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Just for fun, mock draft .5

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by padre31, Dec 15, 2009.

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  1. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well, it is Mid December, the bowl games have not been played, but I'll take a shot at Mocking the Draft

    Assuming we pick in the 20's (9-7 or 10-6, this year though, your draft position is not settled until eliminated from the playoffs)

    #23..Mike Lupati..firece run blocker, and potential tackle prospect, he would solve the revolving door at Guard

    Plan B Jermain Gresham, a target for Henne.

    #54 Marshawn Gilyard

    A surprise even for me, however I love his character, this is one loyal player who got up and left when HC Brian Kelly announced he was leaving Cinci high and dry and going to ND, and to be honest Wr at this level all have similar measurables, it is work ethic and character that make the difference imho

    Plan B Eric Norwood, young blood into the OLB corps

    #86 Joe Pawlek ILB Baylor

    Plan B Brandon Graham Michigan or Brandon Lane Troy young Lb's with speed

    #112 Jan Jorgenson BYU, another OLB/DE type.

    5th rd pick...traded

    6th rd pick John Fletcher, DE Wyoming, 6'6 260 he is was a second team all MWAC selection and could be a strongside linebacker who can stuff the run and is already a contributor on Special Teams for the Cowboys with 3 blocked kicks

    6th rd pick Eric Davis C, Central Michigan

    7th rd pick Naiman Roosevelt Buffalo


    Defense heavy I'll grant but they seem to have pecuilar disaffection for taking wr early, they prefer to develop them, I do think the defense has been our achilles heel this season with several 4th qtr leads being lost this year.

    Let me add that in this scenario, we do not retain JT and Smiley is waived/injured, as well as Ted Ginn being shown the door as Gilyard can do what Ginn does for us, but is a more explosive playmaker as a Wr, Lionel Dotson is also no longer a factor and Fergie is replaced by Ryan Baker with Paul Soliai entering 2010 as the Starting NT, Akin Ayodele is also leaving in this Defense Heavy Scenario.
     
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  2. Frayser

    Frayser Barstool Philosopher

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    I'm not a big fan of going offensive line so early. Even with injury and performance issues, we've shown an ability to both run and pass protect. I just don't see it as a significant enough hole to warrant use of our first pick.

    You really think Brandon Graham would be there in the 3rd? It's obviously all speculation at this point, but I've thought of him as a 2nd or low 1st prospect. I would love to pair him up with Wake!

    Soliai impressed me this past Sunday, but I still don't think he is ready to be the front-man in a rotation featuring a guy like Ryan Baker (though I'll admit I haven't seen enough of him to really be sure of that).
     
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  3. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    The way I approached this was "which player would fill the largest hole on what the coach considers to be the most important unit"?

    He would fill the hole at Guard for the next 10yrs potentially.

    As for Graham in the 3rd, eh, it is a Defense heavy draft with the thought being they will clean house on the defense this offseason.
     
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  4. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    I'm still iffy on Lang as a third rounder. I said months ago he would be at worst a mid second and I still believe that. Just my opinion though. He's very talented and will impress in workouts IMO.
     
  5. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    At this point I have him as a bit below Sidbury last season, he had a great workout but just slid back because of his small school status.

    And this draft is also predicated on:

    We go Gresham, but Nalbone then competes with Haynos and Fasano, loser leaves, otherwise doubling up on Te's would make sense.
     
  6. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Troy's not UF but I wouldn't call them Richmond small. They are pretty good and have produced a couple quality pass rushers and a couple nice DB's.

    I don't see how he's behind Sidbury. Especially when talking talent level IMO. To each their own though. :)
     
  7. Big Red

    Big Red Long Lasting Freshness

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    What's up with all the Plan B stuff? You only get one pick buddy. :wink2:

    I wouldn't hate the Mike Iupati pick but I believe we have much bigger needs. Plus there are a few guys I like in the later rounds. John Jerry, Sergio Render, Reggie Stephens, Thomas Austin, Andrew Lewis, Alonzo Durham, Cord Howard, and Marshall Newhouse. I'd rather take a chance on one of them and address a more pressing need.

    And by more pressing need I don't mean tight end. Forget about Jermaine Gresham.

    Love Mardy Gilyard. :up:

    How about this? Draft Jerry Hughes in the 1st round and then you don't have to mess with Eric Norwood, Brandon Graham, Brandon Lane, Jan Jorgenson, or John Fletcher.

    Here's my question about Joe Pawlek. Would he start ahead of Crowder, Ayodele, or Torbor? If not then I say no thanks. We need a starter with our 3rd round pick not depth.

    I'm gonna be honest. Never heard of Eric Davis or Naaman Roosevelt before I read your post. From what I can tell Davis is a junior who would probably go undrafted. Why do you like him?

    Roosevelt looks like an interesting prospect on paper. I'll check him out in the East West Shrine game. Thanks. :up:

    Also you left out a 6th and 7th round pick.
     
  8. Big Red

    Big Red Long Lasting Freshness

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    Here's my current dream draft. Keep in mind its constantly changing.

    Round 1 (~15) - ILB Rolando McClain 6-4 256 Alabama 4.68 (junior)

    Round 2 (~48) - WR Arrelious Benn 6-2 220 Illinois 4.50 (junior)

    Round 3 (~80) - NT Lamarr Houston 6-2 300 Texas 4.93

    Round 4 (~115) - OG John Jerry 6-5 350 Ole Miss 5.54

    Round 6 (~180) - ILB Josh Hull, Penn State 6-3 240 4.73
    (from Kansas City for Alleman and Ndukwe)

    Round 6 (~181) - WR Seyi Ajirotutu 6-3 210 Fresno State 4.56
    (from Washington for JT)

    Round 6 (~189) - QB Joe Webb 6-4 220 UAB 4.67

    Round 7 (~216) - WR Trindon Holliday, LSU 5-5 168 4.27
    (from Kansas City for 2009 7th round pick)

    Round 7 (~225) - OLB George Johnson 6-4 265 Rutgers 4.78
     
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  9. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    -Left out the additional 6th and 7th round picks simply because the draft order has not sorted out quite yet, so do fish around for "with pick #243" seems a bit absurd.

    -Imho, if Iupati is a 10yr starter type, we should pull the trigger and be done with our needs at Guard, granted it is not sexy pick however the Sparano Phins are predicated on a dominating offensive line.

    -I really like Gilyard, to me with him Character meets talent and he is a natural fit for the phins.

    -Davis is merely a Thomas like project, we already would have Iupati, but could use a Center/Guard who has athleticism.

    -In this scenario, we draft a OLB to convert to ILB and take a large DE and convert them into a SOLB, Fletcher is merely the most likely prospect later in the draft (shined at a smaller, mtn west college, good size, decent quickness, not a huge market for his services).

    -Roosevelt because imho we will be looking for a explosive do it all on Special Teams type of player this year.
     
  10. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    It's said by scouts that Naaman Roosevelt was going up draft boards prior to being injured. He's not a bad player IMO. He runs better than his timed speed but I don't think he's a guy that will be something special at the next level. Roosevelt I've seen three times this year and while he has good hands, I haven't seen a lot of quality route running from him. A lot of fade, cross and go routes from him. I don't know how much level of competition is factored into his ability to stretch the field though. I've watched teams roll over a safety over the top of Roosevelt, i.e. against Bowling Green IIRC. To be completely honest though, I am a bigger fan of his teammate, Brett Hamlin, than him. Hamlin's got really good field awareness and can take shots across the middle but hang on. He's also got good hands. I like him as an UDFA, camp guy. He's not going to impress with his speed IMO but he's got pretty good route running from the slot. Kendric Hawkins, their DB, is talented; he's just often injured and needs to tackle in the open field better.

    Also, Spikes is a nice prospect IMO. He's a guy you can slide out to the edge and use his quick first step against blockers. He destroyed Andre Smith last year and while Smith struggles with speed rushers, there wasn't only one play where Spikes dominated him. It was a few IIRC.
     
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  11. Big Red

    Big Red Long Lasting Freshness

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    I like your thinking in regards to Iupati. I really do. Very sound. Like I said I wouldn't hate the pick. However if we were in the war room together you and I would be arguing over which direction to go with that 1st round pick. :lol:

    You've got me intrigued with this Roosevelt kid. Are you a Buffalo fan?
     
  12. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Problem is, HC Sparano would already be predisposed to taking a Guard..:pointlol:


    Not much tbh about it, Phunwin was a Buffalo U fan and talked about them last year.

    I'm much more enchanted with John Fletcher though, I like his metrics and love the fact he already plays special teams, he could make one heck of a SOLB/DE.
     
  13. Big Red

    Big Red Long Lasting Freshness

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    Yeah but Parcells and Ireland prefer linebackers. :lol:

    I will check out Fletcher in the New Mexico Bowl. Thanks. :up:
     
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  14. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Be cool to hear about Ryan Matthews as well.
     
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  15. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    Jeeeez.

    dream draft is right.
     
  16. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I understand the premise and thought of going Lupati first, but, if Gresham is still there, I don't see us looking past him...no-how, no-way.
    I could then see us going Guard second or third and then nothing but linebackers the rest of the way.....
    Pretty solid throughout Padre, but as you stated, lots of things will change before we actually do draft.
     
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  17. Frumundah Finnatic

    Frumundah Finnatic U Mad Miami?

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    I'll be royally pissed if we take a G if a good LB or WR is there.
     
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  18. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I like Lupati a lot, but we're in the top five in every major offensive line category including sacks allowed, highest % of blocks won...we are already one of the most dominating OL's in the league. While I agree solidifying the OL is important because teams like the Jets and Pats are going to address their DL's, the holes at WR, ILB, and TE are far and away much more pressing. I wouldnt complain about the Lupati pick because frankly the dude is strong as an ox but I would be concerned about ignoring more pressing needs and having to sit through another year like this year next year, where the holes are obvious and they get taken advantage of weekly and we are fighting against our own inabilities to cover up those holes.
     
  19. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    It's Iupati. Not Lupati.
     
  20. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    At this early stage I would guess that the most likely first round pick based on needs and likely available players and assuming a pick in the 20s or later is Gresham.
     
  21. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well, I thought about that, not to defend a tongue in cheek mock draft, however a G like Iupati would be likely to start Game 1, especially if Smiley's shoulder is just worn out.

    A rook Wr however, unless they were just spectacular, would be extremely unlikely to start "and" we just began throwing the ball seriously, after Ronnie B went out the passing offense has ticked up, surely they will draw some evaluations off of the second half of the season performances?

    Now the next scenario will be (imho) the far more likely one, we keep the defense more or less intact, but add offensive playmakers and upgrades.
     
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  22. Big Red

    Big Red Long Lasting Freshness

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    I believe Brandon Spikes, Sean Weatherspoon, Jerry Hughes, Morgan Burnett, Dan Williams, Terrence Cody, Mardy Gilyard, Arrelious Benn, and Golden Tate are all more likely than Gresham. Maybe even Jeremy Williams, Derrick Morgan, and Jason Pierre-Paul too.

    Fasano, Haynos, and Sperry are well above average. Can you say the same for our inside linebackers, wideout corps, Gibril Wilson, or our aging veterans at outside linebacker and nose tackle?
     
  23. Big Red

    Big Red Long Lasting Freshness

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    Care to elaborate?
     
  24. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Keep JP, Wake starts on the Strongside over JT who takes over 3rd down passrushing duties, pick up a ILB or move Torbor into a starting role, Soliai is the NT in 2010.

    Haynos and Sperry are developmental types BR, Fasano was a disappointment this year.

    Gibril isn't going anywhere BR, too much cash invested in him, that is why I really could see the Defense standing pat with adding better quality depth, and we go offense in a big way in Draft 2010.
     
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  25. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Uhhh have you seen our receivers? Any with receiver with moderate polish and above average talent would be starting for us imo. Golden Tate or Dez Bryant would be starting from practice one. Briscoe, Benn, Alexander would be starting by the first preseason game. Bess + one of them would be your likely starters.

    I dont think smiley's shoulder is bad enough to get him cut but I think we will see another OL pick somewhere in there. Just not round one. :up:
     
  26. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    That is one view.


    I think there are going to alot of surprises on draft day for the Dolphins, I have the suspiscion that we go a bit more heavily towards the offense, and maybe cycle out some of the last of the inherited players they plan on letting go.

    Two years in a row we are in the playoff hunt and starting Kmart Guards?

    I just don't see that situation lingering.
     
  27. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    Our linebackers need to be revamped.. You can bet dollars to donuts that we will be drafting at least 3 LB's.

    We have two old guys on their last whimper at OLB and crappy ILB's.. We drafted 3 DE's in 2008, and 3 O-linemen.. We drafted 3 players for the secondary in the 09 draft.

    You can bet we will go heavy in LB this draft. Especially considering there will be some good LB's coming out. Especially deep in OLB's.. There won't be just a desperate 7th round JD freakin Folsom pick, there will be AT LEAST THREE LB's picked.

    I can see something like a player or two for offense.. Maybe if CJ Spiller were to fall in the 1st, I can see us taking him... But I wouldn't mind seeing the rest of the draft all dedicated to the defense..

    This is a Bill Parcells team, if you think he is going to just let this defense be below average year after year, you've got another thing coming.. He drafted d-linemen in 2008, secondary in 09 -- now he will go in the middle and get his LB's in the 2010 draft.

    Get a WR in FA or trade. Those WR draftees take too much time to develop anyways (more often than not). Plus we are way too young there as it is. I would rather see a vet for the young receivers to look up to -- balancing things out.

    If there is an uncapped year a lot of players will get cut/waived by other teams.. A lot of the names will surprise you. We can get a WR outside the draft (especially in a weak draft for WR's this year).

    I'm just happy we got our corners in the 09 draft.. There is no Vontae Davis or Sean Smith in the 2010 draft. It is a poor draft for corners, just like it's a poor draft for WR's.

    The 2011 draft will be a lot better for WR's. I think it would be foolish to overdraft for WR's in this 2010 draft.. Very foolish. It would be like wasting picks on corners this year if we didn't have Vontae and Sean.
     
  28. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well now, Boik feels we go Wr, you feel we go Lb's my hunch is we go Oline.

    Should make for a fun draft period.

    This staff places a premium on knowing the scheme and being proficient in it, so it would not surprise me a bit to see our OLB rotation stay pretty much the same, not totally the same, I do think we add a prospect but not 3 of them.



    Which means you can get a quality OLB prospect later in the draft.

    I think we go G-Te or Te-G or G-Wr in Rd #1 and #2.

    At least in this scenario, I sort of think we won't keep JT, I also think we retain JP unless they just love Cam Wake at WLB and so far they are determined to keep him at the Sam.

    I also think Tristan Davis will compete to be "the" Kick Returner in Training Camp 2010.
     
  29. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    They are much more likely to go LB-NT than TE-G.

    And if they keep one it will be JT.. They love his work ethic, Sparano has talked non-stop about what a great professional he is.. and he is our best run stopping OLB. And even then JT will be 36 next year.. THIRTY-SIX !! We need LB's.

    Not to mention they sat Porter this season. JP is done after this season imo. They weren't enamored with him when they came in, and I think he has run his course.

    In a 3-4 defense you better have some damn good LB's if you hope to be a good defense. And you need ILB's who AT LEAST have a threat that they can blitz and get to the QB from the middle.. Both our ILB's suck at it, and believe me other teams know it.

    Look at other 3-4 defenses, they all have ILB's who can consistently pressure QB's.. David Harris and Scott in NY, Timmons in Pitt, Ray Lewis in Balt etc etc etc.. Taking that element out of your defensive playbook seriously hampers a 3-4 defense, and makes it A LOT easier for opposing offenses to gameplan for Miami's D.

    Not to mention how they suck in pass coverage as well. And that puts a bigger burden on the safeties because they know the LB's in front of them stink in pass coverage.

    Look at the tackle totals of other ILB tandems and compare them to ours.. Our ILB's are total garbage.

    They have no young up and coming LB's at all.. Wake is nice, but he will be 28 next year. And Ayodele is garbage. Crowder has no playmaking ability whatsoever. And he also has bad knees that he needs to ice all week in the tub before games. It already looks like he is breaking down early in his career. Ask people who see him out, and people will tell you he is always limping.

    They will draft ILB and OLB in this draft.. At least 3 of them. Book it.

    We run a 3-4 defense and it is IMPERATIVE to have some great LB's if you ever hope to have a consistently good D.. Did you watch San Francisco's linebacking corps last Monday night ?? we have nothing remotely close to their LB play.
     
  30. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    -Sparano was praising Shawn Murphy the week before they cut him.

    -JP will end up with 10-12 sacks, have his knee scoped, and they will go from there.

    -I think they like P Soliai.
     
  31. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    That is just a horrible example.. Trying to compare a young player who has never started to a vet starter like Porter ? Come on.

    You should have used a much better example, you know, like at the same position.. How they cut Matt Roth because of injuries, how they sat him on the bench when he was able to play... Being unhappy with him behind closed doors.

    First off, you don't know if he will end up with 12 sacks.. He was totally invisible in the last 4 games last year.. He was totally invisible in 2007 aside when he got up to play his old team (the Steelers), and he has been mostly invisible this year, aside from 8 plays.

    Yay ! He has 8 sacks !! Eight plays ! Yippee !! Now what about the plethora of plays where he looks lost, is easily blocked and taken out of the play, looks slow.. Hurts the defense on the plethora of other plays besides the one sack he gets during a blue moon. LOOKS OLD !

    And he certainly isn't getting any younger. Overall he is a negative- the Steelers are smart and got rid of him at the right time. They also got rid of the older and ridiculously overpaid Alan Faneca at the right time as he is one of the worst left guards in the NFL in Pass protection ( Faneca was 29th for LG's in Pass Pro last year and is right near the bottom again this season)..

    And you can be sure they'll let go of Casey Hampton because he is breaking down this season at his age and they'll let some other foolish team overpay for his services with the decline in his game.. They were already raising questions regarding Hampton's game during last off season. they do things right in Pittsburgh

    [​IMG]

    So let me get this straight.. You want to draft an O-linemen for a unit that has the best Tackle tandem in the NFL.. And one of the best center's in the league.. And is one of the best O-lines in the NFL even with a guy like Garner in there.

    And of course, you want to use a 1st round pick on a unit that is already one of the best units in pro football.. And is already a young unit so you can't use age as an excuse... So likely they will get better as they mature in future years.

    The Dolphins O-line has helped the team become top 5 in rushing, and they have been just excellent in pass protection overall.. Guards can be filled in, the tackles and center are the most important positions (where we are very strong in), while right guard is the least important position on an O-line (they are asked to do the least).. Left guards are more important than RG, but hell I have been happy with Garner, and Smiley I heard will be starting this week (maybe you're jumping the gun on his status for next year). And of course we have Berger to fill in at G/C who has been good.

    And finally, this is only Donald Thomas' 3rd year of playing football.. Think about that for a second will you ? He only started playing football in his junior year in college, missed all last season in his first pro season, and this is ONLY HIS THIRD FULL SEASON PLAYING THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL in his entire life... And you are already writing him off ? Come on kiddo, get real.. Obviously he has great god given ability and natural talent if he can IMMEDIATELY start on a Pro team after just playing 2 years of football in his entire life.. Give the guy some time, it's just his 1st full season in the pro's, and only his 3rd full year of playing the sport !!.

    When you say something silly like "K-Mart guards"... why is it that Paul Soliai gets 3 full years on the team and Donald Thomas only one ? And Donald Thomas had enough natural talent and natural ability to start right off the bat coming out of college, Soliai didn't.. Soliai was a project.

    So the offensive line is already pretty damn good, and will get even better.. Meanwhile, you want to ignore the most important position on a 3-4 defensive front.. And some say the most important position for a 3-4 defense period.. Which also just so happens to be on the lines.. So obviously you must think line-play is important ?? Why only the offensive line and not the defensive line then ? I would think you would be pulling for a NT considering we have total crap at ILB behind that position... We have no natural NT's behind Soliai at all... with NT by far being the most physically demanding position on a 3-4 defensive front.

    Ok, so you want to rely on Paul Soliai who has shown to be inconsistent.. And when he has received decent playing time he's gotten hurt this year and missed games.. just great !!..... It boggles the mind how you can possibly want a guard in the 1st round, when we already have a very good O-line, and you'd rather not draft a NT when we have absolutely nothing behind an inconsistent Soliai.

    I just find it terribly myopic how you can complain about Smiley when we actually have some good depth on the O-line to replace him, while we have absolutely no one behind an inconsistent Soliai (who has also had injuries himself)... And with NT being a far Far FAR more physically demanding position than any guard.....Unreal.

    The Jets have had good production from Pouha and Devito since Jenkins went down.. Just like Soliai (except Pouha and Devito DIDN'T GET HURT right way).... But do you really think the Jets will stick with those 2 guys and not draft a NT in the the near future ??? Of course they will, because it's a vital position. And a position that's a lot harder to fill than a guard - where you can find plenty of.

    What you're saying makes absolutely ZERO sense.. The Dolphins can EASILY find a serviceable guard in the off season.. Hell, they just put a waiver claim in for Incognito..

    You can find a serviceable guard between our great tackles and center, and still have a top 5 offensive line. However, you cannot say we can find a serviceable Linebacker and it will all of a sudden become a great linebacking corps.. Or a serviceable NT making our 3-4 defense a top notch one.

    That's why we need to draft good LB's to GET a good LB corps for this 3-4 defense. We have absolutely no young up-and-coming LB's on this team. None. And it is a serious need - a much MUCH bigger need than O-line.

    We need to do what the Steelers did recently when they drafted Woodley and Timmons... That linebacking corps they had last year had Harrison-Timmons-Farrior-Woodley, and of course Foote before they let him go.. The number 1 defense in the league that won them a super bowl.... Miami has absolutely nothing remotely close to that linebacking corps. We are light years away from a LB corps like that.

    Let's just say for argument's sake that Wake can replace Harrison's spot at WOLB (although Harrison is very good in other areas besides just rushing the passer).. Now what about the other 3 spots ? Where is our Timmons and Farrior in the middle ? Have you watched Timmons play ? How great he is at disguising his blitzes, how he knows how to free a shoulder getting to the ball carrier ? How smart he is at diagnosing plays early ? And his speed ? Have you watched Farrior over the last few years ? Sure he is close to 35 now, but did you watch him over the past few years ? We have nothing like that. And a 36 year old Taylor at SOLB compared to Woodley's athleticism ? Please

    Hell, I watched the 49ers last Monday night and their linebacking corps kills ours in every which way. Their LB's single-handedly just destroyed a good offense on national TV.. We are not in the same stratosphere as those guys in overall athletic ability and talent level. Our LB's have never come close to having a game like that against a good offense.. Not once... and not close.

    I think you really need to study the history of good 3-4 defenses and look up how vitally important it is to have great LB's (big and fast lb's who can do everything) making those defenses consistently good. The Dolphins will go absolutely nowhere unless they greatly improve the linebacking corps on this 3-4 defense.. I can assure you of that.

    Your thread title stated "Just for Fun".. and that's all it should be taken as..

    Just for fun, and not taken seriously...
     
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  32. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Garner hasnt played badly at all and Thomas has improved as the season has gone on. The Kmart guards comment doesnt have much merit unless youre simply referring to the pricetag they carry.

    Also for the record, Im not limiting myself to WR in rd 1. I would go best player available at a position of need. Need being in order: ILB, WR, OLB, TE, NT, Guard depth, RB. To limit the options strictly to OL or WR or ILB in a draft this deep and talented is pretty crazy imo.
     
  33. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

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    In relation to Paul Soliai, I think this regime does like him a great deal. Last year he was benched twice for weight and disciplinary issues, and he wasn't playing anywhere near the level he is now. They decided to keep him, they drafted no one to replace him. And, since Ferguson has gone down they have not actively sought out a replacement other than I believe activating Baker.

    This regime has in it's past looked to fill that role later in the draft. More often than not a defensive end will be actively sought out with a higher draft pick. Now, that doesn't mean it will never happen, but it does point out a general theme in my opinion. Generally, nose tackles are not drafted that highly just due to their level of skill. You don't often find teams willing to place a player drafted that highly in a position like NT. You can find players that lack the ability to fully penetrate into the backfield in the middle rounds.

    In this past draft, there were several players who could have fit this mold, such as Dorrell Scott who were easily available in the middle rounds.

    It is true that most teams running a 3-4 are now looking for defensive tackles than can operate in a one gap system, and rarely do you ever see a NT in a true zero technique nowadays. As such, you can find yourself a tackle in the middle rounds that has strength issues - that you may look to improve, etc. and groom him.

    The position inherently takes 2-3 years to acclimate to fully, Vince Wilfork is a prime example.

    Soliai is just now finishing his third year, and has been playing full time for a while. In truth Soliai was logging a good deal more snaps early in the season than he did at any point last year. I do expect Ireland to address this in some form this off season, but it may be a guy that has a medium risk reward scenario.

    I think regime also signed Crowder with these things in mind - obviously I could be way off. Looking at the general pool of linebackers available last offseason via FA or the Draft, it paled in comparison to what is available this year. So, the regime bit the bullet on Crowder because he was a known quantity. Albeit he has played at a lower level than last year.

    The other reason they signed Crowder was that Ayodele is likely an off season cut. In many ways Ayodele and Crowder are the same player - a Ted linebacker in a 3-4. Crowder can slide over and take over for Ayodele and man that position. I think that was the plan, keep what we have for another year, make some adjustments and bring in a more athletic complement.

    If they do in fact intend to have Wake as a weak side linebacker in the future, he has little chance of learning it this season. Wake may never be an outside linebacker. He is more explosive from a 3 or 4 point stance than he is from a two point stance. When he was placed in this position earlier he definitely struggled and was not a threat off the edge. He simply was not as explosive over his first 2-3 steps. Wake is also pretty stiff in terms of changing direction laterally. He is very much a straight line player, he will struggle if he is asked to operate in space a great deal IMO.

    Let us not overlook the fact that Smiley is in fact battling what appears to be a chronic injury to his shoulder. If true, it doesn't bode well for a guy who was never a solid in line blocker to begin with. I wonder how much we can count on him going forward to be completely honest. He very well could be released this off season if he cannot ever be fully healthy.

    Donald Thomas for all his great strength and power is very much a statue when he pass blocks. Thomas is often straight legged, flat footed and will lean through his waist rather bend his knees. He has genuine issues with defensive tackles who can operate in a 3 technique. Thomas is good for banging and brawling, but not someone I want isolated in pass pro. He can pull well, as he is running in a straight line, but he doesn't locate targets on the second level with great effectiveness, and again has issues in space at times. Whilst he is raw, the question remains, how high is his ceiling given his footwork issues?

    Saying Guard is out of the question when we may not have many answers to give after the season may be a bit much. The Dolphins have been scouting several guards thus far through the season from reports, so the regime is considering the position.
     
  34. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The lack of Youth, speed, athleticism, depth, and explosiveness, all thru our linebacking unit, demands attention, and if iam Irish and Parcells, that unit, is gonna be addressed this draft, early, mid, and late.

    Get yourself a tight end and a multipurpose returner, and go nose and linebacker the rest of the way.
     
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  35. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    To Porter? How about JT? That was the comparison ie the praise agenda.




    *Cough* last year? This after saying "that was a terrible comparison"

    :lol:


    He'll end up with 12 sacks, he is averaging 1 per game, and he needs a knee scope, they hang unto players who are nicked up and still perform.



    2008? Casey Hampton? A partridge in a pear tree perhaps? So far you've simply wandered afield.





    Yep, absolutely, a Guard would take us to the next level, we are behind the Jets in terms of total rushing yards.

    Completely, we will have the pick of the Guard class in rd 1, there is a reason why we put a waiver claim on exRam Incognito, and it wasn't because they are happy with the play of the Guards they have.

    Top 5, not #1 or #2, recall that earlier in the season the oline was getting themselves pantsed.

    It's a win now business, Thomas can compete with Garner next yr, or rotate the Rook into games.


    Hmm, once again, you do realize the premise is Justin Smiley's shoulders will no longer allow him to play moving forwards?

    This :words: about Donald Thomas is odd because Smiley is the one to be replaced.

    You of course realize we run a different style of the 3-4 than the Dick Lebeau version...right?

    I sort of feel bad for you mate, you wasted probably 300 words detailing players for a different style of 3-4 than the one we run.

    STBY...:lol:
     
  36. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    very simple...

    if we pulled that one off...I see us taking the top guy on the board at two positions of need.

    a home run of a draft...IMO. I pray that we pull off your draft.
     
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  37. F.O

    F.O New Member

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    FYI the Dolphins have tried to blitz Crowder up the middle plenty.. He just sucks at it and gets eaten up.

    and FYI, the fact that the Dolphins have no one in the middle who can even threaten pressure from up the middle makes it very easy for opposing offenses to prepare for us.. Other teams know it.. They know our weaknesses, and it;s part of the reason why we've given up so many pts this season.

    We don't zone blitz like some other 3-4 defenses do because we don't have the talent at ILB to rush the passer.. Not having athletic, talented ILB's is a serious problem.. It seriously hampers our ability to disguise the defense pre and post snap.. From up front all the way back to the safeties.

    The safeties are also limited in their disguises because of the crappy coverage of our ILB's.. we planned on running quarters coverage a lot more this year. Planned on running a lot more disguised coverages up front, as well in the secondary. But they can't do it because the ILB's are simply too slow, cannot even have a threat of pressure, and are awful in coverage.

    Look at other 3-4 defenses and watch their ILB play. Those defenses have a bigger playbook to work with because they actually have the talent to make it work.

    Our people are very limited in their ability.. And that's why we can't open up our defensive playbook more.

    Instead of making other players around them better, like good ILB's do, our ILB's make everyone around them worse.. When you see us get some serious LB's, you will see the difference it makes for everyone around them, and for the defense as a whole.

    It will be a far bigger difference in the overall performance of the team than a new guard will ever bring us.
     
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  38. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    And yet the resigned him, that I shall never understand, Akin A does need to go, but I also think we will find a Veteran fillin for him.


    Sort of, we also play Bell and Wilson in the box alot and Wilson is a good blitzer.


    I think that is by design, the front 3 are expected to be just dominant and the ILB's are more chase read and react type of players.

    I also don't believe we will ever see many zone blitzes out of DC Pasqualoni, just schematically he just does not call them.

    Well, the defense has improved as the season went along, mostly because the pressure on the Qb has increased from Porter, Wake and Starks, we get far more pressure from a 4 man line than our blitzes typically do, whether that is by design, which I suspect it is, or those three have just gotten hot at the right time.

    We are what..#3 in the NFL in sacks? And against this schedule, that is no small thing.

    Two rook Cb's do not help the size of the playbook.

    I agree that we do need 1 ILB, I'm not sold on the idea that we need two or three olb's, in fact I'd tend to doubt that simply because between Wake, JP and Anderson we have three pretty good OLB's, the alternative is to blow up the Lb corps, but they are such sticklers for proper technique and being in position, that is a dubious proposition imho.

    A Guard would help to gain more time of possession advantage and also open more holes in the running game and negate the massive NT's we see in the AFCE, allowing the Center to pull out more on sweeps and counter tre's.

    Plus they would make a quicker impact, the way Sparano and Co do things is, newbies do not play for extended periods of time unless they are the only alternative.

    And thanks for the more congenial post FO.
     
  39. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Exactly, it was not their performance per se, it was their acquisition cost and the manner in which they made the starting line up.."emergency, blue light specials".

    Garner was cut by the Jets and briefly cut by us, Thomas was a 6th round pick who we had little alternative but to insert into the starting lineup.

    LG,TE, LB, WR and backup RB in my view.
     
  40. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    It's a luxury, not a tenet of the defense. I'd absolutely love to see them get a player who can do that, but it's hardly necessary.

    Overwhelmingly, the linebackers who put up those kind of numbers are either coming from Rex Ryan's defenses, or Mike Tomlin's. It's a specific style. They like to overload blitz.

    Also, Bart Scott as a blitzer is tremendously overrated. He had 9 1/2 sacks with Baltimore, but the guy did more clean-up work than the crew at M&T Bank Stadium. That was Terrell Suggs and Trevor Pryce's show, Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott just rode their jock straps to big paydays.
     

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