Chargers linbacker Shawne Merriman has some knee problems and how serious they are depends on who you listen to. It’s not clear what the specific condition of the knee is, however. Just as the North County Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune had conflicting information on Thursday regarding whether Merriman’s offseason surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews of Alabama or by the team physician, the two papers have differing data as to the extent of the damage.
The Times, quoting an e-mail from Merriman, says that the fourth-year pro has a “loose ligament.” The Union-Tribune reports that it’s a torn PCL, among other issues. The options are: (1) do nothing; (2) undergo relatively minor surgery that would delay his ability to play this season; (3) undergo reconstructive surgery and miss all of the 2008 season.
Coach Norv Turner, who’s either optimistic or in denial, thinks Merriman will be able to play in the season opener.
The Times, quoting an e-mail from Merriman, says that the fourth-year pro has a “loose ligament.” The Union-Tribune reports that it’s a torn PCL, among other issues. The options are: (1) do nothing; (2) undergo relatively minor surgery that would delay his ability to play this season; (3) undergo reconstructive surgery and miss all of the 2008 season.
Coach Norv Turner, who’s either optimistic or in denial, thinks Merriman will be able to play in the season opener.
The whole situation and the conflicting information about his knee injury sure sounds a lot like the reasons he gave for getting popped for steroid use, namely that it's no big deal and everything will be fine. After Merriman was busted for his "unknowing" use of steroids, his weight dropped and as most fans remember, the Jags Maurice Jones-Drew blew him up on a block at the goal line, of you prefer Emmitt Smith's version, "MJD blowed him up"
The bottom line is that it looks like Merriman is trying to find a doctor who will tell him what he wants to hear, namely that his knee is fine or that a simple procedure will fix it. But from the tone of the two articles below and the conflicitng info about his knee, it seems the Chargers concerns about him returning to his former Pro-Bowl level are justified and that despite what he and his agent are saying, it might be "Lights Out" for Merriman.
From the North County Times:
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman said Thursday that he has ligament damage in his left knee and is evaluating his options."(It's) a loose ligament and (I'm) waiting to get more info on what I need to do," Merriman said via e-mail.Merriman was examined by Dr. James Andrews, the renowned surgeon based in Birmingham, Ala. Merriman has been having persistent knee pain throughout training camp and hasn't practiced since playing in the preseason opener against Dallas on August 9.Chargers coach Norv Turner said after Thursday's practice that he didn't want to speculate on how long Merriman might have to deal with knee pain. Turner expects Merriman to return to Chargers Park at some point on Friday.Turner remains hopeful that Merriman will be on the field when the Chargers open the season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7."I think he can be close to 100 percent and get back with some real good rehab work," Turner said. "He's been doing a great job with it and I think he just needs some more time right now."Safety Clinton Hart expects to see Merriman run on the field with the starters at Qualcomm Stadium when the season begins."I know Shawne is going to do his best to get back because he's a competitor," Hart said. "If he can play, he's going to go."
But the San Diego -Tribune has this to say about Merriman:
Shawne Merriman was in New York yesterday to see a specialist and was pondering seeing another doctor today, as he and his advisers attempt to gather enough information to decide when and if he will play this season.
“It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do,” Merriman said by phone. “If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out.”
Merriman's options for fixing what he said was a torn posterior cruciate ligament (among other issues) in his left knee range from doing nothing to having a surgery that would delay the start of his season to undergoing reconstructive surgery that would keep him out all season.
Even as Merriman deals with his knee, he faces scrutiny back in San Diego.
General Manager A.J. Smith famously does not talk about “the Chargers' football business.” And when Smith does comment on personnel matters, it is often in a sort of conundrum, but with a definite message buried not too far below the surface or between the lines. Asked yesterday how he felt about Merriman's latest venture, wherein the linebacker will fly from San Diego to Los Angeles after practice each Thursday and tape a show about the NFL on Fox Sports Net, Smith said this:
“My feeling about any of his off-the-field activities will be between me and Shawne. Shawne has many, many activities off the field, and that's his business, along with his agents, marketing people, publicist and business partners. My only hope is that he remembers his high-level football performance is what drives his off-the-field attraction.”
Smith would say no more.
He didn't have to. His concern is clear.
There has long been a quiet unease among the Chargers brass regarding Merriman's many off-field activities – endorsements, appearances and business endeavors.
When told of Smith's quote, Merriman was clearly hurt by the inference. He prides himself on being able to maintain a packed schedule and still keep football first.
“You can question a lot of things,” he said. “But you can't question my commitment to football. . . . How I approach the game, I've never had that question. I am shocked to the fullest.”
Said Tom Condon, Merriman's agent: “If you think a guy is doing too much, wouldn't you talk to him about it?”
Merriman said he asked Norv Turner if the coach was OK with his doing the FSN show and Turner said it was. Turner yesterday acknowledged the conversation but stopped short of saying he had been approving.
Chargers sources said the team has made its concerns about his being stretched thin known to Merriman on several occasions.
Merriman said yesterday that if his off-field activities are a source of contention for the Chargers, “I'd consider shutting down everything else I'm doing.”
To be clear, there is no animosity between Merriman and his employers. Smith and the Chargers brass consider Merriman a great player and value his services.
But this breach of perspective presents as good an opportunity as any to talk about a reality many Chargers fans will find difficult to comprehend.
Take this to the bank: Merriman will not be a Charger after his contract expires at the end of the 2009 season.
The reasons are many – his commitments outside football being just one.
Merriman is one of five Chargers stars whose contracts expire after '09, and Smith has made no secret the team will not re-sign them all.
Left tackle Marcus McNeill and quarterback Philip Rivers are going to be the highest priorities, in part due to crucial positions they play and difficulty finding top-echelon players there. The Chargers will likely wait and see how 30-year-old receiver Chris Chambers performs this season before exploring an extension much like the one Keenan McCardell received in 2005. Chambers' situation may or may not affect that of receiver Vincent Jackson, who is on the verge of becoming a star.
Merriman, meanwhile, will command a gigantic salary befitting a player already a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons. Merriman has 39½ sacks since 2005, most in the NFL in that span.
At the same time, outside linebackers are generally deemed more replaceable than quarterbacks – or even left tackles or receivers.
Condon, the powerful agent who was hired by Merriman last year, expressed incredulity that the Chargers would not want to retain his client.
“With Shawne being as productive a player as he is,” Condon said, “ . . . why would they not want him back?”
Both Condon and Merriman expressed Merriman's desire to remain in San Diego beyond '09. Condon said there have been no discussions with the Chargers, while it is known the Chargers have engaged agents for some of the other members of the class of '09. Smith has said a few times the current activity is “the most we've had since I've been GM.”
Merriman, 24, is more concerned with his health right now.
He said he might not be finished visiting specialists – he also was in Birmingham, Ala., this week – and could go to Miami for a consultation today before returning to San Diego. One source close to Merriman said the doctors he has seen have been surprised he has been able to play with the condition his knee is in.
“I've been playing like that since the end of last year,” said Merriman, who did have arthroscopic surgery on the knee in March.
Merriman insisted his focus is on doing “what's best for the team” but acknowledged he has to think beyond this year and beyond '09.
“That's always a reality,” he said. “But I have to have that explained to me too. I just want to play.”
“It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do,” Merriman said by phone. “If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out.”
Merriman's options for fixing what he said was a torn posterior cruciate ligament (among other issues) in his left knee range from doing nothing to having a surgery that would delay the start of his season to undergoing reconstructive surgery that would keep him out all season.
Even as Merriman deals with his knee, he faces scrutiny back in San Diego.
General Manager A.J. Smith famously does not talk about “the Chargers' football business.” And when Smith does comment on personnel matters, it is often in a sort of conundrum, but with a definite message buried not too far below the surface or between the lines. Asked yesterday how he felt about Merriman's latest venture, wherein the linebacker will fly from San Diego to Los Angeles after practice each Thursday and tape a show about the NFL on Fox Sports Net, Smith said this:
“My feeling about any of his off-the-field activities will be between me and Shawne. Shawne has many, many activities off the field, and that's his business, along with his agents, marketing people, publicist and business partners. My only hope is that he remembers his high-level football performance is what drives his off-the-field attraction.”
Smith would say no more.
He didn't have to. His concern is clear.
There has long been a quiet unease among the Chargers brass regarding Merriman's many off-field activities – endorsements, appearances and business endeavors.
When told of Smith's quote, Merriman was clearly hurt by the inference. He prides himself on being able to maintain a packed schedule and still keep football first.
“You can question a lot of things,” he said. “But you can't question my commitment to football. . . . How I approach the game, I've never had that question. I am shocked to the fullest.”
Said Tom Condon, Merriman's agent: “If you think a guy is doing too much, wouldn't you talk to him about it?”
Merriman said he asked Norv Turner if the coach was OK with his doing the FSN show and Turner said it was. Turner yesterday acknowledged the conversation but stopped short of saying he had been approving.
Chargers sources said the team has made its concerns about his being stretched thin known to Merriman on several occasions.
Merriman said yesterday that if his off-field activities are a source of contention for the Chargers, “I'd consider shutting down everything else I'm doing.”
To be clear, there is no animosity between Merriman and his employers. Smith and the Chargers brass consider Merriman a great player and value his services.
But this breach of perspective presents as good an opportunity as any to talk about a reality many Chargers fans will find difficult to comprehend.
Take this to the bank: Merriman will not be a Charger after his contract expires at the end of the 2009 season.
The reasons are many – his commitments outside football being just one.
Merriman is one of five Chargers stars whose contracts expire after '09, and Smith has made no secret the team will not re-sign them all.
Left tackle Marcus McNeill and quarterback Philip Rivers are going to be the highest priorities, in part due to crucial positions they play and difficulty finding top-echelon players there. The Chargers will likely wait and see how 30-year-old receiver Chris Chambers performs this season before exploring an extension much like the one Keenan McCardell received in 2005. Chambers' situation may or may not affect that of receiver Vincent Jackson, who is on the verge of becoming a star.
Merriman, meanwhile, will command a gigantic salary befitting a player already a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons. Merriman has 39½ sacks since 2005, most in the NFL in that span.
At the same time, outside linebackers are generally deemed more replaceable than quarterbacks – or even left tackles or receivers.
Condon, the powerful agent who was hired by Merriman last year, expressed incredulity that the Chargers would not want to retain his client.
“With Shawne being as productive a player as he is,” Condon said, “ . . . why would they not want him back?”
Both Condon and Merriman expressed Merriman's desire to remain in San Diego beyond '09. Condon said there have been no discussions with the Chargers, while it is known the Chargers have engaged agents for some of the other members of the class of '09. Smith has said a few times the current activity is “the most we've had since I've been GM.”
Merriman, 24, is more concerned with his health right now.
He said he might not be finished visiting specialists – he also was in Birmingham, Ala., this week – and could go to Miami for a consultation today before returning to San Diego. One source close to Merriman said the doctors he has seen have been surprised he has been able to play with the condition his knee is in.
“I've been playing like that since the end of last year,” said Merriman, who did have arthroscopic surgery on the knee in March.
Merriman insisted his focus is on doing “what's best for the team” but acknowledged he has to think beyond this year and beyond '09.
“That's always a reality,” he said. “But I have to have that explained to me too. I just want to play.”
Maybe it's time for him to pursue his pro-wrestling career. He's a huge fan and has said in the pst he would do it if people wanted him to.
3 comments:
this is gonna hurt that team big time, shame~
Karma
HA, nice call babe
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