DE Phillip Merling (32nd pick in 2008 draft) just released by Dolphins

[KY Pats Fan]

Fins cut Merling today. Didn't see any of their games so I don't know much about him. Thoughts?

 

[Ring 6]

Fins cut Merling today. Didn't see any of their games so I don't know much about him. Thoughts?

I've never been very impressed by this guy, who I thought was a huge reach as the #32 pick.
I also think the Fins misused him, and if he landed on my team, I'd bulk him up a bit to around 280-285 and make him a nickel/dime DT, inside pass rush specialist.
He doesn't have the skills to be a quality rusher vs OTs, but might be able to be a quick inside rusher, kind of like the Giants use their DEs for.

 

[Sicilian]

I feel like if we were going to sign Merling, we might as well take a chance on Carter's health instead.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I'm willing to overlook off the field mistakes, depending on the situation. This is not one of those situations. This dude beat up a pregnant woman. Pass.

Phillip Merling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

EQUALS ........

 

[I Augustus]

While I love boobies,I hate Merling so much.
He's the one who intercepted Brett Favre and sealed Dolphins victory in week 17 of 2008 .

 

[Ring 6]

I feel like if we were going to sign Merling, we might as well take a chance on Carter's health instead.

First they are different players who would play different roles, and second, one doesn't preclude the other.

 

[Reckedtrek]

EQUALS ........

I don't really care about Merling... I just needed to quote this for the pic of what Merling equals.


GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

 

[Sicilian]

First they are different players who would play different roles, and second, one doesn't preclude the other.

I feel like there's more crossover there than you think, but your point about signing both is noted, especially now that you can carry 90 players into camp.

 

[Sciz]

He was mediocre before his Achilles injury. Since then, he's been pretty useless. He has 7 tackles in 15 games over the last two seasons.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

PatriotsFanInPA,

are you saying Merling...

is hard to contain,
needs lots of support,
needs to be turned loose,
is visibly affected by cold weather,
likes to bounce around,

or what?

 

[Ring 6]

I feel like there's more crossover there than you think, but your point about signing both is noted, especially now that you can carry 90 players into camp.

Carter is a pass rushing specialist. Merling has 3.5 sacks in his 4 year career, and a total of zero in the last 2.
Carter is bulked up at 265, Merling IMO shoiuld add 10-15 lbs to his 272 in order to play his best role, which is nickel/dime DT.
Carter is a much, much better DE and outside rusher, but Merling's best suited role is one Carter couldn't play.
Merling also is healthy, and Carter cannot walk without a limp after having his quadraeps torn off the bone. I know everyone wants to just think he will be back at 100%, but the leg strength, drive, speed and power that Carter relies on may take longer than this year to come back. Its a big question IMO whether he will even be able to play this year, and a bigger one whether he will be anywhere near as effective after such a debilitating injury.