Merriman- Destination D.C.?

[Qwickdraw]

Shawne Merriman grew up in Upper Marlboro, Md., went to Frederick Douglass High School and developed into a standout linebacker at the University of Maryland. Expected to be one of the top 20 picks in the April 23-24 NFL Draft, Merriman attended the local college workout at Redskins Park last Friday. The Redskins have the ninth overall pick in the first round of the draft. Merriman spoke with Redskins.com shortly after the workout:

Q: First things first: You grew up in the area and you went to the University of Maryland. Are you a Redskins fan?
A: "I'm a bandwagon fan a little bit. [Laughs.] But because I'm from the area, I love the Redskins. A lot of my friends are Redskins fans. Plus, I have some close friends who play on the team."

Q: I know you didn't participate in Friday's workout, but what were your overall impressions?
A: "I tell you, I saw some talented players out there. I'm coming from this area, but I still didn't know too much about the players coming from the small schools. I was watching the coaches and I was watching the players. I saw a lot that impressed me."

Q: You mentioned watching the coaches. What were your impressions of the coaching staff?
A: "It was a thrill. You watch them on TV a lot during games, but you don't get a chance to see them actually coach in practice and how they approach the game. To see them face-to-face and realize that you could be working and playing for these coaches in a matter of weeks, it's a big thrill."

Q: Did you meet individually with any of the scouts or coaches?
A: "I talked to everybody. I talked to Vinny Cerrato. I talked to Coach [Joe] Gibbs and all of the defensive coaches. I was real impressed with the level and style of coaching--they're very detail-oriented. And I was real impressed with how professional they all were. They showed me a lot of love and they showed me they were genuinely interested in me."

Q: You're considered a top 20 pick in the NFL Draft later this month and you didn't really have to come to this workout. Why did you want to come out?
A: "It's my hometown. Regardless if I come play here or not, it's my hometown and you always want to show your hometown some love, whether you're No. 1 or the last pick in the draft."

Q: You've been to the NFL Scouting Combine and you took part in the Pro Day at the University of Maryland on March 16. Is there anything more for you to do to help your draft status?
A: "I think I've done very well in showing people what I can do. I've had a lot of individual workouts already. I've been worked out by several teams. Everything has worked out well, so I'm just waiting to see what happens."

Q: Are NFL teams looking at you more as a linebacker or as a defensive end?
A: "It's about half and half right now. I'm at about 273 or 274 pounds right now, and that's a pretty good weight for me to play defensive end. I've bulked up about 16-17 pounds from my playing weight during the season. But I run a pretty good time in the 40, so teams know I have some speed. It'll be whatever a team wants me to do, then that's what I'll do."

Q: Are you hoping to get selected by the Redskins?
A: "I definitely wouldn't mind playing for the Redskins. If they need me, I'm here with a Redskins cap on and I'm ready to get out there and start working."


http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=6323

He didn't mention it but he is also close with Lavar Arrington and works out with him.
He also played basketball with Lavar's brother in Maryland.

[Dough Boy]

Shawne Merriman grew up in Upper Marlboro, Md., went to Frederick Douglass High School and developed into a standout linebacker at the University of Maryland. Expected to be one of the top 20 picks in the April 23-24 NFL Draft, Merriman attended the local college workout at Redskins Park last Friday. The Redskins have the ninth overall pick in the first round of the draft. Merriman spoke with Redskins.com shortly after the workout:

Q: First things first: You grew up in the area and you went to the University of Maryland. Are you a Redskins fan?
A: "I'm a bandwagon fan a little bit. [Laughs.] But because I'm from the area, I love the Redskins. A lot of my friends are Redskins fans. Plus, I have some close friends who play on the team."

Q: I know you didn't participate in Friday's workout, but what were your overall impressions?
A: "I tell you, I saw some talented players out there. I'm coming from this area, but I still didn't know too much about the players coming from the small schools. I was watching the coaches and I was watching the players. I saw a lot that impressed me."

Q: You mentioned watching the coaches. What were your impressions of the coaching staff?
A: "It was a thrill. You watch them on TV a lot during games, but you don't get a chance to see them actually coach in practice and how they approach the game. To see them face-to-face and realize that you could be working and playing for these coaches in a matter of weeks, it's a big thrill."

Q: Did you meet individually with any of the scouts or coaches?
A: "I talked to everybody. I talked to Vinny Cerrato. I talked to Coach [Joe] Gibbs and all of the defensive coaches. I was real impressed with the level and style of coaching--they're very detail-oriented. And I was real impressed with how professional they all were. They showed me a lot of love and they showed me they were genuinely interested in me."

Q: You're considered a top 20 pick in the NFL Draft later this month and you didn't really have to come to this workout. Why did you want to come out?
A: "It's my hometown. Regardless if I come play here or not, it's my hometown and you always want to show your hometown some love, whether you're No. 1 or the last pick in the draft."

Q: You've been to the NFL Scouting Combine and you took part in the Pro Day at the University of Maryland on March 16. Is there anything more for you to do to help your draft status?
A: "I think I've done very well in showing people what I can do. I've had a lot of individual workouts already. I've been worked out by several teams. Everything has worked out well, so I'm just waiting to see what happens."

Q: Are NFL teams looking at you more as a linebacker or as a defensive end?
A: "It's about half and half right now. I'm at about 273 or 274 pounds right now, and that's a pretty good weight for me to play defensive end. I've bulked up about 16-17 pounds from my playing weight during the season. But I run a pretty good time in the 40, so teams know I have some speed. It'll be whatever a team wants me to do, then that's what I'll do."

Q: Are you hoping to get selected by the Redskins?
A: "I definitely wouldn't mind playing for the Redskins. If they need me, I'm here with a Redskins cap on and I'm ready to get out there and start working."


http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=6323

He didn't mention it but he is also close with Lavar Arrington and works out with him.
He also played basketball with Lavar's brother in Maryland.

If the skins draft him at 9, he will make more money than the Boyz drafting him at 11. Because draft compensation's are slotted, the higher he goes, the more money he makes.

[AsthmaField]

If the skins draft him at 9, he will make more money than the Boyz drafting him at 11. Because draft compensation's are slotted, the higher he goes, the more money he makes.


Man... You're pretty good with money. I can see where you got your name.

j/k

[LA=Pancakemaker]

I kinda have the feeling that the Skins will either take him or a cb, its the flip of the coin. If they take him we r screwed.

[BrAinPaiNt]

I kinda have the feeling that the Skins will either take him or a cb, its the flip of the coin. If they take him we r screwed.


Or they are just trying to bait others into trading up in the draft to make sure they get Merriman.

Really who knows what the skins will do....They are similar to us in the idea that there are multiple positions they could use.

[LA=Pancakemaker]

Or they are just trying to bait others into trading up in the draft to make sure they get Merriman.

They lost Smoot & Pierce, so whats there needs? You make the call, then can screw us.

[TheSkaven]

I am really down on Merriman, he's overrated and I would love to see the Redskins take him. Wonder if the fact that Dallas is rumored to like him would influence Danny-boy's decision? If it were any other owner and any other business, I'd say the idea of that is ludicrous, but we all know that Snyder will do anything to stick it to the Cowboys.

[LA=Pancakemaker]

If it were any other owner and any other business, I'd say the idea of that is ludicrous, but we all know that Snyder will do anything to stick it to the Cowboys.

Ya I agree, Snyder is a bonechip...Boy The Skins sure have been stickin it to us lately?
14 outta 15 times hahahahaha!

[blayze]

I would take dan cody or derrick johnson over merriman any day.cody and johnson have been making plays their whole career.cody and johnson would have been first round picks last year. merriman wasn't even close.JMO but I prefer guys who have proven themselves thoughout their college career instead of someone who shows up out of nowhere 3 months before the draft.

[MichaelWinicki]

Man... You're pretty good with money. I can see where you got your name.

j/k


LOL!

:D

That was pretty good there asthmaattack.

[2233boys]

Merriman will be a Cowboy and like it...

Espically when he beats the skins twice a year

[AsthmaField]

LOL!

:D

That was pretty good there asthmaattack.


Thank you... Thank you very much! I'm here all week.

[Dough Boy]

Thank you... Thank you very much! I'm here all week.

Whoaaa cowboy!!!

[ravidubey]

A: "It's about half and half right now. I'm at about 273 or 274 pounds right now, and that's a pretty good weight for me to play defensive end. I've bulked up about 16-17 pounds from my playing weight during the season. But I run a pretty good time in the 40, so teams know I have some speed. It'll be whatever a team wants me to do, then that's what I'll do."


Bulking up 16 or 17 pounds above his playing weight (a mere five months ago) is a concern for me. I understand that players want to blow up the combine and workouts, but when they change themselves physically from what they were when they were successfully playing football it makes me wonder. If improving your track speed and lifting more weight made you a better football player the field would be full of Hall of Famers.

[speedkilz88]

I would take dan cody or derrick johnson over merriman any day.cody and johnson have been making plays their whole career.cody and johnson would have been first round picks last year. merriman wasn't even close.JMO but I prefer guys who have proven themselves thoughout their college career instead of someone who shows up out of nowhere 3 months before the draft.Dear Clueless,

Dan Cody has 24 career sacks, Shawne Merriman has 22 career sacks, and Derrick Johnson has 9 career sacks. Shawne Merriman is a junior, his total is over three years. Merriman has been making plays his whole career.

[Tio]

Dear Clueless,

Dan Cody has 24 career sacks, Shawne Merriman has 23 career sacks, and Derrick Johnson has 9 career sacks. Shawne Merriman is a junior, his total is over three years. Merriman has been making plays his whole career.Derrick Johnson is a lb who has just broke the fumble record in a season.

Productive football players > Athletes

[speedkilz88]

Derrick Johnson is a lb who has just broke the fumble record in a season.

Productive football players > AthletesI wasn't knocking Derrick Johnson, just proving my point. If you haven't noticed, the Cowboys need a pass rusher, and Derrick Johnson who is a fine 4-3 OLB is not a pass rusher.

[Tio]

I wasn't knocking Derrick Johnson, just proving my point. If you haven't noticed, the Cowboys need a pass rusher, and Derrick Johnson who is a fine 4-3 OLB is not a pass rusher.cowboys have a lot of needs. You take the best player that fits those needs. DJ will help this team a lot more than merriman. I'd rather have pollack or james than merriman.

[speedkilz88]

cowboys have a lot of needs. You take the best player that fits those needs. DJ will help this team a lot more than merriman. I'd rather have pollack or james than merriman.How does DJ do that? Merriman would help the Cowboys more because they need a pass rush. He would be a threat to sack the qb on every play which would take away double teams from Glover and Ellis. The pressure provided would make it where the corners don't have to cover as long. The corners then wouldn't need as much safety help which would allow Roy Williams to come up to the line of scrimmage to stop the run and also roam the field on pass plays to intimidate wrs even more. The extra pressure would also increase interceptions. How does Derrick Johnson do more than that? He can't.

[jimmy40]

How does DJ do that? Merriman would help the Cowboys more because they need a pass rush. He would be a threat to sack the qb on every play which would take away double teams from Glover and Ellis. The pressure provided would make it where the corners don't have to cover as long. The corners then wouldn't need as much safety help which would allow Roy Williams to come up to the line of scrimmage to stop the run and also roam the field on pass plays to intimidate wrs even more. The extra pressure would also increase interceptions. How does Derrick Johnson do more than that? He can't.Didn't Derrick Johnson have more forced fumbles than the sack master Merriman had sacks last year? Not that it matters but there's been a hell of a lot of tweeners with 8 or nine sacks in college but NEVER has anyone forced 9 fumbles. Who knows, they may both be busts.

[speedkilz88]

Didn't Derrick Johnson have more forced fumbles than the sack master Merriman had sacks last year? Not that it matters but there's been a hell of a lot of tweeners with 8 or nine sacks in college but NEVER has anyone forced 9 fumbles. Who knows, they may both be busts.Does 9 forced fumbles in college mean Johnson is going to be a great LB? No. Does it mean he will be able to force that many fumbles every season in the pros? No. How many fumbles did he have prior to this past season? (FR-1, SO-?, JR-1)He had one forced fumble each in his freshman and junior seasons. My Street/Smith doesn't list any in his sophomore season. Can you bank on one season? Anthony Henry had 10 interceptions as a rookie, expecting him to do that again?

Merriman has had back to back 8.5 sack seasons and he is coming out early as a JUNIOR! That is showing consistent sack production where they don't play near as may games as in the pros. He can chase and go toe to toe with OLineman. He also played a lot at LB, where he played in coverage, so he brings more to the game than just sacks. He fits with what Parcells wants to do on defense and gives the Cowboys the versatility to play both (4-3, 3-4) schemes.

[jimmy40]

Does 9 forced fumbles in college mean Johnson is going to be a great LB? No. Does it mean he will be able to force that many fumbles every season in the pros? No. How many fumbles did he have prior to this past season? (FR-1, SO-?, JR-1)He had one forced fumble each in his freshman and junior seasons. My Street/Smith doesn't list any in his sophomore season. Can you bank on one season? Anthony Henry had 10 interceptions as a rookie, expecting him to do that again?

Merriman has had back to back 8.5 sack seasons and he is coming out early as a JUNIOR! That is showing consistent sack production where they don't play near as may games as in the pros. He can chase and go toe to toe with OLineman. He also played a lot at LB, where he played in coverage, so he brings more to the game than just sacks. He fits with what Parcells wants to do on defense and gives the Cowboys the versatility to play both (4-3, 3-4) schemes.Does 81/2 sacks back to back in college mean he'll be a great pro? Has he ever taken on NFL lineman? Derrick Johnson would have been a first round pick last year as a junior too. Is this all you got? More forced fumbles than a sack master had sacks. LMAO Merriman may be a better fit for Dallas and he may be great but 8.5 sacks is nothing. 9 forced fumbles is freaking amazing.

[BadKarma]

Man... You're pretty good with money. I can see where you got your name.

j/k

You had me laughing pretty good there, AsthmaField...pretty funny indeed! :muttley:

[zagnut]

Does 81/2 sacks back to back in college mean he'll be a great pro? Has he ever taken on NFL lineman? Derrick Johnson would have been a first round pick last year as a junior too. Is this all you got? More forced fumbles than a sack master had sacks. LMAO Merriman may be a better fit for Dallas and he may be great but 8.5 sacks is nothing. 9 forced fumbles is freaking amazing.

DJ had 8 FF, which is still amazing, but anyway I don't think anyone is slamming him. DJ is on another level. He's #1 on my list, definitely. Some people are just pointing out that the belief that Merriman has done nothing is more than a little untrue and misperceived, and may be a better pick for a team trying to improve it's pass rush.

Merriman's sack totals are in line with all but 3 pro defensive ends coming from division-1 schools. These are DEs that are considered at least good, not just great. The only guys who significantly surpass Merriman are Freeney, Peppers, and Simeon Rice. Strahan and Douglass also surpass Merriman's college production, but both were small school products. That's it.

Everyone has this arbitrary watermark for DEs that if they don't have double digits in sacks they suck. Roughly the same exact consideration given to pro DEs (see every Greg Ellis thread). Pros play 16 games. Most schools are playing 11 to 12 games a year. A player is really supposed to get a sack every game? Nevermind that people are just looking at sack totals and never looking at how many of these double digit sacks studs pumped up the numbers vs Central Fla, UAB or Kent.