Merriman over Ware

[Nors]

As we move to a 3-4 Merriman is the smart pick, and he's just 20 years old.


Defenders who supply versatility in demand
Terps' Merriman heads list of end/linebacker 'tweeners'
By Ken Murray
Sun Staff
Originally published April 20, 2005
In years past, a "tweener" in the NFL draft was most often a player of compromising size, dual positions and suspect potential. It was a dismissive term at best.

Now comes Shawne Merriman. And David Pollack. And Demarcus Ware. And Erasmus James. And Justin Tuck. And maybe a half-dozen others.











Call them tweeners and congratulate them. Their time has arrived in the NFL.

In a season when as many as 12 teams may employ a 3-4 defensive alignment - the league's newest trend - the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker is suddenly in demand.

"When you talk about players like a Shawne Merriman, he really becomes interesting because he's a versatile guy," Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe said. "And depending on the defense you play, some people will see him as a 4-3 end and some people will see him as a 34 outside linebacker.

"But [the move toward 3-4 defense] does put a premium on those types of players."

Merriman, a 6-foot-4, 272-pound defensive end from Maryland, is at the front of a new wave of undersized pass rushers. He is quick enough to run the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds, which he did in an on-campus workout for NFL scouts. He is agile enough to jump 38 1/2 inches vertically. And he is strong enough to bench press 385 pounds.

The key point is, he can put one hand on the ground and rush the quarterback as an end, or line up at linebacker and drop into pass coverage against a running back. Or do both, as the Terrapins had him do.

That versatility is what makes him so attractive to teams with either the 4-3 or 3-4 look. Increasingly, teams are apt to switch defenses within a game.

"I think whoever takes him is going to have some flexibility within their scheme," said Maryland defensive coordinator Gary Blackney.

The Terps used Merriman as a standup linebacker in their base defense and dropped him into a three-point stance in their nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six) schemes.

"We were trying to put him in a position where he'd have to defeat one blocker instead of several blockers to give him a chance to make some plays," Blackney said. "He was a major factor and key playmaker in our defense the last year and a half. Last year he came on like gangbusters."

In his first full season as a starter at Maryland, Merriman had 85 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks and 17 tackles for losses. He was so dominant he forfeited his senior year to declare for the draft.

He has no preference about playing end or linebacker.

"I can run with any back or any tight end," he said. "At the same time, I can go against any tackle. Whatever teams want to do with me is fine with me, and I can adjust to it."

Merriman was not the only player who went through drills at two positions in the scouting combine in February. Notre Dame defensive end Justin Tuck (6-5, 245) was another. He was equally confident in his ability to adjust, too.

"I'm versatile. I've played linebacker and I've played it sometimes this year in different packages we have," Tuck said. "Either way, I'm going to be the steal of this draft."

Other prominent tweeners in this draft include Pollack of Georgia, Ware of Troy, James of Wisconsin, Tyson Smith of Iowa State, Eric Moore of Florida State, and Trent Cole of Cincinnati.

Most of those players, however, are destined to play for 3-4 teams because of a lack of bulk.

"There are a bunch of those types of guys in this draft, and teams going to the 3-4 will get the pick of those players," said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.

"They are players that only 3-4 teams will have rated very highly because they have specific jobs those guys can do."

Merriman, from Upper Marlboro, has no such limitations. He would probably lose 15 pounds to play outside linebacker, or add another 10 to become an end.

"I'd be lying to myself and you all if I said I didn't think I was the best defensive player in the draft," said Merriman, who likely will be taken in the middle of the first round.

Blackney said Merriman could even play middle linebacker. He raves about Merriman's long-term potential.

"He was just 17 when he came to us and he's 20 now," Blackney said. "He hasn't reached his growth potential in terms of technique and football knowledge. Down the road, he's going to grow and learn a lot."

[Woods]

It's a tough call, but I still prefer Ware.

[Portland Fanatic]

Merriman is absolutely the best choice...it opens up any door we want for 3-4 OLB...and is still a starter in 4-3...whether it be DE or SLB...he can either...

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Woods

It's a tough call, but I still prefer Ware.

Ware is a great athlete...no doubt. I just don't think he is a starter from day one...not big enough to handle the run in 4-3 DE...and has not played OLB at all in 3-4 alignment....in 3-4...he is the "project", whereas Merriman steps in and starts at either 4-3 DE, 4-3 SLB, or OLB in 3-4....

[noletime1995]

I don't want Merriman at 11. I'm not sure I even want him at 20. Workout wonder....yes. Playmaker............kinda, maybe?

[Woods]

Originally Posted by Portland Fanatic

Ware is a great athlete...no doubt. I just don't think he is a starter from day one...not big enough to handle the run in 4-3 DE...and has not played OLB at all in 3-4 alignment....in 3-4...he is the "project", whereas Merriman steps in and starts at either 4-3 DE, 4-3 SLB, or OLB in 3-4....

Portland,

Let me put it this way, if we choose Merriman over Ware, I'll be quick to sing Merriman's praises.

Now, the question is, who do you THINK (rather than hope) the Cowboys will pick at 11.

I think we'll end up taking Spears.

[noletime1995]

Here's my preference at 11:

1) Unless Edwards, R. Brown or M. Williams slide I'd like to trade down. I once thought Barron would be a good pick here, but I think Dallas could still get him a couple picks later.

2) Let's assume Dallas can't trade down....which very well may be the case. I'd take Pollack. I also like Spears.

[LA=Pancakemaker]

Merriman is the guy - Ware is to early at 11.....we will see.

[al124]

i prefer merriman over ware as well. but if merriman is available at #11, it's possible we'll see bp and jj trading down and getting some extra picks. then possibly drafting spears and ware with our 2 top picks.

[Portland Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Woods

Portland,

Let me put it this way, if we choose Merriman over Ware, I'll be quick to sing Merriman's praises.

Now, the question is, who do you THINK (rather than hope) the Cowboys will pick at 11.

I think we'll end up taking Spears.

I honestly think Merriman will be the pick at #11...I really do. Like I said in a different thread...I like Spears, however if use him as a 4-3 RDE...he is not a speed rusher and does not give us anymore then Wiley did...better run support I think. I can see him being a two down DE, then Ogbogu comes in on 3rd down like last year...that does not work.

In a 3-4...he is a great pick up IF...i empahsize IF we land that OLB at #20 like Ware or Pollack....another option is Tuck...but he's 4th on my list behind Merriman, Pollack, Ware and then Tuck...

This is just my opinion....

[Avery]

I would rather have Merriman. I believe he allows us to do more things than Ware and has better size.

[alancdc]

I Just Can't Help But Think Ekuban When I Think Of Ware. Both Great Athletes, But ...... I Like Merriman, And Another Stud Defender @ 20, Pollack, Spears, Etc

[kartr]

He was the best defensive player on one of the best defenses in his conferency,23-24 sacks in just 3 years and wasn't the only good player on that defense either.

[austintodallas]

Who are the teams that could spoil plans to take Merriman at 11? Cleveland, Washington, any others?

[conner01]

i think 11 will be either ware or merriman,depending on who is there.i don't think it's very liley thast both will be there at 11 but if they are i would take merriman over ware just simply because he has played lb,and is big enough to play de in the 4-3.but i would be fine with ware too.i think the more important pick for bill will be 20 where he can get the other guy he neds for the 3-4 and thats spears