Merling getting a free pass? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Merling getting a free pass?

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munchkin

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The media and fans love to criticize high draft picks that don't live up to their draft slot. But for some reason Merling is barely considered a disappointment. he has failed to crack the starting lineup in two years and has made only a couple impact plays.

He was the 32nd pick in the draft, which any other year would have been a first round pick. I'm surprised by the lack of criticism. Ted Ginn has contributed to the fins 100 times what Merling has and we still have to hear that "Ginn and his family" crap.

Why has Merling received a free pass? Does an Int return towchdown against the Jets buy you a couple years of disapointing play without criticism?
 
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Merling's family consists of wizards.
 
He was the BPA at the spot that he was taken. Starks has just been beastly in front of him. Solid depth is not disappointing in this league, its manditory. Get over it.
 
A ginn apologist asking for us to complain about Merling? ok...he's a disappointment. Happy?
 
Dolphin Dave said:
He was the BPA at the spot that he was taken. Starks has just been beastly in front of him. Solid depth is not disappointing in this league, its manditory. Get over it.
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Starks great play is one thing, but the lack of production from Merling is another and a point to be considered.

While I dont ever put much creedence in the media's attention positive or negative I do think Merling has been to date a disappointment.

Honestly you are going to make an arguement that the 32nd player drafted in any draft, after 2 full seasons, isnt a starter, has no true position(is he a RDE, DT, or if rumors are to be believed a SOLB) isnt a disappointment?

Teams need all draft picks to pan out,but 1-4 must become major contributers to a team, I feel that Phillip Merling hasnt lived up to his draft status and is in a make or break point of his career, I dont blame the media I blame Merling he's overweight and seems disinterested in being a good football player.
 
1. Starks has been a freaking beast
2. Langford has played more than decent
3. 3-4 DE don't get crazy stats anyways watch the tape and focus on him he did what they ask from him
played well against the run and took up blockers

being ranked 14 at your position is not bad when you are not the starter http://profootballfocus.com/by_posi...e=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1

while Ginn picked 20 spots higher is at 89th at his position and was given a starting spot and still couldn't produce
 
I thinks its because he is a defensive lineman and it is much harder to judge them than wide receiver. It's easy to say Ted Ginn is bad because he has low catches and yards but it's much harder to evaluate Merling since you would really have to have watched him specifically on each play.
 
Ginn's worst year was also the year that he was supposed to break out, his third year. If Merling is whiffing on tackles or getting dominated in the trenches next year, he deserves criticism.
 
Another fan with no clue. Merling has played well as a 3-4 DE and is strong against the run. But let's apologize for ginn and family.

Clueless.
 
Merling gets a free pass because... well, he's not really worth complaining about. He's shown flashes, and he's struggled but he generally hasn't done anything to get fans upset. He was a damn good value pick in the draft, and would probably have been a SOLB as a rookie, but he had too much weight on from his injury. Sounds like he's cutting down and will try SOLB again (where I think he will do fine). Plus, you have a lot of other solid DEs (and Starks playing as good as anyone) so he's not gonna get flack.

Ginn got flack originally because we were staring Brady Quinn, who many considered a franchise QB at the time, in the face and took a very raw WR. Now he gets flack because Patrick Willis has become an All-Pro ILB and we are weak there.

Ginn did ok as a rookie, and IMO was a valuable asset in 08. Last year, he regressed badly and cost us the Saints game. I think he can become a valuable asset again, but he's gotta learn to be tougher. I could deal with drops, but him falling as soon as a defender looked at him drove me nuts.
 
He's been ok when he's played but hasn't really lived up to his potential and he doesn't show up well in practice. He doesn't seem to want it badly enough (Sparano has talked about him needing to improve his conditioning)
 
The word on the street is Merling has been asked to lose 20 pounds..and is getting moved to OLB..say we may see more production in the stats..

But Merling has been ok as a 34 de...

The original poster is right..

Merling had chances to be a starter the passed 2 years..

He was beat out by a guy who was drafted after him.. Langford

An old man in Vonnie Holiday and Randy Starks who has been very good...

It was him job for the taking but he did not reach out and grab it..

I feel the best place for him is SOLB and hopefully that willl work out for him, his family and his body type
 
Merling is tough - he has been solid. He is a 4-3 DE that we tried to make play inside alot. I doubt he gained all that weight this season voluntarily. I woudn't be surprised if he was asked to just to see how he would do inside. We have alot of DE's and he was beaten out by some pretty good players. I personally would keep him at DE and keep a good rotation there. You take Langford, Starks, McDaniel, and Merling and that is a very good young nucleus there. All around 290-300 lb solid guys.

I don't see him as a bust becuase he gives the team good play. I think this team needs to go get a legit NT. We have to move on from Fergie and I really think they will this year.
 
Dolphin Dave said:
He was the BPA at the spot that he was taken.
Click to expand...

It sure would have been nice to get
DeSean Jackson and his 912 yard ans 1156 yard receiving seasons with 13 tds (it's not like we need a #1 receiver)but like you said we went with the best player available:facepalm:

or Ray Rice and his 2000+ yards rushing and receiving this season and those 8 tds he had.Like you said we went with the best player available:ponder:

Merling is an underachiever any way you look at it.
32nd PICK...:facepalm:
 
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