News: The Packers released defensive lineman Phillip Merling Saturday, to make room on the roster for the activation of Mike Neal from suspension.
Analysis: Merling recorded just one tackle in three games for the Packers. He may catch on somewhere this season, but he is unlikely to start. Continue to ignore him in all Fantasy IDP formats.
News: Defensive lineman Phillip Merling has been released by the Dolphins. No one should be surprised because Merling never produced. Merling was a second-round pick in 2008, the first pick of the second round. Merling has played 47 games with five starts and has 51 tackles.
Analysis: Merling has never been a good Fantasy option and shouldn't be a consideration going forward.
News: Defensive end Philip Merling was re-signed by the Dolphins and should at least provide valuable depth. There’s legitimate question whether it’s quality depth, however. Merling has been a disappointment in four seasons; he had four tackles last season.
Analysis: Merling has never been a good Fantasy option and shouldn't be a consideration going forward.
News: Defensive end Phillip Merling has been activated by the Miami Dolphins less than four months after an Achilles' tendon injury that was feared to be season-ending. To make room for Merling on the roster, the Dolphins waived quarterback Patrick Ramsey on Tuesday.
Analysis: Merling had 33 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks last season. He was hurt shortly before training camp began and went on the reserve non-football injury list in August. His return bolsters depth at end, where the Dolphins lost top draft pick Jared Odrick to a season-ending foot injury after he played only one game. Still, Merling remains a low-end Fantasy flier until he proves healthy and productive.
News: The Miami Herald reports that Dolphins DL Phillip Merling sustained a serious Achilles' tendon injury and he is expected to be out for the 2010 season. A source close to Merling said he tore the Achilles' during a workout in preparation for the season. It has been a disastrous offseason for Merling, who last week was formally charged with felony battery on his pregnant girlfriend. The NFL has said it's reviewing the matter, but the team has taken no action against Merling. During offseason practices, Merling had received most of the first-team snaps at right defensive end, opposite starting left end Kendall Langford.
Analysis: Even if Merling is able to return this year he would have minimal Fantasy value. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day.
News: Dolphins DE Phillip Merling has been formally charged with felony battery against his pregnant girlfriend. The Broward State Attorney's Office filed the charge Friday. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Merling was arrested May 27 in Weston. When the Broward Sheriff's Office arrested him, they noted that he either knew or should have known the woman was pregnant. If convicted, the 25-year-old could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The NFL also could punish Merling for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. Merling had 33 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Dolphins last season.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Merling and if he's still facing a possible suspension, but he has minimal Fantasy value in IDP leagues this season. He's not worth drafting in the majority of leagues.
News: DE Phillip Merling was at practice with the Dolphins on Friday, less than 24 hours being freed from jail following an aggravated battery charge against a pregnant woman. He was arrested in Weston, Fla. on Wednesday, then released from Broward County Jail on Thursday afternoon after posting $15,000 bond. The court ordered him to have no direct or indirect contact with the woman, who is his girlfriend, along with other restrictions like banning him from possessing firearms while out on bond. Court records show the woman is 2 months pregnant with the couple's second child. "We'll let the process play itself out," coach Tony Sparano said. "We'll see what happens."
Analysis: Merling had 33 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Dolphins last season but his starting role was in jeopardy since the team drafted Jared Odrick. Merling isn't productive enough to warrant Fantasy use, and he might land a suspension because of this incident.
News: Dolphins defensive end Phillip Merling has been arrested on a charge of aggravated battery against a pregnant woman. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Merling was arrested Wednesday in Weston, Fla., and taken to Broward County Jail.
Analysis: Merling had 33 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks for the Dolphins last season but his starting role was in jeopardy since the team drafted Jared Odrick. Merling isn't productive enough to warrant Fantasy use, and he might land a suspension because of this incident.
News: Linebacker Joey Porter and defensive end Phillip Merling worked out on stationary bikes as the team practiced Wednesday ahead of Sunday's home game against the Buccaneers. Porter has been nursing a sore right hamstring for much of the season. The Dolphins haven't disclosed Merling's injury. On the bright side, linebacker Channing Crowder (left shoulder) and nose tackle Jason Ferguson (elbow) were back at practice after missing last week's loss at New England.
Analysis: Porter has been a huge disappointment in IDP leagues; his status will be known later in the week. Crowder's return will boost hopes that he plays against the Bucs and performs as a No. 3 Fantasy LB. Ferguson and Merling aren't reliable starters in standard IDP formats.
News: Dolphins DB Will Allen (seven tackles), DB Yeremiah Bell (seven tackles), DE Kendall Langford (four tackles, sack) and DE Phillip Merling (two tackles, fumble recovery) all chipped in as Miami fell in Week 3 to San Diego.
Analysis: Bell is the only real Fantasy-viable option in this group and should be starting in all formats for Week 4 vs. Buffalo. The rest can be ignored.
News: Dolphins rookie DL Phillip Merling made his first NFL interception in Week 17 and then returned the Brett Favre pass for a touchdown in a 24-17 victory.
Analysis: Merling didn't have a big impact in his rookie season, but his play on Sunday will live in Dolphins fans' memories for a while. Do not draft Merling in 2009 IDP leagues.
News: Dolphins DL Phillip Merling got his second sack of the season in a Week 16 win at Kansas City.
Analysis: Merling hasn't done much in his rookie season, so continue to ignore him in IDP leagues for Week 17 at the Jets.
News: Dolphins LB Channing Crowder (seven tackles), DB Will Allen (five tackles) and DL Philip Merling (four tackles) all helped out with nice contributions in a Week 13 win at St. Louis.
Analysis: Crowder has some value as a No. 3 Fantasy LB in IDP formats, while Allen and Merling have little to no impact. Only start Crowder in Week 14 vs. Buffalo in Toronto.
News: Dolphins DL Phillip Merling recorded his first NFL sack in a Week 3 rout of the Patriots.
Analysis: Merling should be able to get five sacks and 40 total tackles this season, which makes him a viable low-end bye-week replacement D. Ignore him in Week 4, however, as the Dolphins are off.
News: Philip Merling became property of the Miami Dolphins by virtue of their second-round pick. A big, physical pass rusher from Clemson, Merling will help corral opposing QBs and RBs sooner than later in Miami, working under the wings of Jason Taylor.
Analysis: Merling should help on defense and be a candidate for five sacks and 40 total tackles. That's not too bad -- think of him as a low-end bye-week replacement DL in 2008 Fantasy play. He's not worth a pick in seasonal drafts and is worth a middle-round choice in rookie-only formats.
News: Two days before the NFL draft, Phillip Merling stood on Clemson's practice field amid two dozen eager NFL observers, including Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, who could change his life forever. Yet, the Clemson defensive end, who has been injured for much of the offseason, wasn't nervous. Merling went through a smooth 25-minute workout, displaying the speed and agility that led him to give up his final year at Clemson for the NFL. He has been projected as a first-round pick. Merling was unable to show off for NFL teams previously because of a sports hernia. He only began full workouts the past week and wanted to put aside any doubt about his health before draft day. Merling did not run a 40-yard dash, or do any weightlifting. Instead, he did exercises that tested his midsection and groin area. "This is the most important thing to me before the draft, to work out in front of coaches," Merling said.
Analysis: Merling is a quality pass rusher with nice size and solid speed, but he has an injury-plagued past that worries NFL evaluators. Expect him to land somewhere where he'll fall into regular playing time and be capable of a low-end Fantasy reserve DL in 2008.
