Merriman will play....

[ChargerMike]

Linebacker Shawne Merriman informed the team this morning that he has decided to forego surgery on his knee and will play in the 2008 season.

Chargers.com will have more information following this afternoon's practice.

[RevLimiter]

Merriman's a fucking idiot- get the thing fixed and come back when it's right.

[ChargerMike]

I think management needs to set him straight since he's too dumb to protect his own investment.

Put him on the PUP list or IR.

...Rack that

[Felix]

he's too dumb to protect his own investment.

pretty much

look for opposing TE's to be taking him low

[poptart]

Shawne Merriman is an idiot?

Oh, who knew?

[Joe in PB]

It's probably the team who is pushing him to play. The Chargers don't believe they'll be able to resign him after his contract is finished in 2009, so they don't have much concern for Merriman's long term career. The "business" part of the NFL sucks.

Agree that Merriman should have the surgery and not risk long term damage to the knee.

[Shoalzie]

An absolute meat-head decision for him to choose to play and for the team to not try to change his mind. All it takes is a freak accident on the field and that knee could be wrecked for good. In a division with Denver that loves to block at the knees...do you really want to risk playing those cats twice a year with a fragile knee? Just get the surgery and come back next year...I don't understand what's so hard about that. I'm sure he wants to play but he's got to think about beyond just this year.

[Felix]

In a division with Denver that loves to block at the knees....

stop it

[Shoalzie]

In a division with Denver that loves to block at the knees....

stop it

I figured you'd take exception...just sayin' is all.

[Felix]

In a division with Denver that loves to block at the knees....

stop it

I figured you'd take exception...just sayin' is all.

I can't deny it, I just don't like having it thrown in my face :D

[atomicdad]

Yea, he's an idiot. I keep seeing the play last year when Maurice Drew hit him low, sending him cartwheeling as he was rushing the QB. One shot like that and his knee is toast. Look for some gruesome replays of a knee bending in the wrong direction in coming weeks.

As Joe mentioned, management doesn't give a shit. They are going to push him until he drops. The Chargers have plenty of depth at the LB position, albeit not at the same level as Merrimam, but solid none the less.