Shawne Merriman - just a good player without the juice.
By Darin H Posted in Football — Comments (7) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Last year Shawne Merriman had 17 sacks in only 12 games, was considered for Defensive Player of the Year (losing out to Jason Taylor and Champ Bailey), and was a terror on the football field. He was also suspended for the other 4 games by the league for violating the league steroid rules, claiming that he took supplements which were unknowingly tainted with the 'roids.
This year, he has a pedestrian 5.5 sacks through 10 games (including this Sunday's game). And thanks to the boys over at ProFootballTalk we have some visual proof of the transformation from last year to this (Disclaimer: Always take PFT stuff with a huge grain of salt):
As PFT notes:"According to ViewImages.com, the top photo was taken on May 5, 2005. The bottom photo was snapped on May 30, 2007."
That is quite a difference.
And then there was this play Sunday at Jacksonville:
That's Merriman getting blown up by 5 foot 7 inch Maurice Jones-Drew. Not just blocked, pancaked. Sure one play isn't enough to indict him, but taken with the drop in his play this year something is clearly different.
Nope.
by drothgery
Even if Eli's Giants win a playoff game before Rivers' Chargers do, the Giants still could have had Big Ben at that spot and it wouldn't have costed them anything. And it's not likely that'll be the case, anyway.
The Giants probably won't win a playoff game this year because they matchup badly with the Seahawks (their likely opponent as the top NFC wild-card team). And if the Chargers don't win a playoff game this year (and they might; the likely AFC wild card teams could probably beat the Bolts on the road, but in San Diego? Not so likely.), then Norv's probably gone and the Chargers can get a real coach.
True Dat
by Alberta
Rivers, Manning, or...Big Ben (if you can spell roethlesberger without looking it up, my hats off to you.)
Big Ben clearly is the choice. Now if we could get him an Oline the Steelers would be in business.
The charger GM should be fired for the way he handled the coaching situation. At least they can pay Cower his 8 million a year next year.
Are you for real?
by Alberta
That was a terrible trade today just like it was a terrible trade on draft day.
to be honest, neither Eli or Rivers looks that great.
And yo, MJD ways about 210, so he isnt 'pint sized'.
Plus I heard him on the Rome show today, and he said he hurt all over after he hit Merriman.
I think the drop off is superficial. Last year, the chargers were healthy on defence, this year they aignt. Castillo is hurt, who plays the other side when healthy, and I think (though dont quote me) they have one of their nose tackles hurt too. If all of a sudden the only threat to pass rush is Merriman, an opposing coach can plan for and neutralize him. If you have to plan blocking schemes for a couple of pass rushers, then things open up.
And for the final defence, look up Merrimans numbers from last year after he came back from suspension. He didnt get all of those 17 sacks before he was suspended.
Juice (and after affects)
by Darin H
Even after you are done with the steroids, you still have the added muscle gain around for a while. Take a look at Merriman's neck in those 2 pictures. Top one - his neck is wider than his head (it goes out past his ears!), bottom one - neck is just as wide as his head.
___________________________________
Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
Ok OK I saw the picts
by Alberta
I cant, and Im being honest, but I cant, and I dont think it would be wise too, indict a player based on mug shots.
And yo, if Merriman had just worked out hard, he would be swollen. So maybe he was swollen in picture one, not swollen in picture too. Im making excuses I know.
Look, bottom line, Merriman was on a steroid that in no way compares to the Beefroids Bonds was on. I dont remember the name of it, but you can buy it at your local muscleshop. It wasnt HGH. I think its hard to make the case that a steriod in a multivitamin gave Merriman 10 sacks last year.
Let me be clear
by hoyasaxa
I don't think it was a good trade for the Giants. And if I could do it over again, I wouldn't have made it if the alternative was getting Big Ben and keeping the draft picks. Today, I wouldn't trade Eli for Merriman, Rivers and Kaeding though. I wouldn't even feel bad turning it down.
Looking back on this old blog thread eleven people called it the best/most lopsided trade EVER. Better than the Hershel Walker trade was for Dallas, Elway to Denver, Favre to Green Bay, etc.
“I think we are the team to beat in the NL East -- finally.” - Jimmy "MVP" Rollins, 1/23/07
Ten dollars Eli wins a playoff game before Rivers, Merriman and Kaeding.
Weren't people here calling it the worst trade ever? Anyone want to eat some crow on that?
“I think we are the team to beat in the NL East -- finally.” - Jimmy "MVP" Rollins, 1/23/07