Shawn Merriman: Dumb Decision to Play

Shawn Merriman, the star-studded linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, decided to play football this season despite having massive knee troubles. He has a torn PCL(Posterior Cruciate Ligament), and a torn LCL(Lateral Cruciate Ligament), effectively making his knee one dimensional. The only main support left in his knee is the ACL, and if you know anything about knees, the ACL is pretty vulnerable especially when it's the only ligament keeping him walking around.

There is no way that he is physically capable of playing football in the NFL this season. Four doctors have recommended surgery (and while I'm no doctor, I recommend surgery as well), and this seems to not play a part in his decision. I've had knee surgery(on ACL), and one thing I can say right off the bat is that there is no way he can compete at a high level. One twist or juke on him, and his knee is going to blow out, rendering his season over completely.

So why is he playing? There are two theories that I've come up with that can rationalize this ridiculous decision. The first theory is that he is only playing to show the fans of San Diego that he really wants to play football, endure pain and suffer so that he can bring a championship to the city. Playing with essentially 1 and 1/3 of a knee would be classified as doing your best to fight for that elusive super bowl ring.

The second theory is that he is just plain stupid. No one in their right mind would try to play professional football, especially a linebacker who has to make lateral movements to be effective. Even if he has able to make the plays, it will be impossible for him to play at the level that we know Mr. Merriman can play, so why even bother? Also, he only has 2 years left on his contract, this year and the next year. Next year is the year that is really critical to getting paid, so he should take this year off, and be healthy for next year to try and get a long term contract and get paid.

What will happen is that he'll play one game, and go down hard with a big time knee injury(real or not), and end his season. He'll then get surgery on his knee and come back to play the following year and get his long term contract, and hopefully some common sense too.