When Merriman comes back…

By Robert Rousseau  |   Monday, November 13, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

San Diego Chargers
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Any time a football team comes back from a 21-point halftime deficit, its players have to be happy. The same can be said when a team scores 42 points in a half.

Those two statements defined the San Diego Chargers during their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The team somehow managed to make its way back from a 28-7 halftime deficit to win the game, 49-41.

Once again, LaDainian Tomlinson played great (he had a career high four rushing touchdowns). In addition, Philip Rivers continued to astound, passing for 337 yards on a 24-of-36 day. No, Cincinnati hasn't exactly been a brick wall to opposing offenses this year- its defense surrenders an average of 24 points per game - but the fact remains that this Chargers offense is running on all cylinders.

In fact, the unit has scored over 30 in four of the last five games.

Despite the offensive accolades, however, something else was reinforced on Sunday.

The Chargers' pass rush is not the same without Shawne Merriman; nor, for that matter, is their defense.

With pass-rushing linebacker Shaun Phillips finally back from injury and run-stopping defensive end Igor Olshansky playing his second game in a row, one would've thought that the Chargers might've been able to get after Carson Palmer.

Not without Merriman.

Actually, the Chargers did accumulate two sacks in the contest, one by both Phillips and Olshansky. However, that was about all there was when it came to pressure on Palmer. He had a boatload of time to throw. All day, actually.

And what happens when Carson Palmer is given all day to throw?

About 440 yards passing, that's what. Not to mention his three touchdown passes.

It never would've happened with Merriman playing.

After all, even when "Lights Out" isn't sacking the quarterback, he's getting so much attention that it allows players like Philips to get their game on. He's a huge part of this defense, the kind that is indispensable.

By the way, the Cleveland Browns put up 25 on the Chargers last week (the first of Merriman's four-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy). That represents the most the Browns have scored all season.

That said, there's a silver lining to all of this. Over the last several weeks, the Chargers' offense has proved it can carry the team. What happens when Shawne Merriman comes back and the offense doesn't have to bear the burden?

A lot of problems for San Diego opponents, that's what.

Follow the San Diego Chargers compete for the playoffs at RealFootball365.com
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
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