shawn merriman

He was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland, College Park. Merriman was one of the pieces of the infamous Rivers-Manning trade as the New York Giants traded their 1st round selection to the Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft along with others and Philip Rivers in 2004 for the rights to Eli Manning selected by the Chargers with the 1st overall pick that year. The Giants pick in 2005 ended up being the 12th overall pick which the Chargers used to select Shawne Merriman out of the University of Maryland, College Park.


[edit] San Diego Chargers
Merriman started off his 2005 rookie year on the inactive list and completed 10 day hold out from training camp. He did not break the starting lineup until week 7, but recorded 6 sacks in his first 4 starts. He was voted into the Pro Bowl as an OLB after playing the position for the San Diego Chargers in their 3-4 defensive scheme which is the same position he played at the University of Maryland.

Merriman's best game of the year came in week 15 when the Chargers handed the Indianapolis Colts their first loss of the season. Merriman recorded 2 sacks and 2 tackles for a loss, one of which stopped Peyton Manning for a 6 yard loss on 4th and goal. It was during this game that Shawne Merriman garnered much national media coverage and in the following week made the Pro Bowl.

On January 4, 2006, Merriman was awarded with the The Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He received 28 1/2 votes of a panel of 50 NFL sportswriters and broadcasters. He beat the likes of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who received 16 1/2 votes , Cincinnati linebacker Odell Thurman, with 4, and Dallas linebacker Demarcus Ware, with one.

On February 12, 2006, Merriman participated in the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although in a losing effort, Merriman made 3 tackles and forced one fumble. "I enjoyed myself the whole entire week," said Merriman. "I topped it off today by playing the entire game with all the guys I grew up watching. It's going to be my first of many if I just keep working hard."

In 2006, Merriman again began his season with success, recording 3 sacks and an interception in his first 2 games. Merriman went on to record 8.5 sacks and make ESPN's midseason All-pro team[1], prior to dropping an appeal against a NFL enforced 4 week suspension due to testing positive for steroids.

In the 2006 regular season, Merriman led the league in sacks with 17 while playing only 12 games. He also added 4 forced fumbles to his career (2 BUF, and 2 in DEN). Merriman finished third in the balloting for 2006 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, behind Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey, after having tested positive for using steroids which is against the leagues drug abuse policy. Taylor commented that Merriman should not have been considered for the award because of his suspension. Merriman reportedly responded by sending Taylor a "Lights Out" t-shirt and a box of popcorn with a note essentially saying enjoy watching him in the playoffs.

Merriman, nicknamed "Lights Out," performed a dance to celebrate each of his 17 sacks in 2006. In 2007, he announced that he would no longer perform this celebration. [1]


[edit] 2006 drug suspension
On October 22, 2006, reports were made public by CNN that Merriman would face a 4 game suspension for violating the NFL's steroid policy.[2] ESPN's Chris Mortensen cited a source that claimed the suspension was "definitely for steroid use and not a 'supplement-type' suspension." Mortenson's report later came under scrutiny from Merriman's attorney, David Cornwell, who called the report "irresponsible and erroneous." Under NFL league policy, no player's suspension proceedings are to be announced before the suspension takes place. Subsequently Cornwell stated that he believes the substance his client tested positive for was the anabolic steroid nandrolone, and that Merriman claims it must have been in a tainted nutritional supplement he took regularly. [3]

In an effort to distance Shawne Merriman's name from being attached to a new policy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has revealed to ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the Chargers star linebacker has tested clean on 19 of 20 random tests for performance-enhancing drugs since he entered the league two years ago. [4]

Games like this are exactly why the Chargers installed the 3-4 defense. Tom Brady is arguably the best quarterback in the league and has more weapons than the New York Police Department. The Chargers must get to Brady before he carves up their secondary like a holiday bird.

New defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell wasn't shy about blitzing last Sunday in his Chargers debut -- especially rookie safety Eric Weddle in the team's dime package. Look for the Chargers defense to once again test a rival's pass protection. It's imperative the front seven -- and a blitzer or two -- is able to harass Brady to give the back end some help in tracking the Pats' trio of dynamite wideouts.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--WR Vincent Jackson took some grief for dropping ball in the end zone on Sunday. But replays showed the ball was tipped. Jackson remains the team's No. 1 wideout.

--TE Antonio Gates is being bothered by a sore back and didn't practice on Wednesday. Gates is not only the team's leading receiver, but his presence opens up running room for Tomlinson. Brandon Manumaleuna would replace him if he can't go.

--TE Brandon Manumaleuna is known more for his blocking than his pass receiving. That said, he does have a soft pair of hands and had three touchdown catches last year.

--It looks like Darren Sproles will return as the punt returner. Sproles suffered a concussion in his first kick return last week.

--Rookie WR Craig Davis filled in for Sproles on punts and didn't look that comfortable.

--OLB Shawne Merriman is being cautious with his Achilles' tendon. He won't go full blast until Sunday.

--Starting SS Clinton Hart had a quad strain during the game Sunday but has taken all his reps this week. Hart needs to stay in the lineup with rookie backup Eric Weddle continuing to impress.

--FS Marlon McCree is hoping to continue his solid start. He had five tackles and a team-high two passes defensed, along with an interception, in the season-opening win.

GAME PLAN: Give the rock to Tomlinson! Why wouldn't the Chargers do something that has worked so well in the past. Consider that Tomlinson has three 100-yard rushing games against the Patriots -- in one, he went for 217. The Patriots never seem to have an answer for Tomlinson, which makes the second half of the January playoff game all that much more baffling considering Tomlinson got the ball nine times.

Anyway, if Tomlinson is churning up yards and the clock, it keeps the ball out of Brady's hands as well. Not sure the Chargers secondary wants to get into a shootout with Brady.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Chargers CB Quentin Jammer and the pass defense vs. WR Randy Moss. The Chargers have seen plenty of Moss over the past two years, and quite frankly, haven't been too impressed -- he didn't score a touchdown in the four Chargers-Raiders games. But he does have two 100-yard days on his resume against the Chargers from his Minnesota days. Jammer always seems to give up the big play at a critical time -- see January's playoff game; Reche Caldwell -- and it's obvious Tom Brady thinks he can expose Jammer just when the time is right. Thing is, with Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker, the Chargers can't just concentrate on Moss.

--Chargers running game vs. Patriots run defense. Tomlinson, and Michael Turner, figure to see plenty of carries against a Patriots defense missing Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison. There is a special look in Tomlinson's eye this week that he is primed for a big game. Especially considering he is coming off a 25-yard affair against the Bears -- the second-lowest total of his illustrious career. Turner is also feeling better after being slowed by a sprained ankle. The key here is how Chargers Pro Bowl C Nick Hardwick holds his own against NT Vince Wilfork. If Hardwick, who had a so-so day last week against Tommie Harris and the Bears, can rebound and be stout at the point of attack, the Chargers running game has a shot of bouncing back in a big way.

--Chargers pass rush vs. Patriots QB Tom Brady. Shawne Merriman, who led the league with 17 sacks last year, had a quiet opening game. That could mean he is in for a big day against the Patriots. But while the focus is on Merriman, keep an eye on the opposite side where Shaun Phillips is blasting off the edge. Also, the majority of time rookie S Eric Weddle entered the game last week, he was sent on a blitz package.

Trouble with Brady is that the ball gets out so quick, it's tough to lay a hand on him. But the thinking is he'll want to expose a Chargers secondary that still has problems with consistency on the deeper routes. If that's so, he has to hold the ball longer. That just might give Merriman and Co. time to reach the pocket. If so, the biggest benefactor will be a secondary trying to keep up with Moss, Stallworth and Welker.

INJURY IMPACT:

--Eric Parker is out for likely the first month after toe surgery. Rookie Craig Davis replaces him in the starting lineup.

--TE Antonio Gates didn't practice Wednesday with a back injury. He is listed as doubtful; he usually has a pretty high tolerance of pain.

--FB Andrew Pinnock (hamstring) didn't practice and could be down Sunday.

--OLB Shawne Merriman (Achilles) was limited in his work. He's questionable, but he should play Sunday night unless he suffers a big-time setback.

--RB Michael Turner's ankle didn't suffer a setback and he is a full go.

--KR/PR Darren Sproles seems to be OK after suffering a concussion on Sunday. He's getting all his reps, but he will be monitored closely.

--S Clinton Hart (quad) worked the entire practice. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. � The lasting effect of last night's loss will be determined by doctors, as the Chargers lost three starters.

On the Chargers' third play from scrimmage, right tackle Shane Olivea went down with a lower back injury he said was the result of a little extra something by Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas.
Olivea said Thomas kept shoving on him when he was bent backward in a pile. Olivea will have further tests today and could miss Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm also left the game in the first quarter. He played the first two series after aggravating in pregame warm-ups the calf strain that caused him to miss the first three preseason games. He said the pain was not as bad as the first time he got hurt, but he must be considered iffy for Green Bay.

Scariest of all, perhaps, is that defensive tackle Jamal Williams left the game in the fourth quarter with an elbow injury. His left elbow was wrapped afterward, but Williams said he would play against the Packers.

Jeromey Clary made his first appearance at tackle in place of Olivea. Clarey played his first NFL game last week, as part of the field goal unit. Tim Dobbins replaced Wilhelm. Ryon Bingham replaced Williams.

The Chargers also reported that right guard Mike Goff suffered a bruised knee and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips suffered a quad bruise.


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The New England Patriots reportedly used LaDainian Tomlinson's comments earlier this week as motivation. But Tomlinson said last night he did not regret saying, "The Patriots live by the rule, 'If you're not cheating you're not trying.' "
Said Tomlinson: "If you take it personally, then there must be a problem. Everyone knows I was kind of joking."

Tomlinson was limited to his worst numbers in five career games against the Patriots � 43 yards on 18 carries. Tomlinson entered last night averaging 5.5 yards a carry and 137 yards a game in his four career games against the Patriots.

Even more notable by those in New England is what he has said about their team, calling them classless after January's playoff game and then his quote this week.

So when he was stopped for a 1-yard loss in the third quarter, the crowd at Gillette Stadium broke out in an extended "LT sucks" chant. Fans shouted it again later and showered him with the loudest such chant as he left the field postgame.


Merriman steps up
Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman went sackless in the season opener, prompting some questions (and smarmy comments) nationally about his abilities in the season following his steroids suspension.
Merriman likely at least muted those skeptics last night with two sacks and a tackle for a loss.

As he often does when he flies around the field all game, Merriman briefly went to the locker room in the third quarter for intravenous fluids. He did not miss a series.

"I could have no sacks, no tackles, and if we win I will leave smiling," Merriman said. "A game like this makes you stay up at night thinking you could have done better and been more dominant."


Brady excels
The Chargers secondary felt pretty confident it could contain New England quarterback Tom Brady, who had struggled against them more than any other club since 2002.
But Brady last night completed 81 percent of his passes, his third-highest total ever in a regular-season game. He completed 11 of his 12 passes on the Patriots' first two scoring drives, the only incompletion a pump fake that slipped from his grasp. He finished 25-for-31 for 279 yards and three touchdowns.


Moss wins
Randy Moss was on the winning side against the Chargers for just the second time in seven career games against them. He caught two touchdown passes � one in which he was uncovered and another in which Drayton Florence might as well not even have tried.
Moss scored on touchdown passes of 23 and 24 yards and caught a total of eight passes for 105 yards.


Welker shines
Moss was not the only receiver to bury the Chargers last night.
An old friend helped beat them.

Wes Welker, an undrafted free agent who the Chargers released after the 2004 season opener, caught eight passes for 91 yards. Four of his receptions for 66 yards came in the first half.

Welker spent the past three seasons with the Miami Dolphins before being traded to the Patriots for a second-and seventh-round pick this offseason.


Nuts 'n' Bolts
The meltdown reached special teams. Punter Mike Scifres had two touchbacks all last season, fewest in the NFL. He had two last night.
Andrew Pinnock (hamstring) was inactive, giving rookie linebacker Brandon Siler his first action in an NFL game. Siler played on the kickoff coverage team. The other inactives were the same as the previous week � third QB Paul Whitehurst, cornerback Paul Oliver, linebacker Anthony Waters, left tackle Roman Oben, tight end Scott Chandler, receiver Eric Parker and defensive tackle Brandon McKinney.

San Diego High alum Stephen Neal did not start at right guard for the Patriots. He was inactive with a shoulder injury.