Whitney Mercilus, too soon?

Way too soon. He isn't even starting. He has been getting around 10 snaps a game. He had a decent preseason with 1.5 sacks. I think his role will grow as the season progresses. Barwin and Reed can't continue to play these many snaps and not wear down in my opinion.

 

He's an edge pass rusher, and on passing downs they're not going to pull Barwin or Reed. I don't know how many snaps he's gotten on defense but I don't think it's been many...he's just going to have to wait for his opportunity.

 

Reed didn't do much until later in the season last year, so I'm not worried

 

Mercilus was chosen to replace Barwin at season's end...dont expect much until next season.

 

he had a good stop at the opening of the Denver game.

 

He got some pressure on Gabbert last week.

 

The guy has been putting some good hits in special teams though...For now...its a good thing we don't need to use our number draft pick for this year...He will get his opportunity in time...

 

He looks like a monster on special teams and he's making it happen out there. They are definitely bringing him along slowly, nothing wrong with that, we don't need the guy right now. Smells like another case of Texans fan grasping at straws for something to complain about...

I wouldn't be surprised if we're saving him too. Making sure there's no tape out there then unleashing him on Rodgers or Flacco. Mercilus' time will come.

On a side note, Bruce Irvin who I suspect we wanted looks great.

 

It was widely known he was a luxury/depth draft pick. The defense is running great without him; that allows us to bring him along slowly (aka the non-Kareem Jackson method).

 

This was my understanding as well.

 

We're in a new era of Texans football, one where we don't need all our rookies to come in and start for us. I for one, think it's beautiful.

 

Definitely agree with this. He was brought in to be the third OLB so that the Texans could always have two OLBs on the field. He has played 19% of the snaps. He is fine for now being the first guy off the bench. He does make Barwin expendable it the Texans can't get him at a good price...even then, I think Texans franchise Barwin.

 

He is just for depth right now, and to keep practicing and knowing the system, its amazing that you dont need to play your 1st round pick, because all your players are great.

Also with Posey, he is too raw now, but with more practice with the team, he will be ready, maybe he will not play a lot this year, or doesnt play good this year, but he is going to be good player next year or so.

 

Defense, they are slowly trying to work him in and he hasn't done much with his limited reps. He was also a late 1st round pick and teams picking at the tail end part of the 1st round are good and full of talent. On special teams though, I always see him around the play and I'm glad he's embraced that role.

 

He's no Melvin Ingram. That's for dang sure

 

It's too early, and the players in front of him on the roster are too talented for us to know anything about Mercilus right now. A year on the bench behind Barwin and Reed certainly won't hurt him.

 

You win some you lose some.

 

In retrospec it wasn't the best idea to spend a #1 pick on a backup. If we needed a possible replacement for Barwen next season we could have selected someone to groom in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

Nah, don't want to end up in another Kareem replacing Dunta type of situation.