Post by lionsroar on Apr 19, 2008 7:03:06 GMT -5
Merritt settles in as receiver for Lions
Injured during NFL Saints' training camp
BY LUKE BRIETZKE --
Former Shaw standout Anthony Merritt has established himself as one of
the American Indoor Football Association's top receivers this season.
But he is still a work in progress.
"I am still learning the position," said Merritt, who still boasts about the 2000 Shaw football team that went 15-0 en route to a state championship. "I am still learning how to run routes. (Before) I was just using my quickness and speed."
Sure, he is tied for the league-lead in catches per game (7.4, tied with teammate Gerald Gales). He's second in the AIFA in touchdown receptions (nine) and third in receiving yards (425).
Still, it was only two years ago that Merritt moved to receiver on a full-time basis.
Merritt moved to receiver his junior year, after starting at cornerback for the first two years and excelling as a return specialist at North Alabama.
Merritt was a natural at the new position and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy -- Division II's version of the Heisman Trophy.
All of a sudden, Merritt had transcended into an NFL prospect. The New Orleans Saints even extended Merritt a training camp invitation.
It didn't last long. Merritt injured himself during camp and was released.
Later, Merritt searched for a way to stay in shape. He turned to semi-pro football, playing for Phenix City with Maurice Mullins.
Columbus coach Jason Gibson had scouted Merritt for some time. Gibson scouts every college in Georgia and Alabama and looks for players that played high school football within 30 miles of Columbus.
While Gibson was impressed with Merritt at North Alabama, the coach didn't waste his time talking to him. After all, Gibson pegged Merritt as NFL-bound.
When word spread that Merritt was playing semipro football, Gibson couldn't believe it.
"All of a sudden I was sitting around one day and found out he was playing semipro in Phenix City," Gibson said. "I jumped in the car and went.
"That's Anthony though, he just loves playing football."
Gibson talked Merritt into playing for the Lions, but couldn't talk Merritt out of the semipro league. Merritt and Lions backup quarterback Maurice Mullins ultimately helped Phenix City win its league.
Once the season ended, Gibson had a backup quarterback and another elite receiver -- even if that receiver still has some work to do.
"He's got more potential than a lot of people," Gibson said. "He's in the process of making himself a true receiver. We still get on him when we're watching film. He's still not running routes right. He's cutting them short and not running the right depths."
Gibson is happy to have Merritt with the Lions right now, but he's also realistic. Once Merritt becomes a polished receiver, Gibson knows it's a matter of time until the receiver moves up a level.
In the meantime, Merritt and the Lions hope to continue causing problems for opposing secondaries when Columbus hosts Fayetteville on Military Appreciation Night on Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/300955.html
Injured during NFL Saints' training camp
BY LUKE BRIETZKE --
Former Shaw standout Anthony Merritt has established himself as one of
the American Indoor Football Association's top receivers this season.
But he is still a work in progress.
"I am still learning the position," said Merritt, who still boasts about the 2000 Shaw football team that went 15-0 en route to a state championship. "I am still learning how to run routes. (Before) I was just using my quickness and speed."
Sure, he is tied for the league-lead in catches per game (7.4, tied with teammate Gerald Gales). He's second in the AIFA in touchdown receptions (nine) and third in receiving yards (425).
Still, it was only two years ago that Merritt moved to receiver on a full-time basis.
Merritt moved to receiver his junior year, after starting at cornerback for the first two years and excelling as a return specialist at North Alabama.
Merritt was a natural at the new position and was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy -- Division II's version of the Heisman Trophy.
All of a sudden, Merritt had transcended into an NFL prospect. The New Orleans Saints even extended Merritt a training camp invitation.
It didn't last long. Merritt injured himself during camp and was released.
Later, Merritt searched for a way to stay in shape. He turned to semi-pro football, playing for Phenix City with Maurice Mullins.
Columbus coach Jason Gibson had scouted Merritt for some time. Gibson scouts every college in Georgia and Alabama and looks for players that played high school football within 30 miles of Columbus.
While Gibson was impressed with Merritt at North Alabama, the coach didn't waste his time talking to him. After all, Gibson pegged Merritt as NFL-bound.
When word spread that Merritt was playing semipro football, Gibson couldn't believe it.
"All of a sudden I was sitting around one day and found out he was playing semipro in Phenix City," Gibson said. "I jumped in the car and went.
"That's Anthony though, he just loves playing football."
Gibson talked Merritt into playing for the Lions, but couldn't talk Merritt out of the semipro league. Merritt and Lions backup quarterback Maurice Mullins ultimately helped Phenix City win its league.
Once the season ended, Gibson had a backup quarterback and another elite receiver -- even if that receiver still has some work to do.
"He's got more potential than a lot of people," Gibson said. "He's in the process of making himself a true receiver. We still get on him when we're watching film. He's still not running routes right. He's cutting them short and not running the right depths."
Gibson is happy to have Merritt with the Lions right now, but he's also realistic. Once Merritt becomes a polished receiver, Gibson knows it's a matter of time until the receiver moves up a level.
In the meantime, Merritt and the Lions hope to continue causing problems for opposing secondaries when Columbus hosts Fayetteville on Military Appreciation Night on Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/300955.html