cost-effective.

I'd expect this from Jerra, but not from the so-called astute observers here.

I'd say T.O. is an exception but he'll be slowing down in the next couple of years, too.

I agree only because this guy will want a huge contract and it appears he has been complaining about the contract he has had in SD.

We don't need to put big money into aging players...we should have learned that by now.

Now...If he would come for a small price, no problem because we don't take much of a chance...but chances are he will want a big contract and I say we pass on that idea.

 

[CATCH17]

I agree only because this guy will want a huge contract and it appears he has been complaining about the contract he has had in SD.

We don't need to put big money into aging players...we should have learned that by now.

Now...If he would come for a small price, no problem because we don't take much of a chance...but chances are he will want a big contract and I say we pass on that idea.

I disagree.

Hes familiar with their system and would be able to help get guys in place on the field which is huge. His experience in Wades defense alone would be nice for this defense.

Hes still a highly productive player. Much better than anything we have in the middle here.

You can just look at him and watch him play and its obvious the guy isnt slowing down.

He would bring a lot of things to this defense and I think it would be well worth it.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I agree only because this guy will want a huge contract and it appears he has been complaining about the contract he has had in SD.

We don't need to put big money into aging players...we should have learned that by now.

Now...If he would come for a small price, no problem because we don't take much of a chance...but chances are he will want a big contract and I say we pass on that idea.

Nothing against players beyond the age of 30 but they should temper their contract demands with the competition from younger and lesser-paid players.
It does my heart good to see over 30-players on the field (if they can produce) but not at the expense of the salary cap and younger, hungrier and more limber players.

Hope WP doesn't follow Jerra's instincts for aging, marquee players. We've had enough busts with these.

 

[mwmilsted]

I'd sign him ASAP.

If you watch the Chargers play you'll see that he is their best pure linebacker.

He may be 33 but he doesnt play like it and you can just tell hes in really good shape.

He'd way, way too old for the Cowboys.

 

[CATCH17]

He'd way, way too old for the Cowboys.

I dont understand.

I watch the guy play and you couldnt tell if he was 26 or 33.

Hes missed 2 games in his entire career so its not like hes injury prone.

He averages about 40 more tackles a year than any of our MLB's.

If you can sign this guy to a 3-4 year deal then go get him.

He knows the defense and he can help teach guys from a players stand point.

It just makes to much sense.

 

[dwmyers]

I agree only because this guy will want a huge contract and it appears he has been complaining about the contract he has had in SD.

We don't need to put big money into aging players...we should have learned that by now.

Now...If he would come for a small price, no problem because we don't take much of a chance...but chances are he will want a big contract and I say we pass on that idea.

short contract, decent to high salary, no guaranteed years, little or no bonus, let him make his money with incentives. Then, if you cut him, you don't have that massive bonus to suffer from.

If someone else throws a huge bonus at him, bai-bai.

David.

 

[2much2soon]

A 225 pound 3-4 inside linebacker with lots of mileage is a definite risk.
Besides, isn't he way too small to play LB in the 3-4?
I will laugh my tail off if Wade doesn't bring him in and instead plays RoyW in essentially Edward's role 80% of the time.
Since we all know Roy doesn't have the size, athletic ability, and flat out just isn't capable of playing the position. More

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Nothing against players beyond the age of 30 but they should temper their contract demands with the competition from younger and lesser-paid players.
It does my heart good to see over 30-players on the field (if they can produce) but not at the expense of the salary cap and younger, hungrier and more limber players.

Hope WP doesn't follow Jerra's instincts for aging, marquee players. We've had enough busts with these.

Same thing here....it is about the money and cap situations IMO.

Also some positions tend to have a better rate of success with age compared to others.

We just need to be wise.

I don't mind him coming in at all and helping the team/defense in transition...the problem would be the money he would want.