Here's my ideas of needs for next year. Trade: Jason Taylor to a contender for a hight draft pick. Retire: Keith Traylor, Zach Thomas, Trent Green Free Agent: Veteran QB for Backup, 2 WRs, Special Team Players, DE Draft: Trade out of #1 to 3-5, Draft Jake Long (LT) or Dorsey (DT) 2nd #1 (from JT trade): Best DL or LT available 2nd: Best MLB (move Channing back outside) or TE 2nd: Best TE or CB 2nd (from JT trade): Best TE CB 3rd: Best Safety or RB 4th: Best Safety or RB 6th: WR or Safety for Special Teams 7th: WR or Safety for special teams Replace the following Coaches: DC (switch defense to 3-4), OL, Special Teams, Secondary, Reduce the # of assist coaches overall (too many confuse the players) Hire Trent Green as the OC Just my ideas
u guys dont think JT, a guy with what...8 sacks on the season, and still with tons left in his tank, could be traded for a 1st rounder? im sure there is some team out there who just needs a pass rushing guru to get to the super bowl...maybe Denver? im sure someone would give up a 1st for JT. ZT, no. the best we could get for him is a 3rd or 4th. too many injuries
Some of that is ok in theory, but unfortunately the draft doesn't work like that. It isn't that easy to trade down and get value and you can't really slot a position to go after in a round. You can hope a guy is there at a position you need that is good value at that pick, but you can't say "we are going to take a MLB or TE in the 2nd. As far as the coaches you want to replace. You can't seriously want to replace Hudson Houck (our O Line coach). He's the best in the business and has done a wonderful job with this group. I also don't think you can blame the secondary coach for the lack of talent and injuries to that unit. If anything they have over performed. I think Kieth Armstrong definitely will be gone. As far as targets in FA, we need at least one solid WR. A guy like Stallworth or Crayton would be a very good choice. We need defensive line depth and a true NT if we are sticking to the 3-4 or at least this hybrid 3-4/4-3. We also need another good corner and there are some good ones slated to hit free agency.
We won't get a thing for Taylor, nadda, zero, zilch. Needs? In order, in my opinion: 1.) Defensive tackle 2.) Shutdown corner 3.) Edge pass rusher 4.) Middle linebacker 5.) Guard (either side will do) 6.) A starting receiver 7.) A young right tackle 8.) Play making tight end 9.) A safety to tandem up with Jason Allen (relying on Bell is a mistake) 10.) Depth at every position to help improve special teams 11.) Some damn luck for once. That is not attainable in one off season. The next draft is the beginning. We are going to be a double digit loss team for at least 2 more years so we should not be in any hurry.
Needs? 1. Shutdown corner- Enough is enough. We have a roster of guys who are solid 2nd CB's. None are solid 1st CB's. As a former corner, I may be biased here, but a good corner makes a defense great. Mike Jenkins, Antoine Cason, Terrell Thomas, and Malcolm Jenkins are the top tier in the draft. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a nice sleeper pick. FA-wise Samuel may be too costly but Ken Hamlin is possibly cheaper. 2. A Starting Go-to WR- A goto WR needs to have either 1. size or 2. uncanny ability to get open in short-medium yardage. You can have all the speed in the world, but if the opposition has a speedy corner and/or great cover safety, it doesn't matter. All good passing O's have one. NE (Moss), Dal (TO), Cle (Braylon), NO(Colston) have option 1. Indy (Wayne, Harrison), Cincy (CJ, TJ), GB (Driver), Sea (Branch, Engram) have the other (though Seattle does have an option 1 in a healthy DJ Hackett). Moss burning us showed us why tall WR's or WR's who can outleap defenders is so useful in the endzone and on 3rd down conversions. And a good security blanket goes a long way for a QB's progress. Adarius Bowman, Malcolm Kelly, and Limas Sweed are possibles. And a dark horse possibility is Pats can't re-sign Moss. Or Bryant Johnson is available, 3. A young starting OG or hardy veteran OG or both- Shannon Tevaga is a guy I have tabbed as a decent middle of the draft pick for that. He's an ideal Houck guard. Mobile yet strong and most importantly, Samoan. FA, Faneca is likely to leave and he headlines a very good crop 4. A quality starting TE- Martin's not cutting it and Peelle's ok but nothing special. We need a playmaker here who can help us in the middle. 5. DE/OLB- Someone to groom under JT. I'm not a big fan of trading JT unless we all love 0-1x's every season we rebuild. Bruce Davis is a good option (yea, UCLA homerism here). And his game is scarily similar to JT's (one of his idols and he watches JT game tapes). Fierce, plays better than his specs suggest, makes big plays, and can be a fiery team leader. FA, if Ravens pull an Adalius and leave Suggs available, we should pursue. Dansby is another option. 6. Reliable backup safety- Preferably a youngster. Tom Zbikowski is a nice playmaker who can fill in well. 7. Solid special teamers- A Bo Ruud or Nick Watkins could fill this spot. 8. Veteran DT/NT- I'm no Haynesworth fan considering his issues and the fact that his increase in performance correlates to his contract year. 9. QB- Green's a likely goner and if Beck continues to struggle or gets injured, we need a plan B.
Very good post. Taylor's trade value would be stunningly low. Much better to keep him. I like the list. Nothing cleanses a defense like penetrating disruptive DTs. They shorten the play, making everyone around them better. The last thing a QB wants is a snorting terror a few feet away from him, coming straight ahead. As a Canes fan I knew we were in big trouble this year when I attended the Marshall opener and the DTs sucked. I watched the preseason games and Solai didn't flash as much ability as I hoped. I might have WR a bit higher. The more I watch games the more I realize I've always undervalued WRs. This season I've seen Fitzgerald and Boldin, when healthy as a duo, resurrect Kurt Warner's career. It's amazing hows much margin for error he has throwing to those guys. They simply pluck it, particularly Fitzgerald. Meanwhile, we're stuck with guys who want everything their own way, like Marty Booker. Provide the slightest excuse and he'll drop it. Every year I have a list of guys I want off the team. Top priority. Next year it's Marty Booker. He may not be our worst player but you'll never win anything significant with him, and he is a reminder to me of the Spielman/Wannstedt era when trading a young pass rushing terror for Marty Booker and a #3 was somehow considered value.
Needs for 2008= Everything. Taylor gets traded, regardless, he's lost his passion in Miami, and you cant blame him really. He gets traded to a NFC team, possible suitors: Dallas, Philly, Green Bay, maybe? Pick or youth. Crowder also, dont be surprised if he doesnt walk. Secondary is a huge issue, even with all the injuries we lack depth and talent. DT is a big hole, as is the whole line. Heck, the whole D needs to get younger and faster. We knew this day would come, I just didnt think it would hit us like this. The O, we need a playmaker away from the ball. Be it a wideout, or a tight end. Ginn = Berrian, a good long ball threat possibly not good enough to be a #1. James Hardy would be a great steal for us if we could get him. We need "Extreme Makeover". Please MOVE THAT BUS!
Fans dont control the draft my friend, this is all here say. No matter what we say or how we feel, the Phins are going to draft who they want to draft. The object of threads like this is just to have fun debating who they COULD pick, not who they will. Realism is outside of your computer, not in it.
Contrary to what some think here.. Jason Taylor will play out the two remaining years on his contract. Zach Thomas will play out the one remaining year on his contract. Neither one of them will leave. They are Dolphins for life. I'd have it no other way as they will be in the ring of honor as soon as they retire.
Guess i feel this is the first draft in many years that i feel happy about, but its going to take more than one good draft to turn this ship around, guess all us fans feel very flat at this moment.
JT just hates losing and it rides his consciousness more than Zach. Zach is a laid back dude from Texas. But as for JT, he has too many ties to south Florida and from what I have read - the one fellow he most admires is Dan Marino. Dan had a choice to do something different. He too had been here to long to change. They are what they are. It's probably the last we will see of "one team players". They are an anomaly.
JT is easily worth a first. Hell guys your talking about a down year and he still ends up with double digit sacks. Miami needs JT as he's the ONLY guy they got who can rush the passer. Need to draft a guy like DE Long and groom him to be an EVENTUAL replacement. Not an immediate.
dont agree wiht ur JT statement....the rest i agree with mIddle linebacker is key and i wuoldnt mind luaranitis but not in the top 5. 11 is teh best tho.
1. Head Coach. No seriously. 2. Defensive line. They're getting pretty old down there. They need a presence because if they keep Taylor, they've got two threats. If they trade Taylor, they can draft someone else who can blitz and can play in the hybrid scheme. 3. Offensive Line. If they can pass protect better and protect the QB's, you would be suprised how much the QB will improve. Daunte Culpepper was sacked 8 times in one game. Trent Green got knocked out of his mind. Gus Frerotte didn't have much time to load up. 4. Quarterback. If they trade down, and a QB like Andre Woodson falls in their lap and they pass, I will pass out. 5. Cornerback. As much as I am in denial that we miss Patrick Surtain....we miss you, Pat!!! Please come back!!! 6. Middle linebacker. Like you said, Thomas isn't worth much and he might retire. If Woodson is not available and they have a mid first rounder, they should take a flyer on a guy like Dan Connor from Linebacker U or James Laurenitis if he forgoes his senior season. 7. Wide receiver. I wonder if Limas Sweed will slip into the second round because of his injury. If he does, they could potentially be able to move Marty Booker... 8. Some mega-rocket legged kicker who can hit from beyond 50+. Not that they come around much but maybe then the Dolphins will stop losing by less than a TD.
Glenn Dorsey is listed at 6-2, 303. Is this good/great for a DT? I would think its a tad small for someone to fill holes where rb's want to go. What was Timbo's height weight? I can see a shorter person in the job to get under o-linemen. Is Dorsey's weight enough?
I'm all for trading JT, but no way we get a 1st for him. A 2nd rounder is more realistic and the trade deadline would have been the ideal time to move him. Oh well. I'd rather try and find a DT through FA and trade out of the top spot to acquire more picks. The more I read on Dorsey, the less I want him.
Yup, that's one reason I don't think he is a good fit. Some sites have him listed at 280 and others have him near 300, not exactly ideal size. The injury also concerns me, will it be a lingering issue for a big guy at a tough position that requires leverage and good movement?
Actually, you read my mind. Even though there are character issues, he is a good fit as far as talent. Now we just need to find a way to get Asomugha
Too me that is what would make him a DE, size and power along with quickness would be an asset on the outside. Now what may be true is Dorsey could be the dreaded "tweener" not quite big enough for DT, and not quite fast enough to be a DE. He still has the Combine and the BCS Championship game after a month off to recuperate, if he doesn't show up and make big plays, then he may not be our guy at all.
If we can get a 2nd for Chambers, we should be able to get a 1st for JT. Heck throw in Zach. Well.....maybe not...
I would rather have Long at DE than Dorsey. JMO though In all honesty, the only reason that the Phins were able to get a late 2nd for Chambers was because the Chargers were desperate to save their season. Luck was on our side in that deal, I would have been happy with a 3rd. Jason is nearing the end of his career, fine numbers aside, he isn't worth a 1st to anyone. Maybe a team like the Bengals are desperate to improve in a hurry and give up a 2nd for him, although their position in the 2nd round might make that unlikely. Not many teams are willing to throw away their draft picks on a quick fix player, unlike Miami over the past few years.
Vince wilfork is 320, Jason ferguson is 315 i think, and Jay Rattlif is 300 .... Dorsey is 300 and runs a 5.05 ... wilfork when drafted weighted 323 and ran a 5.2 ... as for the height they are the same... so basically, we get a DT 20 pounds lighter than Wilfork, but has .15 more of speed... I think it is a very fair compromise and that the whole thing about Dorsey being undersized is crap, he is big and can easily get bigger in time... he won't have to put time in school and homeworks and will have more time for conditionning..... I'd love the McFadden pick, but with our RB situation that is comfortable and our team that is pitiful, we shoudn't draft that luxurious RB and go for the usefull and much needed talent on the Dline that will instantly make our defence better