Offensive Line is one of those positions a guy with the right size and measurables can come out of nowhere. Probably a backup type guy but maybe he impresses.
if Long is on his way out then that just means we blew it on another 1 st rd pick who is on the growing list of players we have bounced out of here. we will never be successful if we are going to spend 1st rd picks on olinemen and then we let them go .
This is a player who was not drafted and is being signed as a possible prospect. I see him more as training camp fodder and I don't see him as a member of the team after training camp is completed.
Maybe he really impressed during his time here. I hope he is a diamond in the rough. That would be awesome.
I believe there is an over-analysis of this affecting Jake Long. McDonald is not even assured the practice squad.
Let me see. Jake Long was the very first selection in the 2008 NFL draft and has been one of the best left tackles in the league since his rookie season. McDonald played so well in college that he was not even selected during seven rounds of the NFL draft. Yes, I could certainly see how a non drafted player like McDonald would have Long shaking in his boots that McDonald was going to come in and replace him, Ha Ha. If McDonald is even still on the roster after the preseason is over, I will be completely shocked.
Relax there young fella. Have yourself a couple shots of Wild Turkey with a coke back. McDonald isn't anything more than a prospect who at best would be the 9th OL on the 53, and more likely placed on the practice squad or cut during training camp and never heard from again. His signing has no effect on the status of Jake Long.
The fact that he was NOT drafted at all should blow your assumption all to he##. You basically are stating that he would been drafted in the first or second round if he was indeed drafted, yet he wasn't drafted in any round. Your logic or lack of logic escaped me entirely. I don't care how good he looks on tape. The fact that every team in the NFL looked at his game tapes and decided he wasn't worth a pick in the draft tells me all I need to know about his chances of actually making a team in the NFL. I will repeat what I stated yesterday. McDonald is merely preseason fodder for the Dolphins and he has almost no chance of being a member of the Dolphins once all the cuts are made after the last preseason game.
I haven't watched more than highlights on McDonald, but in what I watched, I don't see more than camp fodder.
I have been watching some games of Jon Martin Rafs, I believe he went where he should of went.not saying he won't be the answer at right tackle, just that I think the talent and draft slot were accurate.
The UDFA offensive linemen I'm interested in are Josh Samuda and Terence Brown. Samuda I think makes the team. I'm intrigued with Brown because he's a capable, mobile Center and his biggest problem probably was the simple fact that in 2011 he looked overweight and really dumpy, didn't take care of his body very well. By Combine/Pro Day stuff he was down to about 300 lbs and running a 5.04 in the 40 yard dash (I think) so he's probably already made some significant progress on his body and if he continues that then he could make the team as the backup Center. Ryan Cook currently holds that position I think, and he sucks. There's generally some interest out there in Derrick Dennis...but I don't think he has the athletic qualities they're looking for. They already have some Derrick Dennis types in Nate Garner and Ryan Cook. I think they're trying to get away from that type and remake the OL with more athleticism. Jake Long is athletic. Richie Incognito is very athletic. Mike Pouncey is highly athletic. Jonathan Martin has good athleticism and Artis Hicks has always been a freakish athlete from a size/strength/agility standpoint. Josh Samuda is very athletic. Lydon Murtha is athletic in the extreme. Terence Brown is pretty athletic with that 5.04 in the 40 yard dash. The guys that don't fit that athleticism/zone profile to me are Nate Garner, Ryan Cook, Derek Dennis, Ray Feinga, John Jerry, Will Barker, Andrew McDonald and Dustin Waldron. Those guys may have their work cut out for them making the roster, considering what I think this staff ultimately prefers at the position. The guy with the best chance would be John Jerry if he's able to lose a bunch of weight.
Good analysis and I agree. I love the move to the more athletic and mobile linemen. It's so true about Jerry. He could have a chance if he did the lose the weight because he can be a good, mobile down-filed blocker, but man, last season he really looked like a dump. I don't know if he has the motivation. Maybe these guys can light a spark under that big ole' butt. Either way, I think we should better along the OL. Having a more solid right side with Martin should do wonders for the OL. Add in a healthy Jake...good stuff. I hope.
I am interested in Samuda and Waldron. Waldron is kind of like the kid from Columbia, but not as fast. He appears to be like the guys that tend to show up on the Patriot roster. I really didn't like the old Dallas philosophy about o-linemen. Samuda does appear to have more of what Miami would look for than Dennis. We shall see. Brown, who is 26 I believe, could be instant relief if he plays to his new athletcism. He is already up there in age and maturity as many players are from BYU when they come into the league. Some folks asked back at draft time about the tight end from Michigan (forgot his name at the time). He tore an achilles tendon and that is why he hasn't been signed. He would have been one of the highest rated unsigned players. Donta Paige-Moss, de from UNC, tore an ACL at the Independence Bowl, and was recently arrested for impaired and reckless driving. Great potential, but severely impaired judgement and character. And Armond Armstead, a dt built much like Randall from USC, has not signed with anyone for some reason. Some publications had him as one of the top unsigned players as well. For old time's sake I would have liked to see Chaz Walker, lb from Utah, signed because he reminded me of Zach more than anyone I have seen lately. Ck, if you know of any other unsigned players out there or what is going on with these guys it would be greatly appreciated. I will say I feel better about the cb situation if Carroll regains his old form, Agnew continues to improve, and Scott, the rookie from Syracuse, develops (smart and fast, and a team captain).
I agree with you and also think Waldron is a better prospect than Terence Brown. Waldron moves pretty well in space and in college was able to readily block on the 2nd level. He looks smooth and effortless as linemen go, as for his balance and movement skills. I don't think we really need a dedicated backup Center. If Pouncey gets nicked, Incognito can slide over and fill in.
