When I heard about this yesterday I immediately wondered what he would be like lining up at end for us. He can't ever stay healthy though, he's injured right now and he's played in only 18 games since the start of the 2008 season. A part time role as a situational pass rusher might help that but he has to get healthy first
Your post is a bit misleading. He missed the 2008 season due to injury. He missed 2 games the next year and has played sporadically this year.
I was going off this article.. http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/18640/chargers-turn-out-lights-on-merriman-era that was written yesterday and the "played in only 18 games since the start of 2008" was a quote straight off a caption on there
We have no room for this guy. Is he a DT that can get consistent penetration? Nope. Is he a CB or FS that can cover? Nope. This team does not need another LB for sure. Still though the Chargers have a recent thing for letting guys go you think are washed up or done with then go on to back to their previous form. I will laugh and cry at the same time if he lands on the Jets.
Why does it need to be defensive tackle? Any position that could get pressure on the quarterback would be a fantastic addition. He can play OLB or DE, pressure from either spot would be great
I'd sign him and put him or cush at de in passing situations. I wouldn't be surprised at all if cushing thrived at DE and could play there on all three downs
While you are correct of course that any position can create pressure. Merriman would play a position for us that we are not sure he can play at the NFL level. Merriman is a 3-4 LB, and I'm sure most teams that are interested in him will be 3-4 teams. Maybe he can slot in at DE or come in on pass rush situations but Texans just signed Mark Anderson on top of the two other DEs they signed when Barwin went out. Right now though Texans biggest need in the front 7 is a DT actually able to get penetration. If you look at most if not all successful 4-3 teams they all have that guy if not that guy they have bookend DEs that get after it, obviously Okoye is not going to cut it and unless Mitchell keeps on improving Texans will continue to fail at getting consistent pressure. Just don't see him as a must get , wondering if he did come here who would be dropped? At this point Merriman is just a name and has been.
