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What positions on the team do you think we have ignored or not picked up quality?

Discussion in 'NFL Draft Forum' started by Fin Fan In Cali, Jan 1, 2010.

  1. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    I was just thinking of the last two drafts. I know WR is a position that we need to better. I am very excited with Brian Hartline, but so far we missed on Turner, and he was a 3rd round pick. We really need to upgrade this position for sure. Linebacker is another area I feel we haven't addressed in the draft.

    Wake should be looked upon as an extra draft pick that will help us in the future. I really think we need to upgrade our line backing corps in the draft with youth, speed, pass coverage skills, and getting after the QB.

    Our current team management I believe missed on players like Shawn Murphy, a 4th round pick, so far this years Patrick Turner 3rd round, and John Nalbone a 5th rounder. We took up a roster spot for Murphy for a year, and he didn't see playing time. We could be doing worse, however we have been led to believe that we have the player personnel experts here. If we are going to compete sooner then later, we need to hit on these players.

    Offensive line could use some more depth to continually push our starters. Especially if Smiley can't stay healthy, and if Vernon Carey get's lazy, we have someone to challenge him for playing time.

    TE is another position that needs an upgrade that in the past two drafts I couldn't believe we didn't upgrade, because Fasano, and Haynos is not cutting it. Losing Martin this year was a huge blow to this team and offense.

    2008 2nd round pick at number 32 Phillip Merling is playing now, but has he lived up to a high second round pick? I am just hoping we can have a better draft in 2010, to make up for some picks we missed on, and add play makers and much needed depth to this roster that we need.
     
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  2. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Just because Turner hasn't played much yet doesn't mean we missed on him.

    Outside of that a lot of teams have worse tight ends than Fasano, though it would be nice to get an upgrade.

    As for what you want from our LBs, you pretty much rattled off everything each team in the league would like to look for, so you have good taste. :lol:

    It's really hard to say what we have ignored though when there is another aspect of team building that isn't being considered in the OP, and by that I mean FA. You just can't solve everything in the draft, let alone can you fix every (or most) problem a 1-15 team may have in 2 offseasons. I mean look at our roster at the end of 2007, and look at it now. How many names have been carried over? I'd almost go as far as to say that most every position hasn't been ignored.

    I think overall our player acquisitions have been fine so far, but we just need to have some of our later picks turn into starters or heavy rotation guys (we have one in Donald Thomas at the moment), and some of our earlier picks turn into pro bowlers (we have 1 in Jake Long). I think the fact that we have 2 UDFAs contributing at a pretty high level tells us the FO is doing at least some things right.

    As to what we'll be looking for in the draft is almost too early to tell, because once again we have to look at free agency first, and look at what roster changes we make in the offseason.
     
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  3. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    I agree on Free agency Brother Pete. As for Turner I said so far.:wink2: At linebacker you would of thought we would added one at a time so we weren't where we are right now.:yes:I know the front office is doing some things right. We were just led to believe that we have great player evaluators here. I know it is a crap shoot in the draft. I guess I am just holding them to a higher standard.:hi5:
     
  4. JCowScot

    JCowScot So funky the dead dance

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    One position that I think will be deserving of attention in the near future is RB. Yeah, I said it, running back.

    I'm not going to write out again the entire post since the durn site logged me out before I could post it, but to sum up:

    1. Can we now say definitively that Ronnie is injury-prone...please?

    2. Ricky is 32, showing it and done after next year.

    3. Lex Hilliard is backup at best and Cobbs, while valuable, is not much further ahead in terms of running ability.

    4. This FO is not interested in injury-prone players, unless maybe they come cheap with enormous upside/talent. Which means that Ronnie is done after his contract is up (maybe even before).:(

    5. There is good talent both in this and next year's draft. Next year will be most likely when we'll go after Ronnie's eventual replacement, as the timing, opportunity and talent level will all be there.


    I don't think per se we have ignored it, as we had two starting caliber players there already; however, I don't think that the Phins have done a good job picking up quality players that are able to fill-in/take over. I DO see that being remidied these next two drafts...I hope. :D
     
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  5. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I still can't say Ronnie Brown is injury prone. Someone like Justin Smiley is injury prone, not Ronnie Brown.
     
  6. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I've long argued, dating back to Wannstedt that failed to upgrade the interior of the DL.
     
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  7. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I don't know man, I love Ronnie, but if Smiley is injury prone, so is Ronnie.
     
  8. gunn34

    gunn34 I miss Don & Dan

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    We have failed to upgrade at LB and TE. Although we tried at TE.
     
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  9. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Agreed completely.
    I also live Ronnie Brown, but.....
    -
    I would also add Pat White to the "Not-so-sure we should have drafted him list".
    Here's the thing, the FO can only do so much each year.
    They havew spenrt some time and money on both Lines, CB AND WR.
    They will spend mucho picks on Lb this year I think.
    I also think they either spend or go high pick on either WR, TE or Running back.
     
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  10. JCowScot

    JCowScot So funky the dead dance

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    Not to get off-subject, but RB has been in the league for 5 years now and there hasn't been a season he wasn't injured, two of them seriously enough to be put on IR before the halfway point. I love what the man does, but it is what it is...
     
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  11. JCowScot

    JCowScot So funky the dead dance

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    Safety is another position that this FO has tried and failed to upgrade. Wilson and Bell and above average and interchangable- at STRONG safety. Both have the 'Stone Hands of the Golem' upgrade, which does nothing for their ability to intercept passes. :lol: We have been starving for a free safety since Brock friggin' Marion. That was seven years ago!

    I haven't looked at the safety class for next year, but this year isn't very good and there's not a lot of pickin's in FA. Our atrotious safety play has cost us a number of games this year- it will be interesting to see where the FO plugs the holes this offseason.

    Edit: Just saw Zod's post of his conversation with Gil Brandt...it appears the FO was thinking the same thing with Wilson.:) He also said they like Clemons; we'll see what comes out of that. He certainly has the physical qualy's for a FS, but I've always been concerned about his awareness.
     
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  12. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I think they've failed to acquire play makers on offense. That's why I don't think Brown is gone. He's one of the few offensive play makers on the team.
     
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  13. Zeke0123

    Zeke0123 message board ******* Club Member

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    I still think they go after Merriman this year he will be let go from SD and he has missed basically 2 years with injuries and I would bet this latest foot injury is related to compensating for the knee a fresh offseason and more rehab and he could get back to what he was...Im not really a fan but If what has been said about the draft day decision was between Ware and Merriman I dont see how Ireland doesnt make a push.

    We get him and Bryant and I think that would make for s strong FA period and leave us a lot of options come draft day.
     
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  14. JCowScot

    JCowScot So funky the dead dance

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    I don't think they are going to get rid of Brown soon Raf, but I do believe that they will begin to phase him out within two years and I do believe he will be gone within three unless he agrees to stay at a much-reduced price point.
     
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  15. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    That I agree with. He's a running back and backs have short shelf lives. I also think that a running back in the draft is a possibility. Toby Gerhart in the 3rd? I actually haven't decided how I would feel about that.
     
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  16. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    My thinking today in talking with brother first&goal today was get who we need to get in FA, then have certain position we need to upgrade in the draft. This way we know what we need to get, and if we have to move up for one we can work out a deal to do so, and be aggressive in filling these holes that we have. We also need to get more speed off the edge to compliment Wake.
     
  17. Anonymous

    Anonymous Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The difference is, Smiley's injuries are recurring injuries. Ronnie Brown, though, has a different injury every time. I'd like to think of it as bad luck rather than being injury prone.
     
  18. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    But if he was the primary back and not splitting time with Ricky would he have more injuries?
     
  19. Frayser

    Frayser Barstool Philosopher

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    LINEBACKER

    Crowder - resigned to deal after not being able to secure a nice deal in FA
    Ayodele - acquired in trade via Dallas . . . has not been great
    Torbor - signed two seasons ago and still a backup behind above two
    Folsom - only drafted (late) linebacker . . . just signed off practice squad
    Porter - already on team, will be 33, having injury issues
    Taylor - signed, bulked up, moved to SOLB where he is misused and getting banged up
    Moses - has yet to really do anything after being cut by the Raiders
    Anderson - looked ok filling in once or twice but probably not a starter

    That's pretty much it, folks. Cam Wake is still a DE in my book. If I had just one word to describe that list, it would be "mediocre."

    We need three new linebackers in this draft.
     
  20. BigDogsHunt

    BigDogsHunt Enough talk...prove it!

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    Yup, and per the 2009 NFL.com draft site, DL (DT actually) was something that was listed as a need and avoided last draft.

    So DT especially seems to be something we have not drafted, and DEs in 3-4 we have but could use depth at the edge too.
     
  21. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    That's not true, Crowder was resigned before FA ever started.
     
  22. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    We need to get a number 1 wr in free agency. After today this years 2nd and 3rd might of been better used. I hope they do a better job in this years draft.
     
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  23. Frayser

    Frayser Barstool Philosopher

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    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/138029-breaking-down-the-contracts-of-yeremiah-bell-vernon-careyand-channing-crowder

    It really was/is the only explanation for why we got the deal we did.
     
  24. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I think we have not put enough into the WR position, obviously. Bringing in third tier at best guys like Wilford, then drafting guys later in the draft. And even then, we take Turner (way ahead of his predicted spot) and Hartline (fortunately doing well) - neither of which is a playmaker in the sense they will take it to the house from anywhere.

    Theyve been betting the house on Ginn, and the cards have been falling fast and steady since on that one. We may keep Ginn on the team as a pure speed guy and special teamer, we may not. But I would definitely like us to bring in 2 guys who can be performers, and let our current corps duke it out for supporting role.

    Bryant/Bryant/Hartline/Bess-Cam/Ginn-Other would be a fine looking group of targets for Henne to be tossing the rock at.
     
  25. late again

    late again Senior Member

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    I don't think we've actually ignored so much as gone the bargain basement route. In a sense this FO has been like thrift store shoppers.
    Or maybe it's like buying store brand crushed tomatoes to make marinara sauce.....it'll work, but only if you add a lot of other stuff to it.
    Our WRs are a great example. Hartline, Camarillo and Bess will work out great - if we get someone who will command consistent double coverage. IMO our mediocre TEs would be much better if again, we have a playmaker WR who teams have to game plan around.
    We certainly went the thrift store route with our LBers. Ayodele - fairly cheap through trade; Crowder - cheapest FA option; JT - lucky for us he was willing to come back and play for cheap; Wake was a relatively cheap signing. Then look at the back ups, as well.
    I honestly still worry about what will happen in terms of our WR issue.
    The situation seemingly screams for us to find that true number one option playmaker. But....I recall reading some quotes by our OC saying something about the belief that the wrong kind of WR can cause huge problems for a team. So IMO a guy like Brandon Marshall (or any other malcontent) isn't going to be here.
    And in spite of Gil Brandt's comments, I remain skeptical that we'll draft one very high, just because that seems to be out of character.
    Still, I think our team will still be mostly built through the draft and players picked up through FA will be "role players" for the most part.
     

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