Something is different about No. 59 so far this year.
In Week 2, Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus had two tackles, 2.0 sacks and a total of three quarterback hits against Jacksonville’s rookie signal caller, Gardner Minshew. Only two games into the 2019 season, Mercilus already has 3.0 sacks, one less than he had in the entirety of 2018.
There’s been a ferocity and undeniable impact for the eighth-year linebacker from Illinois. Mercilus’ jump start to this season been a return to relevance, after missing all of 2017 and a disappointing return to the team last season.
This begs the question: what has elevated Mercilus back to the likes of the prime pass rusher we saw gather 12.5 sacks in 2015? The answer most likely lies in usage change. This season, the Texans have almost exclusively used Mercilus as an outside edge rusher at the line of scrimmage. A spot formerly occupied by ousted linebacker Jadeveon Clowney.
Coming at the tackles or fighting towards the line’s interior, Mercilus has been able to stand up and rush the quarterback this season. This has created a multitude of opportunities to make an impact, whether that be ruining running schematics or putting immense pressure on the opposing signal caller.
This hasn’t been better highlighted than Mercilus’ forced fumble last week against the Jaguars. The play would put the offense in position to score their only touchdown of the game.
The spin-move between the left tackle and the guard show Mercilus at his absolute best. The clear line to Minshew and the bone-crushing sack that followed were no surprise to Texans’ fans that have watched him throughout his career.
If Romeo Crennel and the defensive staff continue to put Mercilus in positions where he can pin his ears back and attack opposing tackles, there’s no reason the incredible start to this season can’t continue for the eighth-year linebacker. That personal best of 12 sacks may not last for much longer.
