Merriman Playing Despite Injury
Shawne Merriman is going to need surgery at some point, that is clear, but if he has the decision, it won’t be this season. Merriman has two torn ligaments in his knee, but he has decided to forgo surgery in order to play this season. He told reporters, “To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football. That’s what it comes down to. I know what’s on the table, I know what’s on the line. I put a lot of work in this and I want to play.”
The injury is reportedly from a game in December against the Tennessee Titans. He made the decision after consulting four different doctors about his options. The outside linebacker will be an incredible asset to the Chargers this season as the team is already looking to the Super Bowl. Merriman is a Pro Bowler who is known for his hard hits and even harder work ethic. Merriman is expected to return for the Chargers opening game on September 7 against the Carolina Panthers. Teammates are glad to have Merriman back and will need him in their run for the championship. See him play this season live by getting San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Turner Pleased With Offensive Effort
The biggest stories from Monday night’s 18-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks may have been Malcolm Floyd and Darren Sproles, but coach Norv Turner has a different perspective. He saw stars both on the offensive line and quarterback Phillip Rivers. He praised L.J. Shelton on the line and his ability to step up in a time of need. Of Rivers, he told Casey Pearce, “I was excited and very pleased about the way Philip moved around. I think that’s the biggest test you have when you’re coming off the type of surgery that Philip had. Can you move with that naturalness, that fluidness, and be your old self sitting in the pocket and throwing and doing the things we do in practice?”
With a tough team like the Seahawks, it took everything in San Diego’s arsenal to eek out the win. The starters are unlikely to see much playing time in the last preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, so this last game was a good chance to see the starting lineup at work before the regular season kicks off on September 7. With a few key players coming off of injuries and the possibility that Shawne Merriman will not be playing, the Chargers will need to come out, well, charging in order to strike fear in the hearts of their league opponents. Don’t miss the action and get your San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Floyd Pulls In Final Catch For Win
With only minutes remaining in the match against the Seattle Seahawks last night, the San Diego Chargers were down 17-10. In a dramatic finish, the Bolts both scored a touchdown and nailed a two point conversion to win the game 18-17. The final two point conversion happened by way of a pass to Malcolm Floyd from quarterback Billy Volek. Floyd told reporters, “Coach Turner made the perfect call and Billy threw it in just the right place. It’s always good to win.”
Floyd also had two other catches for a total of 37 yards. The Seahawks were the first to score in the game and did so within a minute of the opening kickoff. The Chargers tied it up in the second quarter off of a short gain by Darren Sproles. Closer to the end of the half, the Chargers took the lead 10-7 when Nate Kaeding nailed a 40-yard field goal. Seattle tried to retake the lead after halftime, but the Chargers forced them to settle for a tying field goal after making it all the way to the six yard line. The Chargers did make it into the end zone in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for the inspired final play by the Chargers. See the highlights for yourself next time by getting San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Merriman’s Return Debated as Bolds Face Seahawks
The San Diego Chargers are looking forward to their game tonight against the Seattle Seahawks, but the Bolts will have to take the field minus linebacker Shawne Merriman. It was announced that Merriman has tears in two ligaments in his knee, the posterior cruciate ligament and the lateral collateral ligament. Surgery has been recommended by a couple of doctors already, but it is reported that Merriman is seeking a third opinion. Even with the recommendations, Merriman told Casey Pearce about his intentions to play the opening game against the Carolina panthers saying, “That’s first and foremost. That’s what I want to do. That’s why this decision is even out there still and not already made. The question is what should I do. There are a thousand different options at this point and I’m just trying to make the best one.”
Without Merriman, the Chargers will have their hands full with the Seahawks today. The teams have met eight times before in the preseason with the Seahawks on top 5-3. The team met in the first preseason game of 2007 with the Seahawks on top 24-16. Like other games, this clash of the colossi should be an interesting one. Watch it and then get your San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com to see regular season action.
Merriman Reports Ligament Damage
Bad news on Shawne Merriman. The Pro Bowler found out yesterday that he has a loose ligament in the knee that he had surgery on five months ago. The diagnosis comes from Dr. James Andrews in Alabama, who performed the surgery. Merriman returned to Andrews after having consistent pain in his knee during practice. It has not yet been revealed what the outside linebacker will do, but the diagnosis certainly isn’t positive for San Diego Chargers fans.
Merriman has been a huge contributor for the Chargers since he joined the team in 2005. He has been invited to Pro Bowls every one of the three years he has been in the league. He has started in at least ten games every season. His first season with the Chargers, he tallied 10 sacks and increased that to 17 in 2006. He had 12.5 sacks last season. He had 57 tackles in 2005 and upped his stats every year, tallying 62 in 2006 and 68 in 2007. With stats like that, losing Merriman for even part of the season will be a tremendous blow to the Chargers’ defense.
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Merriman Gets Knee Examined
Although the reports out of the San Diego Chargers camp are saying that there is nothing to worry about with linebacker Shawne Merriman, he went to the doctor on Wednesday about his knee. This is the same knee that he had surgery on only five months ago for damage to his cartilage. Merriman hasn’t been in practice all week and also didn’t play last Saturday. He has felt a persistent soreness in his knee, which could lead to problems down the road. Coach Norv Turner told the Canadian Press, “I think we have a number of guys that are in that category who have some soreness, and my concern will be if it lingers. Hopefully, it won’t linger and hopefully in the next week to 10 days, he’s going to be all right and ready to get going. “
On top of his knee soreness, Merriman recently struggled with illness that kept him out of some practices last week. The Chargers are less worried about the upcoming preseason matches and are instead focusing on getting him healthy for the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on September 7. Don’t miss any of the stars and get your San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Gates Back After Foot Injury
The San Diego Chargers may have gotten a break in the tight end position. Antonio Gates was moved from the injured list to the active roster and even made it out to practice on Tuesday. Up until yesterday, Gates was out because of a surgery he has on his left foot six months ago because of a torn plantar plate. What matters is not that he may be able to participate in the preseason but that he may be available for the opening game on September 7 against the Carolina Panthers.
It isn’t a guaranteed go yet. The practice now is to determine if his foot is fully healed and will hold up. He told the Canadian Press, “I hate to look so far down the road because this is a tricky situation. It’s one of those things where it feels really good one day and you come back another day and it’s sore. It’s one of those injuries where you have to really monitor and make sure I’m not overdoing it.”
While the Chargers are still tentative about his return, Gates is moving in the right direction. Also back to practice is defensive end Louis Castillo, who was out with a back injury. Get your San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Tomlinson Happy With Training Camp Results
As the San Diego Chargers finish up their training camp, star running back LaDainian Tomlinson spoke to the media about his experience saying, “I think the guys have really worked hard. We have really attacked this camp with the mindset of getting better and really taking each day and trying to get better. I am happy camp is coming to a close. You always look forward to camp being over. But with that, you know that the first game is approaching.”
More so than in the regular season, Tomlinson has been able to take a spectator role during games and really evaluate how his team is doing. The Chargers rarely play the MVP during preseason matchups because the risk of getting an injury is just too great for this star. Throughout the preseason games coach Norv Turner has stuck to his plan of not playing starters and said, “I don’t think we are taking a safe approach, we are taking a smart approach that’s going to allow our guys to be ready to play once the season starts and be at 100 percent once the season starts.”
To see all of the amazing starters push toward the post season, get your San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Chargers Lose to Rushing Rams
The San Diego Chargers narrowly fell to the St. Louis Rams this weekend 7-6. The loss was mostly blamed on the Rams rushing. St. Louis tallied some 183 yards in the game with 90 coming in the first quarter. Part of the reason behind the yards allowed was the lack of tackling in training camp. The game was basically the first chance to practice full contact for many of the players in quite awhile. This also may be the reason that coach Norv Turner didn’t seem concerned and told Casey Pearce, “To me it’s part of the preseason. I’d certainly rather have it happen now. I thought we tackled pretty well last week. We didn’t tackle as well as I’d like us to tonight.”
With a decisive win over the Dallas Cowboys in the first preseason game, the Chargers undoubtedly have little to worry about. They are already gaining votes as the favorite to win their division and the whispers of a Super Bowl berth can already be heard. By the time the season kicks off on September 7 against the Carolina Panthers, it is safe to assume that the Chargers will be tackling full force. Don’t miss any of the plays and get San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.
Merriman Out Sick
Star linebacker Shawne Merriman was out of his third consecutive practice yesterday because of an illness. He reportedly has strep throat along with a fever and has been absent for practice because of his sickness. He is expected to recover soon, but it is not yet known if he will be able to play in the game against the St. Louis Rams on Saturday. This year marks Merriman’s fourth with the Chargers. He has been invited to the Pro Bowl all three seasons he has been in the league.
Merriman’s stats speak for themselves. He has averaged over 10 sacks per season and has had at least two sacks per game in 11 career games. He has averaged almost 75 tackles per season and has been improving every year. In 2006, he tallied 16.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. That same year, he also recorded an interception. He is known by his teammates as a player with some of the toughest work ethic out there. He stands as an inspiration for any young player looking to succeed in football. He is one of the most fun players to watch at a game, so get your San Diego Chargers tickets from StubHub.com.