Lets see here, over 30? check knee injury? check He is eligible to play for the Miami dolphins. Decent depth move.
Fede may not make it out of Training Camp imo. I had hope for him but he hasn't shown enough improvement.
This certainly puts pressure on Fede to make good on the talent we've been hearing about but not necessarily seeing. He will have trouble making the roster at this point. Jim Washburn was in Tennessee when the Titans drafted Jason Jones in 2008 and coached him for three years there. Washburn went off to Philadelphia in 2011 and Jones went to Seattle in 2012, but when Washburn left Philadelphia and went to Detroit in 2013, Jason Jones was signed by the Lions the same year. Washburn coached Jason for three more years in Detroit, and then defected to Miami to help the Dolphins install the Wide-9. Who comes with him again? Jason Jones. He's a system fit, and the perfect handcuff to help keep Cameron Wake's pitch count where it needs to be so that he can be on the field for passing downs doing what he does best. They may have Andre Branch be Mario Williams' handcuff on the other side, more or less.
I was hoping Fede was going to continue to get better, but seemed to hit a wall, so unless he gets a lot better in this offseason he'll remain as a rotational guy. JJ is a solid starter, and a known scheme fit, so I think this is a good move, because all the other possible starters have big ?s.
I'd really like to see us grab another LB (maybe even two) and at least another CB. As far as CB goes, optimistically, we have 2 starting corners on our roster, but pessimistically, we may just have an overpriced 2nd corner on our team (Maxwell). I know a lot of people on this board like Lippett and there are high hopes for Howard, but they are both really young and may not be ready week one. I would really like to see them sign a vet at this position just in case we are headed down the latter of the two roads. If we overpaid for Leon Hall (assuming our medical team clears him) or Antonio Cromartie, I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world. If we gave one of these two a fair one year deal, and the best case scenario occurred and Howard is our #2 and Lippett is our nickel, I would consider that a high quality problem to have. The season is long, and unfortunately, injuries are part of the game. At worst, we would have overpaid for depth, and at best, we are buying time for our younger players to develop. As far as linebackers are concerned, I am scared to death. At the moment, I look at our core of linebackers (Kiko, Misi, and Jenkins) as decent, but I really think we are one injury away from being in real trouble. I don't think that there is one person on this board that is 100% confident in Kiko playing an entire season. I know some people are high on Hewitt, but if Kiko or either of the other two blew out an ACL in training camp, I would have a nervous feeling in my stomach for the rest of the year. The pantry looks kinda thin on free agent linebackers, and I hope we are aggressive on the final wave of cuts. I strongly feel that we did not maximize our value of Suh because our linebackers were subpar last year. If you look at the depth we have on offense compared to defense it is really night and day. We could have injuries at just about any position with the exception of quarterback on offense and really be okay. But on the defensive side of the ball, an average player getting injured could be a major problem for us. As the old saying goes, the best ability is availability.
Yeah I am well aware of what we got in Jason Jones. I actually watch Lions games not just YouTube highlights
Until today the CB market didn't interest me at all. Leon Hall has physically dropped off so much. Watching his games, I really did not like what I saw at all. Antonio Cromartie is not in position to help Miami where they need the help, which is slot corner. But today Brandon Boykin was cut by the Carolina Panthers only a few months after signing him. They only gave him $80,000 to sign so it's no skin off their nose to cut him, and after drafting three corners, there may have been some tension on both sides. Boykin originally signed with them promising him that he's the slot while Bene Benwikere and Josh Norman play the outsides, and that the injury issues for Benwikere have been so prominent that he should be prepared for needing to play on the outside which is what he wants (he knows he's good from the slot but he's trying not to be pigeon holed as a slot-only corner). Fast-forward and they dropped Josh Norman which shocked everyone, he had to be thinking he's in line to play the outside now. But then they draft James Bradberry (6'1" & 211 lbs) and Daryl Worley (6'1" & 204 lbs) in the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Sooo, that's a no on Boykin playing the outside in place of Norman. To top it off they draft Zack Sanchez in the 5th round, crowding the position even more. He was drafted by the Eagles and had 6 interceptions and 17 PDs in 2013 playing from the slot, but then something clearly went downhill for them in 2014 which led them to trade him to the Steelers for a 5th round pick in 2015. But then something weird also happened there (they always call it "a learning experience"), he didn't play until the final 5 games in place of a struggling Antwone Blake. He played nickel, about 60-75% of snaps, and according to PFF data did very well. He became a free agent and signed the one year deal with Carolina. The guy can't keep employment for a reason. But if you're Miami I think you're feeling a little bit nervous about your secondary and you may be willing to take a one year gamble on the player IF he is willing (never know). I don't know that I trust Bobby McCain to man the slot really well. With him in the fold I'd feel good about having a starter quality slot corner that has upside, and then I'd also keep around Ifo Ekpre-Olomu who is another slot with big upside. Then you have Bobby McCain, who is the safe option that can start in the slot if Brandon Boykin goes Captain Insane-o. And on the outside you've got Maxwell and Howard as starters with Lippett and Lucas behind them. At safety you'd have Isa Abdul-Quddus and Reshad Jones, then Michael Thomas and either Walt Aiken or Shamiel Gary.
I'd much rather sign Chris Culliver to a three year deal. He would have to start this year on the PUP, but at least with Culliver you have an outside shot at greatness. If he heals well the potential is all still there. Prototypical size,elite speed and ball skills, high IQ.......too bad about the character issues, but the kid went through some serious hell. How many of us have had multiple family members murdered?? He may never return and play at the level he did in 2014, but then again, he may play well for us later this year and have the best years of his career in 17 and 18, and be our best CB. Not much guaranteed, and you have anywhere from an elite shut-down CB, to CB depth, or a FS center fielder. Remember, he only played one year in college at CB. He was a FS. He also has experience with the 49ers playing slot CB before he moved to boundary. I really like the competition at slot corner with McCain and Ifo.
However, doesn't it scare you a little? Our fired DC was a great DB coach for the Bengals too. Add to that, our last 2 HCs were OL gurus.
Not opposed to Culliver but that's even more of a gamble than Brandon Boykin. At least Boykin is pretty well defined in that if you grab him you know how you're going to get value out of him.
Jones Finds Familiar Faces With The Fins "I’m glad to be with this organization and the future is bright.” “That’s kind one of the main reasons why I came down here,” Jones said of (Jim)Washburn. “He was my coach as a rookie with the Tennessee Titans. He’s kind of molded my career to where I am right now.” http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Jones-Finds-Familiar-Faces-With-The-Fins/2b06fdbd-b26a-4058-8c82-f59b87cc39bf
[video=twitter;732341335785537536]https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/732341335785537536[/video]
Yes, I agree. I just believe that Culliver has the ability to dramatically change games. If we are talking , best case scenarios, I think Culliver wins hands down; but yah, we don't even know what, or if, Boykin has some kind of issue. Safer, solid value. I'm just really partial to Bobby and Ifo. I was very pleased we acquired both those guys. My expectations are low concerning Maxwell going forward. I doubt he will earn his pay. He may have to go as soon as next year.
Yeah, I feel like I'm in the minority when I say why undercut your faith in McCain or Ifo? We need another slot corner like we need more projects at guard. I'm fine without adding another presumptive starter at corner. I mean, they did pick these players, now develop them and show some faith for crying out loud.
Bobby McCain would feel undercut, rightfully so. He was drafted to be a slot, he played slot last year, briefly played the outside but was terrible and moved back to the slot. He's got the idea that he's the slot going forward. But as for Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, he shouldn't feel anything about it because he's virtually a rookie. Everyone understood that 2015 was going to be a blank for him, spending the whole year getting healthy and not really learning much about the NFL. So now he's supposedly healthy (notice he's still not participating in mini camps though), so now he has to spend some time learning the game. If he's upset that a veteran on a one year deal gets put ahead of him on the depth chart, then he came into the year with unrealistic expectations. Miami claimed him off waivers. They didn't draft him on the first or second day. Signing a Brandon Boykin on a one year deal would not interfere at all with Ifo's development. But going back to McCain, I look at what Michael Bennett was talking about with Sam Bradford. If you're afraid of having to actually compete for your job, then that's a turnoff. Right now Bobby McCain has no realistic competition for his slot/nickel job because Ifo is a virtual rookie and not even healthy yet, and the only other guy is Tyler Patmon who was claimed off waivers last year, a healthy cut by the Cowboys because they just didn't think he was any good. Nothing wrong with making Bobby McCain earn his job.
Seriously, who gives a damn about Bobby McCain's feelings? If the staff believes Brandon Boykin is a better player for 2016, bring him in and have some actual depth. You should have two players capable of playing the slot at a high level anyway, and I don't really count Michael Thomas. If McCain is better, you can also just cut Boykin like three other teams have done (one trade).
McCain was the #1 rated slot guy before his switch to boundary per pff, and it showed. Why would you not keep him on the field and let him continue to develop? Why water down the position even more with older stop gaps? I've seen this movie way too many times with our guards. Mediocre slot corners are a dime a dozen, if you find a good one, don't take his playing time away. I'm all for competition, but I wouldn't trip if we don't sign anyone else. Bring in some boundary capable corners, and there's your depth should McCain and Ifo fall flat on their faces.
I dont know that McCain was more than a mediocre slot performer. You mau actualy be thinking of Brice McCain.
After Week 8 they had McCain yards per coverage snap of 0.09, which was first among all slot CB's who had played at least 50 snaps. They had him graded as the #1 overall slot CB until he was moved outside. Then he was shredded by the Chargers and seemed to drop in performance. I didn't necessarily agree, but PFF loved them some Bobby McCain in the slot.
Then he should have zero problem beating the pants off a Brandon Boykin for the slot position in camp. I still don't see the problem.
Sorry, Mercury in retrograde is clearly at play with my miscommunication. Aherm...I'm not against bringing in competition, I'm just not going to feel uneasy with who we have at the slot corner position if we don't bring anyone else into the mix. Obviously, we have historically had issues with depth in the secondary. Visions of RJ Stanford and whoever was the alpha at the local foot locker still dance mischievously in my mind when I ponder our secondary. However, this pressing ....wait, you're right. I'm starting to remind myself of Joe Philbin in the context of our guard scenario during his tenure. screw that, bring in EVERYBODY! Culliver, Boykins, Hall and Cromartie. I'll be damned if we play depth whack a mole anymore... There, I hope I clarified myself, lol.
