Merriman suspended four games (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2635475

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.

Superman = super-juiced?

Chargers have a big issue at OLB now. Marques Harris will fill one role. Carlos Polk is the deep depth chart guy. They had Akbar Gbaja-Bjamila in during camp but he wasn't impressive. I'm not aware of any other OLBs available sitting at home; Chad Brown was signed recently and he was the only one I remember being available.

Be very interesting to see how the Chargers handle this. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence will be exposed without the pass rush of Merriman and Phillips.

 

[BoltBacker]

Combined with Phillips being on the shelf for 6 weeks and Foley done for the year that glurb you hear in the distance may be the SD playoff hopes sinking into the deep abyss. They also really need Igor back on the DL. The front seven is what makes the SD defense work and if they can't put pressure then the DB's look average..... or worse.

On the plus side this could mean big offensive #'s for SD skill position players. SD will have to try to outscore the oppisition now. I'd buy Rivers/LT/Gates/McCardell/Parker right now if I could.

 

[BoltBacker]

Chargers have a big issue at OLB now. Marques Harris will fill one role. Carlos Polk is the deep depth chart guy. They had Akbar Gbaja-Bjamila in during camp but he wasn't impressive. I'm not aware of any other OLBs available sitting at home; Chad Brown was signed recently and he was the only one I remember being available.Be very interesting to see how the Chargers handle this. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence will be exposed without the pass rush of Merriman and Phillips.

You think there's any chance they swing Cooper out to OLB? Wilhelm? Dobbins?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

if the Chargers knew about this last week, I'm surprised they didn't mak a move for an OLB before the trading deadline.

wonder if they'll raid someone's practice squad. no idea who is available though.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Chargers have a big issue at OLB now. Marques Harris will fill one role. Carlos Polk is the deep depth chart guy. They had Akbar Gbaja-Bjamila in during camp but he wasn't impressive. I'm not aware of any other OLBs available sitting at home; Chad Brown was signed recently and he was the only one I remember being available.Be very interesting to see how the Chargers handle this. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence will be exposed without the pass rush of Merriman and Phillips.

You think there's any chance they swing Cooper out to OLB? Wilhelm? Dobbins?

I don't think Dobbins could play outside. Maybe Cooper or Wilhelm, although I suspect they'll stick with Harris and Polk (and possibly re-sign Gbaja-Bjamila for depth, as Jene hinted).Switching to a 4-3 for the next four weeks might also be possible. Cooper and Edwards could play outside in a 4-3 for sure.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Chargers have a big issue at OLB now. Marques Harris will fill one role. Carlos Polk is the deep depth chart guy. They had Akbar Gbaja-Bjamila in during camp but he wasn't impressive. I'm not aware of any other OLBs available sitting at home; Chad Brown was signed recently and he was the only one I remember being available.Be very interesting to see how the Chargers handle this. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence will be exposed without the pass rush of Merriman and Phillips.

You think there's any chance they swing Cooper out to OLB? Wilhelm? Dobbins?

I suppose anything is possible. Doubt it's Cooper -- he's too small. Wilhelm and Dobbins are more ILB pluggers, though, so they don't fit well either.Aaron makes a very good point. If they appealed this last week, they've probably got a plan in mind. They may not have made a move thinking Phillips and Harris could work and not having the space to make a roster move with all their other injuries.Best guess for now is that Bjamila comes back.

 

[Pick]

A thin line to tread where that attitude either helps or hurts the team.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Chargers have a big issue at OLB now. Marques Harris will fill one role. Carlos Polk is the deep depth chart guy. They had Akbar Gbaja-Bjamila in during camp but he wasn't impressive. I'm not aware of any other OLBs available sitting at home; Chad Brown was signed recently and he was the only one I remember being available.

Be very interesting to see how the Chargers handle this. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence will be exposed without the pass rush of Merriman and Phillips.

You think there's any chance they swing Cooper out to OLB? Wilhelm? Dobbins?

I don't think Dobbins could play outside. Maybe Cooper or Wilhelm, although I suspect they'll stick with Harris and Polk (and possibly re-sign Gbaja-Bjamila for depth, as Jene hinted).Switching to a 4-3 for the next four weeks might also be possible. Cooper and Edwards could play outside in a 4-3 for sure.

They don't have the DL depth to do this, though, do they? Castillo could certainly work as a 4-3 end. Maybe Bingham and Robinson could rotate in -- could work after all I guess.

 

[BoltBacker]

They don't have the DL depth to do this, though, do they? Castillo could certainly work as a 4-3 end. Maybe Bingham and Robinson could rotate in -- could work after all I guess.

I was surprised to hear MT suggest this as well.I'm more optimistic about Cooper and Wilhelm having the flexibility to play outside. Hasn't Edwards played OLB earlier in his career? I think the big problem they are going to have is losing all that athleticism and pass rushing regardless how they deal with the losses. Wouldn't suprise me if SD falls to a below average defense without the pass rush they've enjoyed thus far. Maybe from a FF perspective this could be a coup for SD DB's...... there's a good chance they'll be making a lot more tackles.

 

[Jene Bramel]

They don't have the DL depth to do this, though, do they? Castillo could certainly work as a 4-3 end. Maybe Bingham and Robinson could rotate in -- could work after all I guess.

I was surprised to hear MT suggest this as well.I'm more optimistic about Cooper and Wilhelm having the flexibility to play outside. Hasn't Edwards played OLB earlier in his career? I think the big problem they are going to have is losing all that athleticism and pass rushing regardless how they deal with the losses. Wouldn't suprise me if SD falls to a below average defense without the pass rush they've enjoyed thus far. Maybe from a FF perspective this could be a coup for SD DB's...... there's a good chance they'll be making a lot more tackles.

Edwards was a 4-3 WLB in Kansas City. Very much different than a 3-4 OLB.

 

[BoltBacker]

They don't have the DL depth to do this, though, do they? Castillo could certainly work as a 4-3 end. Maybe Bingham and Robinson could rotate in -- could work after all I guess.

I was surprised to hear MT suggest this as well.I'm more optimistic about Cooper and Wilhelm having the flexibility to play outside. Hasn't Edwards played OLB earlier in his career? I think the big problem they are going to have is losing all that athleticism and pass rushing regardless how they deal with the losses. Wouldn't suprise me if SD falls to a below average defense without the pass rush they've enjoyed thus far. Maybe from a FF perspective this could be a coup for SD DB's...... there's a good chance they'll be making a lot more tackles.

Edwards was a 4-3 WLB in Kansas City. Very much different than a 3-4 OLB.

True. That's what I was thining of but you're right.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

has Wade Phillips ever coached a 4-3 defense? I don't recall what things were like during his time in Denver, but since he came to Buffalo I think he's always been connected with a 3-4 front.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

proponents of 3-4 (like PIT, NE, DAL, SD, CLE, NYJ, etc) think it makes it easier to get to QB because it causes uncertainty in where rush is coming from (among other things)... if SD doesn't have the personnel anymore due to injury/suspension/police shooting (especially at OLB) to exploit that edge, phillips might want to learn the 4-3 in a hurry... the more conventional front might at this point get their seven best front 7 defenders on the field... good point raised by maurile...

SD OLBs are dropping like CLE centers & spinal tap drummers...

 

[redman]

Another way in which character counts. It does your team little good to be a monster if you can't take the field for four weeks.

 

[varmint cong]

FYI

ESPN's John Clayton reports Donnie Edwards may move to outside linebacker as a result of the Chargers' recent losses at the position.

Edwards' IDP value would take a hit if he's moved outside. If he is, Stephen Cooper or Matt Wilhelm would take his place inside.

Source: ESPN Insider

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernew...&line=78001

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

FYI

ESPN's John Clayton reports Donnie Edwards may move to outside linebacker as a result of the Chargers' recent losses at the position.

Edwards' IDP value would take a hit if he's moved outside. If he is, Stephen Cooper or Matt Wilhelm would take his place inside.

Source: ESPN Insider

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernew...&line=78001

Bad summary by rotoworld. Here's Clayton's blog: link. Clayton is not "reporting" that Edwards or Dobbins might move outside. "Reporting" suggests that he's relaying information given to him by somebody with the Chargers. Clayton's words suggests that he is merely speculating, not reporting. (Nothing wrong with that on Clayton's part, but Rotoworld should try to be more accurate.)

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

The challenge of moving to a 4-3 as a base defense would be to find someone to be the pass-rushing RDE. Merriman, Foley, or Phillips could all have done it, but they are the players who are unavailable.

Castillo would be fine at LDE on first and second downs, but he is not much of an edge rusher on passing downs.

Castillo and Cesaire would be nice 4-3 DTs on passing downs (with Jamal coming out of the game), but that still leaves the DE positions open. Marques Harris may be able to play RDE in passing situations, but would the Chargers leave Castillo at LDE in that case, or move him inside?

If the Chargers stay in a 3-4 as their base defense, Harris can play the weakside OLB position.

John Clatyon mentioned possibly moving Donnie Edwards outside, but he lacks size and strength to be an edge rusher. He can blitz and then take on a running back, but as a 3-4 OLB he would be blocked by (and engulfed by) an offensive tackle. He could play on the strong side and always drop into coverage rather than rushing, but that limits the defensive scheme quite a bit.

I think Polk will probably fill the strongside OLB position. Polk can take on and shed blocks, but he has nowhere near the explosiveness of Merriman or Phillips (or Foley).

Another option at strongside OLB is Wilhelm. He has only played ILB for the Chargers, but he has the size and athleticism to move outside, and might be a better edge rusher than Polk. That is just pure speculation at this point, however.

Speegle could play OLB in passing situations. He was also very good in pass coverage in college. He may not be physical enough to be on the field on first or second downs, however.

Whether the Chargers stay in a 3-4 or move to a 4-3, it will not be the same traditional 3-4 they've been playing. They've been lining up and beating the OL one-on-one in the pass rush. Now they will need to be more creative with their blitzes and give a lot of different looks. They'll no longer be able to generate a strong rush by just beating people man-to-man.

If the secondary can hold their own in man coverage, I would expect to see a lot of blitzes over the next four weeks from the Chargers. That is the only way they are going to get to the quarterback. Merriman, Foley, and Phillips could all beat the OT with their speed around the corner. (Merriman could also do it with his strength as a bull rusher.) Edwards, Godfrey, Cooper, Wilhelm, and Dobbins are not the same kind of player.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Chargers have a big issue at OLB now. Marques Harris will fill one role. Carlos Polk is the deep depth chart guy. They had Akbar Gbaja-Bjamila in during camp but he wasn't impressive. I'm not aware of any other OLBs available sitting at home; Chad Brown was signed recently and he was the only one I remember being available.

Be very interesting to see how the Chargers handle this. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence will be exposed without the pass rush of Merriman and Phillips.

You think there's any chance they swing Cooper out to OLB? Wilhelm? Dobbins?

I don't think Dobbins could play outside. Maybe Cooper or Wilhelm, although I suspect they'll stick with Harris and Polk (and possibly re-sign Gbaja-Bjamila for depth, as Jene hinted).Switching to a 4-3 for the next four weeks might also be possible. Cooper and Edwards could play outside in a 4-3 for sure.

They don't have the DL depth to do this, though, do they? Castillo could certainly work as a 4-3 end. Maybe Bingham and Robinson could rotate in -- could work after all I guess.

On running downs, they could use Williams and Cesaire at DT, with Castillo at LDE and Harris at RDE. Donnie Edwards at MLB, Godfrey at SOLB, and Cooper at WOLB.But on passing downs, moving Castillo inside (to replace Williams) leaves open the LDE spot and I'm not sure there are any good options for a second edge rusher. Maybe Wilhelm, although he sure lacks bulk for a 4-3 LDE.

 

[The Gator]

Just saw his interview on NFL Network.

I guess they are appealing it and he says he didn't take anything illegal. They all say that, but Faulk and Mooch made some good points afterwards. They said that the NFL HAS suspended him and he DID fail the test. So, why is he practicing? Also mentioned was that the test could have come up unknown, which would lead to a failed test. They feel this could not be a definate suspensoin and that the NFL could be looking into the test again.

 

[cracKer]

A lot of people forget that Julius Peppers was suspended the final four games of his rookie year. Merriman will survive.

You don't get to be Peppers/Merriman good without a little help

 

[DanFouts]

Just saw his interview on NFL Network.

I guess they are appealing it and he says he didn't take anything illegal. They all say that, but Faulk and Mooch made some good points afterwards. They said that the NFL HAS suspended him and he DID fail the test. So, why is he practicing? Also mentioned was that the test could have come up unknown, which would lead to a failed test. They feel this could not be a definate suspensoin and that the NFL could be looking into the test again.

SD Tribune says his appeal is for Nov 7 and he can play the next two weeks. Also said Philips may be back in two weeks. Optimistic news for Chargers fans....http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/charg...s24chnotes.html

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

http://www.chargers.com/team/transactions/

10/24/06 - Signed linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila to a two year contract. To make room on the roster linebacker Nick Speegle released from the active roster.

 

[The Gator]

Just saw his interview on NFL Network.

I guess they are appealing it and he says he didn't take anything illegal. They all say that, but Faulk and Mooch made some good points afterwards. They said that the NFL HAS suspended him and he DID fail the test. So, why is he practicing? Also mentioned was that the test could have come up unknown, which would lead to a failed test. They feel this could not be a definate suspensoin and that the NFL could be looking into the test again.

SD Tribune says his appeal is for Nov 7 and he can play the next two weeks. Also said Philips may be back in two weeks. Optimistic news for Chargers fans....http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/charg...s24chnotes.html

I also saw in a different part of his interview that this is the same supplement he has been taking since the begining of his rookie year. He said he has passed a few other drug tests in that time.

 

[redman]

Just saw his interview on NFL Network.

I guess they are appealing it and he says he didn't take anything illegal. They all say that, but Faulk and Mooch made some good points afterwards. They said that the NFL HAS suspended him and he DID fail the test. So, why is he practicing? Also mentioned was that the test could have come up unknown, which would lead to a failed test. They feel this could not be a definate suspensoin and that the NFL could be looking into the test again.

SD Tribune says his appeal is for Nov 7 and he can play the next two weeks. Also said Philips may be back in two weeks. Optimistic news for Chargers fans....http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/charg...s24chnotes.html

I also saw in a different part of his interview that this is the same supplement he has been taking since the begining of his rookie year. He said he has passed a few other drug tests in that time.

They were also talking about this subject on a local (L.A.) sports talk radio show with D'Marco Farr. Farr was saying that this particular type of banned substance is more known as a track and field or sprinter's drug and the testing of it has been shaky enough in other sports that there have been successful challenges to positive tests. No, I don't have a link and I can't even remember the name of the drug (one of the "-ones") but just relaying what I've heard.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Merriman drops appeal (ESPN.com)

 

[spec1alk]

I wonder if the appeal was simply staged so that he could play against STL knowing that this coming week they face CLE who they should be able to beat without Merriman and then in week 10 they get Phillips back I believe.

 

[BoltBacker]

I wonder if the appeal was simply staged so that he could play against STL knowing that this coming week they face CLE who they should be able to beat without Merriman and then in week 10 they get Phillips back I believe.

"Staged" seems a bit strong. An appeal was his right. He exercised it. Also his right to drop the appeal. Again, he exercised it. I don't buy all the conspiracy angles. Why would he try so hard to play in a home game vs a non-conference opponent? This way he comes back for a game vs the Bills. If he had sat out vs STL then he'd been back in time for the OAK game. Meh, what does all this mean???? I just think after looking into the likelyhood he would win his appeal it probably looked to he and his agent as though he'd lose. Not sure what all the advantages are to playing in the STL game that everyone else is seeing. Yes, they won the STL game and he played a great game but I don't think he's the reason they won that game. If STL could have kept the game a little closer than LT would have just had more opportunities to do damage against a defense that had no answers for him all game long.

 

[massraider]

I wonder if the appeal was simply staged so that he could play against STL knowing that this coming week they face CLE who they should be able to beat without Merriman and then in week 10 they get Phillips back I believe.

"Staged" seems a bit strong. An appeal was his right. He exercised it. Also his right to drop the appeal. Again, he exercised it. I don't buy all the conspiracy angles. Why would he try so hard to play in a home game vs a non-conference opponent? This way he comes back for a game vs the Bills. If he had sat out vs STL then he'd been back in time for the OAK game. Meh, what does all this mean???? I just think after looking into the likelyhood he would win his appeal it probably looked to he and his agent as though he'd lose. Not sure what all the advantages are to playing in the STL game that everyone else is seeing. Yes, they won the STL game and he played a great game but I don't think he's the reason they won that game. If STL could have kept the game a little closer than LT would have just had more opportunities to do damage against a defense that had no answers for him all game long.

Oakland or St Louis. I'm sure they'd rather have him for STL. Division opponent or not, one team is decent, and one is not.not saying I buy that theory, but it seems like a reasonable strategy.

 

[onionsack]

"We're proud of the standup way Shawne has taken responsibility for the mistake he made. We have faith in Shawne Merriman and we have faith in the players on this team. The Chargers have been resilient all season long, and we will continue to be resilient. It's a tough lesson learned for Shawne about the world of supplements."

Oh, please. :X The "standup way Shawne has taken responsibility"?? You've gotta be kidding me. He didn't take responsibility at all and he continues to take none. He tried to make the ridiculous claim that somebody spiked his vitamins, and realized nobody who mattered was going to buy that nonsense. Palmeiro....Landis...Bonds...Merriman...I guess when you start with cheating, it's a pretty short trip to lying. Shame on them and the sycophants who condone their behavior.