Merriman to try to play without knee surgery

Football Betting Lines

08/27/2008 - San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Linebacker Shawne Merriman told the San Diego Chargers on Wednesday that he has elected not to undergo surgery on his injured left knee, and instead will try to play this season despite reportedly having two torn ligaments.

According to a Wednesday story in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Merriman, a Pro Bowl selection in each of his three seasons in the league, has visited five specialists for opinions on his knee.

The paper said that the specialists have all recommended that Merriman have reconstructive surgery on the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, and that he faces the possibility of career-threatening injury if he tries to play without surgery.

None of the doctors could believe that Merriman had been playing through the injuries in the preseason, according to the paper. Even if he does make it through this season, the paper said, Merriman will have to undergo the surgery at some point to repair the ligaments.

Merriman has not participated in practice since playing the preseason opener on August 9. Taken 12th overall by the Chargers out of Maryland in 2005, Merriman has quickly distinguished himself as one of the best at his position, particularly on the pass rush. He has compiled 39 1/2 sacks in three seasons, including 12 1/2 in 2007.

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Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup

September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com.  The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans. 

Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to  name a  few.  Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR.  They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.

The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer.  Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your golf sportsbook needs.

Ryder Cup Odds

Europe
Tie
USA
4-5
10-1
6-5


Ryder Cup Top US point scorer
Tiger Woods
Jim Furyk
Phil Mickelson
Chris DiMarco
David Toms
Stewart Cink
Chad Campbell
Scott Verplank
Zach Johnson
Vaughan Taylor
JJ Henry
Brett Wetterich
9-4
4-1
5-1
7-1
8-1
12-1
15-1
15-1
25-1
30-1
30-1
50-1


Ryder Cup Top European scorer
Sergio Garcia
Luke Donald
Padraig Harrington
Colin Montgomerie
Darren Clarke
David Howell
Lee Westwood
Paul Casey
Henrik Stenson
Jose Maria Olazabal
Paul McGinley
Robert Karlsson
5-1
5-1
6-1
13-2
8-1
9-1
9-1
11-1
12-1
12-1
20-1
25-1

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com