Merriman is on his way out of town article

[NEboltsfan74]

By Charles Robinson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/expertsarchive;_ylt=Aj7nyDbzoN6dPvbG5jdW9JbhMMQF?a uthor=Charles+Robinson), Yahoo! Sports 2 hours, 25 minutes ago

Merriman is on his way out of town
Give San Diego Chargers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/sdg/;_ylt=AlqxtC0A0Of0Crkty8KKFbnhMMQF) linebacker Shawne Merriman (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7188/;_ylt=Atdb.fWDHs4dyyA3ZPv0u1LhMMQF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7188/news;_ylt=AnFbcBVHzuXYOYPX6E5cfXThMMQF) his due: He had everyone excited coming out of the offseason. He said he was in the best shape of his life and out to prove that he hadn’t fallen into the abyss of formerly dominant defensive players. But he’s got six tackles through three games, and wasn’t able to make it all the way through Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/mia/;_ylt=AvHVh8eLG.DEnINXy1ZAHKThMMQF), thanks to a groin injury. But even before that game, Merriman didn’t look entirely right. He hasn’t been consistently explosive – nor has he required the constant double-teaming that defined his presence prior to last season’s season-ending knee surgery.



It’s not to say Merriman hasn’t flashed. He pressured Joe Flacco (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8795/;_ylt=ArrVZM2MhC4J3Nbb_sR5VMbhMMQF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8795/news;_ylt=AmwK.ZLXOfOZ6xRfDQEkIePhMMQF) into an interception in the Week 2 loss to the Ravens. But he’s not finishing, he’s not entirely healthy with the groin, and until he proves otherwise, that knee is going to be a looming concern. The Chargers hope he’ll be right after this week’s bye, but take the longer view of what is happening. San Diego didn’t draft Larry English (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9280/;_ylt=AnVFO5Kyb_IqwQXtmoFZKj_hMMQF)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/9280/news;_ylt=As1mNI8lxKmmrPknLa5rifvhMMQF) for nothing. He’s Merriman’s long-term replacement, plain and simple. And the longer it takes Merriman to regain his past form – even 90 percent of what he once was would be an accomplishment – the more the Chargers are going to lean on English.

General manager A.J. Smith is famously non-sentimental. And Merriman’s recent off-field drama with former girlfriend Tila Tequila didn’t sit well with Smith – particularly considering the number of off-field incidents that is beginning to accrue during Smith’s tenure. Add in the fact that the Chargers are piling up long-term deals, and that Smith has never shown the inclination to give Merriman the money he has been seeking for nearly two years, and the writing is on the wall. A few months ago, the belief was that if Merriman returned to dominance this season, Smith would put the franchise tag on him and ride him out another season. But with the last month in mind, even that kind of commitment is in doubt.

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Do any reporters have editors any more? :eek:

[gzubeck]

So is this going to be a problem for shawn...I mean its not like he's not going to be picked up by one of the other 31 teams...He might not get $12 million a year but I could see $6 mil per year if he gets better by the end of the season.

[NEboltsfan74]

So is this going to be a problem for shawn...I mean its not like he's not going to be picked up by one of the other 31 teams...He might not get $12 million a year but I could see $6 mil per year if he gets better by the end of the season.

Personally I think it is too early to count any player not on IR out.

[VaqT]

Personally I think it is too early to count any player not on IR out.
Agree. It's a bit premature to put that out.

[808BOLTFAN]

WOW, this article is stupid. Merriman will be back to his dominant self again.

[Strife9878]

he is a RFA after this season... tag him with a 1st and 3rd. He stays, and we keep him for another year and can evaluate him, if someone takes him then we have 5 picks in three rounds... ill take either situation.

Franchise tag at this point looks like VJ.

[Time4aRing]

he is a RFA after this season... tag him with a 1st and 3rd. He stays, and we keep him for another year and can evaluate him, if someone takes him then we have 5 picks in three rounds... ill take either situation.

Franchise tag at this point looks like VJ.

Agreed.

They make it sound like AJ is ruthless. He has always said business is business, nothing has changed.

[Nater]

This season determines his value in majority.

I'd love to see him come out and be worth tagging,
but I'm not holding my breath on it.

[SP17BOLT]

Hopefully Merriman comes back after the bye week at 100% and destroys the Broncos.

[NEboltsfan74]

Hopefully Merriman comes back after the bye week at 100% and destroys the Broncos.

That's definatly a good game to have a coming out party in.

[RockAwsom]

We'll have to wait and see.... MAY be good for us,, it will bring his value down in to a realistic contract extension that we can afford. As long as he improves throughout the remainder of the season. I think he'll stay as long as his demands are not ridiculous.

[Satcong_21]

he is a RFA after this season... tag him with a 1st and 3rd. He stays, and we keep him for another year and can evaluate him, if someone takes him then we have 5 picks in three rounds... ill take either situation.

Franchise tag at this point looks like VJ.

I got this strong feeling that VJ is gonna be giving a new contract before this season ends...

As far as Merriman, way too early to say he is gonna be gone after this year. But I don't mind losing him and we get another future "LT-like" or "Jamal-like" player...

[AMAYA]

why is it that when a player gets hurt you guys start counting him out? what the hell is wrong with you? who are you to speculate on a player's future? to me that's just wrong. Just because an idiot says so doesn't mean it's true, and when he comes back 100% you guys are gonna be on his side? That's why every game we have that many spacves available for the other team, that sucks

[NEboltsfan74]

why is it that when a player gets hurt you guys start counting him out? what the hell is wrong with you? who are you to speculate on a player's future? to me that's just wrong. Just because an idiot says so doesn't mean it's true, and when he comes back 100% you guys are gonna be on his side? That's why every game we have that many spacves available for the other team, that sucks

Who exactly is that directed towards?

I admire the passion... but most of the posts on here are saying they are taking the wait and see approach and that it's to early to know what kind of impact he will have this year.

[Strife9878]

I got this strong feeling that VJ is gonna be giving a new contract before this season ends...

As far as Merriman, way too early to say he is gonna be gone after this year. But I don't mind losing him and we get another future "LT-like" or "Jamal-like" player...

Lets hope so... id like to see VJ locked up but unfortunately we have a lot of our big money deals done already and you cant have to many of those.

[Chimmy187]

I'm sure Charles Robinson has barely ever spoken to AJ Smith. It might as well be a Kevin Acee article.

[matt3706]

I like how everyone says English is Merriman's replacement, there is no reason why we can't cut ties with Philips and have English and Merriman playing on the outsides. That's a scary prospect if Merriman is able to get back to his old self.....

[fuat]

I like how everyone says English is Merriman's replacement, there is no reason why we can't cut ties with Philips and have English and Merriman playing on the outsides. That's a scary prospect if Merriman is able to get back to his old self.....

money, merriman will want too much money, thats a big reason

[SanDiegoSteve]

This is a silly, non-factual article making a ton of assumptions.

Let's just wait til the off season and see.

[BoltBacker17Oz]

We'll have to wait and see.... MAY be good for us,, it will bring his value down in to a realistic contract extension that we can afford. As long as he improves throughout the remainder of the season. I think he'll stay as long as his demands are not ridiculous.

You deffinatly gotta keep in perspective exactly who were talkin about.
Mr. Hollywood. Way I see it he could only have 2 possible CA locations to land and still stay close enuff to Hollywood. Of course you could ezily say hey could take his Hollywood and go Broadway in a NY franchise.
Me I say :56: stays for several years.
Also as great as VJ has looked/improved, I want to see :85: get his exstension before the season is done. Might be too late to see another contract exstension this year. Either way VJ is deffinatly makin sure he is gonna be considered before '10 is done.

[Chargrfan]

That's definatly a good game to have a coming out party in.
Not nessacrily since he's going up against Clady who is a mosnter so if he struggled against jake long then...

[BHBOLT]

Hey, if next years season is uncapped we get two franchise tags right?

[NEboltsfan74]

I like how everyone says English is Merriman's replacement, there is no reason why we can't cut ties with Philips and have English and Merriman playing on the outsides. That's a scary prospect if Merriman is able to get back to his old self.....

Because eventually one of them would have to go. If English becomes the player he is supposed to, there is no way you can afford both of them. As it is we can't afford Merriman.

[NEboltsfan74]

Not nessacrily since he's going up against Clady who is a mosnter so if he struggled against jake long then...

He was only in for 2 snaps against Long. Not sure you can really say he struggled.

[NEboltsfan74]

Hey, if next years season is uncapped we get two franchise tags right?


No. But it would make players who are do to be UFA to be RFA's so we can give them offers that would require other teams to surrender draft picks to sign them.

[LightsOut4ever]

Not nessacrily since he's going up against Clady who is a mosnter so if he struggled against jake long then...

It's not an official stat, but they mention them enough during broadcasts, that I think they deserve some merit -- Clady gave up zero sacks, but he was cited (http://www.profootballfocus.com/by_player.php?tab=by_player&season=2008&lastname=Clady&surn=Clady&playerid=4326) for 7 QB hits and 39 QB pressures allowed. They just didn't become sacks because Cutler rolled out to his right a lot and, in most of the DEN games I saw televised in 08, Clady was putting a lot of un-called choke holds on DEs.

[Nevadaguy]

Agreed.

They make it sound like AJ is ruthless. He has always said business is business, nothing has changed.

CONCUR!!!!!!!:logo

[SJSUPhil]

Still too early to tell, but if it's true Merriman can be replaced like everyone else in the NFL. There's always someone better out there.

[iR4G3]

Too early to assume anything.

Merriman's value will be too steep for any team to try to get him after AJ Smith puts the Franchise Tag on him. The Chargers will be asking for more than a 1st Round pick. Merriman will stay one more season if he has a down year and his value will even be more greater next season if he recovers 100% and returns to his dominating form.

[williammg]

you guys understand 2010 is looking like an uncapped year, that will determine a lot of what goes on with FA

[SDBrohon]

if we give merriman the fat payday he's seeking, i dont know if well be able to resign all these other guys.. gates, jackson, sproles, mcneill... as much as i hate to say it, and ESPECIALLY if his production doesnt go up and he doesn't start looking healthier, then we'll probably just let him walk and not even put the franchise tag on him.

[JoeMcRugby]

if we give merriman the fat payday he's seeking, i dont know if well be able to resign all these other guys.. gates, jackson, sproles, mcneill... as much as i hate to say it, and ESPECIALLY if his production doesnt go up and he doesn't start looking healthier, then we'll probably just let him walk and not even put the franchise tag on him.

They won't have to put the franchise tag on him: Merriman's only going to be a restricted free agent in 2010.

If teams want to sign him to an offer sheet, it will cost them a 1st and 3rd in the 2010 draft to do so if the Chargers don't match the offer. Otherwise, Shawne will be a Charger in 2010 for the cost of about $3.5 million.

you guys understand 2010 is looking like an uncapped year, that will determine a lot of what goes on with FA

Precisely.

These columnists who are basing their "analysis" on players who have less than 6 credited seasons in the NFL are ignoring reality.

It's almost certain that Merriman, VJ, McNeill, Sproles, Floyd and even Whitehurst are only going to be RFAs in 2010. None of them are likely to "walk away".

[LightsOutLVI]

They won't have to put the franchise tag on him: Merriman's only going to be a restricted free agent in 2010.

If teams want to sign him to an offer sheet, it will cost them a 1st and 3rd in the 2010 draft to do so if the Chargers don't match the offer. Otherwise, Shawne will be a Charger in 2010 for the cost of about $3.5 million.



Precisely.

These columnists who are basing their "analysis" on players who have less than 6 credited seasons in the NFL are ignoring reality.

It's almost certain that Merriman, VJ, McNeill, Sproles, Floyd and even Whitehurst are only going to be RFAs in 2010. None of them are likely to "walk away".

As always your info is spot on, Joe. Thanks!

[Chrgers1]

Merriman is a very important part of our team. Better to have him lin our line up than have him line up against us...thats when we will know/feel his true worth.