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Shawne Merriman |
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Photo by Tim Mantoani
THEY CALL HIM "LIGHTS OUT" because he has a fan-pleasing habit of knocking opposing players out of the game. But last summer, it was Shawne Merriman who was knocked out—sidelined for the entire 2008 Chargers season by knee surgery. This summer, his knee healed, the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker insists the fans have yet to see the best of him. Distractions? With his contract up this year, Merriman, 26, says he’s focusing entirely on playing the game—the front office has its job, and he has his. Fans who’ve watched him do his job here since 2006 are relishing his return.
Tom Blair: It’s been a long time since you’ve suited up for a meaningful football game. How does it feel to be back?
Shawne Merriman: It feels great. I’ve spent a lot of time getting my body back and getting refocused.
TB: So how do you feel; how is that knee?
SM: You know, I feel past 100 percent, man.
TB: Past 100 percent?
SM: Past 100 percent. You know, I had some other issues with things that weren’t so great. But I’ve also put a lot of work into those. So I guess I’m more curious than my fans are as to what my body can do in its current shape.
TB: You weren’t the only Charger sidelined by injuries last year. I’m thinking of L.T., Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers. Do you think they’re 100 percent?
SM: Yeah, I think everyone is back to 100 percent, and it’s where we need to be. A lot of guys were dealing with injuries by the end of the season—just trying to fight through them—being tough and playing with it. Now I think everyone is back.
TB: I’ve never seen a team so beat up at season’s end.
SM: When you play as long as we do into the post-season, you’ve got to turn right back around and start your next season with a two- to three-month break. If you have something going on with a shoulder, knee, finger, ankle, chances are you won’t be 100 percent when the next season starts.
TB: I’m sure sitting on the sidelines was tough for you last year, especially late in the season when the team was making that great run to the playoffs. Was there any upside—in terms of being able to step back from the game and perhaps gain a new perspective?
SM: There was. When you’re playing, and never away from the game, you don’t realize there are other things about the game you need to concentrate on. I’m not talking about physically or statistically, but the emotions and attitudes you bring into the game from the locker room, for example. Sometimes other guys look for you to be that spark—not to just make a play, since that’s expected of me. When a guy misses a tackle or things aren’t always going well, you look for the extra spark of energy from someone else. That’s where I kind of noticed some things were missing.
TB: You played on three consecutive Pro Bowl teams before the injury kept you out last year. Will this be your fourth Pro Bowl season?
SM: We’ll see, man. They’re not just going to throw me into the fire right away. I know they’re going to break me in a bit during camp, so I’ll try to take it slow.
TB: But you’ll get some time in during the preseason?
SM: Absolutely. It’s going to take a whole lot more than just one or two people to keep me off the field. I’ve got to get in there and get a few snaps.
TB: The Chargers have been blessed with some of the most talented and experienced starters in the NFL in recent years. Yet despite all the predictions of Super Bowls, the teams have come up short. Are you and your teammates going to be wearing Super Bowl rings in February?
SM: There’s one thing I’ve learned over the few years I’ve been in the league: If you try to follow expectations because of your talent, or you’re predicted to do things early, you’re setting yourself up for failure. That’s one of the biggest things we’ve all learned not to do.
TB: Let’s talk about some of the fallout from your knee injury. It’s no secret general manager A.J. Smith was upset with you when you tried to rehab your knee without surgery, then missed a season when you had to have the surgery anyway. How is your relationship with A.J. now?
SM: We’ve never had a one-on-one problem; there’s always been mutual respect. Sometimes, the media will get involved and twist words, and make it all a bigger deal than it really is. At the end of the day, he’s still the GM, and he’s going to be the one—along with Dean Spanos—who makes the decisions. So I’ve gotta let that happen. One day, I’ll be sitting up in somebody’s front office, but right now is not my time.
TB: You and Philip Rivers both came to the Chargers in the deal that sent the infamous Eli Manning to the Giants. Did it bother you that the Giants won a Super Bowl before you even got there?
SM: It bothers me when anybody wins and we don’t. Not just the Giants. But it was one of those things that went down. Still, you can look at it in different ways. We had years we went 14-2. Some pretty good years. So I think that trade process worked out for the both of us. But honestly? Yeah, we’re still trying to get a ring.
TB: Okay, you’ve said you’re better than 100 percent. Does that mean you’ve worked on your “Lights Out” dance during the off-season?
SM: Oh, man, it’s gonna be rough the first time I do it. That’s why I gotta get it out during the preseason.
TB: So how did you get the nickname “Lights Out”?
SM: I got that back in high school. I knocked three guys out in one game—two in the first half, and another in the second half. They didn’t return.
TB: So that stuck.
SM: Yeah, that stuck. At every level I’ve played, in order for me to keep my name I had to find a way to knock somebody out. It didn’t stop in high school. My freshman year at Georgia Tech, I knocked out the wide receiver coming from across the middle, and so I got the name again.
TB: And you have to continue to live up to it?
SM: It’s tough, man, but somebody’s gotta do it.
TB: This is a contract year, and everybody’s making predictions about where Shawne Merriman will be next year. Do you think you’re going to be doing your “Lights Out” dance in a Chargers uniform after this season?
SM: Well, we’ll see. I’ve voiced my opinion and my feelings about this place. I love San Diego, I love my fans, and I would love to remain here. I’d love for this to be the only team I play for, but I think everybody would choose what’s best for the team first, and me second. This is a business.
TB: In 2004, when you were playing for Maryland, you had nine solo tackles against Northern Illinois. In the same game, a fellow named Larry English had four tackles before he was knocked out of the game. Now he’s a rookie, drafted by the Chargers to play the same position you play. What are your thoughts on Larry English and his abilities?
SM: I think he’s going to provide a lot of pressure, and that’s going to help us. The more people you can have—including myself, Sean Phillips and Larry English—it’s just a way to put more pressure on guys. It takes pressure off me and Sean to have Larry out there. With all we’ve got right now, it should be a pretty good year.
TB: It’s clear you’ve set some pretty tough goals for yourself as a professional football player. It’s also clear you’ve reached most of them. What are your major goals in life?
SM: I always strive to do something to change the game, like L.T. did, back when he was starting out. He changed that position; he put fear in people. He made them change their game plans.
TB: What about your goals off the field?
SM: I’d love being a great businessman. I love handling my business. I have a lifestyle clothing line, Sports Fever. It should be in seven or eight stores now. And we’re currently working on a Wal-Mart deal. In a short period of time, we’ll see what happens.
TB: So you have your football and your business now. But I’m thinking about a possible third career. You did a recent cameo with Keri Hilson for her music video “Knock You Down.” Are you also looking at an acting career?
SM: It’s possible. I have a couple of acting gigs on the table. But right now I’m playing football, and I sort of put those on the side until the day I decide to do it. I also got a call from the WWE to come out and wrestle. So my options are really many right now. And I’ll keep them open until one day I have to use them.
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