ThurmasThoman Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Very simple poll, but I wanted to see how the rest of the board is feeling about this question. While reading this, http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19393469/twobillsdrive , it struck me by about the third sentence that there is not one iota of my being that feels that this guy is going to make it through the season. I mean, I'd be pleasantly surprised if he made the 53-man roster. I'd be genuinely surprised if he saw significant playing action week 1. And I'll be downright amazed if he makes it past the bye week. But, is there anyone out there in Bills nation that feels like Merriman is going to be shutting the lights off whichever qb leads their team into the Ralph for the divisional round of the playoffs? edit - I had a place to vote, but it disappeared when i posted this. worst. thread. ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duck_dodgers007 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Wouldn't it be great if he got 5 or 6 sacks this year? I'd take that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haplo848 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 He's not going to be asked to be the starter, at least not right away. I'm pretty sure that despite the fact he's supposed completely healthy now after that surgery, I read somewhere that he'll start the season as a pure pass rush specialist, not an every down DE. I think that will help a lot, and if he's capable of handling the grind of being a starter (and is better then his competition at the spot), then he'll eventually be moved into the starter spot. All indications seem to be that his past injuries are now behind him, and shouldn't return. Whether he gets some unrelated injury that regularly occurs over the course of the season is another matter. Also, if he does get injured, is it bad enough to put him on IR? Too many questions. Personally, I won't be too surprised if he makes it past the bye week. Will he still be there when the Bills play in the Super Bowl this year? Who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Looks like its unanimous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 i'm going the other way this season (last year i dogged him constantly about getting injured).....i say he stays reasonably healthy this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoretalk Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Watching the OTA and mini camp videos he seems to have good movement. He underwent surgery that 'rebuilt' his injury prone achilles rarher than not undergoing intense surgery which was his choice in past years. No one is asking him to play every down this year. I really think speculating on the odds of an apparently healthy player getting injured is stupid because I hope no one gets hurt. Might as well have s poll as to who the first player to get hurt will be (Sounds so Vegas sports book like). Go Billls and may this finally be the year when the Bills have the fewest injuries! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Probably, if he even makes the team. At this point, you should never count of guys like Merriman and Easley. IT will make life easier. Anything you get from these 2 is a huge bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyHorseAteTheKid Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I hope he stays healthy and returns to form!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Kachy Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 If he goes on IR, he will not be on the roster by the end of the year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 If he goes to IR he would want the PUP list or injury settlement to move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanC883 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I think he stays healthy. I could be wrong, but I think he started last year. This year I think he comes in for rotational purposes to "spell" Mario or Anderson. This will give him fewer plays. A fresh Merriman will wreak havoc on the other teams, while keeping him healthy. If it comes to it, they could even somehow find a way to run a 5-2-4 and add him to the line. THAT'S scary (for other teams). Probably, if he even makes the team. At this point, you should never count of guys like Merriman and Easley. IT will make life easier. Anything you get from these 2 is a huge bonus. Agreed. Can't build the team around these guys, and I think Nix has avoided that for the most part. Would be nice to have a veteran #2 WR. Perhaps someone gets cut that they pickup on waivers. (a gem like Barnett at LB last year). Otherwise, it's a questionmark, but it was last year and with a healthy Fred, improved CJ, and better Fitz this team can still score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Regarding the 2012 NFL season - Shawne Merriman will play in all 19 regular-season and post-season Buffalo Bills football games, accumulating at least 10 sacks... GO BILLSSS!!!! "I expect to be undefeated...I expect to win every game." - Chan Gailey 19 and 0 baby!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAWNDO Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 i'm going the other way this season (last year i dogged him constantly about getting injured).....i say he stays reasonably healthy this season. + 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Never NEVER Give-up Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 i'm going the other way this season (last year i dogged him constantly about getting injured).....i say he stays reasonably healthy this season. AGREED!! I mean, I'd be shocked if he didn't make the 53-man roster. I'd be disappointed an surprised if he didn't play regularly in week 1. And I'll be downright amazed if he doesn't make it past the bye week. I expect him to get up to 10 sacks this year. Given that it's a passing league, he will get more snaps, not less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kota Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Merriman will be the starting opposite Mario Williams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I mean, I'd be pleasantly surprised if he made the 53-man roster. I'd be genuinely surprised if he saw significant playing action week 1. And I'll be downright amazed if he makes it past the bye week. Why so negative? Merriman will be the Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juice_32 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 He will end the season at the pro bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 He will end the season at the pro bowl. so we are not going to the super bowl? bummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Exclusive of the steroid issue, Merriman's problems started with his reluctance to have surgery. First on his knee and then his Achilles. I understand the reluctance, however when you earn your living as an athlete, when multiple doctors have recommended surgery and time is against you, you either do it or retire. Merriman is lucky to still be in the league, he no longer has the luxtury of time. This is it for him. That being said I hope he stays healthy, makes the team as a situational player, pass rusher. If he can produce anything near what he once did it makes this defense very tough. You have to root for the guy. For years I have been saying that the Bills need to start by building a team to beat the Patriots. To beat them you must put preasure on Brady. A healthy Merriman would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I think Shawn actually makes it through the season or at least mostly through the season due to the bills wising up..... When you rely TOO much on one player being the savior of your team...you are just asking for trouble. When Shawn was brought in....he was expected to transform the defense and turn it around....didn't happen. Now.....if Shawn even contributes as a backup player its gravy....which is probably why you will see him make a lot more impact plays. The pressure is off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
....lybob Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Merriman and the other Bills DEs will not get as many sacks as Bills fans think because..................Dareus and K Williams will get there first- bold prediction Bills DTs combine for 20+ sacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I'll be shocked if he plays 8 games. My guess is he breaks down again sometime early in the season and he ends up with an injury settlement. I hope I'm wrong, but this is what his history tells me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KGUN34 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I think he will probably play a limited but a valuable role.O linemen and Qb's will need eyes in the back of their heads this season.He will be a distraction at worst and a force at best but his contribution will lie somewhere between the two.Any glimpses of his past performances will be very welcome.Personally I hope he returns with a vengance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Merriman and the other Bills DEs will not get as many sacks as Bills fans think because..................Dareus and K Williams will get there first- bold prediction Bills DTs combine for 20+ sacks. how do you see that playing out? What and why? Serious question on how you see it coming about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hplarrm Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 The answer of course is who knows beyond the supreme being of your choice. However, I think the relevant answer (unknowable chance which is the biggest factor aside since this is merely the web) the two factors relevant to our thought are: 1. is the medical work good? My guess is yes, as though the leadership of Nix vs. the leadership of TD is different, the medical expertise available to Mr. Ralph and the Bills in Buffalo is probably the same folks as those that made the correct medical call Magahee (the mental call on this Mr. Dad sperm donor was not very good though)and also did some impressive medical calls and work on whatever that TEs name was who got paralyzed in a game a couple of years ago. The medical crew with the Bills seems to have convinced Merrimen to finally undergo a surgeries he had tried to avoid and apparently the work was done and he has healed as well as could be expected from this still quite young player. I do not anticipate any big medical problems and actually look forward to the old Merrimen coming back medically from whar I hear. 2. How will Merrimen be used- I feel pretty good about this also as it seeme the Bills will get a huge contribution from what Merrimen might do in addition to what he does. I thought it was quite impressive whar he did in his firsr initial work in pre-season last year. He showed signs of being a clear monster that opposing OCs would have to plan for every play (whether he us in or not the opponent needs to practice every play the week before as if he was in). I think when gametime occurs we will see Gaikey/Wannstedt use Merrimen judiciously. They will tell him let it all fly when you are in the game because we only plan initially to use you in brief play. If Merrimen performs like he did initially until the injury issue emerged then he will set fear in the plans of opposing OCs. I think this will be great for us. If he produces even a mere 6 or so sacks personally he will actually be respomsible for another 20-30 merelt by lining up on the opposite side from Mario or whomever and the O drifts toward Merrimen just in case he is coming. Used judiciously wer and tear on him will be minimal but the impact might be huge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todzilla Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Merriman and the other Bills DEs will not get as many sacks as Bills fans think because..................Dareus and K Williams will get there first- bold prediction Bills DTs combine for 20+ sacks. I love this optimism! Seems unlikely, but I think they chip in 5 or 6 each. Hopfully collapsing the pocket and preventing the quarterback from stepping up will make it that much easier for the DE's to get sacks. I do think Merriman stays relatively healthy this season and contributes all year long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I personally see the sacks for Marcel Darius either going down or staying about the same..... And he will still be the best player on the field. He will be our Ted Washington while Pat Williams (Kyle Williams) gets to free lance more and our nasty pass rush on the ends will end up getting most of the flashy stats. Marcel meanwhile will be the run cog "Stay at home" guy who will be unmovable in middle SOMEBODY has to bee that guy....Kyles is at his best when he is on the other side of the LOS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webster Guy Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Achilles and shoulders are very tough NFL injuries. I'm trying to think of a pass rusher that has had Merriman type injuries, been inactive for a few years and come back to be productive. I remember Charles Haley trying it with the Niners after his Dallas years of greatness and he couldn't make it work. Those injuries on a wide receiver or a QB or a D-back are not always career killers because those types of players aren't getting pounded by a 300lb Olineman on every play, but these Dlinemen are in a car crash on every play. Hey after what they did with Willis Mcgahee's knee when some people said the dude would never even run again, you never know baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDogg20 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Personally ive got a good feeling about Merriman this year, he seems to have a little different attitude in interviews this year as opposed to last. I think he contibutes this year, how much is yet to be determined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedy G Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Merriman will be the Comeback Player of the Year in the NFL! Let's hope this is true!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I'd never root or bet SM goes on IR as that is betting against the Bills. I'm agreed with a number of you, with a 50% role he will shine. The best of this issue is we finally, FINALLY, have some depth. Imagine it is week 7 and Mario goes down for two weeks, and you still have a rotation of the other three whipping opposing QB's, and then Super Mario comes back with a vengeance, and CK goes down for a couple of weeks. That's been our problem and what Buddy has been talking about lately in interviews. No Depth. I'm just praying Nigel, and Tank, are as good as I hope they are to back up when NB, KS, etc get hurt, and Mcgee can be who he once was as he doesn't get borken down the whole year. Just has to do it for four weeks when let's say AW gets hurt. This is the most hopeful part of our off season as we don't have some retread as a back up who you know is going to be horrible as soon as the starter goes down for a couple of weeks, then they rish back and get hurt again and go on IR. Our year fellas. MGK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybrew1 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I think the defence can be dominate without him..... With him, I think our defense may be compared to the best ever. There is no player I do not like and a whole bunch that I think will be in the running for season ending awards. Including Shawn, who will be up for comeback player of the year and possibly the probowl... If Light's Out plays, I see him rotating with Mr. Anderson, slowly at first with a gradual increase depending on many factors. I really hope they can hold him back a little, increasing his odds of being healthy for the playoffs. What I like about having him is he will lay people out and intimidate opponents (for real) within the rules.... I see him taking a major leadership role with regards to player and team tpughness (and I think we need that). I think he will also keep our team's eyes on the prize.... Don't forget, he really was maybe the best defender in football three years ago and is only 28. I think he is more excited than any of us and is just dying to show everyone he can do it, and play at a probowl level without roids.... It is very exciting! I love the offense too.... Scrappy, tough and effiecient. With a great running game to keep defenses guessing and an intelligent and effective passing game that will be able to capitolize on good field position or make a good defense pay that can take away our running game.... Every single game will be special to me. Every week we need to get a little better. A little more confident, a little more demanding of themselves... Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I think the defence can be dominate without him..... With him, I think our defense may be compared to the best ever. There is no player I do not like and a whole bunch that I think will be in the running for season ending awards. Including Shawn, who will be up for comeback player of the year and possibly the probowl... If Light's Out plays, I see him rotating with Mr. Anderson, slowly at first with a gradual increase depending on many factors. I really hope they can hold him back a little, increasing his odds of being healthy for the playoffs. What I like about having him is he will lay people out and intimidate opponents (for real) within the rules.... I see him taking a major leadership role with regards to player and team tpughness (and I think we need that). I think he will also keep our team's eyes on the prize.... Don't forget, he really was maybe the best defender in football three years ago and is only 28. I think he is more excited than any of us and is just dying to show everyone he can do it, and play at a probowl level without roids.... It is very exciting! I love the offense too.... Scrappy, tough and effiecient. With a great running game to keep defenses guessing and an intelligent and effective passing game that will be able to capitolize on good field position or make a good defense pay that can take away our running game.... Every single game will be special to me. Every week we need to get a little better. A little more confident, a little more demanding of themselves... Go Bills! Honestly sir. That is an excellent perspective and realistic. He has been on the field doing the work and no light days ( from what i have perceived and read ) Go Bills indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybrew1 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Honestly sir. That is an excellent perspective and realistic. He has been on the field doing the work and no light days ( from what i have perceived and read ) Go Bills indeed Isn't it great? Rates his health at 100%! Barnett sez Sheppard could be an all-time great. Fitzpatrick quote, "my accuracy is light year's ahead of last year at this time." Everybody is coming together, as players and teamates. Donald Jones playing well, Easly fighting back. Stevie working to improve. Nelson working with tim brown. Dorian the H-back being talk of as if he already is a Bill. Hagan impressing. Graham coming on. As people talk about his speed. And that's just the WRs! Ha-ha-ha! Bills' fans gotta wear shades when looking to the future..... Blindfolds when looking back.... No jinxes! And knock on wood! Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalos#1Fan Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 If he goes on IR, he will not be on the roster by the end of the year this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I think the defence can be dominate without him..... With him, I think our defense may be compared to the best ever. There is no player I do not like and a whole bunch that I think will be in the running for season ending awards. Including Shawn, who will be up for comeback player of the year and possibly the probowl... If Light's Out plays, I see him rotating with Mr. Anderson, slowly at first with a gradual increase depending on many factors. I really hope they can hold him back a little, increasing his odds of being healthy for the playoffs. What I like about having him is he will lay people out and intimidate opponents (for real) within the rules.... I see him taking a major leadership role with regards to player and team tpughness (and I think we need that). I think he will also keep our team's eyes on the prize.... Don't forget, he really was maybe the best defender in football three years ago and is only 28. I think he is more excited than any of us and is just dying to show everyone he can do it, and play at a probowl level without roids.... It is very exciting! I love the offense too.... Scrappy, tough and effiecient. With a great running game to keep defenses guessing and an intelligent and effective passing game that will be able to capitolize on good field position or make a good defense pay that can take away our running game.... Every single game will be special to me. Every week we need to get a little better. A little more confident, a little more demanding of themselves... Go Bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Bills Fan Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Achilles and shoulders are very tough NFL injuries. I'm trying to think of a pass rusher that has had Merriman type injuries, been inactive for a few years and come back to be productive. I remember Charles Haley trying it with the Niners after his Dallas years of greatness and he couldn't make it work. Those injuries on a wide receiver or a QB or a D-back are not always career killers because those types of players aren't getting pounded by a 300lb Olineman on every play, but these Dlinemen are in a car crash on every play. Hey after what they did with Willis Mcgahee's knee when some people said the dude would never even run again, you never know baby! Didn't Sam Cowart have the same injury? How was he after it? I cant remember Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloFan68 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I would like our D to set a new NFL record for the most sacks in a season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fixxxer Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I don't know but I have to say I have a good vibe a about him this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optometric Insight Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 (edited) I would like our D to set a new NFL record for the most sacks in a season. 74 would put us in the record books. Think we could do it? Rounding to the nearest whole number, that's 4 sacks a game if we make it to the playoffs; 5 sacks a game if we don't. Edited June 22, 2012 by Teen Insight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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