Merriman named Defensive Players of the Week
Rookie linebacker Shawne Merriman named Defensive Players of the Week for games played the 15th week of the 2005 season (December 17-19), the NFL announced today.
Facing their greatest challenge of the season, San Diego entered the RCA Dome to play the 13-0 Colts and came out a 26-17 winner, thanks in large part to a tenacious defense led by rookie linebacker Shawne Merriman. The 21-year-old Merriman who leads NFL rookies in sacks (9.0) was a disruptive force in the first half as he was involved in 2.0 sacks and three other tackles for losses. In the second quarter with the Chargers clinging to a 10-0 lead, the 6-4, 272-pounder tackled Peyton Manning on a fourth-and-goal play from the Chargers’ one-yard line for a six-yard loss and on the ensuing possession, San Diego drove 91 yards in 18 plays for a field goal and a 13-0 edge at the half. A Merriman sack on third-down on the Colts’ first series of the third quarter enabled the Chargers to kick a field goal to extend their lead to 16-0. The win ups San Diego’s ledger to 9-5, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 15 were:
·Cleveland cornerback Leigh Bodden, who recorded a career-high four passes defensed and added his team-leading third interception of the year as the Browns' defense limited the Raiders to a lone touchdown. Bodden added six tackles and was part of a defense that limited the Raiders to only 113 net yards passing.
·New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who led the Patriots with a game-high 15 tackles, including 2.0 sacks for 20 yards, one pass defensed and a forced fumble. The game marked the first time this season that an opponent did not penetrate New England’s 20-yard line.
·Pittsburgh linebacker Larry Foote, tied for the team-lead with seven tackles, including one that resulted in a safety. Foote also recorded his second sack of the season.
·Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter, who recorded his seventh sack to tie for the team lead and notched his second interception of the year. The interception, which came at Pittsburgh’s five-yard line, ended a Minnesota scoring threat. The sack gave Porter 50.5 for his career.
·Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, who had seven tackles and 3.0 sacks, which led a six-sack day by the Dolphins, in a 24-20 win against the Jets. Taylor now stands with 11.0 sacks on the season, the fourth time in his career that he attained double-digit totals for sacks. It was the second time this year and the sixth time in his career that he recorded three sacks in a game, and the Dolphins are 6-0 in those games.
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S. Merriman:
finish these next two games strong with the sacks ect. and you should be named ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!
travis (December 21, 2005 01:37 PM)
Shanwe is awesome, and he still has more to learn. Imagine what he will be like when that happens!
ChargerChris (December 21, 2005 02:04 PM)
Shanwe Merriman wow man your amazing!!! continue like that and THX to help SD to be one of the BEST TEAMS...
Cya greetings from Costa Rica
Fabian (December 21, 2005 02:33 PM)
his the iNtimidaTor..he can tackled any one on his way! He deserve to be at Pro Bowl!
vOnDiEzEL (December 21, 2005 03:03 PM)
I'd like to thank Eli for getting SD the pick to get S Merriman. I think that would be the second Manning we've squashed this season.
#1BOLTBACKER (December 21, 2005 03:55 PM)
hombre feliz!
favy baby (December 21, 2005 04:02 PM)
merriman is the best he should get rookie of the year for sure.
dave (December 21, 2005 04:44 PM)
Shawne could almost be mentioned in the same sentence as some one like Ray Lewis
Go the Chargers
Greeting from Australia have a merry christmas
Scottie (December 21, 2005 05:01 PM)
Merriman, You are awsome, you are the future junior Seau for the chargers, you are the best rookie in the NFL, and some day the best defencive player.
alejandro malfavon (December 21, 2005 06:13 PM)
Light's out to tha colts.
Now it's time for K.C.to go the bed.
g.moore (December 21, 2005 07:12 PM)
Merriman,great game, i hope he wins rookie of the year, i wish marty let him play on third down to get more presure on Qb's
Jorge R. (December 21, 2005 07:47 PM)
congrats to shawne but i think he still has a lot to prove around here and he hasnt done half of what donnie edwards has done for the fans and the organization but he is a great addition to the team
edson (December 21, 2005 08:44 PM)
for the whole chargers player. i just wanted to say your best rookie we have and one of the best outside linebackers. and a good game at RCA Dome. my throat is sore for screaming. But lets go to KC and beat the cheif. alright!
Dango Sok (December 21, 2005 10:28 PM)
Shanwe Merriman man your awsome!!! Continue like this and never leave San Diego! You could be the next Junior Seau! Thanks for helping the San Diego Chargers to be one of the Best Teams in the NFL
jonny c. jaime (December 22, 2005 09:12 AM)
Way to go Shawne! You're making me as a Terps fan really proud. Keep it up and get that Defensive Rookie of the Year Award!
C.W. Wollard (December 22, 2005 02:51 PM)
I went to my first Charger game in 1962 when I was 8 yrs. old at Balboa Stadium. Been a huge fan since that day. I've seen some great Charger teams and players. And Shawne is a shining example of the talent that has graced our team.You can see the fire that burns in Shawne from the day he was introduced after being signed. What a work ethic this man brings to this team. It is such a pleasure to watch him work. I honestly think he could be one of the best of all-time!!!!!!
Wirt in Esco (December 22, 2005 06:40 PM)
Hey, it was Lights Out time for Priest Holmes in the first game, now its Johnson's Turn!!
Juan (December 22, 2005 08:56 PM)
Merriman is an absolute MONSTER! Reminds me of Lawrence Taylor...just bigger and faster!
Matt Broxson (December 23, 2005 10:28 AM)
Merriman, Edwards, Godfrey and Foley are the scariest linbacker corp in the NFL. Next season trade Rivers for Vilma and they will be ridicuously scary.
Face Powell (December 23, 2005 02:02 PM)
happy holidays to all bolt fans... congrats to the charger players that were named to the pro bowl. lets get er done in kc ,chargers, lets show em the were the team to beat...
matt (December 23, 2005 04:32 PM)
lights out chefs and i meant to spell it that way !!!!!!!
mannyman (December 23, 2005 10:49 PM)
yeah...he is such a force. giants got ripped off...they got the kid manning, and we got rivers, merriman, kaeding.
John (December 23, 2005 11:04 PM)
Congratulations to ALL of the Charger Pro Bowlers!
Donnie, it's almost better this way 'cause I know you thrive on being our stealth bomber...I know you know who you are!!!
Now, let's show KC!
GO CHARGERS!!!
Mike (December 24, 2005 02:25 AM)
Shaun IS the MAN!!! Rookie of the year for sure! He will be the best in the league next year. That i show good he is. And he will have Trent Green on his Rear end today. Merriman dominates!
kwalkersv (December 24, 2005 08:50 AM)