San Diego Chargers' Shawne Merriman Charged Off the Field

There is something wrong with Shawne Merriman.

He came into the NFL with a ton of hype, and has lived up to every ounce of it. In the last three years, however, he has found himself in hot water.

After a stellar rookie season where he totalled 10 sacks, he earned Defensive Rookie of the Year. His second season was just as productive, but was tainted by controversy: During that 2006 season, Merriman accumulated 17 sacks in just 12 games. He was suspended by the league for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, having tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone.

He claimed the positive test was the result of a tainted nutritional supplement. Since the suspension ended, there has been little talk of the infraction.

He managed to make it through the 2007 season without incident, once again putting up double-digit sack numbers and stepping into a leadership role for the Chargers' defense.

Then, Merriman tore ligaments in his knee. He played in only one game in 2008.

With last season a less-than-fond memory for Merriman, it is safe to assume he is hard at work trying to get back on the field to make up for lost time.

I don't call hooking up with reality show personality Tila Tequila hard work.

It was reported on September 6 that Merriman had been arrested and charged with battery and false imprisonment after he choked and restrained his supposed girlfriend Tila Tequila.

Being a student at the University of Maryland myself, I want nothing but the best for the former Terrapin, but I have to call some of his career decisions into question. In spite of his numerous charitable actions for various communities, Merriman hasn't done much to set a good example off the field.

No matter the excuse, he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug during a season in which he produced his best numbers.

Nothing can possibly excuse his actions towards Ms. Tequila (real name Tila Nguyen) and Merriman could find himself in hot water with hard-nosed commissioner Roger Goodell.

A word of advice to Shawne Merriman: learn to prepare your own nutritional supplements and never ever date Tila Tequila. Both are sure fire ways to keep out of trouble and off the police blotter.