The Front Row: Gutsy or stupid?

THE (UN)NATURAL: Remember when Roy Hobbs (Robert Redford in “The Natural”) took out the stadium lights with a bullet lodged in his abdomen?

Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman’s attempt to play through two torn knee ligaments this season is almost as far-fetched and ill-advised.

Merriman, the only NFL player to score a top-three finish in the Defensive Player of the Year voting in the same season he served a four-game steroids suspension, said Wednesday that he would elect to forgo season-ending knee surgery and play through the pain.

Four separate doctors told Merriman he needed to repair that knee, but to no avail.

Of course Merriman says he wants to play. What is he supposed to say? He’s a professional football player.

Since the San Diego Chargers believe they can reach the Super Bowl this season, nobody is looking out for Merriman’s long-term interests.

Even if Merriman does suit up, how effective can the Chargers expect him to be on a flimsy knee? Linebackers with his size and speed put a tremendous amount of stress on their joints even when they’re fully healthy.

This situation has disaster written all over it. It’d be different if it was another Redford movie, but sadly for Merriman, one wrong step could end his career.

---

ON AGAIN?: It looks like the heavily discussed Oscar De La Hoya farewell bout is finally set.

Despite lengthy battles over how to split the money — of course — De La Hoya appears to have reached an agreement with top pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao for the Dec. 6 mega-bout.

The exact financial details have yet to be released, but Pacquiao’s team finally came to its senses and realized that he can make more money fighting the Golden Boy than he can against any other opponent, regardless of the split.

Now all that’s left to discuss is the fight. And believe me, there is plenty to ponder.

Can De La Hoya handle Pacquiao’s relentless assault? Can Pacquiao somehow survive a two-weight-class jump to battle a much bigger foe? Does De La Hoya have enough left in the tank to pull the trigger against a much younger opponent? Can Pacquiao’s punching power translate?

There will be more than enough time to break down the ins and outs of what will most certainly be the sport’s biggest spectacle of 2008.

Who should be listed as the favorite? I have no idea, which is exactly why it should be such a fascinating event.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747