Invested in Southern California

Before the season began, I jovially folded my all-in bet with the Detroit Lions. Instead, the Chargers started getting a little more of my fan power. What perhaps started as an act of protest against all the evil that is the Detroit Lions, left me completely invested in what outcome resulted from the 4:30 Sunday afternoon game. I truly felt like more than just a bandwagon fan, I felt like a Chargers fan. While I am sure you all care very little about which team I give more attention to, I can promise that this post contains the same attention to detail and passion that any other of my posts relating to a more local team would. So, let's begin!

This post, is not an excuse; it is not a justification for a heart breaking loss. Instead, it is an observation. The Chargers missed Shawne Merriman, and probably could have won the game had he been a part of the game.

Forget the injury, forget the steroids. Remember that Shawne Merriman is one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the game. His impact, even his presence, could have changed the game completely.

While it may be naive to claim that one player could change the entire course and result of one game, I hope to prove that it is not folly. I hope to additionally prove that one player on defense, not offense, is more important to the repercussions of that player's impact.

So much of what happens on the field any given Sunday is because of the way a team game plans. While simple notions such as run-pass balance or the amount of times a defense blitzes are influential, nothing is nearly as significant as game planning for super stars. When Calvin Johnson or Adrian Peterson steps on that field, 22 eyes are watching him. Safeties move over towards that player, Linebackers freeze in position anticipating what those type of players will do. But, the truth is, offenses game plan for defensive super stars just as much, if not more. Just knowing that Asante Samuel is matched up against the X receiver, or seeing Bob Sanders creeping up into the box affects everyone's thoughts: from the offensive line to the quarterback.

Shawne Merriman has the same effect because he is such a dynamic pass rusher. If he was there and 100% healthy, it would be ignorant not to believe that everyone on the offensive line would watch which side he lined up on, and would be careful to notice whether he blitzed or not before making a decision. His presence alone might have taken a double team off of Jamal Williams and given Shaun Phillips a clearer path to the quarterback thereby creating pressure on the quarterback; something completely lacking in the second half of that game.

One player's presence does have an effect on the defense as a whole. It affects their whole mentality, not just stats. Just compare the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Colts when Bob Sanders was hurt and when he was healthy. A team that struggled mightily against the run, suddenly because a brick wall when Sanders was healthy. His presence made offenses over think, not to mention all the tackles he got from being in the right place at the right time. Another example would be Ed Reed. Where would the Ravens be without him? My guess is at home, and Miami might be still alive.

Shawne Merriman is also a game changer, just like Sanders or Reed or James Harrison, because offenses fear him and think first and foremost about how to stop him.

Look at the 3rd quarter of the game. The first drive lasted over 7 minutes because Pittsburgh converted at least 4 Third down and longs. Third and long is an obvious passing situation. Pittsburgh ran the bunch formation most of the time in this situation. San Diego's defense played a poor zone and Ben Roethlesburger had all the time in the world to find Heinz Ward or Nate Washington for big gains each time. Had an effective pass rush disrupted Ben, the Steelers would have been forced to punt to the impressive Darren Sproles. My theory is, a Shawne Merriman rush would have drawn the attention of at least two players, most likely a tackle and the running back. That would have left probably Jamal Williams alone on the center; a matchup certainly favoring San Diego. Even the threat of a blitz by Merriman would probably be enough to confuse the offensive line and again give San Diego a good match up.

The Chargers offense played well enough to win. The defense (and two unfortunate and no-fault turnovers didn't help either) is what ultimately lost the game.

So, while Pittsburgh won, and I am sad, the result more than likely would have been different with the presence and threat of Shawne Merriman