Oct 15, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun  Phillips (95) during pregame introductions before a game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

That trademark bowling ball celebration likely has made it’s last appearance in a San Diego Chargers uniform. Shaun Phillips led the team in sacks last season, but the team drafted Melvin Ingram with their first round draft pick last season and he is expected to start with Phillips gone.

Phillips is an unrestricted free agent and could look to join a playoff team. The Chargers are looking toward the future and don’t have the free money to spend on a position that already has capable starters. Jarrett Johnson and Ingram will likely be the starters going into the season.

The Chargers should try to bring back Antwan Barnes from free agency to be the first backup off of the bench. Barnes should be available at a cheaper price. He led the team in sacks a couple of seasons ago and would be a nice option off the bench.

Larry English could also be given another year to prove his worth with the new GM Tom Telesco in town. Maybe he will be given more opportunities to get into the game with Norv out of town.

Johnson, Ingram, Barnes and English. Still need to pick up a couple of more guys to compete at the position. There just are too many other holes to fill on the roster and signing a top notch outside linebacker is not of high priority.

Sign me a left tackle, a left guard, a middle linebacker, a strong safety, a runningback or a wide receiver before you sign an outside linebacker.

Dec 24, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is pressured by San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

NFL.com lists Shaun Phillips as a potential camp casualty in their latest article. Phillips is due to make $4.4 million in his base salary this season and he is in the final year of his contract.

In camp, there will be a lot of bodies competing at the linebacker spot. We just signed Jarret Johnson from the Baltimore Ravens and he is expected to start at one outside linebacker spot. We also brought in the young rookie from South Carolina Melvin Ingram. There is a lot of hype around Ingram and his potential. Still on the roster is last season’s sack leader Antwan Barnes and former first round draft pick Larry English. So much competition at the position.

Last season, Phillips was slowed by injuries and finished the season with only 3.5 sacks. He has been an impact player in the past and this season he will be looking to cash in on a contract. He will be hungry to show his worth to the rest of the league. It would be surprising to see him back here in 2013 with all the depth on the roster. The starters could be Larry English (laughing that I even entertained that) and Melvin Ingram by that time.

Phillips is expected to be that impact player on defense again. He is the best pass rusher on the team and he still carries a swagger to him that most of the roster does not have.

If he fails to produce, the rook will be pushing him for playing time. Antwan Barnes will be pushing for playing time. It will be up to Shaun to make big things happen. I think he will.

If you are wondering what that tattoo is about and what the heck does BHJ stand for, then you have come to the right place. Earlier this year, Shaun Phillips teamed up with Reggie Bush to form a DJ crew called the Black House Junkies. It is a pretty sweet logo and Reggie Bush and SP95 can’t be any worse than DJ Pauly D.