Merriman and the appeal??

[RamOfDenmark]

That Merriman played seems unfair to me. I mean it's fine that he's innocent until proven guilty, but haven't he already been proven guilty? As far as I understand the case he has admitted having a illegal substance in his body, the test show an illegal substance, what is there to appeal? Not taking it on purpose doesn't really change anything in this case, if it's in your body, it's *your* responsibility period. All NFL teams make it 100% clear to their players that if they take suplements they are responsible for what's in those suplements, unless the suplement is on the list of NFL approved suplements (which is *not* the case with Merriman). Maybe he did it on purpose, maybe something unintended was in those suplements and it's an accident, I don't presume to know his intensions, but the facts as far as I can see are:

1) Merriman took suplements that are not approved by the NFL .

2) Those suplements contained illegal substances.

3) He was tested and found positive for substance abuse.

4) He has not denied having illegal substances in his system or contested the test results.

The punishment for this infraction is a well-established 4-game suspension for 1st time offenders.

And so I ask again, what is there to appeal here? The way I see it there is no way in hell he's not going to serve that 4-game suspension, no chance at all. The Chargers and Merriman simply succeeded in postponing the inevitable with some bureaucratic moves, to our detriment.

(In case we have some lawyers among us or others familiar with the case feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made here)

[CaliGirlRamsFan]

I watched the second half at a casino in Reno, and I have to tell you.......There was not one fan (For all teams), that were not disgusted with his behavior during the game.

Maybe it was the steroids that was making him act the way he was, but either way, he acted like a jerk.

[laram0]

I totally agree that Merriman is going to have to sit for 4 weeks on suspension. I just wonder what the Chargers were thinking, If they gave Merriman any advice on what and when to do it?

Merriman had 2 choices ( no appeal) miss the next 4 games:
vs. Rams
vs. Browns
@ Bengals
@ Broncos

Appeal and hearing is set for Nov. 7th. which means miss the following 4 games:
@ Bengals
@ Broncos
vs. Raiders
@ Bills

I would have thought that the no appeal made more sense.Playing Rams NFC, which if they lost doesn't have as much consequence as losing to an AFC team. Also beating the AFC Browns without Merriman is a good possibility.

Instead they're gambling that he will have the suspension lessened to 2 games instead of 4. Which in any case he wouldn't be able to play vs. Bengals and Broncos anyway. However if he is slapped with the 4 games suspension all 4 games will be vs. AFC Teams. IMO the Chargers are gambling that he only gets the 2 game suspension.

I hope that makes sense.

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by RamOfDenmark

That Merriman played seems unfair to me. I mean it's fine that he's innocent until proven guilty, but haven't he already been proven guilty? As far as I understand the case he has admitted having a illegal substance in his body, the test show an illegal substance, what is there to appeal? Not taking it on purpose doesn't really change anything in this case, if it's in your body, it's *your* responsibility period. All NFL teams make it 100% clear to their players that if they take suplements they are responsible for what's in those suplements, unless the suplement is on the list of NFL approved suplements (which is *not* the case with Merriman). Maybe he did it on purpose, maybe something unintended was in those suplements and it's an accident, I don't presume to know his intensions, but the facts as far as I can see are:

1) Merriman took suplements that are not approved by the NFL .

2) Those suplements contained illegal substances.

3) He was tested and found positive for substance abuse.

4) He has not denied having illegal substances in his system or contested the test results.

The punishment for this infraction is a well-established 4-game suspension for 1st time offenders.

And so I ask again, what is there to appeal here? The way I see it there is no way in hell he's not going to serve that 4-game suspension, no chance at all. The Chargers and Merriman simply succeeded in postponing the inevitable with some bureaucratic moves, to our detriment.

(In case we have some lawyers among us or others familiar with the case feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made here)

The Chargers manipulated the system and took advantage, but they did it within the rules. The league negotiated the appeal process with the NFLPA. The league chose the Nov. 7 hearing date. If you have a problem with anyone, it should be the league.

IMO, the Chargers were concerned about being shorthanded with Phillips out as well as concerned about a potent Ram offense and chose to keep Merriman around. We'll see how it works out for them.

[sunflame]

I hate steriod user. What is NFl trying to do by even giving him an appeal, if you even have steriod with you, i think you are guilty.

[Rambos]

It was sad to know this guy is on drugs as he playing like a man possessed. I especial like the line where he is going to be spending a week of his time off with the united way. LOL

Every time he made a play it felt kinda dirty.

Strange rule, if he changes his mind and does not appeal, what is that? The rule should be if his team lets him play and he loses his appeal and he is found to be on an illegal substance they should have to forfeit any games he played in, while the appeal process is taking place.

Because you know he is going to lose and he is out there jacked up!

[Milan]

That guy shouldn't be playing, there's nothing to appeal. Imagine he wins this appeal?

I don't know why that Jack*** is celebrating after every sack, sure it's easy to be stronger and break through the line when you've got performance enhancing drugs in your body.

[laram0]

I heard last night that he's thinking of dropping the appeal. Source was ESPN.