CaptainComeback
02-27-2005, 02:09 PM
By Zac Jackson, Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS – He has connections, confidence, and eye-popping athletic ability.
He even has a fancy nickname: “Lights Out.”
When you put it all together – and at 6-foot-4, 272, he’s put together very nicely – it’s clear that former Maryland star Shawne Merriman is ready for the NFL.
As NFL teams ready their draft boards many at the top are eyeing Merriman, a physical marvel who’s making the jump to the NFL after three seasons of college football. Most scouts and coaches are meeting Merriman for the first time at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend, and they’re attempting to answer the questions that could ultimately decide whether Merriman is picked third, seventh, 15th, or somewhere in between.
Is he a 4-3 defensive end? Is he a 3-4 speed rusher? Is he a little of both? Does it matter?
“I can play up, I can play down, I can rush the passer,” Merriman said. “I can play anything.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like I’m the best defensive player in this draft.”
Merriman presented himself well Saturday, saying he just wants to land in a defensive scheme “that uses all my physical talents.”
He led Maryland in sacks and tackles for loss last season, and racked up 23 sacks in his three-year career. Merriman has a 41 ½ -inch vertical leap and expects to run the 40-yard dash in less than 4.5 seconds. That seems unrealistic, but…
“I know my talents,” Merriman said.
He’s also shown a desire to improve. He weighed in at 272, 10 pounds up from his playing weight last fall and about 35 pounds up from his freshman season. And when he has questions, opinions, or needs advice, he has a pretty good place to turn: Redskins linebacker Lavar Arrington.
Merriman played high school basketball with Arrington’s younger brother, Eric, and Merriman said he takes full advantage of the relationship he’s established with the All-Pro linebacker.
“I’m the annoying little brother,” Merriman said. “I call him all the time.”
Merriman’s rare athleticism draws comparisons to Arrington’s, but it’s his pass-rush ability that could land him among the top of this year’s draft class.
Many teams, the Browns included, want to play at least a variation of the 3-4 defense. Merriman is a chiseled, explosive version of the ‘tweener – part rush-end, part linebacker – those teams are looking for, and he knows his stock is rising.
“I’ve found that being a ‘tweener is an excellent thing nowadays,” he said.
Merriman agreed with a reporter’s assessment at the combine that he compares favorably to another former Maryland standout, Hall of Famer Randy White, and current Colts sackmaster Dwight Freeney.
“I’ve always been compared to Randy White,” Merriman said. “I like (the comparison). He was relentless. And Freeney is, to me, one of the most relentless pass rushers playing today. His motor never stops.”
White was nicknamed “Manster” – half-man, half-monster – during his 14-year NFL career that was played before Merriman, 20, was even playing football. Legend has it that Merriman, as a 180-pound high school sophomore, once knocked four opponents out of action in the same game with powerful hits.
A nickname was born.
On Merriman’s right forearm is tattoo of a light switch in the off position. Written above are the words “Lights Out.”
“I like the nickname,” Merriman said. “I’ve knocked some people out in my time.”
Just thought I'd print this article from the combine in Indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS – He has connections, confidence, and eye-popping athletic ability.
He even has a fancy nickname: “Lights Out.”
When you put it all together – and at 6-foot-4, 272, he’s put together very nicely – it’s clear that former Maryland star Shawne Merriman is ready for the NFL.
As NFL teams ready their draft boards many at the top are eyeing Merriman, a physical marvel who’s making the jump to the NFL after three seasons of college football. Most scouts and coaches are meeting Merriman for the first time at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend, and they’re attempting to answer the questions that could ultimately decide whether Merriman is picked third, seventh, 15th, or somewhere in between.
Is he a 4-3 defensive end? Is he a 3-4 speed rusher? Is he a little of both? Does it matter?
“I can play up, I can play down, I can rush the passer,” Merriman said. “I can play anything.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like I’m the best defensive player in this draft.”
Merriman presented himself well Saturday, saying he just wants to land in a defensive scheme “that uses all my physical talents.”
He led Maryland in sacks and tackles for loss last season, and racked up 23 sacks in his three-year career. Merriman has a 41 ½ -inch vertical leap and expects to run the 40-yard dash in less than 4.5 seconds. That seems unrealistic, but…
“I know my talents,” Merriman said.
He’s also shown a desire to improve. He weighed in at 272, 10 pounds up from his playing weight last fall and about 35 pounds up from his freshman season. And when he has questions, opinions, or needs advice, he has a pretty good place to turn: Redskins linebacker Lavar Arrington.
Merriman played high school basketball with Arrington’s younger brother, Eric, and Merriman said he takes full advantage of the relationship he’s established with the All-Pro linebacker.
“I’m the annoying little brother,” Merriman said. “I call him all the time.”
Merriman’s rare athleticism draws comparisons to Arrington’s, but it’s his pass-rush ability that could land him among the top of this year’s draft class.
Many teams, the Browns included, want to play at least a variation of the 3-4 defense. Merriman is a chiseled, explosive version of the ‘tweener – part rush-end, part linebacker – those teams are looking for, and he knows his stock is rising.
“I’ve found that being a ‘tweener is an excellent thing nowadays,” he said.
Merriman agreed with a reporter’s assessment at the combine that he compares favorably to another former Maryland standout, Hall of Famer Randy White, and current Colts sackmaster Dwight Freeney.
“I’ve always been compared to Randy White,” Merriman said. “I like (the comparison). He was relentless. And Freeney is, to me, one of the most relentless pass rushers playing today. His motor never stops.”
White was nicknamed “Manster” – half-man, half-monster – during his 14-year NFL career that was played before Merriman, 20, was even playing football. Legend has it that Merriman, as a 180-pound high school sophomore, once knocked four opponents out of action in the same game with powerful hits.
A nickname was born.
On Merriman’s right forearm is tattoo of a light switch in the off position. Written above are the words “Lights Out.”
“I like the nickname,” Merriman said. “I’ve knocked some people out in my time.”
Just thought I'd print this article from the combine in Indianapolis.