PFT: "Some are speculating Merriman to Pats"

[pats1]

Latest News and Rumors | ProFootballTalk.com

Patriots' moves spark speculation
Posted by Mike Florio on October 20, 2009 11:58 AM ET

So the New England Patriots have cut four players in less than 24 hours.

The moves have sparked all sorts of speculation.

The release of Tully Banta-Cain, Joey Galloway, Eric Alexander, and Michael Matthews opens up $2.87 million in nonprorated 2009 salary cap space, which in theory allows the Patriots to absorb a player with a full-season base salary of $2.87 million. (Because all players were signed through 2009 only, there's no cap acceleration arising from cutting them.)

Some are speculating that the Patriots are making a play for Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Coincidentally, his full-season base salary for 2009 is $2.972 million.

Another possibility could be Rams running back Steven Jackson (WEEI radio apparently is throwing that one around), but Jackson's full-season base salary if $5.5 million. Also, the Rams reportedly aren't inclined to move him.

Either way, stay tuned.

 

[ThePatriotWay]

I hate him but once he puts on that flying elivs ITS ON !

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I dont want him, he is not the same player..And this has about as much chance as Peppers coming to the Pats..

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I hate him but once he puts on that flying elivs ITS ON !

If it takes a 2010 draft pick, I say "no deal."

 

[ginachen]

I usually hate his "light out" dance, but if he's dancing for patriots, i will learn to love it.

 

[tombonneau]

The guy hasn't had a sack in two years. He's done. Should never have toughed it out on that knee for the team.

 

[QB12]

Merriman looked hobbled and slow last night, a shell of his former self.

QB12

 

[apple strudel]

I definitely do not see this trade happening. At all. Which I suppose means that it's just been made.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Merriman appears not to be the same player he once was now that he's clean and no longer juicing.

 

[edelmansarmy]

Could Bill be swinging for the fences?

GO BILL!

 

[Reckedtrek]

I hope the rumor about Merriman is just a rumor. I really, really don't like that guy.

Can Jackson run in the cold and snow? Anyone know?

 

[Xplicit]

Could Bill be swinging for the fences?

GO BILL!

If this is swining for the fences then Bill has taken a step down.

 

[Rob0729]

Not thrilled about Merriman. He would be an upgrade at the position, but not a huge one.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Latest News and Rumors | ProFootballTalk.com

Florio is seriously losing it... I know he's just a lawyer with a hype driven website, but he could at least remotely fact check his cap info...

The Pats are on the cap hook for the full salary for all these players except Matthews and two of them are reportedly being resigned to extensions that will actually add to the cap...

 

[Kontradiction]

I really hope that it is Jackson and not Merriman. Merriman is just not good anymore. I've watched three Chargers games this season and not once have I seen him disrupt anything in the backfield. On top of that, it seems like he is on the sideline for 1/4 of the game. He's injury prone as well.


Now Steven Jackson would make me moist...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Because these rumors surfaced last week I paid especially closer than normal attention to Merriman in last nights game.

2 years ago when watching Shawne in a Chargers game you could see the fire and intensity in Merriman's eyes,sort of like a modern version of Mike Singletary but last night I saw no desire,no intensity and no fire - I think he has lost IT when it comes to being a dynamic LB - IMO The old Shawne Merriman has left his desire to be the best backer in the business away with his injury.

This guy would be a younger version of our worthless POS Burgess right now - A BAD move if we sign him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not thrilled about Merriman. He would be an upgrade at the position, but not a huge one.

Me neither. Granted he may still be recovering from knee surgery and assumably still have a decent career ahead of him but he doesn't seem to have his head on straight enough to be sucessful in this environment. Plus, he is a liability in pass coverage- which is mandatory responsibility to be somewhat functional in this defense at the OLB spot. Although he does seem to have a decent number of passed defensed...

My .02$

 

[Synovia]

Not thrilled about Merriman. He would be an upgrade at the position, but not a huge one.

You don't think Merriman is a huge upgrade over Woods or TBC? The guy has 40 sacks in 48 career games.


I hate the guy, but hes way better than anyone we've got.

 

[Kontradiction]

You don't think Merriman is a huge upgrade over Woods or TBC? The guy has 40 sacks in 48 career games.


I hate the guy, but he WAS way better than anyone we've got.

Fixed it for you...

 

[billdog3484]

merriman has the potential to be unbelievable and BB has always coveted the LT1 type linebacker. out of all the guys in the league today, id say only Ware and Merriman have that potential. its worth the shot. i hope we get him.

i have never been the biggest merriman fan, but to be honest, i can change my mind quickly