Shawne Merriman's motor is one of those freak things you find in Popular Mechanics. It never stops. But, if what the Pro Bowl outside linebacker and his disciples say is true – and I'm without X-ray vision and far more Mr. Hyde than Dr. Jekyll – the Chargers' most decorated defender should turn it off and coast into his garage.
Maybe the fans aren't prepared to deal with it and what repercussions Merriman's inactivity would mean to a Super Bowl favorite. But the Chargers seem prepared, although team doctors have cleared him.
Or, maybe you can explain why San Diego yesterday rewarded linebacker Jyles Tucker, a rookie free agent in 2007, a five-year contract extension that will guarantee him $6.5 million. It eventually could earn him $14 million.
Tucker is an extremely promising athlete, but he played in just six regular-season games last year, starting none, and recorded 3½ sacks. What does that tell us?
Well, it tells us, no matter whether Merriman's bum knee allows him to play this year, Tucker is the heir apparent. The Chargers, with five of their better players – including Merriman – eligible for free agency following the 2009 season, aren't likely to re-sign their best defender, probably the NFL's most dynamic defender.
A mistake. Merriman may be about to go Hollywood (he will fly up to L.A. following in-season Thursday practices to do a TV show on Fox Sports Net), much to the dismay of General Manager A.J. Smith, but the Chargers are a franchise with two big faces – LaDainian Tomlinson's and Merriman's.
So make him stop the running around. As much as I like Merriman, he shouldn't be getting on airplanes on Thursdays. No reason why Fox can't hook him up here. This is, after all, 2008. There are satellites. But, if he's healthy, he should be re-signed. Merriman should not have the chance to menace Chargers quarterbacks.
This is a special player, an athlete with great fire coming off his best all-around season. Offenses must prepare for this guy, who can wreck a scheme. Maybe Smith has pulled one of his coups and Tucker will be another of his great finds, but I've always said the only way to replace an All-Pro is with another All-Pro, and Tucker hasn't been to Hawaii in February.
If Merriman indeed has two torn ligaments in his left knee – he wasn't here for last night's exhibition with Seattle, opting for his millionth opinion from yet another doctor (Dr. Vinnie Boombatz in Miami, is the rumor) – he shouldn't play this year, even if he's been cleared here.
But he definitely has been given the green light?
“That's correct,” Smith says.
OK, but center Nick Hardwick also was cleared to play last year. He missed four games in the middle of the season and then played the rest of the way before having offseason surgery on his damaged foot. One of the game's finest centers later was quoted as saying the injury was not properly diagnosed.
Merriman underwent meniscus surgery on his knee in March. Was he misdiagnosed?
“We never discuss injuries,” Smith says. “Talk to the player and his agent, Tom Condon, for updates.”
Well, all we know from Merriman is that he says he wants to play this year. What other reason can there be for the rash of consultations? But he can suffer more damage if he chooses to continue. If he plays and makes it worse, he could wipe out 2009, a contract season.
“If he's out, we'll end up having this same conversation,” Smith says. “There's nothing I can do about it, other than prepare us with outstanding backups. Case in point: Exit Steve Foley, enter Shaun Phillips.”
I also remember: Exit Fred Dean, enter nobody.
“This is all part of the mystery of our business, which is a fascinating business,” Smith says. “We bring in backups with upside, but you never know until they meet the challenge. Whoever's out, next man up.”
Tucker appeared to injure his ankle last night, a false alarm. Or it could have been next to the next man up.
Smith won't comment on Merriman's plans to fly to L.A. every week, but guaranteed he doesn't like it. The GM is weary of such escapades. He saw it after the team re-upped Marcellus Wiley and the defensive end went Tinseltown.
“I'm not discussing any of that,” Smith says. “That's between me and Shawne. Shawne is a tremendous football player and he wants to play. He's only in the spotlight because he's a high-profile player.”
Of course. If he's a stiff, would anyone care? This is an athlete with a national profile, and for good reason. If he doesn't play, it will be felt.
“I don't like it when anyone doesn't play,” Smith says, “but I'm a realist. We have no control over injuries. When Tom Condon and Shawne make a decision, we'll know, and it should be quickly.
“He'll either play or shut it down and have it (surgery) done.”
Judging how the Chargers' first-string defense played against a flock of Seahawks minus their starting quarterback, Merriman might be able to help them on one leg.
But, hey, “Lights Out.” If it's so, be true to your nickname and flip the switch.
Nick Canepa: (619) 293-1397; nick.canepa@uniontrib.com
