http://www.freep.com/article/20090324/SPORTS01/90324042/1048 I love it! I couldn't agree more! That's great! That's the art of drafting, imo.
I just love Sparano. He's so genuine, and straight-shooting, but still smart enough not to give up any of their draft-strategy. And he coaches with such an intense love of the game and his players. We have a great coach. Now let's hope we can keep his staff intact if we keep winning.
I think that at least 3/4 of the Dolphin fans are happy with the pick as well. He's definately an example of the type of athlete and character guy this FO wants.
The thing that gets me is the other night the Dolphins were "on the clock" on sportscenter. During the entire five minute segment there was not a single player named that we may have intentions of drafting. It was just Trent Dilfer and Mort talking about how lucky the team is to have had Chad Pennington fall into their laps. And then Mel Kiper (God how I hate Kiper and McShay. They're both arrogant **** heads) spent the last minute and a half of the segment talking about how Jake Long wasn't the right pick because of Matt Ryan. Then continued on to say that Chad Henne will forever be compared to Ryan. I don't think that's fair though. You can't compare #3 overall with #46 overall. If anything Long should be compared with Ryan and since Long has already started 16 games, given up I think 3 sacks, been flagged I think twice and been to the pro bowl...I'm happy with the pick. I would have rather gotten Long at #1, Merling at #32, Henne at #46 and had Pennington fall in our lap than take Ryan at #1, a lesser OT at 32, whomever at #46 and pass on Pennington. It was indeed a bit of serendipity that landed the team in such a great position last year, but no one can deny that we went from a 1-15 team to an 11-5 team. And when a team does that, should anyone really be questioning the moves they made on draft day?
Yeah, I've heard that we "should've taken Ryan" argument before. But, you have summed it up quite well. And, I couldn't agree more. I think it worked out very well for us too. Besides, Kiper's an idiot. On a sidenote, I was just watching Total Access on NFLN (a much better network for NFL coverage IMO), and Charley Casserly was assessing this year's class of OT's, starting with Jason Smith (whom many consider the top lineman in this year's draft class). And, when he was done, Rod Woodson asked him how he would compare him to Big Jake, and Casserly didn't even hesitate. He said he would take Long over every lineman in this year's draft. He talked about how he's a far better run blocker than Jason Smith, about how physical he is, his toughness, his character. Basically, he put Long on another level as compared to all the lineman in this year's draft. It made me smile.
I was estatic when they named Long as the Dolphin's No# 1 pick. This team has struggled for years trying to find a franchise left tackle. It seemed like Miami was doomed to never have a legitimate "franchise" left tackle. Its fitting that this group (Parcells, Ireland and Sparano) wood make the first pick of their first draft Jake Long. With this teams struggles in the past, it was obvious that the offensive line was one of the key areas that had been neglected over the years and it really showed. A very nice piece has been added to the foundation of the Dolphin's offensive line for years to come.
"With all the characteristics we need in a football player to become a miami dolphin"...... Respect it!
"If they want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries" The meal is coming together nicely mr. Parcells
ESPN is basically the E-Entertainment Channel of sports. I've rarely seen any informative analysis about the NFL, mostly just "star" gossip. If you want to know what T.O. did in the last 5 seconds, they're right on it.
QFT ESPN used to be a 24 hour network dedicated to sports coverage. ESPN is now a 24 hour network dedicated to ESPN coverage.
