Merriman suspended for steroids (1 Viewer)

[Ditka is God]

Link. It's unclear from the article whether his appeal is still pending or wether the suspension kicks in immediately.

 

[Todem]

If it's true a huge blow. But i don't trust ESPN or Mort anymore. I will wait for the NFL to announce it.

 

[Shlon]

wow

 

[PatsWillWin]

If it's true a huge blow. But i don't trust ESPN or Mort anymore. I will wait for the NFL to announce it.

I would trust Mort on something like this...

Yeah - this isn't a thing like Mort says "Jay Cutler may start sometime soon if Plummer continues to struggle."This is reporting a very big story about one of the game's best young defensive players. I don't think Mort would put this out there, or ESPN for that matter, unless it was a sure thing.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Awesome post Ditka, I had no idea, but I can't say I am surprised...this means he has tested positive before right? or is it 4 games right out of the shoot? He is going to be high candidate for a 1 year suspension now...how long does it take to get the roids out of your system?

I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...

Too bad for the Chargers...huge loss in KC too today.

 

[rascal]

I'd be lying if I said I was shocked.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Awesome post Ditka, I had no idea, but I can't say I am surprised...this means he has tested positive before right? or is it 4 games right out of the shoot? He is going to be high candidate for a 1 year suspension now...how long does it take to get the roids out of your system?I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...Too bad for the Chargers...huge loss in KC too today.

Think there may be a no-tolerance clause on the steroid/supplement issue but not sure.

 

[BigTex]

I'd be lying if I said I was shocked.

Wouldn't really be a big surprise.

 

[The Gator]

I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...

Im pretty sure the 300lb plus guys arent the steroid offenders.

 

[One]

This is too bad. I was having a great time watching him this season.

stupid decision on his part.

 

[Young 8]

wow....the Chargers lost S.Phillips & Merriman in the same day

 

[aposulli]

Awesome post Ditka, I had no idea, but I can't say I am surprised...this means he has tested positive before right? or is it 4 games right out of the shoot? He is going to be high candidate for a 1 year suspension now...how long does it take to get the roids out of your system?I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...Too bad for the Chargers...huge loss in KC too today.

Think there may be a no-tolerance clause on the steroid/supplement issue but not sure.

ESPN now reporting that he WILL be suspended 4 games.I knew the generic first offense punishment was 4 games but I'm still not sure if an appeal can lower that or only delay it.Makes sense I guess for him to delay it so he could play against KC in an important division game. (so much for that)

 

[PatsWillWin]

Awesome post Ditka, I had no idea, but I can't say I am surprised...this means he has tested positive before right? or is it 4 games right out of the shoot? He is going to be high candidate for a 1 year suspension now...how long does it take to get the roids out of your system?I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...Too bad for the Chargers...huge loss in KC too today.

Think there may be a no-tolerance clause on the steroid/supplement issue but not sure.

ESPN now reporting that he WILL be suspended 4 games.I knew the generic first offense punishment was 4 games but I'm still not sure if an appeal can lower that or only delay it.Makes sense I guess for him to delay it so he could play against KC in an important division game. (so much for that)

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

The Chargers lost both starting OLBs today for a month after already having lost Foley. It's going to be a rough four weeks on defense.

 

[trader jake]

Too bad because he looked like the next great one on defense.

 

[Jene Bramel]

The Chargers lost both starting OLBs today for a month after already having lost Foley. It's going to be a rough four weeks on defense.

Hope that Phillips' "calf" injury (4-6 week early prognosis) doesn't become a Achilles tendon deal tomorrow after further tests. I like the updated report but not the way the initial report sounded.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Hey MT (and other Charger homers), started a thread about this in the IDP Forum. Can you weigh in on who you expect to fill in other than Marques Harris? Carlos Polk? Re-sign Gbaja-Bjamila? Other plan?

 

[Boris]

Awesome post Ditka, I had no idea, but I can't say I am surprised...this means he has tested positive before right? or is it 4 games right out of the shoot? He is going to be high candidate for a 1 year suspension now...how long does it take to get the roids out of your system?I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...Too bad for the Chargers...huge loss in KC too today.

how about a substitution limit instead? require the players to be in better aerobic shape, cut down on specialists, etc.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

definitely need to downgrade the Chargers defense going forward. these are major losses that will be tough to replace.

 

[Raider Nation]

Too bad because he looked like the next great one on defense.

Sonny says you only get three great ones in your lifetime.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

definitely need to downgrade the Chargers defense going forward. these are major losses that will be tough to replace.

They are now without four starters on defense (Merriman, Foley, Phillips, Olshansky) and the starting return guy (Sproles). Losing three OLBs really hurts.

 

[my man otis]

This is too bad. I was having a great time watching him this season. stupid decision on his part.

you were having a great time watching him b/c he did steroids.bottom line is he's not really as good as he's been this year.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has been notified he will be suspended for four games for violating the NFL's steroids policy, league and team sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Merriman's positive test was "definitely for steroids … not one of those supplement deals" said a source with knowledge of Merriman's suspension.

Merriman's suspension originally was to be announced last Tuesday when two other players -- the Falcons' Mark Lehr and the Lions' Shaun Rogers -- were suspended for violating the policy. But Merriman reserved the right to appeal his suspension, so it was not announced.

Neither the Chargers, nor Merriman, could be reached for comment Sunday night.

Earlier Sunday the Chargers lost to the Chiefs 30-27 in Kansas City.

Sounds pretty "clear" *ahem* to me. 4 week suspension, appeal is already done.

Throw in the injury to their starting saftey today and that defense just took 2 really big hits.

We are going to find out very soon whether Philip Rivers is the real deal or not. IMO that team is going to be tested in the next 4 weeks. Very likely they will be coming from behind more and will need Rivers A game to provide offensive balance. IMO He is going to start seing even more blitzing.

All of this should be a good litmus test on his progress - and will determine SD's season.

 

[PennStater77]

So the cheater takes roids and still can't stop LJ... What a beast LJ is..

 

[knowledge dropper]

And people say the Bengals are the team with ALL the bad apples....

 

[Preacher 1]

definitely need to downgrade the Chargers defense going forward. these are major losses that will be tough to replace.

They are now without four starters on defense (Merriman, Foley, Phillips, Olshansky) and the starting return guy (Sproles). Losing three OLBs really hurts.

Considering that two of those guys caused it themselves, I really don't have a ton of sympathy.BTW, anything new on the "evil" cop who shot Foley? I did see that Foley checked in with a nice little .233 BAC, nearly 3 time the legal limit.Add in the other run ins with the law, and it looks like the Chargers are trying to emulate the Raiders of old...

 

[BoltzNBrew]

 

[jonessed]

definitely need to downgrade the Chargers defense going forward. these are major losses that will be tough to replace.

They are now without four starters on defense (Merriman, Foley, Phillips, Olshansky) and the starting return guy (Sproles). Losing three OLBs really hurts.

Considering that two of those guys caused it themselves, I really don't have a ton of sympathy.BTW, anything new on the "evil" cop who shot Foley? I did see that Foley checked in with a nice little .233 BAC, nearly 3 time the legal limit.

Add in the other run ins with the law, and it looks like the Chargers are trying to emulate the Raiders of old...

Do you really want to get into this and totally sidetrack this thread?

 

[Preacher 1]

definitely need to downgrade the Chargers defense going forward. these are major losses that will be tough to replace.

They are now without four starters on defense (Merriman, Foley, Phillips, Olshansky) and the starting return guy (Sproles). Losing three OLBs really hurts.

Considering that two of those guys caused it themselves, I really don't have a ton of sympathy.BTW, anything new on the "evil" cop who shot Foley? I did see that Foley checked in with a nice little .233 BAC, nearly 3 time the legal limit.

Add in the other run ins with the law, and it looks like the Chargers are trying to emulate the Raiders of old...

Do you really want to get into this and totally sidetrack this thread?

Why not? It's not like the thread hasn't already achieved it's value. We now know for a fact that Merriman is suspended for 4 games, so the speculation about all of the pheriphal issues can begin.

 

[Tecumseh]

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

 

[azngangster]

The rams are gonna rip the chargers defense next week. Could get ugly. But Rivers and LT and Gates should rip the Stl defense. Should be a high scoring game.

 

[Arsenal]

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

That's DT Luis Castillo, also a Charger I believe.

 

[cubbie5150]

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

Nah, it was that D-lineman from Northwestern (can't think of his name--was it "Castillo"?)

 

[twistd]

I am all for rolling back the clock on the size of these players...I think a weight limit needs to be enforced. You weigh over 300lbs, you can't play...the game would be a lot more exciting if they sized down the players some. Tired ov guys that weigh 400 lbs standing in the middle of these lines...sure Ted Wasahington is 325-350...sure Jamal Williams is 300lbs...and on and on...

Im pretty sure the 300lb plus guys arent the steroid offenders.

I think it is funny when some big fat lineman gets popped for steriods. If you are going to shoot the juice, lift the weights.

 

[Air Coryell]

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

Luis Castillo was the one that did that, not Merriman.

 

[Tecumseh]

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

That's DT Luis Castillo, also a Charger I believe.

Ah, thank you.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

On the bright side LT owners will be happy as they will need a lot of offense going forward the next several weeks. Rivers owners as well can start looking at plugging him in on a regular basis perhaps.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

It's been a very rough couple of months for the Bolts out in San Diego:

Steve Foley: Shot

Merriman: Roids

Philips: Calf

Kiel: Shipping Cough Syrup

...and then the capper today: Losing to the KC Chefs

Good thing they didn't trade the underappreciated Donnie Edwards. He's as solid as they come.

 

[Homer]

Too bad because he looked like the next great one on defense.

Agreed, but think about all the FORMER great ones that were also substance abusers of one kind or another. Football is a BRUTAL sport.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Apparently whatever Merrimen is taking is better than whatever Robert Gallery is taking.

There's a career opportunity standing beside the front door of a strip joint that's just begging for Robert Gallery.

 

[trader jake]

Too bad because he looked like the next great one on defense.

Agreed, but think about all the FORMER great ones that were also substance abusers of one kind or another. Football is a BRUTAL sport.

And the original LT used drugs much, much worse and he still turned out great...so it's not like anyone should right off Merriman at this point.

 

[falconeyed]

Shame on you, cheater.

 

[cstu]

It's been a very rough couple of months for the Bolts out in San Diego:Steve Foley: Shot Merriman: Roids Philips: Calf Kiel: Shipping Cough Syrup ...and then the capper today: Losing to the KC Chefs Good thing they didn't trade the underappreciated Donnie Edwards. He's as solid as they come.

On the bright side, secondary is doing much better than anyone expected. In the 4 games Merriman will be out, the Bolts have two huge home games coming up vs. the Rams and Browns and two on the road against the Bengals and Broncos. Anything less than 2-2 will make it hard to make the playoffs and the Broncos game is almost a must-win.

 

[delusional]

On the brighter side of the bright side...looks like teams will be putting points on SD now causing them to pass it

Gatessss

 

[Raider Nation]

There's a career opportunity standing beside the front door of a strip joint that's just begging for Robert Gallery.

Would he be replacing Marc Columbo at the door?

 

[Lemmiwinks]

I honestly believe that 60% or more of NFL players are on Roids or HGH. Every offensive and defensive lineman, most linebackers, safeties and running backs and some WR and QB are doing this.

This is a huge issue in the NFL and they don't get half the negative press that baseball does. Seems strange because Merriman is a rising star and the coverage is minimal compared to guys like Palmiero and Giambi.

 

[SSOG]

Losing three OLBs really hurts.

Yeah, but let's not overreact too much. It's hardly a kiss of death. Denver lost its top three OLBs in 2003 (two of them pro-bowl caliber players in Ian Gold and John Mobley). They still finished the season 9th in scoring defense and 3rd in yardage defense. And before you point out San Diego's secondary issues, I'll have to point out that Denver's starting secondary that season was Kenoy Kennedy (starting in Detroit), Sam Brandon (Denver's current #3 safety), Kelly Herndon (isn't he the #3 CB in Seattle?), and Lenny Walls (OoF).It's definitely a downgrade for San Diego, but I'm not willing to write their defense off until I see some more evidence, first. In fact, I think this might be a good time to try buying really low.

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

No, that was San Diego's *OTHER* 2005 first round pick.Anyone know if Castillo hooked Merriman up with his old dealer?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Merriman suspended after testing positive for steroids

By Kevin Acee

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

October 22, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman will be suspended for four games for violating the NFL substance abuse policy, sources close to Merriman said.

A source said the appeal process is ongoing and that there is “a reason behind this.”

Said the source: “This is not the finality of it.”

The positive test and suspension were first reported by ESPN.com while the team was flying home from its game in Kansas City last night. The Web site cited a source with knowledge of the test saying it was “definitely for steroids not one of those supplement deals.”

ESPN later reported that both Merriman's “A” and “B” samples had come back positive.

The initial positive occurred more than a week ago.

Team officials did not return phone messages last night. Merriman did not return messages and is not expected to comment until he and his attorney have a chance to confer further.

According to ESPN.com, Merriman's suspension originally was to be announced last Tuesday when two other players – Atlanta Falcons guard Mark Lehr and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers – were suspended for violating the policy. But Merriman appealed, so his suspension was not announced.

First-time offenders of the NFL's steroid policy receive a minimum four-game ban, the equivalent of one-fourth of the regular season. A second positive test fetches eight games, and a third positive gets a yearlong suspension.

In addition, according to the NFL's Policy on Anabolic Steroids, suspended players may not “participate in team activities, use the club's facilities or have contact with any club officials except to arrange off-site medical treatment.”

Players also must test negative for all prohibited substances before they are reinstated.

By comparison, first-time offenders for anabolic steroids in Olympic sports face a two-year competition ban. A second offense results in a lifetime ban.

Merriman, listed at 6-foot-4, 272 pounds, was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after making 10 sacks last season and was a Pro Bowl starter. His 5-½ sacks this season are second on the team.

When Merriman's suspension begins, the Chargers will be without several key players on defense.

Linebacker Shaun Phillips, who has a team-high six sacks, suffered a strained calf in yesterday's 30-27 loss to the Chiefs and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

The absence of those two could dramatically alter the approach of the Chargers' defense.

Carlos Polk and Marques Harris are expected to be the primary replacements for Phillips and Merriman. But defensive coordinator Wade Phillips could also make other changes.

Whoever steps in will not have the same pass rush ability and ability to dominate as Merriman and Phillips.

Additionally, defensive end Igor Olshansky had surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus and is out at least another two games.

Already, the team is playing this season without Steve Foley. Phillips was starting in his place after Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer the week before the season opener.

Safety Terrence Kiel missed a game earlier this season after he was arrested at the team's facility in late September and later admitted to shipping prescription codeine to Texas. Kiel earlier this month pleaded not guilty to five felony charges.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

Losing three OLBs really hurts.

Yeah, but let's not overreact too much. It's hardly a kiss of death. Denver lost its top three OLBs in 2003 (two of them pro-bowl caliber players in Ian Gold and John Mobley). They still finished the season 9th in scoring defense and 3rd in yardage defense. And before you point out San Diego's secondary issues, I'll have to point out that Denver's starting secondary that season was Kenoy Kennedy (starting in Detroit), Sam Brandon (Denver's current #3 safety), Kelly Herndon (isn't he the #3 CB in Seattle?), and Lenny Walls (OoF).It's definitely a downgrade for San Diego, but I'm not willing to write their defense off until I see some more evidence, first. In fact, I think this might be a good time to try buying really low.

Isn't this the guy who got popped for steroids in college, and sent a handwritten letter to every NFL team, as well as Tagliabue, apologizing, and saying it was a one time thing to help recover from an injury?

No, that was San Diego's *OTHER* 2005 first round pick.Anyone know if Castillo hooked Merriman up with his old dealer?

Walls went to KC.

 

[Emmitt Smith]

I wanted my Cowboys to take him in that draft.

After the holdout, him being so outspoken, and now this, I love DeMarcus Ware even more!