Chargers set to waive star LB Merriman

Betallsports · Nov 2, 2010

Vikings WR Randy Moss may not be the only Pro Bowler who will hit the NFL’s waiver wire this afternoon.

Chargers LB Shawne Merriman is scheduled to take a formality physical with the team today and provided he passes for his injured calf will be waived by San Diego, FOXsports.com has learned.

Merriman was placed on special injured reserve list earlier this season that called for the team to release him upon him passing a physical. If he fails it then he’ll remain with the Chargers until he can pass a physical. Like Moss, because Merriman will be released after the NFL’s trade deadline he is required to go through the waiver process rather than become an immediate unrestricted free agent.

If a team claims him, he is owed approximately $1.7-$1.8 million in remaining salary for this season. The former Pro Bowler will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The NFL waiver order as of today would be Bills, Panthers, Cowboys, 49ers and Broncos. The 49ers nearly had a trade worked out for Merriman this offseason and the Cowboys went back and forth between choosing Merriman and DeMarcus Ware during their NFL Draft. The next two teams are the Lions and then, ironically, Moss’ most recent former team, the Vikings.

When Moss and Merriman are placed on waivers this afternoon, teams will place a claim in for each and whoever has the worst record of those participants will be awarded the player.

Betallsports · Nov 3, 2010

'Lights Out' is out: Chargers waive Merriman

Once one of the most feared players in the NFL, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was placed on waivers by the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday.

Merriman was placed on the injured reserve list because of a calf injury and a "minor-injury designation" last month. The Chargers said when announcing the move that Merriman must be released once he's healthy.

General manager A.J. Smith, who hasn't been a fan of Merriman's celebrity-leaning lifestyle, didn't return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment. Merriman didn't return an e-mail seeking comment.

Known as "Lights Out" because of his once-ferocious hits, Merriman had 39½ sacks in his first three seasons. He's had only four in the three seasons since then due to a variety of injuries.
He was suspended for four games in 2006 after testing positive for steroids. Even missing the four games, he had 17 sacks that year. Merriman blamed the positive test on a tainted supplement, which he never identified.

He also brought unwanted attention off the field. He was arrested just before the 2009 season after reality television star Tila Tequila accused him of battery and false imprisonment at his suburban San Diego home. No charges were filed, and Merriman and Tequila settled dueling lawsuits.

Merriman missed most of the 2008 season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. He had four sacks last year as he tried to regain his hard-hitting form. After sitting out most offseason workouts and part of training camp to protest his contract status, he was slowed by an Achilles injury and then a calf injury.

He had only five tackles and no sacks in limited action this year.
The Chargers also placed frequently injured wide receiver Craig "Buster" Davis on IR because of a groin injury and re-signed offensive tackle Adam Terry.

Davis has been one of Smith's most questionable draft picks, failing to live up to his billing as the team's first-round pick in 2007. Davis had 21 catches for 259 yards and one touchdown this season. He started one game and was inactive for Sunday's 33-25 victory against Tennessee.

His four-season totals are 51 catches for 558 yards and two touchdowns. He has played in only 26 games, 14 coming in his rookie season, with two starts.
He also was placed on IR in 2008 after playing in just four games, and played in only one game last season.