Donnie Edwards or Matt Wilhelm?

By Robert Rousseau  |   Tuesday, September 05, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

San Diego Chargers
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San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Donnie Edwards is a veteran with more than just an average resume. Now, going into his 11th season, Edwards has accumulated over 100 tackles for 10 straight years and has 1,218 for his career. Further, he was a 2003 Pro Bowl alternate.

Funny then, isn't it, that Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has had him on the trading block for awhile now? Some very public contract negotiations gone awry seem to be the culprit, and Smith isn't the only one pushing for new surroundings (Edwards actually asked to be traded).

With all that being said, Edwards is still good (and doesn't appear to be going anywhere). Returning from a lower back injury in a recent preseason contest against the 49ers, he looked great in pressuring Niners quarterback Alex Smith and returning a fumble deep in enemy territory. Still, to get it all straight, Edwards has been injured, doesn't want to be on the team and Chargers management wants him gone.

To add to it all, Matt Wilhelm, currently Edwards' backup, certainly made the most of the veteran's preseason injury. The fourth-year pro out of Ohio State and former All-Big Ten Player impressed in Edwards' absence, and word is that he might be capable of unseating him down the road. In fact, Wilhelm's talent is underrated.

In a recent Chargers.com article by Tom Shanahan, teammate Stephen Cooper seemed to say it best (about Wilhelm). "He's probably the best athlete on the team among the linebackers," Cooper said.

However, none of that has stopped head coach Marty Schottenheimer from declaring him one of the starting inside linebackers.

So here's the question. Who should start, Donnie Edwards or Matt Wilhelm? The guy who doesn't want to be in San Diego and isn't wanted by management, or the guy just dying to play?

One thing seems certain: Edwards is only a temporary cure; his days in San Diego are likely numbered. Though the team might not be as good on defense early if they start Wilhelm, it's a move that could benefit the Chargers in the future.

But. . .

Steve Foley is injured, so experience behind the defensive line is needed now more than ever. Probably because of that and the pressure being placed on him to win this year, Schottenheimer is likely to stay with the proven player in Edwards. A good move for a coach that needs to do well now in order to keep his job.

Get more on the San Diego Chargers at RealFootball365.com
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
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