A review of Our Newest Dolphins

1) OT Jake Long 6‘7“ 313 5.17- The Dolphins came out and addressed their biggest position of need by drafting a mountain of a man at Left Tackle. Hopefully he can handle the speed rushers that come at him because if there is any question about Long its that he has trouble with pure speed.

Long possesses good arm length, a strong base and sets into his pass protection quickly. However he has average recovery speed, meaning that if he gets beat off the snap it’s going to be hard for him to save the play and take his man wide. His feet are average. He has average lateral movement. He also tends to set to outside protection which leaves him vulnerable to inside moves due to his average hip swerve. He is vulnerable to double moves. For all his size he doesn’t have a great punch which allows lineman to drive into his body. Still if you don’t beat him off the snap you are not getting by him since he has a great base. The inside vulnerability can be improved with proper technique and a scheme that works to his skill set should allow for the Dolphins to deal with elite speed rushers. He has the ability to mirror edge rushers to a point. A year or two of strength training may improve the punch. Bottom line is he should become a good pass protector but will never be an elite blind side protector.

Now when it comes to run blocking we got a beast. Jake will be a force in the NFL by year two mauling defenders and opening up holes for Ronnie Brown and company. Jake Long is a mean blocker meaning that he looks to hurt and embarrass you when he’s blocking. If Jake gets his hands on you, you are going backwards and he will not stop until the whistle is blown….maybe. Defenders will be left on the ground in Jake’s wake. He’s good in space for a man his size so he can be somewhat effective if forced to hit moving targets.

Jake also possesses great intelligence as evidenced by the different schemes he has had to learn in Michigan. He never gets penalties although he should quiet down about how he’s so good at getting away with illegal holding. He should be pretty good at picking up blitzing schemes after a year or two of learning the NFL game. He also has the potential to get bigger and stronger.

Bottom line here is the Dolphins got themselves the next Jumbo Elliott who was a good not great Left Tackle. Look for him to develop into a left tackle that will be ranked somewhere between 7th and 12th. Long in a zone blocking scheme would be a liability but the likelihood is that we will run a straight ahead mauler type of blocking scheme that Jake is a perfect fit for. Considering their desperate need at the position, this pick makes perfect sense.

Grade: A- ( Not really the fault of the Dolphins since there wasn’t any A+ talent available at one overall)

Prospects bypassed : OLB Chris Long, OLB Vernon Gholston, QB Matt Ryan

Compares to: Jumbo Elliott, Jammal Brown, Flozell Adams

2) OLB/DE Phillip Merling - 6’4 ¼” 276 4.85 -This pick could end up being the steal of the draft. Merling brings great size, long arms and phenomenal strength to the position. He has a non stop motor, excellent instincts and good play recognition. He is extremely tough and physical and will endear himself to Parcells by having that mean streak that Bill covets. He has excellent short area quickness which is more important that straight line speed. He will not give up on plays. If he’s down he will get up and still try to make the play. He also has the versatility that the Dolphins 3-4 schemes will require. His production increased every year at Clemson and ended with him posting 78 tackles, 17 for loss and 7 sacks.

Merling can chase down runners from behind. He can protect the sideline in run support. He uses great leverage. He can stack and shed and has the ability to split double teams. He is a good tackler and plays well in space. He will get pushed back on occasion and needs to learn better hand technique but another year in the weight room and a good schooling in professional hand technique moves should improve those areas.

He shows a great first step and is a good but raw pass rusher. He has ability rushing from the edge. Has one of the best inside spin moves you’re going to see. He still needs to learn a few other moves however. A good burst move to the outside with a swim and a bull rush move to offset it would be a complete repertoire. He will probably never be the type that battles for sack leader but with a few new moves he has enough ability that double digit years could become reality

Bottom line here is the Dolphins got one mean, big and powerful pit bull that will be around the ball constantly. If he can learn better pass rushing techniques he has a chance to be a regular at the pro bowl. Its hard to project him this early since he can easily bulk up to 295 and play DE or stay at 270 and play OLB. The bet here is that he’ll be our Calvin Pace and play the elephant position. This was a lucky pick that really makes passing on Chris Long and Vernon Gholston brilliant in retrospect since Merling has a chance to be better than both

Grade A+ (Could become steal of the draft)

Prospects bypassed: CB Brandon Flowers, CB Tracy Porter, ILB Curtis Lofton, DE/OLB Quentin Groves, QB Brian Brohm, WR Limas Sweed

Compares to: Trevor Pryce, Jamal Anderson, Justin Tuck

2) QB Chad Henne 6’2 7/8” 230 4.96 - Someday we will probably know what the original strategy regarding QB was in this year’s draft. Right now I don’t think we do. Obviously we showed interest in Henne. But what if Flacco was still available? Brohm was probably not in consideration but might have been a fallback position if Henne and Flacco were both gone by the time 32 rolled around. The feeling is that Henne would’ve been the choice at 32 until Merling became available. Then as luck would have it, Henne was still around by the time our second pick in the second round was up. Clearly the football gods were smiling upon Parcells and company day one.

Henne is slightly on the short side but is solidly built. He is thick bodied. He is extremely smart and possesses a strong arm that can make every throw. He throws a tight spiral and can get the deep pass out on a rope. He has nice touch and can anticipate routes nicely. He has a quick release. He has shown good leadership qualities and has excellent intangibles as evidenced by being a four year starter for QB machine Michigan. He is tough physically and mentally having played through a separated shoulder.

Henne unfortunately doesn’t feel pressure and will probably always take unnecessary sacks. He seems to need a perfect pocket in front of him so that he can step into his throws. Pocket mobility is poor to average and he is not good at improvising on the move when the pocket collapses. His accuracy is inconsistent and he has a tendency to sail the ball on occasion which will lead to unnecessary interceptions in the pros. He takes too long to decide on who to throw too and has a tendency to lock on his receivers. His footwork is poor.

A lot of Henne’s flaws can be improved under the tutelage of Dolphins QB Coach David Lee but its probably too much to ask him to start his rookie season. He averaged approximately 200 yds passing pergame with a 60% completion average. 22 TDs and 8 ints over the course of a 13 game season was basically what he produced at Michigan every year approximately.

A classic pocket passer in the mold of Drew Bledsoe, Henne landed in a perfect system for him. A run dominated, play action passing attack that will emphasize a huge offensive line will give him a chance to be successful in Miami. I doubt there are more than ten teams on which Henne could be successful but Miami is definitely one of them. The key to his success will be his accuracy. If he can improve his accuracy after a year or two of David Lee’s tutelage he should be able to thrive in this system.

Bottom line he is never going to be great but with hard work on his part he could become a poor man’s Bledsoe or Simms

Grade B- ( fits the system but how much better is he than McCown and Beck?)

Prospects bypassed WR Dexter Jackson, CB Terrell Thomas, TE Martellus Bennett

Compares to Kerry Collins, Matt Hasselbeck, John Navarre, Brian Griese

3) DE Kendall Langford 6’5 ½” 287 4.89 - Bit of a surprising pick to start the second day of the NFL Draft considering that the team had more glaring needs at cornerback and wide receiver but it goes right along with the Bill Parcells strategy of building a team from the trenches out. Langford is naturally big with the raw power to hold his ground. Shows enough strength to generate a push and can make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He had 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks his senior year. He has a good bull rush and has decent short area quickness for plays coming at him. Just like all the Parcells types he is nasty and mean.

Don’t expect much from Kendall his first year out. He has poor hand technique which causes him to get hung up on blockers. He isn’t that quick or explosive so don’t expect massive sack numbers in the NFL although he should be good for about 6 to 8 per year once he figures out proper technique. He’s not quick to change direction so don’t expect plays being made unless they go right at him. He plays a bit high.

Overall a very solid developmental project with the physical talent to become a solid 3-4 DE starter with improved technique

Grade B (The raw material is there to work with)

Prospects bypassed: CB Charles Godfrey, WR Mario Manningham, DE Chris Ellis, RB Jamaal Charles, CB Reggie Smith, DT Pat Sims, FS Dajuan Morgan, TE Craig Stevens, TE Brad Cottam, OT Oniel Cousins, OT Jeremy Zuttah, OLB Cliff Avril

Compares to: Jason Hatcher, Adam Carriker

4) OG Shawn Murphy 6’3 7/8” 320 5.37. Let me just get this out of the way. He is another lineman that plays with a nasty disposition. From here on out, let us just assume that every player we get plays with a mean and nasty attitude. Another Mormon who finished his mission work, he is a bit old at 25. He is the son of baseball great Dale Murphy. He has a solid frame and is well proportioned for the line. He has great strength and gets a nice push on run blocks. He gets into his blocks quickly and positions himself well. Shows a decent range. In pass protection he shows good agility and balance. He didn’t allow a sack as a senior. Showed decent awareness against the blitz. He’s been relatively injury free. Is hard working and smart. He has experience at tackle so he should be able to replace an injured tackle in an emergency.

Although he’s strong and nasty, he’s played with more finesse than raw power. He’s not explosive. Shawn has short arms. He needs to work on his hand technique and punch. He still needs work on his footwork.

Bottom line seems like a good prospect that should be able to start in the NFL. He really stood out in the East West Shrine practices. Could possibly start right away but there is a huge leap from playing in the weak WAC to playing in the NFL so if he has to sit for a year don’t be surprised.

Grade B ( If things work out could develop into a solid starter)

Prospects bypassed: TE Martin Rucker, OT Anthony Collins, CB Reggie Corner, DT Dre Moore, CB Jack Williams, NT Red Bryant, WR Lavelle Hawkins, RB Tashard Choice, OLB Bryan Kehl

Compares to: Justin Smiley

6) RB Jalen Parmale 5’11 ½” 224 4.47 - Jalen averaged 5.5 yds a carry each of the last two years. He ran for 1,511 yds his senior season. He has good size, nice athleticism and quickness. He shows good patience and instincts. He’s great running inside, breaking tackles and fighting for every last yard and is a solid blocker to boot.

Jalen isn’t a guy that can run to the outside and is basically a one cut and move inside runner. There is almost no shake and bake with the guy. He isn’t much of a receiver.

Bottom line is he seems like the kind of tough inside runner that Parcells likes and has a chance to be a decent short yardage back that can spell Ronnie and Ricky.

Grade D ( Although its always great to get the tough yards, does a team that has Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams need another short yardage back? Seems like he would be a better fit for the Broncos than us)

Prospects bypassed: OT Mike Gibson, DT Nick Hayden, RB Chauncey Washington, WR Adrian Arrington, RB Cory Boyd

Compares to: Mike Bell

6) OG Donald Thomas 6’3 3/8” 303 4.9 Donald has good arm length and is strong from the waist up. He has a tremendous punch that can stop defenders in their tracks. He has great feet, good speed and is good at pulling and finding defenders at the next level. He can control defenders in short areas.

He has balance problems that stem from poor leg technique and will get thrown around some. He will get walked back by defenders if he’s slow off the gate. He doesn’t pick up the blitz well. Has thin legs and will need to work on getting stronger from the waist down.

Bottom line is he will not start first year out. He has a lot of technique work to improve upon. He is likely going to end up on the practice squad. He has an assault arrest in his past so there are character concerns with him. Probably the most likely to get cut from this draft class but if he sticks around has a chance to develop into something decent in two or three years.

Grade D: (Raw tools are great but there were better prospects available)

Prospects bypassed: TE Tom Santi, DE Robert Henderson, S Josh Barrett, OT King Dunlap, C Jamey Richard

Compares to: Ben Hamilton

6) RB Lex Hilliard 5’11 1/8” 231 4.68 Incredible numbers from his Montana days. Basically rushed for over 1000 yards three years in a row (sophomore season was 972 but I round up) Averaged 4.7, 5.3 and 5.1 yds a carry those three years. Lex Luther is a very instinctive runner that lets the blockers in front of him determine where he will go. He has good strength and runs leaning forward so that he almost always gets an extra yard when being brought down. Good blocker and decent receiver out of the backfield. He is pretty much a hit the hole type of runner and wont make many people miss. He will not earn his living running outside. Could project to FB or powerback depending on what the coaching staff wants to do with him.

Bottom line is he’s a better prospect than Parmalee in my opinion and if we are to carry a new back on our roster he should be the one that sticks. Also a great hedge in case the brass decides to get rid of Reagan Muaia

Grade B+ ( Could be a Fullback, one back or powerback)

Prospects bypassed: LB Brian Johnston, WR Steve Johnson, Peyton Hillis, RB Justin Forsett, OT Geoff Schwartz

Compares to: Rodney Hampton

7) DE Lionel Dotson 6’3 5/8” 296 5.39 Lionel really came into his own his senior year. He is pretty athletic. Flashes nice quickness off the ball and can shoot the gap. He has good body control and tends to play on his feet showing good balnce. Has a nice short area burst to make tackles or sack the QB. He has the frame to get bigger which he will need to do. He is a good solid tackler. Had 50 tackles his senior season with 9 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. His family is full of former athletes.

Lionel plays too upright and can get engulfed and moved around. He has very poor hand technique. He will need to bulk up in the pros. He is too weak at the moment to be effective against the run in the pros.

Bottom line is he’s a very nice project player who will need to spend his rookie year bulking up and learning proper technique. Another practice squad candidate, he has a chance to become a good player with pass rush ability down the road with hard work

Grade B: ( This is the round when you get those developmental prospects and if his senior year is any indication he has a chance to surprise given a year or two)

Prospects bypassed: WR Mario Urratia, OG Mackenzie Bernadeau

Compares to: Sorry the brain has shut down. I leave this comparison to your imagination.


Final Analysis: What Bill Parcells has brought the Dolphins in his inaugural draft is the philosophy of how bigger and meaner is better. The majority of players selected were big, mean and nasty. The entire draft really focused on the trenches and the running game. We didn’t really touch the passing game other than to select Henne and we didn’t touch the defensive backfield at all. The foundation has been laid for becoming a brutal, fist in the face type of bloody knuckles team. It’s only year one and the pieces needed to truly compete won’t be here for another year but it’s a start. There is plenty of depth now in the trenches and when next year comes and we’re ready to add the skill positions we should have a decent base from which to start. Parmalee and passing on Ryan are the only two questionable calls in my opinion but if we had picked Ryan, Parcells vision of a mauling panzer division on the offensive line would have had to wait another year. Only time will tell whether he made the right call on that.

For those of you who want to get a look at what’s available at the skill positions next year I have included a brief review of the top prospects for 2009

Safeties (Grade A with only the Seniors. Include the Juniors this is A++++. Probably the deepest position in the 2009 draft)

Taylor Mays, USC (SS)
Height: 6'4 - Weight: 225 4.39 JUNIOR
Taylor Mays' combination of size and speed is almost unbelievable. He can get in the box and stop the run, but is just as good in coverage.

Myron Rolle, Florida State (SS)
Height: 6'2 - Weight: 215 4.43 JUNIOR
Myron Rolle is the most technically sound saftey in this group. He doesn't make mistakes, and hits much harder than his size would indicate.

Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech (SS)
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 220 4.48 JUNIOR
Chancellor is a lot like Taylor Mays. He's a huge safety with ridiculous speed for his size. He needs just a little work on his coverage, but he'll be an early pick.

William Moore, Missouri (FS)
Height: 6'1 - Weight: 215 4.42 SENIOR
William Moore is an outstanding playmaker in the secondary. He's fantastic at playing center field and jumping routes to pick off passes.

Kevin Ellison, USC (SS)
Height: 6'1 - Weight: 220 4.56 SENIOR
Ellison is the other half of the best safety tandem in college football. He loves to get in the box and help in run support, but is plenty solid in coverage.

Nic Harris, Oklahoma (SS)
Height: 6-3. Weight: 226. 4.55. SENIOR
Nic Harris, a key component of Oklahoma's secondary, is exceptional at locking down against the run.

Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (FS)
Height: 5-10. Weight: 196. 4.40. SENIOR
I'd like to see Derek Pegues put on a bit more mass. Pegues is a lightning-quick jack of all trades; he can play cornerback, free safety and kick returner.

Patrick Chung, Oregon (SS)
Height: 5-11. Weight: 205. 4.44. SENIOR
Patrick Chung has decided to stay for his senior season after declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft.
Chung just doesn't miss football games; going into the Arizona State contest, he's making his 34th straight start.

Chris Clemons, Clemson (FS)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 205. 4.40. JUNIOR
One of the top tacklers in the ACC.

Michael Hamlin, Clemson (SS)
Height: 6-3. Weight: 200. 4.59. JUNIOR
Hamlin was second on the team in tackles with 97 and led the team in turnovers forced with six. He was a big reason Clemson ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring defense and total defense.

Courtney Greene, Rutgers (SS)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 205. 4.53. SENIOR
Ranks eigth in Rutgers history with 299 tackles. Had 101 last season

Cornerbacks (Grade A. A lot of depth here)

Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Height: 6'1 - Weight: 202 4.37 SENIOR
Malcolm Jenkins would have been a first rounder in 2008, but came back to chase a National Title. He's got outstanding size and speed, and can play man, press, and zone.

Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
Height: 6'0 - Weight: 195 4.46 SENIOR
Victor Harris has good size for an NFL corner. He's a ballhawk, who can also return kicks for a team.

Vontae Davis, Illinois
Height: 6'0 - Weight: 205 4.37 JUNIOR
Davis is a blur for his size. He can press receivers as well as anyone in this class, because he has the speed to recover if he's beat.

Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford
Height: 5'11 - Weight: 200 4.34 SENIOR
Osaisai will be one of the faster corners in next years draft. He has good ball skills, and is big enough to press when asked to.

Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
Height: 6'0 - Weight: 165 4.42 SENIOR
Mickens has fantastic hands. He seems to always make the play when the ball gets to him. He's also a good return man, but will have to get bigger to hold up to NFL punishment.

Trevard Lindley, Kentucky
Height: 6-0. Weight: 175. 4.39. JUNIOR
Trevard Lindley seems to make all the plays.

Joe Burnett, Central Florida
Height: 5-11. Weight: 183. 4.40. SENIOR
Joe Burnett has decided to stay for his senior year after declaring for the 2008 NFL Draft. Burnett played a lot as a freshman, but was hampered by an ankle injury as a sophomore. Now in his junior year, Joe Burnett is making all the plays; he had a great game in a near upset against Texas.

Christopher Owens, San Jose State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 170. 4.41 SENIOR
Christopher Owens is a bit small and could stand to gain some weight. However, he registered 75 tackles and six picks in 2007, so it's not like he wasn't productive.

Jackie Bates, Hampton
Height: 5-10. Weight: 180. 4.27. SENIOR
Jackie Bates has seemed to rebound following a troubled pass (sorry, Emmitt-type error). He completely dominated the MEAC this year. His 40 time is amazing. Transferred to Hampton. Let's see if he can get his act together there. If Bates weren't coming off a leg injury and wasn't suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, I'd have him much higher on this list.

QB (Grade F unless the underclassmen come out)

Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
Height: 6'5 - Weight: 230 SENIOR
Cantwell has the size and arm strength of a pro QB. He just has to prove he can play every week.

Tim Tebow, Florida
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 235 JUNIOR
Tebow looked good throwing the ball last season, but needs to prove he can sit in the pocket most downs and throw the ball accurately.

Matthew Stafford, Georgia
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 237 JUNIOR
Matthew Stafford has all the physical attributes you look for in an NFL quarterback. Like Cantwell and Tebow he just needs to show he can get the job done consistently.

Chase Daniel, Missouri
Height: 6'0 - Weight: 223 SENIOR
Chase Daniel is a little on the short side for an NFL quarterback, but so was Drew Brees.

Todd Boeckman, Ohio State
Height: 6'5 - Weight: 243 SENIOR
Boeckman is a huge QB with a cannon for an arm. He just needs to show he can avoid the rush in the pocket and get rid of the ball.

Cullen Harper, Clemson
Height: 6'4 - Weight: 215 SENIOR
Cullen Harper looked fantastic last season. Another year like that will get him into 2009's second round.

Nate Longshore, California
Height: 6'5 - Weight: 233 SENIOR
Like most of the other QB's in this class, Longshore has shown flashes of brilliance. He just needs to do it week in and week out.

Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Height: 6'2 - Weight: 196 SENIOR
Harrell is next years Colt Brennan. Scout will want to know if he's a system QB, or if he can get it done at the NFL level.

Curtis Painter, Purdue
Height: 6'4 - Weight: 223 JUNIOR
When he's on, Painter is as good as any QB in this group. The problem is he's too streaky, not just from game to game, but from quarter to quarter.

Colt McCoy, Texas
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 205 JUNIOR
McCoy needs to rebound from an interception plagued season in 2007. If he can return to his 2006 form he one of the best in the country.

Pat White, West Virginia
Height: 6'2 - Weight: 185 SENIOR
Pat White will likely move to wide receiver in the NFL. Unless, he shows he can sit in the pocket and make all the throws in a pro QB's arsenal.

Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Height: 6-4. Weight: 214. SOPHMORE
Sam Bradford is going into his redshirt sophomore year, so he'll be eligible for the 2009 Draft. If he matches his 2007 numbers this upcoming year, I see no reason why he woudn't come out early. Bradford threw for 3,121 yards, 36 touchdowns and only eight picks - as a freshman. Unbelievable. Can we get a birth certificate?



FB (Grade B, there are about 4 good FBs)

Javorskie Lane, Texas A&M
Height: 6-0. Weight: 268. SENIOR
40 Time: 4.90.
A two-ton truck with legs, Jorvorskie Lane is actually 13 pounds heavier than Jerome Bettis was. Scored 19 rushing touchdowns in 2006.

Chris Pressley, Wisconsin
Height: 6-1. Weight: 259. SENIOR
40 Time: 4.70.
The lead blocker for P.J. Hill, Chris Pressley dropped 15 pounds this offseason. He needed to after missing most of 2006 with a leg injury.

Brannon Southerland, Georgia
Height: 6-0. Weight: 240. SENIOR
40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round (2009): 4-5.
Brannan Southerland does it all; he blocks well, carries the ball in short-yardage situations and catches passes out of the backfield. He had 14 receptions, 157 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns in 2006.

Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-0. Weight: 230. SENIOR
40 Time: 4.56.
Projected Round (2009): 5.
Played tailback in high school, switched to fullback his freshman year. While Conredge Collins has been an effective blocker, his pass-catching ability is what sets him apart from most of the other fullbacks in his class; Collins had 20 receptions, 198 yards and four total touchdowns in 2006.





WR (Grade A, assuming the juniors come out and considering these are 1st round talents, they should)

Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 222 4.49 JUNIOR
His numbers are inflated by Texas Tech's system, but Crabtree is a Calvin Johnson-esque type of talent. He has the size, speed and hands to be a number one receiver in the NFL.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 195 4.37 JUNIOR
Heyward-Bey is the second best receiver in this class, and we haven't even scratched the surface yet. The sky is the limit for this prospect.

Percy Harvin, Florida
Height: 5'11 - Weight: 181 4.34 JUNIOR
Harvin might be the next Steve Smith. He's the kind of receiver that doesn't have to run a deep route to get the ball down field.

Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Height: 6'1 - Weight: 185 4.29 SOPHMORE
Maclin will make some team a nice number two receiver, or possibly a slot man. He will however, be a huge factor in the return game.

Brandon LaFell, LSU
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 205 4.46 JUNIOR
LaFell may have stolen some of Early Doucet's thunder in 2007. It seems like every time LSU needed a big catch the ball went LaFell's way.

Oderick Turner, Pittsburgh
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 200 4.48 JUNIOR
Oderick Turner has been very productive in his short collegiate career. He has great size and speed, and just needs one more season to show he can be a consistent threat on the outside.

Jaison Williams, Oregon
Height: 6'4 - Weight: 243 4.57 SENIOR
Williams will be 2009's Dustin Keller. He's a wide receiver, tight end hybrid who could cause serious mismatches in the slot for some NFL team.

Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
Height: 6'3 - Weight: 195 4.50 SENIOR
Robiskie might be the best route runner in this class. He needs to show scouts he has the speed to stretch defenses.

Derrick Williams, Penn State
Height: 6'0 - Weight: 203 4.36 SENIOR
Williams is an extremely talented receiver and return man, but hasn't ever put a full season of solid production together. If Penn State finds a quarterback who can make use of his skills, he'll shoot up draft boards.

Patrick Turner, USC
Height: 6'5 - Weight: 220 4.57 SENIOR
Turner is a big, physical wide out who hasn't shown us much at USC. If he can put together a solid season he could go in the second round.

2009 Draft class http://fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2009/...s-for-2009.cfm
http://walterfootball.com/draft2009FB.php

 

The 2009 classes are loaded with everything other than QBs so hopefully Henne or Beck or McCown are up to the task. But next year we should have our choice of WR or DB

 

Lol. The Hasselbeck one was a bit of a stretch but there are some similarities. I dont think Connor wouldve been a good fit for the 3-4. As you know I'm a big fan of Chauncey Washington too. I think the NFL capped us on how many Wolverines we could draft in any given year. Cant have the Wolvering Fight Song break out in the middle of a Dolphins game now can we

 

Agreed but I may want to pass on one next year so hopefully one of these guys shows something

 

I think that's what happened in Hawaii with Reagan Mauia. The guy probably called him a catcher. Thanks for the edit tip. It took me quite a few hours doing that writeup. By the end of it my mind wasnt all quite there

 

You know I was looking at your sig and the one comparison I couldnt quite bring myself to compare Hilliard to is Zonk. Not quite the same but his style of running reminded me a little of him

 

It was my pleasure. After spending alot of time scouting and then going through the draft the last two days, it was nice to sit down and just evaluate what he got instead of trying to predict who we would get. Although to be perfectly honest I didnt expect it to become as long as it did when I started out. I appreciate the positive feedback though. Makes my work trying to get it ready by the morning worthwhile

 

Yeah. What Ive always loved about Parcells is that he understands football is a fight and not a game. He got our brawlers in this draft and hopefully next year we add the weapons

As for Ryan, he wouldve been great here but Parcells is going to build his team his way and the final product he puts out is always great so I know that in two or three years we're going to be atop the AFC East again.

 

I think you'll like him though I dont know if anyone can be half the man Zonk is. Hopefully he's at least one percent

 

If he can pick up all the techniques in one offseason and ends up starting for us then he's a mega steal. Its just my opinion and I could certainly be wrong but I think he's going to be a one or two year project. I'm not exactly sure what schemes we're going to be running but I think someone like Thomas might be better suited for a team like the Broncos where he would probably have more opportunities to use his speed. If we're using alot of counter tres then he definitely starts making more sense to me but I really think he wont be ready this year. i think its too much to expect him to learn all the technique work to be ready for prime time his first season. I expect him to have alot of problems with our defensive line in this training camp so it will be interesting if Parcells and company are willing to stash a project on their roster for a full year

 

Yeah that's the feeling I got after the draft too Hey congrats. No Wolverines drafted on the second day. Must've been sweating Manningham dangling there

 

A wager on what? That Ferguson will wreck him in camp?

 

Initially yes but upon reflection when I was doing this writeup I thought it was a solid pick that reflected the Parcells strategy of building up the trenches. Its all about the system and some of the players I liked probably werent right for the system that Parcells wants to run. Also I dont know what Parcells plans are for Holliday, Wright or Starks. He may feel that DE was a huge need whereas I didnt think it was that big. Who knows how Zuttah or Godfrey came across in the interviews. Parcells may have instantly crossed them off his list after their interviews

 

But that's the way I like it baby, I dont want to live forever!!!

 

Running away from a Nose Tackle is not proper technique and I'm sure Sparano will correct him on that.

Didnt know about the wedge buster stuff. That is impresssive. That will keep him on the active roster if he can do that. I will not bet on any failures from this draft group. I want to keep a positive Karma going

 

Yeah I think we wouldve had to change our Dolphins Fight Song to the Michigan one if we drafted anymore Wolverines