Bucky Brooks calls Merriman signing

[eball]

Here ya go. http://www.nfl.com/player/shawnemerriman/2506350/careerstats

Wow. He's only 27. Even more reason for optimism.

[Jauronimo]

If contentious relationships with GMs and cast offs mean more than performance we should immediately go find Ryan Leaf!!!!

Or perhaps Drew Brees, who Smith also let walk, but not before playing hard ball and insisting upon an incentive based contract following Drew's shoulder injury.

 

AJ also canned LT who proved he still had at least a little left in the tank last season.

 

And lets not forget Michael Turner, who SD got nothing for as well. He's done quite well in Atlanta. AJ Smith has been effective but he's certainly had his missteps too.

 

Granted wikipedia isn't always reliable, but I thought this write up was pretty decent. See the section titled "Reputation and Management."

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._J._Smith

Edited July 13, 2011 by Jauronimo

[Mr. WEO]

Like I said, a WEO set-up. You asked for an opinion and one was offered. Glad I could tee one up for you. Are you done giggling like a little girl yet?I didn't say his injuries had little to do with his release. Just less than other factors.

 

So you dismiss entirely that Smith's contentious relationship with Merriman and his agents wasn't a contributing factor? That perhaps this fact made the decision to release him a little easier?

 

Who the f*ck cares why SD released Merriman? What has that got to do with anything at the moment? Other than your need to point out that the Bills are so stupid compared to everyone else?

GO BILLS!!!

Whoa!!--how bout a Fresca!

 

Sure there was a sour relationship between Merriman and Smith. It started after he was busted for steroids and then after he couldn't stay on the field--due to injuries, and he ahnd his agent expected a long term contract! You said the major reason was the bad relationship--as if it had no context. They disliked eachother? Oh,OK.

 

The simple point is that they let him go because they thought he wasn't worth any contract--that he was done. I assumed Smith "didn't like" Merriman because he he felt Merriman had wasted his talents and ruined his own career--and he was an immature pain in the ass.

 

What's it got to do with them moment? Well, we are discussing the potential play of Merriman and whether his potential play (he still hasn't played a down foe the Bills) justifies his re-signing. We can only judge his potential based on his recent past (3 years and an immediate re-injury with his new team) and from the fact that the team that drafted him dumped him (for some reason) when he should be entering his prime.

 

Look, none of this is that difficult to comprehend. But I tell you what, if he turns into a solid every week starter for the Bills, I will be giggling like a little girl at how foolish I was to, even for a moment , cast doubt uopn this personnel move by the Bills--and you can join me!

[K-9]

Here ya go. http://www.nfl.com/player/shawnemerriman/2506350/careerstats

 

 

 

 

 

If contentious relationships with GMs and cast offs mean more than performance we should immediately go find Ryan Leaf!!!!

 

While I appreciate the attempt it completely misses the mark. One would expect a decline in player stats when that player is not playing any games due to injury. There is no question an injured SM can't compare to a healthy SM. We all know that. The question is, has SM recovered from those injuries and, if so, is he able to play at a high level? We won't know until we get enough games played to make an assessment.

 

As the stats you posted show, he played at a high level when he went off the juice.

 

I find your Ryan Leaf reference amusing but again, it misses the mark. Chiefly because A.J. Smith has a history of poor relationships and getting rid of personnel he has had personal problems with. If contentious relationships with GMs and cast offs mean "less" than performance, he never would have gotten rid of Schottenheimer. That's just one example.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Edited July 13, 2011 by K-9

[eball]

I find your Ryan Leaf reference amusing but again, it misses the mark. Chiefly because A.J. Smith has a history of poor relationships and getting rid of personnel he has had personal problems with. If contentious relationships with GMs and cast offs mean "less" than performance, he never would have gotten rid of Schottenheimer. That's just one example.

 

GO BILLS!!!

And coaches!

[dave mcbride]

Or perhaps Drew Brees, who Smith also let walk, but not before playing hard ball and insisting upon an incentive based contract following Drew's shoulder injury.

 

AJ also canned LT who proved he still had at least a little left in the tank last season.

 

And lets not forget Michael Turner, who SD got nothing for as well. He's done quite well in Atlanta. AJ Smith has been effective but he's certainly had his missteps too.

 

Granted wikipedia isn't always reliable, but I thought this write up was pretty decent. See the section titled "Reputation and Management."

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._J._Smith

Interestingly, AJ Smith was a junior high gym teacher from 1971-1985 in Providence, RI. Clearly, becoming an NFL gm doesn't require the ability to perform surgery on rockets. No surprise, I guess.

Edited July 13, 2011 by dave mcbride

[Mr. WEO]

Interestingly, AJ Smith was a junior high gym teacher from 1971-1985 in Providence, RI. Clearly, becoming an NFL gm doesn't require the ability to perform surgery on rockets. No surprise, I guess.

All they really have to is pick the QB and coach.

[Mark Long Beach]

Thank you for this statement as this is a key issue in my view point. This is really important. If you don't know the percentages or the risks how can you tell if it is a good gamble or not???

 

Seriously think about that. Would you walk into a strange casino, lay down a small amount of money you can comfortably afford losing at a game you don't understand, know the odds of or the payouts and say "it's a good gamble"?? I think the answer to that question is "HELL NO!!!"

 

People that can't or aren't even willing to take a shot at guessing whether Merriman will play or not, what sort of qualitative and quantitative success he will have have very little backing to their point that it is a "good gamble".

 

Several points:

 

1> quantifying risk by assigning a percentage like you've suggested can be a useful tool. But it is only one of MANY tools used to analyze decisions involving risk (financial or otherwise). The first half of my life I've been an engineer and the second half a CFO. In both careers assigning a percentage risk has actually been one of the least useful tools.

 

2> Why are you insisting that any of US, as enthusiastic fans do this quantifying. A drunken Tibetan monk has only a little less information than we do about S. Merriman. I've never interviewed him, seen him work out, barely watched him play, don't have a history with him, haven't talked to his doctor much less had my _employed_ doctor see and evaluate him. Buddy Nix has ALL of these things and more. Plus what, 50 odd years of evaluating football players? I'd much rather believe his view of risk than yours. Nix clearly feels it was worth the risk.

 

3> IMO you are overstating the reward we can get from other players we could take instead. If you look at the number of pro-bowl players who go to new teams via free-agency the number of them who contribute at that high level is vanishingly small. For every Reggie White, there are dozens players who don't live up to that billing, such as Albert Hainsworth, Hershel Walker, Derrick Dockery (WAY overpaid/overvalued).

 

4> Similarly there are very few high impact players who change zip code. We might have gotten one. THAT'S HUGE. IMO you vastly underestimate how good it is to sign an impact player, vs a placeholder.

 

5> IMO you overvalue $2.5 million. You have a chance at getting a better player by paying more money. But 2.5 mil is a small number relative to high impact/expensive players. For example we paid $5 mil for Cornell Green to be our Right Tackle. We got less value than Erik Pears who we paid $1.5 mil for.

 

For the record I don't agree that it is a desperation move. It is a gamble of undefined risk with a few million dollars. Sometimes you win, most times you lose. But like they say...you can't win if you don't play.

 

This I agree with, except the undefined part. I just don't know what it is.

[PDaDdy]

Or perhaps Drew Brees, who Smith also let walk, but not before playing hard ball and insisting upon an incentive based contract following Drew's shoulder injury.

 

AJ also canned LT who proved he still had at least a little left in the tank last season.

 

And lets not forget Michael Turner, who SD got nothing for as well. He's done quite well in Atlanta. AJ Smith has been effective but he's certainly had his missteps too.

 

Granted wikipedia isn't always reliable, but I thought this write up was pretty decent. See the section titled "Reputation and Management."

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._J._Smith

 

AJ Smith made the mistake of drafting a QB #1 overall and you know that means that they have to start at some point. Brees was a casualty of that. Stop being a child. That is a horribly comparison and you know it. The other posters assertion was that Merriman was released by the chargers not because of his poor on field performance and inability to stay health but more the fact that the GM didn't like him.

 

Unlike Merriman Brees and Turner were performing on the field and they became mainly casualties of the salary cap and a first round QB who must be given the start at some point. Shame on you.

 

Several points:

 

1> quantifying risk by assigning a percentage like you've suggested can be a useful tool. But it is only one of MANY tools used to analyze decisions involving risk (financial or otherwise). The first half of my life I've been an engineer and the second half a CFO. In both careers assigning a percentage risk has actually been one of the least useful tools.

 

No one has stepped up and provided any means, percentage or otherwise, of assigning risk.

 

2> Why are you insisting that any of US, as enthusiastic fans do this quantifying. A drunken Tibetan monk has only a little less information than we do about S. Merriman. I've never interviewed him, seen him work out, barely watched him play, don't have a history with him, haven't talked to his doctor much less had my _employed_ doctor see and evaluate him. Buddy Nix has ALL of these things and more. Plus what, 50 odd years of evaluating football players? I'd much rather believe his view of risk than yours. Nix clearly feels it was worth the risk.

 

Exactly part of my point. Nobody here can say it is a good risk because they don't have enough information. All we know is that the team that drafted him let him go for nothing. Obviously they thought he was worthless or they would have taken the "good risk" of resigning him for nearly nothing according to some fans.

 

3> IMO you are overstating the reward we can get from other players we could take instead. If you look at the number of pro-bowl players who go to new teams via free-agency the number of them who contribute at that high level is vanishingly small. For every Reggie White, there are dozens players who don't live up to that billing, such as Albert Hainsworth, Hershel Walker, Derrick Dockery (WAY overpaid/overvalued).

 

I have been stating "impact" players. Pro bowlers would be awesome but I have consistently been saying difference makers and impact players. Don't restate my point to serve your needs for a rebuttal.

 

4> Similarly there are very few high impact players who change zip code. We might have gotten one. THAT'S HUGE. IMO you vastly underestimate how good it is to sign an impact player, vs a placeholder.

 

I vastly underestimate nothing. We can get them to change zip code. It happens all the time. WE just haven't traditionally offered enough money to the right guys. We over pay for mediocre and won't fairly compensate great talent partially due to the practice of throwing a way a million here and a million there on over paid bums.

 

5> IMO you overvalue $2.5 million. You have a chance at getting a better player by paying more money. But 2.5 mil is a small number relative to high impact/expensive players. For example we paid $5 mil for Cornell Green to be our Right Tackle. We got less value than Erik Pears who we paid $1.5 mil for.

 

Wrong and this again has been our problem. Every dollar counts. It's reckless spending on crappy players that is the issue. We would rather go with quantity over quality.

Edited July 14, 2011 by PDaDdy

[billsfreak]

Wrong and this again has been our problem. Every dollar counts. It's reckless spending on crappy players that is the issue. We would rather go with quantity over quality.

When you couple the fact of a salary cap (If there still is one), a small market team with a not so free spending owner (trying to be nice) and a declined economy, you are exactly right that every dollar counts. He probably made more last year, being with the organization for about a half of a season, and getting a whole 10 minutes of practice time out of him than half the active roster made. Taking monetary risks and going after players that at a miniumum are a 50% risk of missing all or most of a season will prevent this team from ever being consistent winners.

Edited July 14, 2011 by billsfreak

[Jauronimo]

Teams throw away players for nothing all the time that are "worth the risk"! Didn't you know that? Gotta hand it to you. In 2 simple questions you summed up a good portion of what I have been trying to get across in 7 pages of responses. Brilliant.

 

AJ Smith made the mistake of drafting a QB #1 overall and you know that means that they have to start at some point. Brees was a casualty of that. Stop being a child. That is a horribly comparison and you know it. The other posters assertion was that Merriman was released by the chargers not because of his poor on field performance and inability to stay health but more the fact that the GM didn't like him.

 

Unlike Merriman Brees and Turner were performing on the field and they became mainly casualties of the salary cap and a first round QB who must be given the start at some point. Shame on you.

Sorry mom.

 

Rivers was drafted becauase Brees performance was inconsistent at best. He finally looked like a starter in his last season with SD but that season was ended by a really bad shoulder injury. Many thought his playing days were over at the time. AJ offered Drew a short term incentive based deal due to the risk. Brees was insulted and walked, SD received nothing.

 

Merriman was a pro bowler and arguably the best at his position when he tore up his knee. Two injury riddled, wasted seasons later AJ pitched Merriman a short term incentive based contract which Merriman turned down. Merriman then accepted a short term incentive based contract in Buffalo (not that he had much choice at the time due to waiver rules).

 

The fact that Shawn signed a similar deal in another city, which by most measures is less desirable than San Diego, speaks pretty clearly to the fact that Merriman's relationship with AJ Smith was beyond repair. That and the ample reporting on the deteriorating relationship between SM and AJ which I'm sure you'll have no problem finding. After months of a highly publicized contract dispute, it was obvious that SD and Merriman were not going to come to terms. AJ realized this and instead of paying Merriman $3 million to sit in the stands and then become and UFA, he cut Merriman. Ignoring the contentious relationship between Smith and Merriman and AJ Smith's proven history of alienating his star players for the convenience of your argument seems, well, childish.

 

So when AJ lets Brees, LT and Turner walk for nothing, its because of salary cap issues, nothing more. When AJ lets Merriman and the remaining $3.26 million on his contract walk, its because he's washed up, and there can be no other factors, and you and WEO live happily ever after together. When the Bills sign Merriman, its a salary cap problem. Huh?

Edited July 14, 2011 by Jauronimo

[Beerball]

Sorry mom.

 

Rivers was drafted becauase Brees performance was inconsistent at best. He finally looked like a starter in his last season with SD but that season was ended by a really bad shoulder injury. Many thought his playing days were over at the time. AJ offered Drew a short term incentive based deal due to the risk. Brees was insulted and walked, SD received nothing.

 

Merriman was a pro bowler and arguably the best at his position when he tore up his knee. Two injury riddled, wasted seasons later AJ pitched Merriman a short term incentive based contract which Merriman turned down. Merriman then accepted a short term incentive based contract in Buffalo (not that he had much choice at the time due to waiver rules).

 

The fact that Shawn signed a similar deal in another city, which by most measures is less desirable than San Diego, speaks pretty clearly to the fact that Merriman's relationship with AJ Smith was beyond repair. That and the ample reporting on the deteriorating relationship between SM and AJ which I'm sure you'll have no problem finding. After months of a highly publicized contract dispute, it was obvious that SD and Merriman were not going to come to terms. AJ realized this and instead of paying Merriman $3 million to sit in the stands and then become and UFA, he cut Merriman. Ignoring the contentious relationship between Smith and Merriman and AJ Smith's proven history of alienating his star players for the convenience of your argument seems, well, childish.

 

So when AJ lets Brees, LT and Turner walk for nothing, its because of salary cap issues, nothing more. When AJ lets Merriman and the remaining $3.26 million on his contract walk, its because he's washed up, and there can be no other factors, and you and WEO live happily ever after together. When the Bills sign Merriman, its a salary cap problem. Huh?

He had no choice in the waiver claim, but he was under no obligation to sign his current deal with Buffalo.

[Mr. WEO]

Sorry mom.

 

Rivers was drafted becauase Brees performance was inconsistent at best. He finally looked like a starter in his last season with SD but that season was ended by a really bad shoulder injury. Many thought his playing days were over at the time. AJ offered Drew a short term incentive based deal due to the risk. Brees was insulted and walked, SD received nothing.

 

Merriman was a pro bowler and arguably the best at his position when he tore up his knee. Two injury riddled, wasted seasons later AJ pitched Merriman a short term incentive based contract which Merriman turned down. Merriman then accepted a short term incentive based contract in Buffalo (not that he had much choice at the time due to waiver rules).

 

The fact that Shawn signed a similar deal in another city, which by most measures is less desirable than San Diego, speaks pretty clearly to the fact that Merriman's relationship with AJ Smith was beyond repair. That and the ample reporting on the deteriorating relationship between SM and AJ which I'm sure you'll have no problem finding. After months of a highly publicized contract dispute, it was obvious that SD and Merriman were not going to come to terms. AJ realized this and instead of paying Merriman $3 million to sit in the stands and then become and UFA, he cut Merriman. Ignoring the contentious relationship between Smith and Merriman and AJ Smith's proven history of alienating his star players for the convenience of your argument seems, well, childish.

 

So when AJ lets Brees, LT and Turner walk for nothing, its because of salary cap issues, nothing more. When AJ lets Merriman and the remaining $3.26 million on his contract walk, its because he's washed up, and there can be no other factors, and you and WEO live happily ever after together. When the Bills sign Merriman, its a salary cap problem. Huh?

By your own description, AJ offered two damaged players incentive based contracts (what else should he have done?) and they were both rejected by the players, who walked. Letting Brees go didn't hurt SD. Letting Merriman go certainly didn't. I would make the same argument regarding LT, who Spanos pulled the trigger on and it was a tough decision for he and AJ Smith. Tolbert and Matthews combined for 18 rushing TDs last year.

 

If Merriman's relationship was contentious with his GM, it's not hard to imagine why.

[Jauronimo]

By your own description, AJ offered two damaged players incentive based contracts (what else should he have done?) and they were both rejected by the players, who walked. Letting Brees go didn't hurt SD. Letting Merriman go certainly didn't. I would make the same argument regarding LT, who Spanos pulled the trigger on and it was a tough decision for he and AJ Smith. Tolbert and Matthews combined for 18 rushing TDs last year.

 

If Merriman's relationship was contentious with his GM, it's not hard to imagine why.

I don't fault AJ Smith for not breaking the bank to pay Brees or LT, nor am I claiming he mismanaged any of the above situations. He's a shrewd negotiator which has worked well on draft day, but has strained many relationships. Yourself and PDaddy made the argument that Merriman was released as he was void of value and washed up and totally dimissed Merriman's awful relationship with Smith as having any bearing in the decision. It appears you're now willing to acknowledge the contentious relationship.

 

No, its not hard to imagine why Merriman and AJ Smith have friction, it was all over the news. AJ was critical of Merriman's hollywood lifestyle, self promotion and off the field issues with MTV stars. Getting no production from Shawn for 3 years certainly didn't help. Nor did Merriman's hold out.

[Mr. WEO]

I don't fault AJ Smith for not breaking the bank to pay Brees or LT, nor am I claiming he mismanaged any of the above situations. He's a shrewd negotiator which has worked well on draft day, but has strained many relationships. Yourself and PDaddy made the argument that Merriman was released as he was void of value and washed up and totally dimissed Merriman's awful relationship with Smith as having any bearing in the decision. It appears you're now willing to acknowledge the contentious relationship.

 

Actually, I already acknowledged it.

 

Sure there was a sour relationship between Merriman and Smith. It started after he was busted for steroids and then after he couldn't stay on the field--due to injuries, and he ahnd his agent expected a long term contract!

 

The simple point is that they let him go because they thought he wasn't worth any contract--that he was done. I assumed Smith "didn't like" Merriman because he he felt Merriman had wasted his talents and ruined his own career--and he was an immature pain in the ass.

 

 

No, its not hard to imagine why Merriman and AJ Smith have friction, it was all over the news. AJ was critical of Merriman's hollywood lifestyle, self promotion and off the field issues with MTV stars. Getting no production from Shawn for 3 years certainly didn't help. Nor did Merriman's hold out.

 

Well, yes--all of the above. These are the reasons that Smith justifiably couldn't stand the guy. But he DID put up with the nonsense, until Merriman became non-productive. Then he let him go.

 

Smith did not have a "bad relationship" with LT, yet he let him go too, when he felt LT was not productive enough to keep at a high salary. Why wouldn't you accept the same for Merriman? Why do you and others pretend it was mostly due to some personal beef, when all evidence suggests otherwise? Any animosity Smith had just made a simple business decision a lot easier than it was for him to make the same decision about LT.

[PDaDdy]

Sorry mom.

 

Rivers was drafted becauase Brees performance was inconsistent at best. He finally looked like a starter in his last season with SD but that season was ended by a really bad shoulder injury. Many thought his playing days were over at the time. AJ offered Drew a short term incentive based deal due to the risk. Brees was insulted and walked, SD received nothing.

 

Merriman was a pro bowler and arguably the best at his position when he tore up his knee. Two injury riddled, wasted seasons later AJ pitched Merriman a short term incentive based contract which Merriman turned down. Merriman then accepted a short term incentive based contract in Buffalo (not that he had much choice at the time due to waiver rules).

 

The fact that Shawn signed a similar deal in another city, which by most measures is less desirable than San Diego, speaks pretty clearly to the fact that Merriman's relationship with AJ Smith was beyond repair. That and the ample reporting on the deteriorating relationship between SM and AJ which I'm sure you'll have no problem finding. After months of a highly publicized contract dispute, it was obvious that SD and Merriman were not going to come to terms. AJ realized this and instead of paying Merriman $3 million to sit in the stands and then become and UFA, he cut Merriman. Ignoring the contentious relationship between Smith and Merriman and AJ Smith's proven history of alienating his star players for the convenience of your argument seems, well, childish.

 

So when AJ lets Brees, LT and Turner walk for nothing, its because of salary cap issues, nothing more. When AJ lets Merriman and the remaining $3.26 million on his contract walk, its because he's washed up, and there can be no other factors, and you and WEO live happily ever after together. When the Bills sign Merriman, its a salary cap problem. Huh?

 

You asked why they got rid of Brees. I told you. You didn't ask why Rivers was drafted in the first place nor is it relevant.

 

Contentious relationships between players and GMs are pervasive throughout the NFL and every ball club. It's always a factor. I don't ignore it but your problem is that you are elevating this component of the issue to a ridiculous level of importance. Merriman had a bad knee injury, can't stay healthy and is now off the juice. Those things are vastly more important than some supposed bad blood. Your assertion otherwise is quite honestly ludicrous.

 

This is a business. If the money required in the teams eyes is equal to or exceeds the expected performance the team will keep that player. If they are worth it, the player will be brought back.

Edited July 14, 2011 by PDaDdy

[San Jose Bills Fan]

No one has stepped up and provided any means, percentage or otherwise, of assigning risk… Nobody here can say it is a good risk because they don't have enough information.

 

I have been stating "impact" players. Pro bowlers would be awesome but I have consistently been saying difference makers and impact players. Don't restate my point to serve your needs for a rebuttal.

 

Every dollar counts. It's reckless spending on crappy players that is the issue. We would rather go with quantity over quality.

PDaDdy,

 

You are insistent that those who disagree with you back up their claims ("risk percentages") which is impossible because no one can tell the future. "Similar" cases involving other players are ultimately irrelevant in predicting Merriman's future with the Bills.

 

You are asking people to come up with a value judgement about the Bills re-signing of Merriman and yet you implore people to accept your view that the dollars paid to Merriman could be significant in limiting the Bills ability to acquire players. This view is also impossible to prove or quantify. You are guessing at this.

 

You think you know but you don't because you're just another person who can't predict the future with any true accuracy.

 

Does every dollar count? Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the situation and after reading this discussion, I don't see where your view has any more merit than the views of those who disagree with you.

 

Finally, your conviction is admirable but no wiser than the restraint of those who are willing to wait for the actual outcome.

 

Everyone who weighed in on this subject will be proven right or wrong sooner or later.

 

 

[Jauronimo]

Smith did not have a "bad relationship" with LT, yet he let him go too, when he felt LT was not productive enough to keep at a high salary. Why wouldn't you accept the same for Merriman? Why do you and others pretend it was mostly due to some personal beef, when all evidence suggests otherwise? Any animosity Smith had just made a simple business decision a lot easier than it was for him to make the same decision about LT.

This discussion is now moving in circles and further away from the original point, as threads seem to do when you're on the defensive. You'll have to point out where I pretended that this decision was mostly due to personal beef as I cannot find any such statement in my previous posts. I never speculated on the weighting of injury, money and personal issues in Smith's decision to release SM. I simply refuted the notion that Smith's decision to release Merriman was proof that he has no value as a player, which you stated earlier, much to the delight of PDaddy. You'll also have to translate that last sentence into English.

 

For the record, LT's relationship with AJ was very strained at the end.

 

"I would hope so, because I really have a lot of respect for the Spanos family," Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "But my relationship with A.J. has been rocky. And so it’s hard for me. It’s hard for me to just accept going to retire with the Chargers with A.J. being there."

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/12707/tomlinson-still-peeved-at-a-j-smith

 

Perhaps if AJ had handled things differently LT would have been open to retiring a Charger. Who knows? AJ sure has a knack for offending people in the course of making "simple business decision." Although he's a prick, it doesn't appear that any of AJ's decision have hurt the franchise. His growing reputation might hurt him some day, but thats another topic.

 

You asked why they got rid of Brees. I told you. You didn't ask why Rivers was drafted in the first place nor is it relevant.

 

Contentious relationships between players and GMs are pervasive throughout the NFL and every ball club. It's always a factor. I don't ignore it but your problem is that you are elevating this component of the issue to a ridiculous level of importance. Merriman had a bad knee injury, can't stay healthy and is now off the juice. Those things are vastly more important than some supposed bad blood. Your assertion otherwise is quite honestly ludicrous.

 

This is a business. If the money required in the teams eyes is equal to or exceeds the expected performance the team will keep that player. If they are worth it, the player will be brought back.

At no time did I speculate, elevate or assert as to the weighting of personal issues, money and injury in Smith's decision to cut Merriman. Who are you arguing with?

 

"This is a business. If the money required in the teams eyes is equal to or exceeds the expected performance the team will keep that player. If they are worth it, the player will be brought back."

 

And what if the player refuses to be "brought back" due to personal reasons?

[K-9]

You asked why they got rid of Brees. I told you. You didn't ask why Rivers was drafted in the first place nor is it relevant.

 

Contentious relationships between players and GMs are pervasive throughout the NFL and every ball club. It's always a factor. I don't ignore it but your problem is that you are elevating this component of the issue to a ridiculous level of importance. Merriman had a bad knee injury, can't stay healthy and is now off the juice. Those things are vastly more important than some supposed bad blood. Your assertion otherwise is quite honestly ludicrous.

 

This is a business. If the money required in the teams eyes is equal to or exceeds the expected performance the team will keep that player. If they are worth it, the player will be brought back.

 

The Chargers were so convinced Merriman was washed up that they tried to get him to sign an incentive laden deal as well as tendering him at a $3.2m, 1st and 3rd pick, contract in March, 2010 and they were happy when he finally signed it and ended his holdout before last season.

 

No matter how much you want to dismiss his relationship with AJ Smith as a factor in their decision to let him go, the long, well publicized record of their discord suggests otherwise. The fact that they placed him on injured reserve with a "minor injury" designation and he would have to pass a physical and declared healthy BEFORE they could place him on waivers is also very telling.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[justnzane]

This thread should be retitled "PDadDy argues with everyone over Shawn Merriman, AJ Smith, and the Chargers without looking at reality"