Merriman considers dropping appeal
San Diego Chargers10/31/2006 2:31 PM AP reports Halloween came a day early for the San Diego Chargers. RB LaDainian Tomlinson wore a gorilla mask to his weekly news conference a day after he reminded everyone how good he is by gaining 240 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns. DE Shawne Merriman didn't wear a mask, but the star outside linebacker was disguising his intentions regarding the appeal of his positive drug test. After he had three sacks in the 38-24 win Oct. 29 over the St. Louis Rams, Merriman said he'd speak with his attorney to discuss the possibility that he'd drop his appeal and begin serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for the steroid nandrolone. But nothing had changed by Oct. 30, except that Merriman was wearing a boot on his right foot to protect the heel he injured against the Rams. Read more