San Diego Chargers

As a rookie, Shaun Phillips played in all 16 games and was second on the team with four sacks. He continued to improve in his second season as he recorded seven sacks in 15 games, good for second on the team.

Prior to the 2006 season, Phillips had mostly been used as a pass rush specialist rather than an every-down linebacker. But with the September 2006 shooting of teammate Steve Foley, Phillips moved into the starting right outside linebacker spot previously occupied by Foley. He made an instant impact and finished his first season as a starter tied for 9th in sacks in the NFL despite missing 2 games with a midseason calf injury. He was a second alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl

2007 Pro Bowl

The 2007 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl took place on February 10, 2007, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game was held on a Saturday instead of the usual Sunday after the Super Bowl because of a request by broadcaster CBS....

. Phillips starts opposite Shawne Merriman

Shawne Merriman

Shawne DeAndre Merriman is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. On November 2, 2010, the Chargers waived Merriman...

 as the weak side or "will" outside linebacker

Linebacker

A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...

 and usually lines up against the side of the offensive line that does not contain the opposing team's tight end

Tight end

The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...

.

On February 20, 2007, Phillips signed a six-year contract extension with the Chargers through 2012 with $13 Million guaranteed the first 2 years.

In the 2007 season Phillips had 8.5 sacks.

In the 2009 season Phillips led the NFL with 7 forced fumbles, led the Chargers with 7 sacks, and tied Larry English

Larry English

Larry English is an American football outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers 16th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft...

 for the team lead with 16 quarterback hits.

In week 4 in 2010, Phillips had a career day with 4 sacks against the Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

. He also returned an interception for a touchdown in a 41-10 blowout.

Phillips was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl

2011 Pro Bowl

The 2011 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2010 season. It took place at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii...

 as a replacement for Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...

 linebacker James Harrison.

External links

• Shaun Phillips Official Website
• Shaun Phillips Official Blog on Yardbarker
• Shaun Phillips profile at San Diego Chargers
  San Diego Chargers
  The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...