He finished the 2010 season on injured reserve after aggravating the injury to his Achilles tendon a half hour into his first practice with Buffalo. The Bills claimed him off waivers after he was cut by San Diego in November 2010. The seventh-year player was entering his third season in Buffalo. He also questioned whether Merriman was better suited to play the linebacker spot in a 3-4 defense, as opposed to trying to fit in as a defensive end after the Bills made the switch to a 4-3 this offseason. "He was doing a good job, but it wasn't where we thought he needed to be as far as the other guys that were playing the position," Gailey said. He had one tackle and played with the backups well into the second half of Buffalo's 36-14 loss at Minnesota on Friday.Ĭoach Chan Gailey called Merriman expendable because the Bills have three veteran defensive ends, including Chris Kelsay, allowing the team the opportunity to develop a younger player. Merriman was credited with three tackles in two preseason games. Though Merriman missed a few practices nursing a twisted ankle and sore hamstring, the Bills gave no indication his job was in jeopardy. Merriman posted a note on his Twitter account shortly after being released, thanking the team, coaches, his teammates and fans for his time in Buffalo. Merriman had spent much of training camp backing up both Williams and Anderson. The Bills had kept their faith in Merriman, believing the 28-year-old had an opportunity to play a key backup role on a defensive line that was revamped in free agency this offseason with an eye on pressuring quarterbacks.īuffalo signed Williams to a six-year, $100 million contract, and then landed pass-rushing defensive end Mark Anderson. It's an injury that had nagged him for much of the previous two seasons. Merriman's release was regarded as a mild surprise for a former three-time Pro Bowl selection, who described himself as being in his best shape in years after having season-ending surgery in November to repair a partially torn right Achilles tendon. The move does allow the Bills to save a portion of the $4 million salary Merriman was scheduled to make in the final year of his contract. Nix said Merriman's health wasn't an issue and added he made the move now to provide the player a better chance to sign with another team. Kyle Moore, a third-year player signed off Detroit's practice squad last November, has also looked impressive through the first month of training camp. Though Nix wouldn't say which two players were competing for the roster spot left open by Merriman's release, the Bills' latest depth chart had Robert Eddins move up into the backup position behind Mario Williams. "We think we've been patient, but it comes to a point where we felt like we needed to move on and look down the road," Nix said shortly before the Bills returned to practice from a two-day break. General manager Buddy Nix said the decision was based in part on the potential the Bills saw in two younger players who had been competing with Merriman for the fourth defensive end spot. It's lights out for Shawne Merriman in Buffalo after the Bills cut the one-time star pass rusher Monday. You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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