Whitney Mercilus - First Round Pick

[thunderkyss]

I don't have an opinion on the player, so I voted no opinion.

However, I was one of those, "Keep Mario" guys because I didn't want to address the pass rush yet again early in the draft. I knew it was coming & I hated it then, don't really care for it now.

So if that makes sense, I don't hate that we did it, I hate that we allowed ourselves to get into a position where we had to do it yet again...

But I do love the name, definitely gonna get the jearsey.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by Rey

I think you're making a huge mistake with the logic of your post.

I doubt that that Jerry made defensive decisions about personnel without input from his defensive minded head coach.

No it wasn't Wade's final call at the end of the day, but it's not his final call at the end of the day here either.

Who are you to say that Jerry Jones isn't an egomaniac who would step over his candy ass HC to make a first round pick.

Not liking a pick because he didn't perform up to your standard on tape is fine, cause that's your opinion. Not liking a pick because the Cowboys picked Anthony Spencer at #26 a few years ago while Phillips was with them is asinine.

[TdotTexas2Step]

Anyone see Tamba Hali as a decent comparison to Mercilus?

[JCTexan]

Originally Posted by thunderkyss

I don't have an opinion on the player, so I voted no opinion.

However, I was one of those, "Keep Mario" guys because I didn't want to address the pass rush yet again early in the draft. I knew it was coming & I hated it then, don't really care for it now.

So if that makes sense, I don't hate that we did it, I hate that we allowed ourselves to get into a position where we had to do it yet again...

But I do love the name, definitely gonna get the jearsey.

There is only so much cap room to go around, and Mario Williams got the richest contract ever given to a defensive player. Sometimes you have to let players walk and 'rebuild' (the position) through the draft.

I like this pick. It gives us depth at OLB.

[The Pencil Neck]

Originally Posted by Rey

I think you're making a huge mistake with the logic of your post.

I doubt that that Jerry made defensive decisions about personnel without input from his defensive minded head coach.

No it wasn't Wade's final call at the end of the day, but it's not his final call at the end of the day here either.

Jerry Jones? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH<snort>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

The guy that signed TO without talking to any of his offensive coaches or his head coach? The guy that hired his offensive coordinator before hiring his head coach? That guy?

[steelbtexan]

Would've liked Hill more.

Mercilus will be a great player though. He has the heart MW is missing.

Lets see a trade up for J.Martin/Hill.

It was a wild 1st rd.

[G27RR]

"The loss of Ryans and Williams created a need for pass rushers and linebackers. Smith said this week that he likes the depth of linebackers in the draft, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips says Mercilus was the best player on the Texans' board when their pick came up.

Phillips says Mercilus is ahead of where Reed was when Houston drafted him last year. Reed registered a sack in five consecutive games, the longest streak in team history."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...554/index.html

More quotes:
"DC Wade Phillips said the Texans had considered trading up to select Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus, yet chose to stand firm with the 26th pick. "He's like the guys we have," said Phillips. "He's one of the top pass rushers in the draft, and it's a great opportunity to get a guy like that at this point in the draft."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-r.../post/18849066

[80tothezone]

I think given what was available it was a good pick. that said I would have rather us get either a tackle or a WR. Both my offensive picks were gone though so I am kinda Luke warm about the pick. Yeh they addressed a need but I think there were other more pressing needs for the team than olb.

sent from way too close to Dallas....

[Rey]

Originally Posted by b0ng

Who are you to say that Jerry Jones isn't an egomaniac who would step over his candy ass HC to make a first round pick.

Not liking a pick because he didn't perform up to your standard on tape is fine, cause that's your opinion. Not liking a pick because the Cowboys picked Anthony Spencer at #26 a few years ago while Phillips was with them is asinine.

Seeing that I didn't say that I can't answer your question.

Regarding the rest of your post I'll just say your comprehension skills need work and I'll leave it at that.

[G27RR]

Yes, I like the pick. He needs some development, but he could be a very good pass rusher.

"The loss of Ryans and Williams created a need for pass rushers and linebackers. Smith said this week that he likes the depth of linebackers in the draft, and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips says Mercilus was the best player on the Texans' board when their pick came up.

Phillips says Mercilus is ahead of where Reed was when Houston drafted him last year. Reed registered a sack in five consecutive games, the longest streak in team history."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...554/index.html

More quotes:
"DC Wade Phillips said the Texans had considered trading up to select Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus, yet chose to stand firm with the 26th pick. "He's like the guys we have," said Phillips. "He's one of the top pass rushers in the draft, and it's a great opportunity to get a guy like that at this point in the draft."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-r.../post/18849066

[TheMatrix31]

It seems like a nice pick.

Trade up and get Jonathan Martin tomorrow. Get a WR too.

[TexCanada]

I dont see how some people would rather have a WR. Going in to the second round there is Randle, Hill, Jeffrey, Sanu and Quick all still on the board (among others). It is very likely that one or more of those guys falls to us.

Edit: plus Fleener is there too.

[Allstar]

Originally Posted by badboy

If he remained in college and did not do so well, we could have drafted him in 2nd. I don't see how your comment means anything?

His first year starting produced the ncaa lead in sacks. I think it's safer to assume he would continue to shine than regress. I don't see how you couldn't understand that?

Hell, Wade had to say the same thing as me:

“But if he did the same thing again for another year, he’d been a top 10 pick (in 2013) without a doubt,” Phillips said. “A lot of people are saying, ‘Yeah, it’s only one year.’ But to me, when a guy shows he can do all those things, I don’t think he’s going to lose that.”

[Rey]

Originally Posted by The Pencil Neck

Jerry Jones? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

The guy that signed TO without talking to any of his offensive coaches or his head coach? The guy that hired his offensive coordinator before hiring his head coach? That guy?

When it comes to making deals like that Jerry has shown that he's out there. Buy more so on the offensive side of the ball.

Makes 0 sense to hire a good defensive minded coach and then not take their input into account. Unless you are suggesting that because of a few instances Jerry never sought out input from his staff mainly Phillips? No way either if us could know that.

But anyways this thread is not about jones. Back to the topic.

I don't like the pick. I'm not neutral or undecided. For this team next year I dont like it. I can see him developing into a good player in future years, but I don't see him making a big impact next year even if pressed into duty because of injuries.

[dtran04]

Jerry also drafted a guy today they had zero contact with.......at all. Claiborne thought it was a prank call.

[wolf123]

Originally Posted by Rey

When it comes to making deals like that Jerry has shown that he's out there. Buy more so on the offensive side of the ball.

Makes 0 sense to hire a good defensive minded coach and then not take their input into account. Unless you are suggesting that because of a few instances Jerry never sought out input from his staff mainly Phillips? No way either if us could know that.

But anyways this thread is not about jones. Back to the topic.

I don't like the pick. I'm not neutral or undecided. For this team next year I dont like it. I can see him developing into a good player in future years, but I don't see him making a big impact next year even if pressed into duty because of injuries.

Who did you want them to take? Wades defense is based on pass rush and we got one with a non-stop motor.

[leebigeztx]

I called mercilus months ago even if wright was on the board. The gap from mercilus to the next best olb/pass rusher is bigger than the one to the wr. Wr and cb are the deepest in the draft this year. Mercilus is a guy who doesn't have to be schemed to get a sack. Of all the de's who will stand up,he's the most natural. This was a great pick. Not to mention,hill is a project big time. The advisory board gave him a 3rd rd grade. Just because he ran fast in a straight line doesn't mean gms vaulted him up. His short shuttle suggest he can come out a break and gain seperation.

[Doppelganger]

Originally Posted by GP

I voted "No opinion yet."

I am not disappointed. I am not excited.

My main concern is this: Is Mercilus the better guy between him and Nick Perry? For some reason, Nick Perry just looks stronger.

We didn't reach for a WR, which is good news. I am a bit shocked that we didn't go with an OL when Zeitler was still there, Martin was still there, etc. I really figured that Winston's outright release meant we needed more depth on the line.

The thing that makes me sort of OK right now is that Wade Phillips knows what he wants. And the proof is in Son of Bum's puddin'. If it sits well with Wade, then I'm fine with it. Just have that nagging feeling that Nick Perry would have been a better choice.

Perry does not fit all that well in a 3-4. While he is a strong pass rusher, he can't really drop that well in coverage, so he may struggle as a 3-4 OLB. As a 3-4 DE, he would have to matchup with a couple of big bodies and I am not sure that is the best place to take advantage of his skill set. I think he is best positioned to excel as a 4-3 DE.

[Rey]

Originally Posted by wolf123

Who did you want them to take? Wades defense is based on pass rush and we got one with a non-stop motor.

There are a few guys I would rather have had. But I'm not one to cry over spilled milk. He's a Texan now and he has my support and fandom. I anxiously await to be proven wrong.

[Nawzer]

I don't see why Mercilus wouldn't succeed in the Texans defense. He'll have one job and one job only and that's to rush the passer. The Texans won't depend on him to get 15 sacks, he'll be part of a rotation primarily to keep Barwin and Reed fresh.With the loss of Mario Williams, adding a guy like Mercilus could potentially negate the blow somewhat. Wade's defense is simple from what we've all read and heard, so he should come in and contribute right away. I agree that he's not the strongest, but he'll be on the outside and he'll use his speed and motor to get to the QB. I think at #26 this was a good value pick for us because I don't think there were really any true 1st round WRs besides Blackmon.