Forget Robin Hood, it’s San Diego that needs Merriman

By Adam Sweeney  |   Monday, October 20, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

San Diego Chargers
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Remember when many NFL prognosticators had the San Diego Chargers headed to the Super Bowl this season? Well, that was a prediction offered under the assumption that they would have the heart of their defense, linebacker Shawne Merriman, on board. Now, the forecast is very gloomy in Cali and the 3-4 Chargers may very well be fighting for their playoff lives this week against an equally desperate New Orleans Saints team.

Commentary: Last season, the Chargers had 24 more takeaways than giveaways. They are a respectable plus-4 in that department this year, but the defense isn't nearly as fierce as it was in 2007. Much of that can be credited to the absence of Merriman, who had season-ending knee surgery after Week 1, and his tendency to both bottle up the middle of the field and blitz the passer without second thought. The Chargers are missing the 39 1/2 sacks that Merriman brought the defense the last three seasons and are desperate to find anyone who can create pressure past the line of scrimmage. At the moment, LB Shaun Phillips leads the team with just two sacks.

Defensively, San Diego is ranked higher than just four teams --- Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City and Detroit -- all of which are either horrible (the latter three) or beginning to fade (the Broncos).

Fan Pulse: The AFC West is still there for the taking, and Chargers fans are aware of it: http://forums.chargers.com/showthread.php?t=59861.

Fantasy Football Commentary: Spending a relatively high draft pick on a defense isn't worth it. That's what many fantasy owners did this past summer with San Diego, and it's not paying off at all.

Injury Watch: Receiver Chris Chambers' ankle injury kept him out of San Diego's 23-14 loss in Buffalo on Sunday. This could be a lingering injury all season.
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About Adam Sweeney

Adam Sweeney spent 4 years as an opinions and arts & entertainment columnist with the Lone Star Lutheran, also working with Sports Illustrated.com. Along with his work on Realfootball 365 he currently is a contributor for Film School Rejects, SLAM Online, Talkhoops.net, and C-Heads ...
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