Fan Pulse: Fans weigh in on Merriman’s decision

By Neal Coolong  |   Friday, August 29, 2008  |  Comments( 13 )

San Diego Chargers
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Fans' reactions range from "he's crazy" to "he's a team player."

Perhaps Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman is both crazy and a team player, wanting to play the 2008 season despite loads of specialists telling him to go under the knife.

Merriman tore his PCL (which provides front-to-back stability) in a 2007 preseason game at Minnesota when covering a kick. Then, last regular season, he tore his LCL (provides side-to-side stability) on a hit by Tennessee's David Stewart and NFL union president Kevin Mawae which Merriman called "cheap." Despite four doctors advising him to shut it down, and have surgery to repair the injuries, he's going to play the 2008 season.

Fans on the San Diego Chargers Forum " target="_new">Chargers Official San Diego Chargers Forum , to an extent, agree with Merriman's teammate LaDainian Tomlinson, who called Merriman "a warrior" for choosing to stick it out.

The Chargers Forum's initial reaction was skeptical, not really seeing the silver lining of the situation. One fan put it bluntly:

"This is not a good Idea."

Merriman's competitive side is being fueled by the fact the Chargers have a Super Bowl-caliber team in place. Being one of the top defensive players in the game, the Chargers' decision to let him play indicates they feel Merriman with a torn-up knee is better than no Merriman at all. The situation is making one fan draw a line between the game and life.

"He would rather try to win the superbowl than have time to heal. As a fan I appreciate it. As a human I think its stupid."

Perhaps Merriman was pushed into the decision by the fact the Chargers clearly aren't going into the situation unprotected. They signed his backup, Jyles Tucker, to a four-year contract extension this week. This raises sentiment among fans that this isn't an all-or-nothing situation. It's not as if Merriman has to play every snap to be effective.

"I trust that (general manager AJ Smith) and the team will make the right choices in this situation. Either way we'll have Merriman playing, or Tucker who teams don't know much about so it's a win-win but I'm sure the right choice will be made regarding Merriman's health."

In the end, the only opinion that matters is not made by the doctors, Smith or head coach Norv Turner.

"AJ is not a doctor, Merriman is ultimately responsible for his decision."
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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CommentsComments: 13  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
12:40 PM
08/29/2008
Tough decision for Merriman I wonder if this will back fire on him or make him look like a genius only time will tell and the...
No.2
01:17 PM
08/29/2008
HE IS DUMB! After next year your going to be a free agent anyway so why risk your whole career on a team that probably won't tr...
Avatar
No.3
sec116row11seats12and13		09:50 PM
08/29/2008
The thing most people aren't talking about is the chargers docters had him playing on it and he went to get it checked out on his...
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