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Taylor, Not Merriman, Is Sending The Wrong Message

By nanallday, Section NFL
Posted on Sun Dec 31 2006 at 1:29 AM EST
More on: Jason Taylor, Shawne Merriman, Defense, MVP, NFL (all tags)

I've heard a lot of things recently about the NFL defensive MVP.

What kind of message are you sending to kids by giving a steroid user the MVP?

Ahh yes.. but you aren't sending the wrong message when a guy like Shawne Merriman wins the award. You might even be sending the right one.

He doesn't publicize it because he isn't self serving (like a certain Jason Taylor) and simply doesn't feel the need. In contrast almost each and every person out there feels the need to publicize the fact that he may or may not have willingly used a steroid.

The fact is he served his suspension and that in itself should've taken him out of the candidacy in terms of effectiveness on the field. But rather than just lay down the rest of the year, Merriman leads the NFL in sacks despite the suspension, and is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

So what's the message here?

Everyone makes mistakes. But if you do something bad, do your time. Don't just do your time, do something great with your time. Do something great and don't ask to be honored for it, and when you come back, keep on doing what you were doing and be damn good at it.

I think the statement Taylor makes is hilarious because if not Merriman then I say definitely not Taylor. You can't win a defensive MVP award on a losing team. It just doesn't make any sense.

You aren't of any real value unless you actually help your team win games. It may not be completely your fault but it definitely isn't your accomplishment.

And if you disagree with what I said above, then the only thing left is stats, where, I must add, Merriman must be considered. Note that I did not say he should win, but he must be considered.

I, for one, would love to see Taylor win the award and have to explain that he:

1. Made one of the most self-serving comments I've ever heard from a sports player.
   
2. Felt the need to put another player down in order to win it.
   
3. Got it after a losing season.
   
4. Must use his stats to justify his winning of the award.

You can be selfish. You can put other people down. You don't have to win as long as you win the award and the stats.

Great going there Taylor.
Superb.