Merriman to start suspension today; Linebacker will miss four games starting Sunday

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Tuesday, October 31, 2006 11:51 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO - Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman dropped the appeal for his violation of the NFL Policy on Anabolic Steroids and Related Substances on Tuesday. He begins his suspension today. The suspension will cover four games starting with Sunday's home contest against the Cleveland Browns.

Merriman produced a positive drug test for the steroid nandrolone, it was learned on Oct. 22. Merriman didn't dispute the reading, but claimed it registered from unknowingly ingesting a tainted nutritional supplement.

But Merriman's chances of overturning the decision were slim, according to NFL player rules.ÝSo the second-year pro will skip Sunday's game and contests against the Bengals, Broncos and Raiders.

Merriman is eligible to return to practice on Nov. 27 and play on Dec. 3 in Buffalo. After addressing the team this morning, Merriman is banned from Chargers Park, unable to attend practices, meetings,Ýor train at the facility.

"We're obviously going to support Shawne and we'll prepare for the alternatives much the way we would if we had a player who wasn't available for other reasons," coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "We'll put the pieces together and go back to work."

The Chargers, at 5-2, are tied with the Broncos atop the AFC West and will try maintaining a share of the lead minus one of their top players. Carlos Polk is expected to start Sunday in Merriman's place.

Merriman was the NFL's rookie defensive player of the year in 2005 when collecting a team-high 10 sacks. He quickly gained notoriety for his play and flamboyant manner he celebrates each sack with his "Lights Out" dance.

In Sunday's win over the Rams, Merriman tied a career-high with three sacks.

But for the next four games, Merriman goes from "Lights Out" to left out, forfeiting $73,000 in game checks.

"We'll be OK,'' linebacker Shaun Phillips said. "Of course we won't be as good of a defense because he is one our the best, if not the best, defense player in the league. It's a step back, but we will overcome it.''

Phillips, who starts opposite Merriman on the NFL's No.2-rated defense, could minimize Merriman's absence if he returns from a calf injury suffered Oct. 22.

But it appears Phillips, second to Merriman among Chargers with six sacks, won't play until the following week at Cincinnati.

"I'm 75 percent, day-to-day,'' Phillips said. "If I'm not good playing this week, it will be one more week. I think we will be OK because we got a good nucleus and we got good guys to take care of business.

"We're a good football team; I'm not going to be say we're a better team without Shawne. But what if he was hurt for those four games? Injuries take place over a course of a season and teams have to bounce back and be stronger.''

While the steroids stain has soiled Merriman's reputation, Phillips said the squad supports him and that Merriman will prevail.

"He's upset, but he is a man, he is a big boy and he will face any challenge, look any challenge in the eye,'' Phillips said. "That is the type of player he is.

"He is more upset about not being there for his teammates. He knows he made a mistake, but we believe him. We know he is not a bad guy and didn't need anything to help himself out. He is just a blessed athlete; we believe in him 100 percent. He is still one of our team leaders and we still respect him the same way as we did a month ago.''

Merriman, a first-round pick last year, spoke earlier of his disappointment if unable to air his appeal next Tuesday.

"Yeah, I would feel like that,'' he said. "I didn't get a chance to finish out the process that I was trying to achieve. But at the same time it's not about me proving a point or proving anything anymore. It's about me playing football.

"I just want to stay on the field - I have to do what's best to get back on the field as soon as possible.''

The Chargers said in a statement: "We're proud of the stand-up way Shawne has taken responsibility for the mistake he made. We have faith in Shawne Merriman and we have faith in the players on this team. The Chargers have been resilient all season long, and we will continue to be resilient.Ý It's a tough lesson learned for Shawne about the world of supplements."

Merriman's transgression is the latest in a string of incidents reflecting poorly on the Chargers.

Steve Foley, another linebacker, was wounded in September by an off-duty police officer after Foley was observed driving erratically; Foley was charged with DUI. Foley won't play this season.

Safety Terrence Kiel was arrested in September on five felony drug charges and missed a game.

Cornerback Markus Curry, a member of the practice squad, was arrested last month in a domestic violence incident and released from the team.

Foley and Phillips were arrested in the offseason altercations with police, but neither were charged.

-- Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.

Cleveland Browns - KICKOFF: 1:15 p.m., Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium

SERIES: Chargers lead, 12-7-1. The Chargers won the last meeting, a 21-0 victory in 2004 in frigid Cleveland which clinched their first AFC West title since 1994.

PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Reuben Droughns

Another powerful running back awaits on the Chargers, on the heels of tangling with the Rams' Steven Jackson and the Chiefs' Larry Johnson. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Droughns is coming off his second 100-yard game of the season, when he rushed for 125 on 33 carries in a 20-13 win over the Jets. Droughns, who the Chargers know from their matchups with the Broncos, is 7.5 yards per game shy of being on pace for his third consecutive - and second with the Browns - 1,000-yard season. When Droughns hit a grand last year, he was the first Browns to do so since 1985, when Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack turned the trick for then coach Marty Schottenheimer. Droughns, who is running behind a makeshift front line, has 382 rushing yards and two TDs on 113 carries. Despite Droughns' efforts, the Browns are ranked ahead of only Oakland rushing offense.

OFFENSE: Cleveland Browns - KICKOFF: 1:15 p.m., Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium

This unit has a new look with Jeff Davidson taking over as coordinator on Sunday, after Maurice Carthon was shown the door. Davidson relied on the running game and short passes to TE Kellen Winslow (Scripps Ranch High) to earn the team's second win in seven games. Winslow has his health this year, after his rookie season was cut short with a broken leg and his sophomore campaign derailed by a serious motorcycle accident. Winslow, whose dad earned Hall of Fame status as a tight end with the Chargers, has the most receptions (40) for his position in the NFL. That also paces the Browns, as do his 393 receiving yards and three touchdowns. ... QB Charlie Frye is completing 62 percent of his passes (139-of-223) for 1,329 yards, seven TDs and 11 INTs. ... Frye's wide out targets include Braylon Edwards (24 catches, 378 yards, one TD) and Dennis Northcutt (13-108).

DEFENSE

On this side, the Browns are led by a pass ranked No. 5 in the league, allowing but 180.3 yards per game. In beating the Jets on Sunday, the defense held Chad Pennington to a microscopic 21.1 rating, the second lowest of his career. ... The defense added two well-known names in the offseason in massive DT Ted Washington and LB Willie McGinest. ... Nine different players have sacks, led by LB Kamerion Wimbley's three. DT Simon Fraser and LBs Chaun Thompson and McGinest each have two. ... LB Andra Davis, the Browns' key man, leads the team with 65 tackles. Last year Davis paced the NFL with 199 tackles. ... SS Sean Jones had two picks last Sunday, giving him a team-high four for the season. ... The Browns struggle against the run, allowing 136 yards per game.

NOTEWORTHY

Sunday's weather will be considerably better than the last time these teams met. In 2004 the visiting Chargers defeated the Browns on a blustery day in which the wind-chill was minus 10 degrees. Then Chargers QB Drew Brees attempted but six passes, four of which he completed for 85 yards and a TD. ... Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer took over the Browns' head coaching chores midway through the 1984 season, when they were 1-7. Schottenheimer directed them to a 4-4 record the rest of the way. He stayed in Cleveland through the 1988 season, a span in which the Browns advanced to the postseason four times, including two AFC champion games - they lost both of them. ... Browns coach Romeo Crennel, the Patriots' defensive coordinator on their three Super Bowl championship teams, has a 8-15 mark since taking over last year. ... WR Keenan McCardell was in Cleveland from 1992-95. ... Browns S Brian Russell played at San Diego State. ... Browns RB coach Dave Atkins is a former SDSU coach. ... Browns TE Steve Heiden played with the Chargers from 1999-2001.