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State of the Unit: Safeties

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by zwave21, Jan 21, 2015.

  1. zwave21

    zwave21 New Member

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    2014 Recap: This is a unit that I will say played pretty well for most part of 2014. It didn't start off that way with Reshad Jones being suspended the first four weeks, but we managed to get through that. When he did return, I'd argue that he played at an Elite Level as a Safety and would put him in some exclusive company, with him it's can he be consistent which I hope he can. Louis Delmas was brought on as a FA to improve from Chris Clemons and I saw an improvement nothing major but like usual Delmas couldn't stay healthy and finished the year on the IR. Jimmy Wilson was his usual hybrid tool playing CB/FS/Nickel etc. But, he had a much worse season than 2013 and that hurt us in the secondary. Outside of that, Michael Thomas before getting injured early in the season was getting some PT but got put on IR before we could see the real results. Walt Aikens brought drafted as a CB played some FS and that looks like his most natural fit. Jordan Kovas while he played should live on Practice Squad.

    The Unit: Jones is a budding star and under contract so one of our safety positions is set. Just like last offseason we are left questioning who should be his running mate in the backend? Delmas was a one year deal and coming off a knee injury. Jimmy Wilson is not very good and a FA. Aikens is unproven and inexperienced. So in reality we have an immediate and pressining need at Safety. People have argued is Jones a SS or FS and to me it doesn't matter. I do believe he is best when he is allowed to roam and get to play in the box and close to LOS, as he is dynamic. What I believe we need is a rangy CF type safety. Someone who is comfortable playing on an island so to say and can cover ground in a hurry. Just so we are clear, I don't think we've had that since Brock Marion back in the day.

    Areas of Concern: CF type Safety; depth

    Free Agents: Louis Delmas; Jimmy Wilson

    Potential Cuts: Jordan Kovas

    Potential Free Agents: Will Hill (BAL); Tashaun Gipson (CLE); Rahim Moore (DEN); Devin McCourty (NE); Antrel Rolle (NYG); Nate Allen (PHI)

    Top Draft Options: Landon Collins (ALA); Cody Prewiit (Ole Miss); Derron Smith (Fresno St.); Kurtis Drummond (MSU); Gerod Holliman (UL); Chris Hackett (TCU); Durrell Eskridge (Cuse)

    Collins is the only player aforementioned that deserves to be a round 1 pick. For us Collins is more like R. Jones than someone we need to pair him with. Again, wouldn't hate the decision as both are dynamic but I have other plans for round 1. Prewitt had a better 2013 than 2014 but he has size and potential to be a force in the backend, he can go anywhere from round 2-4. Drummond/Hackett come from two great defensive teams that usually translate into good professionals. Holliman led the league in int's but can't tackle for s***. I am beyond tired of Jimmy Wilson's arm tackles and we don't need another. Eskridge from what I hear was a suprise to come out but he has great athleticism.

    My Plan: So, to recap this week I have addressed OL; DT; LB. Out of those positions I have addressed our most major need at OG by signing a FA either Franklin or Boling preferrably. Also, I have us taking a mid to late round OL to groom. At DT, I have us cutting Starks to resign Odrick and drafting talented NT prospect Jordan Phillips in round 2. At LB I have us moving Jordan to SLB and drafting a 4th round ILB Stephone Anthony to compete with Misi from day one. So, that is $$$ spent with OG and Odrick, and mid round picks with the others. Again we have to move a lot of parts to create the cap we need to get better. So, with that said here is my plan....

    With Jones being a young star entering his prime I'd like to find him a young running mate who they can grow together. My wish is that Aikens could be counted on but such is not the case. But, I do see a ton of potential with him at FS. So, does that mean stopgap? Not exactly, my plan would be to avoid McCourty as he is going to be big $$$$$$$. Hill/Gipson are restricted FA so we'd have to give to get...not the best formula. Plus, Hill is NOT a Philbin player (can't wait til we don't have to say that anymore). And Gipson led league in INT's I doubt CLE lets him get away. That leaves Moore/Rolle/Allen for FA's. Out of that group I'd sign Rahim Moore. Why? He is going to be 26 and he is the type of safety we need to pair with Jones. Denver has an awful lot of FA's and going to need to spend big to keep Thomas/Thomas/Welker/etc. After paying Talib/TJ Ward I don't see them shelling out money for Moore. There loss should be our reward as he won't come high priced but has potential to be very good safety in this system. But, I'd fully let Aikens and Moore compete for starter. With the NFL evolving to a more Nickel Based defense we could be very flexible. If Moore produces and Aikens develops like we need we could run more of a 4-2-5 system with Reshad being the moveable chess piece. That is a dynamic I'd love to see. I wouldn't hate the draft route but with picks in round 2 & 4 taken at DT/ILB and needs such as WR/CB/TE/RB coming up I think a solid deal is just what the doctor ordered.

    Jones - FA
    Moore - Aikens
     
    MrClean, jegol71, Onehondo and 3 others like this.
  2. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    we just have to invest on a young safety, there just none on the roster so its a must we look closely in the draft..Kurtis drummond can play ball, like the way he goes from point a to point b, makes quick decisions, looks instinctive, and tackles very well going low almost always.

    I like the decision by nick marshall to switch to corner, I saw a flash today that is worth keeping an eye on, chip kelly likes him a whole lot, and I'm sure may have some plans for him on the offensive side of the ball.

    Yucky on Durrell eskridge, don't like the demeanor to want to hit, and once a body is on his *** in the run game, he's done..
     
  3. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    Wilson's problem is not using his arms to wrap up. He likes to just throw a shoulder into the ball carrier/receiver and too often bounces off. On top of that, he does not create turnovers. I cannot even remember his last pick or FF in my head. Holliman does look a little like Will Davis playing safety from a physicality standpoint, and seems more than willing to let others do the dirty work. But, he does create a lot of turnovers and that counts for something. If Wilson got us 5-7 picks a year, it would be easier to overlook his inability to wrap up tackle.


    Another pending UFA safety that I would be happy to see signed, is Chris Clemons. I honestly did not see any improvement on the back end by replacing him with Delmas. This past season, as soon as it was known Jones would miss 4 games, and Clemons got cut by Houston, I think it would have been prudent to have signed him again, and just plug him in there for those 4 games, and have some decent safety depth the rest of the season, which would have been nice once Delmas got hurt. Hopefully we've seen the last of Wilson at safety in the base defense, for whatever reason.
     
  4. RalphX19X

    RalphX19X >:)

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    I think Michael Thomas and Walt Aikens compete to start alongside Reshad. And they bring in some
    Depth. And I'm cool with that actually. Michael Thomas
    Is a good football player.
     
  5. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    Agreed. The injury to Michael Thomas was a bigger blow than people give credit.

    He was excellent at special teams and probably could have made the probowl as a special teamer. He was a really good back up safety and an excellent slot corner. He was really coming on to his own.

    To the OP: I don't think Coyle enjoys having a free range safety and a stronger safety. He much more rather have two safeties that are pretty much the same. Miami's defense is more like a right safety and a left safety than strong and free.
     
  6. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

  7. zwave21

    zwave21 New Member

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    Regarding Holliman, I agree if the guy gets you 7 picks you can live with shotty tackling, I just don't see why we'd take that route when more complete players will be available.

    i'd be more than fine drafting a Safety and letting Rookie/Aikens/Thomas compete for the job. If it isn't going to be a rookie then bring in a younger veteran who can compete.

    I do like Michael Thomas just interested to see how injury return will progress.

    Agreed, not sure if he labels a FS/SS more or less just Safety. Still, think regardless of title we need a rangy backend guy to offset Jones' ability to step up in the box.
     

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