A recent article I read on Yahoo sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Merriman-s-Chargers-status-unclear?urn=nfl,188255) got me thinking about a possible trade for Shawne Merriman and how it may benefit both teams. Recently Merriman was arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend, in which he claims he was merely restraining her from drinking and driving. Now the article states that San Diego’s GM referred to Merriman's future with the team as "an ongoing debate", possibly meaning he may be on the outs. Combine this with the fact that his contract expires at the end of the year, they drafted a possible replacement in Larry English in the first round of the draft this year, and he's coming off a serious injury(albeit seems fully healed), San Diego may start to shop him around if they aren’t already.

Now, I’m not the kind of person that suggests we go after every troubled star player or every high ticket free agent. I was against pursuing Plaxico, Brandon Marshall, Vick etc., but this seems like it would be a good fit. An OLB pass rush specialist is one of the, if not the biggest need for the 49ers. Sure Haralson had a good season with 8.5 sacks but we need someone to compliment him and time has almost run out for Manny Lawson. Does anyone know how many sacks we had in the preseason? None! Now I know that teams tend to blitz less in the preseason, but not even one sack in four games?

Merriman may be a good fit for the 49ers. He's young and has proven to be dominant at his position. Drafting an OLB for a 3-4 defense is pretty hit and miss because most of the time you are converting a 4-3 DE tweener from college and teaching him to play standing up at a different position. If the Chargers gave Merriman's agent permission to talk to the 49ers and a contract could be worked out prior to the trade, could this be an option worth giving strong consideration? Singletary may just be what Merriman needs as well. A tutoring Hall of Fame linebacker to coach him much the way he did Merriman's Maryland college teammate - Vernon Davis, who has now apparently taken on a leadership role in the dressing room. I'm not sure what the Chargers would be looking for in return, but we do have a slew of draft picks next year and an OLB on our roster that is familiar with the Chargers defense who could step in immediately (Marques Harris) to fill Merriman's roster spot. Something to think about at least!

According to an article I just read on Yahoo Sports, Peppers has provided the Panthers with a list of four NFL team he would like to be traded to. The article mentions the Cowboys as one and states 2 of the other three teams are from the NFC.

Now there are 8 teams in the AFC and 3 in the NFC running the 3-4....

So based on the fact that he wants to play for a 3-4 team, and along with the Cowboys the Niners and Packers are the only 3-4 teams in the NFC, so according to their sources the 49ers are one of those teams.

Now I'm not saying I want Peppers on our team. Although he is a freakish athlete and potentailly suited to play OLB in a 3-4, the fact remains he is unproven at that position and trading for him wouldn't be worth it in my opinion.

Here is the article: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ar.Y.XG.2_8UJBEkihYo_pVDubYF?slug=ap-panthers-peppers&prov=ap&type=lgns

 I know this may not seem like big news but I guess I think it is and I posted it originally in the wrong place.

Im not sure if anyone knows who this guy is, but he just signed with the Dolphins for $4.9 Million over 4 years and he’s a beast!!!

http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=263854&lid=sublink09&lpos=headlines_main

I’m very disappointed the Niners didn’t sign this guy. Im from Canada and a CFL season ticket holder for the Blue Bombers, and this guy is the best player I have seen come out of the CFL since Jeff Garcia.

He’s a beast and only 26 years old with 39 sacks in the last two seasons!!! He also won the defensive player of the year the last two seasons. He played defensive end for the B.C Lions, but played outside linebacker for Penn State in college. He’s now going to be lining up as an outside linebacker for the Dolphins. For that price, and with the need we have for a pass rush specialist, I think he could have been a gem.