BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Linebacker Shawne Merriman is calling it ``Lights Out'' on his career, announcing on his website that he plans to retire.

In a message posted Tuesday night on shawnemerriman.com, the player wrote he is electing to retire on his own terms, saying he will ``leave while I know I can still physically play the game.''

Merriman's decision comes a week before he was eligible to become a free agent, and after spending parts of the past three seasons in Buffalo. Last year, he was cut by the Bills in August before re-signing with them in October.

He's a three-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL's 2005 defensive rookie of the year. Merriman's best seasons came with San Diego, where he earned the nickname ``Lights Out'' for being one of the league's top pass-rushers.