Shawne Merriman News: Pro Sports Daily

Merriman's sacks don't bowl over Henderson

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November 2

Sacramento Bee

"Perhaps the only thing more annoying to the Raiders than losing 13 consecutive games to San Diego is Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman doing his "Lights Out" dance after every tackle. So forgive Raiders left tackle Mario Henderson for taking exception to Merriman, coming off a season-ending left knee injury in 2008, dancing on his figurative grave after both of his sacks of JaMarcus Russell on Sunday. "He didn't work for those sacks," said Henderson, who added he was sick. "JaMarcus was stepping up, and I just turned - that's a coverage sack. He didn't beat me around the edge or nothing like that. "It was nothing that he did, nothing at all. I'll play him 12 more games, and it'd be the ..."

After 22 months, Merriman finally back in the sacking business

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November 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman was all over the field in Kansas City. He had shown glimpses of being himself against Denver. "I think the last few weeks I've been doing a pretty damn good job," Merriman said. "I was explosive, coming off the edge. I don't put my emphasis on what everyone else's emphasis is." But now everyone knows he's back. Even Merriman."

Merriman not happy with GM's talk

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October 8

ESPN.com

"Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman wasn't pleased to read a comment from general manager A.J. Smith that the team's play at times this year has been "soft and bewildered." The Chargers lost 38-28 at Pittsburgh on Sunday night, falling behind 28-0 and allowing the defending Super Bowl champions to pile up 497 yards of offense. San Diego is 2-2 going into its bye week, and already is two games behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. On Wednesday, Smith was quoted in The San Diego Union-Tribune as saying, "Everything is wrong with it right now. I'm not the least bit happy in a lot of areas. I've seen us be tough and physical to soft and bewildered." Merriman at first declined to ..."

Lights out for injured Merriman after a few snaps

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September 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Linebacker Shawne Merriman was not surprised his injured groin wouldn't last more than a few snaps of Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Miami Dolphins. "I wasn't good before the game," Merriman, who played the first two snaps of Miami's first two series and then not again, said of his pregame workout. "It wasn't feeling good at all. It wasn't there yet. I just had to go to see what I could do." No one would say so, but it is likely the Chargers simply didn't want to let the Dolphins know Merriman wasn't going to be in the game. He is a key player teams have to account for when preparing their game plan."

DA won't file charges against Merriman

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September 12

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The District Attorney's Office has decided not to file charges against Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman in the alleged domestic dispute with MTV star Tila Nguyen. "After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009 incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed," District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said in a statement Friday afternoon. Dumanis said the case has been closed."

Tequila to meet with district attorney

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September 10

ESPN.com

"Tila Tequila, the reality TV star who accused Shawne Merriman of domestic violence last weekend, said via her Twitter feed that she will meet with the San Diego County district attorney's office on Friday. Wednesday, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department turned over its reports to the DA's office. The DA will review them to decide if charges should be filed. Merriman, the San Diego Chargers' Pro Bowl linebacker, was arrested early Sunday after Tequila accused him of choking and throwing her to the ground while she was trying to leave his suburban San Diego home. Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies. Tequila was ..."

Tila Tequila's disappearing tweets suggest second side to Merriman incident

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September 8

USA Today

"Reality TV personality Tila Tequila released a series of statements on her Twitter page Monday night in which she disputed Shawne Merriman's portrayal of the incident on Sunday morning in which he was arrested and accused of battering her. But many of the statements, which suggested the true story of the incident had not emerged and hinted that steroids were involved, were later removed from her Twitter feed. She tweeted "Steroid Abuse Can Cause Aggression" and linked it to a story about Merriman's four-game suspension for a violation of the performance-enhancing substances policy in 2007. She also referred to Tuesday as "Judgment day" in another tweet. PFT documented several of the ..."

Shawne Merriman's lawyer: LB was seeking ride for 'extremely intoxicated' Tila Tequila

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September 8

USA Today

"The lawyer for Chargers LB Shawne Merriman denied allegations of battery and false inprisonment after his client was arrested early Sunday morning. Todd Macaluso said Merriman was trying to set up a ride home for the alleged victim, TV personality Tila Tequila, whom he described as "extremely intoxicated" to the San Diego Union-Tribune. "At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her; at no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will," Macaluso told the paper."

Merriman accused of domestic violence

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September 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The arrest of Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman on domestic violence charges creates a distraction at the beginning of what the team hopes will be a Super Bowl season. Sheriff's deputies arrested Merriman early yesterday morning for allegedly choking, restraining and throwing MTV star Tila Tequila to the ground as she tried to leave his Poway home. The Sheriff's Department said Tila Nguyen, who is known professionally as Tila Tequila, signed a citizen's arrest complaint charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies."

Merriman's clock ticking with team

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September 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Neither the arrest of Shawne Merriman nor whatever comes of it has any bearing on his long-term future as a Charger. It was already set that Merriman wasn't going to be here after his contract expires following this season (or, perhaps, after the Chargers no longer control his free agency status following the 2010 season, depending on what happens with the NFL's looming labor issues). I even stated this unequivocally about a year ago. But this current situation doesn't help his standing with the team's decision makers (maker) and it could even shorten his short-term future. Pretty much everyone already knew that Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith was weary of hearing Merriman's name in so ..."

Star needs to turn out lights on dumb choices

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September 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"Maybe one of them was hogging the mirror. Maybe one of them had been bogarting the remote control. Maybe Shawne Merriman and Tila Tequila were destined for difficulty, constitutionally incapable of reconciling their attraction for each other with their abiding love of themselves. When two narcissists get involved, friction generally follows. When Tequila (not her real name) signed a citizen's arrest warrant early yesterday, alleging that Merriman had choked, battered and restrained her at the linebacker's place in Poway, well, isn't that about what you expect when the irresistible diva meets the immovable peacock?"

Tequila brings charges

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September 7

Boston Globe

"Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early yesterday and accused of choking and restraining his girlfriend, reality TV star Tila Tequila, as she tried to leave his suburban San Diego home. Tequila, 27, signed a citizen's arrest warrant, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment, San Diego County Sheriff's Lieutenant Gary Steadman said. Deputies responded about 3:45 a.m. to Merriman's house in Poway, north of San Diego, after a woman called to say she was choked by the player and thrown to the ground when she tried to leave, Sheriff's Department spokesman Jan Caldwell said at a news conference."

Chargers' Merriman arrested

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September 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"A week before the Chargers are set to open what they hope is a Super Bowl season, the team faces an off-the-field distraction as one of its star players stands accused of domestic violence. Sheriff's deputies arrested linebacker Shawne Merriman early Sunday morning for allegedly choking, restraining and throwing MTV star Tila Tequila to the ground as she tried to leave his Poway home. The Sheriff's Department said Tila Nguyen, who is known professionally as Tila Tequila, signed a citizen's arrest complaint charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies. Merriman and his lawyer said the player was trying to keep Nguyen from driving while intoxicated. Merriman ..."

Despite all the other stuff, 'Lights Out' doesn't take day job lightly

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August 8

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman might Twitter. He might ham it up for fans and television cameras. He might relentlessly pitch his own clothing line and an energy drink and show up on television and in the gossip columns more than any other Charger. But on the field, especially now, Merriman is all business. "I'm on a different path," he said this week. "My focus is different than it's ever been." Merriman, among many others, recognizes a more focused approach among the Chargers this camp. And he will not accept anything less than 100 percent adherence, especially from a vital cog. What Merriman did at practice Wednesday should not be seen as earth-shaking. Things happen between teammates all the ..."

Chargers' draft move motivates Merriman

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August 8

San Diego Union-Tribune

"If Shawne Merriman had some ducks, they would be in a row. The blue-Mohawked quarterback-eater may be an entrepreneur, he may have his hands in a dozen cookie jars, he may revel in the sparkle and lure of Tinseltown, and he may know the Chargers front office isn't enamored with his other pursuits. But he sees few holes when he looks in the mirror (which he probably does more than once a day). He is diamond-hard solid. Merriman knows who he is. He knows where he wants to eventually go and how he plans to get there - riding football, as an impact outside linebacker. Away from the violence, he's a calm man. He doesn't like to run his emotions amok."

'Lights Out' says he's ready for the electricity to be turned back on

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May 1

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It seems like a win-win. The Chargers get their biggest impact player back, and he's ticked off. "This year is literally going to be about unleashing," Shawne Merriman said. "Unleashing so much I've got pent up in me." There has always been a lot going on inside Merriman. But now there is a storm boiling inside the 271 pounds of mohawked linebacker, whose 39½ sacks from 2005 to 2007 are the most by a player in his first three seasons. He is ready to burst after a season on the sideline and the ongoing indications that his time in San Diego is not long. "It's going to be an interesting year," he said. "I'm bringing all the ruckus. I'm going to do the 'Lights Out' dance so often people will ..."

What the San Diego Chargers Need To Do for 2009

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January 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"While we all speculate and predict what happens to the future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, we should also speculate and predict what happens to some of the other San Diego stars such as linebacker Shawne Merriman, backup running back and special-teams weapon Darren Sproles, and defensive tackle Jamal Williams. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that LaDainian is going to have a very long offseason. If he's traded, there's going to be a lot of talk, debates, and criticism everywhere. Should AJ Smith-San Diego Chargers General Manager-decide to keep the running back, there STILL may be trouble regarding his age, productivity in the past two seasons and his consecutive ..."

Tomlinson-Smith public saga must stop now, Merriman says

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January 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Quietly, some Chargers players have expressed indignation in recent days over the LaDainian Tomlinson saga. Particularly, players have privately expressed consternation over General Manager A.J. Smith's comments in which he was interpreted as mocking the star running back. Sunday, one player who rarely censors what he says and who has strong beliefs and no fear spoke out. "That (stuff) doesn't help bring a Super Bowl to San Diego," linebacker Shawne Merriman said. "And that (stuff) needs to stop, period. It needs to stop now." That is not far from the thinking from the top of the organization. Sources said that team President Dean Spanos is "very upset" about the Tomlinson situation ..."

Merriman optimistic, off crutches

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October 11

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman was alternately upbeat and wistful in a phone conversation Friday, but he was also typically bold. "I'm excited," he said, "because I've never had a fully functional knee (in the NFL). It's a little scary to think what I can do going out there and getting off full speed without my knee giving way a little." Merriman said Friday was his first day off crutches, something he did not expect to do until next week, which will mark the one-month anniversary of his Sept. 15 surgery to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee. He said he is rehabbing diligently, running in a pool and expects to run on land by November. His plan is to be full-go by minicamp in May. Merriman said ..."

'Lights Out' shuts off

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September 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

"In a decision that was shocking only because of the way he played two days earlier, Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman Tuesday decided he can play no more in his current condition. General Manager A.J. Smith said Merriman informed him Tuesday he will undergo surgery to reconstruct the torn ligaments in his left knee. "He walked in and said it didn't feel right and he was going to shut it down," Smith said. Merriman will be placed on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the season. He is expected to return in time for the start of the 2009 season, which is his final one under contract with the Chargers. It is not known when or where Merriman will have the surgery to repair the ..."

Pro Bowl linebacker done for year; so deal with it

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September 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Nick Canepa

"In this day of Internet groping, which often only leads to more brain flatulence among American sports fans, it's going to happen. Sirens are blaring. The Chargers season has ended. It hasn't. To even suggest it has, on Sept. 10, is like saying ripping down the Berlin Wall finished Russia once and for all. Millions of knees should not be jerking at once, although that could be a solution to our alternative energy dilemma. What the football team and star linebacker Shawne Merriman told us Tuesday was not a eulogy. It certainly wasn't a birth announcement, but it wasn't a death certificate, either. Because we have no way of knowing how this will play out. If we did, we'd all be on our ..."

Merriman opts to play

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August 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman will start the season, but he might not finish it. He knows that, and he is not obsessing. He seems neither optimistic nor pessimistic about his chances of still playing in December or January. "It's literally game to game," Merriman said late yesterday. He just wants to start the season. "If it's game to game, I've got to play the first game," he said. Merriman will have reconstructive surgery on his torn posterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament at some point. But after four doctors advised him in the past week that his best course of action was to have that procedure on his left knee immediately, Merriman said yesterday he will begin the season. "I'm ..."

Merriman's two ligament tears and when they occurred

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August 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Posterior cruciate ligament: Merriman suffered this tear, which he has classified as a grade three, the worst it can be, in his second NFL game. It happened while he was running down to cover the opening kickoff in an exhibition game Aug. 26, 2005, at Minnesota. Players have played their entire careers with this injury. The PCL provides front-to-back stability.

Lateral collateral ligament: This injury happened Dec. 9 at Tennessee and became an immediate source of friction. At the time, Merriman called the hit by Kevin Mawae and David Stewart a "cheap shot," and game tape made it appear so. In fact, the league fined Mawae and Stewart. The severity of Merriman's LCL tear is unknown, ..."

No doubt Merriman has ESPN; GM wonders if he has ESP, too

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August 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"One of the reasons Shawne Merriman gave for so vehemently wanting to play on despite his knee injuries is the bonds he has with fellow Chargers and the success he believes they're poised to achieve. "I want to play, regardless of all that," Merriman said before leaving for South Florida for his final consultation on his knee. "I have teammates, I have friends in that locker room. I care about them. We're going to win a couple Super Bowls here." That quote, in yesterday's Union-Tribune, caught the eye of some around the NFL, where anything resembling a prediction of Super Bowl victories is frowned upon. Asked about Merriman's assertion, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith was at first ..."

It's his knee, so it's also his decision

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August 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Nick Canepa

"This isn't "Fantastic Voyage," so I can't shrink and get into Shawne Merriman's body. Nor can he get into mine, which I'm sure would make for a terribly upsetting visit. Merriman isn't a doctor, but he knows his own body, which hasn't often betrayed him during his first 24 years. It's his life, has been his life, and he has no reason to mistrust what he can do with it. Merriman is young, big, fast, strong, mean, talented, dedicated and, at the same time, outgoing, stubborn and philanthropic, with a big dash of vanity in his personal cocktail. He may be the NFL's most dangerous on-the-field terror. But, despite being all of the above, he also has a bum left knee, which he says has two torn ..."

Injured Merriman opts to begin season

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August 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has decided to begin the season despite two torn ligaments in his left knee, he said this morning. "I'm going to play," Merriman said via text message to the Union-Tribune. "I'll deal with it when it's time to get surgery."Merriman, who returned from South Florida on Tuesday night, has decided against the recommendations of doctors to forego reconstructive surgery on the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. Those doctors also told him he could play but that he risks what he described as "career-threatening" injury if he does.The Chargers always have been optimistic Merriman would play. He was medically cleared by the team before training ..."

Merriman visits another specialist

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August 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Linebacker Shawne Merriman will be back at Chargers Park today after seeing a specialist yesterday in Coral Gables, Fla. He is expected to decide what to do regarding his knee by the end of the week. The Chargers have to reduce their roster to the opening-day limit of 53 by 3 p.m. Saturday. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Merriman was not told anything different in South Florida from what he'd heard from previous orthopedists regarding his injuries or the prognosis. The recommendation from all the doctors has been that his best course of action would be to have surgery immediately to repair his torn PCL and LCL. That would force him to sit out the season. The ..."

For Merriman, lights out now is a bright idea

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August 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Nick Canepa

"Shawne Merriman's motor is one of those freak things you find in Popular Mechanics. It never stops. But, if what the Pro Bowl outside linebacker and his disciples say is true - and I'm without X-ray vision and far more Mr. Hyde than Dr. Jekyll - the Chargers' most decorated defender should turn it off and coast into his garage. Maybe the fans aren't prepared to deal with it and what repercussions Merriman's inactivity would mean to a Super Bowl favorite. But the Chargers seem prepared, although team doctors have cleared him. Or, maybe you can explain why San Diego yesterday rewarded linebacker Jyles Tucker, a rookie free agent in 2007, a five-year contract extension that will guarantee him ..."

Merriman's knee injury worse than feared

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August 24

San Diego Union-Tribune

"There is one person among all those in Shawne Merriman's inner stratum who favors him playing this season. That person standing alone, refusing to give in, is Merriman himself - a freakishly built 24-year-old with a gladiator scene tattooed across his broad back, a man who believes all things are possible with passion and hard work. According to someone close to Merriman, the recommendations from doctors and other advisers is that he undergo surgery on his left knee immediately and get ready for 2009. But Merriman presses on, defying so far the advice of those who say he should not. "I'm stubborn as hell," Merriman said yesterday. He will not detail what advice he is getting. But he says, ..."

Chargers' Merriman has two torn ligaments in left knee

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August 24

Rocky Mountain News

"Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman said Saturday he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery. Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage. "It could be career-threatening if I did (play)," Merriman said. "It's a possibility. That possibility is still open." A course of action has not been decided. Merriman, who will consult with a doctor in Miami early next week before making a decision, has been told reconstructive surgery would sideline him ..."

Merriman won't rush his decision

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August 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman is thinking he will not rush a decision on what to do about his injured knee. So, while he is expected to return to Chargers Park today and the Chargers believe he will be ready for the Sept. 7 season opener, there is still much to be considered. Merriman, who according to sources did not visit a specialist in Miami but might have been seeing one in Minnesota yesterday, is deciding among three main options. He can resume practicing and begin the season on time, have a minor surgery that would keep him out a short while or undergo reconstructive surgery that would erase his 2008 season. Merriman has identified the significant problem in his left knee as being a tear in the ..."

What's next for Merriman?

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August 22

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman was in New York yesterday to see a specialist and was pondering seeing another doctor today, as he and his advisers attempt to gather enough information to decide when and if he will play this season. "It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do," Merriman said by phone. "If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out." Merriman's options for fixing what he said was a torn posterior cruciate ligament (among other issues) in his left knee range from doing nothing to having a surgery that would delay the start of his season to undergoing reconstructive surgery that would keep him out all season. Even as Merriman deals with his knee, he ..."

Merriman consults orthopedist

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August 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman will return from Birmingham, Ala., today after consulting with orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews about lingering pain in his left knee. Further surgery is an option for the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker, but it is also possible Merriman will be able to begin the season. Merriman, who has been working rigorously on the side throughout training camp, made the decision along with his advisers to see Andrews on Tuesday and flew to Alabama. He was examined by Andrews yesterday, but a source said a diagnosis and course of action will not be known for a while. "It's still lingering, the same (stuff) as last year," said a source close to Merriman. Merriman played through the ..."

Gates practices; Merriman to visit surgeon

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August 20

North County Times

"Chargers tight end Antonio Gates reached a milestone in his rehabilitation from a toe injury Tuesday while linebacker Shawne Merriman's persistent knee pain has him heading across country for an examination. Merriman missed two more practices Tuesday and wasn't at Chargers Park. He was en route to Alabama to see Dr. James Andrews for what was described by a team official as a "follow-up exam." It was Andrews who repaired cartilage damage in Merriman's left knee five months ago. Merriman isn't expected back to Chargers Park until Thursday. Gates passed a physical, was taken off the Physically Unable to Perform list and participated in part of practice for the first time during training ..."