‘I don’t want to suggest that the loss of Shawne Merriman was a good thing. Wait a minute, I will suggest it. Merriman is a shell of his former self, but he’s such a commanding figure in the huddle, I think players were looking to him to make plays that he just couldn’t make anymore. Without him, others got the message that they have to rise to the challenge. Adversity can be a good thing.’