Merriman Will Play Through Torn Ligaments

First of all, Chargers 24 year old LB Shawne Merriman gave himself the nickname “Light’s Out” - referring to what the sack monster does to opposing QBs. That fact alone is worth a big “He-Man.” However, the young immature Merriman took his He-Man status to a whole new level today, by foregoing orders by four different doctors to have season ending surgery on two torn ligaments in his knee - an LCL and a PCL.

This may be the absolute dumbest thing we’ve ever heard. This meat head is actually going to play through two torn ligaments, risking a career ending scenario. His IDP value still plummets with this news.

The Chargers shouldn’t allow him to be this foolish, but risking his body and playing through what has to be excruciating pain is worthy of yet another He-Man honor. This is right up there with former 49ers safety Ronnie Lott chopping his finger off.

Fantasy Sleeper: Vincent Jackson

LT Campaigns To Be No. 1 Fantasy Pick…

You know that fantasy football - which is now an $800 million industry in America - has really made it when one of the NFL’s best players and 2006 NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is actually out campaigning to be the number one pick in 2008 Fantasy Football drafts.

The following He-Mannish quote was taken from a recent USA Today article, which explains the whole deal…

“I should be the No. 1 pick because I’m proven,” Tomlinson told The Associated Press during the start of the tongue-in-cheek “LT in ‘08″ media blitz promoting [some loser wannabe's site]’s fantasy games. “I’ve been doing it for a while and have experience helping owners win their leagues. I got a good track record, and I’ll be ready on day one.”

Sorry LT - ahem, I mean He-Man, but we have endorsed Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson as our official number one overall draft choice in 2008, regardless of league scoring format.

Special thanks to loyal No-Offseason.com reader and forum member, MahSoonerz, for providing us with this addition of “He-Man.”

Tony Gonzalez Saves Fan’s Life…

In the ultimate heroic He-Man effort of the off-season - and perhaps the entire year - Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez, who participated in the hit TV show “Oprah’s Big Give” as a judge this past spring, performed the Heimlich Maneuver on a man named Ken Hunter, dislodging a piece of steak from his windpipe and allowing him to breathe.

Hunter was choking on a piece of steak at a restaurant where Gonzalez happened to be dining in Huntington Beach, CA - according to Rototimes.com.

Gonzalez told media later that it was a natural instinct to help the man, and ultimately save his life.

The ironic part - apparently Hunter is a Chargers fan! Maybe now he’ll root for the Chiefs - or at least number 88, our He-Man.

Fantasy Impact: LaDainian Tomlinson

Lorenzo Neal To Sign With Cowboys?

Word is that 15 year veteran fullback Lorenzo Neal, who was released this off-season by the San Diego Chargers, is looking to sign on with an NFL team somewhere, and Dallas has been mentioned as a possibility.

We believe that Neal’s absence could negatively affect Ladainian Tomlinson’s value this season, and if Neal signed on with Dallas, Marion Barber would end up having one of the best blocking fullbacks of all time clearing the way for him.

Philip Rivers Getting Smarter & Healthier…

Word coming out of Chargers practices is that Philip Rivers is working with offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon and QBs coach John Ramsdell on the mental aspect of his game. Becoming a smarter signal caller is top priority for Rivers this off-season, along with recovering from an ACL injury - which is going quite well by the way.

The more Rivers understands about the game, the better he’ll get. He has a great supporting cast around him, and is someone whose value could climb as we get closer to the season.

Philip Rivers Injury Update…

Word is that Chargers QB Philip Rivers is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from an ACL injury that he suffered during the playoffs last season. Rivers played surprisingly well on the knee in the AFC Championship game, and we’re not too worried about him heading into 2008. He should be ready to start Week 1, and may even see some limited work in the preseason. Overall, he’s a solid QB2 in all formats.

Antonio Gates Still Not Running…

Is anyone else as concerned about the health of Antonio Gates as we are? He hasn’t even begun running since having toe surgery in February, despite shedding his walking boot almost a full month ago.

This has lingering issue written all over it, and we’re cautioning owners against taking him too high in seasonal formats. Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow are better options at this point, and Gates is expected to miss most of August. Reports that “he’ll be ready by Week 1″ don’t ease our minds about him.

LaMont Jordan In Limbo…

The Raiders wouldn’t let LaMont Jordan practice with the team today, a clear cut sign that the back will be dealt or released soon.

With Al Davis being paranoid about Denver swooping in to sign Jordan, he’s more likely to be traded then released. However, no team has really expressed interest in giving up anything of value for Jordan - thus the limbo in which he currently sits.

One possibility for him is to be traded to San Diego for a 2009 late round draft pick. Norv Turner was his offensive coordinator in Oakland in 2005 during his one and only solid fantasy season, and Ladainian Tomlinson doesn’t have a clear cut back-up heading into the season - sorry Jacob Hester and Darren Sproles.

Jason Taylor To Ravens, Chargers?

Apparently, neither the Chargers nor Ravens are actually interested in Miami DE Jason Taylor. The Jaguars were prior to the NFL Draft, and may just be willing to pay a solid price for him, due to the “win now” mode that their franchise is in.

Chargers Want Jason Taylor?

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reported that the Chargers are showing interest in acquiring Jason Taylor. Not that he wouldn’t be a great fit in a 3-4 defense, but his fantasy value would certainly take a hit if he played LB. San Diego certainly fits Taylor’s criteria of a “contender” though, so we’re not denying the accuracy of Schefter’s report.