By Tim Sullivan
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Here are the NFL's top five newsmakers and storylines this week:

1. SHAWNE MERRIMAN: Give credit to the Chargers linebacker for not going out quietly. While most players take their steroid suspensions and move on, Merriman voiced his displeasure, then appealed, then dropped it and then accepted the four-game penalty.

Merriman -- who has claimed he is not a cheater and was simply taking a supplement for what he described as "energy" -- can return Dec. 3 against the Bills.

"I don't believe in cheating the game. I don't condone cheating the game," he said, "and I had no reason to cheat the game. I love playing football."

Either way, he'll have to wait to do so. In the interim, the red-hot Chargers take on the Browns on Sunday. San Diego is -12.5 on WagerWeb.com.

2. CURTIS MARTIN: One of the classiest running backs you'll ever see play the game all but walked away from the sport on Wednesday, when the Jets standout told reporters he would not return this season and could well be forced to retire due to knee problems.

The announcement came during the Jets' bye week.

"Do I think I can tolerate the pain and go out there and score a touchdown? Probably," an emotional Martin said.

"That's just what I believe. But do I think that that's going to possibly hinder me from scoring a touchdown with my kids or running down the field with my kids? Yes."

He has been to the Pro Bowl five times. He won a rushing title at age 31. And he has given the Jets everything they could have hoped for when they signed him away from New England.

He has done enough. He should retire. With his head held high.

3. FRED TAYLOR: Speaking of veteran running backs, while the Jaguars continue to plan for life without this former first rounder, he keeps giving them reasons to keep him around. Jacksonville has drafted LaBrandon Toefield, Greg Jones and Maurice Jones-Drew in recent years, but it's this former Florida Gator who keeps the train -- and the chains -- moving.

Last week, in a 13-6 upset of Philadelphia, Taylor ran for 103 yards and a touchdown. The effort came just a few days after the franchise's all-time leading rusher vented about his contract status.

Good timing, huh?

"Let me say that I'm fine with the rotation system," Taylor told the Jacksonville media last month. "But I've got incentives. How can I reach them when you're cutting my playing time?"

Here's thinking he gets plenty of time Sunday, when the Jaguars play host to the Titans. Jacksonville is -9.5 on WagerWeb.com.

4. LAURENCE MARONEY: New England's emerging rookie running back returned to the site of many of his great college games, when the Patriots hammered the Vikings, 31-7, in Minneapolis on Monday night.

Maroney, who starred in the same backfield with Marion Barber III of the Cowboys at the University of Minnesota, had 10 touches in the win as he continued to split time with veteran Corey Dillon.

"It's been working good. I like it," Maroney said of New England's system. "I'm just really glad to be even getting the time that I am getting. I'm not in a position to complain about anything. I am excited about the time they've been giving me to go out there and get a chance to perform and showcase my talent. It's been a good thing."

He and the Patriots meet the Colts on Sunday night. New England is -3 on WagerWeb.com.


5. CARSON PALMER: The former Heisman Trophy winner stood up Wednesday and took the blame for the Bengals' sloppy play of late. Cincinnati has lost three of four and is one game out of first place in the AFC North as it prepares for a road date at Baltimore on Sunday. The Ravens are -3 on WagerWeb.com

"If the quarterback plays great and he goes out there and does his job and doesn't miss everything and is 100 percent on everything, you're going to win your football games," Palmer said. "We're 4-3. I haven't been 100 percent, I haven't been perfect, I haven't played great football. You can put all the blame you want on me."

Hope is not lost, though. While the Browns and Steelers continue to scuffle at the bottom of the North, the Bengals can tie the first-place Ravens with a win this weekend.

"It's difficult," Palmer said, "to be consistent."

It won't get any easier against the Ravens.

I wouldn't be surprised in Merriman was on steroids, I am sure that more than half the NFL is. It is not natural to be 300 pounds and to run a 4.5 forty yard dash.

Carson is just not himself. Look for him to have a much better season next year after that knee is all the way healed.

You can hear the announcers talking about how he seems scared in the pocket and doesn't move like he used to. Any team that can put just a little bit of pressure on Carson will be able to win games against Cinny.

Merriman is always a touchy subject with me, considering I am biased and want to believe he is full of natural talent, which he is. The question is though, how much natural talent. I guess we will find out when he returns.