Ben Volin says Merling was working on pass drops with the linebackers "again" this morning. I don't recall reading that yesterday (probably missed it), but it is definitely interesting. I don't think he's disappointing at DE. He's played well. More likely, with Holliday returning they're looking for ways to get him on the field. I know a lot of people on these boards think OLB is ultimately where he would shine brightest. True or not, I don't think that is in the cards for this season. It's not a Matt Roth situation where there are multiple guys in front of him. Merling is the top reserve. I think this is more of a toe in the water to see if they've got some more of that 'position flexibility' Sparano has talked about. Merling's quite athletic. But I don't know that there's enough quality depth on the DL to have the guy lose the weight necessary to log a lot of snaps at LB.
Maybe they hope in time to get him into Porter's spot? Or to take over for Roth if he doesn't take as well.
Well, it is interesting that they would wait this long to have him practice as a LB. Maybe they didn't want to throw this at him straight away because he was coming off the hernia? But this is ultimately where I think he'll end up.
Good point, it seems to me that Sparano has made his decisions already, now they are experimenting with reserves and positions, like Crocker practicing with the first team, now Merling working out a LB. I wouldn't be surprised to see Roth practicing at ILB either.
I would think that's exactly why. I mean this is a guy they picked 2nd, but Langford, a guy they drafted after Merling, is locking down one of the DE spots. It makes sense that they would want to find a way to get Merling on the field for as many plays as is possible. Plus, I can't help but wonder if they aren't losing faith in Porter. He seems to be having problems staying healthy.
It may be to get the young guys used to something different. I can see us dropping DE's into coverage when the FO and coaching staff fill out their roster in two years. Maybe this is just something they will incorporate in a year or two and are getting a feel for what he can do now. If he can adapt well enough, it allows them to look for something else in the draft. Long range planning would be something different for our team -vs- what we have been used to.
As complicated as we like to make it, I think it's because they would like to see Philip Merling work at Outside Linebacker. That's it. What they do AFTER that depends on what they see.
I would actually tend to think that this is another move similar to Holliday rather than Roth though. Merling seems to be a very capable 3-4 DE. Those two would compose the pass rush 3-4 ends, while Starks and Wright cannot go into coverage. This looks like something they're experimenting for on third downs. It could look like this: - Merling at LE drops back into coverage covering the short flats on the strong side. - Starks the "pass rush NT" probably gets a healthy dose of the RG and the C with the RT feeling utterly useless just standing there basically. - The LG will have to take on Ayodele, while Crowder is able to move over slightly to cover his zone with Merling taking care of Crowder's. - The LT will take on Holliday and we'll see whatever unlucky third down back has to take on Joey Porter. - Matt Roth will also move into coverage but he'll be to the left of Merling essentially making it a three man zone in the middle of the defense with the safeties in support of the corners. That's just one example really. It leaves Miami with its two CBs, two safeties, two LBs and a linemen in short coverage to prevent the third down. It also gives Miami one negated linemen (the NT), eliminates the usefulness of one of the offense's tackles (where the hell does he go really if the play is not a designed screen or anything?), yet it gives Miami three pass rushers from the left side manned up one on one with one of the main guys getting a RB to attack.
That would be interesting. Possibly put Roth at the ILB spot in a 3-3-5 stack with Porter and Merling on the outsides? Also, this move or this practice could add to their love for versatile players. Anytime you can play players in several positions is a positive as you could then be able to add depth to the weaker spots on the team.
There are bonuses to Roth at ILB but I don't think they match up to those at LOLB. The ILBs right now are a fairly strong group. I'm not sure I see the benefit. Here's the reason I don't see Merling play at OLB anytime within the short-term future. He weighs 290 lbs right now. He's even heavier than Roth and he's not incredibly strong so he won't be your SOLB that is supposed to pulverize the TE. He's not that fast like our current group of ROLBs are. I view the rotation to be: Starting LE- Langford, Starks RE- Holliday, Merling, Wright Run Down LE- Langford RE- Starks/Wright Pass Rush 3-4 LE- Merling RE- Holliday
Coverages? Not sure who is our "best" coverage ILB at the moment, Channing does suffer injuries during the course of a year, and Ayodele was on his way out of Dallar prior to the trade, for me that means he might not have been the most nimble ILB.
Ayodele was on the way out because the Cowboy's ownership believes any name player apparently is an upgrade so they went out and got Thomas who doesn't fit the scheme. Channing is our best cover ILB by far.
About time I say. Even if he doesnt play there this year thats the positon that will utilize his talent the best
I can't imagine at this point they are really looking for someone to be a starting OLB, especially one of the bigger, strong-side type guys with Roth seemingly looking like a good option for the position... I'm also kind of curious about the potential that they may be going through and teaching some of the linemen basic coverage skills for implementation of zone blitz packages. I disagree, Wade Phillips knows how to utilize undersized linebackers. He did quite well with Donnie Edwards in San Diego.
Merling is 290 pounds now apparently. It's going to look funny. He'll get some snaps during passing downs on the defensive line but I think they are looking forward with this experiment. If they see a glimpse of athleticism from Merling at OLB (which i'm sure they will) they may make him drop weight and make him play there. Roth has already dropped weight back to 280 pounds to play SOLB. Merling at OLB will mean that they don't need to use a pick on an OLB next year and they can flip Joey Porter back to SOLB. Either way...I am extremely impressed with this front seven and it's potential.
I sincerely disagree that Miami could get away with a non-sense speed rusher coming out of the ROLB position. You MUST have a high pressure guy, Joey Porter or better coming out of there or else the 3-4 will be a passing team's dream. If Merling is on one side in the future (which I do not support anymore after seeing Merling play so well at DE), you MUST have a top speed rusher to complement him. Merling-Roth for example would be suicide for pass defense
Merling looks so far like he will be a real stud DE for years to come if left there, and since 3-4 DEs that are worth a darn are harder to find IMO than 3-4 OLBs, I would prefer they just leave Merling at DE. It all begins with controlling the line.
I'm pleased with Roth so far, but it's partially because he hasn't been thrown at much. Once teams figure out they can send some pass routes his way on 1st/2nd downs we'll see his weaknesses (lack of experience in coverage, and lack of speed, I am guessing... not sure as I haven't seen Roth backpedalling, flipping his hips and running to cover a slot receiver). Right now Matt is somewhat protected by being played 1st/2nd downs in the preseason when Offenses are less gameplanned and less exotic... that means 90% runs on first down and probably 75% runs on most second downs. Once it's the regular season, they'll mix it up more and throw more gameplanned passing at Roth's weak coverage skills. Don't get so high on him yet.
Jaj...nice assessment...this could be the "anti-Patriots" D formation...something to kill that short passing game that is killing the NFL in general right now... I am one of those that still think Merling was drafted to be that standup OLB. They've seen how that conversion (from college DE to pro OLB) can be difficult for players. I think of Ware and Ellis, both who have now done well in that role, but Ellis struggled with the transition. So perhaps they want to give Merling the opportunity to work into the role without pressure or expectations...In practice he'll see more and more until he understands his role in this D...On the other hand, as someone else mentioned, it could be them hedging their bets against injury especially with Porter...where Roth fills the Porter role and Merling fills the Roth role...?? Either way, the development of this D will hinge on versatility of it's players and their ability to disguise coverage and schemes...having several guys that can fill different roles, depending on the game situation, goes a long way towards that goal...
I'm glad you liked it. It never hurts having a couple of guys who can drop back into short zones, especially in third down situations since it creates some sense of "OMG WHAT ARE THEY ARE GOING TO DO NOW".
