Meriweather @ FS

[Champsheart]

I wouldn't take him on Day 1. That is a softening of my previous stance of not take him at all. Sort of my peace offereing to those who have argued his case to me and been civil about it. There are simply too many question marks for me to spend more than a day 2 pick.

Jerry Jones recently remarked about character questions by saying he hoped that by now those players were not even on the draft board. If we pass on Merriweather altogether I won't be the least bit sad. If he ends up on this team or it was revealed that he was on our draft board then I will hope that the team was satisfied with what they turned up in researching this player or any other. There are no guarantees in that and I know this. Darrell Russell was considered a no risk player on character and all he ever had were characte rissues.[/QUOTE

HOS, you are someone that I almost always respect their opinion. I also know character is something really important to you, probably why I respect you because you dont just preach it, but display it.

What have you come up with in regards to Meriweather, why does he have you concerned? Where do you think his flaws are? Is he really a risk and why?

 

[Yeagermeister]

Hey, I understand your feelings, really I do, that does not mean I agree, but I do understand.

Quick question though, if he had no character issues where would you think he would go in the draft?

top 10
10-20
20-30

I don't know enough about him to make that call. I don't watch alot of college fb but I did see him stomping on an FIU player during that brawl. That told me all I needed to know.

 

[Champsheart]

I don't know enough about him to make that call. I don't watch alot of college fb but I did see him stomping on an FIU player during that brawl. That told me all I needed to know.

hmmm, well ok

 

[tomson75]

For our team, skillset wise, I'd take him over Nelson.

I don't know much about his character concerns other than the fight, but I wouldn't take him at 22 just for that reason alone. Give me a CB or WR.

 

[Sandyf]

First, never say never.

Second, we brought in Merriweather for an interview a couple of weeks ago. You can be sure that Calvin Hill was very involved with that interview and will have a large input into if he should be on the draft board at all.

Third, Unless some team just has to have a FS (Jacksonville or New England) then I would expect Merriweather to slide into the middle or late second round.

Fourth, If Jerry holds true to his word and draft the BPA regardless of position when our pick comes up in the second round and Merriweather is on our board and the BPA at that spot, then I would bet we take him.

Fifth and Last, expect whatever team takes him to structure a contract with bonus incentives instead of just a bonus and probably made to happen on a yearly basis just in case his character goes "PACMAN".

 

[Hostile]

HOS, you are someone that I almost always respect their opinion. I also know character is something really important to you, probably why I respect you because you dont just preach it, but display it.

What have you come up with in regards to Meriweather, why does he have you concerned? Where do you think his flaws are? Is he really a risk and why?

I am among a few who simply don't buy the shooting story despite the Police not pressing charges. Something just smells wrong about it. I openly admit though that I am more concerned about the on field kicking incident.

I fully undestand that a teammate of his got popped in the melee, but a leader would try and break the fight up. Instead he simply joined the madness. That to me screams he is a sheep not a shepherd and it bothers me.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Ask the Titans.

Cold but True!

 

[jobberone]

I am among a few who simply don't buy the shooting story despite the Police not pressing charges. Something just smells wrong about it. I openly admit though that I am more concerned about the on field kicking incident.

I fully undestand that a teammate of his got popped in the melee, but a leader would try and break the fight up. Instead he simply joined the madness. That to me screams he is a sheep not a shepherd and it bothers me.

I have problems with both but I've stated I would have to know more about it including interviewing him and asking the right questions to those intimate with both situations.

Things can look bad on the outside and not be much of an issue. And you have the reverse.

I'd go by the interview and investigation. He's clearly in the bottom third of the first to the middle of the second round in talent.

 

[Champsheart]

I am among a few who simply don't buy the shooting story despite the Police not pressing charges. Something just smells wrong about it. I openly admit though that I am more concerned about the on field kicking incident.

I fully undestand that a teammate of his got popped in the melee, but a leader would try and break the fight up. Instead he simply joined the madness. That to me screams he is a sheep not a shepherd and it bothers me.

I can undestand your point, and it may be right on the money.
I really cant speak on the shooting incident, all I can go on is what was reported in the end, so it is hard for me to form a different opinion.

In regards to the on field incident it was wrong, I am not defending it. He should have taken a different approach, either walked away, or as you suggested broke it up.
I was once in the same kind of situation, it was just a pick up basketball game. It was a city league championship game and the score was tied with about 1:30 left. Some guy from the other team made a steal and had a breakaway layup. My teammate, who also was my boss caught him and fouled him pretty hard. The guy got up very mad and hit my boss, then another guy on their team sucker punched my friend, broke his jaw and had to be wired shut. A bunch of us jumped on the guy and started kicking the crap out of him, including myself.
To this day I think back about that and know I was wrong. I could have handled that very differently. In the heat of the moment I lost it, I saw blood coming from my friends mouth pouring out, and I just lost control of myself along with others. I was wrong, but I am not a bad person, nor do I have bad character. I don't think an incident like this should define someone, but often it does, and no one else is to blame because in the end you are accountable for your actions.

i just hope Dallas really does their homework with Meriweather. For a long time now we have been looking for that ball hawking FS, he is now there and will be available, a player with the skills and talent to be a difference maker. If he indeed is just a chump and hoodlum then we should not take the chance, but I am not so sure that is the case.

 

[Champsheart]

Cold but True!

Not really

 

[L-O-Jete]

I couldn't pass him up in the third for sure and would be very tempted in the 2nd.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

Hey, I understand your feelings, really I do, that does not mean I agree, but I do understand.

Quick question though, if he had no character issues where would you think he would go in the draft?

top 10
10-20
20-30

TOP 10 easy.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

I know Nelson is the popular pick if we go FS in round 1, I know many people do not think Meriweather is worthy of the #22 pick, but I will go on record right now....

Meriweather is a better football player, cover man, and FS than Nelson.
I think he will be a difference maker, but I guess the off field stuff negates some of that, but his play does warrant the #22 pick, actually higher IMO.
How far should his character issues really drop him?

I agree 110%

 

[big dog cowboy]

All the way off our draft board. Let Cincy have him.

We have a winner!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

it's not even about his character really, it's about the position, FS, one that Dallas isn't apt to spend that much on since they like Watkins and Elam, and think they have something by signing Ken Hamlin

 

[big dog cowboy]

think they have something by signing Ken Hamlin

That something is called short term fill in until Watkins is ready.

 

[jrumann59]

Merriweather=Sean Taylor, its not that he has bad character, its almost like he has bad karma, you know trouble follows him. Don't get me wrong he isn't Pac-Man but he could be and his ducks aren't in the tightest row at this moment. With that being said if he is the BPA at 22 take him and put a clause in his contract about personal conduct at all times. Though I really don't see us taking him unless Watkins isn't the answer.

 

[AbeBeta]

That something is called short term fill in until Watkins is ready.

and that something is called wishful thinking.

5th round pick didn't show much of anything last year. That's not a guy you plan around.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't know enough about Merriweather's background to say whether he's truly a bad a guy or not, but I've read plenty of times that the people who looked him in the eye at the combine and asked him some questions believed he was genuinely remorseful and NOT the kind of bad character who'd necessarily get into trouble going forward.

I dunno... Normally I'm very wary of guys who've been in trouble, but maybe this is an exception. You'd have to be on guard against a guy who's just putting on a good act for the sake of future dollars, but if you interviewed him thoroughly and he really seemed okay, maybe this would be an exception.

 

[slick325]

I would not be shocked at all if Dallas drafted Meriweather. I don't think they would do so at #22 though. I'll explain.

I could see a scenario where a few corners are on the board as well as Nelson and Dallas trades down to the Saints #27 pick. The Saints and the Jets need secondary help, primarily corner help. If Revis or Ross is sitting there I could see the Saints moving ahead of the Jets to pick the CB of their choosing. With the relationship Jerry has with Sean Payton and staff this is somewhat plausible.

If Dallas does so and gains a 2nd or 3rd in the process that would be perfect. The Pats need LB help and Secondary help (FS or CB). At #24 I could see them going Nelson if he is available or Posluszny. If they pick a LB at #24 they would certainly be looking FS or CB at #28. Positioned at #27, Dallas can take Meriweather prior to the Pats and he very well could be the BPA at that spot. I have seen mocks where he goes to Philly at #26 or the Pats at #28.

Talentwise Meriweather has the potential to be very very good. He can play centerfield and ballhawk and has the ability to slide into the slot and cover like a CB (a la Woody). I do not view him as the severe character risk others do and also believe that his interviews should clear any remaining FIU brawl issues up. He is not a Pacman Jones, Lawrence Phillips type based on what I know of him.

I wish the best for the kid and hope he learned from the FIU incident. I also hope that he is successful in removing the stigma that he is a criminal because of acts done as a college "kid"