Posted on Wednesday 1 November 2006 by John Blake @ 11:22 am
San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman announced that he’s going to drop his appeal and start serving his four-game suspension due to a positive steroids test. That leaves the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2006 co-leader in sacks ineligible for Sunday’s game against the Browns.
The Browns are going to need all the help they can get this weekend. The Chargers boast one of the league’s best defenses and have a guy by the name of LaDainian Tomlinson on the other side of the ball. In his first season as a starter, Philip Rivers isn’t doing too bad as well. Merriman being out is one less thing the Browns have to worry about but the Chargers will still be a formidable test for the “rejuventated” Browns, much more so than the Jets.
Every little bit helps! He leads the team in sacks, so he’s obviously a force to recon with.
On our side, let’s hope Orpheous Roye and Joe Andruzzi are back healthy.
Maybe a West Coast swing is what the team needs to continue our turnaround!
Depending on whether or not Phillips is healthy enough to play Sunday, we could have a really good chance at exploiting a big weakness in the Chargers’ defense. Davidson is a good enough offensive mind to do so.
If we stack the LOS often in the game, we should be able to hold LT back a bit too. I think we can afford to do that with Bodden and Holly (who’s moving along well) covering a weak WR corps and Sean Jones taking on Gates - with some LB help I’m sure. Phillips won’t be much of a threat if he can’t get an open man downfield.
Can’t wait for Sunday! WOOF!
Glad to see some enthusiasm. They have a shot to pull the upset, which would give them the chance to salvage this season.