Sure, it doesn’t come with the same amount of fanfare and media coverage, but the top pick of the second round provides a similar amount of intrigue and could play a major part in shaping the fortunes of the franchise for years to come. Especially if the team decides to once again go after a quarterback. Last year, it was John Beck. This year, it could be Chad Henne (Michigan) or Joe Flacco (Delaware). And while Bill Parcells and the remainder of Miami's brass say that they are very happy with Beck, a soon-to-be second-year quarterback out of BYU, don't put it past the Dolphins to invest in a position that is both the most important in football and one whose inconsistency has plagued the organization since the day Dan Marino retired. Henne seems to be drawing a lot of attention as of late, with some pundits asserting that his skill set is on par with that of higher profile counterpart Matt Ryan, a surefire top-10 pick. Even if the Dolphins don’t select a quarterback with that second pick, there are several other intriguing options. For example, if former Miami Hurricanes standout safety Kenny Phillips were to fall that far down, he could prove to be the steal of the draft, and could serve as that “defensive pillar” Ireland referred to in last week’s press conference. http://www.realfootball365.com/index...dolphins/10947
If we pick Chris Long with the #1 pick, then #32 should be used on OL. I would do backflips if Branden Albert were still on the board, but he'll likely be selected in the mid first round. Players like Chris Williams and Carl Nicks will be more realistic possibilities at #32.
I would be surprised if Albert makes it to 15...very surprised Williams is one I was touting 2 months ago, looks like it is pretty likely he will also be off the board Nicks has character issues, but is a very good player. At this point, I am thinking more along the lines of Big GOSDER..He would make a very solid RT and shore up that side of the line.
You can't go wrong with any of them IMO. Miami may have picked a bad year to be holding the #1 pick, but this is a great year for talent in rounds 2-4. I feel like a little kid on Christmas eve waiting for the morning to arrive.
I'm praying that Phillip Merling falls but if not Curtis Lofton, Gosder Cherilus, Joe Flacco, Mario Manningham, Tracy Porter would all make me happy. Personally this is the spot I would like to see us trade down
Definitely an option, the #32 pick might be the most coveted pick in the draft. As long as we don't trade down too far and still have the opportunity to select one of the better OL prospects, I'm all for it.
Thanks for posting my column! However, you left out the most important passage: For example, up-and-coming fan forum ThePhins.com has nearly a dozen threads devoted to the topic. Also, can you please hyperlink to the article?
Oh that looks purdy now don't it. Good article. As much as I'm anticipating the #1 pick, it's essentially a 3-man race at this point. 32 is prime real estate with all kinds of options. I get pumped up with almost every name floated for that position.
I'm going with the Chris Long/Gosder Cherilus combo for the first two picks. I don't think any other combination is as effective. I'd also expect to see Groves' name thrown in the mix as well come draft day.
What Hugo is talking about is this Thanks for the link brother.As I have said before I have always enjoyed your work and you have being doing this even before any of these message boards came along
I think it's a great pick to have, not only for the talent, but the fact that others will want to be in that slot. We have a real chance to get extra picks out of the top of the 2nd and 3rd rounds this year.
i just dont know if i would want to trade the pick if any of the following players are still available: Sweed Hardy Cason Brohm Cherilus (If Jake isnt the pick)
I think that's one too many in the first two picks - we've already got a great tackle. If it's depth we're after at the position, we can get a good one at a slot lower than 1 or 32. If it's trade bait we're after, we're better off drafting a QB and dangling him at a later date than another tackle.
I think Cherilus will be gone before we pick again at 32. Theres alot of teams looking for o-line help and he would be hard to pass up even if you werent. There was an awful lot of talk about Henne going to us in print media, and the guys on sirius nfl this morning mentioning that henne would go late first, or early 2nd... I wouldn't be surprised if its us. While I'd like Henne, I think we need to address some other needs, and give beck a chance still
On one hand, the glaring holes in the OL dictate that we take an OL at #32 IF we take someone other than Jake Long at #1. But, as in KB's mock, he waited until the #57 to take an OL. It's just that, IMO, if we take Jake at #1, we have a bye on #32...it can truly be the BPA, because at that point, most likely there will be solid QBs, OL, DE, OLB, ILB and CBs available. And of course there's always the one team that takes someone at #'s 15-20 that is a real reach and that lets someone slide that could be a great help for us. Without being to pessimistic, at #32, that description fits just about anyone... At any rate, the other thing is that IF Jake is the #1, then a trade down at that #32 is a very real possibility. Get a 2nd and 3rd for moving back 10 spots or so...depending on what teams like Atlanta, Baltimore and maybe even the Jets if they feel a QB is available....You just never know... I'd really like to see that scenario work out...another pick in the top 100 can't be bad...
Based on what? Carey graded out as one of the top left tackles in the league this past year, both as a run blocker and pass protector (in his first full year at the position mind you) and graded even better a year earlier at right tackle. Why in the world would he move to guard?
Especially with the Smiley signing. I'm hoping for Hardy or Dan Conner at #32, with Cason or Pat Sims running a strong 2c and 2d.
I am a big fan of Connor but I was wondering what your thoughts were on him in the 34 defense? I know I discussed this with Adamprez I believe and he didn't think he fit at all in it.
Well, I've heard that he is too small to play ILB in a parcell's style 3-4, I went and looked at some old football magazines that I had from the 90's, and that is not so, Gary Reasons for example was Conner's size, Bruschi is a bit larger, but he came into the NFL at Conner's size, so there is no reason to exclude him from the discussion. The thing about #32 is no player that I've heard mentioned "fits" there, a Olineman there is to early, a Qb isn't needed that early, Wr is a possibility as is DE and the DT's seem a bit early to pick, even Sims is ranked in the 50's. There will be really good CB prospects there, and there will be some Wr there of that I'm certain, a King or Porter or Hardy or maybe Sweed should be there when we pick.
Carey has been a Dolphins since 04 and hasn't made a pro bow, in contrast Joe Thomas makes the pro bowl as a rookie.Carey doesn't handle speedy DE or OLB well. Carey can play both LT and RT. I think he is a very good LT or RT, but I think he would be an all-pro and multiple pro bowl LG. I think Carey stays at LT this year unless we draft an OT and they anchor the spot right out of the gate. I then see Cary moving to the right side or inside where he is just a more natural fit.
i would love to see a Chris Long/Gosder Cherilus combo that would be sick but i think cherilus will be gone by the time #32 comes around
If we go with Jake at number 1 obviously its either Lofton, Avril, or Groves at 32. If we go Long or Gholston then its Collins, Cherlius, Nicks at 32. Though Nicks can be picked later.