And right now, the odds are decidedly against Merriman and his gimpy knee. Now he’s being praised right now by the Chargers as a gutsy team-first soldier. They believe this is the ultimate selfless act of a true team player, and there’s no doubt that they’re right.

That’s true football mentality. You gotta play hurt.

But what happens if Merriman wrecks his knee? Remember, this is the same cold-blooded business that dickers with lawyers over injury settlements and treats its retired veterans with such utter disdain. It’s also the same business that regularly and callously discards players like so many interchangeable parts.

So will the same Chargers executives and coaches who now are praising Merriman today, still praise him again next season when his four-year deal is coming to an end and he wants a raise? Or will they frown a bit and tell him “Well we can’t pay you that kind of money. Look how much your stats went down last year when you played hurt?”

But we already know the answer to that question don’t we?

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Brady vs. Manning — who has the edge? Cimini: Patriots-Colts greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Playing 'what if?' with Peyton's career Report: Raiders want to fire coach Tom Cable Eagles-Bears matchup will remain Sunday night game PFT: Rest of league is catching up to Broncos PFT: Tomlinson hints at retiring after this season PFT: Ex-Packer Brown rips McCArthy PFT: Quinn reportedly will start for Browns again   NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: