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DAVIE, Fla. ? (AP) ? Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor says the candidacy of his likely chief rival for NFL defensive player of the year, Shawne Merriman, was tainted by a four-game steroid suspension in November.

 

"You really shouldn't be able to fail a test like that and play in this league, to begin with,'' Taylor said

Wednesday. "To make the Pro Bowl and all the other awards, I think you're walking a fine line of sending the wrong message.''

 

Merriman, who plays outside linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, has denied he's a steroid cheat and blamed his positive test on a tainted supplement.

 

"A performance-enhancing drug is, obviously, what it is,'' Taylor said. "You enhance your performance by doing that. You fail that test, I think it's not right, it's against the rules and ultimately I think it's sending the

wrong message to the youth in America and the people who look at this game not only as entertainment but also to learn lessons from it.''

 

Taylor has been one of the few bright spots this season for Miami (6-9). In 15 games, he has 13? sacks, 10 fumbles forced and two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns.

 

Merriman leads the NFL with 16 sacks in 11 games for the AFC West champion Chargers (13-2). He has four forced fumbles and has one interception.

 

"He's always making plays,'' Taylor said. "He's one of the best young talents we have in this game right now as far as defensively, and he has had an unbelievable year. With that being said, there are certain rules and guidelines we have to abide by to play in this game.''

 

Taylor made his comments in a conference calls with reporters in Indianapolis. The Dolphins conclude their season Sunday against the Colts.

 

 

I agree with Jason on that...i think if you get busted for a failed test...you should be barred from any post season accolades (awards, pro bowl) after your suspension...

 

comments?

Would of been better if someone else said it but really the award should go to Taylor or Champ Bailey both are having amazing years

If JT gets beaten out by Merriman, in the words of my friends to the North, "I'm gonna be supa wicked pissed." Taylor deserves it. He's played at the same level all year while Merriman got caught using something he wasn't supposed to use (whether it was "unintentional" or not. Pff, yeah right) and didn't play 4 games. The NFL and the voters would be sending the wrong message to anyone, kids or fans that have been watching for years, the wrong message if Merriman wins it.

 

"Hey, kids! Feeling down? Not performing the way you wish you could? Take THIS! It's illegal, but it pays off!"

I could care less about the award, it's pretty disgusting that the fans and players voted for a steroid user to go to the Pro Bowl. It is extremely hypocritical that Barry Bonds, who has never failed a test in his life, gets as much grief as he does while Merriman gets a walk. And believe me, I want to hang Barry as much as the next guy. If this happened in baseball, Congress would be subpoenaing people left and right.

 

It just goes to show you the free pass the NFL gets in today's sports climate.

I could care less about the award, it's pretty disgusting that the fans and players voted for a steroid user to go to the Pro Bowl. It is extremely hypocritical that Barry Bonds, who has never failed a test in his life, gets as much grief as he does while Merriman gets a walk. And believe me, I want to hang Barry as much as the next guy. If this happened in baseball, Congress would be subpoenaing people left and right.

 

It just goes to show you the free pass the NFL gets in today's sports climate.

 

 

I agree completely, but let's remember that up until recently performance-enhancing drugs WERE NOT against the rules in baseball.

And?

 

Doesn't change anything I said.

jason taylor is 100% correct here. merriman has basically gotten a pass on this whole steroid bit. he has pretty much gotten off easy (expect the suspension) as nobody has said anything that suggested that he should be banned from anything and a bad infulence for kids. if merrman played for the padres, he would be shunned out of the game and called a cheater, as well as a bad influence for kids and a shame for the game of baseball. instead, he's going to the pro bowl and possibly getting defensive player of the year. what does this say? it's okay to cheat, you'll get all types of stuff after you serve suspension.

 

the nfl is pretty much getting a free pass on steroids compared to baseball. i think the nfl has a bigger steroid problem than mlb. remember the panthers steroid scandal? sure it's regulated somewhat, but we don't villify the cheaters and enforce the steroids is bad mentality as in baseball. half the league could be juiced up and most of the media wouldn't think much of it, as compared to baseball where there's an outrage.

He's right. If you fail a test like that, you should be gone for the year.

the nfl is pretty much getting a free pass on steroids compared to baseball. i think the nfl has a bigger steroid problem than mlb. remember the panthers steroid scandal? sure it's regulated somewhat, but we don't villify the cheaters and enforce the steroids is bad mentality as in baseball. half the league could be juiced up and most of the media wouldn't think much of it, as compared to baseball where there's an outrage.

It's not just steroids. The NFL gets a free pass on basically everything, just look at the Bengals. I hate to pick on them, but nine people arrested is an incredible amount for five years, let alone one season. If that percentage of teammates were arrested in the NBA, it'd be thuggery and they would calling for David Stern to bring down the axe. If it was in the MLB, Bud Selig's league would be completely out of control and Ted Kennedy et al would be demanding he and the MLBPA do something about it instantly. In the NFL, it's more of a running joke than anything.

the nfl is pretty much getting a free pass on steroids compared to baseball. i think the nfl has a bigger steroid problem than mlb. remember the panthers steroid scandal? sure it's regulated somewhat, but we don't villify the cheaters and enforce the steroids is bad mentality as in baseball. half the league could be juiced up and most of the media wouldn't think much of it, as compared to baseball where there's an outrage.

It's not just steroids. The NFL gets a free pass on basically everything, just look at the Bengals. I hate to pick on them, but nine people arrested is an incredible amount for five years, let alone one season. If that percentage of teammates were arrested in the NBA, it'd be thuggery and they would calling for David Stern to bring down the axe. If it was in the MLB, Bud Selig's league would be completely out of control and Ted Kennedy et al would be demanding he and the MLBPA do something about it instantly. In the NFL, it's more of a running joke than anything.

 

colin cowherd actually mentioned that last year in the wake of the vikings boat scandal that the nfl gets a free pass in everything and he's right. i guess it's probaly becuase it's the nation's #1 sport, it's declared the "holy" sport and is looked at as the holy grail and everything that is bad about it gets pushed under the rug. the whole ron mexico story would have gotten big press in the nba, but since micheal vick is the golden boy in the holy sport of football, the nfl protects him and kills the story fast. an nba player would have been called all types of names, but nfl, no. until it's no longer the #1 sport in america, expect this to continue.

I'd be pretty surprised if Taylor doesn't win the award. Putting aside all the morality questions--which I'm sure will weigh on some voters--there's just no way that someone who has only played 12 games has had the same impact as Taylor has had in 16 games.

the whole ron mexico story would have gotten big press in the nba, but since micheal vick is the golden boy in the holy sport of football, the nfl protects him and kills the story fast. an nba player would have been called all types of names, but nfl, no. until it's no longer the #1 sport in america, expect this to continue.

I'm not ready to play the conspiracy card on the NFL here. I don't think the NFL actively tries to push stories under the rug, I think just people are in a lull with their sport and they don't want to throw mud at it. It's human nature in general, though that doesn't make it right.

the whole ron mexico story would have gotten big press in the nba, but since micheal vick is the golden boy in the holy sport of football, the nfl protects him and kills the story fast. an nba player would have been called all types of names, but nfl, no. until it's no longer the #1 sport in america, expect this to continue.

I'm not ready to play the conspiracy card on the NFL here. I don't think the NFL actively tries to push stories under the rug, I think just people are in a lull with their sport and they don't want to throw mud at it. It's human nature in general, though that doesn't make it right.

 

The NFL and NBA are inhuman in making stories disappear. Selig should take lessons.

Bailey: Merriman unworthy of award

By Bill Williamson

Denver Post Staff Writer

Article Last Updated: 12/28/2006 10:39:40 PM MST

 

 

Champ Bailey likes Shawne Merriman. He thinks the San Diego player is a wonderful player and a better guy.

 

But the Broncos' cornerback agrees with Dolphins standout Jason Taylor that Merriman shouldn't be a candidate for NFL defensive player of the year because of the four-game suspension he served for steroid use.

 

"I just don't like cheating in the game, there's no room for it," Bailey said Thursday. "I don't think there is any place for steroids or performance enhancers in the NFL."

 

Bailey said he agreed with comments made Wednesday by Taylor, a defensive end, about Merriman, the Chargers' star linebacker, that someone who cheated shouldn't be rewarded.

 

Bailey, Taylor and Merriman are candidates for the defensive player of the year award, which will be announced next Friday.

 

"After testing positive, I don't think he should be given anything this year," Bailey said. "I hope he didn't do it. I hope he took it unknowingly. I don't want to throw him under the bus any more than he already has been. I think he's a great player and I love talking to him.

 

"But I don't think guys who tested positive should win anything the year they test positive."

 

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_4916426

 

 

 

Bailey did it too now

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