When your 2nd best outside pass rusher is a tie between Jamaal Westerman and Koa Misi, then unfortunately you're in a position where you have to investigate someone like Shawn Merriman.
I think the writing was on the wall for Mahaffey. Lane has gotten all the "fullback" snaps, and they've lined Anthony Fasano and Charles Clay in the backfield pretty frequently. Didn't the Dolphins put a waiver claim in for Merriman last year?
Actually I should note that perhaps the best pass rush presence I saw against Carolina might have been Josh Kaddu when rushing the passer from an outside linebacker position. He's a one trick pony but that trick is what the Dolphins need right now.
Yes, the Dolphins put in a waiver claim for Merriman. But with Joe Philbin here, Merriman may not be what we want on the roster now.
**** Merriman, we already have enough guys who can't get after the QB. But at least they can play some Special Teams.
Pefect. So on any long passing down put Misi at DE with Kaddu outside his shoulder and 80% of the time rush Kaddu and drop Misi. Problem solved... for two weeks, when offensive coordinators will adjust to expect it and run right through Misi's vacated hole.
Normally roll my eyes when old, washed up players are available and suggested by this board. But NOT in this case!
He got cut by the Bills after not being able to stay healthy for the 2 years he was there. His body is obviously shot from all the roids. Why in the hell would we be interested now?
Have you seen our pass rush? It can't hurt bringing him in, that much is for sure. Bring him if for nothing else to keep him off the Jets or Pats roster and see if he still has the go. He is in the best shape of his career and feels great. No clue as to why Buffalo released him, unless it was a salary move. If so, bring him in now.
Merriman stated that his skill set is more conducive to a 3-4, than it is to the 4-3. He felt this was the reason he was let go by the Bills. There are really two major reasons why the Dolphins should have no interest in Merriman. The first one being that they play a 4-3 defense. The second and most important reason is that Merriman just isn't a very good player anymore, at this stage of his career. The Dolphins certainly need an upgrade at the outside LB position, but I just don't see Merriman being this upgrade.
What did you think of that roughing call on Kaddu? It looked to me like he came shooting through that gap like he was shot out of a cannon, and while he did take a full step before he leveled the QB, at the speed he was coming, I wasn't so sure he could throttle down or completely let up in time. Also he appeared to have his head down and caught the QB around rib level, so he may not have even seen the pass released. The Carolina feed did not show a replay as I recall.
Most everyone laughed when the Jets claimed Aaron Maybin off waivers. He was just another Bills first round bust. Silly Jets anyway. Damn sure wish the Dolphins would have listened to our El Padre who was clamoring for Maybin at the time.
Even playing a 4-3, if Merriman is physically sound, there is a place for him. The best use of this player now would be as a nickel pass rusher only, IMO.
Maybin was a young player who's only experience was a few years w/the Bills. Merriman is a post-roid loser who's body has continued to disintegrate the last few years.
If under this new administration we continue to bring in washed-up veterans to attempt to plug the holes as the ship sinks, I'm going to be ticked.
Yep, and Maybin had all of the raw tools to succeed, Merriman seems so diminished that I'd rather Shelby or Rodriquez or whomever take the reps and snaps that he would get.
