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RE: Philip Merling

ytraM — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:51:50 GMT

If Merling were healthy he would be a top 15 pick perhaps. So perhaps his injury will cause him to fall to #26 (our pick).

But given the fact that we drafted 3 injured players last year, and we still don't know for sure whether any of them will ever be any good for us (we can hope, but we really don't know as of now), I repeat the question.

Given the fact that sports hernia surgery is so uncertain, how can we take a chance on completely blowing our first round pick?

I'll answer my own question. I would not draft the guy. If I were Gene Smith, I would not take that chance. I would take more of a sure thing.

RE: Philip Merling

Jags02 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:01:02 GMT

[quote][b]ytraM (4/11/2008)[/b][hr]Rehabilitation from surgery for a sports hernia usually takes about eight weeks. "

Philip Merling has just recently had surgery for his sports hernia.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-prospectsurgeries&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

GIVEN THESE FACTS, would you take a chance on Philip Merling with the #26 pick in the draft?[/quote]

In this article about Merling, they say in undergoing surgery on March 12th, "Stewart should be healed in time for the start of training camp." Why so long? Training camp starts in late July, so they're saying he's projected to heal up over five months time. But the prior article is saying it should only take two months to heal up from a sports hernia injury.

I presume it's just that a typical person would be able to return to normal duties after two months, but it takes five months total to recover and get back into football shape. Frankly, if he does work out prior to the draft that would be quite an accomplishment. If he were to work out one week prior to the draft, that would mean he's working out a mere five weeks after his surgery.

RE: Philip Merling

rellell — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:39:25 GMT

Had a dream last night that we drafted Merling, I don't think it was at 26 though. I remember the announcement from my dream, "With the XX pick in the 2008 NFL Draft the Jacksonville Jaguars select Philip Merling, DE Clemson".

I don't remember what XX was but I know it was before the Vikings because that's who we were afraid would take him.

RE: Philip Merling

jagabc6893 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:38:03 GMT

[quote][b]maize n blue (4/11/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]jagabc6893 (4/11/2008)[/b][hr]If Merling, Calais Campbell and Quinten Groves are all available when we pick at #26 it is going to be a tough call. Campbell is huge, but his work ethic, speed and strength have been questioned lately. Groves is fast and strong, but smallish and some think he may be better suited to play OLB in a 3-4. Merling has the hernia issues. Hmmmm, that is going to be a crap shoot. The Jags would probably take a chance on Merling given the fact most DE's do not produce the first year anyways (with the exception of some of the elite guys). But on the other hand, if we draft somebody because we need immediate help with pass rush, why take a guy who may need all year to recover? It is looking like this draft is going to be tricky.[/quote]

I'm certain that if those three were available, Campbell would be the pick. He's the one, out of those three, that has absolutely shown the ability to be dominant. Besides, our DL is really coached up on ball awareness...batted balls are something out staff looks for and at 6'8" tall and long arms, Campbell should certainly have that covered. [/quote]

I was thinking the same about the batted balls. I am beginning to lean towards Campbell being the pick at #26. His long arms also come in handy because if he does not get to the QB for a sack, he has a great chance of reaching out and swatting the ball to cause a turnover. That is almost better than a sack, because the defense may recover the ball.

RE: Philip Merling

maize n blue — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:19:13 GMT

[quote][b]jagabc6893 (4/11/2008)[/b][hr]If Merling, Calais Campbell and Quinten Groves are all available when we pick at #26 it is going to be a tough call. Campbell is huge, but his work ethic, speed and strength have been questioned lately. Groves is fast and strong, but smallish and some think he may be better suited to play OLB in a 3-4. Merling has the hernia issues. Hmmmm, that is going to be a crap shoot. The Jags would probably take a chance on Merling given the fact most DE's do not produce the first year anyways (with the exception of some of the elite guys). But on the other hand, if we draft somebody because we need immediate help with pass rush, why take a guy who may need all year to recover? It is looking like this draft is going to be tricky.[/quote]

RE: Philip Merling

jagabc6893 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:15:01 GMT

If Merling, Calais Campbell and Quinten Groves are all available when we pick at #26 it is going to be a tough call. Campbell is huge, but his work ethic, speed and strength have been questioned lately. Groves is fast and strong, but smallish and some think he may be better suited to play OLB in a 3-4. Merling has the hernia issues. Hmmmm, that is going to be a crap shoot. The Jags would probably take a chance on Merling given the fact most DE's do not produce the first year anyways (with the exception of some of the elite guys). But on the other hand, if we draft somebody because we need immediate help with pass rush, why take a guy who may need all year to recover? It is looking like this draft is going to be tricky.

RE: Philip Merling

maize n blue — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:01:34 GMT

[quote][b]MalabarJag (4/11/2008)[/b][hr][quote][b]ytraM (4/11/2008)[/b][hr]Mike Mayock has Philip Merling falling to the #26 position because of his sports hernia, and the Jags taking him at that spot. So I was wondering, why would teams be afraid to take a guy with a sports hernia? Here's what I found.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/a/hernia.htm

"There are no treatments that have been shown to be effective for sports hernia other than surgery. That said, the initial treatment of a sports hernia is always conservative in hopes that the symptoms will resolve. Resting from activity, anti-inflammatory medications, ice treatments, and physical therapy can all be tried in an effort to alleviate the patient's symptoms.

"If these measures do not relieve the symptoms of a sports hernia, surgery may be recommended to repair the weakened area of the abdominal wall. In number of studies have shown between 65% and 90% of athletes are able to return to their activity after surgery for a sports hernia. Rehabilitation from surgery for a sports hernia usually takes about eight weeks. "

Philip Merling has just recently had surgery for his sports hernia.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-prospectsurgeries&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

GIVEN THESE FACTS, would you take a chance on Philip Merling with the #26 pick in the draft?[/quote]

Given a 10-35% chance of his NOT being able to return, coupled with him not being a significant pass rush threat in college, I'd say NO. Even if he were healthy, I'd be reluctant to draft a Spicer-type DE in the 1st round.

[/quote]

I wouldn't say hes not a "significant pass rush threat". I know he didn't have "wow" sack numbers in college, but he did have 7 sacks and 17 TFL's last season out of the weird hybid defense they were playing. The real question for me is if he holds more value than Lawrence Jackson in the top of the 2nd or Jason Jones in the bottom of the 2nd. They are all in the same height/weight range and are similar athletically (with Jackson being significantly stronger)

RE: Philip Merling

MalabarJag — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:45:34 GMT

[quote][b]ytraM (4/11/2008)[/b][hr]Mike Mayock has Philip Merling falling to the #26 position because of his sports hernia, and the Jags taking him at that spot. So I was wondering, why would teams be afraid to take a guy with a sports hernia? Here's what I found.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/a/hernia.htm

Philip Merling has just recently had surgery for his sports hernia.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-prospectsurgeries&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

GIVEN THESE FACTS, would you take a chance on Philip Merling with the #26 pick in the draft?[/quote]

RE: Philip Merling

piggyback — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:37:39 GMT

As far as the injury goes, it's not that big a concern IMO. If his potential warrants it, take him.

Philip Merling

ytraM — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:10:35 GMT

Mike Mayock has Philip Merling falling to the #26 position because of his sports hernia, and the Jags taking him at that spot. So I was wondering, why would teams be afraid to take a guy with a sports hernia? Here's what I found.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/a/hernia.htm

Philip Merling has just recently had surgery for his sports hernia.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-prospectsurgeries&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

GIVEN THESE FACTS, would you take a chance on Philip Merling with the #26 pick in the draft?