And so, as it seems, the Chargers have turned the lights off completely to the player, known as his nickname “Lights Out.” Merriman was one of the most feared hitters in the game, and his energy-filled performance on the gridiron gave him the nickname he received.

The Chargers do have an option to re-sign him, however, with A.J. Smith as general manager, it now just seems unlikely.

Merriman had about 40 sacks in his first three seasons in the league, but went down to only four in his next three games due to many injury-filled season. Merriman only played 18 games that time, while playing 42 in his first three seasons.

Merriman has a lot of off-the-field issues, which made Smith dislike him. It first started out with Merriman being tested positive for steroids in 2006, but was trying to claim that there was something tainted in the substance he was using. He would be suspended for four games, but however, he still managed to have a Pro Bowl-caliber year, recording 17 sacks.

Merriman was also accused of abusing his then-girlfriend, Tila Tequila, last year.

Merriman so far has only six tackles, along with surprisingly no sacks, this season.

“I am approaching this situation as an opportunity to grow as a player and to bring my leadership and talents to a new organization. I am ready for the next chapter in my career and I am excited about the opportunity to continue my journey with a new team,” Merriman said.

With Merriman gone, Larry English will have to step it up this season and replace Merriman. English was mainly drafted for this season, as the San Diego would be worried after seeing Merriman out for the season. It’s good they took this pre-caution, as they are now in the process of releasing Merriman, as you read already. I think English will fill in well for “Lights Out.”

This is a short farewell for to a short, overrated era.

You might be baffled by that statement, but however, there is truth to it.

Merriman took steroids in his 17-sack year, with a four-game suspension. He had ten sacks the year before, which was by the way his rookie season. Who knows what Merriman could have done? He probably could have taken steroids that whole time all the way up until he got busted and caught for the illegal and banned substance of the National Football League.

It was a pretty overrated era with Merriman. He only had three good seasons, and that’s it. Injuries took him over.

Can he ever return to that form? Who knows?

But the team that is thinking of signing him needs to take a lot of precaution and better know who they are picking up from free agency. Merriman ruined this for himself. He already had a bunch of off-the-field issues, but getting a bunch of injuries is a whole lot worse.

Now he is out of a job. Hope all goes the best to Merriman. When he looks back on this, he hopes it doesn’t happen again.

It’s time to turn the lights on for Merriman, as he needs to act from this.

But right now for Shawne Merriman, the lights will be out.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers 

*winner plays New England Patriots in Foxboro Stadium.

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers

*winner plays Indianapolis Colts in RCA Dome.

My thoughts:

The Titans visit Qualcomm and this should be an easy route for LT and Shawne Merriman. No contest, especially if VY‘s knee is messed up after the Colts game last night. I’m calling the Chargers by at least 15 points. The Chargers then visit Indy. It was a Sunday night when the Chargers last met the Colts. They were completely healthy and the Colts were anything but, and had Vinatieri made that field goal at the end of the game the Colts would have won. This proves that a healthy Chargers can only barely stand up a second-and-third string Colts. It won’t be easy, but the Colts will win by 10 points this time. 

If you remember, the Patriots almost lost to four teams this season and two of them are in the playoffs. The road to the Super Bowl goes through Foxboro, right? Not exactly. The Steelers were already embarassed by the Jaguars a couple of weeks ago and were embarassed even worse by the Patriots before that, so I’m calling the Steelers will be out in the first round again. The Jaguars will head to Foxboro and I honestly believe the Jaguars have a better chance of beating the Patriots than any other team in the playoffs. I don’t have a prediction because we’re talking about two solid offensives (one in passing and one in rushing), and two defenses who are about equal in lethality.

Part of me wants the Patriots to win so the Colts will have another chance, but part of me wants them to be embarassed as soon as possible. The Colts have already proven they can be 10 points ahead of the Patriots with a banged-up squad and the Colts have already beaten the Jaguars twice (once with a thin roster) so whoever the Colts meet they will win, I think.

There’s the AFC picture and my comments. Do you agree/disagree?

Later, the other side (NFC) and who the Colts will meet in the Super Bowl…