Merling's moves prove his point about health

NFL teams came to inspect what could be a first-round draft investment

By PAUL STRELOW - pstrelow@thestate.com

CLEMSON — Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell reminisced Thursday as he watched the pro-day workout of Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling.

Standing nearby was a short man in an untucked, oversized Redskins polo shirt wielding an unlit cigar — team owner Daniel Snyder, whose jet the Redskins’ brain trust had flown in on that morning.

Also on hand were vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato, new coach Jim Zorn and a cast of assistant coaches.

“This is usually a pretty positive sign,” said Campbell, whom Washington coveted and traded into the first round to acquire in 2005.

Campbell was tagging along for an afternoon workout with Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly, who the Redskins anticipate will be available in the second round.

By then, Merling hopes to be long gone.

Whether the Redskins use the No. 21 pick in Saturday’s draft on Merling remains to be seen, but their interest — Washington seldom disguises its intentions — can only help.

Projected as a first-round pick, the St. Matthews native went against the advice of his agent, Jimmy Sexton, and conducted a 25-minute workout two days before the draft in an effort to allay concerns about his health.

Merling bypassed testing at the NFL combine in February and underwent surgery the week after on a sports hernia he said he sustained early last season.

He was cleared to begin training again April 17 and wanted to prove to NFL teams he would be available for their training camps.

“He wanted to do this,” Sexton said. “I’ve never had a guy go through this to get back.”

At least 14 other teams had representatives in attendance: Baltimore, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Miami, Green Bay, Carolina, New York Jets, New York Giants, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Seattle, San Francisco and Tampa Bay.

In a session orchestrated by recently retired Jets defensive line coach Denny Marcin, Merling did position-specific drills designed to gauge agility and quickness.

By the end, a number of pro personnel seemed convinced Merling would have no lingering groin issues.

There were questions about his usual playing weight — Merling checked in at 288 pounds, 13 above normal — but Merling said teams understood he was going to be heavier because of his prolonged layoff.

Merling said he could have been a step quicker, but he believes he accomplished his mission.

“I just wanted to show I’m in some type of shape and could move,” Merling said. “I think I did OK.”

Extra points. Offensive guard Chris McDuffie is hearing he could be drafted in the sixth or seventh round. Minnesota, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville and Kansas City have expressed the most interest. “I’ll take anything,” McDuffie said.