Phillip Merling (1 Viewer)

[Brock Compeaux]

My question is has anyone seen this guy play at Clemson? I have been watching the draft long enough to know that the player we usually select is someone who is little talked about amongst Saintsfans. This is what NFL draftcountdown says about him. Sounds like a player who can play DT and would fit Ed Orgerons style of smaller more nimble d-lineman.

Strengths:
Terrific size and bulk with long arms...Great quickness...Has a non-stop motor...Is very strong and powerful...Plays with a nasty demeanor...Excellent range and he is relentless in pursuit...Natural pass rusher with a variety of moves...Can take on multiple blockers and shed the double team...Does a nice job versus the run...Has good instincts & awareness...Reliable tackler...Solid technician...Does a nice job in space...Extremely versatile...Can play a number of positions in different schemes.

Weaknesses:
May lack elite athleticism...Won't scare anyone off the edge...Does not have great timed speed and isn't real explosive...Might be a bit of a 'tweener...He can be too aggressive at times...Will get pushed back...Needs to work on his hand use...Has to work on keeping his shoulders square...Intelligence could be an issue with him.

Notes:
Uncle Chris Rumph was his position coach at Clemson...He prepped at Fork Union Military Academy...Has experience at both defensive end and defensive tackle...He can project to end or tackle in a 43 defense or end in a 34 scheme...Very different player from Gaines Adams but is a better all-around player...Not real flashy but is a very good prospect who will be in high demand...Awfully similar to Trevor Pryce.

 

[PaulinP]

not bad if it works so be it

 

[canuckredux]

I read that and I think of Adam Carriker.

 

[Conrad]

I mentioned this a while ago that he could be a Carriker type player for us and i he comes in and bulks up their is no reason he can not play DT.

 

[chad_moore]

Heck draft him and tell him part of the deal is that he live and eat with Grant until TC starts. Grant should have no problems showing him how to bulk up!

My concern is that if he does indeed need to add weight and is already perceived as not being quick....what do you think another 20-40 pounds is going to do to him? We don't need a tweener, as we've got one of those right now if all hell broke lose...his name is Grant!

I say we pass! I want someone who can clog the middle and open holes for Vilma to come in and drop the hammer. Not someone who is going to get pushed around or back into the knee of Vilma sending him back on IR and their RB shooting up the middle for a TD

 

[JerseyYat]

My question is has anyone seen this guy play at Clemson? I have been watching the draft long enough to know that the player we usually select is someone who is little talked about amongst Saintsfans. This is what NFL draftcountdown says about him. Sounds like a player who can play DT and would fit Ed Orgerons style of smaller more nimble d-lineman.

Strengths:
Terrific size and bulk with long arms...Great quickness...Has a non-stop motor...Is very strong and powerful...Plays with a nasty demeanor...Excellent range and he is relentless in pursuit...Natural pass rusher with a variety of moves...Can take on multiple blockers and shed the double team...Does a nice job versus the run...Has good instincts & awareness...Reliable tackler...Solid technician...Does a nice job in space...Extremely versatile...Can play a number of positions in different schemes.

Weaknesses:
May lack elite athleticism...Won't scare anyone off the edge...Does not have great timed speed and isn't real explosive...Might be a bit of a 'tweener...He can be too aggressive at times...Will get pushed back...Needs to work on his hand use...Has to work on keeping his shoulders square...Intelligence could be an issue with him.

Notes:
Uncle Chris Rumph was his position coach at Clemson...He prepped at Fork Union Military Academy...Has experience at both defensive end and defensive tackle...He can project to end or tackle in a 43 defense or end in a 34 scheme...Very different player from Gaines Adams but is a better all-around player...Not real flashy but is a very good prospect who will be in high demand...Awfully similar to Trevor Pryce.

I saw Merling play at Clemson a lot...I'm both a Saints and Clemson season ticket holder. The comments above sum him up pretty well. Kid plays with a lot of intensity and has a non-stop motor. He makes plays simply because he doesn't quit. He's definitely not a speed rusher ala Dwight Freeney....more of a Will Smith type with a little less explosiveness and athleticism. He has the frame to add some bulk and may be able to move to the DT spot, but at this point he definitely would be a DE in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. I felt like he should have stayed in school another year, but the DE class is so weak (only Chris Long and Gholston rated ahead of him) this year that he will likely be drafted in the 1st round, which you can't really argue with. Definitely NOT worth the #10 pick. He'll be a solid player in the league, but I don't think he'll be a real difference maker. It's going to take a few years for his game to become productive in the NFL.