turningpoint Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Of all the college underclass players to declare this week for the draft, and there were plenty of them, the most intriguing guy on defense might be Maryland linebacker/end Shawne Merriman. Part of the appeal of Merriman, who is only 20 years old and checks in at 6-feet-4 and 262 pounds, is that he is the kind of hybrid "edge" player so many teams are seeking these days. Merriman played principally at linebacker but also lined up at defensive end in "nickel" situations. One scout said that he felt Merriman could play either of the outside linebacker spots or end in the NFL, and acknowledged that the Maryland standout is a "very rare" player. "He's a pup who should become a big dog," said the scout, who works for an AFC club, but who is precluded by league rules from discussing underclass players for attribution, until they are officially accepted into the draft pool. Another personnel man suggested Merriman might be able to start for his team at weak-side linebacker right now. Merriman last spring recorded a 41½-inch vertical jump, according to the Maryland media guide, and that is a school record for a defensive front seven player. He is said to have run the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. Asked if there was a current NFL player whose style he attempted to most emulate, Merriman cited Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington, with whom he has struck a friendship. Merriman played high school basketball with Arrington's brother, and consults often, he said, with the Redskins star. "Really, I think my style is my own," Merriman said. "I just like to get after people, whether it's playing linebacker or up in the line, with my hand on the ground. I'll play the run, the pass, whatever you need me to do. And I'm going to come after you and hit you as hard as I can. That's where my 'Lights Out' (nickname) came from." In three college seasons, only one as a full-time starter, Merriman posted 179 tackles, including 32½ tackles for a loss, and 22 sacks. Merriman will be represented by Gary Wichard of Pro Tect Management, whose clients include standout NFL pass rushers such as Dwight Freeney of Indianapolis, Jason Taylor of Miami, Baltimore's Terrell Suggs and Darren Howard of New Orleans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Very interesting, never heard of the guy. Hopefully it's a guy we are looking at and we already have Madeiu to tell him how great it is to be a bengal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 There's an article on him coming out here:http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20050105-115651-6383r.htmKiper says he could go mid-first. Definitely an interesting prospect. If we can't get a dominating DT -- and it doesn't look like it -- in the first, we could do worse than a playmaker like merriman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 The keyword in your post Joisey is "playmaker" that's what Marvin is looking for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 we could do worse than a playmaker like merriman. Wouldn't the proper term for a kick ass "Ray Lewis" type of defensive player be called a "Play-Breaker," as in a player who's actions after the ball is snapped physically disrupts the opposing offenses called play to where it usually doesn't work as designed, or fails to produce any positive result? Yeah, yeah...I know the defense runs plays too, but in most instances the word "Play-Maker" is used in an offensive context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 we could do worse than a playmaker like merriman.Wouldn't the proper term for a kick ass "Ray Lewis" type of defensive player be called a "Play-Breaker," as in a player who's actions after the ball is snapped physically disrupts the opposing offenses called play to where it usually doesn't work as designed, or fails to produce any positive result? Personally, I prefer the highly technical term "a$$-kicking muther****** who scares the s&%t out of opposing teams just by stepping onto the field" but the full impact of "AKMFWSTSOOOTJBSOTTF" can only be heard in the original Klingon... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Personally, I prefer the highly technical term "a$$-kicking muther****** who scares the s&%t out of opposing teams just by stepping onto the field" but the full impact of "AKMFWSTSOOOTJBSOTTF" can only be heard in the original Klingon. Ooh! That is technical! And unfortunately I've lost my Star Trek translator from my youth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Here's a little tid-bit of info on Shawne Merriman. He wasn't even on the top list of eligible underclassmen for the '05 draft. Merriman stands officially at 6'3 ( + change ) and weighs closer to 250 lbs. He is the true version of a Hybrid type player. DE/OLB. His style best suits a 3-4 defense, as he is not adept at playing the pass. Most likely fills out a need as a 3-4 OLB. Will have to add weight and strength to play as a down lineman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted January 12, 2005 Report Share Posted January 12, 2005 I only saw Meriman for part of a game either vs. Clemson or NC State. I believe he had a sack at end but played more LB from what I remember with good pursuit of run. The Terps had a much faster LB D'Qwell Jackson who showed a lot of range but I was mainly watching their guard, C.J. Brooks who looked like a solid 4th rd prospect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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