saintswhodi

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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papz

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. 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.

AllSaints

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.........

smyce

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

JimBone

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.

NewMexSaint

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

TIGERSAINT31

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

hagan714

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

JimBone

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.

papz

I rather invest that type of money elsewhere.