Source: Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Surgery will have to wait for Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who decided Wednesday he’ll play this season despite two torn ligaments in his left knee.

After spending several days seeking outside opinions, Merriman informed the team of his decision on Wednesday morning.

The star outside linebacker returned from Miami on Tuesday after seeking yet another opinion on his knee.

Merriman said last week he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

Merriman underwent surgery to repair cartilage damage five months ago, but has had persistent pain in the knee during training camp.

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Source: Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Five players were released by the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday, including quarterback Casey Bramlet, to get down to the required 75-player limit.

Also cut were wide receiver Billy Pittman, tight end John Tereshinski, wide receiver Marco Thomas and punter-kicker Billy Vinnedge.

Pittman, Tereshinski and Vinnedge joined the Chargers in May as undrafted free agents. Bramlet and Thomas had previously spent time with other clubs.

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By BlueandGold
BoltTalk Forum Member

That was a weird game. At the end of the first half, I felt strangely like we were down 30-3, the way the ‘Hawks ran all over us (and how we made Charlie Frye look like Mike Vick, sans electrocuted Pit Bulls). But when I looked at the scoreboard, it said San Diego 10, Seattle 7.

Say what you like about how bad it looked. The fact is we limited a Seahawk team that was running wild in the first half to a meager 7 points. Something about winning ugly?

Oh, and before I begin, I’d like to say something to Michelle Tafoya - your interview of Luis Castillo was a disgrace. One of the best young defensive players in football, and example in his community, and as well-spoken an athlete as there is, and all you ask him about is Shawne Merriman to the point of nausea. Bad form, Michelle. Bad form.

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By Curtis Egan
BoltTalk Staff Writer

This is not an article about urban legends like the Bunnyman, or a tale of horror where in a darkened room you call out Candyman three times and a murderous spirit appears behind you to end your life in some brutally graphic manner. This is not even about the latest Hollywood flick where some ordinary looking Joe with an instrument of death comes out of no where to play havoc on the standard American family in Suburbiaville USA.

No this is about the figure that haunts NFL locker rooms every year form mid August to early September. This is about the Turk. The horrifying figure that is responsible for players to disappearing from NFL Rosters from sea to shining sea. Many of us will never know the dread that his visitations bring but many a young player has found out… the hard way.

The month of August winds down and the Turk goes hunting:
Lets face it, the Chargers entered the preseason as arguable the most ‘set’ team from a standpoint of having it’s roster set and ready to go. The competition this preseason has been for back up spots, nickel position or filling in for injured or suspended stars. There were very few starting rolls which could have been considered up for grabs. This makes the Turk’s (*1) task of hunting down the players who are to be cut a little easier, but by no means an easy one.

Source: Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Backup quarterback Billy Volek threw a 2-point conversion pass to Malcom Floyd in the fourth quarter, giving the San Diego Chargers an 18-17 preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

Volek’s lob to Floyd followed a 1-yard touchdown run by rookie Jacob Hester that pulled the Chargers to within 17-16 with 2:30 left in the game. The 6-foot-5 Floyd out-jumped Omare Lowe, a 6-1 cornerback, near the left sideline in the end zone for the go-ahead score.

Both teams played their starters for most of three quarters, and will likely rest them in their final preseason games Friday.

Philip Rivers completed 11 of 21 passes for 143 yards, driving the Chargers to the 1 yard line on their first possession before a bad snap out of the shotgun formation by backup center Jeremy Newberry was recovered by Seattle.

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Source: PA SportsTicker

SAN DIEGO (TICKER) —The San Diego Chargers signed linebacker Jyles Tucker to a five-year contract extension and safety Steve Gregory to a four-year extension Monday.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

An undrafted free agent last season, Tucker played in six games and recorded 12 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. Tucker was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week following a three-sack effort in the 2007 season-finale at Oakland.

Gregory, also an undrafted free agent, is entering his third season. The 5-11 safety has made 23 tackles, including 12 last season, over his first two campaigns.

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Source: Yahoo Sports

It appears Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman’s season is over before it got started.

Or at the very least, it will be compromised because of two torn ligaments in his knee.

Merriman, who has mores sacks (39.5) the past three seasons than any other player, is contemplating playing through the pain or taking care of his wobbly knee.

“It could be career threatening if I (play),” Merriman said. It’s a possibility.”

Merriman has crisscrossed the nation speaking with specialists as he contemplates how to deal with torn posterior and lateral cruciate ligaments.

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