Buffalo Bills defensive end Shawne Merriman excited to return – NFL News
After being re-signed by Buffalo Bills, defensive end Shawne Merriman will get another shot to revive his career as he is likely to start in Week 7 game against Tennessee Titans on Sunday October 21, 2012.
Merriman returned to practice field on Wednesday, October 17, for the first time since he was released during the preseason.
The defensive end is happy to be finally able to return to the game and work out with his friends. Merriman said:
“I’m excited man, I’m definitely happy to be back in the building. I’m happy to not only contribute, but pick up where I left off and do what they need me to do.”
Bills have added Merriman at a time when they are without their starting defensive end Mark Anderson, who is out with a knee injury for an unspecified period. Moreover, Bills defensive tackle Spencer Johnson is also injured and has been out for the last
two weeks.
Merriman was the best available option for the Bills as he is accustomed to their defensive scheme and will have no problem in adjusting into the team. Merriman carried on and said:
“It’s become second nature. I went just about a whole training camp and got very comfortable especially toward the end with scheme and how things work. It became a little bit more natural for me.”
Merriman’s playing time will likely be very limited once Bills starting defensemen return to full fitness.
However, Bills head coach Chan Gailey has reiterated that Merriman’s playing time will depend on his performance on Sunday. Gailey said:
“As long as he’s in playing shape and everything goes well this week and he gets back into the flow of things, he’s probably going to be right there on Sunday afternoon giving us some help.”
Bills released Merriman because they wanted to test their young rosters. The player has admitted that it is a difficult phase of his career as he is getting in and out of the roster. This is the first time it has happened to the former first-round pick.
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