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Hell no - I'll be rooting for 4-0, but things are looking a bit tougher than they were a month or two ago. Too many missed reps by too many people for the start of the season to go as smoothly as we would like. We already know Cooper and Hardwick will be out for the first few games at least. If Gates isn't 100% and Merriman misses time there could be some struggles.Are you booking some action for 2-2?
he adds such a huge dimension to the D I hate to think of the bolts without him, even though in the games he's missed they have a decent record. I think PCL is the ligament you want to hurt if your going to hurt one correct?
Yeah they are speculating that Merriman walks in 09 in the Union Tribune. I wouldn't want to see that, but at the same time I have more trust in AJ Smith than I do any player on the roster.
AJ is no dummy, he'll franchise him till the cows come home if they want to keep him
I just don't think he's going to fit into the salary structure - they've got a lot of guys to sign in the next few years. I'd expect the next big contracts to go to Rivers, Cromartie and McNeil in that order - not a ton of room to give Merriman the payday he's going to be looking for. A.J. has been stockpiling depth at OLB for a reason. Plus Merriman's been a bit unsavory at times. I think when end of year 2009 rolls around Merriman will be the most "replacable."Then again with the whole owner/player deal getting trashed, who knows.
So I think I did indeed Gunz things here. I'm now not as optimistic about the Chargers' chances this year - it just seems like there are too many question marks now.There's the obvious stuff like the Merriman thing, the big hole at ILB with the Cooper suspension, and Hardwick being out.Just those things cause ripples that will be problematic, but lets think about some other stuff too:LaDainain hasn't seen any game action since repairing his knee. We all have been assuming he'll be the same old LaDainian, but what if???Rivers seems o.k. after all his knee problems, and mobility isn't his thing anyway, but still...Gates while cleared to practice still has pain in the toe and is limited...This will be the 1st year as a starter for Weddle at safety, and there's not much behind him and Hart...It looks like they'll be breaking in a couple of rookies as situational RBs...Clary looks like he's regressed since last year (to human turn-style proportions) for whatever reason and the right side of the O line has been a disaster so far this summer...McNeil who has an ongoing back condition is already sitting out because of neck stingers which I'd like to think are two unrelated things, but the neck bone is connected to the back bone...There's no quality depth on the offensive line that I can see right now, particularly at the T positions...The run D looks very soft up front and I think Jamal Williams is becoming a shadow of his former self...Those are a lot of meatballs to have up in the air going into a season where this team is expected to seriously contend for a championship. I think it's too much to overcome. I'm reducing expectations to being happy if they manage to return to the AFC championship game again this year. It may even be the window has closed.How's that for some pessimism - I'd like to think I've made BSS proud with it.Anyway, maybe we'll get a few answers to these questions tonight. I'll definitely be paying more attention to the trenches than I usually do to see if there are any sparks.Folks I'm going to Gunz it here and say I think this is the Chargers' year....Yeah I'm abut it just seems like it's their time, all the pieces are in place. This is a really, really good team, I think far and away the best Charger team ever.
LOLStill going to win the division and hopefully get a bye.I'd rather be healthy in January than September this seasonMy biggest concern is ILB and Oline. I think INDY has a ton of ? right now and NE while not as many as SD or Indy has their far share.So I think I did indeed Gunz things here. I'm now not as optimistic about the Chargers' chances this year - it just seems like there are too many question marks now.There's the obvious stuff like the Merriman thing, the big hole at ILB with the Cooper suspension, and Hardwick being out.Just those things cause ripples that will be problematic, but lets think about some other stuff too:LaDainain hasn't seen any game action since repairing his knee. We all have been assuming he'll be the same old LaDainian, but what if???Rivers seems o.k. after all his knee problems, and mobility isn't his thing anyway, but still...Gates while cleared to practice still has pain in the toe and is limited...This will be the 1st year as a starter for Weddle at safety, and there's not much behind him and Hart...It looks like they'll be breaking in a couple of rookies as situational RBs...Clary looks like he's regressed since last year (to human turn-style proportions) for whatever reason and the right side of the O line has been a disaster so far this summer...McNeil who has an ongoing back condition is already sitting out because of neck stingers which I'd like to think are two unrelated things, but the neck bone is connected to the back bone...There's no quality depth on the offensive line that I can see right now, particularly at the T positions...The run D looks very soft up front and I think Jamal Williams is becoming a shadow of his former self...Those are a lot of meatballs to have up in the air going into a season where this team is expected to seriously contend for a championship. I think it's too much to overcome. I'm reducing expectations to being happy if they manage to return to the AFC championship game again this year. It may even be the window has closed.How's that for some pessimism - I'd like to think I've made BSS proud with it.Anyway, maybe we'll get a few answers to these questions tonight. I'll definitely be paying more attention to the trenches than I usually do to see if there are any sparks.Folks I'm going to Gunz it here and say I think this is the Chargers' year....Yeah I'm abut it just seems like it's their time, all the pieces are in place. This is a really, really good team, I think far and away the best Charger team ever.
I think Tucker got banged up last night too
they said after the game he just bruised his foot and he is ok.as for ILB, it will be the early season crux of the team. Carolina is going to run it at us hard, the boys better start tackling a whole lot better in 2 weeks.
And Hardwick. That is 4 probowlers not playing, and the offense still looks good to go. Also they are reporting on the UT Form that Merriman is going to play Week 1 and not shut it down. We shall see how it goes.Gr00vus said:
I find it disconcerting that there still doesn't seem to be any time table for Hardwick's return. I'm not planning on him contributing any time soon.As for the Merriman thing, I'm thinking he should shut it down and have the surgery. It's a big loss, but I'm rooting for him to fix the thing and start recovery ASAP. Otherwise I wouldn't expect a 100% Merriman on the field, and who knows how much less it'll actually be, all the while risking his career. He got the injury on a dirty play by the Titans in the first place - you really think people aren't going to keep going after him now? After three successive exams resulting in the same advice, I don't really care what a 4th exam says given under the duress of knowing that the client wants to hear that he's o.k. to play this season.
Im not that worried abou Hardwick, we have a servicable center in newberry. It's RT Im worried about, maybe when McNeil is back, they bench cleary and start shelton
Clary did very well last night, I can't recall one F'up on his part. I think he's going to be there for at least the 1st half of the season or so, and I'd like to see him thrive as I don't think there's any long term potential with Shelton.
Basic question with Merriman's knee. If they think he hurt it in Dec last year, and I believe they went in there in the offseason to clean up that knee. How is it that they missed that 2 ligmaents were torn? I'd assume they would do a MRI in advance just to check everything out? Is there a reason that they dont't run MRI's on all players as a year end off season physical. If they catch this in Feb, there's a good shot he's ready to go for the season. I'd think they have so much money invested in players that the cost to run these tests would be small in comparison.
yep he's doneFrom the nuts 'n bolts of today's SD Union Tribune:
WTF?!?! When do we get some good news around here?
Another article mentioned that the doctor Merriman saw in Miami gave him the same info as all the other ones he's seen - strike four? Sit this one out Shawne.
I wonder who takes his spot on the roster. I'm thinking Applewhite (I thought he was practice squad last year), but who knows. You read the back and forth about trying to get Seau in on the trib chargers forum? Pretty funny stuff in there. I don't know that it'd be such a terrible idea, seems like he can still stop the run pretty well, though he can't cover much anymore. Was there much animosity between him and management when he left? I'd imagine they weren't too happy with the retirement/"graduation" thing that happened.yep he's doneFrom the nuts 'n bolts of today's SD Union Tribune:
WTF?!?! When do we get some good news around here?
Another article mentioned that the doctor Merriman saw in Miami gave him the same info as all the other ones he's seen - strike four? Sit this one out Shawne.
Unsmart. I'd like to assume he's risking his career for the sake of the team, which is nice, but it seems like a bad decision. I hope his capabilities aren't reduced to the extent it hurts the team. I'd like to think they'd tell him to shut it down if it came to that. I hope the organization isn't pushing him to play through this - that would be seriously low class. Nothing I've read or heard has indicated that, so I'll assume that's not the case.He may as well paint a big red target on his knee brace while he's at it.
to Merriman. How ever it turns out its a selfless act by the team's defensive emotional leader.
I'm not 100% sure of that actually.
I don't see another possibility. It's definitely in his best interests to get paid while medding up from surgery than it is to try and play this season.I'm not 100% sure of that actually.to Merriman. How ever it turns out its a selfless act by the team's defensive emotional leader.
He's a FA at the end of 2009. Let's say he misses 2008 with surgery. He rehabs, who knows how long or how far back he'll come. Maybe he can't go to start 2009, maybe he can but he's limited. His FA stock would have to take a hit. It could cost him some money. There's also the fact that he'll be out of the limelight for an entire season - not good for PR and another possible hit to the bank account.Let's say the Chargers win it all without him. Not only will he have missed out on a championship run, the team will also have learned there's life without Shawne. Can't help him at the negotiation table.I don't see another possibility. It's definitely in his best interests to get paid while medding up from surgery than it is to try and play this season.I'm not 100% sure of that actually.to Merriman. How ever it turns out its a selfless act by the team's defensive emotional leader.
He played in the 1st game against Dallas. The starting D looked bad in that one - Dallas basically ran them right over and helped fuel the Felix Jones the preseason hype of 2 weeks ago.I like the new nickname though. I wonder if he can figure out a dance for it...
and Divens got signed by BMore. Overall though these kinds of signings are to be expected. I am happy Applewhite made it through to the PS. Still he can get signed by anyone at anytime. He looks to have some decent potential.
Carl Nicks named first team all-pro yesterday. Not pro-bowl, ALL-PRO. Slow burn.... thank heavens we moved up in the draft to land Jacob Hester that year.
