NCAA Scouting - Player Profile:
Phillip Merling, DE
by Ben Stockwell
28/2/2008
 
Defensive linemen who can play both tackle and end are a valuable commodity and are important components in the variability in being able to run multiple defensive fronts. By plugging such a player in at left defensive ends teams can often afford to have a lighter right defensive end or a “tweener” and alternate between 3-4 and 4-3 fronts at will to confuse quarterbacks and offensive lines to generate pass rush by athleticism and from confusion in the scheme. Phillip Merling of Clemson is an upper echelon prospect for such a position and seems to have the profile to follow in the footsteps of another Clemson Tiger, Trevor Pryce of the Baltimore Ravens, as one of the very best as tackle/end “tweener” (though Merling will hope not to encounter Pryce's injury concerns).
 
“Tweeners” when used incorrectly are glaring weaknesses in a defence, by definition a tackle/end “tweener” is neither a tackle or an end, and as a result if over used at either position is likely to be exposed by a competent offensive game planner. However when used correctly they are a disruptive force that can be amongst the most effective weapons a defensive coordinator can have at their disposal. Merling proved this throughout his college career as he provided a superb tandem with Gaines Adams (drafted 4th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last year's draft) and then flourished on his own this year in Clemson defence that ranked 9th in the nation in total defence, earning ACC player of the week honours three times during his junior season.
 
What we like about Merling
 
Has all the athletic ability to play inside and outside sufficiently well from the outside with the ability to improve if he works on his technique which is currently lacking. He has a good burst off of the snap to make up for a lack of top level strength. He has good speed off of the edge to turn and get past offensive tackles to get after the quarterback. Strong enough to hold ground against blockers at the point of attack but currently shows greater ability with his lateral quickness to chase plays down from the backside of the play and maintain containment on outside runs. Strong tackler to boot, he has all of the athletic ability to make plays straight off of the bat in the NFL but his technique is lacking to make him a constant and consistent threat straight away.
 
Question marks over Merling
 
His bull rush is solid if unspectacular and as an end/tackle “tweener” you would expect/hope that it would be a bigger part of his game than it currently is. His technique in disengaging blockers is poor, when he rushes outside and the blocker engages, too often for a man his size the play is over for him and he needs to work in his ability to beat a block from engagement rather than having to beat a block and prevent engagement. His general pass rush technique is poor and whilst his edge rush is good for a man his size his athleticism will not be good enough to make him a strong pass rusher at the top level without development of his technique. He has an excellent combination of size and athleticism but doesn't have the well rounded technique to go with it at the moment.
 
Highlights of his College Career
 
His junior season where he was an All-ACC Honourable Mention with 78 tackles (17 of them for a loss), 7 sacks and 21 quarterback pressures (a recorded stat in the college ranks not used in the NFL). Played mostly end this season not seeing as much time inside but really developing into the lead pass rushing threat on a still formidable Tigers defence (in spite of the departure of Gaines Adams to the NFL).
 
Other Snippets of Info

• Played tight end and defensive end in high school, capturing all-state and all-region accolades as a senior at Cordova High School in Memphis, TN.

• Comparable to Trevor Pryce (a Clemson Alumnus) and also would be suited playing in a similar role to Justin Tuck of the New York Giants this year as a physical threat inside and outside on the defensive line.

• Good fits would include the Baltimore Ravens, the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins.