Ok, as bad as I think that we need a #1 receiver I am slowly coming to the opinion that the Fins need to fix their defense before they do anything else. IMO, we need to upgrade both OLB positions and at the minimum one MLB spot. We also need to do something about the FS position... so my question is, do you take McClain or Thomas with the 1st pick if they are both there?
If both there, it's a coin flip for me, but I think the greater need is still at LB, so I'll go McClain.
Dez Bryant - Love both of these guys, and I think that either would make HUGE contributions immediately, but I also think this is the year of the linebacker in Miami.....Ro
FS is a position that provides much larger impact. So I went with Thomas. Also ILB can be filled by Dansby or several other mid-level ILBs.
BTW, I went with Thomas, I just don't see any FS that are going to be there at 43 that will have the impact Thomas will / can. On the flip side, we are going to be able to address the LB positon in the 2nd and 3rd round and probably still get a quality players. I like Robert Johnson in the 3rd but he is no Thomas.
This one is too tough for me its like 1a and 1b. I mean maybe you could get Morgan Burnett in 42 but then again maybe you can get Brandon Spikes at 42. McClain and Burnett is more likely to happen though.
thomas.....and get a ILB through FA.....we have very good SS they are good against the run. imo a ballhawking safety that can play the ball in the air and stick (thomas) would make our defense real good. not to mention our run defense wasnt terrible. we got burned far to many times against the pass.....ill take thomas (even though my sig says otherwise)
I just believe that McClain is a special player to fit in at ILB in the 3-4. He may not have the best straight line speed, but the kid is a gamer. He also has some of the best football smarts I've seen playing in the same position and scheme in the closest thing to a Pro defense. I personally think he is the most sure pick in the entire draft. The positional value certainly isn't there for a ILB at #12, but I just believe this kid is special. Last ILB's to be drafted in that range...Patrick Willis and Jerod Mayo. While I don't think McClain is Willis, I think he has the same potenital as Mayo. Having that in the middle of out D would be wonderful Many are citing the value in safety dropping off in later rounds, but during the draft I am a strict believer in BPA. There may be better prospects left in the draft at ILB, but there is only one Rolando McClain. Now Eric Berry is a a different story.....
Actually, in our old defensive scheme we used a hell of a lot of quarters coverage which funnelled plays to the safeties. Nolan's scheme if memory serves will require some range in the secondary at FS. We will also need an OLB who can drop into coverage a good deal as well if we really want to implement Nolan's system.
McClain. Its not even a debate to me. Out ilbs were that bad last year. Also at fs play recognition is paramount so I might rather see the phins go get sharper in fa or another experienced fs to compete with and teach clemoms.
On the field. ILBs often get pulled in passing situations. You'll usually have only two LBs in a nickel and on LB in a dime. Those are generally going to be your coverage guys. Coverage isn't McClain's strength so there's a good chance he won't be on the field for 60+ percent of the plays. Now if you believe McClain is Patrick Willis than he's worth the 12th pick. But if he isn't and most people have him rated below that then he will have a lesser impact.
Thanks. I knew that our Ss led the team in tackles but I wasn't sure if that was a scheme thing common in all Quarters or just a result of poor ILBs for us.
So you're agreeing that FS plays a larger impact on the field than ILB, and we should thusly go with Earl Thomas instead of Rolando McClain?
Voted for McClain. You can put me down as being in the camp that thinks he will be a special player. And, he's someone I would rather build a defense around. JMHO...
My guess is hes going to use his system. Hes got a good pedigree and you dont bring in someone with a good resume like his just to tell him what to do beyond a few things. Im guessing hes going to run his defense but in a manner in which the trifecta deem acceptable. I dont think there will be much to worry about though because Nolan has always run an attacking style when he was with both New York teams, in denver and in SF. I found this tidbit on rotoworld: According to FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer, the Dolphins have officially hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. The Miami Herald has confirmed the story. Despite a late-season free fall, Nolan still improved the Broncos' points per game by 7.8 before a mutual parting of ways with head coach Josh McDaniels. Nolan is reunited with Bill Parcells after serving as his defensive boss with the Jets in 2000. He will keep the Dolphins' 3-4 scheme in place with a mixture of aging veterans and talented young players. Jan. 19 - 2:06 pm et Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter
I do think defense is a greater need for the Dolphins, but they still need to plug all 3 major holes if they want to contend for a Super Bowl. Because of that and because I think Dez Bryant is a better player than the other two, I think if he's there you absolutely can't pass on him. He's an elite prospect. If he's gone though it's really a tossup for me between Thomas and McClain. I voted for McClain because I feel he's the better player, but I actually think FS was a bigger weakness this year. Big plays hurt the Dolphins more than anything in every single loss and with a ball hawking FS you would significantly cut down on those big plays. Really though if the Dolphins come out of the pick with any of those three guys I'd be pretty happy.
I can get on board with that. Where's be projected? 2nd Round? Do you have any hope in Chris Clemons as the answer at FS?
If we required a CB I'm curious just how badly we'd want Joe Haden. It could be more important than most think to our draft strategy, trade downs, etc... The next best CB is not in his category.
anyone who thinks this regime will draft Earl Thomas at #12, or anywhere in the first round, is quite stupid (no offense). This regime doesn''t draft midgets at those positions in round one. The University of Texas is well known for exaggerating measurements of their players. I highly doubt Thomas is anything taller than 5'9 and a half... more likely the guy is 5'9. The guy is a midget, just look how tiny he looks on the field this regime will not draft him in a million years, no matter what he can do in coverage. They don't draft redshirt sophomores at pick #12, and they certainly don't draft little midgets who weigh 190 lbs soaking wet carrying a pool on their back, at an important position, at #12. Wake up. And forget about Earl frickin Thomas. He will not be a Miami Dolphin in April, no matter the circumstances.
Dez Bryant if he's there first and foremost, but back to the question at hand I'd definitely go with McClain. I wouldn't be disappointed with Earl Thomas, but I think McClain has the potential and leadership abilities to turn around this defense completely. He's a quarterback out there, and that's exactly what we don't have and exactly what we need.
Here is a photo Boomer posted in the Club forum. Here we have Thomas next to 6'2" Colt McCoy and 6' Jordan Shipley. After looking at the negligible height difference between Thomas and Shipley, anyone who thinks Thomas is too short is full of it.
I don't know if I like this poll. My sense right now is that the split amongst the fan base is more about Rolando McClain versus Dez Bryant.
Exactly. I don't even know why Earl Thomas is even in the mix. He is clearly not going to be drafted by the people running Miami at this time.