Gryphon
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THIS IS A THREAD FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMENT
This is a debate being argued on another forum:
Comparing them after this last season is really tough. If I could just watch tapes of both players, and decide which one to take, it would be Merriman, easily. But you have to look at how both players were used on both defenses. San Diego used Merriman perfectly, blitzing him from the left, right, middle, and still used him in coverage. Even in games when his stats weren't that great, you felt his presence. Ware, on the other hand, comparatively speaking, was quite one dimensional. It was either Ware blitzing from his left side, or Ware dropping back into coverage. At times, he shined, but a lot of games his name wasn't mentioned.
But who's to say that if we drafted Merriman that he wouldn't be used the exact same way we used Ware? More than likely that would have been the case. The same thing goes with San Diego and Ware. I think San Diego used Merriman better than Dallas used Ware.
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I saw all 16 Cowboys games, and I think I saw around 10-12 Chargers games (not exactly sure why, but somehow I ended up watching them almost every week). I think I got a pretty good read on both players.
By mid-season, Shawne Merriman was clearly the better player. I did not like him pre-draft, but man, did he prove me wrong quickly. He was such a refined pass rusher at such an early point, he really looked like a seasoned veteren. He used his hands great. He bull rushed awesome. He was just amazing. Really, absolutely, playing like an all pro. In the numerous threads we had on them, I was constantly talking about how amazing he was and how we made a mistake drafting Ware over him (even though I liked the Ware pick at the time it was made). Merriman was also awesome against the run, very instinctual, and very smart. His game (except for coverage) really lacks holes, and that was obvious early on.
By mid-season, it was clear Ware was not nearly as refined a pass-rusher. He has probably the quickest first step of any OLB in the league, but when he didn't mix up his pass rush moves, OTs easily washed down Ware past the quarterback. Even though it was obviously magnified due to the lack of a dominant NT like Jamal Williams (Who Merriman had in San Diego), He was clearly becoming far too predictable for opposing offensive linemen.
Oh, right, I forgot, he'd mix it up and throw in that horribly innefective spin move. Not only did that spin move not work, it affected his ability to stop the run (which he was pretty even in terms of ability with Merriman).
We were told by Jerry and Bill in press conferences following the draft that Ware was simply the more refined pass rusher. This was not the truth whatsoever.
It was obvioius Ware had immense potential (his explosive first step is out of this world), but even more obvious he needed some serioius coaching.
But then his Carolina and St. Louis games were better than any game I saw Merriman have. He began to look like the future All-Pro, Lawrence Taylor-type player we were hoping for. He was really dominant. He hit people in the mouth. He mixed up his pass rush moves, so when he would speed rush and turn the corner, the OT wouldn't be ready for it.
So I don't know who's better. Both are awesome. 90% of the year, I would have taken Merriman, but there was no one better than Ware in those two games. I think I need another year to decide. I have a feeling, after that year though, that I would be satisfied with either one.
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They're both amazing talents, but I'd have to go with Shawne Merriman. He has that killer instinct that you just can't teach. When you're watching him, you can see that this man doesn't just get to the quarterback, he wills himself to the quarterback.
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Well lets see:
Merriman:
Pros: Execptional pass rusher. Unbeleivably talented. A superior athlete.
Cons: A Jerk/Crybaby. Held out for a larger contract. Liable in coverage (even as an LB)
Ware:
Pros: Quickest first step in the nfl (@Lb), Very gifted athlete. Great attitude. Does what ever it takes to win. Leader. Willing to change and learn.
Cons: Not as athletic, does not have the expereince, and not as proven as merriman.
The first 2-3 years of there career i would say Merriman. For the next 3-7 years i would say Ware.
This is a debate being argued on another forum:
Comparing them after this last season is really tough. If I could just watch tapes of both players, and decide which one to take, it would be Merriman, easily. But you have to look at how both players were used on both defenses. San Diego used Merriman perfectly, blitzing him from the left, right, middle, and still used him in coverage. Even in games when his stats weren't that great, you felt his presence. Ware, on the other hand, comparatively speaking, was quite one dimensional. It was either Ware blitzing from his left side, or Ware dropping back into coverage. At times, he shined, but a lot of games his name wasn't mentioned.
But who's to say that if we drafted Merriman that he wouldn't be used the exact same way we used Ware? More than likely that would have been the case. The same thing goes with San Diego and Ware. I think San Diego used Merriman better than Dallas used Ware.
------------------------
I saw all 16 Cowboys games, and I think I saw around 10-12 Chargers games (not exactly sure why, but somehow I ended up watching them almost every week). I think I got a pretty good read on both players.
By mid-season, Shawne Merriman was clearly the better player. I did not like him pre-draft, but man, did he prove me wrong quickly. He was such a refined pass rusher at such an early point, he really looked like a seasoned veteren. He used his hands great. He bull rushed awesome. He was just amazing. Really, absolutely, playing like an all pro. In the numerous threads we had on them, I was constantly talking about how amazing he was and how we made a mistake drafting Ware over him (even though I liked the Ware pick at the time it was made). Merriman was also awesome against the run, very instinctual, and very smart. His game (except for coverage) really lacks holes, and that was obvious early on.
By mid-season, it was clear Ware was not nearly as refined a pass-rusher. He has probably the quickest first step of any OLB in the league, but when he didn't mix up his pass rush moves, OTs easily washed down Ware past the quarterback. Even though it was obviously magnified due to the lack of a dominant NT like Jamal Williams (Who Merriman had in San Diego), He was clearly becoming far too predictable for opposing offensive linemen.
Oh, right, I forgot, he'd mix it up and throw in that horribly innefective spin move. Not only did that spin move not work, it affected his ability to stop the run (which he was pretty even in terms of ability with Merriman).
We were told by Jerry and Bill in press conferences following the draft that Ware was simply the more refined pass rusher. This was not the truth whatsoever.
It was obvioius Ware had immense potential (his explosive first step is out of this world), but even more obvious he needed some serioius coaching.
But then his Carolina and St. Louis games were better than any game I saw Merriman have. He began to look like the future All-Pro, Lawrence Taylor-type player we were hoping for. He was really dominant. He hit people in the mouth. He mixed up his pass rush moves, so when he would speed rush and turn the corner, the OT wouldn't be ready for it.
So I don't know who's better. Both are awesome. 90% of the year, I would have taken Merriman, but there was no one better than Ware in those two games. I think I need another year to decide. I have a feeling, after that year though, that I would be satisfied with either one.
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They're both amazing talents, but I'd have to go with Shawne Merriman. He has that killer instinct that you just can't teach. When you're watching him, you can see that this man doesn't just get to the quarterback, he wills himself to the quarterback.
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Well lets see:
Merriman:
Pros: Execptional pass rusher. Unbeleivably talented. A superior athlete.
Cons: A Jerk/Crybaby. Held out for a larger contract. Liable in coverage (even as an LB)
Ware:
Pros: Quickest first step in the nfl (@Lb), Very gifted athlete. Great attitude. Does what ever it takes to win. Leader. Willing to change and learn.
Cons: Not as athletic, does not have the expereince, and not as proven as merriman.
The first 2-3 years of there career i would say Merriman. For the next 3-7 years i would say Ware.
