Merriman to play this season (1 Viewer)

[massraider]

Found this quote in Peter King's MMQB column:

Quote of the Week I

"He will very quickly find out he's not the player he should be. I hope he figures it out before there is irreversible damage."

--Dr. Neal ElAttrache, director of sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, discussing how Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman will feel this season while playing with two partially torn knee ligaments. He also said Merriman will feel instability during games.

My question, to Charger fans: Was this one of the doctors that Merriman saw, or is this a guy looking for a microphone, and talking out his culo?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I was just pointing out that he has already played with his knee in its current state for 5 games ( 2 regular season and 3 playoff). Some people appear to be under the impression that this is a new injury.

Six games if you include the Pro Bowl. Seven if you include the preseason game against Dallas.His PCL was torn early in his rookie year. His LCL was torn last season against Tennessee. (And to address someone's point above, "torn" includes just being loose.)I don't know what kind of risk Merriman is taking. He has a lot more information than I do, so I'm in no position to second-guess him. But it's clear that he can play at a high level with his knee in its current state. He's already done it a bunch of times. We'll see how long it lasts . . .

Hines Ward hasnt had an ACL since high school.The knee adapts over time and heals.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Found this quote in Peter King's MMQB column:

Quote of the Week I

"He will very quickly find out he's not the player he should be. I hope he figures it out before there is irreversible damage."

--Dr. Neal ElAttrache, director of sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, discussing how Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman will feel this season while playing with two partially torn knee ligaments. He also said Merriman will feel instability during games.

My question, to Charger fans: Was this one of the doctors that Merriman saw, or is this a guy looking for a microphone, and talking out his culo?

Merriman has already played in seven games (five real ones, plus the Pro Bowl and a preseason game) with his knee in exactly the same state it's in right now. And he looked pretty darn good in the five real games.He may re-injure it. But any statement that he can't play effectively like this seems to have already been refuted before it was made.

 

[supa mann]

I am shocked at the number of people calling this guy a moron, an idiot and all sorts of names. Is it the smartest decision in the world? No. Hard to argue that this is a good decision in any way, but can people give this guy some credit for being one HECK of a teammate and for sticking his neck on the line when a lot of players wouldn't?

I've heard several former players calling him crazy and telling him it's a terrible move. Easy for them to all pile on, when many of them did the same thing. I think I agree with Golic more than anyone, who basically says "we all did it, we would all do it again, even knowing what we know now". Would Mark Schlereth really go back in time and NOT play and opt for surgery instead? I doubt it.

I say give this guy a hand for being a true teammate (and I am not saying you can only be a true teammate if you ill advisidely ignore doctor's warnings). He's risking his career, possibly millions of dollars and all he has to gain from it is helping his team win, NOW. I say that takes more courage and faith in your team than many of us could ever say we had.

In a world where players are spoiled and many are whiny tools, I think this guy deserves an ovation. Don't applaud him for his decision making, fine. But don't knock the guy or call him a moron for caring about his team this much.