What do you think of Shawn Merriman's decision to play with two ligament tears in his knee?

Question

Feel free to correct me if I have the number wrong.

Answer 1

Last years dirty playing is going to come back to haunt him this year. One bad hit, and he's out not only for the season, but for life.

Answer 2

Bad decision that could impact his career if something happens.

Answer 3

He will probably get a career ending injury.

Answer 4

Not only do i think it's stupid, i think it's awful that people are defending him and saying, he's a football professional, he's a warrior, you can't stop a guy like him from playing.

four different doctors all told him he needed surgery, and he's too obstinate to listen to them.  it will be incredibly easy for him to have a career ending injury.

i don't think he's overrated, i think he's a very good player, just one that's not making the wisest decision in this case.

Answer 5

I would've had the surgery, but he's a football player - tough, and wants to play.

Answer 6

Bad/stupid decision on his part.  Next year is a contract year for him.  If he has the surgerey and misses this season he could be back on the field next season and earn another huge contract.  If he hurts himself further (and still has to have surgery) and misses next season he won't be getting that same money.  Worse yet, he could end his career playing on that bad knee.  Surgey could do the same thing, but the risk/reward comparison of playing on it and having surgery just doesn't seem worth it to me.

Answer 7

First off, I think he's kind of a meathead in general, based on the way he conducts himself on the field.

And I think he's completely overrated.  All the talking heads at ESPN love this guy and never EVER pass any judgement for his steriod suspension.

As for the injury, I think this is a lot like what Hines Ward played with last year.  All season they kept saying "hyperextended knee" but it never got better.  Then in the offseason he got surgery  and it was revealed that he had two partially torn ligaments (PCL was one of them) and a torn meniscus.  Obviously, Ward didn't play up to his usual standards last year.  He was at about 65% all year.

As for everyone saying he faces "career threatening injury", what's the worst that can happen?  The ligaments tear all the way through and he gets the surgery anyway.  They can rebuild knees now, in case everyone forgot that.  Didn't Dennis Dixon of Oregon play two whole games with a completely severed ACL last year?  Then it was too much.  He got the surgery and now he's a Steeler.

Bottom line, if he is happy only being able to play at 70% or so, then let him play.  Career ending injury is not even a consideration.

Answer 8

His career will be over before the end of the season...

Answer 9

hes an idiot..plus hes overrated

Answer 10

It is stupid

Answer 11

i think its a stupid decision.  he is gonna kill his career, instead of taking 1 year off for surgury....

it must be the steriods...

Answer 12

Egotistical, selfish, stupid.  He'll be a detriment to his team and a danger to himself.  Let's hope the SD coaches and/or management steps in and tells him he has to have the surgery and come back next year.

Answer 13

i know he is tough but playing through two torn ligaments in the nfl is torture with 260 pound tackles leaning on him fore 3 hours isnt gonna make it better.