OT: Merriman chooses to forego surgery

[Lansdowne]

Dont worry fellas the first time he gets cut blocked or crackbacked he will be done and then we wont have to worry about him anymore

No sympathy for anyone who knows full well what they are getting into and proceeds to forgo caution and go full steam ahead

Agreed. Karma is going to hit this guy BIG.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

Dont worry fellas the first time he gets cut blocked or crackbacked he will be done and then we wont have to worry about him anymore

The first thing I thought of is, "when do they play Denver?" That may be the end of him.

 

[Alk]

Dont worry fellas the first time he gets cut blocked or crackbacked he will be done and then we wont have to worry about him anymore

No sympathy for anyone who knows full well what they are getting into and proceeds to forgo caution and go full steam ahead

I won't have sympathy for him if that happens. I will think whoever cut blocks him is a dirty POS and I already have a hell of alot more respect for Merriman than I did just last season.

 

[Rob0729]

If he has a career ending injury, I think it was a brilliant move. I don't wish injuries on anyone, but anyone this stupid really shouldn't be playing the NFL.

Doesn't he realize that he is playing under what many consider a crappy contract, he is two seasons away from free agency, he knows one wrong hit could end his career, that if he has the surgery in the offseason he may not be able to play in his contract year, and if he doesn't have the surgery at all no one will touch him with a ten foot pole when he is a free agent? Ok, someone will give him a contract, but probably with little guarantees.

There is nothing brave about a player doing what is best for his body and risk career ending injuries unneccessarily when four of the best experts in the field told you not to play. Reggie Lewis did the same thing by listening to Dr. Mudge after his first cardiologist told him he had a life-threatening heart condition and it killed him. Merriman isn't risking his life like Lewis, but he is risking his career.

 

[bigjunk1]

This can't be going over well with the player's union. Not only is he jeopardizing his career, he is also making it harder for any injured rational player to opt for surgery. I'm afraid it will lead to many teams saying "well, if Merriman can play without surgery- why can't you?".

 

[wdkantro2]

There's no way in hell every O-line's game plan isn't going to be "block low" on him. From a pure strategy standpoint, it makes no sense to play since everyone knows where his weakness is.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

The first thing I thought of is, "when do they play Denver?" That may be the end of him.

I just hope it doesn't end up being Mankins or any other Patriots OL... we've had enough bad publicity up here lately. Plus the Patriots might not make it off the field in one piece if the SD fans were to riot.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

It's his life. None of us can live it for him.

 

[Rob0729]

It's his life. None of us can live it for him.

He's still a public figure and we can still speculate how monumentally stupid he really is.

 

[Kontradiction]

I just hope it doesn't end up being Mankins or any other Patriots OL... we've had enough bad publicity up here lately. Plus the Patriots might not make it off the field in one piece if the SD fans were to riot.

You mean the five SD fans that would probably be there? I mean, we are talking about the same fans that couldn't sell out their own stadium when the team entered the divisional playoffs as a 14-2 favorite to move on to the AFC Championship, right?

 

[Tunescribe]

I just hope it doesn't end up being Mankins or any other Patriots OL... we've had enough bad publicity up here lately. Plus the Patriots might not make it off the field in one piece if the SD fans were to riot.

I'm going to that game. Don't worry, I'll protect them. That is, if I can make it down in time from the upper deck ...

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Re: OT:Merriman chooses to forego surgery.

If I were the Chargers owner, I would do to Shawne what Jerry Jones did to Terry Glenn - Sign some kind of contract regarding injury clause

4 Doctors told him to have immediate season ending surgery - He went to Florida today and apparently the doctor told him to decide for himself since the injury would not effect him that much

Something is fishy here

Merriman's doctor

 

[piemonade]

clearly you all underestimate the power of steroids and hgh.

 

[ICSB]

Can you say moron?Especially at his age.
He could have a disaster this season. And if he doesn't he will likely be limited some with his speed playing with the brace on his knee.

 

[mtbykr]

The sad part is that whenever he gets knocked out, he (and I'm sure ESPN will be on board) is going to blame the person that hit him and not the fact that he shouldn't have been out there in the first place.

 

[BPF]

I am the only one who doesn't think there is an issue here? He had four doctors take a look and they all told him that he needs to have immediate surgery because of two ligaments but they also told him that it can not get any worse. If he can tolerate the pain and play because he thinks the Chargers have a good chance of accomplishing great things this yr and possibly going to the SB then why should we knock this guy? If I were one of his teammates I would be willing to put any sort of ailment I had to the side and play tough every game and follow his example. I think this is warrior type mentality and Merriman should be applauded for it. Most players would have the surgery and be concerned with their careers and next big money deal while seemingly winning is what he cares about. If this guy were a Patriot I would be applauding him, it's actually very refreshing in this day and age of selfish players, very old school and I like it.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

if the chargers were smart, they'd pup him and then activate him after the max number of weeks then just deactivate him on sundays and i'd save him for the playoffs.

if they were really smart they'd IR him

 

[ICSB]

The sad part is that whenever he gets knocked out, he (and I'm sure ESPN will be on board) is going to blame the person that hit him and not the fact that he shouldn't have been out there in the first place.

I would bet if he gets knocked out it's against the Pats.Then LT can cry about how classless your team is after the game.

 

[Rob0729]

I am the only one who doesn't think there is an issue here? He had four doctors take a look and they all told him that he needs to have immediate surgery because of two ligaments but they also told him that it can not get any worse. If he can tolerate the pain and play because he thinks the Chargers have a good chance of accomplishing great things this yr and possibly going to the SB then why should we knock this guy? If I were one of his teammates I would be willing to put any sort of ailment I had to the side and play tough every game and follow his example. I think this is warrior type mentality and Merriman should be applauded for it. Most players would have the surgery and be concerned with their careers and next big money deal while seemingly winning is what he cares about. If this guy were a Patriot I would be applauding him, it's actually very refreshing in this day and age of selfish players, very old school and I like it.

Is Merriman's career over? Merriman himself said that he could risk a career ending injury by playing without the surgery. That is worse than what he is.

From the San Deigo Union Tribune:

Merriman, who returned from South Florida on Tuesday night, has decided against the recommendations of doctors to forego reconstructive surgery on the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. Those doctors also told him he could play but that he risks what he described as “career-threatening” injury if he does.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080827-9999-1bn27chargers.html

That isn't brave. That isn't being a good teammate. That isn't being a warrior. That is just being stupid. Potentially throwing away your entire career for a chance for a Super Bowl that you are far from guaranteed at this point, is just plain dumb. Maybe if it was like Phillip Rivers and he found out right before the AFC Championship and he only had to play only two more games to win the Super Bowl, then I can see.

Right now, Merriman is risking never ever playing in a Super Bowl, playoff game, regular season game, or preseason game for one shot to win the Super Bowl where his team isn't a clear cut favorite. Before the season starts no less.

 

[BelizePats]

What does it say about the franchise he plays for that they would allow this? Its the kind of thing the Bengals would do.