Success is becoming routine for Mercilus
Linebacker’s regimen pays big dividends, including playoffs
Rising at dawn to arrive at the Texans’ training facility at daybreak, Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus is a creature of habit and dedicated to his ultra-serious routine.
Mercilus’ intense workout regimen is built around explosive movements and hoisting heavy metal inside the Texans’ weight room.
Mercilus’ healthy diet, frequently prepared by friend and private chef, Chris Shepherd, a James Beard award winning chef and the owner of popular Houston restaurant Underbelly, consists of plenty of lean meats, fish and vegetables.
Approach works
It’s all paid major dividends for Mercilus heading into an AFC divisional-round playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mercilus ranks third in the NFL with 19½ sacks during the past 25 games, a prolific run exceeded only by the Oakland Raiders’ Khalil Mack and the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller.
“I don’t even know where to start with Whitney,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Whitney is a very hard-working guy. He’s very regimented in how he approaches the game, meaning he’s in here at 6 a.m., no matter what the schedule is. He’s watching tape, he’s working out, he’ll go in the weight room and work on different techniques.
“The guy is very meticulous about how he prepares, and he’s been that way since we got here. We were pretty tough on Whitney when we first came here because we saw a lot of potential with the guy, and he took the hard coaching. He took it to heart, and now he’s obviously one of our best players. He affects the game. He’s a disruptive guy.”
When Mercilus was drafted in the first round by the Texans out of Illinois in 2012, it took him some time to adjust to the higher expectations of the NFL. He eventually figured it out and recorded a franchise-rookie record six sacks.
Then, Mercilus got acclimated to what O’Brien and his coaching staff, including linebackers coach Mike Vrabel, expected from him over the past three years for the AFC South champions.
“I would say so,” Mercilus said. “Our coaching staff is real hard. They expect nothing but the best and they want to draw the best out of each player. I’m always on a routine. I always do everything the same. Anytime anybody challenges me, I always look forward to that challenge so that I can prove to them and my peers that I’m great at what I do.”
Despite the absence of star defensive end J.J. Watt after season-ending back surgery, Mercilus has managed to maintain his pass-rushing impact after registering a career-high dozen sacks last season.
Although frequently a marked man by blockers, Mercilus leads the Texans with 7½ sacks and 22 quarterback hits and ranks second to Pro Bowl defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with 13 tackles for losses. With four fumble recoveries, Mercilus is tied for first in the NFL with Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Clutch performer
In clutch situations, Mercilus has thrived. He has five sacks in his past two playoff games over the past two seasons. That includes three sacks last year during a shutout playoff loss to the Chiefs last season. He sacked Raiders rookie quarterback Connor Cook twice during an AFC wild-card playoff win Saturday.
“I’ve been doing it for the last two years, especially whenever I had my breakout season last year,” Mercilus said. “Just elevated my game each and every time.”
Utilizing a potent speed rush, bull rush, spin move and rip move, Mercilus has an extensive repertoire of pass-rushing strategies at his fingertips. The athletic 6-4, 265-pounder is capable of outmuscling blockers or running around them with his superior speed.
“Just looking at new moves to add to my arsenal, watching all the different players at my position, see what they do and see if I can emulate that,” Mercilus said.
Mercilus is two sacks shy of tying Watt and Brooks Reed for the franchise record for sacks in the postseason.
He’ll have a tough task against Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a former Super Bowl and NFL Most Valuable Player who has an ultra-quick release, intelligence and decisiveness working in his favor.
“When I’ve faced him, he’s very decisive with where he wants to go with the ball, so that’s very challenging,” Mercilus said. “If you give him a lot of time back there in the pocket, he can definitely dissect you a lot. We’ve got to be able to stay on top of him.
“It’s always a chess match, no matter who you go against. It’s a mental game, plus it’s a hand game and it’s a physical battle on top of that. We’ll be going back and forth.”