Chargers: Shawne Merriman critiques former coaching staff as not great

Shawne Merriman is one of the most eclectic players to ever suit up for the LA Chargers. While Merriman’s career was much shorter than any Charger fan would have hoped because of injuries, there was nobody quite like Lights Out in his prime.

Merriman continues to be one of the biggest fan-favorites among Charger fans and stays very connected with the team and the fanbase as well. Merriman was gracious enough to join Charger Chat, the official Chargers podcast of FanSided, to talk about his career, the current status of the Chargers and his MMA promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting.

Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill recently compared the new defense under head coach Brandon Staley to the previous head coach, essentially taking a subtle shot at former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and the situations he would put Tranquill in.

When asked about some players critiquing the former defensive schemes, Merriman was very upfront about what he thought of the previous coaching staff based on what he was hearing from the current players.

“You started to hear a lot of the same echoes. Guys put in a position that they are not supposed to be in, their forcing to do something that they’re not that great in. So when you do that its a recipe for disaster. You’re taking the greatness of some of these guys and what they do best and you’re taking it away from them and saying ‘I want you to do this because this is what I am good at. This is the playbook I run this is where I want you to line up at.’

This shows me that you’re not a great coach. You’re just not. No shade on the former coaches, but the energy is different around the organization.”

This is absolutely what every Charger fan wants to hear. We all weren’t going crazy watching this defense, there were flaws and someone as good as Shawne Merriman can attest to that.

Shawne Merriman was nothing but complimentary to Brandon Staley and the Chargers new coaching staff.

Merriman said the energy was different and he should have some first-hand knowledge of the energy that Brandon Staley is bringing to the LA Chargers. Merriman said that he was one of several people that Staley called the day he was hired and was nothing but complimentary of his attitude, energy and football mind.

It is more than just Staley, though. Merriman talked about Justin Herbert and spoke on his demeanor and his ability to command a room and demand the respect of those around him. Merriman wasn’t fully buying into the Philip Rivers-Justin Herbert excitement and comparison, but he confirmed that based on his encounters, Herbert has what it takes to be the real deal.

There are so many other great tidbits about Derwin James, the way players celebrate in the league nowadays and Merriman’s forte into mixed martial arts. If you want to listen to the full interview you can find Charger Chat anywhere you get your podcasts as well as their official YouTube page.

Be sure to check out Shawn Merriman on Twitter (@ShawneMerriman) as well as his MMA promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (@LightsOutXF).