The Voters Do The Right Thing: Taylor AP DPOY (1 Viewer)

[DanFouts]

Bottom line is that Merriman is a beast. Did he take an unapproved over the counter supplement that any Joe Schmoe can buy at GNC? Yes. Was there a chance that his batch was tainted? Yes.

But he was tested all rookie season too right??? And was he not a beast then as well??

I think the fact that he missed 4 games, and still dominated stats is the proof.

I guarantee opposing offenses are more scared of Merriman than Taylor.....

and yes.....

 

[Gr00vus]

Congrats to Taylor, I think he deserved it this year as much as anybody.

There'll be other years for Shawne. It might work to his advantage (not winning this year) actually since a win would have strengthened the connection between him and the illegal substance. If he wins in future years it will have less of the "cheating" stigma attached as long as he doesn't fail anymore tests. Though I'm sure there will always be those who will assume he's always on something from here on out. I might be one of those actually. And we might be right.

 

[JBTV]

Taylor - 60 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, 2 ints, 9 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 TD's.

Merriman - 62 total tackles, 17 sacks, 1 int, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 0 TD's.

The only stat Merriman clearly has the advantage in is sacks, and you could argue that since SD opponents were forced to throw more (41 more attempts, and SD team recorded 14 more sacks than Miami) that is a little bit to be expected. Taylor owns in forced fumbles, doubled his fumble recoveries, and scored 2 TD's.

So I think to say "Merriman's number were better with 4 less games" is a little on the misleading side, since Taylor had the clear advantage in big plays.

 

[Billy Ball Thorton]

All I'm saying is that Merriman had more tackles and more sacks that Taylor despite playing 4 fewer games and on steroids.

It's quite obvious who the most dominant defensive player on steroids in NFL is, and it isn't Jason Taylor.

This schtick is tired.

I have had direct contact with people who use Steroids and understand how it works. Most Steroids will stay in the system a while. My question is how many games had SM played prior to the posotive test. I would assume he had more then one when he was sauced up. This would give him a HUGE advantage in strenght and stamina. (Assuming they are not all on it) It's not just strenght that comes with the teritory. You get

*Far superior Strength ( only one who has done steriods understands just how freeky it is)

*It will change a person mindset. You believe you are unstoppable. And your intensity with all aspect of life increase 10 fold.

-For example- Scientist once did a test on a den of lions and took the weakest lion that was bullied and not allowed to mate. Injected him with test and over a 12 week period that lion became the most feared. To watch his mindset change was amazing. It then showed 8 mo later and he was the weakest .

*Your stamina is insane* Same thing they always worry about in the (Tour De France) this equals being much fresher in the 4th quater than anyone else.

Once a person finishes a cycle the benifit of that cycle can last up to 8 months. It's a evry slow tapering proccess especially for someone who continues to work out. So to believe he is not still reaping the bennys from his cycle is nieve.

I think he is a great player, but to think he will dominate next year in the same manner (as this year) is silly. Do not under estimate the power of Steriods. I cannot think of a sport it is more taylor made for.

 

[thayman]

I'm not a SD homer. But I am a Maryland homer, and I love Merriman. However to all you Merriman supporters, you CAN'T vote for him the message it sends with the steroids conviction is huge to kids. Even if he was innocent, he still took it on the chin (which I do respect) and came back strong.

The message that sends out to kids is horrible. If you give him DPOY I personally believe you are validating steriod use.

 

[Gr00vus]

I'm not a SD homer. But I am a Maryland homer, and I love Merriman. However to all you Merriman supporters, you CAN'T vote for him the message it sends with the steroids conviction is huge to kids. Even if he was innocent, he still took it on the chin (which I do respect) and came back strong.The message that sends out to kids is horrible. If you give him DPOY I personally believe you are validating steriod use.

Do you really think kids are cognizant of who wins DPOY? I really don't think so. Kids will see him playing on Sundays and all his big hits on the highlight reels - that's how he'll influence them, if at all. If SD goes anywhere in the playoffs, he'll reach about a gazillion times more childens' concsiousnesses than he would if he won the next 100 DPOY awards. Winning or not winning DPOY will have zero effect on children. It's enough with the "think of the children" meme already.

 

[thayman]

I'm not a SD homer. But I am a Maryland homer, and I love Merriman. However to all you Merriman supporters, you CAN'T vote for him the message it sends with the steroids conviction is huge to kids. Even if he was innocent, he still took it on the chin (which I do respect) and came back strong.The message that sends out to kids is horrible. If you give him DPOY I personally believe you are validating steriod use.

Do you really think kids are cognizant of who wins DPOY? I really don't think so. Kids will see him playing on Sundays and all his big hits on the highlight reels - that's how he'll influence them, if at all. If SD goes anywhere in the playoffs, he'll reach about a gazillion times more childens' concsiousnesses than he would if he won the next 100 DPOY awards. Winning or not winning DPOY will have zero effect on children.

I think it strongly effects the borderline player. The high school sophmore, or junior who is trying to make the team you validate it, you make it ok by giving him an award. Steroids is an issue and you can never get rid of it. But at the same time you do have a moral obligation to at least throw a bone out, at least make it seem like there is some kind of penalty.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think it strongly effects the borderline player. The high school sophmore, or junior who is trying to make the team you validate it, you make it ok by giving him an award. Steroids is an issue and you can never get rid of it. But at the same time you do have a moral obligation to at least throw a bone out, at least make it seem like there is some kind of penalty.

Oh, we're talking about teens/young adults, not children here, my mistake. In that case, the ship has already sailed. Guys winning awards aren't going to have much influence on their decision I'm afraid. The body of knowledge available to them from all points on the map will tell them that there is much to be gained by taking roids. The biggest influence on them will be other people in their own locker room or in the opposing locker room and whatever pressure they feel to succeed no matter what the cost. Who wins DPOY in the NFL is a tiny reference point that virtually gets lost in the noise.And as mentioned before, there was "some kind of penalty." The fact that it's a pretty insignificant penalty gives the lie to the NFL and player association's real stance on performance enhancing drugs. Depending on a bunch of writers to withhold a pretty insignificant award (who even won it last year?), isn't really sending much of a message to the youth of today in my book.

 

[thayman]

I think it strongly effects the borderline player. The high school sophmore, or junior who is trying to make the team you validate it, you make it ok by giving him an award. Steroids is an issue and you can never get rid of it. But at the same time you do have a moral obligation to at least throw a bone out, at least make it seem like there is some kind of penalty.

Oh, we're talking about teens/young adults, not children here, my mistake. In that case, the ship has already sailed. Guys winning awards aren't going to have much influence on their decision I'm afraid. The body of knowledge available to them from all points on the map will tell them that there is much to be gained by taking roids. The biggest influence on them will be other people in their own locker room or in the opposing locker room and whatever pressure they feel to succeed no matter what the cost. Who wins DPOY in the NFL is a tiny reference point that virtually gets lost in the noise.And as mentioned before, there was "some kind of penalty." The fact that it's a pretty insignificant penalty gives the lie to the NFL and player association's real stance on performance enhancing drugs. Depending on a bunch of writers to withhold a pretty insignificant award (who even won it last year?), isn't really sending much of a message to the youth of today in my book.

Well teens/young adults are among your most impressionable young athletes out there, if you or I are sitting in a locker room as a borderline starter looking to get noticed by scouts, looking to pull some sort of scholarship you look at all the profesional athletes that are taking roids and I can easily see how the thought of taking steroids is the only way you can make it in the pros.I also agree with you that the "penalty" is hardly there. Different topic but all pro sports are soft on steroids, I think that the only way things will/could change is when you get your sports writers in on it. Like in this case, hold it against them when it comes to awards such as this.

 

[yetiknight]

Just my opinion, but Jason Taylor was out of his mind all year. Stats don't even tell all of the story. Against the Chiefs he only had one tackle, but he was causing havoc all day. He blew up two or three screen plays that would have been huge gains for LJ. He was in the backfield constantly. All the time, he was drawing two to three blockers.

Merriman was just as dominant. Not more, and definately not less. So it comes down to the suspension.

 

[Despyzer]

His 2006 totals have an (*) next to it because he tested positive for steroids.

Link? I've looked at quite a few stats pages and have yet to see this.

 

[Despyzer]

You guys realize Linebackers get more tackles than Defensive Linemen right? Actually Merrimans tackle numbers are very unimpressive for a LB and Taylors are quite impressive for a DL. It's like saying that Justin Fargas is better than Peyton Manning cause he has more rush yards.

You don't actually believe what you just posted, do you?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman feels he should have been the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year over Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. "If anybody can honestly say they've performed as well as I have while I've been on the field..." Merriman said. "You even take the four games away and I still outperformed a lot of guys." Merriman missed four games as a result of a positive steroids test. "I don't think it was my suspension that cost me the votes," Merriman added. "I think it's that I didn't play the full 16 games is what the people have something over me."

Pfft, someone should tell Merriman that he was the 3rd best defensive player, at best, this year, behind Taylor and Bailey.

 

[trader jake]

Lot of nonsense in this thread. It's time to pay the piper. PFT has some nice then and now Merriman pics up right now.

pics link

Jason Taylor's comment from last season were correct. That must have been some tainted sample.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Lot of nonsense in this thread. It's time to pay the piper. PFT has some nice then and now Merriman pics up right now.

pics link

Jason Taylor's comment from last season were correct. That must have been some tainted sample.

Wow

 

[Despyzer]

pics link

If there were a third photo that was shot from either further away just think how convinced we would be.

 

[mad sweeney]

pics link

If there were a third photo that was shot from either further away just think how convinced we would be.

While there are some differences you can tell, particularly his neck in relation to his head, the second photo is not the same distance and lens as the first so it can't be taken as that dramatic of a difference. So take the differences relatively, not definitvely.I will say that his play has been down this year, as has the entire SD team. So again let's not jump to conclusions. He passed many many tests before and after his one positive. Many many players have failed a supplement test and continued to perform at a high level. If the whole defense except him were playing well then I could see making more of a deal about it, but since the whole team is underperforming I can't pin it on the alleged steroid violation. Remember it was never proven to be anabolic steroids, just a banned substance. It could have been something like ephedrine. I don't know if it's the new DC, Norv, or a hangover from last year, but the whole team is not the same, not just Merriman. And I have a vested interest in Merriman's substance use since I really thought that Tatupu deserved DROY a lot more than Merriman after he not only started his rookie year but QBed the D to be a top unit and was key in their SB run.

 

[trader jake]

pics link

If there were a third photo that was shot from either further away just think how convinced we would be.

While there are some differences you can tell, particularly his neck in relation to his head, the second photo is not the same distance and lens as the first so it can't be taken as that dramatic of a difference. So take the differences relatively, not definitvely.I will say that his play has been down this year, as has the entire SD team. So again let's not jump to conclusions. He passed many many tests before and after his one positive. Many many players have failed a supplement test and continued to perform at a high level. If the whole defense except him were playing well then I could see making more of a deal about it, but since the whole team is underperforming I can't pin it on the alleged steroid violation. Remember it was never proven to be anabolic steroids, just a banned substance. It could have been something like ephedrine. I don't know if it's the new DC, Norv, or a hangover from last year, but the whole team is not the same, not just Merriman. And I have a vested interest in Merriman's substance use since I really thought that Tatupu deserved DROY a lot more than Merriman after he not only started his rookie year but QBed the D to be a top unit and was key in their SB run.

Do you always bury your head in the sand?Before: hit hit on Priest Holmes (that he just came back from) After: his hit on Maurice Jones-Drew yesterday

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

Merriman is better than Taylor again this year. Why did it this thread get bumped?

 

[Despyzer]

Lot of nonsense in this thread. It's time to pay the piper. PFT has some nice then and now Merriman pics up right now.

pics link

Jason Taylor's comment from last season were correct. That must have been some tainted sample.

Wow

This is an excellent response. Now that PFT has admitted that the photos were doctored, all of those people who were fished in by this have to be feeling as naive as those who actually believed Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast was real.

 

[swirvenirvin]

pics link

If there were a third photo that was shot from either further away just think how convinced we would be.

WRONG

 

[fatness]

Now that PFT has admitted that the photos were doctored, all of those people who were fished in by this have to be feeling as naive as those who actually believed Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast was real.

From PFT, for those who haven't read it:

POSTED 9:21 p.m. EST, November 19, 2007

MERRIMAN PHOTO WAS DOCTORED . . . BY THE CHARGERS?

We think we've finally figured out the mystery of the Merriman photo. It was doctored. But not by us. Or by anyone looking to discredit Merriman. Instead, it was doctored by the Chargers, or by the league.

Merriman, as you might recall, stayed away from the Chargers' offseason workouts and minicamps in 2005, supposedly because he didn't like the terms of the team's injury guarantee. But a headshot was needed, and it appears that Merriman's head and neck were grafted onto the body of the headshot generated by defensive tackle Jamal Williams.

Jamal Williams pictureMerriman fake picture (his head on Williams's body)

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Surprised anyone needed a newsbreak to realize it was fake. Look at where his neck meets his jersey - obviously/poorly photshopped.

 

[DanFouts]

Awesome thread! LOL......

Lot of Merriman haters!

 

[weasel3515]

Maybe Merriman out to get on the 'roids again, he hasn't been worth crap since his suspension.

 

[mad sweeney]

pics link

If there were a third photo that was shot from either further away just think how convinced we would be.

While there are some differences you can tell, particularly his neck in relation to his head, the second photo is not the same distance and lens as the first so it can't be taken as that dramatic of a difference. So take the differences relatively, not definitvely.I will say that his play has been down this year, as has the entire SD team. So again let's not jump to conclusions. He passed many many tests before and after his one positive. Many many players have failed a supplement test and continued to perform at a high level. If the whole defense except him were playing well then I could see making more of a deal about it, but since the whole team is underperforming I can't pin it on the alleged steroid violation. Remember it was never proven to be anabolic steroids, just a banned substance. It could have been something like ephedrine. I don't know if it's the new DC, Norv, or a hangover from last year, but the whole team is not the same, not just Merriman. And I have a vested interest in Merriman's substance use since I really thought that Tatupu deserved DROY a lot more than Merriman after he not only started his rookie year but QBed the D to be a top unit and was key in their SB run.

Do you always bury your head in the sand?Before: hit hit on Priest Holmes (that he just came back from) After: his hit on Maurice Jones-Drew yesterday

Check out the doctored pics link a few posts up and get back to me. MJD has one of the most powerful lower bodies in the league, that hit would lay out almost anyone under 300 lbs. But go ahead and keep believeing a doctored PFT report if you want, then call me the ostrich.

 

[tommyGunZ]

And we've already covered how ill-informed you are on how steroids work, so I guess it's pointless to once again point out that just because you stop taking steroids on Monday does not mean that you're back to normal on Tuesday...but I'll point it out again anyway.

Bump - it looks like you're the one who's "ill-informed".

A study scheduled to be released Wednesday and obtained by USA TODAY reports that 13 of the 52 supplements (25%) purchased at various U.S. retailers contained small amounts of steroids and six (11.5%) had banned stimulants.

The study was overseen by Informed-Choice, a non-profit coalition of dietary supplements. Testing was conducted by HFL, a lab approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency and located in England.

"We were very surprised by these results," said Dave Hall, CEO of HFL.

A study by the International Olympic Committee conducted from 2000 to 2002 showed 18.8% of the 240 supplements purchased in the USA contained steroids.

You can read the IOC report here http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hfl-supplem...arch-report.pdf