TMZSports.com
Shawne Merriman says the Chargers knocked it out of the park with their Jim Harbaugh hire … telling TMZ Sports he believes his ex-team now has a feeling of, “‘Hey, we can go out and win a championship now!'”
The former pass rusher was fired up when we spoke with him shortly after the Bolts named the ex-Michigan coach their new head man … explaining to us he thinks L.A. is now a real-deal Super Bowl contender.
Merriman says the roster Harbaugh is inheriting is “the most talented team to never make the playoffs” … and he’s expecting a turnaround to happen relatively swiftly.
“If I’m Jim Harbaugh, I’m licking my chops,” Merriman said. “I’m walking in there one day like somebody just handed me the keys to a Ferrari and I’m about to slam on the gas, right?”
As for the fit, Merriman previously expressed concerns about Harbaugh’s ability to connect with young players at 60 years old … but it seems those qualms have been squashed since the hiring process officially kicked off a few weeks ago.
“It’s just a match made in heaven,” he said. “I don’t think there could’ve been more of a perfect storm.”
Merriman also expressed gratitude that his former team passed on the opportunity to sign Bill Belichick … believing the fit just wouldn’t have worked in the City of Angels.
Meanwhile, as Merriman waits for the Harbaugh tenure to formally begin later this year … he’s got his hands full with his Lights Out Xtreme Fighting league, which is set to host a major event on Feb. 16 — one that Merriman says Harbaugh will definitely get free tickets to if he wants ’em!