He was also an asset in the running game , hunting down opposing backs to punish them for trying to get past him .
Mertens was an island for Van Buren , effectively forcing teams to play a half - field style of offense and abandon their top targets .
Mertens was also an asset in the running game , hunting down opposing backs to punish them for trying to get past Mertens .
Mertens was an island for Van Buren , effectively forcing teams to play a half - field style of offense and abandon their top targets .