"It may not be time to board up the windows, but be aware of a storm approaching.

The Chargers' purposefully late, streamlined offseason program commenced in earnest this past week. Players who attended talked about intensity and progress. Four late-morning practices were crisp and businesslike.

Those who were notably not present at Chargers Park were discussed but not lamented. The football mentality demands focus be on who is on the field rather than who is not. And gorgeous spring days in San Diego, with the season still more than three months away, are not the time for worry.

But with the team's three-day mandatory minicamp beginning on Wednesday, there are dark clouds visible over the hillside lining the team's Murphy Canyon headquarters.

Rhetoric that revolves around contract issues is often like thunder that never ends up accompanied by lightning, the anticipated downpour never coming.

But please be aware that there is a serious threat of this getting messy.

Receivers Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson , left tackle Marcus McNeill and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman have stayed away from Chargers Park this offseason in protest over their contract status."