SAN DIEGO (AP)—Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has decided to have surgery on the two torn ligaments in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season. The loss of the Pro Bowl linebacker is a huge setback for a team that has Super Bowl expectations. “Shawne informed me he did not feel right and thought it best to shut it down,” Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said in a statement. “The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.” http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...ap-chargers-merrimansurgery&prov=ap&type=lgns
Doesn't matter when he did it, it would've ended his season. I give him props for going out there and trying to gut it out. All the speculation out here near SD had him trying to gut it out until week 4, when Stephen Cooper is back from suspension. I think those were true, but obviously it hurt Merriman to much to try and make it there. Props to him for trying, hope everything goes well with the surgery and the rehab. Jyles Tucker...it is your turn to shine!
Well that part of it is true, but it seems like everyone knew it was over other then him. Thankfully for him, he made it out of the first game no worse off then he was, but to me it always sounded like something he shouldn't have even thought about going out and playing on. But I guess it all evens out in the end.
I agree to an extent. Normally you don't like seeing one of your team leaders going out there and risking everything, but in the circumstance, nobody knows his body better than him. I like how he gutted out week one, but his explosiveness wasn't there. He barely put any pressure on Delhomme throughout the game. I'm just glad we don't have to worry about seeing him go down to a injury on the field this year. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by the play of Jyles Tucker. Also, it's time for Shaun Phillips to step it up. He's been known as the "other Shaun", when in reality, he is our best overall LB.
I don't give him props. I think he's a fucking idiot for risking his entire career because he was in denial about his injury situation. The past couple weeks have shown us yet again, how easily a player can be injured in the NFL (Umenyiora, Brady, Colston). The man should be glad he didn't come out looking worse.
One of the tears he's been playing with since his first pre-season game of his NFL career and the other tear, the major one, he played in the AFC Championship game with last year and one pre-season game this year. Nobody knows his body better than him. What's the worst that could've happened? He gets hurt and has to have the same re-constructive knee surgery that he's about to have? I think the claims of risking his whole career are a bit overboard.
none of it is true. if he had takent he word of the 1st TWO DOCTORS and not dragged it all offseason, he could have had surgery months ago and been back for the playoff run. He is a moron. However, KARMA! This is what happens when you roid up. Your muscles are too big for ligaments and they break. Thus he is getting what he deserves. He has ruined his body and will never be the same player. HOORAY. Nice to see a cheater not prosper.
Yeah, because he has failed so many steroid tests. I find it funny that he failed the test, comes back from suspension and played even better ball. Also, never mind the fact that the Titans intentionally tried to take him out at the knees because they thought he delivered a late hit to Vince Young. No way could a cheap shot cause such an injury. It must be the steroids!
Better after he failed? While it is true he had a 17.0 sack season the year he failed the test, stopping taking steroids wouldnt immediately cause him to lose the benefit like the hulk turning into bruce banner. However the next season his sacks dropped off by 7 and tackles dropped off as well despite playing in more games. I.E. as the effect and benefit faded because he is on full time testing program his stats fell way off.
Yeah his stats fell, but he also faced a hell of a lot more double and triple teams. I'm not denying he took steroids, hell, over half the league is either on 'roids or HGH. But I don't think it improved his play that much to where it should be such a big deal. I also don't think you should be wishing injury upon anyone or anything like that.
half the league is on roids but only merriman and a handful of others tested positive? RIIIIIIGHT! and the whole league cheats but only the patriots get caughts, and the whole word commits perjury under oath but only bill clinton loses his law license. The testing program is solid and stops cheaters dead (not as dead as i would like) in thier track. I am not saying merriman isnt a talented player, because he is. But the difference between him be a good player and the best is steroids. Just like barry bonds. So dont say taking them cant make that much of a difference cuz bonds home run totals doubled and he became the greatest home run hitter ever.
If you think it's normal for these LB's to be as fast as they are and be as strong as they are all natural, then you're ignorant to the obvious. The nation flips a bitch over seeing baseball players on 'roids, but they refuse to believe a football player does them. Why? Because NFL is America's new sport and we don't want that tarnished. I feel sorry for you if you actually believe the testing in the NFL is adequate.
No. The only way to test for HGH is through a blood test, so its not realistic. There have been recent breakthroughs in urine testing for it, though.
Don't want to see the NFL tarnished? Are you kidding me? Does the word "Spygate" mean anything to you? No, the real reason you see the NFL's drug testing as not being adequate is because it doesn't support your end of the argument. BF1 is making some great points especially about Merriman's stats not dropping off immediately after his suspension because he was still benefitting from being juiced, but the next season drop off being the true indicator of his natural abilities.