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Shawne Merriman | Defensive Lineman

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (28) / 5/25/1984
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 264
College: Maryland
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Recent News

Free agent DE Shawne Merriman has retired from football.
"After a lengthy discussion with my agent, family and team, I have officially decided to put in my retirement papers," Merriman posted on his website. So ends one of the more turbulent careers in modern football history. The No. 12 pick of the 2005 draft, Merriman exploded out of the gates with 10 sacks as a rookie, but drew a four-game PED ban as a sophomore. After notching a combined 29.5 sacks in 2006-07, Merriman was limited to 33 games over the past five years by injuries. "Lights Out" hangs 'em up two months shy of his 29th birthday. He finishes his career with 45.5 sacks and three Pro Bowls. Mar 5 - 6:16 PM

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Player News

Date:

The Bills are not expected to re-sign free agent DE Shawne Merriman.

This is not a surprise. Merriman has spent parts of the last three seasons with Buffalo, but the organization only kept his phone number handy when injuries popped up. There's a new coaching staff in town, and that "relationship is over."
Feb 25 - 6:18 PM

Shawne Merriman is active for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Merriman is in uniform and expected to contribute to the pass rush despite just being signed on Monday. Mark Anderson (knee) is out while Mario Williams (wrist) is active. The rest of the Bills' inactives: QB Tarvaris Jackson, LB Kirk Morrison, OL Kraig Urbik, OL Cordy Glenn, S Delano Howell and K John Potter.
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 11:51:00 AM

Head coach Chan Gailey said Shawne Merriman was brought in to help the Buffalo pass rush.

"We’ve lost Mark Anderson for an extended period of time here and we’re looking for who can help us in the pass rush," said Gailey. "...whenever we feel passing situations come up we think he’s still got some juice on the pass rush." Merriman hasn't been a dominant pass rusher since 2007. He has just five sacks since the start of the 2008 season. We're skeptical that he has much "juice" left.
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 08:11:00 AM

Bills re-signed DE Shawne Merriman.

We just hope the Bills aren't counting on Merriman to fix their pathetic defense. The 28-year-old player formerly known as "Lights Out" hasn't been a productive pass rusher since 2007, in between getting busted for steroid use and suffering knee and Achilles' injuries. Perhaps this is a move made to improve Buffalo's defensive end depth with RE Mark Anderson (knee) shelved indefinitely.
Mon, Oct 15, 2012 03:30:00 PM

Scout.com's Aaron Wilson reports that the 49ers hosted free agent OLB Shawne Merriman on Wednesday.

He was passed up for Eric Bakhtiari, which is another grim sign for Merriman's chances of making an NFL impact again. Merriman is 28 and out of juice.
Source: scout.com
Thu, Sep 20, 2012 07:12:00 AM

Bills released DE Shawne Merriman.

The broken-down Merriman has proven to be a shell of his former "Lights Out" self. During the last two seasons, he's appeared in just 12 games and managed one sack while noticeably lacking explosion. Even though the Bills already paid him a $1 million roster bonus earlier this year, they save $4 million in base salary by moving on now. Merriman, 28, has time to latch on as a pass-rushing flier with a team that runs a 3-4 base defense. We just don't expect him to ever recapture pre-injury form.
Mon, Aug 20, 2012 10:38:00 AM

Bills DE Shawne Merriman spent much of spring practices working at right defensive end in the nickel defense.

Merriman insists he's got his explosion back after five years of ineffective play and durability woes. "When you don’t have those physical tools the last three years ... you get a little bit more technically sound," Merriman claims. "And that’s what happened. Now my body is ready to take that on again along with the knowledge I’ve picked up over the last few years. It’s going to be good."
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 06:02:00 PM

Bills DE Shawne Merriman (Achilles, shoulder surgeries) insists he's 100 percent.

"I feel very comfortable right now," said the oft-injured pass rusher. Coach Chan Gailey has liked what he's seen. "He looks quick. He looks healthy," Gailey said. "That part of it has been refreshing for us, to see some what of I think we're going to see is the old Shawne Merriman this year." Merriman is only 28, but his broken-down body makes a renaissance 2012 highly unlikely.
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 11:43:00 AM

Shawne Merriman's Achilles tendon procedure last November was similar to the one performed on DT Kyle Williams.

Merriman's Achilles had small tears, so the frayed tendon was removed, fixed and reattached. Dr. James Andrews termed it a six-month injury, and Merriman is now seven months removed from surgery and practicing fully. The contract-year pass rusher has two sacks the past three years after tallying 39.5 in his first three.
Fri, Jun 1, 2012 09:27:00 AM

Bills DE Shawne Merriman (Achilles, shoulder surgeries) resumed practicing on Thursday.

Merriman wasn't limited in any fashion, participating fully even in team drills. While he remains as big of an injury risk as any player in the league, it doesn't appear that Merriman will have to be eased into training camp.
Thu, May 31, 2012 02:38:00 PM

Bills DE Shawne Merriman (Achilles, shoulder surgeries) could join OTAs as early as Thursday.

Merriman visited the doctor on Tuesday, where he was seeking clearance for a full return to football activities. "Lights Out" said in April he expected to be "full stride" by June. Barring a setback — always a distinct possibility with Merriman — he'll be 100 percent for camp.
Tue, May 29, 2012 10:37:00 PM

According to the National Football Post, Bills DE Shawne Merriman has "gotten outstanding reviews" in his return from Achilles' and shoulder surgeries.

Per NFP reporter Dan Pompei, Merriman "looks like he will" help the Bills this season, assuming he continues to stay healthy. Merriman would compete with Mark Anderson for playing time at right end, across from LE Mario Williams. Merriman has managed just one sack since the end of the 2009 NFL season.
Sun, May 20, 2012 01:44:00 PM

Bills OLB Shawne Merriman (Achilles, shoulder surgeries) insists he'll be healthy and ready to contribute this season.

"I was very pleased as far as how things went with the (Achilles) surgery," Merriman said. "I feel great now." Lights Out expects to be "full stride" by June, and "absolutely" 100 percent for the regular season. Merriman has appeared in just 23 games the past four seasons, so believe it when you see it. He is not a wise investment in IDP leagues despite his formerly immense potential.
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 08:55:00 AM

Coach Chan Gailey isn't counting on Shawne Merriman (Achilles, shoulder surgeries) for a major contribution in 2012.

"The setback was not good. Now how far does he have to go?" said Gailey. "... Now we're back to square one or below square one maybe." Gailey revealed that Merriman will play a situation pass rusher role as a defensive end as opposed to an outside linebacker in Dave Wannstedt's 4-3 defense.
Thu, Feb 23, 2012 07:55:00 PM

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5Jamie Harper
6Brandon Saine
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8Richard Murphy
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GLB1Michael Turner
2Montell Owens
3Beanie Wells
4Curtis Brinkley
3RB1D.J. Ware
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FB1Lousaka Polite
2Montell Owens
3Spencer Larsen
4Brit Miller
5Brock Bolen
6Tony Fiammetta
7Owen Schmitt
8Robert Hughes
9Nate Eachus
10Jourdan Brooks
11Ryan Roberson
12Eddie Williams
13Ryan D'Imperio
14Patrick DiMarco
WR11Jabar Gaffney
2Laurent Robinson
3Steve Breaston
4Titus Young
5Ben Obomanu
6Emmanuel Arceneaux
7Kassim Osgood
8Justin Hilton
9Bert Reed
10Cole McKenzie
11Chris Denton
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WR21Brandon Lloyd
2Early Doucet
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4Brandon Banks
5Darius Hanks
6Duke Calhoun
7Seyi Ajirotutu
8Lavasier Tuinei
9Michael Calvin
10Ronald Johnson
11DeMarco Sampson
12Javone Lawson
13Jason Thompson
WR31Jabar Gaffney
2Laurent Robinson
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TE1Randy McMichael
2David Thomas
3Kevin Boss
4Josh Baker
5Steve Watson
6Daniel Graham
7Joe Sawyer
8Dedrick Epps
9Martin Rucker
10Evan Moore
11Logan Brock
12Taylor Cook
K1John Potter
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