Sorry if this was already posted, but I hadnt seen it anywhere.. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-dolmerling050108,0,453329.story?page=1 Its a post draft interview with Merling...and may answer the debate that has been going on about how he will be used in Miami. The OLB / DE thing seems to be the biggest topic on the boards right now. I will say though that if the guy transitions to OLB I wouldnt be shocked, but I don't expect that this season or next. Q: What did they say your role would be? A: "I don't know. I just want to come out there and help out the defense. I want to learn from the defensive linemen and the coaches and everybody that's there. When I get there I guess they're going to tell me my role and I will do my role exactly as they ask me to do it." more - Q: What did the Dolphins tell you to work on? A: "They all said I could use some more technique. That's just what everyone wanted, technique in getting to the quarterback more. But other than that, they said I played the game very well. I play hard, I run with my motor on, I don't stop, and that's the key out there." more- Q: Did any teams speak to you about becoming a pass-rushing linebacker? A: "I think I was more of a defensive end. If they wanted me to do that, I could do that. I feel confident with my speed and my abilities to be able to do that." _______________________________________________________________________ I guess I will say that I'd have expected the Fins Front Office to tell him something by now if they were planning on teaching him a new spot, in particular that they wanted him to lose about 20-25 pounds. I think this guy is going to play weakside DE and that our FO believes he can be special there.
He won't be a 3-4 End and he won't be a 3-4 OLB. He'll be a 4-3 End and 4-3 Tackle, both on mostly nickel and dime formations. That's my opinion. He will be Jarvis Green.
Q: Did any teams speak to you about becoming a pass-rushing linebacker? A: "I think I was more of a defensive end. and Q: What did they say your role would be? A: "I don't know. I just want to come out there and help out the defense. I want to learn from the defensive linemen and the coaches and everybody that's there. Why would he want to learn from the DL if he's expecting to play OLB?
Q: Did any teams speak to you about becoming a pass-rushing linebacker? A: "I think I was more of a defensive end. If they wanted me to do that, I could do that. I feel confident with my speed and my abilities to be able to do that." Q: What did they say your role would be? A: "I don't know. I just want to come out there and help out the defense. I want to learn from the defensive linemen and the coaches and everybody that's there. It seems to me he has the impression he was drafted to play DE. He goes on to say that he thinks if they wanted something else from him, like playing OLB he thinks he could do that too. You didnt get that from his answer?
I dont know about you guys, but all I got from this is that they want him to work on his technique. The other two points are a bit confusing. haha
no i didn't get that from his answer. I'm guessing our FO didn't explain to him exactly how they're going to use him.... they probably watched a bunch of tape, watched his workout, and have developed an idea of how they are going to use him. Clearly they targeted him so i believe they had an idea. As far as what his position is on defense, what gap is he going to play? will he play DT at all? will he only play DE on 4-3 fronts? There are tons of questions just regarding the line, i'm not even talking about playing OLB like you are referencing, although that in itself brings up another whole line of questioning. He could very well be planned to play OLB in certain sets, and maybe Parcells & Co. just didn't expose their entire plans to him. very real possibility.
Thats how I read it too. Seems like he shot it down when the OLB question was asked and referenced everything as a DE. Now he didn't say 4-3 or 3-4 DE, but it was all DE references with an openess to do anything the Dolphins ask, like play OLB. He thinks he has the ability to play anywhere they want him. I like that. Open to coaching and wherever they want him to fit in. There is always the chance though that they could surprise him at camp and say gues what - you're an OLB or edge specialist
the day we're going to take what a rookie who hasn't yet set foot in the team facilities as gospel regarding the strategy of where and how he will play is a sad day you think when JT was drafted, he ever suspected he'd be playing OLB? Coaches and schemes will dictate where this guy plays, not what he says in his first interview.
JT was a little different. First off he was OLB size for the most part and not 282 pounds. Secondly, he was drafted by a coach that had at that point in Football history ran the hottest version of the 4-3 known to mankind, the Miami 4-3. So no, I don't think JT ever thought Jimmie Johnson would ever play him at OLB. JJ would never run a 3-4 or put JT in at OLB in his scheme. I just tend to think that if they wanted Merling to play ANY OLB this year they'd have told him and also mentioned getting his weight down.
Hopefully he'll be our more successful version of Calvin Pace. He def can put on some more muscle in the weight room too.
they may indeed do this after minicamps start. i mean the guy hasn't even reported yet, i don't think he would know how he's going to be used at this point yet. (i'm not attacking you or trying to start a fight, just counterpoint dude )
Im sure the coaches have talked to him about football and his expectations, plus take a good look at the guy....does he look like he will be ready to be an OLB any time soon? Ofcourse it is possible but sometimes it just is what it is.
