Bills vs. Eagles Key Matchups: Shawne Merriman vs. King Dunlap

by Brian Galliford on Oct 8, 2011 3:01 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

In last week's loss to Cincinnati, Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Shawne Merriman recorded his first sack since tallying two in a Week 9 win with San Diego. During the 2009 season. He'd appeared in 12 games since then, and hadn't recorded a sack in any of them. His sack of Andy Dalton came when he chased a scrambling Dalton out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage.

Obviously, the Merriman experiment in Buffalo has not gotten off to the type of start many hoped it would. The Bills continue to proceed cautiously in getting him back into a full-time rotation, and though he's flashed some of the pass-rushing ability that made him a three-time All-Pro selection, he's largely been invisible this season.

Tomorrow, he'll be spending a large part of his day working against Philadelphia Eagles backup tackle King Dunlap, who will be filling in for the injured Jason Peters. Merriman has been stymied this season by pretty good offensive tackles; Branden Albert, Jared Veldheer, Matt Light and Andrew Whitworth have all played him well. Dunlap isn't anywhere near the level of those players. If ever there was a week for Merriman to break out, this is it - even if he'll need to chase down Michael Vick.

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Yawn. Remember – my previous sig – C. Green 2010= S. Merriman 2011.. I removed at a fellow Rumbler’s request. All I can say is – prove me wrong Light’s Out. Or should I say, Night Light/Fizzled Out.

by billskk69 on Oct 8, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Merriman has already proven to be better than Cornell Green.

by Xaviermw on Oct 8, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

OK, so he isn’t a turnstile at RT. Isn’t exactly a playmaker of a pash rusher though is he?

by billskk69 on Oct 8, 2011 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

But he isn't exactly a liability and focal weak point

which is implied by likening him to Green.

by Xaviermw on Oct 8, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. That’s a borderline ridiculous comparison. Green was a liability along the line…Merriman is not. he’s just not playing up to his pass rushing potential.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Oct 9, 2011 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Cut the guy some slack

Merriman has been playing with an injured shoulder all season. He hasn’t hidden behind it, instead he has quietly soldiered on doing the best he can. Although he hasn’t registered a flashy sack, if you review the game tapes you will see how his efforts have enabled others to make plays while he disrupts lead blockers etc. There is more to all of our players than just statistics.

"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6

by Montel on Oct 8, 2011 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately the bar got set pretty high on his sack impact. But I agree, compare just general play from that position to what was going on last year and its a significant upgrade.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Oct 8, 2011 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I think....

The Cincy game takes a lot of starch out of what your saying…… Is he an upgrade? Probably, but we definitely need more out of that position if we are going to field a good defense. The whole defense (save the safeties?) has been disappointing thus far. Don’t look now, but with Dareus absorbing the doubles, our hero, Kyle meat wad Williams has 4 solo tkls. You may say sure, but he’s a lineman, but they way we play him, he is supposed to get tackles, more than 1/game anyway.
They just aren’t playing that well….. Aside for, like I said, the safeties. Byrd is finally healthy and tackling 100 times better and I would say…. Playing near probowl level (as a safety who can play the run and pass equally well is like gold in the NFL) I think if Byrd was on a (currently) better defense, he would be getting a lot of national love. Wilson is playing around the level, I think, most pro-Wilson fans expected (that NE interception was a probowler play, high skill level.) and Scott, well fans are giving him credit for his taking on a new roll as mini-LB, but he played that a ton under Jauron as well. I think the difference is under Jauron, they reacted after the ball was thrown (I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve seen it too many times, the LBs and Ss didn’t react over and over again till the ball was thrown. And now, if a guy comes in their zone, they move toward him……under Jauron, the TEs were wide open, now they are making great plays, contested. I am starting to ramble now, soooooo…….

GO BILLS!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Oct 8, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

If merrimam does not.....

Show up big on film……it will be hard to win…… Although i also have hopes for Batten/Moats/Johnson in place of Kelsay to create some havoc and/or Kyle and Dareus and crew to dominate the middle and/or McGee to provide a lift with solid play vs. the pass and the run.
All of these are real possibilities and we have to hit on one or two….. Don’t we?

Go Bills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Oct 8, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

Might still be tough for Merriman to make an impact as long as he’s rushing from the left tackle in this game – Vick’s a lefty, so his blind spot is against the right tackle. With Kelsay out, if Edwards tries moving Merriman around, he might get some results.

"Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin." - stetzwebs

by DanRoc on Oct 8, 2011 5:21 PM EDT reply actions

Merriman just needs to find a counter for the choke hold.

I suggest the crotch-grab. That might startle the offensive lineman enough to slip away and hit the QB.

by NordicBillsfan on Oct 8, 2011 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

i completely agree

I’ve rewatched some of the games and there are a handful of times Merriman is in the backfield and he is being blatently held. I also agree with some of the posters above. He’s been an impact in the run game. I Billieve he’ll have an impact in the passing game soon.

"Live a life, worthy of their sacrifice"

by teq on Oct 9, 2011 2:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions