Phillip Merling finally works out

[MURPHMAN]

No numbers yet but the Skins brought the whole house to town

http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/385285.html

[DiG]

that quote says that merlings "track record is solid on that front" in regards to creating havoc but he only has 11.5 sacks in 38 games. Sure he seems to have the phyisical tools but with his injury and his game performances I still see him as a late first guy. in my last mock before the draft I'll probably have him going to the titans at 24 or the jags at 26. i think groves could even end up ahead of him. I will admit though Merling could prove solid in the run game. He just doesn't offer much in pass rushing at all.

[princefielder28]

that quote says that merlings "track record is solid on that front" in regards to creating havoc but he only has 11.5 sacks in 38 games. Sure he seems to have the phyisical tools but with his injury and his game performances I still see him as a late first guy. in my last mock before the draft I'll probably have him going to the titans at 24 or the jags at 26. i think groves could even end up ahead of him. I will admit though Merling could prove solid in the run game. He just doesn't offer much in pass rushing at all.

Part of Groves going ahead of him has to do with Groves versatility being able to play 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB

[toonsterwu]

Merling could be a much better pass rusher than anyone seems to think. He has edge quickness. I don't know what his 40 time is, and personally, I don't care, so I don't care that he isn't going to run it. I will be curious on the agility numbers, though. People seem to think he should've had huge pass rush numbers in college. The way he was used minimized that potential. He wasn't given the free ability to attack as much as a Gaines Adams was, or a Daquan Bowers will be.

As for where he goes, it comes down to workout and board. I believe it was LaCanfora that confirmed it, although it could be someone else, but there are suggestions that he tops the Redskins board for DE's, if he's there. It makes sense, though, as he does seem like Greg Blache's type of end. I will say this ... if his workouts are good, I would move him back to the top 15 of my board (top 3 tiers) immediately. He is that good of a talent.

[JagHombre22]

I really hope he doesn't do well so he falls to the Jags...

[DiG]

As for where he goes, it comes down to workout and board. I believe it was LaCanfora that confirmed it, although it could be someone else, but there are suggestions that he tops the Redskins board for DE's, if he's there. It makes sense, though, as he does seem like Greg Blache's type of end. I will say this ... if his workouts are good, I would move him back to the top 15 of my board (top 3 tiers) immediately. He is that good of a talent.

laconfora confirmed that he is ahead of calais on the redskins board. i dont dislike merling. im just not sold mostly due to his lack of numbers and production. the skins are said to have him ranked ahead of any WR because the dropoff after him they feel is a lot higher than the dropoffs at wr. either way i dont think the skins will even pick at 21. they want out of the pick. itll either be a trade down or a trade for a player. mark it.

[Larry121283]

I like Merling, I just don't see the explosiveness in pass rushing. He is more of an all-around DE than a monster sack artist, but we'll have to see in time. He certainly wasn't in college, but then, he had Ricky Sapp and Gaines Adams playing across from him and both of those players are very solid.

I see him as an Antwan Odom type, sans the injury. Very good against the run, solid versus the pass, but I'd never expect 10 sacks from him. Maybe a matured and full-bodied Reggie Hayward that is a little more stout against the run (04/05 season).

I wouldn't mind seeing the Jaguars get him, I think he'd compliment the line well, especially if SOMEHOW they got Jason Taylor for that potential high third rounder. Taylor, Merling, Hayward, and Spicer would definitely formidable on the edge.

I think both he and Calais Campbell are two players that have similar grades. Calais provides the elite upside pass rusher...Merling doesn't, but Merling is a much safer pick.

[toonsterwu]

Out of curiousity, by what metric is Calais judged as the better pass rusher? Merling has a more developed pass rush repetoire, is by all accounts a better athlete.

[Larry121283]

Out of curiousity, by what metric is Calais judged as the better pass rusher? Merling has a more developed pass rush repetoire, is by all accounts a better athlete.
10.5 sacks and 20 TFL in about half a season as a sophomore...the upside to be a dominant pass rusher is there. Calais nearly equaled Merling's career sack total in that second half of 06 alone.

This season, with teams scheming to compensate for Calais, his pass rushing numbers still rival Merling whose supporting cast is much better.

With Merling, you question how much better he will get in the NFL...Campbell, despite being a boom or bust player...the boom that he has shown is much more so than Philip Merling.

You have to remember, there is a chance that Merling would not have played as much in his senior year as he did his junior year because of the freshman, DaQuan Bowers. How good Merling is and how good he really can be is the big question.

[TheIncredibleDraftDude]

Out of curiousity, by what metric is Calais judged as the better pass rusher? Merling has a more developed pass rush repetoire, is by all accounts a better athlete.

Calais is a tackle. Maybe not NT yet. Buf def. tackle

[BamaFalcon59]

Calais is a tackle. Maybe not NT yet. Buf def. tackle

No, he is not. He is 6'8" 290. He will be a 3-4 DE or 4-3 strongside defensive end.

[BamaFalcon59]

I really hope he doesn't do well so he falls to the Jags...

I still do not see the thought behind this. It is quite clear to me that the Jaguars need a pass rusher, Merling is not that. He reminds me of a poor mans Jamaal Anderson. I think he would be a horrible pick for the Jaguars.

[toonsterwu]

10.5 sacks and 20 TFL in about half a season as a sophomore...the upside to be a dominant pass rusher is there. Calais nearly equaled Merling's career sack total in that second half of 06 alone.

This season, with teams scheming to compensate for Calais, his pass rushing numbers still rival Merling whose supporting cast is much better.

With Merling, you question how much better he will get in the NFL...Campbell, despite being a boom or bust player...the boom that he has shown is much more so than Philip Merling.

You have to remember, there is a chance that Merling would not have played as much in his senior year as he did his junior year because of the freshman, DaQuan Bowers. How good Merling is and how good he really can be is the big question.

The issue comes down to Calais athletic ability and playing weight. He's a fairly raw pass rusher who has put on weight in recent years. Was this a natural level of growth? Did he overdo it? There are a lot of questions that we don't know. College production numbers shouldn't be used as the totality of a metric to judge a player's ability to translate to the NFL.

So, the question on Merling becomes this - why does Campbell get the benefit of the doubt, and Merling doesn't? By most accounts, and we'll know soon enough, Merling was perceived to be as good an athlete as Calais (before we knew about his slow footspeed) if not better. Merling has frame upside.

I'm not saying one can't, or the other can, or vice versa. I am saying the metrics used need to be given fair credit. Merling was productive for how he was used, has high athletic ability, has frame upside, and is fairly refined for a collegian. To me, that says an individual with huge upside at the next level to become a dominant player. Whether or not he reaches that upside is debatable, but that upside is there.

Btw, I don't think Bowers would've pushed Merling as much. He more than likely would've pushed Sapp. Bowers would need a year or two to handle the myriad responsibilities Merling had, along with getting physically in shape to handle the responsibilities. Also, some suggestions had been that Bowers was going to be redshirted if Merling had stayed since they have quality DL depth.

[toonsterwu]

As for Merling, spoke to some people down there at the workout. The kid is working through sports hernia surgery - no small deal - but went hard for 45 minutes, I am told. He was out there by himself and showed very well. About half the league had a representative there, but the Skins large contingent certainly drew ample attention.

Merling is tough as nails, and took a needle to the groin every Saturday just to be ablel to get on the field with Clemson,


First report I've seen, whatever "showed ver well" means, only time will tell.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

I still say, a healthy Phillip Merling is a top 15 talent in this draft, if not top 10 talent. He won't go top 10, but he could end up top 20.

2nd report:

Merling went through a smooth 25-minute workout, displaying the speed and agility that led him to give up his final year at Clemson for the NFL. He has been projected as a first-round pick.

Merling did not run a 40-yard dash, or do any weightlifting. Instead, he did exercises that tested his midsection and groin area.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20080424/APS/804241161

[Self Rider]

Merling played with a sports hernia all year. He got it back in August during camp and played with it without complaining.

As for the guy that said Bowers would push Sapp but not Merling, they play different positions. Sapp like Adams plays the "Bandit" or rush end.

The DC for Clemson also put these guys in the NFL...


1. D Ware - Cowboys - Troy
2. Osi Umenyoira - DE Giants - Troy
3. Charles Bennett - Clemson - Bucks
4. Gaines Adams - Clemson - Bucks
5. Philip Merling - Clemson (pending)
6. Sapp - pending
7. Brown - pending
8. Alexander - pending
9. Bowers - pending
10. Crittendon - pending

6-10 are guys to keep an eye out for in the future.

Bowers is going to start the first game of the season against Alabama. Sapp is already thinking about coming out early next year.

[JagHombre22]

I still do not see the thought behind this. It is quite clear to me that the Jaguars need a pass rusher, Merling is not that. He reminds me of a poor mans Jamaal Anderson. I think he would be a horrible pick for the Jaguars.

The Jaguars love Merling...but it is clear he will not last...we need someone who can disrupt in the back field not just get sacks...Merling can do that...the Jaguars don't necessarily need a guy who puts up 10 sacks every season...they just need someone who can change which way the QB steps...makes the QB make a mistake...we have a good secondary...with a strong front four, I think the Jags defense will take the next step again...

[BamaFalcon59]

The Jaguars love Merling...but it is clear he will not last...we need someone who can disrupt in the back field not just get sacks...Merling can do that...the Jaguars don't necessarily need a guy who puts up 10 sacks every season...they just need someone who can change which way the QB steps...makes the QB make a mistake...we have a good secondary...with a strong front four, I think the Jags defense will take the next step again...

IMO the Jaguars do need the guy who grabs ten sacks a year. That would put them over the top.

[Larry121283]

The Jaguars love Merling...but it is clear he will not last...we need someone who can disrupt in the back field not just get sacks...Merling can do that...the Jaguars don't necessarily need a guy who puts up 10 sacks every season...they just need someone who can change which way the QB steps...makes the QB make a mistake...we have a good secondary...with a strong front four, I think the Jags defense will take the next step again...

Merling would be a good asset to the Jaguars, but I think above all they need an elite pass rusher, one that does register 10+ sacks.

Jason Taylor, coupled with Merling would be a nice addition to the Jaguars, but Merling alone, you still have to question if they've addressed a key need along the defensive front four, and that is a legit pass rusher that would be able to disrupt the Manning and Brady's of the world...which is what they need to supplant them in the AFC. San Diego has come close to doing it because of their elite pass rush from Merriman...the Jaguars need that kind of player.

That isn't to say Merling wouldn't be a nice fit at the strong side of the defensive line...but I think this team needs to address a pass rush.

[JagHombre22]

Merling would be a good asset to the Jaguars, but I think above all they need an elite pass rusher, one that does register 10+ sacks.

Jason Taylor, coupled with Merling would be a nice addition to the Jaguars, but Merling alone, you still have to question if they've addressed a key need along the defensive front four, and that is a legit pass rusher that would be able to disrupt the Manning and Brady's of the world...which is what they need to supplant them in the AFC. San Diego has come close to doing it because of their elite pass rush from Merriman...the Jaguars need that kind of player.

That isn't to say Merling wouldn't be a nice fit at the strong side of the defensive line...but I think this team needs to address a pass rush.

I don't think the Jaguars will have a shot at Merling....he won't get past Washington

but I'm hearing rumors that the Jaguars are talking to the Phins about sending the #26 and a third and fifth...for Jason Taylor and the #32...

[toonsterwu]

Self Rider

I was under the impression that Bowers wasn't going to be used akin to Merling. I know Sapp plays the Bandit role that Adams played, but I was under the impression that the DC, whose name is slipping me, was going to adjust his schemes and not give Bowers the responsibilities Merling had.

[BlindSite]

I think Merling will either be great in the NFL but he'll do nothing in his first year.

[energizerbunny]

I think Merling will either be great in the NFL but he'll do nothing in his first year.

not surprising, alot of dlineman don't do anything in their first year... its a very difficult transition from the college game