Chargers’ Shawne Merriman signs tender offer
Shawne Merriman is finally with the San Diego Chargers in training camp after signing his one-year tender contract.
Merriman, 26, was made a restricted free agent when the Chargers offered him the tender in the off-season. The linebacker was absent from camp until Friday, when he joined the team for a walkthrough in preparation for Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Chicago Bears. Merriman isn’t expected to be ready to play until at least the third exhibition game, versus Dallas on Aug. 21.
The Maryland product, taken with the 12th overall pick in 2005, is coming off an unspectacular year that saw him record four sacks in 14 games, this after a knee injury caused him to sit out all but one game in 2008.
The 2005 NFL defensive rookie of the year was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy in 2006. He logged 39 1/2 sacks over his first three years in San Diego.
Coffee retires unexpectedly
For the second time this week, a player abruptly left San Francisco 49ers training camp — this time for good.
Backup running back Glen Coffee informed Coach Mike Singletary on Friday morning that he is quitting football at age 23. The coach said Coffee told him that he lost his passion for the game while in college at Alabama and that he was ready to move to the next phase of his life.
A third-round pick a year ago, Coffee was competing with rookie Anthony Dixon to be the No. 2 running back behind Frank Gore, a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
Elsewhere
Donovan McNabb threw a touchdown pass in his Washington Redskins debut, a 42-17 exhibition win over the Buffalo Bills.
McNabb was five for eight for 58 yards in two series and connected with Anthony Armstrong for a four-yard touchdown.
Albert Haynesworth played two series as a backup nose tackle for the Redskins. Haynesworth is having to work his way back to the starting lineup after skipping off-season workouts and wasn’t allowed to practice until passing a conditioning test.
Matt Ryan played two decent series. Matt Cassel played four average ones.
Both quarterbacks lacked solid protection in the exhibition opener, but Ryan’s Falcons got better play from their rookie reserves in Atlanta’s 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs..
Starter Kevin Kolb was impressive and backup Michael Vick displayed flashes of his old self before rookie Mike Kafka rallied the Philadelphia Eagles to victory in their exhibition opener.
Pro Bowl kicker David Akers made all five of his field-goal attempts, including a 36-yarder that gave the Eagles a one-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Kolb was six for 11 for 95 yards. Vick was 11 for 17 for 119 yards and ran for 50 yards. He made a couple of spectacular plays but also lost a fumble and threw an interception.