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Merriman on roids

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Well, it appears that Merriman picked the perfect time to get busted for steroids - all ESPN is talking about this morning is baseball cheating - namely Kenny Rogers and the pine tar that was on his hand last night.
 
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ABJ

Lawyer: Merriman's supplement to blame

BERNIE WILSON

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - Shawne Merriman's attorney said the Chargers' outside linebacker failed a drug test because of a tainted supplement and will continue to play while appealing his four-game suspension.
Attorney David Cornwell said he believed Merriman tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, which is prohibited under the NFL's substance abuse policy. Cornwell said the substance was in a supplement Merriman has been taking.
"He did not go into the back alley somewhere and put a needle in his butt for steroids," Cornwell said at a news conference Monday, about two hours after Merriman practiced with the Chargers a day after their 30-27 loss at Kansas City.
Merriman said he spoke with teammates and coaches earlier in the day, and "apologized to them for this being a distraction, especially the critical time we're going through as a team."
"Hopefully, nobody makes any kind of judgment or anything that basically makes me guilty for anything, because nothing has been done wrong on my part," Merriman said. "And I will try to get it straightened out as soon as possible. As of right now, I'm not missing any time."
The 22-year-old Merriman was the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and started in the Pro Bowl after leading the Chargers with 10 sacks. Nicknamed "Lights Out" because of his punishing hits, Merriman has 5 1/2 sacks this season for the Chargers (4-2), who host St. Louis on Sunday.
"I have no reason to do anything wrong, especially when I'm already in the spotlight and doing things and trying to present to people the right and wrong way to go about things," Merriman said. "This is obviously a mistake that has to be dealt with correctly."
If Merriman loses his appeal, it would be another blow to a defense that has been losing players since outside linebacker Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty Coronado police officer eight days before the season started. Shaun Phillips, who replaced Foley and has a team-high six sacks, injured his calf Sunday and could be out for up to four weeks. End Igor Olshansky has been out with a knee injury.
Cornwell said the appeal could take anywhere from one week to months.
Nandrolone "is the primary culprit in tainted supplements," the lawyer said.
"I know that people get tired of hearing it, but it is a fact and it is not going to go away until the Congress of the United States deals with it," Cornwell said. "Supplements are not regulated and it is a dirty fact of this industry that many of them are tainted with prohibited substances and men like Shawne get hooked up and get penalized for taking something that they didn't know was present in the supplement.
"That's why this is such an evil process," the attorney said. "He has been playing, unwittingly, Russian roulette with his career because he's been taking the same supplements, and it has been subjected to testing, and hasn't yielded a positive test. So he thought the supplements that he was taking were safe."
Late in the 2004 season, Chargers fullback Andrew Pinnock was suspended for four games for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. His agent said at the time that Pinnock accidentally took a supplement that contained a banned substance.
Coach Marty Schottenheimer and players said Monday they were barred from commenting by the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
But defensive end Luis Castillo said he understands what Merriman is facing.
Castillo tested positive for androstenedione at the scouting combine in February 2005. He later said it was "a huge mistake" in taking the steroid to help his performance at the combine after he was slow to heal from an elbow injury sustained his senior year at Northwestern.
Castillo had a clause inserted in his contract stating he will forfeit his bonus money if he ever has another positive drug test.
"It's tough to deal with," Castillo said. "It tests your mental strength and it tests your support network with your family. We love the guy and we're sticking with him, and we told him that. Shawne's a mentally strong guy and he's going to come back from this and do great things for us."
Merriman and Castillo were first-round draft picks in 2005.
Besides Merriman's positive drug test, the Chargers have had five separate off-field issues dating back to April.
Foley was shot three times near his suburban home on Sept. 3 by an off-duty police officer who suspected him of drunk driving. Foley will miss the entire season and was charged with two counts of DUI.
Safety Terrence Kiel was arrested on five felony drug counts in September and has pleaded not guilty.
Cornerback Markus Curry, who had been demoted to the practice squad, was released on Oct. 9, just hours after he was arrested on suspicion of committing domestic violence.
Foley and Phillips were arrested for scuffling with San Diego police officers a week apart in April. Neither was charged.
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ABJ

Merriman, Chargers press on despite positive drug test

BERNIE WILSON

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - Life appeared to be normal Wednesday for the San Diego Chargers and their star linebacker, Shawne Merriman, who's free to keep practicing and playing while he appeals a positive steroid test that could lead to a four-game suspension.
After practice, quarterback Philip Rivers - who played at North Carolina State - pulled on a red Maryland T-shirt. Merriman enjoyed seeing his alma mater's colors on his former college rival so much that he laughed and took a picture with his cell phone.
"Maryland beat us this weekend and me and Merriman had a little bet going," Rivers said. Maryland defeated N.C. State 26-20 Saturday.
Had Merriman lost the bet, "I had the shortest pair of NC State gym shorts you can imagine," Rivers said.
So far, anyway, the Chargers say Merriman's situation hasn't been a distraction.
"It can be, if we allow it to," Rivers said. "We won't, he hasn't. We worry about what we can control in that locker room, in our meetings, on the practice field. Everything outside, we don't let get in."
Merriman's appeal is expected to be heard Nov. 7, which means he can play in the Chargers' next two games, both at home, against St. Louis and Cleveland. If the Chargers (4-2) lose Merriman for four games, it'll be a huge blow to a defense that has lost starters Shaun Phillips and Igor Olshanksy to injuries. Additionally, outside linebacker Steve Foley was shot three times by an off-duty police officer on Sept. 3 and will miss the season.
The 22-year-old Merriman was the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and started in the Pro Bowl after leading the Chargers with 10 sacks. Nicknamed "Lights Out" because of his punishing hits, Merriman has 5 1/2 sacks this season.
Merriman tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, which his lawyer blamed on a tainted nutritional supplement. The linebacker wouldn't say what supplement he was taking.
"I just know what I tested positive for, and that's nandrolone," Merriman said. "I'm still finding out information about it myself. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't intentional at all."
Asked if he suspected which supplement led to the positive test, he said:
"No, I don't know yet. Even if I did know I don't think I'd be able to say yet. As soon as I find out, I will."
Merriman apologized to his teammates on Monday for being a distraction.
"But other than that, I'm doing something I love to do every day. As long as I'm on this field, as long as I'm on the grass, it's going to help me out to just play," he said.
"Regardless of what happens, I've said from day one that I don't think I did anything wrong, but at the same time, if they found that I did something wrong, I'll take full responsibility for it. I'm not running from anything. Just as my lawyer said, it wasn't nothing intentional. Whatever happens, I just hope it happens for the best."
Rivers said the Chargers were thrilled Merriman can keep playing.
"He's a big part of what we do on defense, and he's an emotional leader on the team. Having him out there is huge. This is a big game."
Also, left tackle Roman Oben went through his first practice this season. He's on the physically-unable-to-perform list due to two offseason foot surgeries. Oben can practice for a maximum of three weeks before the team must either add him to the active roster or have him finish the season on the reserve list.
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CPD

NFL NEWSWATCH
Merriman considers dropping his appeal


Tuesday, October 31, 2006 From wire reports
San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman said Sunday he'd speak with his attorney to discuss the possibility that he'd drop his appeal and begin serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for the steroid nandrolone.
But nothing had changed by Monday, except that Merriman was wearing a boot on his right foot to protect the heel he injured against the St. Louis Rams.
"I don't know what is going to happen yet and someone has already said I'm thinking about dropping the appeal and what not, but I still have to find out what is going on myself," Merriman said. "I haven't decided anything yet. I'll find out sometime today or tomorrow what I am going to do, if I am going to do anything at all. It's just all part of the process.
Since his appeal is set for Nov. 7, Merriman was able to play against the Rams and would get to play in Sunday's home game against the Browns, unless he decides to drop it.
Merriman said the positive drug test stems from a tainted supplement, and not many people give him a chance of avoiding a four-game suspension.
If the appeal process drags out and he loses, he could miss both of the Chargers' games against AFC West rival Denver, on the road Nov. 19 and at home on Dec. 10. The Chargers and Broncos are tied for the division lead at 5-2.
 
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ABJ

Merriman drops appeal, begins suspension

BERNIE WILSON

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers must play their next four games without outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, one of the NFL's top young stars who decided Tuesday not to appeal his suspension for testing positive for steroids.
Merriman's suspension is another blow to one of the NFL's toughest defenses, which has been hit by injuries and off-field trouble since before the season started. Nicknamed "Lights Out" because of his punishing hits, he'll be shut down for games at home against Cleveland, at Cincinnati, at Denver and at home against the Oakland Raiders.
Merriman, who's tied for the NFL lead with 8 1/2 sacks, and his attorney have blamed a tainted supplement for the player's positive test for the steroid nandrolone. Merriman couldn't be reached for comment.
The suspension won't officially begin until after Merriman addresses his teammates on Wednesday. After that, he'll be barred from the team's headquarters until he's eligible to return on Nov. 27.
The Chargers, who were off Tuesday, vowed to press on without Merriman, a Pro Bowl starter who was voted the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
"He's upset because he let his team down, but we're OK," outside linebacker Shaun Phillips said in a phone interview. "We're behind him 100 percent. We know he's not that kind of guy, that he wouldn't do anything to boost his performance.
"We're a good team. We'll get over it," said Phillips, who moved into the starting lineup after Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer on Sept. 3. Phillips missed Sunday's 38-24 win over the St. Louis Rams with a calf injury and has only a 50 percent chance of playing against the Browns.
Had Merriman gone through with the appeal and lost, there was the chance he'd miss both games against Denver, which is tied with San Diego atop the AFC West at 5-2. The Chargers host the Broncos on Dec. 10. Few people expected Merriman to win on appeal because the NFL holds players accountable for knowing the contents of the supplements they take.
Word of Merriman's positive test leaked on Oct. 22. Merriman announced last Tuesday he was appealing, and matched his career-high with three sacks against the Rams. He celebrated each as he usually does, by pretending to flip a switch tattooed on his forearm followed by a spasmodic dance.
Carlos Polk, who missed most of the last two seasons due to injuries, is expected to start in Merriman's place. Polk has no starts and one sack in six seasons.
"We're obviously going to support Shawne and we'll prepare for the alternatives much the way we would if we had a player who wasn't available for other reasons," coach Marty Schottenheimer said by phone. "We'll put the pieces together and go back to work."
Merriman apologized to his teammates last Monday for the distraction his positive test caused. But Schottenheimer and other players said it would be a distraction only if they let it.
"The way we performed with this information out there would indicate it was not a distraction," Schottenheimer said.
While Phillips is expected to be listed as questionable for the Browns game, end Igor Olshansky (knee) is expected to be doubtful due to a knee injury.
General manager A.J. Smith and Merriman's attorney, David Cornwell, didn't return calls seeking comment.
The team released this statement:
"We're proud of the standup way Shawne has taken responsibility for the mistake he made. We have faith in Shawne Merriman and we have faith in the players on this team. The Chargers have been resilient all season long, and we will continue to be resilient. It's a tough lesson learned for Shawne about the world of supplements."
Besides Merriman's suspension, the Chargers have had five separate off-field issues dating to April.
Foley was shot three times near his suburban home early on Sept. 3 by an off-duty police officer who suspected him of drunk driving. Foley will miss the entire season and was charged with two counts of DUI.
Safety Terrence Kiel was arrested on five felony drug counts in September and has pleaded not . He missed one game.
Cornerback Markus Curry, who had been demoted to the practice squad, was released on Oct. 9, just hours after he was arrested on suspicion of committing domestic violence.
Foley and Phillips were each arrested for scuffling with San Diego police officers a week apart in April. Neither was charged.
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Chargers | Merriman insists he is not a "cheater"
Thu, 2 Nov 2006 22:32:55 -0800
Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman insists he is not a "cheater" and that the illegal steroid, nandrolone, that got into his body came from a tainted over-the-counter supplement. "I'm not a cheater," said Merriman. "I don't believe in cheating the game, I don't condone cheating the game and I have no reason to cheat the game. I'm about playing football, and I'm a great football player. I will continue to go out and prove that. Maybe over time people will see I'm a terrific football player and a terrific person, that I don't condone cheating. I will go out and be the best player possible and be known as one of the best to ever play." Merriman said he has taken the supplement for 18 months and tested clean numerous times.

Chargers | Polk will replace Merriman
Thu, 2 Nov 2006 22:26:06 -0800
Casey Pearce, of Chargers.com, reports San Diego Chargers LB Carlos Polk will replace suspended LB Shawne Merriman in Week 9. LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila could also see more playing time with Merriman out, while LB Stephen Cooper, who normally plays inside, could move to the outside linebacker role.



http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl
 
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ESPN - Merriman weighs options after saying knee ligament is damaged - NFL
ESPN.com said:
Merriman weighs options after saying knee ligament is damaged

SAN DIEGO -- Linebacker Shawne Merriman, who has missed more than a week of Chargers practice because of a sore left knee, is in the process of trying to figure out when he'll be able to play this season -- if at all.

Merriman said Thursday night that he has ligament damage and is evaluating his options. The trouble is "a loose ligament and [I'm] waiting to get more info on what I need to do," Merriman said in an e-mail to the North County Times.

He also told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he tore the knee's posterior cruciate ligament.

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ESPN - Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery - NFL
ESPN.com said:
Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery

SAN DIEGO -- Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman said Saturday he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage.

"It could be career-threatening if I did [play]," Merriman said. "It's a possibility. That possibility is still open."

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ESPN - Chargers' Merriman will forgo surgery, play with knee injury - NFL
Chargers' Merriman will forgo surgery, play with knee injury

Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman will forgo knee surgery and play this season for the San Diego Chargers despite the fact he has two torn ligaments in his left knee.

"I'm going to play," Merriman texted the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I'll deal with it when it's time to get surgery."

Merriman said Saturday that he has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage.
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Not very smart....
 
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Game one highlights

FW8407W.jpg
 
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