So you want Donnie Edwards huh?
 

When ignorance is bliss


Bolts' Edwards content to play role of victim


By Jim Trotter
UNION-TRIBUNE

June 4, 2006


Donnie Edwards is a bright man who wants people to believe he's ignorant.

Since being placed on the trading block in early April, he repeatedly has shrugged his shoulders when asked about the Chargers' desire to deal him. He even claimed to be hurt and confused by the situation during a recent radio interview.

Hurt, we can give him. Potential rejection is never easy, whether it's a date for the prom, an offer on a new house or a chance to finish your playing career with the team you grew up idolizing.

But confused? No way. Edwards has a degree in political science and is working toward a master's in education. If he can't make out what's going on, UCLA should demand he return his diploma and the NCAA should investigate how he received one in the first place.

Edwards is on the trading block because he has lost the respect of some teammates and many in the front office with his constant complaints about being underpaid and underappreciated. He's available to other clubs because he's in the final year of a five-year, $18.75 million contract and the Chargers have no intention of meeting his asking price next offseason, when he'll be a 34-year-old free agent.

That any of this would come as a surprise to Edwards is, well, surprising. He's entering his 11th season, so he knows how the game works. If a player is no longer in a team's plans, the team generally seeks to get something for the player now rather than nothing for him later. Edwards observed this several years ago with Junior Seau, who remains a much more decorated and infinitely more beloved player than Edwards.


Of course, it didn't have to come to this. Edwards easily could have played out the contract he signed after leaving Kansas City, then looked to get a better deal as a free agent. Instead, he began coming to the team for more money after only two seasons, first in 2004, then in 2005 and, finally, this offseason. Each time he was rebuffed his grousing grew louder. The only thing that got a bigger rise out of him was his failure to earn a starting spot in the Pro Bowl.

Look, let's be clear on this: Edwards hasn't deserved a Pro Bowl berth since he arrived in San Diego in 2002, based on the time of the voting and the performance of the players. He made his only appearance in 2005 after two other linebackers withdrew because of injuries, but that spot should have gone to teammate Steve Foley, who deserved it then and still does now.

Edwards supporters will point to how he has recorded 100-plus tackles in each of his four seasons. But a closer look, done by Union-Tribune Chargers beat writer Kevin Acee, reveals that 56 percent of his tackles came 4 or more yards past the line of scrimmage last season. And 24 percent of those occurred after gains of 6 or more yards.

Again, this is not to bash Edwards, but he has to accept responsibility for his role in the situation. He can't go around presenting himself as a great player when opposing coaches and scouts rate him as only the third-best linebacker on his team, behind Shawne Merriman and Foley.

He can't keep nodding and smiling when unknowing outsiders call him a locker-room leader and the heart and soul of the defense, because he's neither. He has been voted team Defensive Player of the Year only once since coming to town, and that was during a 4-12 season in which someone had to receive it.

I tried reaching Edwards for comment, but he didn't return my calls. Can't say that it came as a surprise. He has been painfully thin-skinned of late, telling one reporter he was done speaking to him after the reporter wrote an article that was balanced (i.e., not flattering) about Edwards' play on the field and standing in the locker room.

That's not to say he's been totally silent. During his recent radio interview, he said, among other things, that he's upset he had to hear about being on the trading block from someone outside the organization, and he wishes the team would allow his agent to talk trade with other clubs.

Asked about both statements, General Manager A.J. Smith said Edwards' agent was notified the moment Edwards was placed on the trading block, just as Seau's agent was notified the moment he was made available to other teams. Smith also said Edwards' agent, Tom Condon, is free to talk with any team, although the Chargers must agree to the compensation.

“It has become crystal clear to me that Donnie is very unhappy with his contract and has been for a few years,� Smith said. “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.�

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RE: So you want Donnie Edwards huh?
 

Considering his age, and the fact it's the back end of his contract, he's getting paid good money. I mean really... who's going to want to give an extension to a guy who will be 34 or 35 year old linebacker with the fact he wants more money? He should have played out the year with them. He's there in sunny California playing for a team he idolized... while making good money, he shouldn't be complaining.

That's an interesting fact about Edwards and his tackles in that article. I wasn't aware of that... sounds like Watson when he was starting. :red: I think we're just infatuated with "name" players... that includes myself. That's why some of us want him here. We're looking for a reason to believe.

RE: So you want Donnie Edwards huh?
 

Well I never jumped on the Edwards coming here i really dont see why yall would want him here ...... most of yall want joe horn out of hear because his age and injures so i mean bringing him in would be stupid for just 1 year.........

RE: So you want Donnie Edwards huh?
 

Thanks for the article. Think I might change my view on this one.

It doesnt change my view on wanting him, he would still be an upgrade over what we have. He is still a smart dependable player that at least will be around the play to make the tackle. He knows he is getting close to the end and he wants one more payday...thats human nature. I dont want to pay a ransom for him but i would welcome his addition to this team.

One guys view, ..... Hes still better than anything we got. Ill take him

I heard Gill Brandt and Tim Ryan bashing this guy on the radio the other day for this article. They said and so did Edwards that the first time he askes for a new contract was at the start of the 05 season. I don't know the whole story but they were being pretty hard on the guy who wrote this article. They seem to know what they are talking about

if mcnair is worth a 4 he is a 6. deal done

The Saints would do well to bring him in...sign him for 3 years, let him tutor someone to take his place, and let him lend his experience and leadership for the next year or two.

I rather invest that type of money elsewhere.

like what? Where do you think we can spend 12 million dollars that would be a better investment than Edwards?

Lotto tickets?

Okay whoodi i perfer scratch and sniff tickets.
Seriously leaving Trade (Stallworth) out of it or LB position is filled with stop gap players under one year contracts. Why not add another if we can for a resonable price? Because that is all they are for now one year players. I would like Edwards but with the recent signing at LB and other positions, I do not think any more one year deals would benifit us. Now get one that at least will be a restricted FA for next year is another story. Some one that can be on the team for at least 4 to 5 years. Think about the risk next year if the saints and payton lay an egg. Turnover will be almost as great as it has been so far this year if not worse.
You got me to agree.

Who wrote this article? Was it a writer in San Diego? If it is, then it tells me it's a little biased. I think my stance on this situation is that if we signed Donnie Edwards to a three year deal or something like that, and not overpay on him, I would be happy. However, if he demanded too much or we just didn't end up signing him, I wouldn't be upset. I really don't care much either way. I think right now, with Polley, Simmons, and Fujita, we have a good solid corps of linebackers. Adding a Donnie Edwards there would be a good pick up, but without him, I think we'd be fine.

A cornerback? How about a tackle? Edwards is a good player, but there are other players and positions that need to be addressed.

A couple of lotto tickets also would be a good idea. 8)

I agree with you TheDeuce... I was thinking a couple of days ago after I read it that it was pretty biased. But, there's a lot of truth to it also.

Articles that kiss players' arses are biased too, but everyone loves those. If anyone can find untruths in what was said, i'd like to hear 'em. But just cause it's negative, doesn't mean it's false. That being said, if Donnie comes in here for okay money and wants to be a part of the team, 100%, get him. But if he is looking for a lasy big payday at 34 years old, you can kiss it Donnie. Maybe an incentive laden contract would be just what he needs. You get us 150 tackles, you get paid.

Whodi, why can't you see Donnie Edwards' greatness?

I say call Master P to work out the deal on Edwards' behalf, & I'm 100% for the deal!!!! :D