Lights Out turns it on for Bills in debut

Claimed by the Buffalo Bills last Nov. 3, it took a long time for Shawne Merriman to make his debut.

The wait might have been worth it, especially if the outside linebacker can perform like he did Saturday night during the regular season. Merriman registered two sacks and had a pressure that served up another sack for Marcell Dareus in the Bills’ 10-3 loss to the Chicago Bears in the preseason opener at Soldier Field.

I was excited. I felt like a rookie,” Merriman said, according to Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News. “I couldn't tell them before the game because I heard a bunch of the young guys coming off saying how they were nervous that it was their first game. I was like, 'Hey, that's good. You're supposed to be nervous.' I was nervous myself a little bit because I haven't lined up and had a chance to play ball. But it felt good."

Merriman, who has only four sacks over the last three seasons, hopes to re-start his career and the team sure is counting on him.

“When (the Bills) didn't draft anyone last year when I re-signed, I knew they had the confidence in me getting back to where I needed to be to go out and play at the level that I needed to play,” he said. “And that's all I ask for is a little bit of confidence and some faith in me going out and getting things done."

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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