The Merriman theory

By Ben McCoy  |   Monday, August 28, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

San Diego Chargers
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According to Shawne Merriman, the best linebacker to ever play the game is, well...Shawne Merriman. That's pretty tough talk for a guy entering only his second season in the NFL.

All of the past greats aside, what does Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman say about his performance as compared to former Chargers favorite 'backer Junior Seau?

"I respect what Junior Seau did for the game. No disrespect to Junior or the fans who love him, but I'm better than Junior."

Uh-huh. And what of his performance as compared to the accomplishments of Lawrence Taylor or Derrick Thomas?

"I have respect for Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, all the guys who did it for so long, and especially Junior Seau," Merriman said recently. "I enjoyed watching him as I was growing up. But I'm bigger and I'm stronger and I'm faster, and I can make more things happen."

It's true that in Merriman's single-season experience he has managed to amass 10 sacks, 54 tackles and a trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl; but to personally crown himself king linebacker may be a bit premature. "Greatness" is a term that is earned not only with impressive stats, but through longevity and the persistence of time. Could a vintner accurately claim that he has created the finest wine without properly aging it first?

Let's examine Mr. Merriman's claim in detail. In contrast to Merriman's lone season experience, Junior Seau has reconsidered retirement plans and will be entering his 17th season in the NFL. In his first 11 seasons, Seau maintained an impressive average of 96 tackles per year. Currently, "Lights Out" has an average of 54. With 12 trips to the Pro Bowl under his belt, Seau consistently has what it takes to stand out season after season. Merriman needs 11 more years of impressing Pro Bowl voters just to catch up.

One that could be truly considered the greatest to ever play the position is Lawrence Taylor, who spent the entirety of his pro career with the New York Giants. Taylor managed to record 142 sacks, nine interceptions, 134 return yards, two touchdowns, 33 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries and 34 fumble return yards in his career. In 1986, he accumulated a career-high 20 ½ sacks, and became one of only four defensive players to receive the NFL MVP Award; and in the same year, additionally earned the Bert Bell Award, NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, the UPI Defensive Player of the Year, and the NFL Pro Football Writers of America MVP Award.

As if those accomplishments weren't impressive enough, L.T. has been named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team; and also to the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team. Merriman must have accidentally overlooked such minor details as he declared himself a superior linebacker.

Chiefs' defensive legend Derrick Thomas' impressive career begs to differ with Merriman's deduction as well. The late Thomas made history when he gathered a record-breaking seven sacks in a single game - almost as many as Merriman has in his entire career thus far. Thomas' career produced 127 ½ sacks, 649 tackles, 19 fumble recoveries, 161 fumble return yards and four touchdowns - as well as earning himself a spot on the NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team. Not once do I remember Thomas announcing himself as the best or even one of the best linebackers to play the game.

Having confidence in yourself and your ability is one thing. This is a trait that is absolutely necessary for one to perform competitively at the pro level. However, cockiness and boasting, especially at the expense of the legends that played before you, is downright tasteless and arrogant. Merriman hasn't accomplished anything in his single-year stint that hasn't been done before. In response to Merriman's postulation, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison points out the truth.

"If Merriman can have the same work ethic and the same focus and the same hunger that he has now in year 10, 11 and 12, maybe we'll be talking about this. But if he doesn't have it, I don't care how much talent he has. It won't even be close. He will never come close to Junior Seau or any of these other great linebackers."

Junior Seau takes it all in stride, agreeing with Harrison.

"When you come into the league and you know you have a God-given talent and you're able to acknowledge that, that's the first step," Seau said. "Shawne Merriman obviously understands where his potential can be, but it's only through longevity that he'll be able to reach that."

Longevity. It's something that can't be substituted with flashiness or a sharp tongue. It has to be earned through hard work and a willingness to learn and improve. Merriman certainly has a lot of potential, and the Chargers are blessed to have this type of talent to work with on defense. But "Lights Out" needs to turn the lights on and see what he can learn from the great players before him, not compare his one season to their stellar careers. Until he is named "the best" by people other than himself, his claims fall far short of legitimacy.

Get more on Shawne Merriman and the San Diego Chargers at RealFootbal365.com
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