MKRob Sports

Since coming out of college and bursting onto the NFL scene in ‘05, Shawne Merriman has been one of the most feared and dominant defensive players in the league. Nicknamed “Lights Out” for his antics after a sack or making a big play, Merriman was able to stay healthy and make both the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams each of his first three seasons. Then one game into the start of the ’08 season, it was revealed that he would need major reconstructive knee surgery to repair torn knee ligaments and he would miss the entire season.

Since the surgery, Merriman has not been the same type of player as it seems like he may have lost the speed and power that he once had. Less than one year after major knee surgery, he played through the entire ’09 season with a painful foot injury as well as his troubled knees and his production on the field was extremely diminished. Merriman finished the season with only thirty-six tackles and four sacks, a fraction of what he used to be, and to make things more difficult rumors spread that the Chargers were considering trading or releasing him.  Merriman has also had off-the-field issues including a four-game suspension for “performance enHancing” drug and several skirmishes with the law that have concerned the Chargers.

Merriman told XX that this is the first time since 2008 that he has had a full offseason of training.  Merriman plans to report to Chargers training camp on time and expressed excitement about the season.  He admits that several key departures have changed the locker room atmosphere but believes the Chargers have a group of core players more than capable of winning a championship.

Merriman stated that he still wants to be a  Charger and added, “I am a San Diego Charger until I am told otherwise.”  He made it clear he wants to stay a Charger until the end of his career but will cope with it and bring on his best game if he gets a phone call telling him he is not a Charger anymore.  In the meantime his goal is to “get his ass on the field and play football.”

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