Well, he's definitely a guy that can take the top off a zone and returns kicks. He has some character issues and is very raw from a technique standpoint. Most favorable comparision in the NFL is Mike Wallace though, so he's definitely a guy with a ton of upside. He will run a lot of verticals and crosses on this team.
Love it. Like it better than the Thomas pick. I know Thomas can be solid too, but he's also injured and after the Odrick situation anytime I hear "Leg/Hamstring injury" especially for a Running Back after Brown's history, I get nervous. I think he'll be the opening day kick returner and possibly 4th WR, though may be too soon for that. He seems like one of those players who if he is taught well will be very good. If the Patriots selected him he'd probably be amazing, can the Dolphins coaches do it???
well, hopefully he can at the very minimum add some spark to our return game... god knows we need it.
03/24/11 - Edmond Gates might be small-school, but he has the potential to be big-time in the NFL. As if the Abilene Christian wide receiver’s performance at the NFL Scouting Combine last month hadn’t done enough for his draft stock, Gates put on a show once again in front of representatives from 22 teams at the school’s pro day on Monday held outdoors on FieldTurf. Gates (6 feet, 189 pounds) stood on his impressive combine 40-yard dash time of 4.37 seconds — which he did with a groin injury and was tied for tops in Indy among receivers — but re-did the broad jump, posting an 11-foot-2 mark better than his 10-11 jump at the combine, which was second among receivers. Gates also had a 4.13 short shuttle and a 6.82 3-cone drill. During his individual workout, Gates was outstanding, looking more advanced than Bears WR Johnny Knox, another Abilene Christian alum who was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2009 and has done pretty well for himself overall in the NFL. Gates is every bit as good as Knox, probably better based on what we’ve seen of him. The fact that 22 teams showed up to watch Gates work out tells you how good he is. It’s not like he was just an OK starter at a small school; he was a star. And he has backed it up in workouts. Knox’s success also gives credence to Gates’ ability. Knox was a fifth rounder. I’d say Gates is a third or fourth rounder. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com 03/04/11 - Abilene Christian wide receiver Edmund Gates was one of the fastest players at the combine, with a 40-yard time of 4.37 seconds. The oddity was that Gates ran the time in the shoes that former Abilene star Johnny Knox used when he ran in 2009. Knox clocked a 4.34 and was a fifth-round choice of the Bears. "I thought if they were fast for him, they could be fast for me, too," Gates said. --Len Pasquarelli, The Sports Xchange 02/27/11 - One player who certainly didn’t hurt his draft stock Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium is Abilene Christian WR Edmond Gates. It wasn’t only his white tights and white long-sleeve shirt that made Gates stand out. Gates, a player whom an NFC scout told me to watch this week, ran an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.35 seconds, putting him at the top of the first group of wide receivers, along with Ricardo Lockette of Fort Valley State. “That time solidifies him as being a top vertical threat,” NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks said. The consensus on Gates, who had 66 receptions for 1,182 yards (a 17.9-yard average) and 13 touchdowns last season, was that he would be a second- or third-round pick in April’s draft. He might have taken a step to solidify that status Sunday. “People are definitely sitting up and taking notice,” NFL Network’s Charles Davis said. - Frank Tadych, NFL.com
KLV760 Ken LaVicka Edmund Gates says his 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine is maybe the slowest he's ever run. #Dolphins
These guys take care of skill positions with such little expense it's impressive. If they could just get Jordan Todmann now that would be something. No fumble, third-down back compliment.
From CBS Strengths: Adequate receiver height, but long arms make him play larger than he is. Exceptional straight-line speed; small school corners have no hope staying with him. Presses corners playing off, always a threat to burn down the sideline. Uses sidestep, or his hands on occasion, to get off the line quickly for inside position. Also sidesteps defenders after the catch, will high-step through arm tackles outside. Extends to snatch high passes from the air. Can catch throws with hands when facing the quarterback. Tracks ball over either shoulder, even straight over his head. Wins jump balls, good concentration in the air when fighting off corners. Good sideline awareness, gets both feet in-bounds after the catch. Willing blocker on receiver screens, has length to keep cornerbacks out of the play. Weaknesses: Raw receiver with little experience. Routes need to be tightened up, too rounded on outs. Very lanky frame. Did not face a strong jam or tougher cornerbacks downfield at the Division II level. Inconsistent hands, especially when feeling a hit coming over the middle. Will struggle to sustain blocks without more effort and strength. Turns 25 in June. --Chad Reuter
yepper ... hopefully will walk in and take over the return duties, and as a bonus provide an alternative to Hartline for deep speed. another block checked, makes 3/5 ... blocks left are TE and OLB ... i'm sure they are hoping Thomas is still there in RD 6 .....
I like this pick at this position in the draft. It's an area of need and he seems to be a good player for the value. We'll see how he produces, but I think this pick was a good choice.
Well we just became a much faster team. I like the pick, I can see him making an impact this year, even if its a small one.
I think our offense just blew up to another level. This guy is FAST as ****. I hope, I ****ing hope this guy turns out to be an elite receiver for us. pardon my french but I'm tired of mediocrity and my optimism is a little mixed with the horrible ghosts of drafts past. So far I'd say in recent drafts with this regime things are borderline, and finally they are addressing the offensive side of the football in skill positions. About ****ing time.
Dolphins get a burner with heart. Add a qb in six or seven, add a late safety and another whale for the pod.
Glad we got speed. Let's just hope he can catch the ball at the NFL level unlike the guy we sent to the 49ers.
I think this shows what the FO and Daboll have in mind. All of these picks on on the Offensive side are breathing new life into a depleated body. Now adding Gates who can bring speed to STs really helps out improving our team each time we touch the ball. I know several are not happy with the way this draft is playing out because we are not making the sexy splashy picks but when have we ever? I am very happy with the way this is laying out and I feel we are already a better team than we were Thursday morning. JMO.
With the way Marshall blocks Id love to get Gates some bubble screens, and crossing routes with Marshall blocking down field!
The FO pleased all the whining fans and addressed a speed issue. Hope no one is crying about the "this" pick.
It's all on Chad Henne now, the Fins just got three new offensive weapons who should improve us. They still need to resign Ricky or Ronnie-two back league and both would help Thomas especially with a hopefully improved OLine.
[video=youtube;Bs4BeSDwk0w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs4BeSDwk0w[/video] Wow he's got "getting away from the cops speed" /Gus Johnson.
As much as I have not been happy with the first two picks because I think the Dolphins drafted both Pouncey and Thomas higher in the draft than either player deserved. I will give the Dolphins and Ireland credit for this pick. I have no idea what type of receiver Gates will be in the NFL but at least he has the speed the Dolphins said they needed on offense. Now I would love to see Taiwan Jones fall to the sixth round of the draft and the Dolphins select him. He would be a great complement to Thomas out of the backfield and with his speed he would certainly be as factor in the return game.
Before we nominate him for rookie of the year and offensive player of the year Gates took a circuitous route to becoming an NFL prospect. He intended on playing in the NBA after a successful high school basketball career and one season at Tyler Junior College in Texas. He was not asked to return for his sophomore year Weaknesses: Raw receiver with little experience. Routes need to be tightened up, too rounded on outs. Very lanky frame. Did not face a strong jam or tougher cornerbacks downfield at the Division II level. Inconsistent hands, especially when feeling a hit coming over the middle. Will struggle to sustain blocks without more effort and strength. Gates is a developmental prospect with big-play ability who has some makeup concerns but could become a valuable backup receiver and returner with time and more coaching. However, he's currently very unrefined as a route-runner, lacks some bulk (but is tough), and needs to improve his overall football IQ. At this time, can turn a short pass into an explosive play, but route-running deficiencies and his ability to track the deep ball limit his ability as a vertical threat. Thin build. Very raw and lacks football experience. Route-running needs a lot of polish. Susceptible to press coverage. Will drop the catchable pass on occasion. Lacks awareness against zone coverage. Blocking needs work. Turns 25 in June.
I hate to admit it but a lot of what you describe as his weaknesses are very similar to the weaknesses Ginn had when he played for the Dolphins. At least one thing in his favor is that he appears to play tough and doesn't appear to be afraid of getting hit. Unlike the way Ginn played while he was with the Dolphins. Since he is a 4th round pick and not the first round pick Ginn was, I think it was worth the risk at this point in the draft to select him, if for no other reason than his ability to separate from the defense once he gets down field. Of course the one thing that still needs to be answered is, can he get separation from the defensive back once the ball is snapped? The defensive backs in the NFL are much more difficult to separate from and run past than the DB's he faced while playing in college.