Dolphins take Clemson's Merling

By DAVID J. NEAL - Miami Herald

The Miami Dolphins took Clemson defensive end Philip Merling with their second round pick in today's NFL Draft.

Merling is a quick junior who had sports hernia surgery in March to remedy a problem he said bothered him during the 2007 season.

That might have been why Merling dropped to the Dolphins with the 32nd pick, technically a second-round pick but in what's normally the last first round slot because New England lost a first round pick in the Spygate punishment. Still, Merling didn't miss a start his sophomore and junior seasons, picking up 10 sacks and 31 total tackles for loss in 26 games.

At 6-4, 276 pounds and able to do the 40 in 4.63, Merling has the kind of size and speed Dolphins football czar Bill Parcells often likes to see at outside linebacker.