Whitney Mercilus slated to sign with Packers

[texaspackerbacker]

True, but I guess he wasn't available.

[run pMc]

Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are better players right now.

in 205 snaps for a bad HOU D, BobbyandWhitney has 3 sacks, 3QB hits, 4 TFL
in 150 snaps, Jonathon Garvin has 1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 TFL

He's basically on Garvin's level, which isn't nothing, but isn't a lot either. It gives them depth and a good locker room/community guy with a veteran presence at a very cheap price.

Going from one of the worst teams to one of the best should also help his motivation/performance. They can ease Preston along and get Mercilus going as a DPR or in specific pressure packages. OLB responsibilties are allegedly easier to learn than ILB, but IMO this is a better signing than Jaylon Smith.

And yes, I'd take Chase Young over Mercilus, but anyone would. Young is a beast and last year's DROY.

[texaspackerbacker]

Obviously Mercilus is not as good as the #2 overall pick in the draft just a year or two ago. I was just pointing out that he has twice as many sacks even playing with less quality talent around him. I expect Mercilus to be an excellent player for the Packers - significantly better than P. Smith and Garvin, at least as good as Gary. Make that a prediction.

[run pMc]

Obviously Mercilus is not as good as the #2 overall pick in the draft just a year or two ago. I was just pointing out that he has twice as many sacks even playing with less quality talent around him. I expect Mercilus to be an excellent player for the Packers - significantly better than P. Smith and Garvin, at least as good as Gary. Make that a prediction.

"significantly better than P. Smith and Garvin, at least as good as Gary"? I don't think that will happen but I'd be very happy to be wrong. I have lower expectations (better than Garvin, not as good as Preston) so if your prediction is correct there should be a lot of Packer fans happy about that signing.
Either way, he was the best veteran OLB on the market so getting him on a cheap deal is a good move.

[texaspackerbacker]

I stand by my prediction.

[bobblehead]

I'm much more optimistic about this signing the I am about Jaylon chase and tackle. Ming can still play some meaningful and impactful snaps. Definate upgrade in a place we need it. I think those that are being cautious with their optimism will be pleased. Of course everyone here is correct in that we aren't landing a pro bowl player.

[texaspackerbacker]

I say again, don't bet against it. Some people either haven't seen this guy play - recently - or seem to be somehow scared to come out and say it and maybe be wrong - that seems to happen a lot in here with some people. Jaylon Smith is still a damn good player too - way better than any ILB the Packers have had in recent years until Campbell came along. These are two massive upgrades to our D.

[Fritz]

I think the writers were surprised at how many snaps Mercilus got in his first game as a Packer.

I don't know how well Pylon Smith played at ILB, but I know he did get a few snaps as well.

[run pMc]

I think the writers were surprised at how many snaps Mercilus got in his first game as a Packer.

I don't know how well Pylon Smith played at ILB, but I know he did get a few snaps as well.

He modestly outplayed Garvin, and got at least 1 pressure (no hits, no sacks) in 31 snaps. He should only get better as he settles in. I figured he'd get 15 snaps or so, but with P.Smith out he was probably pressed into action.

[HarveyWallbangers]

PFF had him for 4 pressures, but their pressure stats seem a bit inflated. According to them, Gary had 10 pressures in the game.

[run pMc]

PFF had him for 4 pressures, but their pressure stats seem a bit inflated. According to them, Gary had 10 pressures in the game.

Yeah, I saw 4 pressures one place, profootball-reference has him for 1 so I'm not sure ... so I couched it by saying "at least" one... I've also seen Gary have anywhere between 7 and 10 pressures, which is a lot either way.
Pressures matter... they eventually turn into sacks. I forget what the average ratio of pressures : sack is, but Gary was due. If Mercilus got pressures 4 in 31 snaps, that pressure rate's a little low but I'd think his production will improve as he gets more acclimated to the scheme.

[texaspackerbacker]

Mercilus got blocked pretty well. Whether that was him being deficient or the OT being good it's hard to tell. I'm thinking/hoping he does even better when he has more time to learn the D.

Outplaying Garvin is not nothing. Garvin is shaping up to be a very decent player. Didn't be come out early and is extra young for his time in the league?

I saw Jaylon Smith rush from the outside just one time. If he played ILB, he sure wasn't very noticeable. Did he get injured or something?

[smuggler]

Got one hit on Murray in the game last night. Jaylon Smith was inactive. Didn't see anything from Garvin.

[texaspackerbacker]

Yeah, it seemed like there was very little rotation at OLB, and either our guys faded or Arizona adjusted late in the game to what we were doing. Our pass rush did do a good job of containing Murray, though.

[bobblehead]

I say again, don't bet against it. Some people either haven't seen this guy play - recently - or seem to be somehow scared to come out and say it and maybe be wrong - that seems to happen a lot in here with some people. Jaylon Smith is still a damn good player too - way better than any ILB the Packers have had in recent years until Campbell came along. These are two massive upgrades to our D.

I guess by being overly optimistic on every player that comes along you are bound to be right sometimes....but the failures of one Jaylon Smith stand tall.