Dec 28 2006
Should Shawne Merriman Be Honored? Jason Taylor Doesn’t Think So
Shawne Merriman is a “stud” linebacker from the Chargers who, in his second year, is making a case as the best defensive player in the league. There is just one problem, he was suspended for 4 games this season for violating the league’s drug policy and according to the Dolphin’s Jason Taylor:
“You really shouldn’t be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with,” Taylor said Wednesday. “To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you’re walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.”
Taylor and Merriman are the leading candidates for NFL defensive player of the year. Taylor has a healthy dose of respect for Merriman:
“He’s always making plays,” Taylor said. “He’s one of the best young talents we have in this game right now as far as defensively, and he has had an unbelievable year. With that being said, there are certain rules and guidelines we have to abide by to play in this game.”
Merriman responded to Taylor’s statements:
“If I wasn’t having the kind of season I’m having, this wouldn’t even be a conversation,” Merriman said. “The NFL will always have the level of integrity. That’s what makes the NFL. In my situation, everything happened in an appropriate way. I sat out my four games, my money was taken away from me, my four games were taken away from me, and I came back and played my rear off.”
True, but you could also say if it wasn’t for the stuff that caused your positive test, you wouldn’t be having the season you are having.
In my opinion, the issue here is simple. When someone cheats, they should not be rewarded. Merriman tested positive for performance enhancing substances and his enhanced performance cannot be honored. Peroid.
Can’t Stop the Bleeding: Despite having missed more than a quarter of the Chargers’ games due to suspension, OLB Shawne Merriman is a leading contender for juiced menace man of the year honors. None of this sits well with the saintly Jason Taylor (above), who demonstrated for the AP’s Steve Wine that he doesn’t need to wait for retirement or an ESPN commentary gig to become a self-righteous blowhard.
Season Ticket: I don’t think Merriman should be disqualified from the DPOY award because of his failed test. I do, however, think he should suffer some consequences. In this case, the consequence is that he had four fewer games to prove his value than Taylor did. Maybe Merriman would have done as much as Taylor if he played the full 16. He can’t, and so Taylor’s impact was greater.
