Wow, I had a feeling he would go in this direction, but I was hoping he would get smart and shut it down for the year.

My prediction? Much missed time, and probably ends up having to shut it down anyway later in the season.

This is a huge mistake. HUGE

He is going to end up really trashing that knee even more...and then will be out rest of this season, and most of next.

Exactly, and that is what I just said in the email bulletin. This knee damage is going to limit his mobility, making him less effective, and making him work even harder to produce.

He has already been told that playing could cause career ending damage.

he either got some very bad advice from people that he trusts, or he simply doesn't listen. IT could be that he is gambling that it will be ok (which it wont), so he can bargain for a big contract. Regardless, it is a very foolish decision.

I will be shocked if he makes it two games.

I'll give Merriman credit for gutts, but this decision confirms to me what an idiot he is. It isn't like the Chargers don't have the building blocks in place to be a SB contender for a few years still. Why go all-in for this season?

Something has to be said for the SD front office too. I realize it's a business of what have you done for me lately and that they play to win now. But again, this is a young team with at least a 2-3 year window at a championship. So I'm surprised they haven't stepped in to tell Merriman to shut it down for this season and come back strong next. Is this the last year of Merriman's contract or something? If so, and the SD front office is keeping their mouths shut hoping he plays the final year of the contract regardless of the risk of injury, then that's pretty sad.

IF Merriman comes back and dominates, it'll be a story for the ages.

Of course, thats never going to happen. He really should just bite the bullet and get surgery. Thats what I would do if I were in his shoes. I've always had mixed feelings about Merriman - I initially loved the guy and thought he was tremendous, then I learned he used performance enhancers and I lost a ton of respect for him...

I'm really disappointed that he's jeopardizing his career now. For the fans of San Diego at least, this is a really sad situation. Their defense is totally different without Merriman, this probably puts them out of Super Bowl contention. A shame.

I think this is his contract year, if not, next year is. This seems to be as not a matter of guts, but hoping he can play in order to secure a big contract.

If this year is the final year of his contract, how much leverage does he have for a huge contract next year if he can't play this year? very little, considering the damage to the knee, and the uncertainty of how he will perform after season ending surgery.
Pretty much the same goes if next year is his contract year.

Nail, meet Merriman's coffin.

The end.

Listening to one of the doctors:

He has damage to two of the four major ligaments in his knee. The constant stop/start/chang of direction moves could cause the joints to shift, and that is where the career ending injury concern comes.

That's crazy talk. He's going to really tear apart that knee when he hurts it again.

How does he think he is going to play with his knee floating around? He might end his career by Week 4.

This is going to end very badly. I just don't understand why he is doing this when he was told by 4 doctors to shut it down and have surgery.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear that after week 2 the front office talks him into hanging up the cleats and getting the surgery.

He'll probably go out and just be average. At that point the front office will decide that they would rather protect a future performer and supplant him in this years lineup with someone who will play just as average.

Then again, he could go out and pick up a sack or 2 in the first few weeks and the front office will ride him till he breaks and then throw him away.

Stupid fucker. The best surgeon on the planet, James Andrews, and three other guys tell you to get surgery and not risk the rest of your (what should be) stellar career and all that money, and your dumb ass chooses to play anyway.

This bs is going to end with one block no later than the 3rd quarter of game one. If he insists on playing the Chargers should bench him.

I don't understand why someone with his talent and so young with a full career ahead of him, would risk this. Man. My wife you kick me in the nuts for doing something that dumb. One year is all he has to wait so he could extend his career. Play now and he could finish his career now. He could be like Bruce Smith or better.

I can't say I don't understand his viewpoint. I have played hurt, not as bad as a torn ligament, but stupidity runs rampant when you play sports. My buddy blew both his knees but still played two weeks later because he felt he had to play. He's an idiot...we're surprised he's not in a wheelchair.
I have played for my softball team with neck and back injuries. Hell I was playing with a heating pad one time. LOL I have even played tackle football with a slight case of whiplash.

What's even more stupid is I did this when I was young and naive. No contract, just for fun. This guy at least is covered with the NFL insurance plan...I could have seriously done some damage and be in trouble for the rest of my life with no compensation or assistance. It's just something guys do. My wife doesn't undertsand it either.

How many times have you played hurt and hidden the extent of the pain and injury from loved ones and teammates. I am sure many of you will raise your hands. It's only until a doctor says stop that some of you even consider it and that doesn say you'll will take their advice.

Am I agreeing with Merriman's choice. Nope, I just undertsnad how stupid it is because I have done it. It's only after when you realize you made a mistake.

I do not.

And don't call me your wife!

Merriman is Anti-American.

What kind of American lets an opportunity to do nothing and get paid for it slip out of their grasp. Hell, what kind of American gets to make the decision of 'to work or not to work' and get paid regardless and make the same decision he did.

That's just Un-American if you ask me.

Makes me wonder what his agent thinks of this decision.

I don't think very highly of agents, but most of them are inteligent enough to know that this is a bad idea.

So basically your making veiled fun of the rest of us who think risking a catastrophic, career ending, and life altering injury is ignorant.

Actually, I think he was just making a joke poking fun at the general laziness and lack of work ethic of the majority of Americans.

Also, I don't think I said it yet, but I think Merriman is a turdfarter for thinking that this is any sort of a good idea.

Whats even more ignorant is the Chargers allowing this to happen and not protecting their investment.