Whitney Mercilus vs. Aldon Smith

[Lomax to Green 84]

It's really interesting how similar Mercilus and Smith are in terms of size, speed, college production, proximity of colleges (Illinois vs. Missouri), even college jersey#85.

Height-Mercilus (6' 3" 7/8) Smith (6' 4" 1/4)

Weight-Mercilus (263) Smith (263)

40 Time-Mercilus (4.68) Smith (4.74)

Best year in college-Mercilus (16 sacks, led nation in creating fumbles)
-Smith (11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss)


I've had the opportunity to watch quite a few games for both Mercilus and Smith during their college days. Not only do they compare favorably in terms of the measurables, but they also play the game in a very similar style. Both are very good at holding the point against the run. Both were moved around all over the defensive line while in college. Both were equally strong on the base side (left end) and forcing runs back to the middle. Both use great leverage when rushing the passer.

Even the negatives/red flags are similar in that both only had one really great year in college. For Smith it was his redshirt freshmen year and for Mercilus the junior season.

 

[GatorAZ]

Aldon Smith wasn't healthy is last season in college so he didn't have a great year. Had he been i think he would've gone top 5. Those 35 1/2" arms are unbelievable.



1 year wonders make make me nervous (Nick Fairley)...

 

[Bodha]

Inconsequential.

Theres been thousands of guys whove matched and beat Fitz in every imaginable measurable,got drafted, but didnt play a single down in the NFL.

Aldon is special. Its impossible to know if 1 year wonders have 'it'

Does Mercilus? Cant know. Odds are stacked against his favor because guys like Aldon are very, very rare.

 

[Snakester]

I have watched alot of Mercilus tape and he will be a very good player. He is my #3 favorite player to draft at 13 behind Decastro and Kuechly. Your right that he does hold the point very well and is stronger than most would think. He's very tough and plays both the pass and run very well.

 

[JeffGollin]

We can hope, but the difference is that Aldon Smith,has shown up and done it whereas Mercilius has yet to prove he's that good as a pro.

 

[Snakester]

We can hope, but the difference is that Aldon Smith,has shown up and done it whereas Mercilius has yet to prove he's that good as a pro.

So true, but at this point last year Aldon Smith hadn't proved anything as a pro either. After watching game tape on Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw and Mercilus, I will take Mercilus.

 

[Mitch]

So true, but at this point last year Aldon Smith hadn't proved anything as a pro either. After watching game tape on Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw and Mercilus, I will take Mercilus.

You are en fuego, Gary! Mercilus has the best package and upside of the three. The tape doesn't lie!

 

[JeffGollin]

So true, but at this point last year Aldon Smith hadn't proved anything as a pro either. After watching game tape on Melvin Ingram, Courtney Upshaw and Mercilus, I will take Mercilus.

Can't argue with that line of thinking (For starters, I don't feel all that confident in Upshaw and Ingram).

 

[Mitch]

All this said---Luke Keuchly is a better football player---he has special instincts---rare intelligence combined with an innate ability to stop people in their tracks.

 

[Twist18]

All this said---Luke Keuchly is a better football player---he has special instincts---rare intelligence combined with an innate ability to stop people in their tracks.

Mitch I like Luke as well, even over my boy Mercilus but one thing that is for sure is that WM has a motor that never quits!!!

 

[Snakester]

All this said---Luke Keuchly is a better football player---he has special instincts---rare intelligence combined with an innate ability to stop people in their tracks.

We are on the same page with Keuchly. Him playing beside D. Wash would give us the best inside linebacker tandem in the NFL. His instincts and toughness will make him great for a long time. I would be happy taking him at 13. I think he averaged about 15 tackles a game also. That is amazing.

 

[Lomax to Green 84]

All this said---Luke Keuchly is a better football player---he has special instincts---rare intelligence combined with an innate ability to stop people in their tracks.

I'm with you on Keuchly. Great player!!!

 

[Twist18]

Here is a good link on the study of 3-4 ends from football futures:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=439180&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

 

[Mitch]

Here is a good link on the study of 3-4 ends from football futures:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=439180&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

What a great article, Twist 18! Great stuff! Could someone apply these numbers to this year's OLB candidates? Thanks!

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Here is a good link on the study of 3-4 ends from football futures:

http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=439180&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Using that criteria, 2 LB's stood out above the rest, Kuechley and Irvin. Kuechly was at or near the top in every category.
Kuechly: 3 cone-6.92, shuttle-4.12, broad-12'3, vert-38.0
Irvin: 3 cone-6.70, shuttle-4.03, broad-12'3, vert-33.5

It's funny that the main question about Kuechly was his athleticism and he tested the best overall at his position.

Nick Perry had a very bad shuttle time and was lacking in the 3 cone drill. There were about 5 guys who barely missed the criteria,(from memory) McClellan, Chandler Jones, Ingram, and Tank Carder.

 

[JeffGollin]

Using that criteria, 2 LB's stood out above the rest, Kuechley and Irvin. Kuechly was at or near the top in every category.
Kuechly: 3 cone-6.92, shuttle-4.12, broad-12'3, vert-38.0
Irvin: 3 cone-6.70, shuttle-4.03, broad-12'3, vert-33.5

It's funny that the main question about Kuechly was his athleticism and he tested the best overall at his position.

Nick Perry had a very bad shuttle time and was lacking in the 3 cone drill. There were about 5 guys who barely missed the criteria,(from memory) McClellan, Chandler Jones, Ingram, and Tank Carder.

Before we go too ga-ga over combine numbers, may I remind us all about how Leeland (who?) McElroy destroyed the 3 Cone numbers that year.

Wonder what he's up to these days.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Before we go too ga-ga over combine numbers, may I remind us all about how Leeland (who?) McElroy destroyed the 3 Cone numbers that year.

Wonder what he's up to these days.

Kuechly also set a NCAA record for number of tackles so he's not just a combine wonder.

 

[Duckjake]

Before we go too ga-ga over combine numbers, may I remind us all about how Leeland (who?) McElroy destroyed the 3 Cone numbers that year.

Wonder what he's up to these days.

McElroy was a LB!?!? No wonder he sucked at running the football.

Leland "Tiptoe Bandit" McElroy Tiptoed up to the line of scrimmage on Sunday and stole his paycheck on Monday.

Who had the best 3 cone time last year in his LB group? Who had 7 sacks playing only half the season? Hint, he plays for Arizona.

 

[187]

All this said---Luke Keuchly is a better football player---he has special instincts---rare intelligence combined with an innate ability to stop people in their tracks.

If Mercilus/Luke pan out to their potential I'd take a pass rushing OLB over an ILB any day of the week. All we need is another thumper (like Hayes was) to play next to Daryl and we're fine inside.

 

[Twist18]

McElroy was a LB!?!? No wonder he sucked at running the football.

Leland "Tiptoe Bandit" McElroy Tiptoed up to the line of scrimmage on Sunday and stole his paycheck on Monday.

Who had the best 3 cone time last year in his LB group? Who had 7 sacks playing only half the season? Hint, he plays for Arizona.

I thought that was cool that Acho was on there!