Whitney Mercilus - First Round Pick

[drunkcookie]

Originally Posted by DocBar

OK with the pick and want us to trade up and get Hill now.

Amen...dunno how... But it'd be nice... I'll keep dreaming though...

[TexCanada]

Great value, great pick! Sacking the QB wins super bowls. This was a huge need for us and I'm thrilled with the pick. There are plenty of WRs available in round 2 and 3.

We just got better.

[ckhouston]

Excellent pick ... he was BPA. Anyone wanting Fleener thank God you arent drafting for us. Only reach I would have been happy with would have been Harrison Smith because I think he is the next John Lynch, but the fact "NO MERCY" was still there rocks. We are going to have a dominant pash rush and will be able to keep our guys fresh because of depth.

[LikeMike]

Should be able to play OLB as well as some DE for us. High Motor Guy with lots of fumbles and led the nation in sacks. I call that a really good pick.

Oh and if there is anything the Giants proved: you can never have enough Pass rushers...

Now the next two picks should be Offense...

[Nawzer]

Here's a highlight video of our newest OLB. Has loads of speed but will need to bulk up a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60fJEcIF1h8

[leebigeztx]

Originally Posted by CretorFrigg

Don't know anything about him...but I really wanted a WR.

He was my # olb/pass rusher. He's natural in space,has explosion too. The gap from mercilus to the next pass rusher is a lot greater than the next wr. This draft is deep at wr in the 2nd and 3rd. Hill is really a developmental guy.

[TimeKiller]

Nice. Definitely a value pick.

[Porky]

Originally Posted by Goldensilence

Was hoping for Fleener or Hill.

Disappointed really. He's not likely going to be an every down player.

He can still be an impact player in rotation at OLB at least.

He'll probably start ahead of Tarzan and rotate in and out. He will play plenty. Personally, I think this is another Wade/Smithiak homerun.

[The Pencil Neck]

From Walter Football:

http://www.walterfootball.com/draft2012OLB3-4.php

Whitney Mercilus*, DE/OLB, Illinois
Height: 6-4. Weight: 261.
40 Time: 4.63. 10-Yd Split: 1.56.
Bench: 27.
Vertical: 32. Broad: 9-10.
Arm: 33 7/8.
Projected Round (2012): 1.
4/25/12: Many teams have shown interest in Mercilus and his stock has had a quiet rise. He stands a good shot of cracking the top 20. Mercilus featured his special speed and athletic ability at the Combine. He ran well, moved extremely well laterally in the field drills and had quality strength. Mercilus showed 3-4 teams that he can operate as an outside linebacker. Reports were that Mercilus performed well at his pro day. Between the Combine and his pro day, he has cemented his status as a first-round pick.

A typical game from Mercilus in 2011 featured a sack and a forced fumble. He led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles last year. The junior totaled 57 tackles with 22.5 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

Mercilus showed no mercy this season to offensive tackles and quarterbacks. All year long, he beat tackles with a combination of speed, strength and athleticism. Against Ohio State's Mike Adams, one of the best offensive tackles Mercilus played this year, he beat Adams for 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Mercilus was tough on Wisconsin and its powerful offensive line with a sack-fumble on a bull rush through massive right tackle Josh Oglesby. Routinely, Mercilus plays with ideal pad level and body lean.

The early entry prospect is extremely fast and gets upfield in a hurry. His speed puts offensive tackles on their heels, and he has the athleticism to drop his hips and shoulder to turn towards the quarterback. Mercilus' strength can take linemen by surprise, and he has a powerful bull rush. In run defense, Mercilus anchors and holds his ground well. He needs to work on shedding blocks in order to be able to make more tackles in the ground game.

[burro]

We should have taken a T/G, but Mercilus is a beast. I'll take it.

[Honoring Earl 34]

There was only a handful of OLB and NE was busy getting theirs . On the other hand there's a bunch of WRs out there .

[chicagotexan2]

Originally Posted by G27RR

Little surprised since Martin and Glenn were still on the board at OT/G. Not unhappy about it, but would have preferred someone who had more than one year of production. He does project out well. Keeps our D looking solid.

Hopefully we find a way to get a good WR in the 2nd-3rd.

I thought it would be Glenn. I'm ok with the pick. Let's try to trade up early in the second to ensure we get a wr or ot assuming good ones are available. Let's dig up James Allen aka merciless the rapper to do Whitney's theme song.

[Fili]

I remember I felt like this when we picked JJ Watt and found out he was a white DE. I thought he would suck but apparently not. Whitney. Would you please play offense for us?

[ckhouston]

Everyone wanting to trade up for a WR when the only two top WR in the draft are already gone .... two things ... first, we are a running team ... second, as Ditka says "Stop It!".

[Texan4Ever]

Meh, would've preferred Nick Perry. I'm afraid he may become the next Robert Ayers (one year wonder who converts to OLB in a 3-4).

[Rey]

Not gonna lie, I do not like the pick at all. He looks very average to me on film.

I hope like hell he proves me wrong, but I'm not excited...

[Marcus]

Shocked beyond belief he was still available at 26.

[badboy]

I think in college he was placed to get QB sacks and Phillips will do same with him. My eval will depend on rest of the draft. If we don't score big with WR somewhere in draft, JJ better step up a bunch or I will be calling for Kubiak head.His loyalty better result in productivity NOW.

If players like DeCastro fall, maybe we can get a great pick in second. I want to have a very good feeling after Saturday's picks.

[Heath Shuler]

http://www.houstontexans.com/media-l...8-ea9308b78844

[Texan_Bill]

See what I'm saying (in another thread).... No offense to GB (he's an old school poster..... been around a long time) but we'll have 17 more threads about the same thing...