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The Merriman Watch

By: James Alder
Dec 05, 2007

Tracking Shawne Merriman's 2007 Performance

This weekly feature tracks the performance of San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman. If his performance is good, bad, or otherwise, we'll let you know. You can draw your own conclusion as to how much of last year's performance was due to his own natural ability and how much came from artificial sources.

Season Stats: 58 Tackles, 9.5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumble, 5 Passes Defended

Week 1 vs. Chicago
Merriman was effectively neutralized by the Bears offensive line and rarely pressured Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman. He recorded just three tackles total and was involved in no impact plays. His most visible play of the night, in fact, was less than flattering as he whiffed on running back Cedric Benson, who isn't really known for his shiftiness.

Overall, it wasn't a horrible performance, but certainly not the type that will quiet the critics.

Week 2 at New England
Probably the only bright spot on a night when the Chargers defense was just picked apart by Tom Brady, Merriman looked more like his old self versus the New England Patriots, recording five tackles, two sacks, and forcing a fumble. This performance should silence the doubters for a little while, but he's going to have to produce similar performances on a regular basis.

Week 3 at Green Bay
For the second time in three games Merriman was pretty much a non-factor, assisting in just two tackles and recording no impact plays whatsoever. In fact, he was stuffed most of the day by Packers left tackle Chad Clifton, who rarely was given help. Green Bay also did a good job of utilizing quick slants to neutralize Merriman. It seems as though the Pro Bowl linebacker is dropping back in coverage a little more often this year, but that doesn't explain his lack of production in this contest.

Week 4 vs. Kansas City
Merriman was more active against the Chiefs, recording 10 tackles (which doubled his output in that category to date). He did record another sack as well, but he's still not consistently pressuring the quarterback like he did in 2006.

Week 5 at Denver
Merriman was again ineffective as a pass rusher, and was stonewalled for much of the contest. Teams may be getting rid of the ball quicker this year on the Chargers, and Merriman may be dropping back in coverage more often than before, but there's no denying he hasn't been quite the terror thus far for opposing quarterbacks as he was in 2006. Stats for this game include just three tackles and no sacks.

Week 6 vs. Oakland
It appeared Merriman got off the line a lot better this week and he looked much more like the dominating force in the pass rush that he was last season. He was consistently in the Raiders' backfield, recording 2.5 sacks. He also picked up six tackles and his first pass defended this year. All around a very good performance.

Week 7 Bye

Week 8 vs. Houston
Merriman didn't make a lot of noise as a pass rusher, but it was his tipped pass that was intercepted by Antonio Cromartie and returned for a touchdown. For the game, he had seven tackles and two passes defensed and no sacks.

Week 9 at Minnesota
As is becoming all too common this year, Merriman was again shut out of the sack category. He did record five tackles, but for whatever reason he's just not producing the impact plays like he did in 2006.

MID SEASON REPORT

Week 10 vs. Indianapolis
With the Colts falling back on the services of a pair of backup offensive tackles, Merriman was once again kept out of the sack column. He also recorded just three tackles. This marks the third game in a row that the Pro Bowl linebacker has failed to sack an opposing QB.

Week 11 at Jacksonville
Merriman continues to be less than impressive, and was almost invisible in this game other than on a play where he was pancaked by Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew. For the game, he recorded just one tackle and was a non-factor again in the pass rush. The former Pro Bowl linebacker has now gone four consecutive games without a sack.

Week 12 vs. Baltimore
Recording seven tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble, Merriman finally made a big impact. These type of performances have been few and far between this year, however. With just one more game to go to equal the number of contests he played in all of last year, his numbers are still dwarfed by last seasons.

Week 13 at Kansas City
The last two weeks, Merriman has finally put together the types of performances he needs to start quieting the critics. Versus the Chiefs, he recorded three sacks, six tackles, and was a constant fixture in Kansas City's backfield. A couple more weeks like this and we can probably put a hold on this watch.

Week 14 at Tennessee
Week 15 vs. Detroit
Week 16 vs. Denver
Week 17 at Oakland

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