Shawne Merriman Has Something To Prove

During the off season, Shawne Merriman was surfing the internet and came across a list that ranked the NFL’s best linebackers. He was astonished to find out that he was 12th on the list. Even though he missed the 2008-2009 season due to surgery on his left posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, the linebacker did not think he would have dropped back that far. “I was pissed off,” Merriman said. “I’m sitting there like, ‘Hold on, there are 11 guys in the league better than me? When did this happen?’ I know I didn’t play for a year, but I didn’t know I had that much of a drop-off.” This brings up an interesting question, does the three-time All-Pro linebacker, who has 41 and a half sacks in his first three seasons deserve to be ranked 12th? Merriman has to answer this question on the field and prove his nay-sayers wrong. He’s in a contract year with a franchise known for letting talent walk in free agency (Michael Turner and Drew Brees). Merriman’s absence out of the lineup caused a devastating rippling effect on defense. After playing in week 1 last season, he decided to have surgery before week 2 rolled around.

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