Shawne Merriman and the Chargers are Prepared for 2009

Sports Betting News - July 28th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

After missing all of last year Shawne Merriman is ready to show the NFL, he is the baddest Line backer in the game. Just two years ago in the 2007-2008 season Merriman started 15 games accumulated over 60 tackles and got to the quarterback 12 different times. In the season before the 2006-2007 season his sophomore campaign out of Maryland University, Shawne astonished the league pulling down 63 tackles and sacking the quarterback on 17 separate occasions in only 12 games, amazing for any defensive player. That's right, that's 29 sacks in just 27 games for the young man who just turned 25 years old only two months ago.

Shawne was not able to play last year the 2008-2009 football season and his much anticipated fourth year in the league. A left knee injury during the summer of last year cost him the season, as he spent all of his time in surgery and in rehab. Well, he is healthy again, and trying to bring the Chargers back to their old form even though they made the playoffs last year with a record of 8-8. Merriman knows the Chargers can become better on defense and offense and he says his passion and energy for the game was missed last year on the side line.

Merriman told reporters after camp "I just want to help the team get back to what we lacked last year -- nastiness and intensity and being physical," and later said "I think that's where you notice it, being away from the game. Some of the things that I was really good at doing, that is motivating everybody else, getting everybody else to take their game to another level." Merriman looks to bring this intensity back to the west coast Chargers in 2009. Merriman reported to camp with the rookies and quarterbacks to try and get in some much need physical play. On Friday of this week full team mini camps begin and Merriman will have to keep up with the speed and contact of the players who took his spot in midst of his absence.

Merriman now has to focus on playing football and trying not to over work his repaired knee to much before the start of the actual regular season. The coaching staff for the Sand Diego Chargers and head coach Norv Turner know they have to take work out easy on the star line backer. Turner said "His workouts have been outstanding," "His strength is good. He's ready to get going." I my self can't wait to see Merriman back on the field in the 2009-2010 season and i hope i can some how land him on my fantasy team this year.