Merriman has serious knee problems

by Deke on Aug 22, 2008 8:35 AM CDT Comment 16 comments

Shawne Merriman was in New York yesterday to see a specialist and was pondering seeing another doctor today, as he and his advisers attempt to gather enough information to decide when and if he will play this season.

“It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do,” Merriman said by phone. “If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out.”

Merriman's options for fixing what he said was a torn posterior cruciate ligament (among other issues) in his left knee range from doing nothing to having a surgery that would delay the start of his season to undergoing reconstructive surgery that would keep him out all season.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080822-9999-1s22chargers.html

I never like to hear about a player with a serious knee problem, especially a game changing player like Merriman that could cost him part of or all of a season or even shorten his career, whether they play for the cowboys or not. Merriman has already had orthroscopic surgery in March on his knee, now they are talking about a possible complete reconstructive surgery. That's never good to hear.

After the first two years in the league, some cowboy fans thought that taking Ware over merriman was a mistake, but with Phillips new defensive scheme and the strides that Ware has made in his game, I'm sure with the recent developments with merriman's serious knee problems, all cowboy fans are happy with our selection.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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I was never a fan of "lights out"

and wouldn’t trade Ware for him, but definitely a major blow to the Chargers and their D. Like Ware, coordinators had to game plan around him and if they don’t have to do that it makes things a lot tougher for the rest of the defense.

by bluewolf021 on Aug 22, 2008 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was a Ware guy the whole time

When I used to post over on the Ranch Report (before I found BTB) I was one of the few that got into VERY heated arguments with people over there that said we made a huge mistake. This was even before the Merriman steroids thing happened.

That’s one of the reasons that I don’t go back there anymore. The ‘fans’ over there are so wishy-washy.

I always thought that Ware was better. He’s just a complete linebacker. Merriman is a ferocious pass rusher. Ware can do it all. Stop the run, rush the passer, and even his coverage skills are superior.

I doubt that there’s very many Cowboy fans that would take Merriman over Ware now, but those first few years were rough for us true fans on message boards.

by mhuff13 on Aug 22, 2008 9:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

D Ware is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate

I contend his only competition if he has a year like last is Bob Sanders.

by tdships on Aug 22, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Steroids, man.

Problems like this are not uncommon for steroids monsters like Merriman. Sometimes it was the steroids that prevented them from being more injury prone, and many times it is too much muscle packed on to joints, ligaments, etc., too fast for the body to compensate. I still think that Merriman was the superior player at the time, as he was also credited with being good at stopping the run and covering the pass, as well as being a ferocious pass rusher. The big question is how much of that was fueled by the roids, and can his body hold up without them.

by Baked Potato Soup on Aug 22, 2008 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ask Barry Bonds

Same thing

Cowboys fan since 1978.. I was 3 years old

by Mullin on Aug 22, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 words

Maurice Jones-Drew

by Mandmeisterx on Aug 22, 2008 12:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL!

That #38 sure should wrap up!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Aug 22, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Merriman was always overrated anyways

now he’ll have an excuse when he plays poorly.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Aug 22, 2008 12:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Funny how people 2nd guess the Cowboys’ decision to draft Ware/Spears when rumors of steroid use have surrounded the college & pro careers of Merriman/Castillo.

Applause for staying with the “naturally” gifted players.

That #38 sure should wrap up!

by Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Aug 22, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

seems like he became injury prone after he got busted for roids, so,so,so glad we got D.WARE!

by bleedn blu on Aug 22, 2008 4:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

injury bug

Injury bug is biting pass rushers, both Merriman and Taylor suffered knee injuries..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Aug 24, 2008 9:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think merriman's season is over

It was reported yesterday that he now has two torn ligaments in his knee. I think it would be foolish for him to try to play this season. He needs to shut it down and get the surgery required to repair the damage. At this point if he tries to play, he’s risking his career with that knee. Someone needs to get that through his head, better to live to play another day than not play at all

by Deke on Aug 24, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs