We B 4 Da Billz Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share Posted April 14, 2011 Initially, from the press reports after the waiver signing occurred, there was a great deal of speculation/controversy that Lights Out did not want to be a BILL and wouldn't play in Buffalo. The public got the impression that he felt he was too good for the likes of the Bills. The injury 10 mins into his first practice only fueled the speculation further. Merriman has a high opinion of himself, irrelevant of the production or lack thereof in the last 3-4 years. In following him on Twitter, I get the feeling that this opinion has softened over time, and he might realize that this is likely the last chance he'll have at reviving his career. I think he is finally accepting what the perceptions of him, his performance, and his Injury history really are from around the League. If he fails in Buffalo, who will want him after that? The opportunities to make plays and show the NFL that you aren't finished are limitless in Buffalo, and it's just the place where he could establish himself to dominance again. Given the level of talent around him - he could truly shine and become a star once again. With that said, I believe he is going to make every effort to play and condition himself to be physically ready and to minimize the potential of further injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Linen Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 You guys that think he's done because of an injury are hilarious. You act like today's athletes don't come back from injuries. Why anyone of us would pretend to know more about his injury over the Buffalo Bills medical staff and Front Office is comical. "I have a gut feeling he won't play a regular season down, and we threw that money away" The Bills felt good enough about it based on medical exams to extend his contract, but your gut tells you they're wrong? How ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 "Lights Out", hunh? Guess he's talking about his football career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumbalaya Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I hope I am wrong but I still have a gut feeling that Merriman will never play a regular season down for the Bills and we threw that money away. He hasn't done anything note worthy since getting off the juice and ruining his knee. I think the lights are out for good. Sounds like a last ditch effort to make a couple bucks off of past glory. Who sells t-shirts promoting themselves when they haven't done anything in what 3 years? Sell t-shirts after you get back on the field and do something. My gut tells me that Merriman will have a very good year for the Bills and will play in most if not all the games and finish with at least 8 sacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yungmack Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 WE did not throw any of OUR money away for Merriman. The Bills after evaluating his physical status felt it was worth the risk to sign him before another team signed him and if he can play at even 3/4 of his former self then it will be a Bills' coup. If he doesn't play then most of the money that does not come from OUR pockets will not get paid from Ralph Wilson's funds either. I get so irritated when this board screams for every reject from other teams and here we sign someone who if healthy will help the team. Is it possible that we had the inside track because of Buddy Nix ... sure looks like it. Is Merriman being the good team citizen? Yes, he is. Are there any reasons to be ticked off that we signed him ... it didn't prevent the Bills from taking other actions related to available players. It only seems that those who are mad are those who think that their last spare change for Starbucks was used to sign him. I say GO BILLS ... and would love to see LIGHTS OUT terrorizing the opposition because if he does then those shirts will move ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr1 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Ligaments out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 You guys that think he's done because of an injury are hilarious. You act like today's athletes don't come back from injuries. Why anyone of us would pretend to know more about his injury over the Buffalo Bills medical staff and Front Office is comical. "I have a gut feeling he won't play a regular season down, and we threw that money away" The Bills felt good enough about it based on medical exams to extend his contract, but your gut tells you they're wrong? How ridiculous. I hear what you are saying, but Merriman has had a multitude of injuries...sure, a lot of guys come back from injuries, while others just keep pull, break and strain things, until their career is done...Merriman is close to that point now. Like I said earlier, it would be awesome if he could return to his pre-suspension/pre-injury roll, form...but I think the Bills would be foolish to bank on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrocks Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 While I agree with the OP in that I don't think Merriman will play much if at all this season, I agree with you as well. I am happy we re- signed him. We didn't pay him a lot (around 2.2 per I think, I may be wrong), and IF he does turn out to be healthy, he is well worth the money. It's a boom or bust situation IMO, and the fact that we didn't waste a pick, only money, makes it well worth it for this team. I'm rooting for him bigtime, but I think his career may be over. I hope he proves me wrong and we get to see his sack dance on many occasions this year and in the future. why people think he cannot be healthy is beyond me. now all the geniuses on this board know more than our team doctors who actually examined him and gave buddy the ok on his injury front but what do they know compared to all the message board GM's on this stupid board who never even saw the guy. i just dont get it. please explain why he cant be healthy. could it not be that his injury was reaggravated last year in SD maybe because he tried to come back to soon. my God give the guy a break and the bills medical staff also. i hope like hell the guy is healthy so all you know it all pessimists all look like fools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 One of the statements he made a way back was that the Bills staff identified his injuries and has allowed him to recuperate fully and get the right rehab for his nagging problems that never healed. This was after his first mistep as a Buffalo in practice. I do not recall the rest of the details in his quote. But i have thought and said more than once.. he knows what this year means. He has been given a gift from the Buffalo FO and i expect him to make every effort to repay it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoner7 Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Even if he doesnt have the burst he once had, I still think he could be a viable option at Inside LB. He ahs the size and awareness, and his lack of explosion wouldnt hurt him so badly. You dont have the kind of success he had by just being a freak of nature - he understands the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Even if he doesnt have the burst he once had, I still think he could be a viable option at Inside LB. He ahs the size and awareness, and his lack of explosion wouldnt hurt him so badly. You dont have the kind of success he had by just being a freak of nature - he understands the game. Not really buying that idea, Thone. Merriman's problems are all in his legs AFAIK, and moving him inside to be a thumper and play downhill against the interior of the OL on gimpy legs tied together with rubber bands doesn't seem like a recipe for success. I don't really want him "sprinting" around trying to cover the deep middle 3rd of the field either, do you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 You guys that think he's done because of an injury are hilarious. You act like today's athletes don't come back from injuries. Why anyone of us would pretend to know more about his injury over the Buffalo Bills medical staff and Front Office is comical. "I have a gut feeling he won't play a regular season down, and we threw that money away" The Bills felt good enough about it based on medical exams to extend his contract, but your gut tells you they're wrong? How ridiculous. 1. "hilarious"? Merriman himself has shown it is very dificult to come back from a severe injury. 2. "comical"? Merriman was reinjured very soon (his first steps on the field) after being cleared by the Bills medical staff and FO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Linen Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 1. "hilarious"? Merriman himself has shown it is very dificult to come back from a severe injury. 2. "comical"? Merriman was reinjured very soon (his first steps on the field) after being cleared by the Bills medical staff and FO. I think calling the Bills FO and outstanding medical staff inept is a stretch. It's at the very least more plausible to believe in them than to doubt them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammie65 Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 Merriman is definitely a gamble, but aren't most things in the NFL? Many on here may have it right and he becomes a wasted effort for the Bills but consider this. He's had a lot of time to heal and get conditioned and he also is at the make or break point in his career as already stated, which in my opinion makes him a serious threat if he truly is and can stay healthy. Here's hoping he makes a huge comeback on this team instead of another one, and if not then we move forward accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Direhard Fan Posted April 16, 2011 Share Posted April 16, 2011 We made a great effort to improve our team and you belittle the effort. SHAME He can be a great asset and have an excellent impact on our younger players. Hope for the best and be partners in the investment. Go Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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