Shawne Merriman has decided not to appeal the four game suspension thereby all but admitting his guilt in regards to testing positive for steroids. Prior to this he had said that he tested positive by taking tainted supplements. My guess is that he realized his appeal would only delay his suspension because there was very little hope that he would be found innocent.
Furthermore, I believe he filed he first appeal under false pretenses. He knew that the Chargers were playing the Rams this week and they needed him to win that game. Now two of the games he will miss are against two of the worst teams in the league, the Browns and the Raiders.
Merriman is guilty and he knows it. His own team mates have all but admitted it. Here are the words of his teammate, Shaun Phillips,
"He's upset because he let his team down, but we're OK,"
It appears Merriman will apologize and soon all will be forgotten unless the CHargers lose 3 out of 4 of the next games and miss the play offs. Just one man's opinion.
looks like Marty has his built-in excuse for choking down the stretch. It's too bad about Merriman. They have a brief piece on him in Esquire this month, about how he was bound for greatness. to some, this will always dog his career. Personally, I just assume they're all cheating, and only the dumb, careless ones get caught. It might not be true, but it saves me from being surprised.
Its all strategy, the Chargers have no need for him that is desperate in the next 4 games but, if he appeals and has to serve the suspension starting next week or the week after...he misses 3 or 4 games against big teams like Denver twice. He knows he is guilty of breaking the league rule...should he be suspended for taking cold medicine or whatever supliment had some tainted ####...no but, those are the rules. Now within the rules the Chargers have helped themselved to a better timing of an unfortunate situation.
Crook, it happens more than we like to admit. The NFL is probably dirtier than MLB.
Hoffman, pleasantly surprised. But the real question is what happens when Kobe gets back. Is it possible that they are a worse team with him playing. Odom sinks into oblivion with Bryant on the court and yet last night he was a standout player.
Just agreed that it was a strategic timing issue with the Chargers and Merriman, but it was not cold medicine or weight loss pills, it was a steroid, norandronal, or something like that. He is guilty and he knows he will have to serve the suspension. If he really felt he was innocent and could beat the rap, he would try.
Shifty, thanks for stopping in. It is just a shame.
Last edited by socalsportsfan on November 1st at 12:39 PM.
