Buffalo Bills Cut Linebacker Shawne Merriman

He is a three time Pro Bowler, the 2005 defensive Rookie of the Year, posted 39 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons, was the 12th overall pick in the draft and was once the most feared pass rushing linebacker in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills needed just one, unenthusiastic sentence to announce they have cut the man responsible for the aforementioned accomplishments: Shawne Merriman.

After missing a few practices and apparently underwhelming the them during the preseason, the Bills have deemed the ex-Pro Bowler expendable and have cut him loose a day before all NFL rosters must be trimmed from 90 to 75 players.

Merriman confirmed his release via his Twitter account:

Merriman was once the most feared pass rushing linebacker in the game, but failed a drug test in 2006 and ever since testing positive for steroids, his career has taken a nose dive. After the 2006 positive test, Merriman endured a rash of injuries, including one that forced him to end his season early last year with the Bills.

Buffalo was hoping that he could comeback strong and play a solid backup role at linebacker this season, and even Merriman was convinced he was tronger than ever.

“I feel young,” Merriman said in May. “Anybody that will get a chance to watch me this year will see I’m moving around as I did when I came into the league.”

Buffalo claimed Merriman off of waivers in 2010 after he was cut by the Chargers. No word yet on if any teams are interested in his services, but if he’s as healthy as he claims, someone will come knocking on Merriman’s door and ask him if he can still turn out the lights.

In a backup role, that is.