Thread: Marcus McNeil, anyone?

"McNeill will immediately become the most talented and risky free agent tackle out there."

From the PFT article henryburris posted. I am all for this gamble- not only because I like him from college, but because of the upside...I guess if we spend a buncha money and then he never plays well again (Tommie Harris) then I would regret it, but I am all for spending Virginnys money, and he does turn out to be the player he was- win! Better than watching another team gamble and win. I am sick of Bears gambles being for busts that JA thought we could re-motivate or some crap (gholston) although Okoye worked out reasonably well. This guy is a proven talent, it is the injury that we would have to gamble on.

Marcus McNeill, T for the San Diego Chargers at NFL.com

According to this, he played 9 games last season. I do think he would be better than Webb when he plays, we may only get 1/2 of the season out of him.

That could be an example of smart bargain shopping. Get him, 2 decently priced receivers and Avril or Mario, we could afford to draft another offensive lineman with the first pick.

Yeah, I'd want to bring him in for a look-see. Even with an injury history, he may still make a good rotational player. Maybe even handle a game or two (particularly when webb is struggling). If the price is right.

If he is healthy & at the right cost he would be a great pickup. But those are big ifs.

This is a big gamble, and I mean a big gamble. Sure, he made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and '07, but he did sustain a serious neck injury last season that ended his year. If I sign him, I don't go above a certain asking price. He has a pre-existing back condition where his spine narrows - I forget the name of the disease. But in any case, I would proceed with caution, because while he would definitely prove to be an upgrade over Webb and OMG, you might be back to using those two again if he goes down with another injury during the course of the season.

Originally Posted by soulman

That's always possible but unless Spotrac is wrong, and they seldom are, the contract he signed guaranteed him $24.5 mil. If that's the case I don't know how they can release him and get around paying him unless what they characterize is salary is some sort of roster bonus instead. If that guarantee is inaccurate they still show his 2012 compensation as 100% salary. There's no other cash bonus listed and he's already been paid his SB so that $298.5k is just the amortization of the SB for cap purposes.

But if he is somehow released, and he's healthy then hell yes we should be interested. He'd be a huge upgrade over Webb right now. I just haven't seen or read anything that says they're releasing him yet.

Thanks for the link Henry. I'll post the article here. Even though it's PFT it sounds likely. The contract was guaranteed up to $24.5 mil against a skill but not injury. The problem is if he can't pass the Chargers physical would he pass anyone else's?

Chargers expected to waive Marcus McNeill

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on February 8, 2012, 9:29 AM EST

Getty Images

Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill got his big contract in October of 2010. It was considered risky because of his health, and he wound up only playing nine games in 2011.


The 28-year-old two-time Pro Bowler is expected to be waived in early March according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. That would free up $10 million in cap space.

McNeill’s contract was guaranteed for skill, but not injury. So he has to pass a physical by March 15 or his salary is not guaranteed. Acee reports McNeill, who reportedly wants to keep playing football, is not expected to pass the physical. McNeill will immediately become the most talented and risky free agent tackle out there.


Acee writes the Chargers have a few other ways to clear up cap space. Defensive end Luis Castillo will likely have to reduce his salary or he will be cut. Linebacker Takeo Spikes, due almost $3 million next year, is also a candidate for release.


Calling this a crucial offseason for Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith would be an understatement. There are a lot of question marks on the Chargers roster and not a lot of time to fix them with Smith and coach Norv Turner on the hot seat.

Originally Posted by MPBears68

How much would he cost us cap-wise?

If the Chargers release him it's whatever he and the Bears agree to. I can't help but think that he'd only be a candidate for a small salary that included some bonus money if he stays healthy.