Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers / Image: Zuma Press

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith released the following generic statement today:

“It’s disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course.”

In turn, Shawne released his own, more thorough, statement:

“On September 6, 2009 the San Diego Sheriff’s Department responded to a citizen’s complaint that was initiated by Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). I was taken into custody based upon that complaint. At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided. We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California. There have been no charges filed against me. I want to thank the San Diego Sheriff’s Department for their professionalism. I will continue to cooperate fully with the Department, and I look forward to clearing my name regarding these false allegations. I want to put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers.”

Sources: NFL.com, FoxSports.com

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Shawne Merriman Arrested

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers / Image: Zuma Press

“People haven’t seen the best of me, not at all. In the past, I would tell someone, ‘I’m about to go out and just kill it this year.’ Now, I want people to just watch. I had enough doubters around before, and some people felt like I was just talking (trash) or just talking too much. My thing is, now I’m just talking about what I’ve done and what I’m doing right now, not about what I’m going to do.”

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Shawne Merriman: ‘Just Watch’

On the heels of a 37-32 loss to the New Orleans Saints at London’s Wembley Stadium this past weekend (NFL International Series), the San Diego Chargers fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and promoted linebackers coach Ron Rivera to take his place effective immediately. Chargers head coach Norv Turner made the announcement at an afternoon presser today:

“There are a lot of things that went into the decision. There are areas that we just have to play better and we have to improve. Over the next 10 days those are the areas that we are going to address. Hopefully we can not only show improvement right away but continue to improve over the next eight games.”

I realize the loss of linebacker Shawne Merriman for the rest of the season was a tremendous blow to coach Cottrell’s troops, but there’s simply too much of a discrepancy between the offense and the defense to not make a drastic change. The Chargers are tied for second in points scored with 28/game but they give up a little more than 25 while ranking near the bottom of the league defensively in yards allowed. I mean, San Diego hasn’t exactly been an offensive juggernaut every week, but they’ve lost games they scored 24, 32 and 38 points in. Even without Shawne, the defense is talented and thus underachieving. If the Bolts have any chance of coming back from a 3-5 start, they’ll need to improve the defense and they’re hoping this is the first step.

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San Diego Chargers Fire Ted Cottrell

Shawne Merriman has come to his senses. Rather than attempt to play the remainder of the 2008 NFL season with two torn ligaments in his left knee, he decided to heed doctors orders (lots of doctors) and have season-ending knee surgery. Chargers GM A.J. Smith issued the following statement today:

“Shawne informed me he did not feel right (on the field) and thought it best to shut it down. The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.”

I said everything I wanted to about Shawne’s injury in two previous posts:

• Shawne Merriman Will Play in 2008
• Shawne Merriman Has Torn Ligaments

Shawne’s just 24-years-old. He has a hopefully long and promising football career ahead of him. Like it or not, this is the right decision.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Shawne Merriman to Have Knee Surgery

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

San Diego Chargers All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman has decided to ignore the advice of expert orthopedists to have surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee and play this 2008 season. I received a press release from the Chargers today and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. And in a text message with the San Diego Tribune Shawne said:

“I’m going to play. I’ll deal with it when it’s time to get surgery.”

If you ask anyone who has a clue, the time to get surgery is now because Shawne’s been advised if he does play, it could be the end of his playing days. I think Shawne’s completely out of his mind. Here’s a 24-year-old with all the athletic talent in the world and he’s actually willing to risk the rest of what could be a very long and prosperous football career on one season. It doesn’t make any sense. Sure, he could get out of this unscathed, but the risk does not equal the reward. Please, someone talk some sense into him.

Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

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Shawne Merriman Will Play in 2008

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman made it public that he has two torn ligaments (PCL and LCL) in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery. But apparently Shawne’s been playing on the bum knee since last season so he’s actually considering continuing to play on it:

“It could be career-threatening if I did (play). It’s a possibility. That possibility is still open. They’ve all said the same things about the injury. (They’re) kind of surprised that I’ve been playing with it up to this point ….. The question is what should I do? How long should I play with it? It’s a thousand different options at this point and I’m just trying to make the best one.”

Actually, it’s more like three options and two are crazy to consider:

1. Reconstructive surgery will take care of the problem but sideline him for the 2008 season.
2. Less-invasive surgery would temporarily fix the problem and allow him to play at some point during the 2008 season.
3. No surgery would allow him to continue playing but threaten his career.

If you ask me, the first option is the only option. Shawne is still a very young player (he’s only 24-years-old). Why would he risk his entire NFL career on this one season? It’s completely unconscionable that he would even consider it. And why would he go with a temporary fix just to play part of this season? I admire his intense desire to play, but he’s got to pull back at this point. Shawne should get the surgery done, start rehabbing and get ready to have a great 2009 season — and beyond.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Shawne Merriman Has Torn Ligaments

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Check out the new Nike Football “Proving Ground” ads featuring Larry Fitzgerald, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawne Merriman and Champ Bailey. Everything Nike Football can be found at NikeFootball.com.

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Nike Football ‘Proving Ground’ Ads

The New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers lead the AFC’s 2008 Pro Bowl squad with a conference-high eight players each. New England’s eight All-Stars equals a franchise high set by the 1985 Pats. The AFC roster includes 18 first-time All-Stars, including Cincinnati WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who leads the NFL with 101 receptions.

Among a group of talented AFC quarterbacks, four-time All-Star Tom Brady of New England, who leads the NFL in passing yards (4,235), TDs (45) and passer rating (119.7), will be the starting QB in his fourth Pro Bowl. Tom is one of seven Patriots that will start for this year’s AFC squad. Joining him to aid the AFC passing attack will be Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning, who will make his eighth Pro Bowl appearance, and first-time selection Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, who ranks third in the NFL with 29 TD passes.

San Diego’s duo of running back LaDainian Tomlinson and fullback Lorenzo Neal have been named starters for a second year in a row. Earning his fifth Pro Bowl honor, L.T. ranks second in the NFL with 1,311 rushing yards this season and has passed the 1,200-yard rushing mark for the seventh consecutive year. Lorenzo, in his 15th NFL season, has been selected to his fourth Pro Bowl and third as a Charger. Adding to the AFC’s explosive backfield will be Pittsburgh’s Willie Parker and Joseph Addai of Indy. This is the second consecutive Pro Bowl trip for Fast Willie, who leads the NFL with 1,317 rushing yards. In his second NFL season, Joseph Addai ranks second in the AFC with 11 rushing TDs and will make his first Pro Bowl trip. Once again, Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor has been snubbed despite averaging a gaudy 5.1 ypc. He’ll need to lead the league in rushing to get consideration.

Four receivers are named to each All-Star squad. And it has to be nearly impossible to come up with just four. Chosen for the AFC’s 2008 team are New England’s Randy Moss, the NFL’s receiving yardage (1,343) and TD (19) leader. Randy records his first Pro Bowl appearance since 2004 (because he was lost in the black hole for several years) and sixth overall. Lined up across from Randy will be Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis, who will make his second All-Star game in consecutive seasons. Two first-time selections from clubs in Ohio will round out the AFC All-Star receiving foursome — Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards, whose 13 TD receptions ranks second in the AFC, and the aforementioned T.J. Houshmandzadeh of Cincinnati. I know this is a very elite list of receivers and it’s incredibly hard to pick just four, but I could make a case for Wes Welker (Pats), Chad Johnson (Cincy) or even Brandon Marshall (Denver) in this group.

Representing the AFC at tight end will be nine-time all-star Tony Gonzalez (big surprise) of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego’s Antonio Gates, who will play in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl and start for the second year in a row.

Pittsburgh’s 10-year veteran guard Alan Faneca will make his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl trip and will be joined at the other starting guard position by first-time All-Star Logan Mankins of New England, who has helped pave the way for the league’s top-ranked offense. San Diego’s Kris Dielman, a former undrafted free agent who has been a mainstay for the Chargers offensive line this year, will make his All-Star debut.

AFC starting center Jeff Saturday will book his trip to Hawaii for his third consecutive Pro Bowl. First-time AFC All-Star Dan Koppen of New England will back him up.

Assigned to keep the pocket clean against a talented group of NFC edge rushers are a group of AFC All-Star tackles — New England’s two-time Pro Bowler Matt Light and first-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Peters of Buffalo. Jonathan Ogden of Baltimore will play in his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl in his 12th NFL season.

Lining up in the middle for the AFC defensive front are starting interior linemen Albert Haynesworth of Tennessee and New England’s Vince Wilfork. Both linemen will make their first appearances in the All-Star game. Accompanying Vince and Albert will be San Diego’s Jamal Williams, who has secured his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

Ranked second in the AFC with 11.5 sacks, Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen will make his Pro Bowl debut as a starter and will be joined by Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who will play in his second Pro Bowl in three seasons with the Titans and his first as a starter. Miami’s Jason Taylor will cap off this trio with the sixth Pro Bowl of his career.

Two first-time All-Stars — Mike Vrabel of New England and Pittsburgh’s James Harrison — will start at outside linebacker for the AFC. Mike has tied his career-high with 9.5 sacks and James leads the league’s top-ranked defense with 8.5 sacks. Joining them at outside linebacker is Shawne Merriman of San Diego, who tops NFL linebackers with 11.5 sacks. Shawne will make his third consecutive All-Star game appearance.

Roaming the middle of the AFC defense will be middle linebackers Ray Lewis of Baltimore and DeMeco Ryans of Houston. DeMeco, the 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of Year, will start in his first Pro Bowl, while Ray-Ray, a 12-year veteran, will record his eighth appearance in Hawaii.

Interceptions are plentiful for the trio of AFC All-Star cornerbacks. Starter Champ Bailey of Denver has earned his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and will be teamed up with two first-time All-Stars. New England’s Asante Samuel will start opposite Champ and Antonio Cromartie of San Diego, who leads the league with 10 INTs, will make his All-Star debut in his second season.

Indianapolis strong safety Bob Sanders earns his second consecutive AFC All-Star berth and Ravens ball-hawking free safety Ed Reed is a four-time Pro Bowl choice in six NFL seasons. Four-time Pro Bowl selection Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh will join them as a reserve.

The AFC special teams unit is comprised of four players, including two first-time Pro Bowl honorees. Cleveland kick returner Joshua Cribbs is making his first trip to Hawaii. Joshua leads the NFL with a 30.9-yard average and is tied for second in the league with two scores. Tennessee kicker Rob Bironas, who leads the NFL with 31 field goals and set the NFL record for most field goals in a game earlier this season, will make his All-Star debut. San Diego wide receiver Kassim Osgood, who will serve as the AFC’s special teamer, makes his second consecutive trip to Hawaii. Concluding the special teams group will be Oakland’s veteran punter Shane Lechler (third Pro Bowl). Shane leads the NFL with a 49.0 average and has placed 21 of his 63 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Patriots, Chargers Lead AFC All-Star Squad, 18 First-Time Selections Named

A couple weeks ago, I predicted San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman would win your votes to become the cover athlete for the EA Sports BIG video game NFL Tour. Well, it’s official. Shawne did win, the cover is done and the game will be out in January.

And as long as I’m on the subject of video games, I found a great source of coverage at GamesRadar.com. Not only does the site look cool at first visit, but it’s loaded with good writing and tons of cheats (Xbox cheats, Playstation 2 cheats), downloads, videos, forums and breaking news for your favorite video games on any platform — Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii, Nintendo DS and more. You can also join RadarNation for free subs to enewsletters and downloadable strategy guides, videos and other content you pay for on other gaming sites. So if you’re interested in an NFL-licensed game like Madden NFL or the aforementioned NFL Tour; or if Halo or any number of other non-sports-related games are more your bag when it comes to video games, GamesRadar.com is a great resource.

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San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman Chosen as ‘NFL Tour’ Cover Athlete

The cover athlete for NFL Tour, a new NFL licensed arcade football video game from my friends at EA Sports, will be determined through an open online voting process. Voters will be able to choose between Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, or San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman. At the end of the voting process, the NFL player who receives the most votes will be announced as the official cover athlete for NFL Tour. To get in on the action, check out voteNFLtour.com.

NFL Tour will offer fans a fun experience with the NFL and its players. Gamers will be able to embark on a fictional NFL road show. With real NFL players as teammates, players will travel across the country to play against each of the NFL teams in newly designed stadiums. As players defeat each of the NFL squads, they come one step closer to winning a NFL contract.

My guess is that Shawne Merriman will win the majority of the votes. This game will launch under the EA Sports BIG category and Shawne fits the image perfectly.

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‘NFL Tour’ Cover Athlete is Your Decision