"Show us your mega-wide receiver Lightning Bolts!"
SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers sent wide receiver David Boston home before practice on Wednesday as a disciplinary measure, and it's likely that Boston will receive a team suspension Thursday.
Boston met with coach Marty Schottenheimer Wednesday and was told to leave practice while his future was discussed. A decision will be announced Thursday morning.
Schottenheimer was guarded in his comments about Boston, who signed a $47 million contract as a free agent in March.
"David and I had a discussion and in the course of the discussion, thought we ought to have this day (off), and he's been excused for a matter that is not related to the medical part of it," Schottenheimer said.
General manager A.J. Smith wouldn't be more specific, but did say that it wasn't one incident that led to Boston being sent home, but rather, "it's several things."
"Let's just say we've got some guidelines here to adhere to," Smith said. "And David wasn't meeting them to our expectations."
Boston was one of the marquee free agents this offseason. He signed a seven-year, $47 million that included $12 million of guarantees. The Chargers had hoped that Boston, who weights 247 pounds and runs a 4.3 40, can break big plays when defenses ganged up to stop halfback LaDainian Tomlinson.
"There is no suspension yet," said Smith, who said he expected Boston back on Thursday.
Boston, a Pro Bowl selection with Arizona in 2001, has made nearly as much news off the field as on it since joining the Chargers.
Boston recently wanted 10 days to rest a heel injury, and the team reluctantly gave him the 10 days along with one missed game to get his heel better.
The relationship between the Boston and the team have been unraveling for weeks. Should Boston be suspended by the Chargers, it will be for an accumulation of incidents such as being late for meetings and not conforming to team rules and policies.
Sunday, for example, Boston had a verbal exchange with injured teammate Reche Caldwell, but the incident was not considered a major one. Then Boston was caught leaving the bench area before the end of the 37-13 loss to Denver. He also declined to join his teammates in the locker room for Schottenheimer's post-game speech.
Last Sunday he returned to action and caught six passes for 91 yards. But before the Chargers' 24-10 loss to Baltimore, he was involved in a shouting incident with injured wide receiver Reche Caldwell.
Following that game, he declined to speak to reporters, and the Chargers said he wasn't available to reporters after Monday's light workout.
Boston was one of the marquee free agents this offseason. Smith signed him to a seven-year, $47 million that included $12 million of guarantees and a $4.55 million signing bonus. The Chargers had hoped that Boston, who weights 247 pounds and runs a 4.3 40, can break big plays when defenses ganged up to stop halfback LaDainian Tomlinson. Smith also hoped Boston could supply balance to an offense.
But Boston has proven an elusive figure who rarely spends time with teammates, preferring instead to meet with his personal trainer for hours every day. Boston has bulked up considerably in the last two seasons, making many speculate about his possible use of steroids.
Boston has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
Schottenheimer expects Boston to play Sunday in Oakland.
But to do so, Boston needs to practice Thursday or Friday, which is one of Schottenheimer's many rules. Boston didn't play in the home opener because of his bruised heel, after not practicing in the week leading up to the game.
"He would certainly have to be a part of one of those days," Schottenheimer said.
The team has the option of keeping Boston on the active roster or suspending him for one or more games. The timing couldn't be worse, though. The Chargers visit the Raiders Sunday. Caldwell is out with a wrist injury and Tim Dwight is questionable with a knee injury. Eric Parker, an undrafted free agent from last season, could end up being the team's No. 1 receiver if Boston is not available.
SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers sent wide receiver David Boston home before practice on Wednesday as a disciplinary measure, and it's likely that Boston will receive a team suspension Thursday.
Boston met with coach Marty Schottenheimer Wednesday and was told to leave practice while his future was discussed. A decision will be announced Thursday morning.
Schottenheimer was guarded in his comments about Boston, who signed a $47 million contract as a free agent in March.
"David and I had a discussion and in the course of the discussion, thought we ought to have this day (off), and he's been excused for a matter that is not related to the medical part of it," Schottenheimer said.
General manager A.J. Smith wouldn't be more specific, but did say that it wasn't one incident that led to Boston being sent home, but rather, "it's several things."
"Let's just say we've got some guidelines here to adhere to," Smith said. "And David wasn't meeting them to our expectations."
Boston was one of the marquee free agents this offseason. He signed a seven-year, $47 million that included $12 million of guarantees. The Chargers had hoped that Boston, who weights 247 pounds and runs a 4.3 40, can break big plays when defenses ganged up to stop halfback LaDainian Tomlinson.
"There is no suspension yet," said Smith, who said he expected Boston back on Thursday.
Boston, a Pro Bowl selection with Arizona in 2001, has made nearly as much news off the field as on it since joining the Chargers.
Boston recently wanted 10 days to rest a heel injury, and the team reluctantly gave him the 10 days along with one missed game to get his heel better.
The relationship between the Boston and the team have been unraveling for weeks. Should Boston be suspended by the Chargers, it will be for an accumulation of incidents such as being late for meetings and not conforming to team rules and policies.
Sunday, for example, Boston had a verbal exchange with injured teammate Reche Caldwell, but the incident was not considered a major one. Then Boston was caught leaving the bench area before the end of the 37-13 loss to Denver. He also declined to join his teammates in the locker room for Schottenheimer's post-game speech.
Last Sunday he returned to action and caught six passes for 91 yards. But before the Chargers' 24-10 loss to Baltimore, he was involved in a shouting incident with injured wide receiver Reche Caldwell.
Following that game, he declined to speak to reporters, and the Chargers said he wasn't available to reporters after Monday's light workout.
Boston was one of the marquee free agents this offseason. Smith signed him to a seven-year, $47 million that included $12 million of guarantees and a $4.55 million signing bonus. The Chargers had hoped that Boston, who weights 247 pounds and runs a 4.3 40, can break big plays when defenses ganged up to stop halfback LaDainian Tomlinson. Smith also hoped Boston could supply balance to an offense.
But Boston has proven an elusive figure who rarely spends time with teammates, preferring instead to meet with his personal trainer for hours every day. Boston has bulked up considerably in the last two seasons, making many speculate about his possible use of steroids.
Boston has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
Schottenheimer expects Boston to play Sunday in Oakland.
But to do so, Boston needs to practice Thursday or Friday, which is one of Schottenheimer's many rules. Boston didn't play in the home opener because of his bruised heel, after not practicing in the week leading up to the game.
"He would certainly have to be a part of one of those days," Schottenheimer said.
The team has the option of keeping Boston on the active roster or suspending him for one or more games. The timing couldn't be worse, though. The Chargers visit the Raiders Sunday. Caldwell is out with a wrist injury and Tim Dwight is questionable with a knee injury. Eric Parker, an undrafted free agent from last season, could end up being the team's No. 1 receiver if Boston is not available.
