San Diego Chargers watched Louis Vasquez, the second-year starting right guard, go out in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks with bated breath, and many are still waiting to take that first breath of fresh air. That injury was a lot to absorb. That, along with all the other things going wrong in the Chargers most recent loss, may have averted the attention of the viewing public away from another interesting injury, as Shawne Merriman was pulled out of the game and kept on the sidelines with an apparent calf injury. While nothing is official just yet, it would be safe to assume that the gears have been set in motion to search for some sort of trade for Shawne Merriman. Consider the following: Injury History Shawne Merriman tore both his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) at the end of the 2007 season. He neglected surgery until he played in the San Diego Chargers' first regular season game in 2008, after which he underwent season ending knee surgery. In 2009, Merriman was constantly plagued by injuries attributed to compensating for his knee injury. He missed two full games, and was limited in several others. He only produced four sacks. So far in 2010, Shawne Merriman has yet to play a full game. An Achilles injury kept him from the first two weeks of the season, and is now suffering the aforementioned calf injury Merriman's injury history is troubling. If he is never on the field, it would seem like the San Diego Chargers are just wasting money. Steroid Allegations and Suspension At the beginning of the 2006 season, it was announced that Shawne Merriman would face a four-game suspension for testing positive for steroid use. It has since been revealed that, up to and including that time, Merriman had tested clean on 19-of-20 occasions. However, many are still convinced that Merriman was using at some point, and has subsequently lost a step now that he is clean. Rampant injuries would indicate that steroids were a possibility, but it is still to be considered unconfirmed. Declining Play Consider this timeline, running from the 2006 season when Merriman served his four-game suspension for steroids to the present: 2006: 17.0 sacks, 62 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 7 passes defended, 12 games started 2007: 12.5 sacks, 68 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 4 passes defended, 15 games started 2008: 2 tackles, 1 game started 2009: 4.0 sacks, 36 tackles, 14 games started 2010: 4 tackles, 1 game started Blame the injury, blame the steroids, or blame off-field problems, but in any case, it is clear that Shawne Merriman has lost a step. The Verdict Much like Vincent Jackson, Shawne Merriman has been long since replaced. The defense seems to be cranking without him, and he is ultimately just a salary burden at this point. After this season, providing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is established, Merriman will become a free agent, and the likelihood of him being resigned by the Chargers is getting slimmer by the day. So, it would seem that the Chargers would be wise to ship him off to a team that feels like they could use him, and get whatever compensation that they can for him. Likely Landing Spots Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are experiencing a rash of injuries to their linebacking corps, and what better stop gap is there than Shawne Merriman? Merriman would be easy to plug into their defensive scheme. Cleveland Browns: The Cleveland Browns have been so close to winning this season that they can taste it. However, beset by missing defensemen, the Browns have had a hard time closing games. Merriman could make a difference fast. New England Patriots: This one is a long-shot at best, but it is worth mentioning. The one thing keeping the New England Patriots from Super Bowl relevance is a good pass rush. Adding Merriman to their group of linebackers could make a good impact. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks, because Vincent Jackson might not be the only veteran leaving the San Diego Chargers before the Week 6 deadline. NFL Trade Rumors: Are The Lights Out For Shawne Merriman In San Diego? | Bleacher Report
I would be happy with anything. He will be gone after this season and then we will have another influx of AJ haters criticizing the move.
The guy just needs to take the needle again and hope for the best. Hell, if he tests positive he can just blame it on tainted meat like Alberto Contador did.
God please dont let him go to NE, thats where washed up players go to revive their careers and it always works. He will go there, get some "help" from the coaching/training staff and we a 16 sack monster again and we will have to hear about how we never should of gotten rid of him
AJ's an idiot he let Shawne Merriman go for nothing! We could have gotten a 1st from someone. Alright just getting that out of the way.
New England has a pretty good record rehabbing spent Charger D-Men..and as passing Q-backs are quickly finding out, the Pats could use anybody in that D-backfield who can hit hard and not commit penalties. I doubt Merriman could fill the empty shoes once worn by Richard Seymour, but stranger things have happened. Merriman's history of injuries and steroid issues doesn't make him extremely desirable to anyone.
Merriman's exit will be quiet, he hasn't done shyte in two years and he is nowhere near the player Tomlinson was.
I don't know why or who would trade for Shawne Merriman based on his pathetic performance lately and his injury history. Who would bother???
Ya know...DC is awfully close to Maryland, where he went to college. Perhaps Daniel Snyder's "brain trust" will decide that they can get pro bowl level performance out of him for a Brinks armored truck full of cash. After all...look how well they did with (insert washed up, over paid bench warmer's name here)!
I almost forgot he was still on the team, should his exit be anywhere near his presence it should be silent.
I have about 200 post predicting this over at CMB. They treated me the same way some of you treat me here. Adios 56. Some of us saw it coming when you went on TV during a rehab.
No (maybe my sig confused people, just too lazy to change it), but you know people will say that if the scenario Rip mentioned happens. Look at the people still bitching that AJ didn't get "anything" for Brees.
I don't hate you. I think LightEmUp is a pretty cool guy. eh post nonsense and gets banned from Chargers forums and doesnt afraid of anything
He was tested during 07 (his beast year) and was clean. Roids had everything to do with his repair rate but not much to his stats. I've argued this in his favor while still predicting his decline. 56 lost interest. He no longer wanted to be a warrior on the field. Red carpet entrances, cameras, fame, rappers, Tila Tequilla. These are the things that took over 56 thoughts. Not being a superior LB.
If we finally agree on something so be it. This was obvious though from an athletes standpoint. Anyone saying 56 was gonna beast again was just wishful thinking. He hasnt shown any signs he can bring it at a high level. He has shown signs he loves his branding and clothing company and partying with celebs. I'll predict in a 2-3 years he is on Dancing with the stars.
I think you are overestimating the benefits. He was tested over a years span and was clean the whole time. How can he be benefiting from something that isnt in his system? You could say that his muscles were still at peak, but over a years time even that angle loses it's credibility. 56 used roids more for repair than to be stronger than the next guy. 56 is still strong today but cant stay healthy to save his career. He has also put his focus on other ventures besides football.
