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San Diego, California - San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman informed the team this morning that he has decided to forego surgery on his knee and will play in the 2008 season. Which means good news for the Bolts.

In just three seasons, Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman has become one of the NFL’s preeminent superstars. In 2007 he earned his third Pro Bowl invitation in as many professional seasons and he continued to strike fear in opponents as one of the game’s most lethal defenders.

While Merriman takes pride in all facets of his game, getting to the quarterback is his specialty. Despite regularly facing multiple blockers, Merriman still managed to finish tied for sixth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks in ’07, and among linebackers, only Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware (14) had more.

Merriman has recorded at least 10 sacks in each of his three NFL seasons and he’s already among the most prolific pass rushers in Chargers history. With 39.5 career sacks, including an NFL-leading and team record-tying 17 in 2006, Merriman enters the 2008 season with the eighth-most sacks in team annals. He needs just four more to move into a tie with Leroy Jones for seventh all time.

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