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HOT TOPIC
Youngster Marcus McNeill was wearing a smile after the team's recent minicamp. Maybe ignorance is bliss for the rookie left tackle.
"It has really started to slow down," McNeill said about his transition from Auburn to the NFL. I'm feeling a lot better about it."
Coach Marty Schottenheimer isn't as easily convinced when asked of McNeill's play.
"Kind of like you would expect a youngster to do," Schottenheimer said. "He shows the athletic skills that are necessary to play there. But things are moving awfully fast for him, certainly."
What isn't certain is rather McNeill, Leander Jordan or veteran starter Roman Oben will man the left tackle spot come Sept. 11, when the season opens in Oakland.
Oben, by far, is the team's top choice. But he is rebounding from two foot surgeries and hasn't been able to work this offseason.
Jordan was Oben's backup last year, but his play down the stretch has the Chargers concerned. So much so that they drafted McNeill in the second round.
But asking a rookie to protect a first-year starting quarterback's blind side is a tall task, something McNeill can't argue.
"That's something big right there," said McNeill, who went 43 straight games at Auburn without allowing a sack. "It's not how they draw it up."
But it could be the way this spot eventually pencils out. Although the team -- and McNeill -- hopes otherwise.
"Everybody is expecting Roman to be back and I plan on learning from Roman and being an apprentice to him," the 6-7, 338-pound McNeill said. "He's a wonderful professional and a great guy and I just try to stay up under his wing. If I follow him, I'll have a long prosperous career."
The Chargers would prefer that career is one McNeill can ease into.
PLAYER NOTES
--Three players didn't participate in the recent five minicamp sessions: DT Jamal Williams (knee), S Bhawoh Jue (knee) and LT Roman Oben (foot). The team is banking all three to be ready for next month's training camp. "The only question at this point might be Roman," coach Marty Schottenheimer said.
--The team will have its rookies report on July 24 for training camp at Chargers Park, with the veterans coming in on July 28.
--C Nick Hardwick has added some 20 pounds, which he hopes will make him difficult to move in the middle of the line.
--RB Darren Sproles opened some eyes with his quick moves during the minicamp.
--Nothing new on the trade front. GM A.J. Smith has ILB Donnie Edwards and S Hank Milligan on the trading block.
--No developments in the Chargers' quest to find a new stadium in San Diego County. Starting Jan. 1 the team can speak to cities inside and outside San Diego County about relocating.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--WR Drew Haddad (not tendered as ERFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--LB Howard Hodges.
--RB Calvin Murray.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--LB Stephen Cooper: RFA; $1.573M/1 yr.
--OG Kris Dielman: RFA; $1.573M/1 yr.
--S Clinton Hart; Potential RFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--WR Kassim Osgood: Potential RFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
--DE Jacques Cesaire: Potential RFA; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Carlos Polk: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--FB Andrew Pinnock: Potential RFA; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Matt Wilhelm: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--TE Brandon Manumaleuna: Trade Rams.
--S Marlon McCree: UFA Panthers; $16M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--TE Aaron Shea: UFA Browns; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--CB Raymond Walls: UFA Cardinals; terms unknown.
--WR Rashaun Woods: Trade 49ers.
PLAYERS LOST
--QB Drew Brees: UFA Saints; $60/6 yrs, $8M SB/$12M OB '07.
--WR Reche Caldwell: UFA Patriots; terms unknown.
--CB Sammy Davis: Traded 49ers.
--CB Jamar Fletcher: UFA Lions; terms unknown.
--OG Bob Hallen: UFA Browns; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Ben Leber: UFA Vikings; 5 yrs, $4M SB.
--TE Justin Peelle: UFA Dolphins; terms unknown.
--DE DeQuincy Scott: UFA Vikings; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--OL Courtney VanBuren (not tendered as RFA/Lions; terms unknown).
--S Jerry Wilson (released).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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