"New Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman has a tattoo on his neck that reads: Finish Strong.

The Bills can only hope those words play out on the field the second half of the NFL season.

Merriman declared himself healthy and eager to help the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in a meeting with the media.

"I feel good. I'm excited," Merriman said, a day after reporting to the Bills. "I got a chance to spend a lot of time with the guys. I've been to a couple meetings already, and I'm kind of jamming the playbook as much as possible. So I feel good."

Merriman, claimed by the Bills after being released Tuesday by the San Diego Chargers, will not play against the Chicago Bears today. He said he will be on the sidelines with his new teammates. Merriman had been hindered by Achilles' tendon and calf ailments the first month of the season. He said he passed his Bills physical and would be ready to practice this week.

"I've been working out doing everything, and I'm just ready to get on the field as soon as possible," he said. "And whenever they feel like I'm ready to be on the field and I fit good in the system and I've learned everything, I'll be ready to go. ... I'll probably get out here early next week and start practicing. Whatever they need me to do. I'm ready to work and be a piece of the puzzle."

Merriman recorded 39.5 sacks his first three seasons, from 2005 to 2007, and made the Pro Bowl each of those years. He has been injury plagued since. He missed the last 15 games of the 2008 season due to surgery on his left knee. Last year he played through several lower-leg injuries. He played about a third of the Chargers' defensive snaps and had four sacks."