Wretch

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/...merling?id=778

I have an indirect connection with Merling. I work with his aunt in VA.

From his NFL.com profile he looks to have great size and is a great athlete with versatility. He was a prep school TE.

I am not sure of his combine results, but does anyone thing Merling would be a good late first round (if we trade back) or early second round conversion project?

I couldn't find his combine results on NFL.com, does anyone have a link?

patchick

What position are you thinking of converting him to? I've never seen him projected as anything but a DE. (Oh, and he didn't work out at the combine due to injury.)

Wretch

I was thinking LB. He has good speed for his size according to draftscout.com http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...php?pyid=58111 I am basically wondering out loud if he might be considered a poorman's Willie McGinest?

Timed anywhere from the 4.6s to 4.8s in the 40.

SamBamsFan

The reason that you can't find his combine/ pro day results is because he had surgery for a hernia and didn't participate. A little small for a Pats DE. Not quick enough for an OLB. He'll do well in a Tampa 2 D, and despite his injury I would expect him to go in the 20's.

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zarakotas5

Patchick, I have to say that this statement confounds me. Reggie Smith didn't work out at the combine. Between this year and last, he is the only prospect I see this being detrimental to.

The combine raises the hackles of two sets of people: fans and draft "experts". NFL folks have been trailing these guys since high school. I bring up Smith because he was 18-30 before the combine. Because he's been so dodgey, he's fallen out of favor. A simple 4.45 would've shot him up where he should be taken.

Similarly, a guy like Mayo shot up into favorable admiration. He's a nice player, and maybe taken in the first. No fault in that. He could be great. Before the combine, he was a 3th rounder, in all likelihood. Someone with perspective would've picked him in the second. Now he's a firster? In the second, he's now a steal.

SamBamsFan

She was replying to a statement from the first poster that he hadn't seen any of Merling's combine #'s. Not that it was a bad thing.
Smith, I haven't seen him rated higher than the thirties since the end of the Bowl season, so I don't think he is a good example. Had he been able to do the combine he might have increased his status, but as far as I can tell it didn't changed.

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patsfaninpa

This kid has an unbelievably canny resemblance facially to Richard Seymour. Check these pictures out. Not sure how he looks on the field. But, their resemblance was pointed out on another board. NFL Draft Countdown I believe.


http://profootballexperts.scout.com/...=1&nid=3154776

http://www.patriots.com/team/index.c...rbio&bio=11315

Zeke_Mowatt

Like Seymour and Merriman's love child

NePatriots

If he's available in the 2nd round, I'd take him, but since he isn't a true fit for a 3-4, I wouldn't spend a 1st on him. Somebody like Detroit or Tampa will though.

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patchick

OK, I'm a little confused now...the original poster said he was having trouble finding Merling's combine numbers, so I explained that was because he had no combine numbers. I really don't see anything in my post that even addresses the combine's importance or lack thereof.

But since you asked...

There's no question that the scouts already know the players long before the combine, but that doesn't necessarily make the big combine risers and fallers ridiculous. If a player shows physical skills dramatically different from what he showed on tape, that's interesting. It may reveal that his college scheme didn't use him to full potential, or that he has the tools to move to a position he's never played...or that he's a lazy bum who spent the pre-combine months at McDonalds instead of at the gym. At the very least, it suggests a need to look closer and reevaluate. As for a player who is simply unable to participate, it only matters to the extent that he would have been able to surprise people.