The Curious Case of Whitney Mercilus

Learn something new every day. Anyway, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Whitney Mercilus drafted in round 1, particularly if Israel Idonije returns as a starter once again. But, I also don’t want him drafted only to be given the starting job without competing for it at least. He would fit quite nicely as a 3rd down pass rusher, though.

There are other guys that I’d rather see us take who should be there in Nick Perry or Pete Konz.

The big thing that scares me about Mercilus is that it is well documented that he played in a defensive scheme that allowed him to consistently get favorable matchups. Because of this it’s hard to say whether he is as good as his 16 sacks would suggest or he is just a system guy.

Makes me wonder if he can follow the same path to the NFL as Pierre-Paul who experienced the same thing. Risky pick IMO in first round.

I hope Emery looks to play it safe even with the 1st round. Pete Konz or DeCosta would make me happy as well as a DB especially if the Alabama ones fall to us. Judging by the combine results I kinda doubt the Bears will be around to select Floyd unless they really like him and move up a couple slots (don’t wana see this).

But he does have an excellent name. Could we nickname him Ming?

It’s not like the Bears are drafting in the top 10, so the expectation that they will “waste” a #19 pick is a bit overly dramatic. If the Bears can get a starter at #19, that would be enough. That said, DE (just like WR) is such a gamble in the first round. I think that Mercilus is probably good enough to start in the NFL, but there is enough left to prove that the Bears would have to re-sign Izzy or get a vet FA DE to allow Mercilus to develop into a great pass rusher. IMO, his low mileage is a big plus and he fits the Bears DE mold; slightly undersized and fast. I do think Mercilus will end up a good/great DE and the Bears need both youth and bodies at the DE positions, but I’m not sure his floor is high enough not to consider looking at other players/positions at #19.

It might be down to whatever you can get at that spot according to the needs, or just as well trade out of it. We need someone to make a difference across Peps, he is good, but nobody can collapse the entire side of the pocket ,and get to the QB , without help from the other side.

For every example of one-year wonders busting you can find one that became a serviceable starter. There are only so many stars and so many guys who become elite… I just want someone who can contribute early and become a starter at some point with the #19 pick.

Mercilus I would take if Ingram and Coples are off the board and we’ve adequately addressed WR in Free Agency (assuming someone huge like Kuechly or DeCastro doesn’t fall to us).

We will have a need at DE even with Idonije and especially without, and Mercilus measures well and seemed to put it all together last season for the Illini. He could be a one year wonder but he also could be a guy who developed late and is just starting to come into his own. Illinois was a terribly managed program and not all guys develop early in their college careers… so I’d lean towards the latter.

He also had a very solid combine and looked physically solid if I recall.

if they find his work ethic to be worthy. The guy’s got all the physical skill in the world and has everything you look for in a rushing end.

Not sure about the knock on his inability to defend the run, cause I saw great recognition in the couple of videos I saw.

Possibly trade back, or trade up into the early second to get him.

I’d prefer to see an interior lineman in the first.

Kuechly showed that he indeed has the athleticism to play in the NFL and add his intelligence and awareness, sounds like a good Sam and future Mike LB to me. Also Kirkpatrick looked good in the drills and 40. This system doesn’t put THAT much of a precedence in man-to-man but he looks like he can and will beast in zone. To be honest he reminds me of a more athletic version of Peanut, which of course is not a bad thing. But I wouldn’t be ticked if they did draft Mercilus. I’ll just be a little skeptical.

I’ve spent way too much time watching Illini games, and, he’s one of those guys who absolutely, absolutely, absolutely may have done better by spending another year at school.

The curious case is really: Vic Koenning and his scheme. Whereas JPP ran more traditional defensive alignment (and the tape really told much to his ability in tons of circumstances), Mercilus’ weaknesses I think were masked a lot by the system, especially in the run game, and his 3-3-5 was hyperagressive and created a lot of matchup problems & overload situations… That’s not how it’s going to be in the NFL by any stretch of imagination. So. Interesting.

Mercilus hasn’t