slow news day: Taylor on Merriman

Wile_E_Coyote · 12-27-2006, 10:40 PM

Updated: Dec. 27, 2006, 8:10 PM ET
Dolphins' Taylor takes on Merriman, positive test
Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2709682

DAVIE, Fla. -- 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.

Taylor

"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."

Merriman, who plays outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, has denied he's a steroid cheat and blamed his positive test on a tainted supplement.

"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."

When told of Taylor's comments, Merriman said he tries to be a good role model, adding he has taken his punishment for the positive drug test.

"If I wasn't having the kind of season I'm having, this wouldn't even be a conversation," Merriman said. "The NFL will always have the level of integrity. That's what makes the NFL. In my situation, everything happened in an appropriate way. I sat out my four games, my money was taken away from me, my four games were taken away from me, and I came back and played my rear off."

Merriman leads the NFL with 16 sacks in 11 games for the AFC West champion Chargers (13-2). He has four forced fumbles and has one interception.

"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."

Taylor has been one of the few bright spots this season for Miami (6-9). In 15 games, he has 13½ sacks, 10 fumbles forced and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns.

Taylor made his comments in a conference call with reporters in Indianapolis. The Dolphins conclude their season Sunday against the Colts.

NJ Chief Fan · 12-27-2006, 10:46 PM

What all sports league need to do is monitor the athlete that has failed a drug test for steroids. Every week they should be forced into taking the test to be sure that their levels are going down. Even after their suspension, they should be tested weekly, even in the off season!

**Reaper16** · 12-27-2006, 10:58 PM

Jason Taylor rules.

kcfanintitanhell · 12-27-2006, 11:03 PM

I don't think any player in the NFL should be a candidate for a post-season award if they have been caught using performance-enhancing materials...period.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-27-2006, 11:21 PM

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said Wednesday.

How true.

It's too bad that the Players Associations in all leagues get in the way of cleaning up the game. Football, baseball, you name it. There are drug users in all sports.

I don't care what sport it is, you fail a drug test for a performance enhancing substance, you're out. Then, maybe these guys will take the hint and get off this crap.

And yes, Dolt trolls, including Welbourne. I don't care if he plays for the Chiefs or not. He's a ****ing cheater just like Shawne Steroidman.

Halfcan · 12-28-2006, 12:14 AM

Roids Merryman has cheated his entire career and people turned a blind eye. He should not be going to the pro bowl.

BigRock · 12-28-2006, 12:21 AM

The sad part is that there are people who will say Taylor's only making these comments because he and Merriman are up for the same awards, completely ignoring that he's right. I'd like to see someone totally random and unconnected to that, like... Marvin Harrison, I dunno... come out and echo Taylor's comments.

**Rain Man** · 12-28-2006, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRock

The sad part is that there are people who will say Taylor's only making these comments because he and Merriman are up for the same awards, completely ignoring that he's right. I'd like to see someone totally random and unconnected to that, like... Marvin Harrison, I dunno... come out and echo Taylor's comments.

Or...Ryan Sims.

el borracho · 12-28-2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said Wednesday.

How true.

It's too bad that the Players Associations in all leagues get in the way of cleaning up the game. Football, baseball, you name it. There are drug users in all sports.

I don't care what sport it is, you fail a drug test for a performance enhancing substance, you're out. Then, maybe these guys will take the hint and get off this crap.

And yes, Dolt trolls, including Welbourne. I don't care if he plays for the Chiefs or not. He's a ****ing cheater just like Shawne Steroidman.

Well, I wouldn't kick them out of the league for a first offense but I do agree that no player should be elegible for any post-season awards in the same year they fail a performance-enhancing drug test.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-28-2006, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Well, I wouldn't kick them out of the league for a first offense but I do agree that no player should be elegible for any post-season awards in the same year they fail a performance-enhancing drug test.

Is four games really that much of a deterrant?

Merriman sits four lousy games, goes to the PB, the media heralds him as this great player. Oh yeah, and he got to chose when he sat out. Why cater to a known and proven cheater?

These guys pull this shit becuase they know the punishments are weak, and they know they'll never have to truly be held aco****able for their actions.

macdawg · 12-28-2006, 02:32 AM

Taylor rules.

This bothers me, not because he was taking steroids because I'm sure many do, but because of how much he is lying to try to get out of it.

His test results show he had nandrolone in his system, street name is Deca Durabolin, which many of the young local meat-heads take at the gym as it is one of the easiest to get & most popular steroids (which makes me think WTH is he thinking not taking a designer steroid to not get caught, probably is now)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandrolone

Now I know there is no way in ****ing hell that Deca would be in an over the counter sports supplement, to imply so is preposterous.

But the public is so stupid, and see his cookie cutter responses, and they 100% buy his excuse.

el borracho · 12-28-2006, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Is four games really that much of a deterrant?

Merriman sits four lousy games, goes to the PB, the media heralds him as this great player. Oh yeah, and he got to chose when he sat out. Why cater to a known and proven cheater?

These guys pull this shit becuase they know the punishments are weak, and they know they'll never have to truly be held aco**ntable for their actions.

Four games is a pretty good deterrent for the 1st offense, IMO, and there should be more testing required after a positive test and longer suspensions and larger fines for repeat offenders.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 12-28-2006, 06:25 AM

Jason Taylor is a class act.

One of the worst things about Roidman and all his hype was the benefit of the doubt that he got from the national media for overtly cheating. I remember Salisbury on ESPN talking about the situation, and saying that he's a great person. How the fuck do you know that? The guy is an obvious cheat, a liar, and a coward, and yet the media still defends this sonofabitch. Hopefully Karma's retribution is swift and decisive.

kepp · 12-28-2006, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hummus' Jenkins

Jason Taylor is a class act.

One of the worst things about Roidman and all his hype was the benefit of the doubt that he got from the national media for overtly cheating. I remember Salisbury on ESPN talking about the situation, and saying that he's a great person. How the fuck do you know that? The guy is an obvious cheat, a liar, and a coward, and yet the media still defends this sonofabitch. Hopefully Karma's retribution is swift and decisive.

The media built him up so much in the first place and now they're trying to save face. The NFL needs:

1. A rule denying post-season awards for players caught cheating like this
2. Change the way probowl voting is handled. Make a weighted system that gives MUCH LESS weight to the votes of the fans and more to the people to vote on more than name recognition.

Mecca · 12-28-2006, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

The media built him up so much in the first place and now they're trying to save face. The NFL needs:

1. A rule denying post-season awards for players caught cheating like this
2. Change the way probowl voting is handled. Make a weighted system that gives MUCH LESS weight to the votes of the fans and more to the people to vote on more than name recognition.

Coaches and players count for 2/3rds of the vote theres a 3rd for each fans, players, coaches. So obviously more than just fans voted for him.

The NFL isn't going to change rules on this, these are things.....they'll just say he served his punishment and had to test negative to return which he did.

In the end a bunch of writers won't vote for him because of it so it's not like he's going to win D player of the year anyhow. I doubt he'd won it anyway considering Champ Bailey seems to be the front runner by a big margin.

12-27-2006, 10:40 PM
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	slow news day: Taylor on Merriman Updated: Dec. 27, 2006, 8:10 PM ET Dolphins' Taylor takes on Merriman, positive test Associated Press http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2709682 DAVIE, Fla. -- 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. Taylor "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." Merriman, who plays outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, has denied he's a steroid cheat and blamed his positive test on a tainted supplement. "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." When told of Taylor's comments, Merriman said he tries to be a good role model, adding he has taken his punishment for the positive drug test. "If I wasn't having the kind of season I'm having, this wouldn't even be a conversation," Merriman said. "The NFL will always have the level of integrity. That's what makes the NFL. In my situation, everything happened in an appropriate way. I sat out my four games, my money was taken away from me, my four games were taken away from me, and I came back and played my rear off." Merriman leads the NFL with 16 sacks in 11 games for the AFC West champion Chargers (13-2). He has four forced fumbles and has one interception. "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." Taylor has been one of the few bright spots this season for Miami (6-9). In 15 games, he has 13½ sacks, 10 fumbles forced and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns. Taylor made his comments in a conference call with reporters in Indianapolis. The Dolphins conclude their season Sunday against the Colts.
Posts: 6,009

12-27-2006, 10:46 PM	#2
NJ Chief Fan DAMMIT CARL! Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	What all sports league need to do is monitor the athlete that has failed a drug test for steroids. Every week they should be forced into taking the test to be sure that their levels are going down. Even after their suspension, they should be tested weekly, even in the off season!
Posts: 2,510

12-27-2006, 11:03 PM	#4
kcfanintitanhell turd polisher Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Location, Location!!! Casino cash: $9146780	I don't think any player in the NFL should be a candidate for a post-season award if they have been caught using performance-enhancing materials...period. __________________ I do not think country was intended to be sung consistently in tune.
Posts: 1,180

12-27-2006, 11:21 PM	#5
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4971115	"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with," Taylor said Wednesday. How true. It's too bad that the Players Associations in all leagues get in the way of cleaning up the game. Football, baseball, you name it. There are drug users in all sports. I don't care what sport it is, you fail a drug test for a performance enhancing substance, you're out. Then, maybe these guys will take the hint and get off this crap. And yes, Dolt trolls, including Welbourne. I don't care if he plays for the Chiefs or not. He's a ****ing cheater just like Shawne Steroidman.
Posts: 60,161

12-28-2006, 12:14 AM	#6
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Roids Merryman has cheated his entire career and people turned a blind eye. He should not be going to the pro bowl.
Posts: 43,200

12-28-2006, 12:21 AM	#7
BigRock Pritay Pritay Pritay Good Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The State of Euphoria Casino cash: $3515412	The sad part is that there are people who will say Taylor's only making these comments because he and Merriman are up for the same awards, completely ignoring that he's right. I'd like to see someone totally random and unconnected to that, like... Marvin Harrison, I dunno... come out and echo Taylor's comments.
Posts: 6,763

12-28-2006, 02:32 AM	#11
macdawg Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Taylor rules. This bothers me, not because he was taking steroids because I'm sure many do, but because of how much he is lying to try to get out of it. His test results show he had nandrolone in his system, street name is Deca Durabolin, which many of the young local meat-heads take at the gym as it is one of the easiest to get & most popular steroids (which makes me think WTH is he thinking not taking a designer steroid to not get caught, probably is now) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandrolone Now I know there is no way in ****ing hell that Deca would be in an over the counter sports supplement, to imply so is preposterous. But the public is so stupid, and see his cookie cutter responses, and they 100% buy his excuse.
Posts: 425

12-28-2006, 06:25 AM	#13
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8019572	Jason Taylor is a class act. One of the worst things about Roidman and all his hype was the benefit of the doubt that he got from the national media for overtly cheating. I remember Salisbury on ESPN talking about the situation, and saying that he's a great person. How the fuck do you know that? The guy is an obvious cheat, a liar, and a coward, and yet the media still defends this sonofabitch. Hopefully Karma's retribution is swift and decisive. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,820