Am I the only one that thinks Merriman is CRAZY?

by DannoE on Sep 9, 2008 5:41 AM PDT

Hey guys,

First off, it is AWESOME to finally have a Chargers SBN Blog. HUZZAH!

For the curious, I was born in San Diego and have been a Bolts fan for a VERY long time. I still wear my #14 Dan Fouts jersey with extreme regularity. It's a bit tattered now, but I'll die before I give that bastard up. I remember crying after the Chargers lost to the Bengals in that sub-zero AFC Championship Game, and I remember being the ONLY guy in a Hoboken bar rooting for a very bad San Diego team to try to eke out some kind of respectability. And I remember thinking, "Hey! This guy Tomlinson can PLAY!"

With all of that said, am I the only one to think Merriman needed to have surgery this year? I mean, yeah, he's a good player and all, but this particular decision on this particular season seems poorly thought out, both byhim and by the coaching staff. The guys has too many years still in front of him IMHO to risk what he's risking, no?

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Misguided anyway

I hear the arguments that he’s an adult and capable of making his own choices, but I’d much rather see him back to full strength next year. I’m also disappointed that Charger management didn’t step up and tell him to be smart and go get the surgery.

One thing it has done for me is leave me more impressed with his team spirit and attitude. Ever since his initial holdout I loved watching him play but wondered if he was out for number one. If that were the case this would be a slam dunk to get the surgery. That he is out there playing shows his love of the game and commitment to his team mates.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by DaBolts on Sep 9, 2008 7:11 AM PDT 0 recs

He made his point

and given how obvious it was he wasn’t 100% against the Panthers its time to shut it down for the season. So yes, I think he is absolutely nuts.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Sep 9, 2008 8:34 AM PDT 0 recs

I'm starting to wonder if he had some contract thing in there for which he had to play at least...

…a few games this season.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Sep 9, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't have a real problem with the Merriman thing

The injuries he has should not majorly affect his ability to cut and move laterally, unless he can’t handle the pain of doing so. The problem comes from the bone on bone grinding that those ligaments protect him from. That grinding is also what will cause any long term side effects. However, anything he does this season will be repairable with offseason surgeries and most likely will not compromise his 2009 season. The most likely long term effect will be a early onset of arthritis, but I’m sure he’s aware of this and is willing to endure that in the future for the glory of the present. The man has overcome a lot of adversity in his life and to him this must feel like a walk in the park.

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 9:41 AM PDT 0 recs

Long term arthritis

He might want to talk to some of the retired players out there that are suffering from arthritis (and can barely walk) to get a real opinion about whether it is worth it or not!

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Sep 9, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Agreed

But he’s a grown man. If he’s comfortable with that outcome, who are we to doubt him?

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was confused earlier

when he went to see… what was it… a fourth doctor? Clearly Shawn, you’re going to play regardless of what the doctors say, you don’t have to cherry pick.

With that said, I think it’s crazy. Someone’s gonna cheap-shot him.

Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?

by Axion on Sep 9, 2008 10:46 AM PDT 0 recs

According to people at the game

They were trying to cheap shot him all game.

As for all the doctors, we really don’t know what any of them said. The only source of information on the issue is Shawne himself. The doctors can’t speak about what advice they gave him. According to Shawne, all the stories about career threatening and not being able to play were a result of him being misquoted in an interview. As for that, you’ll have to decide on your own whether you believe what he says.

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Fair enough. As reported, it seemed insane. I hope that is not the case.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Sep 9, 2008 12:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

Interview of 105.3 this morning

Shawne said that nobody was trying to cheap shot him at all during the game.

People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.

by sdsuaztec4 on Sep 9, 2008 1:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

Cheap shot him during the game? When?

I take offense to that comment. Please back that up with specifics because I still have my tape of the game. Pass rushers get chopped all the time on screens and short pass plays. I assume thats not what you are talking about.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Sep 11, 2008 6:05 AM PDT up 0 recs

Like I said

I didn’t see it and I watched in on TV. People at the game claimed they saw a couple of attempts, which means its possible they were not caught on camera. If Merriman denies it, then I’m inclined to believe him over the fans.

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 11, 2008 10:15 AM PDT up 0 recs

Season Ending Injury

is the only way to learn his lesson. hope he doesnt end his career but he really needs to quit while he is ahead. chargers could go all the way without him. they gotta get through the colts first tho

by skywalker on Sep 9, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

I didn't get to see the game,

but I heard that the chargers started using some 4-3 after Merriman left. Is that the direction the team will go if he can’t do better than he did Sunday? What is your tackle depth like, can you handle a 4-3 for the season if you need to?

"It's the first time that I've probably ever seen a 260 pound back run into a free safety and go flat on his back, I mean it was exciting." ~John Elway

by jibbons on Sep 9, 2008 2:06 PM PDT 0 recs

You heard wrong

For one, Merriman wasn’t out very long and two, Merriman’s backups are 3-4 LBs Tucker and Harris. They both would not make very good 4-3 DEs. Not that it matters ,but the tackle depth wouldn’t be a problem. Both Castillo and Olshanksy would be 4-3 DTs. It DE that would be the problem since only Merriman, Phillips and Cesaire would cut it as 4-3 DEs. Maybe Harris could be a 3rd down pass rushing DE, but I wouldn’t want him going up against most of the league left tackles.

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 2:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm not so sure

Announcers called it a 4-3 with Igor & Jamal at DT, S. Phillips & Tucker at DE. Tucker was converted from DE at Wake Forrest, he’s a bit small there. I can’t see them switching over though.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by DaBolts on Sep 9, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

They can call it whatever they want

It doesn’t make them right. Typically a 3-4 OLB will put his hand on the ground once in a while and rush like a 4-3 DE, but it doesn’t make the defense a 4-3. To make the defense a true 4-3 the starting OLBs would have to never play without a hand on the ground, but I guarantee that both Tucker and Phillips started plays from the traditional linebacker stance and dropped into coverage while Merriman was out.

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 9, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

Looks like he changed his mind....

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8543520/Merriman-will-have-season-ending-surgery

April in CA

by peytonsthebest on Sep 9, 2008 4:18 PM PDT 0 recs

All for the best

Better season ending surgery than career ending injury

by blue&gold on Sep 10, 2008 9:40 AM PDT 0 recs

He's an asset to the Chargers...

…and could continue to be fro a long time (barring free agency). I’d really hate to see him fumble all that away.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Sep 12, 2008 11:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

Surgery

The surgery is just as likely to be career threatening as the injury was. Surgeons are good, but they are not perfect. Merriman could have played until his LCL snapped, which they will now repair with surgery anyway. Not really sure how any injury he could get would be any more career threatening than the ones he already had.

With all due respect, you are not allowed to find our division rivals sexy.

by Wonko on Sep 12, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up 0 recs