MERRIMAN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT L.T.-SMITH SAGA

Time for what has become a daily update on the LaDainian Tomlinson situation in San Diego. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, players have privately expressed concern with the way the Chargers, and particularly G.M. A.J. Smith, are handling the situation. Shawne Merriman is expressing concern publicly. “That (stuff) doesn’t help bring a Super Bowl to San Diego,” he said. “And that (stuff) needs to stop, period. It needs to stop now.” Team President Dean Spanos apparently agrees with Merriman and is “very upset” that the situation is being discussed publicly, sources tell The Union-Tribune. Spanos is “particularly bothered by some of the misunderstandings being portrayed ... based on pure speculation,” according to the sources. Merriman, meanwhile, said he wants the buzz around the team to be about getting to the Super Bowl, not players’ contracts. Interestingly enough, Merriman’s contract is up after the 2009 season. “Going into next season, I want people talking about how we’re going to rebound from getting ... bounced from the playoffs – not if LT is going to be there or if I’m going to be there,” Merriman said. “We’re a team, upstairs and downstairs, no matter what,” he continued. “This is a business, but if you address the situation publicly now you have turmoil. They’re going to make decisions upstairs. But we’ve got to be a team.” Stay tuned.