Houston Texans rookie LB Whitney Mercilus embraces pro career gradually – NFL News
Houston Texans’ rookie linebacker, Whitney Mercilus, says he is catching on with the life in the National Football League (NFL).
He said this in his remarks on the sidelines of the NFL rookies’ symposium while showing a brief display of his skills to a group of children in the Cleveland Browns facility – the host destination of the seminar.
Whitney says the rookies’ camp and then the three-day mandatory minicamp were learning experiences for him and he is gradually adapting to the pro career conditions.
He said:
“Going through the OTAs, first, second and third days, they installed the whole playbook in those three days, basically.”
The rookie added:
“For me, it was like everything just coming at me like 100 mph. So it took me at least two weeks to adjust during the OTAs, and then the last week it wasn’t too bad. I think I left a pretty good impression with [the coaches].”
It is even more important for the player to leave an impression on his coach, Gary Kubiak, who sees him full of the workload but appreciates that it turns out to be an experience of learning and development for the rookie.
Gary says:
“He’s doing good. He’s doing a lot, trying to learn special teams and handling his job [at] outside [linebacker]. So he has a lot on his plate right now.”
It is a win-win situation for both – the team and player himself – and it looks that both sides are going to enjoy a long-term working relationship, which will be crucial to career progression of the player more than anything.
Mercilus says he realises that his raw talent and college league experience cannot guarantee his pro career success and for this he will have to work hard.
The player was at the symposium along with other rookies to increase knowledge and awareness of the professional game and life, which often proves to be turning point of their lives both ways.
A number of former NFL players addressed the symposium warning the rookies from the perspective of their own experiences against the off-field distractions, which they said, can derail their careers and lives.
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