Phillip

Merling

Merling has been a bust since the Dolphins drafted him 32nd overall in 2008, but the move is somewhat surprising after they re-signed him to a one-year, $1.26 million deal last month. Merling’s salary was not guaranteed, however, and he reportedly skipped voluntary workouts. Limited to five games and three tackles by an Achilles injury in 2010, Merling was active just 10 times in 2011. He hasn’t notched a sack since 2009. Merling is still young and was regarded highly enough coming out of Clemson to get another shot soon.

Merling has been a bust as the former 32nd overall pick in the draft, but the Fins will give him one more shot to make an impact in 2012 training camp. His salary is not guaranteed. Merling turns 27 in April. While there’s some feeling that Miami’s move from a 3-4 to 4-3 scheme could rejuvenate Merling, his continued recovery from a torn Achilles’ has sapped his explosiveness.

Merling’s free agency status was a bit murky because he’s been in the NFL for four years, which would ordinarily make him unrestricted. But Merling spent 11 games on 2010 on the reserve/non-football injury list, falling one game short of an “accrued year.” The Dolphins will easily be able to retain Merling with an original pick tender. He was a second-rounder in 2008.

Davis is at odds with the team over how to handle his injury, but this sounds like a slap on the wrist for trying to fight Brandon Marshall, who reportedly “talked trash and crossed the line.” Merling has fallen down the depth chart and already missed a game for disciplinary reasons. Davis still isn’t anywhere near 100 percent, and if he can’t return before the season’s end the Dolphins’ No. 27 pass defense will attempt to become the league’s worst.

The No. 32 pick in the 2008 draft, Merling was released last month after combining for just seven tackles over the past two seasons. He hasn’t been the same since a 2010 Achilles injury. At age 27, Merling is worth a roll of the dice for a team seeking an upgrade at right end in Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense.

Merling was the odd man out after Mike Neal was activated from the suspended list. A former second-round pick by the Dolphins in 2008, Merling recorded just two tackles in very limited action with Green Bay this season.

Merling is the headliner as the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 draft. He was a colossal bust in Miami, compiling just 66 tackles and 3.5 sacks in four years. Merling landed in Green Bay last spring, but lasted just three games before being released.

Odrick played defensive tackle at Penn State and likely needs some development as a 3-4 end. It’s likely that he’ll be part of a rotation while the Dolphins use various fronts with their arsenal of defensive linemen.

Merling is trying to fend off first-round pick Jared Odrick, Tony McDaniel, and Lionel Dotson. Merling hasn’t fully tapped his upside yet and the Dolphins should be excited about the prospects of a rotation with him and Odrick.

According to Kelly, police have yet to file a report, so no charges have been brought against Merling. Merling has no track record of off-the-field trouble, and the violation sounds minor. It wouldn’t result in NFL discipline.