Ok, so I may be totally delusional, but was I the only one that thought that Merling was drafted to be used as an OLB in our 3-4? He has prototypical size and speed for the position ( pretty similar to Chris Long honestly). The only reason his weight was so high when he was drafted was because he was coming off a sports hernia. His actual playing weight was around 275 and he ran in the 4.7s range at the combine. His current attributes listed on the Dolphins roster page are 6-4/275. In comparison, Shawne Merriman, who plays a similar position for the chargers is listed at 6-4/272. We spent a second round pick on a person that we are going to make gain weight and play a 3-4 DE? A 3-4 DE takes up holes and makes room for the play makers, the linebackers. Wouldn't you want a play maker to play a position in the 3-4 that is made for someone who has the opportunities to make those plays? I don't know, but it just doesn't make sense to me. Am I the only one? Thoughts and comments are very much welcome.
You weren't. As a matter of fact, a lot of people, myself included, believes he'll eventually be our starting OLB.
I could see him being a Richard Seymour type player for us if we decide to have him bulk up. Guess he could go either way? Has BP & Co. said where they see him playing yet?
No, I don't think they have actually come out and said that he was playing DE. It just seems that everyone just assumes that he is ( the media, the fans). It has just really has been bothering me. Sometimes I think I am the only one that understands a real 3-4. I really hope not.
I am writing this in stones fellows. Merling will be a DE 1st and foremost. He may be experimented with at LB but he will be a DE!!!
As long as he produces like Pace did last season and we don't have to give him that same price tag Pace received, I'm fine with it lol.
IMO, Merling will start out playing at DE and moving around the line of scrimmage, once he has some experience (and health) then he could move to OLB like Greg Ellis did in Dallas. Merling may be hurt worse then we think, as a DE his College eposition, it will give him a bit of time to heal and harden up a bit.
Merling had a sports hernia issue which has been taken care of. Hell he was a better player or at least rated better than Gaines Adams and I'm real cool with that. He sat till # 32. He was a steal. I have to ask. Why would he not be able to convert to OLB? I know he is talked about as being a run stopper but pick his hand up in a 3-4. Could happen soon. Probably already is. Still love the pick.
I just think he is a natural DE. He gets upfield and can play the run. Whether or not he can play in a 2pt stance, who knows? But I agree that he was excellent value where he was picked.
Yup, I'm sure he'll see snaps at OLB and some at DE as well, but he is better suited to play OLB in our 3/4 IMO.
I love the pick, I never thought we would have a shot at Phil Merling in the first place, so I'm happy to have him here. I just don't think he is 100% yet, in the Rookie Mini Camp, he was limping when he walked, and it was said that "HE walks with a limp naturally" which sounds passing strange indeed. That is a part of the reason why I don't see him playing OLB...this year that is, as a DE he can be the rotation and work into game shape while not learning a new position.
I dont know how much if anything one might read into this, but didn't Ireland call him a "pass rusher or edge rusher" in his post day 1 draft pc - then went and called Kendall Langford a "DE" in his post day 2 pc. I don't remember who, I think it was CK, wrote about that in a draft review. Personally I think Merling will eventually become our LOLB, but may be limited to playing a true DE position in nickel and dime packages this year.
Exactly. I was just about to post a thought along the lines of: If we never played Merling at OLB but he became a player close to Richard Seymour, would you be disappointed. I think thats what we have. Ok pass rusher, GREAT run defender and a guy that can play for us the next 10 seasons at DE with the potential to maybe do more.
That's what I'm thinking. I'd rather let Merling contribute sparingly and let the effects of his hernia full heal before trying to convert him to a new position he has little to no experience playing. I think Langford is more ready to play in a 3-4 anyways as a DE. I just have a feeling if Merling's not on the field quite as much he'll garner the bust label without deserving to have that attached to him.
Nope. He called him a DE. He also mentioned him as a quality Edge player and they then listed him on the roster as a DE and then let him practice ONLY with the DE's. Doesnt mean he'll never play OLB, but so far it's all DE
Kendall Langford, IMO, is that player, not Merling - though I wouldn't be dissapointed in the least if that's what Merling were to become. If they're our 2 DE's for the next 8 to 10 years, I'm perfectly fine with that (I think Randy Starks eventually becomes our NT after Ferguson moves on).
Really? What is your experience with the 3-4 that would make you think you're the only one that understands it? What btw is a "real" 3-4?
Hmmm...I knew I was on the right track about the "edge player" comment - I'll have to re-watch the pc. As far as what he's listed as on the roster...JT and Quentin Moses are both listed as DE's as well and they'd certainly be OLBs in a 3-4.
I posted a thread on this you can search with Merlings name in the title threa. Should be easy to find. They have clearly identified him as a DE and the only ones not hearing it are the guys that want him to be a OLB! LOL Sorry, but so far thats the case. Doesnt mean he wont ever play OLB it just means its not why they drafted him for exclusively. He also did not rep at all at OLB in rookie camp. Irelands interview on MiamiDolphins.com - Ireland said "Ireland: "Merling is a big quality kid that brings good depth to our End position" Here's the Merling thread: http://forums.thephins.com/showthread.php?t=7775
I knew he didn't rep with the LB's in the rookie camp - didn't expect him to. I think he'll play DE exclusively for this year in nickel and dime situations until he bulks up enough to play a 3-4 DE spot all 3 downs if those are the intentions - which based on what you're saying appear to be. If, and only if, the intentions of the coaching staff are to convert him to OLB, which no one in the fanbase or media can clearly discern at this point based on anything the FO has said, I'd rather let his hernia injury fully heal so he has his peak athleticism back before teaching him a spot he's got little to no experience with.
Here's a good thread on the Merling subject that has several news quotes and such in it: http://forums.thephins.com/showthread.php?t=7775
Glancing through the thread, thanks for the find btw, it backs up what you said, and I agree he may become a nice weakside 3-4 DE. That's at least how I'd start his teaching if I were Tony Sparano & Co. until they know the full extent of the hernia injury. I've seen him listed at 282 on Clemson sites, and he might be able to get away playing a 3-4 DE spot at that size. If he's 275 as listed by the team homepage, he's still going to have to add 15-20+ lbs to play 3-4 DE. I don't think he's fully developed his body yet, and a year in an NFL strength and conditioning program would do him a world of good if he's to be permanently entrenched at 3-4 DE, where as a guy like Langford is much more ready to play there from the beginning. To me, Merling seems like the ideal 4-3 DE, which is where I thought a guy like Chris Long should be, and they share similar dimensions/athleticism/motor etc. Merling just seems to be not quite big enough to play 3-4 DE and not quite athletic enough to play OLB.
All I meant by this is that all I ever hear out of people's mouths is that all these pass rushing DEs should play DE in a 3-4, when a 3-4 DE isn't exactly a pass rusher. I didn't mean to demean anyone else's knowledge on the subject. Just meant to portray my frustration.
Hey, no worries. I think Merling could be a pretty darn good WLB, lets just hope that his development isn't hindered by the JT saga.
I just really like Merling, and i could be wrong, but I think playing 3-4 DE would be a waste for such a physically talented player. I agree with many that say that Langford is a much better fit for the 3-4 DE spot. But hopefully whatever the Big Tuna decides works out for the best.
Just food for thought but it is entirely possible to play End, whilst being an OLB, or vice versa. An Elephant End, Jack End etc. in some chemes would be a DE by alignment, but the player playing that position may be anyone. It could be that type of situation aswell. Also it is much easier to ask a man to drop a few pounds than it is to gain wieght and still be an up the field rusher. Plus seeing that he doesn't ever split the double, or manage his gaps well against the double I don't get why he'd be a great DE in a 3-4, especially the two gap. Langford is light for the position at 287lbs, but he did play heavier during the season and has the frame to bulk up. Merling however, doesn't have that same potential to my eye, he has the long leaner look of an edge rusher, and he makes amajority of his sacks or plays behind the LOS b/c he works back towards the ball, not be/c he is always applying direct pressure.
He also called Jake Long "the pillar of our defense." It really doesn't matter what the GMs say it matters what THE COACHES (Sparano and the Defensive Coordinator) think and do with Merling. I am willing to bet almost anything on the fact that he will be a DE. He is very good at holding his position and defending the run which are crucial skills to a 3-4 DE. I think he will be solid and look foreward to watching him develope. I just have a gut feeling he will be a DE and NOT a LB.
DE's in San Diego's defense are pretty productive. Luis Castillo when he's actually playing. 7 sacks in 10 games in 2006, but has an injury bug, also doesn't make many tackles. Just because a DE doesn't get many sexy stats, i.e. sacks, doesn't mean they're not as important nor should only lesser players play there.
SD has a 1 gap 3-4, the DE's are lighter and the whole scheme is generated more towards applying pressure from more spots than a 2 gap 3-4 which we will probably run.
Good Point! There are MANY versons of the 3-4, just like there are many versions of the 4-3. At the school I'm currently coaching at, we have two very distintive differences at DE. The DE on the strong side is the big Starks type player. This kid is usually much bigger than the kid we play at the weakside DE spot. We also have packages though where we put big kids in both spots, and others where we put smaller DE's in both spots. All you have to do to know there are a ton of variations to the 3-4 is attend 1 coaching clinic and you quickly figure out how much variation is going on out there. Merling is a fine DE in many of those varitations, especially on the weakside in the type we run here. Our weakside DE's tend to be more productive. Our kid from two seasons ago got a full ride to Texas Southern (Darnell Reeves 6'3 245) and the kid that started there this year got a full ride to Div. II Mesa State (Daniel Lincoln 6'3 235)
Great Point! He's already a VERY good DE, especially against the run. That's a high value itself. Why make lemonaide from apples? It's nice though that he MAY have the ability to play OLB. Versitiity is a good thing. I have followed this though whenever the staff speaks on him and so far there has been no clear OLB talk on Merling. It's all DE so far, same goes for his reps in practice.
