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Miami Dolphins talking points: The mystery of Phillip Merling

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1. Defensive end Phillip Merling is lagging behind.

Merling was considered a top 20-talent in 2008 who fell into the Dolphins’ laps with the first pick of the second round because a sports hernia injury.

Phillip Merling (97) has lagged behind others in making plays in camp. (AP photo)


But Merling has been the second-best DE out of the 2008 rookie class, behind Kendall Langford. At times, Merling even looks like the No. 3 DE from ‘08 behind seventh-rounder Lionel Dotson, who had three tackles, including a sack, and a forced fumble in last weekend’s pre-season game.

2. Jason Allen vs. Joey Thomas tonight in Tampa.
Eric Green’s release last Wednesday seemed to be a boon for Allen, who was on the outside looking in to make the team.
Thomas is the one who seized the opportunity.
A good performance tonight against the Bucs could give one of them an edge for the No. 5 CB spot with cut day looming on Sept. 5.

3. Ted Ginn Jr. needs more touches.
The Dolphins looked determined to establish Ginn from the start of pre-season, but haven’t kept it up.
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http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...alking-points-the-mystery-of-phillip-merling/
 
isn't he better suited to be a 4-3 end?

I had hoped he would be our SOLB when we took him
 
Merling looked pretty good intercepting the former Jets QB, Favre in game 16 last season. He is a good prospect who just needs to crank it up more on some plays. He hasn't suddenly lost his way. We are fortunate that others like Starks, Langford, McDaniel and Dotson are giving him major competition. In the eloquent words of Coach Sparano - It's time for philip to start "flashing".
 
he has shown flashes, but i think consistency is key here. hopefully we see some improvement this year. luckily its only year 2 so he still has time.
 
Hasnt he been tagged as a "Gamer" that he goes full at it when its game time but when its practice or a pre season or exhibition game he kinda lags.

All i know is that he is pretty good when it counts now we need to find a way to get him going full steam ahead all the time.
 
He'll either need to get a good deal stronger or slim down a bit and play SSLB.

I think McDaniel will get more playing time behind Langford than Merling will get behind Starks.
 
rob19 said:
No.
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POSITIVES: Athletic defender who is a disruptive force all over the field. Plays with good pad level, rarely off his feet, and quickly changes direction. Fast off the edge, displays an array of moves getting off blocks, and makes plays in pursuit. Possesses outstanding first-step quickness, consistently doubled by opponents, and tough to handle. Solid athlete who can drop off the line on zone blitzes and play in space. Fluid moving in all directions of the field.

NEGATIVES: Lacks bulk and strength at the point and struggles getting off blocks once engaged. Can be a liability in run defense if facing large blockers. Underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia after the combine and never ran for scouts prior to the draft.

ANALYSIS: Merling has been an impact player at Clemson the past two seasons and he offers outstanding upside potential at the next level. He can be used as a pass-rushing end in a conventional system and he also offers possibilities standing up over tackle in a 3-4 alignment. He needs time to add bulk and improve his strength and his recovery time from the recent sport hernia surgery is sure to scare some teams off. Yet Merling's ability to make plays in the backfield will get him on the field as a rookie in the NFL.
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He's only in his second year and he ain't costing us any more good or bad. Some grow later then others and we will see. Guy looks like a physical freak to me but only time will tell. Until then calm down, we use to wait for guys to develop.
 
Morale of the story: It is not when you get drafted but the effort you put out that determines your fate in the NFL. Too many top picks aren't willing to work as hard as other guys who are drafted later, and are hungrier to make the team.
 
That pick never made perfect sense to me. I remember posting after the draft that it seemed like a reluctant choice, a value pick that we felt we had to make when the targeted guys fell away. Just my instinct.

I think Merling is best suited to 4-3 end. For one thing, the slim down to play OLB is a stretch. It's touted here all the time but the percentage of success is going to be much lower than asserted. It's a great idea if you want to abuse words like patience and struggling.
 
Awsi Dooger said:
That pick never made perfect sense to me. I remember posting after the draft that it seemed like a reluctant choice, a value pick that we felt we had to make when the targeted guys fell away. Just my instinct.

I think Merling is best suited to 4-3 end. For one thing, the slim down to play OLB is a stretch. It's touted here all the time but the percentage of success is going to be much lower than asserted. It's a great idea if you want to abuse words like patience and struggling.
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yeah I think the slim down boat has sailed, but if Roth can play there are we really talking about a super-athletic drop-in-coverage guy?

3-4 DE is more like playing DT and perhaps he just doesn't have the heart for it

Langford was an ideal pick for 3-4 end, Merling might have been a reach as far as a 3-4 guy
 
I wouldn't be surprised to see Merling playing spending at least some time at OLB for us this year.
 
i really think merling and henne could be busts... but obvoiusly henne would be the bigger one because he was suppose to be the "future"
 
lbmclean_sj said:
POSITIVES: Athletic defender who is a disruptive force all over the field. Plays with good pad level, rarely off his feet, and quickly changes direction. Fast off the edge, displays an array of moves getting off blocks, and makes plays in pursuit. Possesses outstanding first-step quickness, consistently doubled by opponents, and tough to handle. Solid athlete who can drop off the line on zone blitzes and play in space. Fluid moving in all directions of the field.

NEGATIVES: Lacks bulk and strength at the point and struggles getting off blocks once engaged. Can be a liability in run defense if facing large blockers. Underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia after the combine and never ran for scouts prior to the draft.

ANALYSIS: Merling has been an impact player at Clemson the past two seasons and he offers outstanding upside potential at the next level. He can be used as a pass-rushing end in a conventional system and he also offers possibilities standing up over tackle in a 3-4 alignment. He needs time to add bulk and improve his strength and his recovery time from the recent sport hernia surgery is sure to scare some teams off. Yet Merling's ability to make plays in the backfield will get him on the field as a rookie in the NFL.
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Merling is listed at 295 pounds... same as langford... do you know any Linebackers playing at 300 pounds? cuz I'd really like to see that
 
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