Acee: Castillo and McNeill could be sent packing

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee, the San Diego Chargers are “likely to clear the books of $10 million by waiving left tackle Marcus McNeill,” and could save another $4.975 million by releasing defensive end Luis Castillo.

McNeill has to be cleared by a team doctor by the third day of the new league year, which begins March 13, or his 2012 salary is not guaranteed. McNeill is not expected to get a clean bill of health from the Chargers.

The team is also expected to release or seek to renegotiate the contract of defensive end Luis Castillo, who is due $4.975 million in 2012. Releasing Castillo, who played just 3½ quarters last season before suffering a fractured leg, would clear all but $1.025 million of Castillo’s $6 million cap number.

This is big news for Chargers fans, especially in the case of McNeill, whom some were hoping would shift over to start at right tackle in 2012. And this makes signing Jared Gaither, who started at left tackle for San Diego over the final five games of last season, imperative. Moreover, with current starting right tackle Jeromey Clary perhaps the worst player at his position in the NFL, the hope is Chargers general manager A.J. Smith will select an offensive tackle early in this April’s draft.

As for Castillo’s departure, it’s likely his spot will be filled with Vaughn Martin, who was picked in the fourth round of the 2009 draft. After Castillo suffered a season-ending injury during the first game of last year, Martin stepped in and recorded 47 tackles and a sack. One has to think the defensive end position will also be targeted in the draft to add depth to the roster.

Acee also mentions the Chargers will save some cash if they decide to let go of left guard Kris Dielman, who was considering retirement after suffering a scary concussion during a loss to the New York Jets on October 23, 2011. But Acee believes Dielman will return to the team if that’s what he desires.

…Dielman’s possible departure would free up another $5.5 million. That’s money the Chargers will happily pay to keep Dielman.

Inside linebacker Takeo Spikes’ contract is also pointed out in the article, which states $23 million could be sliced from the Chargers’ payroll in the coming months, and the team could have between $10 million and $33 million to spend in free agency, depending on which players get sent packing.

Although Acee’s article shows there are a lot of holes that will need to be filled this offseason, I must say it’s exciting to see changes look as though they will finally be made. As most Chargers fans know, this roster, the trenches in particular, is in desperate need of a revamping.