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The Jets need help with their pass rush, so Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus (6-3, 260) has to be on their radar. He led the nation with 16 sacks, and is terrific at causing fumbles. Here is a chat with the Haitian Sensation . . .
Q)How do you explain your sack total from last year?
Mercilus: I just was able to put everything together. I was still learning the game as a redshirt sophomore and a redshirt freshman. Just last year, studying myself more, seeing what I do best and just put it all together for the 2011 season. I broke out that season.
Q)Did you even surprise yourself a little?
Mercilus: In the beginning I did. It was just due to hard work. That’s all it was. That’s all I have to credit it to. I made it happen.
Q)What do you say to people who call you a one-year wonder?
Mercilus: I think it’s a negative label because once you have it, you have it. Once you’re able to produce like that and you put it all together, in your mind, you know you’re able to repeat that success.
Q)You can’t fall into 16 sacks . . .
Mercilus: Yeah, it’s just going out and getting it each and every down, each and every game. There’s no fluke to it – 16 is 16. There’s no way you can just fall onto a sack.
Q)What do you say to teams that ask you about the lack of production as a freshman or sophomore?
Mercilus: I was still learning the game. I was still young. I was still a raw talent. I showed signs of life. Showed flashes in games at times, and I just finally was able to put it all together.
Q)What makes you a good pass rusher?
Mercilus: I have a good first step. I’m able to come off the line pretty quickly. I’m able to wear out players, too. I have a never-ending motor, and I’m able to keep going until the fourth quarter until somebody is dog tired and just take advantage of them.
Q)What influence did your parents have on you?
Mercilus: My parents are Haitian immigrants. They worked for everything. They broke their backs throughout the years just to put food on the table for me, my brother and my sister. They just instilled those values in us and just to work hard, never give up at anything in life and just keep pushing forward and go for great things. It definitely happened.
Q)What makes you so good at forcing fumbles?
Mercilus: I just have a knack for it. I just time it up right. Throughout the game I was able to watch the quarterback’s movements and just see him open up and then I just go in there and just knock it away as soon as I could.
Q)Why did you come out of school early?
Mercilus: It was a way to help my family financially ‘cause I didn’t come from a background where I had money just laying out there that I could
use. It was a way just to help them out and provide them with a life that they deserve ‘cause they’ve worked so hard for all their life.
Now it’s my turn to take care of them.
Q)How much did it help you going against OT Jeff Allen (pro prospect) every day in practice?
Mercilus: No doubt he is the real deal at offensive tackle. He moves great for a big guy, has great hand placement and everything and just being able to go against that type of competition each and every day and compete against somebody like that, it’s definitely gonna elevate your game and most likely propel you.
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