Merling/Langford... Who is it gonna be?

[Fish-Head]

I find it interesting that these two players are synonymous with eachother and almost always mentioned as a pair... entering their second season, which in your opinion is the better prospect and why?

 

[BretBowers1000]

i think merling is the better prospect giving he is a better pass rusher, however langford is a better fit at this point due to the fact he is more stout against the run.

 

[Finfang]

i think merling is the better prospect giving he is a better pass rusher, however langford is a better fit at this point due to the fact he is more stout against the run.

Which is why it makes it incredibly tough to compare the two although they are often mentioned in the same conversation. To me that is where it ends because they are very different.

I see each being equally dominant in their own way.

 

[Fish-Head]

Which is why it makes it incredibly tough to compare the two although they are often mentioned in the same conversation. To me that is where it ends because they are very different.

I see each being equally dominant in their own way.

Actually not trying to compare them as much as assess who will be the better prospect at their position IYO.

It is very weird that they are constantly mentioned in the same breath almost like they are the same person though they are very different style players...

Maybe I should have phrased it... 'If you could keep only one, who would it be and why?'

 

[mia4ever]

There Like Bo and Luke....

Hey, that a good nicknames now whose Bo
and whose luke

 

[Zounds]

For a 3-4 DE I'd go with the better run stuffer who can hold the point, and it appears Langford is a little further ahead in that regard. Merling has made some nice plays though, its hard to pick one over the other.

 

[playmaker1]

I think both will be very big building blocks for our D. Look at the impact each had last season in only their rookie seasons. I think it is too soon to start with the who would you keep questions. I am just excited to see each of them now after a full season of adjusting to the bigs.

 

[maralieus]

I go with Merling, but it is close. Merlings pick six on Favre really jumped him up my favorite player list.

 

[Fish-Head]

My assessment is Langford is the slightly better prospect IMHO... Langford just seemed to me to be a little more consistent... Merling definitely has the 'game changing' ability but I just felt that Langford gave us more between those plays...

Merling was also rotated in a little more which demonstrates to me that the staff also thought of him as a better situational player at this point in his development...

Both fine prospects but I hang my hat on Langford. But then that's just me...

 

[ArmyFin7]

I still get a kick out of Kiper saying the fins were really reaching when we drafted him in the 3rd bc he had a 4th round grade on him.

 

[JT-forpresident]

Langford is playing the run like a pro bowler, no less. But he's got to improve his pass rushing (it's not as bad as i make it look like, but he needs to learn a few tricks)

Merling is the one who progressed throughout the season and ended on some high notes (the pick TD vs the jets). Langford came in and basically got it from day one IMO, yes he progressed, but not as much as Phil did.
Phil struggled early to generate any kind of impact on the field, but he got better and better and his pass rush got more and more accountable (i mean, we saw him on 3 man rushes in dime packages, how can your coach show you more confidence in your ability.. ! )

Langford is the better player right now, but by the way merling progressed, if it continues in 2009, i could see a bigger and better year out of merling (and that's what i foresee) but for this past season, i'd say langford was the better player by a small margin

 

[ryanENGLISH0]

Kendall Langford

 

[Valandui]

They are each better fit for their respective sides. Langford is stronger and is probably a better fit for the strong (left) side while Merling is a better fit for the weak (right) side.

 

[Third Eye]

Why does it matter who is a better prospect and why? They are both strongly in the plan for young defensive line talent. Both can succeed and start at the same time on the right and left sides. Both are part of the long term solution. Rest assured even they will have nothing guaranteed because Ireland will ensure more talent is brought in to compete against. They both need to work, develop, and produce to stay in the lineup long term

 

[Danny]

I'm just glad we've got both of them....Langsford had the better year but the sky's the limit for both of them......what would really help them both is if we can get a big time NT in that middle of the line....I like Ferguson but we need a younger,bigger guy in there and then our d-line will be set for years.

Ozzy rules!!