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Shawne Merriman

F-minus67

Veteran
When I first saw this guy, I wasn't that high on him and him fitting into an OLB on the team. But the more I saw of him, the more he reminds me of Joey Porter. They are about the same size and in terms of athletic ability, Merriman might have the edge. With that being said, if the team trades down into the 20s, this guy should be the guy chosen.
 
As I mentioned befor this guy is a stud at OLB, here are some of his numbers.
He stands 6'4" and weighs in at 245lbs. He has a 41 1/2 inch vertical leap, benches 385 lbs and squats 590 lbs. His numbers for last year are 55 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
 
i agree but i think he might slip to the second round. he would be a no brainer for us there if he were there. he will be like peek w/out the attitude and even better numbers.

isnt that what everyone is asking for?
 
He is a real stand up guy. He helped set up a basketball game that got something like 3000 jackets for the poor and homeless.
 
I'm with you, F-minus67...At first, I was down on him, but he has a lot of potential...I highly doubt he'll be available in the second though...He may not even be available at 13...

If we were to draft him, he could take over ROLB and Wong would move inside...Merriman would be an upgrade over Wong because he is a better pass rusher and is supposed to be good in coverage...

I think he may be our pick if Johnson is off the board...
 
I was going to take him in our mock. I traded down when the Cowboys took him. He is a total freak. He has the potential to be Jevon Kearse-like as an edge rusher. He will not last long in the first round.
 
I read somehwere that he ran a 4.5. I find that hard to believe, but I guess we'll know soon with the Senior Bowl, combines, workouts, etc...
 
YoungTexanFan said:
i agree but i think he might slip to the second round. he would be a no brainer for us there if he were there. he will be like peek w/out the attitude and even better numbers.

isnt that what everyone is asking for?


attitude? he may have some extra "attitude" but its more of a willing to play hard and not take ****. All year long people talked about wanting his attitude on teh field because his fire is what this team needs. I just find it comical how often everyone on here changes their minds on who they want to play and they think should be replaced. if they waste a high draft on a OLB this season and peek doesnt play again, he will be the next steve foley without a doubt.
 
Personally, I don't have as much of a problem with Peek's as I do his lack of coverage skills...As of now, he is a situational pass rusher at best, like Terrell Suggs...

Regardless, the 34 thrives on LBs, so why not draft another (ie Merriman), and allow there to be a Babin, Merriman, Peek rotation?
 
D-ReK said:
Personally, I don't have as much of a problem with Peek's as I do his lack of coverage skills...As of now, he is a situational pass rusher at best, like Terrell Suggs...

Regardless, the 34 thrives on LBs, so why not draft another (ie Merriman), and allow there to be a Babin, Merriman, Peek rotation?


Lack of coverage skills? when did he get burnt in coverage during the regular season? And he also had and INT against Peyton Manning in coverage. There are no facts behind these statements, simply hear say and repeating other quotes about his play. There are no specific instances from this regular season that show Peek screwed up in coverage or even against the run. Like i said, if he doesnt start he will be gone next season. And with Romeo going to Cleveland, as much as i hate sayign that being from cincinnati, thats a place close to home that he could go, or even to Pitt. It will be his 3rd yera learning the system, just the amount of time that many people say it develops, so he deserves the shot.
 
To be honest, I didn't get a chance to see all of the games, but I do remember the Manning INT...There's no doubt that Peek is a playmaker...

I do remember him starting a preseason game and getting beat in coverage a few times though...
 
I think we should get Merriman, so him and Peek can fight it out in camp. Cause right now no one is even pushing Wong it seems. And it seems Wong would be a bad***** middle linebacker.
 
The thing I hate about having all these great LB's with potential is that I wouldn't have any idea of who to start!?! And I don't think that many of these guys would be willing to sit on the bench and work with a 3 or 4 man rotation, which would be the only way I see all of this working out.

I could very well be wrong about them willing to play in a 3 or 4 man rotation, but I think that would probably be the best way to go. It would keep our front 7 fresh and I don't think teams would be able to wear us down with the run game.

The fact that we would have a lot of good LB's that could play in multiple positions reminds me of the Patriots and I can only fantisize about what that could lead to.
 
I agree with you but they had that chance to rotate and keep them fresh this season and didnt. Peek would either play most of the game, which he did 2 times, or he would play 5 plays a game. I dont think its the players not willing to rotate but the coaches not doing it. The thing is, if you and your team are going to act like a player is special and has talent, then you have to show the player that you really do believe in them. NFL players are just like any other 22 year old coming into the work force, they want to be noticed and it takes a little babying to get them on their feet. Unfortunately since they are all huge guys the coaches forget that and dont really care. Im not saying they need to hodl them and carry them around, but they need to boost their confidence in each player somehow and the texans do not seem to do that very well. This is exemplified by Peek not getting chances time after time when he plays great, and how many times have we heard Capers say that Hollings and Wells would be getting more carries because of Wells' production and Hollings being healthy. Players would be willing to do a lot if these coaches would live up to their word, and if they did some of the things they said, then this team would be much further ahead than where they are now.
 
I agree with you. Peek is an outstanding talent that is still learning the system and developing. The only area that Peek is weak in right now is stopping the run. He has trouble getting off blocks at the point of attack, but he will get much better this coming up season. He also needs to learn to control his emotions on the field.

He reaks havik for tackles who try to block him around the corners because he's so fast. This guy is the real deal and Houston needs to make every effort to lock him up.

On defense, Houston has two major areas that need improvement and I'm not going to speculate what or who they will try to draft or sign to help:

1. They need a big, strong, quick nose tackle like the Casey Hampton/Sam Adams/Tony Saragusa/Gilbert Brown's of the NFL. These type guys hold the point of attack, break down the pocket, and clog up running lanes

2. Strong Safety. I've seen other postings where people for some reason get this position confused with Free Safety (Marcus Robertson). A good Strong Safety is essential for helping to stop the run and getting to the quarterback. The help in pass coverage but in zone coverage, not man to man (Look at what happens to Roy Williams with Dallas). He great at the line of scrimmage and hawking down the ball, but you can't expect him to be covering WR's man on man.

But more important than focusing on our defense, we need offensive line help, and primarily at Left Tackle. Great Left Tackles are hard to find and only come along every few years in the draft. Free agency is the best avenue to get one but teams usually franchise them to keep them (ie. Walter Jones, Orlando Pace).

If we are to get over the hump to start being a real contender in our division, we have to protect David Carr. Every team starts and ends on the line.
 
Wild Bill said:
The only area that Peek is weak in right now is stopping the run.
Right, but that's not a trivial item on the priority list of LB skills. Sorta like saying one of your starting offensive lineman is good @ pass blocking, but
can't contribute much on rushing plays. Unlike Babin & Wong who are well versed in both areas, Peek will never be a solid, full time LB in the NFL until
he is not a liability to the team when playing the run.
 
Wild Bill said:
2. Strong Safety. I've seen other postings where people for some reason get this position confused with Free Safety (Marcus Robertson).

That would be Marcus Coleman at FS. What about Glenn Earl did you see in his play in the 2nd half of the season makes you think he is not going to be fine at SS?
 
Marcus Coleman, I stand corrected. Too many thoughts running through my head at one time. Glenn Earl is a decent player and is adequate for now. I don't think we need to address our defense with our first pick.

And I agree that Peek is right "NOW" not producing enough in stopping the run to be a full time starter as I eluded to above. I think he has the potential to be and will be a very good player at his position but that isn't an area of concern this year.

Nose Tackle and Offensive Line
Nose Tackle and Offensive Line
Nose Tackle and Offensive Line
 
Why is all this bad at stopping the run still going on here? He may have had some hiccups in preseason, but can you point out one play in regular season where he made bad plays on the run? I know I cant really think of any and I follow him every play he is in. In Indy, which i was at the game, he kept contain on the left side for multiple seconds and nailed the Edge as he cut back right into him. He has gotten over his old trend of over pursuing. I get tired of people continually saying these things when there is no proof or specifics to back it up. Generalizations are not real answers and neither is repeating things that you see other people write or say when there is nothing to back it up.
 
Alright, now that I think about it, I can't really remember any plays in running situations that Peek missed his assignment, oh, wait a second, that's because they wouldn't put him on the field in running situations. Now I remember. And I do recall Peek getting pancaked on a couple of plays around the corner. And I also seem to remember hearing, with my own two ears, on Sports Radio 610, Dom Capers saying that while has great pass rushing ability, he's a liability. He hasn't learned the system and is weak against the run, per Dom Capers, his Coach. HE'S STILL DEVELOPING.

I'm not down on the guy. I like Peek and think he has a lot of potential, but he's not there yet. I hope he turns into the next great linebacker of the NFL.

Now, before you start challenging the knowledge of others in here and accuse them of only saying what other people have told them, you should know that some of us have been following this sport since before we were teenagers and know how to properly assess players from what we see on the field, or don't see.

We're all sensitive to the fact that you have some kind of love affair thing going on with Peek and have made him into your hero, but that doesn't mean that he is immune from some constructive criticism. We all would like to see him succeed and stay in Houston a very long time as a Pro Bowl caliber player.
 
How many pass rush moves does Peek have? Because when I saw the last game they showed up here, it looked like all he was doing was running around the tackle.
 
Maybe he hasnt completely developed, but i do believe he started two games and played almost every snap because they ran the nickle during the whole game. I believe we won both of those games, and he did play the run very well. So I would have to say that my love affair is based in reality and some truth. Pancakes happen, how many times have you seen babin laying on the ground whether it was a pancake or him just falling. And actually I do remember the pancakes, and i believe that by him taking up the tackle, whether good or bad, it left no lead blocker for the RB adn Sharper made the plays with little or no gain. Im not an ***** i know the job is to contain when coming from the outside but if you can stretch the play out horizontally for an extra second, then that gives the ILBs time to get there. I assume capers knows more than me, but from what is seen IN GAMES he did not screw anything up. And to address his moves, yes peek usually does do a speed rush, but he does use the occasional spin move after it is set up by the speed rush. And his moves work. he is not going to be bull rushing a 330 pound Tackle, thats the job of the dline, and if they could actually get any push at all taht would move the QB back a step and right into peek coming around the edge.
Peek was still learning the system at the beginning of the year, but once he was given some chances he made things happen, he learned how to play. While my views on his play are somewhat biased, how can you argue against someone that has the talent to play and make things happen almost every time he is in? And if i remember correctly, the ROLB usually is used for Pass Rush, similar to Joey Porter and Suggs, while the LOLB is used more for run stopping and coverages. So I think the guy is ok at his position and should be starting this season
 
Vinny said:
I was going to take him in our mock. I traded down when the Cowboys took him. He is a total freak. He has the potential to be Jevon Kearse-like as an edge rusher. He will not last long in the first round.

I just went back & read this (I was looking for information about Merriman) since I haven't seen him play, anybody who has can you supply more information about him? would be much appreciated :thumbup

We could see the Texans taking a defensive playmaker off the board with their own 1st pick, OLB or CB seem to be the most skilled logical available @ #13. I would also like the Texans to trade up again into a late 1st round spot to select Baas, your right Vinny :coolb: seems like a good fit, but only give up a 2nd & one 3rd, maybe throw in another late pick if needed.
 
NFL Draft Showcase:

He is explosive off the snap of the ball and beats offensive tackles with his speed. He does a good job of using his hands to fight blocks and has a good variety of moves to get the quarterback. He will sometimes come too far upfield and takes himself out of those plays. In pursuit, Merriman shines. He has a great motor and has the speed to chase down plays from behind and is capable of tracking ballcarriers down the field. Merriman has some experience in space and dropping into coverage which would benefit him should he transition to linebacker. Teams who play a 3-4 are likely to jump on him early.

NFL Draft Countdown:

Strengths: Excellent athletic ability and has a 41-inch vertical leap...Very fast...Productive...Has great strength...A terror rushing the passer off the edge...Versatile and could play either LB or DE in the pros...Has experience dropping into coverage...Still has a huge upside.
Weaknesses: Undersized and is a DE / OLB 'tweener without a true position at this point...Raw and will need to be developed and work on his technique...Gets by on sheer athleticism more than anything...May need to be in the right scheme to succeed...Will be a gamble on greatness.

Sounds a lot like a higher draft ranked Peek :

Positives: Well-proportioned athlete with superb upper-body tone … Has excellent initial quickness and playing speed coming off the edge … Possesses cat-like moves, exceptional balance and coordination and fluid change-of-direction agility to consistently defeat blockers coming off the snap … Uses his overall power effectively when shedding, keeping his hands active to protect blockers from his legs … Delivers a strong shock and jolt with his arms upon contact … Fine perimeter chaser, showing the acceleration ability to catch ball carriers down the sidelines … Displays the hip snap needed to sharply turn out of his backpedal … Sinks his hips and stays flat-footed bursting through the pile, keeping his motor running in pursuit of the quarterback on the blitz … Can punch and extend to control the tight ends in the short area … Good at avoiding and clearing out blocks to get to the ball … Flashes hands quickly and has a few inside moves when shooting the gaps … Has above-average arm-under and spin moves … Shows the proper knee bend needed to close quickly … Special teams standout whose leaping ability allows him to get to several kicks.

Negatives: Lacks the size and bulk to be a down lineman at the pro level, as he has trouble shedding against larger blockers, dictating a move to linebacker … Tough, but not stout at the point of attack … Needs to show a better feel for zone pass defense … Hard tackler, but needs body control upon arrival, as he does tend to overpursue … Will get caught "in the wash" some when trying to contain the inside run … Does not do a good job of reading plays, relying more on instinct.

Link
 
Exactly, his abilities are a mirror image of Peek. We dont need another peek because the texans already have one. There would be no point in drafting an OLB with a first pick because it is a position where this team actually has some depth. How about ILB where there isnt any
 
Cincinnatikid said:
Exactly, his abilities are a mirror image of Peek. We dont need another peek because the texans already have one. There would be no point in drafting an OLB with a first pick because it is a position where this team actually has some depth. How about ILB where there isnt any

just what I was thinking, sounds like he could fit next to Sharper @ ILB. would like to see a pair of bookends @ OLB. Babin + D. Cody (no longer celler dewellers in league sack totals in 05).
 
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