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Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:32 pm EDT

Shawne Merriman has no use for your expert medical opinion

By MJD

Shawne Merriman, in a move clearly not designed to dispel the notion that he's a meathead, has decided to forego knee surgery and play in 2008, despite the fact that four different doctors have told him that he needs surgery right now.

Is it brave? Maybe.

Tough? I guess.

Dumb? Oh yeah. 

Really, really, really dumb. Historically dumb. It's "Hey, let's poke that grizzly bear in the eye" dumb. It's "I bet we could lure Scott Mitchell out of retirement with a 10-year, $185 million contract" dumb. It's "Yes, I will pay to see the movie Death Race" dumb.

It's not that I'm sitting here saying I know what's best for Shawne Merriman. It's just that I trust the opinion of four separate expert physicians who do know what's best for Shawne Merriman.

Why even bother going to see a doctor? If you're going to go to four different specialists, have every single one of them agree, and then ignore them all anyway ... really, why even go? Smokers don't ask different doctors if they should smoke or not, because they know they're going to fire up their cancer sticks anyway. They don't ask, they just smoke.

What would a doctor have to have said to Merriman to get him to have the surgery and sit out the year? That if he played, his leg would actually fall off? That torn PCLs and LCLs often progress into full-blown lupus?

Merriman's a young guy, and it's not an exaggeration to say that he's on track to finish with a Hall of Fame career. And we've seen countless times that the mentality of an athlete is that they always, always, always want to play. But to an outsider like me, it just seems so insane to risk an entire career for one season.

Obviously, he believes the Chargers can win a Super Bowl this year, and he wants to help his teammates grab that ring. I get that. Really, I do. But is it worth it if it jeopardizes the rest of Merriman's career? To me, that seems like an easy "no," and I'm saying this as someone who desperately wants the Chargers to win a Super Bowl right now.

It's his knee and his choice. He's got to do what he feels is best for him. I just wish he'd put a little more faith into the expert advice that he sought out from four different experts.

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  1. .................................................!
    1. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    By Week 2, when he can barely stand up on his own, he'll shut it down and opt for the surgery. That's a lock.
  2. DennardC
    2. Posted by DennardC Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    He needs to get surgery. It's his life and I understand that he wants to play, but this is crazy.
  3. jducsb05
    3. Posted by jducsb05 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    poor guy...he's still so young he thinks he is superman.
  4. SteveM
    4. Posted by SteveM Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Well, nobody can question his toughness now.
    Sanity and Medical aids, maybe, but not toughness.
    Although, the doctors did say that if he had to, he could play (with the risks that come with it), and it wasn't all "Don't even think about football. If you do this you're going to die" sort of nonsense. Just hope he plays close enough to 100% to justify playing over his perfectly good backup, Tuck.
  5. Dave C
    5. Posted by Dave C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

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    I wish he would have the surgery just so I don't have to be subjected to that stupid sack dance! He truly is a meat head.
  6. .................................................!
    6. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    What I don't understand is how he gets away without the steroids issue being brought up. Let's see, artificially jack up your muscles to the point that your joints can't handle it, and suddenly - SURPRISE! - your knee is torn to shreds. Honestly, why hasn't this been discussed!?!?!?!
  7. John B
    7. Posted by John B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    When he gets cut blocked by one of the Broncos in week 2, he will go down. He will have probably suffered irreparable damage to his knee, ended his football career, and pulled the drain plug on his teams run at a Super Bowl.
    Someone needs to teach him the difference between assets, and liabilities. 2008 Season= Liability Hall of Fame Career=Asset
  8. The Wiz
    8. Posted by The Wiz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    There is probably a doctor/surgeon waiting to do the lights out dance for him...
  9. Butt Pirate
    9. Posted by Butt Pirate Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    Merriman is an idiot? I couldn't tell by that 'dance' he does after a sack.
    b.reed.16 is absolutely correct as well.
  10. BMT
    10. Posted by BMT Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    Maybe steroids have clouded his judgement. He should get surgery now, but he is afraid he will lose his 1st string status to one of the rookies. So, he is risking his career instead.
  11. The Wiz
    11. Posted by The Wiz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Wow an LT hater...sorry he is breaking records and turning out to be one of the best backs to play the game...how dare he. unwrecked go cry somewhere else
  12. spewing_venom619
    12. Posted by spewing_venom619 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:12 pm EDT

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    Arthroscopic surgery 5 months ago, by the team doc......and they didn't see or repair the damge then? Sounds like the Chargers need a new team doctor.
  13. Matt
    13. Posted by Matt Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    How hilarious would it be if he blew out his knee doing that stupid dance? :)
  14. cali_jill
    14. Posted by cali_jill Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    You people are a sad commentary---Shawne Merriman is his own man--if he wants to play then let him play....it doesnt mean that Coah Turner will play him...or that his teammates wont get on his case either--most of you DONT Live in San Diego--so you really dont have the right to comment on a town that can taste, smell and feel the super bowl but have yet experienced it---its OUR TURN this year..its OUR TIME..so I dont blame Shwane for wanting that too==like i said earlier its HIS LIFE--
  15. cali_jill
    15. Posted by cali_jill Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    correction * SHAWNE not Shwane and * COACH not Coah--typing too fast
  16. TheBWeezy
    16. Posted by TheBWeezy Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:43 pm EDT

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    He's gonna get shuffled out in a year or so anyways, that's how AJ Smith rolls...But yeah, not listening to four different docs in four different cities? That's stupidity's posterchild material right there..
  17. FriarFaithful
    17. Posted by FriarFaithful Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Wow, I didn't know there were that many Charger Haters out there... While I wish Merriman just would have gotten the surgery right after last season and therefore been ready for a playoff run this year, it is his call to make. They (the Chargers) see their window of opportunity is closing, and Merriman just wants to be a part of what is expected to be a Super Bowl run. For a chance at something that special I can't say I wouldn't play hurt.
  18. The Wiz
    18. Posted by The Wiz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Unwrecked then who is your team?
  19. ilikefood
    19. Posted by ilikefood Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    If he plays, he'll probably lose a considerable amount of cutting and he'll probably end his career in the 2nd week. Maybe once he is in a wheelchair he'll realize his steroids couldn't save him this time.
  20. Frank
    20. Posted by Frank Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    The Chargers need to protect their franchise and make the decision for him by putting him on IR. So often, you hear of teams acquiring players and they have to "pass a physical". How could he pass a physical with two torn knee ligaments?
  21. LB53
    21. Posted by LB53 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    I think it is agreed that he shouldn't play but you have to look at the fact that he did take steroids so it may be a factor of his knees. As a Raider fan, I do not like the Chargers nor Merriman. Before Merriman was drafted, I thought he was a pretty good linebacker and turns out he was but it is strange to think about when did he start using steroids or worse is still using steroids. If he is still using steroids, I think his legacy should be tarnished. I had a lot of respect for him before he took steroids but now i have no respect. If he thinks he can play, then maybe its the steroids making him think he play but I don't he will last the whole season. He might last half a season but I doubt it.
  22. Frantic
    22. Posted by Frantic Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    Im not a charger fan nor am I a hater. I just wanted to chime in on this interesting blog. Merriman is dumb if he doesnt get that surgery. He should just get it now and start the healing process. He's not gonna last the season, he is going down by week 3 or 4 and then he may not even heal in time for next season. Do it now and be there for your team in full strength next season. The window of opportunity isnt closing for the chargers, they'll be pretty good as long as they have LT.
  23. Frantic
    23. Posted by Frantic Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    Good point Unwrecked, very good point!
  24. Too much fantasy
    24. Posted by Too much fantasy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    The fact that the Chargers are not forcing him to shut down the season shows how selfish and greedy they are as an organization. They know this year may be their best chance to win a Super Bowl with LT getting older and they don't care if Merrimen risks his career. I guarantee you if he tears his knee up, they'll kick him to the curb and move on without him.
  25. Keith P
    25. Posted by Keith P Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:22 pm EDT

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    My kneejerk reaction (no pun intended…OK, well maybe) is he's a moron.
    However, I don't know much about the two ligaments he's got torn, as it's always the MCL or ACL. Until some doctor that saw him writes an article, and that would only come with his approval, we won't really know (if there's a doctor out there who would like to chime in, feel free).
    Hence, I can't persecute the guy. I remember when I was young and knew it all (much like the unwrecked character on this board). At 36, I'm still learning something new every day. I don't know how much he gets paid/won't get paid if he sits…guaranteed money vs. incentive-laden contracts can also sway it.
    Lastly, on to the Raider fan who is so proud of his team…congrats on the days of Kenny Stabler & Plunkett/King. Seriously, glad they won as they were all great players. As for today, please do yourself a favor and stop living in the past and crying us all a river. Your team's inept image, leadership, management, talent scouting, etc. has left you guys as the laughing stock of the west coast, save for maybe the SF Giants. One day, maybe you will be able to celebrate a Super Bowl win once again…but the odds are in our favor that the Chargers hold up the trophy before the Raiders. And that is the fact, not the fiction…of TODAY, not twenty years ago! I live in NJ, and being a Devils fan, I know how to win gracefully…sorry you don't.
    Waiting for your next post, which I'm sure is coming in a second or two. Good luck this season to all!

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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