Despite having missed more than a quarter of the Chargers’ games due to suspension, OLB Shawne Merriman is a leading contender for juiced menace man of the year honors. None of this sits well with the saintly Jason Taylor (above), who demonstrated for the AP’s Steve Wine that he doesn’t need to wait for retirement or an ESPN commentary gig to become a self-righteous blowhard.
Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor says the candidacy of his likely chief rival for NFL defensive player of the year, Shawne Merriman, was tainted by a four-game steroid suspension in November.
“You really shouldn’t be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with,” Taylor said Wednesday. “To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you’re walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.”
“A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is,” Taylor said. “You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it’s not right, it’s against the rules and ultimately I think it’s sending the wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it.”
“He’s always making plays,” Taylor said. “He’s one of the best young talents we have in this game right now as far as defensively, and he has had an unbelievable year. With that being said, there are certain rules and guidelines we have to abide by to play in this game.”
I am not sure he’s a blowhard. The whole youth thing is crap but I think he should be disqualified from winning the award. It wasn’t the first time Merriman tested positive, he had already tested positive before and been in some program.
Josh,
I’m not doubting the veracity of the test(s) Merriman has failed. Nor would I dispute the alleged use of such substances constitutes a competitive advantage. But if Shawne wants to use his body like a chemistry set to maximize his earning power during an all-too-short career, that’s between him, G-d and Jim Hellwig.
As far as being disqualified for the Defensive Player Of The Year award is concerned, I plead guilty to not giving a flying fuck about such individual honors. Merriman’s got a shot a Super Bowl ring. If he and his team were to achieve it via illicit means, I fully expect someone will have a problem with it. Should make for a better than usual Media Day, if noting else.