This is his all pro article
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/dr_z/01/09/all.pros/index.html
You know how they're always saying about a it takes a new receiver time until to adjust to the quarterback? I mean, I heard that about the Colts' Anthony Gonzalez for more than half the season. But it took Brady about five minutes to get timed up with Welker.
And what a boost that's been to the offense. Welker broke the Pats' single-season pass-catching record by 11 receptions, and tied for first in the NFL. He was Brady's hot man against the blitz, his bail-out receiver who always seemed to put a move on a defender just as he made the difficult catch. I've said many times that he's the greatest hot receiver I've ever seen.
I'll have to award an asterisk to Miami rookie Samson Satele, very willing, very energetic. Big effort, some mistakes. He had a really outstanding game on the road against the Jets, in others he had his share of whiffs. Definitely a guy to watch for the future, though. He might be better as a guard.
They have already called the psycho ward and reserved a place for me because Will Allen of the Dolphins is my other All-Pro corner. When I went to bed with Newman and Cromartie as my pair, I didn't feel good about it, in fact I felt miserable, kind of like Benedict Arnold did after he had let the side down. At 4 a.m. I was sitting at the kitchen table, giving the charts one last look. Sometimes I start phoning people, even at that hour, to crystallize my thinking, but I didn't want to hear a single other opinion about Allen because I knew it would be, "Waddya nuts?"
I had him as the best player on the field when the Giants beat Miami in drizzly London. In fact, it was the best game I'd seen for any cornerback this season. I had another good one for him in the downpour at Pittsburgh. I had a couple more good ones and one bummer -- against the Jets the second time, when they dragged him across the field and completed a long one on him. He graded out higher than anyone except Newman.
He was still a guy no one ever had picked for anything and, since he'll be 30 next season, probably never will. But dammit, he had been terrific on my modest little chart; did I have the courage of my own convictions or was I going to live and die the copout, the wimp, that all my high school teachers predicted I'd become? "No!" I hollered, jumping to my feet and waking , with a start, Little Jake, the tabby, who was sleeping on the table. "I will do what is right!" Thus, Will Allen is my All-Pro corner, and if you want my game-by-game charts, I will supply them, along with sobriety test results.
And just in case you're wondering why Cromartie's name appears in Sports Illustrated, please bear in mind that it was done by somebody else. My man is Allen and that's all I'm going to say about it.
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Nice to see Will recognized for his year
Also nice to see at least we hit on that draft pick we gave up for Welker
Wale was also picked to his team. Remember that debte for Brooker -
Thats why he WRITES about football.
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when I saw Will actually start locating the ball and making plays, my head 'bout exploded
Saban must have done him more harm than good -
I don't know his reasoning but Dr. Z has written about football for a very very long time. Of all the writers on SI, he's the only one that I really listen to for football knowledge. Don't discount him so fast.
What other writer on SI or even ESPN will take the time to write a whole article on the real west coast offense or the Air-Coryell etc.? Peter King? I think he's the biggest joke on all magazines and sites. -
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yes, everybody is screaming for a shut-down corner
Allen is not Champ Bailey, but we have many greater needs than CB -
i think its because they watch him every play... and obviously EVERY corner gives up some plays...
i think thats the problem with local fans usually underestimating their own players alot...
its like people thought Ronnie Brown sucks because he would get stuffed some times and not break off long runs... but when you looked at the stats youd see his stuff percentage amongst the lowest and he DOES break of as many long runs as many prominent backs... but when all you see is highlights of LT breaking off TD runs on sportscenter you dont realize he is also getting plenty of 0 and 1 yard gains...
so when these fans see highlight shows and see Antonio Cromartie only making interceptions, they dont see the times he let up big plays, or had wrong coverage, etc... so they assume those players are better... because they actually SEE when Allen messes up and assume no one else could make those kind of plays...
thats my theory at least... -
no kidding... Dr Z is smoking some very good Ricky with that quote.
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Allen is a GREAT cover corner. Defending the pass he is one of the best in the league. His only problem is he doesnt get turnovers and his hands suck...
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I was very happy to see this. All year I have felt that Allen was our best player on defence (at least this year he was). He may not be top 2 in the league, but he deserves any attention that comes his way. Sure he needs to improve his hands, but as long as he continues shutting down his side, I will be happy with him.
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Because we are hard up for Olineman Nasty, and Samson can really motor around for such a big man, and we can find a Center (Mormino?) fairly easily.
Kevin Mawae played some guard, he did well when he moved there, Samson to me is a Mawae clone. -
This, and the fact there is a very very large dropoff after him is the reason we need another CB. Will Allen is a very solid player, but we need some help in the TO dept., and someone to pair with him.
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:up: sure was
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So assume Yeremiah comes back, Jason Allen has another year to "get it," and we're set with Will Allen at one corner. Is another corner enough to fix what was a very porous secondary (even considering the practice squad players we had to play last year)? Who plays nickel, dime, and who's out there to draft or bring in as a FA?
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I really like Will Allen and yes we do need a Shut Down coner Allen is a good Coner but we need Someone that is a shutdown coner
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Good on Z, he is my favourite writer and has been for a while.
In regard to Satele, all the guy is saying is that he is at the moment a good center, but could be a great guard. Why is everyone on his back over that? A man can know a great deal about football without having been a top player. -
You are right about more pressing needs. But the Phins do need to DRAFT some corners and hope one of them hit. How much longer can W. Allen play at the same level? Was it one solid season on a horrible team? I hope not...
But the Dolphins will need to grab up a corner to push for #2 next season and #1 within 2 seasons. If Miami cannot sign Samuel, Trufant or anyone that is near that level. They will have a weak spot once again. The secondary is in better shape than the DLINE. That is why I think Miami will Draft Chris Long or Dorsey Levens. After that we need to focus on...
* CB
* WR
* RT
* LG
* DT/DE which ever we do not draft in the first.
* S
* QB
They are not in order...but that is the main weak links right now from where I am sitting. I can see why so many are screaming for a CB. The free agent market should offer up a #1 or #2. The draft has some really good DB's as well. It is a good time to secure the position, like we once had with Surtain & Madison. Those were the good days, when JT or OGUN would pressure they would be there ready for the early errant throw...:ffic: -
nice read
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or just read some of the overreactions on finheaven:thumbup:
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I dont think the Satele to Guard thing is too unreasonable, considering his strengths and weaknesses.
At Center, he's not really free to pull as much as a guard was, and given his ability on screen plays that might be something he'd really excel at. In pass protection, alot of the time he'll be looking for guys to block and just settling for a combo block rather than neutrilizing a guy himself. At say, Left Guard, he'd be dealing pretty consistently with 3-techniques.
His biggest problem this year seems to have been that he messed up 2-3 snaps, too. -
Congrats to them.
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Being suggesting that would make sense for a couple of weeks now Disgustipate.
He moves well, doesn't make mistakes (false starts etc) and it easier to find a Center then it is a top guard.
Tuna or Sparano like huge guards though, Samson is not "huge" he lacks some size, but what if we put Samson at LG, and try Mormino at Center? Or draft one? -
I've always thought Samson would be a better guard in a system that emphasizes pulling its guards etc. like the old Redskins used to do.
He is a good center, but would make a really good LG as well. I presume when Tuna comes in and reviews all the tapes on the players etc. he'll see that he has a great starting point in the middle of his OL, wherever he/Ireland/Sparano wants to put him. -
There is no such thing as a shutdown corner anymore. Technically you are describing Allen that way as Allen is great at covering.
I think what your trying to say is we need a corner who can produce turnovers without giving up too many big plays. -
Would you move Satele to Guard?
If so, who would you replace him with?