Shawne Merriman For Defensive MVP??
Miami Dophins defensive STUD Jason Taylor is on record as saying Shawne Merriman shouldn’t be this years defensive MVP because he tested positive for steroids.
For those that don’t know, I’ve always been a defender of Barry Bonds in concern to the whole steroid issue. I’ve said on multiple occasions that I don’t believe Bonds should have an asteric beside his statistics. There are a couple reasons I believe this:
1. He has never officially tested positive for steroids. The writing might be all over the wall, but until the guy tests positive, lets move on.
2. The MLB testing policy before 2004 was a joke. If Bonds were doing steroids, he probably wasn’t in the minority. Why put a star beside his name because he achieved his statistics while enhanced….vs. players that were enhanced.
3. I just happen to be a San Francisco Giants fan, so of course I probably have some bias.
As for Merriman, I have a different stance. I agree, 100% with Jason Taylor. Early this season my friend Mike and I were discussing the beastliness of Merriman. We talked of his size and speed, and how we’ve never seen an athlete quite like him. Mike looked at me and said…”he’s juicing, guys gotta be juicing”..A few weeks later, sure enough, BUSTED.
The NFL has, and has had a testing policy in place for quite some time. In theory, it catches everyone that cheats. (of course we all know this isn’t true) Merriman got caught. It was reported that BOTH of Merriman’s samples tested positive and that his suspension was definintely for steroids, not one of those supplement deals. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Merriman was suspended for nandrolone, also known as Deca-Durabolin. Merriman claims that he took this unknowingly as part of his daily supplement routine. Nandrolone is a banned anabolic steroid. It’s not something you take “by accident”. You’re going to tell me that a freakish athlete, that has been taking supplements for years, and probably has a trainer as well, took a banned anabolic steroid by accident? Hmmm, yeah, ok Shawne.
Why or how Merriman took the steroid doesn’t really matter until you consider Merriman’s reaction to Taylor’s comments. Merriman notes that he handled this matter correctly, apologized, and served his suspension. Yeah, sorta. Handling the situation correctly would have included saying you took the steroid, and that you wouldn’t do it again. Haven’t heard him say that, only that it was an accident.
All that being said, how does a player that tests positive for steroids get ANY acclaim? His numbers are amazing, but the thing that makes this situation different is that Merrimans play is a direct result of athletic freakishness. Him beating two blockers to a QB isn’t a result of great hand/eye coordination…it’s a direct result of strength and speed…..the two attributes that have ALWAYS made Merriman stand out from the crowd. When your superpower is exposed as being a farce…..how do you continue to be included in a premier group of NFL athletes? Barry Bonds has been nailed to the cross and has never even tested positive…..people can’t mention Bonds without the word steroids as well. Olympic athletes test positive and are immediately stripped of all awards and banned from further competition. That includes several that tested positive for nandrolone. Yet an NFL player fails a test…..that includes 2 samples, where a STRICT policy is in place, that they are well aware of (this isn’t like baseball where it’s drawn in the sand) and they get a slap on the wrist 4 game suspension, lose some pay, then come back later and finish leading a team to the playoffs. I don’t get it and I don’t like it.
I now find myself pulling against the Chargers and Merriman. I finally understand why the people that feel the way they do about Bonds….feel that way. Here’s to hoping Jason Taylor wins NFL Defensive Player of the Year. I applaud him for speaking out against Merriman in a sport where athletes aren’t so comfortable talking about other athletes.
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I agree with you about Merriman but we can’t forget about Champ Bailey. He shuts down one side of the field every game. Now if Jason Taylor wins defensive player the year I can’t hate because he is just as deserving. I just think Champs play has more of an impact for his team because without him Denver does not make the playoffs. The Dolphins have no chance at a playoff spot even though they are not mathematically out of it.
Open letter to “Scott” re: Merriman’s use of steriods. Having found your blog and bias I get the picture.
The facts of this case are: Merriman tested positive in early August of this year (start of training camp to be exact). His results were not made public but he has been tested twice a week since August of this year. He has been clean since August. Yeah, he’s a monster but then so was LT (Lawrence Taylor) and numerous others. I seriously doubt that any residue of the steroid could be in his body since August so you should chalk it up to the fact that he is “that good”. So therefore…..I recommend you get over your bad scientific bloviating and just go take a nap!
An NFL Fan since 1961!
Thanks for the comment Mike.
You make some good points but how are we to know that Merriman wasn’t doing this up until August.
Also, just because he’s not testing positive now, doesn’t mean he’s not juicing. Of course, we don’t know. You nailed the main fact though….which is, HE TESTED POSITIVE.
He called it an accident, do you honestly believe that?
Also, I have no bias against Merriman or the Chargers.
Also, Mike, I wanted to add this.
A few things about Merriman-
Nandrolone isn’t something that’s taken by itself. Yes, Nandrolone will help you get “bigger” but it’s main purpose is to ease joint pain from heavy workouts….if you take it alone, you get what’s called “Deca-Dick”..I’ll let you put 2+2 together to figure out what deca dick might be. Any world class athlete (merriman) is going to know this. That’s one of the reasons Merriman behing dishonest about the ordeal bothers me so much.
Another thing…you mention that he’s been “clean” since August. Yeah, it’s pretty possible that this is true. However, his body was and IS enhanced. HE GAINED in the gym thanks to the use of steroids….he was able to build muscle faster than a person not taking steroids would have been able to. Now, when he quit, he might lose SOME of this….lets say he gained 15% more muscle than normal…and lost 7% after he got off the juice…..He still has a net gain and a head start on others thanks to steroids…ever heard of muscle memory?
Finally, this isn’t scientific bloviating. Ever worked out? Ever seen how long it takes to build muscle vs. someone juicing? It doesn’t take science to see the advantages.
Ruben, I like your thinking, but don’t see Champ getting it. You are basically penalizing Taylor because the Dolphins offense sucks. The Broncos were a 13-3 team last year, they’ve taken a step back this year…..despite having the best corner in the NFL.