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Published on 08/22/2008 at Fri Aug 22 12:00.
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Merriman’s Knee, TV Gig Give Chargers Headaches

Posted Fri Aug 22nd by

Cutler vs. Merriman

Shawne Merriman has been causing the Broncos headaches for years now. It’s nice to see him returning the favor to his own team.

After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in March, Merriman admits that he has lingering knee issues. He’s also agreed to an in-season TV deal that has the Chargers front office apparently frustrated.

First, the knee pain. The injury forced Merriman to visit with famed specialist Dr. James Andrews, and rumor has it he and the team will have to make a tough decision about his long term and short term status on the field.

The Chargers and Merriman are weighing their options involving the degree and intrusiveness of surgery Merriman should pursue. Merriman reportedly has a torn PCL and/or loose ligaments in his knee. A thorough, reconstructive knee surgery may be required, which would leave Merriman sidelined for the entire 2008 season. The other option is that he undergo another minor arthroscopic knee surgery, allowing him to play within a few weeks, possibly by the season opener.

The fact that the team is weighing these options at all implies that the more intrusive procedure is needed, and that the team is looking to the scope as a temporary band-aid that would delay the major work until after the season. Again, that’s just speculation, but seems to be a given based on the information.


In the midst of all this, Merriman is causing the Chargers headaches off the field. He just agreed to a landmark TV deal with Fox Sports Net that will involve weekly pre-game analysis in Los Angeles. Fox Sports Net has said that it will be “the first time a current player has served in a full-time capacity for any national pregame studio show for any sport,” according to the LA Times.

The TV deal has not made Chargers GM A.J. Smith happy, leaving this statement for reporters:

“My feeling about any of his off-the-field activities will be between me and Shawne. Shawne has many, many activities off the field, and that’s his business, along with his agents, marketing people, publicist and business partners. My only hope is that he remembers his high-level football performance is what drives his off-the-field attraction.”

Any headache the Chargers are suffering is always music to my ears. Of course I’m hopeful that Merriman won’t be ready for the Week 2 bout with the Broncos – he’s a good player who makes them better. Hoping this parade continues is just a bonus.

I’m full of confidence with my Broncos right now, especially after seeing this improved offensive line, and think a recipe for a shocking upset in Week 2 is brewing.

Photo credit AP/Jack Dempsey

  • http://birty.blogspot.com mikebirty

    Do you Americans only have one doctor for the entire country? It seems like everyone goes to see Dr Andrews ;)

  • Brian

    Can you say “LIghts out for 2008” or is that just wishful thinking?

  • ryan k

    How can you be predicting upset over the Chargers with that weak D-line we have right now? I hate to be negative, I am as big a Bronco fan as anyone else, but I just don’t see how we win unless we can stop LT OR put some pressure on Rivers.

    I love the way the offense is looking, but I think we might be a little bit like the Bengals a few years ago; great offense shabby defense. I hope I am wrong but this is just what I have seen so far.

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    A shabby defense is the kind of defense where your best cornerback is Deltha O’Neal.

    I think our DL is going to be a lot better than last year. There’s a lot to get excited about. Remember, D-Rob and Marcus Thomas got some push against the Cowboys first string O-Line. That’s one of the harder lines to get push against.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    Ryan, let’s see what you think after the Green Bay game tonight… I think we’re going to tear them up. Look out GB! :)

  • Jason

    yeah, if Thomas can frustrate the dallas oline enough for them to get violent I think there is something to look forward to. I even saw Moss collapse the back side of a running play to get to the ball carrier in the opener.
    I see nothing but improvement on the Dline so far and I hope moss steps up to replace engel… engle… John as the starter sometime this season.

  • ryan k

    Jonathan, I am hopeful for tonight and would be more than happy to change my tune if Thomas and Robertson can hold it down for three quarters. Honestly, it might be that I am still scorned after all the hype that went on last year with Bates and our D-line that was supposed to dominate.