Chargers Turn the Light Off On Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman; End of a Short, Overrated Era

SAN DIEGO -- It's over officially for outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, as he is no longer going to be with the San Diego Chargers now. Merriman was placed on the injured-reserve list this season, and once he his healthy, he will be released, the team said.

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.

NFL Stars Need to Learn From Merriman: Be Careful of Associates

So, NFL superstars still haven’t learned the importance of staying away from troubling allegations that involves the inconvenience of baleful women, who originally love them, but in a matter of seconds transform into a precarious individual endangering a superstar’s fame. Among athletes, relationships are inevitable, and it seems unlawful accusations are rampant as well.

We live in a time when Twitter formulates, not only poor English, but also makes us concerned about players getting involved with point-shaving, unlawful betting, and faulty relationships, misdeeds that can impair a livelihood.

That’s sort of like San Diego Chargers’ defensive leader Shawne Merriman, who’s experiencing a bright career that’s now inhibited until further specifics are presented.

Until then, the Chargers top defensive star is faced with battery charges for choking and restraining Tila "Tequila" Nguyen, the wild and adventurous girl who posed for Playboy.The alleged incident occurred as Nguyen tried to leave his home near San Diego on Sunday night.

It started from her recent love letters posted on Merriman’s Twitter page, which is becoming a nagging element for most NFL players. The beautiful letters to Merriman were signs of immeasurable exposure and bad timing as the season looms. The four million friends on her MySpace were signs of developing allegations to ignite an exaggerated media frenzy, putting a favorable season aside.

By now, the Chargers are accustomed to some of Merriman’s slip ups. He was suspended for four games three years ago, after testing positive for using steroids. So, it’s alright to figure that general manager A.J. Smith and teammates would distance themselves from all the uncertainty.

I had predicted the Chargers to effortlessly dominate the AFC West, having arguably a lethal rushing attack with an agile LaDainian Tomlinson and a speedy Darren Sproles. But more impressively, the leader defensively is Merriman, an integral part for stopping the rush. He’s healthier and creates trouble, with his powerful ability to outrun the block and rush, frustrating the opposing offense.

Just from hearing this flustering story, makes us speculate more about allegations of women accusing sports stars of domestic violence. And it tells us players haven’t learned to be more careful with individuals they select to associate with, through Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, or even at nightclubs.

For more than a decade, players have endured painful confrontations in relationships, but most of all, there were indications for avoiding unlawful pitfalls. This is happening too much in the sports world, and it’s happening to marquee stars that are perceived as role models.

After a while, this drains us, hearing the same issues repeat themselves. I’m personally drained by our mischievous sports world, as players fail to dismiss weed, DUIs, syringes, pills, and now insidious women who tells us a different story.

And this issue occurs commonly in the NFL. The most reckless and bravest quarterback in the league Ben Roethlisberger denies that he sexually assaulted a woman, working at the suite that he stayed in. And now, Merriman believes he’ll clear his name quickly, as many feel they’re invincible because of fame.

Just recently, Michael Vick was release from federal custody for killing dogs and bankrolling a dogfighting ring. No player is invincible—even Merriman. If the Nguyen battery charges are true, Merriman could serve a suspension and pay the consequences.

His attorney, Todd Macaluso, said that Nguyen was intoxicated and that Merriman was trying to prevent her from driving drunk.

Who really knows?

But I do know enough to say that she is trouble, and isn’t any good for Merriman. Now, the San Diego County Sheriff Department is involved, meaning they have control, since she called 911 to report that she was been restrained. Later in the wee hours, police responded to the disturbance call to create a messy situation as the start of the regular season remains one week away.

At a time when the Chargers could be this year’s miracle team and shock us all by advancing to the Super Bowl, they took a few steps backwards, waiting for pending information.

Let’s not ensure they’ll win it all. But we can ensure Merriman is someone other players could learn from to avoid domestic violence in the near future.