It was hard not to keep an eye on Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman and his damaged knee in the first half against Carolina...and there wasn't much to watch. Merriman didn't find the ball much -- one tackle -- and was usually lined up away from where the Panthers ran the ball. He didn't get near QB Jake Delhomme, either -- but then his teammates didn't either. Merriman was off the field a fair amount, as well, as the Chargers mixed up their packages. He didn't appear to be favoring the knee, but he didn't look too quick, either. The best news on defense was that they made Carolina stall -- only three FGs for the Panthers as they took a 9-7 lead at half.
But Carolina's offense was significantly better than SD's in the first 30 minutes -- 281 yards to 153.

--Gregg Patton

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