Chargers by the (Jersey) Numbers: #56

by Andy (allfield) on Mar 10, 2010 10:17 PM PST in San Diego Chargers By The (Jersey) Numbers Comment 4 comments

Ty Allert, ILB

Chip Banks, OLB

Bob Bruggers, LB

Larry Evans, LB

Fred Forsberg, LB

Vince Osby, LB

Orlando Ruff, LB

Bob Rush, C

Patrick Sapp, LB

Galand Thaxton, LB

56 comes down to a two players with some interesting similarities.

Both linebackers
Both started their Charger careers strong, being named to Pro Bowls their first 3 years in San Diego.
And they both made playoff appearances in 2 of those 3 years.
Then injuries started to take their toll and their playtime and skill diminished. One missed an entire season; the other missed all but one game.
But for one, the future is still being written – even though it’s likely to be written with another team.

The Runner Up

Merriman_medium (I think he's pissed about being chosen runner-up)

Shawne Merriman, LB

The Winner

Emil Karas, LB

So two simple questions arise:

1. Why not put it to a vote?

2. Why did I choose this way?

Well, the simple answer to number 1 is who really cares? Because we live in the here and now, Merriman seems like a big deal. But after next year and he becomes a former Charger – even if he goes on to greatness with another team – he basically amounts to a 3-year wonder; a guy who used ‘roids to compete; and a guy who relied a lot on downfield coverage for about ¾ of his sacks. "Oh, look! The quarterback’s about to run out of the pocket! Let me fall on him! Hey, that counts as a sack! Yeah, I know it’s only a 2 yard loss, but it’s still a sack!" My point is I save votes for the really important and tough ones.

And the simple answer to #2 is the overriding tiebreaker: Emil Karas won a championship.

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Did Emil Karas win his championship with the Chargers before the merger?

by Magda56 on Mar 11, 2010 7:31 AM PST reply actions

First of all this fan cares. I looked it up and Karas did win the championship with the Chargers in the AFL, but I didn’t see Emil Karas on the 50 greatest Chargers list, so I assume he wasn’t a major reason they won the championship. In response to the statement that he needs roids to compete he has passed 19 out of 20 drug tests according to Goodell. I just don’t think you’re reasoning for snuffing merriman is that great, because you talk about him getting lucky with two yard sacks, and one of the greatest sacks i’ve ever seen has got to be peyton manning getting hammered by lights out for a SIX yard loss on fourth down in his rookie season. You also say he’s a three year wonder, but hopefully he stays in SD and throws down next season helping us get a well deserved Super Bowl. I’m not putting down Emil Karas because I don’t know much about him, but I would like to see a vote and what other people think.

by Magda56 on Mar 11, 2010 8:21 AM PST reply actions

More importantly than hoping he stays, I hope Merriman IMPROVES. I hope the knees and foot get healthy so he can prove what kind of a top-notch football player he can be — over the long haul and without ‘roids — and thereby debunk all the naysayers like me. And yes, Merriman has had a handful of sacks that actually did display a degree of skill and accumen. But I certainly wouldn’t want anyone confusing him with any other #56 who may have garnered a lot of sacks.

As far as Karas, I take the in-season honors more seriously than I do the vote for the 50 Greatest Chargers. The simple difference is that the AFL Pro Bowl teams of the early 60s were determined by those associated with the game (players and coaches) rather than fans, who have a tendency to vote with their hearts, especially when they see a name they recognize from the current roster. “Kassim Osgood? Oh yeah, he’s on the team. He must be one of the 50 best.”

Also, keep in mind that achieving Runner Up status is no small feat! There’s prize money involved, and “visits from ladies.” If you want to talk about “snub,” players like Orlando Ruff and Bob Horn who served the team well for longer periods, may have legitimate beefs. But they just get the wilted flowers that come as a parting gift for playing the game.

by Andy (allfield) on Mar 11, 2010 9:55 AM PST up reply actions

Haha nice thanks for clearing that up I thought you were just hating on Merriman, but I did see that Karas went to the AFL Pro Bowl three times so his peers must have thought very highly of him so I will give him his due respect and congratulations to him on his golden jersey.

by Magda56 on Mar 11, 2010 10:26 AM PST reply actions