The San Diego Chargers have announced that OLB/DE Shawne Merriman was placed on the Reserved-Injured list and, per NFL rules, will be released when he is healthy.
With that release scheduled to occur, you can bet the Ravens leadership within the Castle is debating the positives and negatives of trying to add Merriman to the Baltimore roster. I believe the Ravens will make the offer. If that happens, the chances are good that he signs here. First, every defensive player in the league would love to play in Baltimore. Secondly, the former Maryland Terrapin would be close to his native Washington D.C.
The biggest negatives in adding Merriman lay on the field, and the injury concerns which make you question what production you would receive from him.
After being an All-Pro during the his first three seasons in the league (2005-07), Merriman had reconstructive knee surgery early in the 2008 season, which ended that year. In 2009, he played in 14 games, but registered just 4 sacks as he dealt with continued knee pain, and a poor foot. Here in 2010 he has played in 3 of the 5 games for the Chargers, but not registered a sack as he had hamstring issues.
It is obviously fair to question what Merriman has left, but I think the Ravens should bring him in and find out. Baltimore is 3rd in Total Defense, but just 22nd in the league in sacks. (Tennessee leads the league with 22, Baltimore has 8). Even if the pass-rush never improves this year, the Ravens are going to have a chance to hoist their 2nd Lombardi Trophy. If the pass-rush can be improved, you are just increasing the odds of obtaining a title. Merriman has to be released by the Chargers when he is deemed healthy. So when the Ravens could sign him, he will already be on the mend. The Ravens would be obtaining him with an eye mostly towards the playoffs. My goal would be to have him providing a situational pass-rush in December.
The steroids Merriman took his first-year in the league? Does not really matter, as he was an All-Pro the two-following years without them. The sack-dance? Maybe poor taste to some, but let us see some sacks first, and we can debate the dance later. The incident with Tila Tequlia? Strange, but the charges were dismissed a week later.
Frankly, none of that matters. What matters is there are not going to be any other 26 year-old, 3x All-Pro’s dropped from the sky at a position of weakness. Maybe he will not be able to help, but as an organization you have to find that out for yourselves. The only way the Ravens meet their own expectations for this season is by winning the Super Bowl. With those expectations, the potential for Merriman to help far outweighs any risk.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.