Merriman Overrated?

by NJChiefsFan on Aug 27, 2008 2:18 PM CDT

"The country believes that Merriman is a great player. I'm sure New England fans believe Merriman is a great player. The Colts apparently don't think so," he said. "And neither do I."
The Jaws of (NFL) life

I love watching NFL Matchup to get a better idea of the Xs and Os of what is happening on the field. I was reading a little piece on Jaws and saw this quote.

It's from Jan. but couldn't be more timely.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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Not Necessarily

That would probably have been the playoff game versus the Colts that Jaworski is referring to, which was after Merriman blew out his knee (the one the docs were shocked he was able to play on for so long). Not so much “overrated” as “seriously injured”.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Aug 27, 2008 2:25 PM CDT 0 recs

...

Well, that takes all the fun out of it.

by NJChiefsFan on Aug 27, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I don’t like Merriman, but he’s been a dominant player for most of his career.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Aug 27, 2008 3:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Marty always picked dominant linebackers

Wonder if he could make that pick for us next draft?

by Eric Allen on Aug 27, 2008 4:39 PM CDT 0 recs

that should be easy the guy from USC

by TXroyal on Aug 27, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

As long as we don't shoot ourselves in the foot

I can see it now. We’ll start out 2-9, just enough to put us out of playoff position super early, then win 5 in a row to end the season securing the 17th pick in the draft next year.

I’m sorry but I’m in the school of thought that if you’re not a legitimate contender then you should continue to improve your team, any way you can, until you are.

by primetime 07 on Aug 27, 2008 8:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

I go to the other school, PT

I’ll take the five wins at the end of the season. Especially with the young guys. I know that one of the consequences is that our turn to pick future people drops by 10-15 spots. But I’ll take the improvement along with the physical and mental qualities that are gained. And while I understand the principle of rebuilding and will take some accompanying losses, each year we have 16 chances to win a game. I’ll take as many wins as possible. Losing is no fun for anyone connected to it.

by sunny D on Aug 27, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm somewhere in between

I don’t think you should tank a season to get a draft pick…losing is contagious and if you start making that acceptable, even to get a better draft position, it’s only a matter of time before that’s what your team is about.

On the other hand, I’d prefer the Chiefs go 4-12, 5-11, or 6-10 as opposed to 8-8 or 9-7 this year, so long as we see improvement in their performance by the end of the year. But they shouldn’t actively seek to knock the bottom out of the boat.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Aug 27, 2008 9:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

If there was a "LeBron" type player out there

That is worth tanking like the Cavs did in ‘03 then I guess I would be even more prone to tanking, particularly this year. However, there isn’t that type of can’t miss player. But then again, we aren’t going to be contending for anything this year.

by primetime 07 on Aug 27, 2008 9:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

There Never Is In Football

Different sport altogether, different requirements for evaluating players (since there are so many positions to evaluate and rosters and the draft pool are so much), much easier to figure out the “can’t miss” prospects in basketball than in football.

Plus, I’m willing to watch the Chiefs this year if they go out there and compete but have a horrible record. I’m not willing to watch them if the players go out there and basically play like they don’t give a shit (which they will if we tank, because none of those guys wants to go all out and get hurt and possibly end their career for a thrown season). Can’t imagine a lot of other Chiefs fans would be willing to watch the team tank either, or that the owner would be happy with it (or Roger Goodell if he catches onto it). No, if we have a bad record this year it’s got to be one that’s legitimately earned.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Aug 27, 2008 9:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Correction

and rosters and the draft pool are so much larger than in basketball

Damn it, that’s three times I’ve majorly botched my remarks in the last hour…screw this, I’m tired and I’m going to bed.

Talk to you guys tomorrow. Go Chiefs.

Supporting the lesser of two evils is still supporting something evil.

by UCrawford on Aug 27, 2008 9:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah!

No, if we have a bad record this year it’s got to be one that’s legitimately earned.

Just had to highlight that tongue-in-cheek remark cuz it slayed me. Agree with the rest of the stuff. There needs to be heart and highlights, even if we lose. But having a young team this year, the wins will be that much sweeter.

by sunny D on Aug 28, 2008 3:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

Overrated as a LB, not as a DE

I believe there are better, more complete LB’s out there that get overshadowed by him just because he is a good pass rusher. He’s never lead the league in tackles, or even been close for that matter. Last year was his best year with 68. He has 1 int to his name… he isn’t lauded for his coverage abilities. He gets a lot of press because he gets a lot of sacks. He’s basically a glorified DE. He’s almost like Derrick Thomas was… except he does a stupid dance.

I think they should count him as a DE in pro bowl voting… he’s pretty one dimensional as a LB.

by Ochophosphate on Aug 27, 2008 10:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Derrick Thomas

but didn’t DT actually line up as a DE most of the time? He usually had his hand on the ground in a 4-3, right? Merriman usually rushes from a standing position next to the DE in their 3-4.

by PVChiefsfan on Aug 28, 2008 6:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

I believe so

I hate to say it, but I didn’t pay nearly as much attention to football when DT was in his prime. But I believe you are correct.

I do know that statistics wise, they were very similar… DT rarely had more than 70 tackles for a season, but was almost always in double digit sacks. He had one INT for his whole career. But he was someone you had to account for on every play or he would tear you up. Merriman is like that too. But I don’t buy in to the notion that Merriman is the best LB in the game. He may be the best pass rushing LB in the game, but fellas like Demarcus Ware are starting to close that gap quickly as well.

I had to pick up my in-laws from the airport last night and on the way I was listening to ESPN radio, All Night with Jason Smith. I wanted to puke because he kept insisting that Shawne Merriman is the best defensive player in football, which he is absolutely not. I would give that distinction to someone who has actually won NFL defensive player of the year honors. I probably can list almost one player on every team that is superior to him as far as a complete player goes. You’d think that sacks are the end-all be-all of football these days.

P.S. – his dance is the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen – and it infuriates me every time I see him do it.

by Ochophosphate on Aug 28, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up 0 recs