Merriman to play...

[buffalo5edwards]

I heard on the radio yesterday that he had 3 doctors tell him not to play and he was looking to get a 4th opinion. I guess if you really want to do something, you're going to do it.

I'm guessing you were listening to the Howard Simon show, because I heard the same on that as well.

He truely is a moron if he plays this year. The Chargers need to sit him down and say look, we need you in the future, don't go risking your future for this year.

[gladdyontherise]

i know we all say this alot and will say it again, but this has got to be the most stupid thing in football ever!!! he has a torn MCL & PCL, all that is holding that leg together pretty much is the ACL. he tears that thing and he's done for, i can't believe how ignorant he is being, he might as well invest in a few pairs of hearing aids, and get some nice crutches while he's at it....

[htwheelz01]

He should have the Surgery and come back next year.

[Impaired Reality]

why is he going to play????? i guess he will get back on the hgh

[RenegadeLonghorn]

The roids have taken over.

[newcombe]

The Chargers shouldn't even let him play, but more evidence that teams ultimately don't care about their players.

Just to clarify, the Chargers gave Shawne the decision on having surgery or playing. They were not taking sides in the matter.

[newcombe]

Ya know, I see a lot of people saying he was on 'roids or HGH agter that positive test and that tells me that some people live in the past. Give it up, he tested positive once and hasn't since. He made a stupid young mistake. So lets put that the rest because everyone knows that one positive test results in regular testing.

Now, as far as the injury, he played the last couple of game on the injury as well as the playoffs and the Pro Bowl. He was solid in all of those match-ups. He has gone through the off season with the injury as well and has been alright. The only thing he hasn't done is player more than 5-6 games on it. The Chargers did not make this decision. They left it 100% up to him. Merriman decided for himself to forgo surgery, not the Chargers.

I don't believe that he will play every down but I think he is doing this to just "be there". The guy is the spark plug of the defense and when he's not present, they struggle. The Chargers will monitor his knee closely and only allow him to play what they feel is adequete. The mere fact that he is playing will force teams to prepare for him, 100% healthy or not.

[Insane Irish]

One word.....Dumb.

[newcombe]

One word.....Dumb.

Dumb or committed? Philip Rivers played on a torn ligament in the AFC Championship which also could have been career ending. It is my belief that there are two types of NFL players in the league:

The first are players that are ONLY committed to the well being of themselves. Money is the root of all evil and it is my belief that more players are 100% committed to themselves and not to the team and it's potential.

The second are players that do what they feel will benefit the team, at all costs. Even if it means the risk of a career ending injury. I believe that Shawne is a selfless player that wants the TEAM to do well and he is willing to take the risk of a career ending injury in exchange for a Super Bowl ring. In my book that is commitment to the team and the organization.

People can say what they want but all Shawne Merriman has known is the game of football and he pours his heart into it. No one can ever say that he isn't comitted to the team.

EDIT from another post
The knee has 4 ligaments so he has 2 holding it together, not 1. He has an ACL and MCL remaining that are attached. Also, Willis McGahee blew out three ligaments prior to the NFL Draft in '03 and look where he is. This is nothing new and it would be much different as a defensive player (specifically a LB) than a RB which is expected to make cuts.

[Insane Irish]

There is a big difference in being committed and being dumb, and he is being foolish. He had the option of getting the surgery right after the Pats smacked them, but he chose not to. (first sign of stupidity) Rivers knew he would get the surgery right after the playoffs were over, and he plays Quarterback. Yeah Rivers gets hit, but not as much as a linebacker. If you play linebacker there is a lot more contact involved bro, I hope U can see that.

The second are players that do what they feel will benefit the team, at all costs.

How much will he be helping his team if he isn't 100%?, and how much will he benifit the team if ends his career about 9 years too early because he is a COMPLETE jackass. He'll be helping as much as L.T. did in the AFC championship game, with a view from the bench. I think those Doctors are just a wee bit smarter than Mr. Merriman.

Give me a break.....U ask 1000 people about this, and maybe 3-5% (if even) will say he isn't dumb, and those people are all biased San Diego fans.

This decision defies any rational semblance of an explanation..
Do some of these guys even stop to think about the long term ramifications, like being able to walk without a cane for the rest of your life?

Committed...LMAO!!! Good one!!