The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

(from redskins.com)-might be our # 1 pick

Shawne Merriman grew up in Upper Marlboro, Md., went to Frederick Douglass High School and developed into a standout linebacker at the University of Maryland. Expected to be one of the top 20 picks in the April 23-24 NFL Draft, Merriman attended the local college workout at Redskins Park last Friday. The Redskins have the ninth overall pick in the first round of the draft. Merriman spoke with Redskins.com shortly after the workout:

Q: First things first: You grew up in the area and you went to the University of Maryland. Are you a Redskins fan?
A: "I'm a bandwagon fan a little bit. [Laughs.] But because I'm from the area, I love the Redskins. A lot of my friends are Redskins fans. Plus, I have some close friends who play on the team."

Q: I know you didn't participate in Friday's workout, but what were your overall impressions?
A: "I tell you, I saw some talented players out there. I'm coming from this area, but I still didn't know too much about the players coming from the small schools. I was watching the coaches and I was watching the players. I saw a lot that impressed me."


Q: You mentioned watching the coaches. What were your impressions of the coaching staff?
A: "It was a thrill. You watch them on TV a lot during games, but you don't get a chance to see them actually coach in practice and how they approach the game. To see them face-to-face and realize that you could be working and playing for these coaches in a matter of week, it's a big thrill."

Q: Did you meet individually with any of the scouts or coaches?
A: "I talked to everybody. I talked to Vinny Cerrato. I talked to Coach [Joe] Gibbs and all of the defensive coaches. I was real impressed with the level and style of coaching--they're very detail-oriented. And I was real impressed with how professional they all were. They showed me a lot of love and they showed me they were genuinely interested in me."

Q: You're considered a top 20 pick in the NFL Draft later this month and you didn't really have to come to this workout. Why did you want to come out?
A: "It's my hometown. Regardless if I come play here or not, it's my hometown and you always want to show your hometown some love, whether you're No. 1 or the last pick in the draft."

Q: You've been to the NFL Scouting Combine and you took part in the Pro Day at the University of Maryland on March 16. Is there anything more for you to do to help your draft status?
A: "I think I've done very well in showing people what I can do. I've had a lot of individual workouts already. I've been worked out by several teams. Everything has worked out well, so I'm just waiting to see what happens."

Q: Are NFL teams looking at you more as a linebacker or as a defensive end?
A: "It's about half and half right now. I'm at about 273 or 274 pounds right now, and that's a pretty good weight for me to play defensive end. I've bulked up about 16-17 pounds from my playing weight during the season. But I run a pretty good time in the 40, so teams know I have some speed. It'll be whatever a team wants me to do, then that's what I'll do."

Q: Are you hoping to get selected by the Redskins?
A: "I definitely wouldn't mind playing for the Redskins. If they need me, I'm here with a Redskins cap on and I'm ready to get out there and start working."

I bet he ends up in Dallas...they are picking right around when he'll be taken and they just switched to a 3-4....Merriman is an ideal 3-4 LB/DE.

I would love to draft him and put him at mlb and move him to de on 3rd down. The more pressure we get the less the need for a stellar corner. I just dont like any of the corners enough to draft at the ninth slot.

kkryan wrote:I would love to draft him and put him at mlb and move him to de on 3rd down. The more pressure we get the less the need for a stellar corner. I just dont like any of the corners enough to draft at the ninth slot.

I would feel better about Merriman at #9 than any WR or CB.

Merriman isn't big enough to play DE every down nor do we have space for a OLB...

However... what if we converted him to MLB? He only needs to add a couple of pounds and probably can do so without sacrificing speed.

Skinsfan55 wrote:Merriman isn't big enough to play DE every down nor do we have space for a OLB...

However... what if we converted him to MLB? He only needs to add a couple of pounds and probably can do so without sacrificing speed.

275 lbs in a 4-3 scheme is plenty big enough to play every down!

However the MLB idea did cross my mind. Still, you don't if he has the MLB mentatlity.

Chad

I would absolutely hate to see the Cowboys get Merriman...I'm a Md alum and watch most of the games, and attend a couple a year...this guy is good...also -- does anyone out there remember the Md D-Lineman Dallas drafted awhile back?

Yes, for you old timers, it was Randy White. He was a stud for a long time. He always seemed to play best against us too!

Please Joe -- pick Merriman...don't let the boys get him!

fredp45 wrote:Yes, for you old timers, it was Randy White. He was a stud for a long time. He always seemed to play best against us too!

Except for the championship game, when Bostic told him we were running it right over him 9 straight plays and backed up the talk by running over him nine straight plays.

Shawn Merriman is a beast...he reminds me of Julius Peppers..but coming from Maryland, there's no telling how he will be as a linebacker in the NFL...EJ Henderson was good, but I don't think he has lived up to the type of dominance that many people projected from him.

I would love to see Merriman drafted by the Skins...I think he is a better selection than either James or Pollack at End...Since we run a 46-we don't need him to be much bigger than 275...besides if his technique good he will excell regardless.

there is no way we are getting him. We have way bigger needs than that. If we pick defense it will definitely be a corner because our #2 corners arent good enough to fill in if springs got hurt.

skins#1fan wrote:there is no way we are getting him. We have way bigger needs than that. If we pick defense it will definitely be a corner because our #2 corners arent good enough to fill in if springs got hurt.

Preach it brother! Preach it! People around here don't listen to me, maybe they'll listen to you. How come no one understands the possible disaster we could have if SSprings gets injured? We can't have WHarris and GWilds starting!!!! That's insane!

The Hogster wrote:Shawn Merriman is a beast...he reminds me of Julius Peppers..but coming from Maryland, there's no telling how he will be as a linebacker in the NFL...EJ Henderson was good, but I don't think he has lived up to the type of dominance that many people projected from him.

I would love to see Merriman drafted by the Skins...I think he is a better selection than either James or Pollack at End...Since we run a 46-we don't need him to be much bigger than 275...besides if his technique good he will excell regardless.

EJ has done OK in Minnie, but it's hard to shine with 10 bums covering the rest of the field. EJ in B&G would be a much different player.

First of all, I think he's big enough to play "speed DE" like we really need. I wouldn't be heart broken if we drafted this guy and promptly moved him to DE.

Skinsfan55 wrote:Merriman isn't big enough to play DE every down nor do we have space for a OLB...

However... what if we converted him to MLB? He only needs to add a couple of pounds and probably can do so without sacrificing speed.

I agree with your first point 55 but not the second. We are going to address MLB later in the draft or in the June cuts. Merriman is too small for DE and Gibbs would take an every down DE like Spears over a 3rd down specialist. Besides either of the two top WR's will be available or most likely pac-man or Rolle. That is likely where we will go.......I wish they kept that second round pick and told Denver to take it or leave it... that was a dumb move giving that pick away...... I know I have to let things go.