What if all along Merling was our SOLB? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

What if all along Merling was our SOLB?

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miami234ever

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Phillip Merling, as most of you know, was drafted 32nd overall a couple years back and came out of college listed at 6'4, 275 lbs. He competed for RE spot with an IMPRESSIVE Randy Starks and ended up losing the spot (and rightfully so). However, we know Merling is talented and has shown flashes of being a real play-maker.

Since draft day though, Merling has ballooned up to 290 lbs. partly due to a sports hernia injury suffered before the draft and partly due to being allowed to compete at RE. Merling recently said he wants to lose weight this off-season again in order to be able to move more smoothly and quickly.

Now this next statement has been beaten to death by this board, but Parcells likes big linebackers. His originial target in the 2006 NFL draft, Shawne Merriman, is listed at 6'4" & 272 lbs. Our starting SOLB from last season, Matt Roth, was also listed at 6'4" & 272 lbs.

If Merling can somehow drop back down to 275 lbs. I personally think he is a real option to play SOLB, which is a huge need for this team. This is year 3 coming up in Merling's career and it's his time to shine or stay as a rotational player. Putting him at SOLB would really allow us to put all our talent on the football field at the same time and would fill a huge hole for us. Tony McDaniel and Lionel Dotson are also both looking for time at DE and have looked good in limited pre-season and regular season action.

A year from now, how would the duo of Merling and Wake sound to the fans here? Post away...
 
I think even at 275lbs. he's just too big. Plus 2-4 ends are hard to come by, I think he can still flourish at 300lbs if he continues to put in the effort to be great. I personally don't think Merling has the hips and quickness to be a guy covering running backs on pass patterns...seems like a mismatch.
 
I have to say I think he can perform at OLB if given the right coach and plays with the right weight. If he can improve on his flexibility and trim up a bit, I'm sure he should be able to be a LB. That INT he picked off from Favre in 08 shows he can move at a big size.
 
her would have to drop down to about 260 to play solb
 
no man too fat and too slow... he has good footwork but like the other poster said we need faster olbs..He could bull rush probably but wouldnt be able to get to the qb. Dont let the Brett Farve play fool you.
 
Sparono joked that Merling would be the emergency center jokingly though..imagine a center sized OLB...the qb would feel so protected.
 
It's not that it's a bad idea, it's just that it isn't worth the hassle to wait for him to transition to LB from DE. On a 3-4 defensive line, you want to have depth. He is great depth and is great for the rotation we have going on.
 
napsndreds said:
Sparono joked that Merling would be the emergency center jokingly though..imagine a center sized OLB...the qb would feel so protected.
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Sparano*

sorry, it bugs me when people mispell his name. By now, I think you should know how to spell his name. S-P-A-R-A-N-O.
 
I personally like the idea, IF he can lose the weight. He excelled in the 4-3 at DE in college and I feel some of those skills sets cross over better to OLB in the 3-4 as opposed to his current position as DE in the 3-4. In his last college season, he racked up 7 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss. That translates well to the SOLB position, as it appears he can rush the passer AND set the edge for the run. Let's also not forget that great pick six play he made against Favre and the Jesters to seal the win and get us into the playoffs in 08. He made a HUGE play there, especially with that stiff arm to Favre's face, so it appears he has the athleticism.

Mind you, I only support the above scenario if he can get some of that weight off and that speed up. BTW, people saying he is slow need to check his pre-combine 40 time (wikipedia). His best was 4.63. That's pretty good. He did not participate in the combine 40 due to his sports hernia injury at the time.

Check this college draft video of him. He looks good as the 4-3 DE.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/video/nfl-draft/NFL-Draft-Phillip-Merling-518
 
Ricky_Fan34 said:
Sparano*

sorry, it bugs me when people mispell his name. By now, I think you should know how to spell his name. S-P-A-R-A-N-O.
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Thanks man, its not that I dont know how to spell it bro its just fast typing. I see people type Parcell all the time. I know it is Sparano...gimmie a break.
 
napsndreds said:
Thanks man, its not that I dont know how to spell it bro its just fast typing. I see people type Parcell all the time. I know it is Sparano...gimmie a break.
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I wasn't trying to be a dick, it's just I see it all the time and frankly, it's ridiculous. I wasn't trying to single you out. It was more of a message to everyone who mispells it.:up:
 
i like our situation at at DE with him,starks, langford, and mcdaniel. i think we should just find another edge setter. That dude Roth in cleveland plays it pretty well.....
 
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