Chargers LB Shawne Merriman Won't Be On Time For Camp

San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman will not arrive in time for the start of training camp, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

"It's not about me wanting more money," Merriman told Acee. "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."

Chargers veterans are scheduled to report to training camp on Friday.

A restricted free agent this off-season, Merriman was tendered at the "First- and Third-Round" level. Merriman has not signed the tender, which carries a non-guaranteed $3.269 million dollar base salary in 2010, so he's not obligated to be on time for training camp.

Merriman is seeking a long-term commitment from the Chargers, who on Wednesday signed perennial Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates to a five-year, $36 million dollar contract extension that included over $20 million in guarantees.

Merriman was dominant his first three seasons in the NFL, posting 187 tackles, including 39.5 quarterback sacks, and making three straight trips to the Pro Bowl, as well as earning 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

A knee injury limited Merriman to just one game in 2008, who totaled just 39 tackles and 4 quarterback sacks in 14 games last season.

Earlier this off-season, Merriman fired agent Tom Condon, hiring David Dunn to handle his affairs.

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