SD WR News

rotoworld,
Chargers GM A.J. Smith indicated that the team fully expects Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill to hold out well into the season.

"We are trying to build a championship team, and losing the services of both Vincent and Marcus just made that more difficult — but not impossible," said Smith. "In due time, (Norv) Turner will name two new starters." The likely replacement for Jackson is Legedu Naanee, while over-the-hill left tackle Tra Thomas looks to be McNeill's fill in. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, V-Jax and McNeill are "expected" to at least sit out into November.
Source: San Diego Union-Tribune
 
cbssports.com,
Chargers GM A.J. Smith told the San Diego Union-Tribune Tuesday that the team is "moving forward" without WR Vincent Jackson. Jackson, a restricted free agent, did not sign a $3.2 million tender offer before a June 15 deadline that lowers the amount the Chargers are able to pay. As a result, the offer for 2010 drops to $600,000, and Jackson has stated that he plans on sitting out until before Week 11 when he can return for six games and earn an accredited NFL season. He also said he's return if he is traded or offered a long-term deal. "We lost a couple of great players, and it hurts," Smith said of Jackson and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill, who is also holding out. "We are trying to build a championship team, and losing the services of both Vincent and Marcus just made that more difficult -- but not impossible. In due time, coach (Norv) Turner will name two new starters. We will rally as a team, compete and try to win as many games as we can. ... We will now move forward and focus on the upcoming season."


Analysis: Typically we figure that a player in a contract squabble will eventually show up for training camp, but this case is different given the unique financial circumstances: If Jackson turned his nose up at a guaranteed one-year, $3.2 million deal, why would he ever sign for $2.5 million less? The gist, as of now, is that Jackson will sit out until Week 11 and then join the Chargers to earn credit for the 2010 season. Of course, there's a potential suspension looming for Jackson due to off-field incidents, and the Chargers might not want him to come back after scoffing at their offer, so there could be some serious issues here. We've downgraded Jackson to a No. 2 Fantasy WR for now, but the reality is that so long as he's not with the team, he'll be useless to Fantasy owners. Expect Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd to pick up Jackson's slack so long as he's out. We'll keep you posted on Jackson's actions all summer long.


Lord help the Hydocarbons who were so looking forward to keeping Jackson for an 8.
 
That leaves Malcom Floyd as the Chargers' best receiving option, and he's getting a chance to fill the No. 1 role at a perfect time. Floyd's involvement in the Chargers' offense has blossomed over the last two seasons, including a solid 2009 with 45 catches for 776 yards and a touchdown. Floyd will be asked to take on more work so long as Jackson is out, and he's already been lauded by head coach Norv Turner for how good he looks in tandem with QB Philip Rivers. "He was outstanding," coach Norv Turner said in early June, "and it looked like he and Philip (Rivers) had been working together two days a week for three or four months."


Analysis: While there's uncertainty about whether or not Jackson will play in 2010, Floyd is signed, sealed and delivered to play -- and he'll be in a contract year. A big season will mean big bucks for Floyd, so he'll have plenty of motivation to play well. And if/when Jackson is not in the lineup, Floyd will have the opportunities to match. For now, Floyd is worth a gander in the middle rounds of drafts, but if Jackson's holdout stretches deep into the preseason then Floyd might elevate to a fifth- or sixth-round pick in drafts. He's definitely one to watch leading into the season.
 
rotoworld,
At least one team has called to inquire about unsigned restricted free agent Vincent Jackson, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"No thanks" was the Chargers' response, as predicted. It's hard to believe the Bolts would trade one of the league's top five all-around receivers to the Seahawks or any other team. If GM A.J. Smith can get Jackson to sign his tender later this summer, he can use the franchise tag on him in 2011.
Source: Kevin Acee on Twitter
 
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