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How do you feel about the new FO's Draft?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by UCF FINatic, Apr 27, 2008.

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  1. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    Personally, I am indifferent. I LOVED day 1, we locked up Jake Long before the draft to insure he would be in training camp. Then we did not trade back into the 1st round like reports where and got great value with Phillip Merling. I think some teams stayed away because he tweeked his knee working out and has a sports hernia at the persent moment. Merling was projected to be drafted mid-1st so this was a steal IMO. Phillip Merling will be a good fit at 3-4 DE and should be able to start this season.

    Next, we got the QB our FO targeted, Chad Henne. I was not thrilled with this pick, but I think you have to trust our FO with this pick. They were the ones that got and developed Romo. Chad has all the skills to be great he just needs help putting it all together. I am also glad we waited until 2b to draft him. This pick grew on me after time.

    Now you fast forward to Day 2. I think we really dropped the ball here. Before the beginning of the 3rd round I was really excited there was a lot talent left on the board. I liked trading down a few spots and picking up a 6th, then we selected Kendall Langford. IMO that was a really big reach. He fits our system, but there where really good people still available.

    With the other picks I thought we would go BPA and was really excited to see the Tuna and Ireland work. I came away confused and a little upset. It seemed like every day 2 pick was a reach besides Donald Thomas and Lionel Dotson (and possibly Shawn Murphy). I was left dazed and confused. I know we needed help on our lines but where we taking the shotgun approach?

    Drafting 2 running backs shocked me as well. We already have Ronnie and Ricky. I know they are uncertainties at this point (Brown-injury Williams-drugs) but you have to believe at least one of them can play. Then we trade Lorenzo Booker for a 4th? I liked Booker last year and though he could be used as a change of pace back with the power running system. Looking at both running backs they seemed to be reaches as well.

    Overall, I think we did ok this draft. I would grade it a B even a B-. I think we excelled Day 1 and rolled the dice Day 2. I think we restocked the lines on both sides of the ball and you do win in the trenches. I am not one to guestion Parcells and Ireland, but I think we missed a lot of talent Day 2 for reaches and projects. I just hope I am wrong....

    What does everyone else think?
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2008
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  2. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    I agree. The first day was outstanding...I finally felt like we had a competent front office. Then they really dropped the ball the second day. It wasn't so much that the picks they made were bad players, but they were poor value for the pick. They made a trade that made no sense and got little in return for it, and they ignored several positions that NEED to be addressed, mostly defensive back, to draft project linemen. I would give the draft a B.
     
  3. DOLFANMIKE

    DOLFANMIKE FOOTBALL COACH 32 YEARS Luxury Box

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    I feel great. I think they built on what was a good draft last year. We completely solidfied our OL with Jake Long and Murphy / Thomas. I also think betwen the trades and draft that our front 7 on Defense is rock solid.

    I also think our QB situation is finally solved. Regardless of if its Beck or Henne, the one that doesnt start will be a wuality backup and has time to grow with McCown around.

    I also like our RB situation and special teams.

    My concerns right now are WR, TE, and our DB's

    WE ARE TURNING INTO A BIG - PHYSICAL TEAM
     
  4. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Fasano, Peele and yes, David Martin, are a solid TE corps, not worried about that. WR similarly, though not spectacular, will be ok. DBs we need some help with, but we needed OL/DL help more than anything. Having good lines makes the rest of your team better moreso than any other positions.
    I thought day 1 was good, though the Henne pick im a little wary about. Day 2 we made some reaches (according to the media), but in general drafted big bodies to fit our system. Everyone just needs to realize the obvious. BP and his protege Ireland build via the meat, the big trench warriors. Thats what we mostly went after, why people might be surprised by that Im not sure.
     
  5. FinFan_Est.1984

    FinFan_Est.1984 Get Aggressive!!!

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  6. dgb11112

    dgb11112 Hall Of Fame

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    I like it I to would give it a "B" I think we could have done some damage keeping our first 3rd round pick and taking a CB or WR there.

    I really don't understand why we kept traiding down, we didn't get any additional picks however.
     
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  7. FinFan_Est.1984

    FinFan_Est.1984 Get Aggressive!!!

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    Here is the break down on trade ups and trade downs. What picks we gave and what we got in return.

    http://www.miamidolphins.com/draftcentral.asp
     
  8. SCall13

    SCall13 ThePhins QB

    We strengthened the trenches on both sides of the ball. That is exactly what a team needs to do to build a successful team. It all starts up front. Our defense should be improved vastly as far as stopping the run. And our offensive line should improve A LOT with the pick of Jake Long. Moving Vernon Carey back to the right side (possibly even guard) Justin Smiley, Samson Satele, Jake Long...it's looking really good. And with the cram it down your throat style offense we will run, and a defense that can stop the run, we will stay in, and win, more games than some might think. There is no question that we will be able to run the ball and that will set up some nice play action passes to Ginn and Co. I think we've really improved ourselves a lot.

    I am puzzled with the back to back RBs taken on the second day. I thought one would suffice, but these guys (at least one of them) could really help out our special teams.
     
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  9. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    I'd give em a B. I'm fine with the Long pick and though I'd rather have a CB at 32 and Brohm with the later 2nd rounder, Merling was a bargain and Brohm was just taken. I wanted Connor in the 3rd instead of Langford since we already got a pass-rush specialist OLB in Merling and sorely need a heady run-stuffer at MLB with Zach's absence and Torbor's questionable production. Murphy was an ok pick but I really wanted us to get a good receiving TE like Rucker. And I really question the RB picks when players like Ahtyba Rubin, Paul Hubbard were available. Overall, an ok draft but not drafting a CB, WR, TE, MLB, really irks me.
     
  10. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    I think Merling will be playing DE in the 3-4. He is too big and slow to play LB.
     
  11. bran

    bran Senior Member

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    B+
    they fortified the front 7 and also built a very good oline, added what could be a franchise qb
    also added some depth where there hasnt been any

    i know people wanted a cb and wr but you cannot fill every hole on one draft especially when the phins had holes everywhere you could think of
     
  12. Vengeful Odin

    Vengeful Odin Norse Mod

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    Overall I'd give it a "B." I think this draft will be judged by the success of Jake Long, specifically. Also, the Merling and Henne picks carry weight. Some of the later round picks were questionable, but I wasn't upset with the majority of the picks, as opposed to previous years.
     
  13. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    I think he will eventually have to play OLB. If he really can only play DE in the 3-4, then that makes the Langford over Conner pick a little worse IMO.
     
  14. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Merlin ran a 4.80 with a sports hernia, my goodnesss, C Long ran a 4.76 and he was deemed fast enough even when he weighed 10 pds less...
     
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  15. bran

    bran Senior Member

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    great great point
    merling was hampered big time with the hernia injury he is fast enough to play OLB
     
  16. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    I can live with the Jake Long pick, it stings a little less each and every day.

    I think the Merling and Langford picks were great. Langford has the bulk to play end and Merling will get a chance to play on the outside in JT's role at some point. I wonder if JT is still on the block or if they intend to keep him until the trade deadline. I don't buy into the spin coming from Miami HQ about Taylor not being shopped, both the player and the team are trying to save face after the potential trades fell through.

    The Henne pick still doesn't sit well with me. I know that Miami couldn't pass up 1st round value at that spot, but taking BPA at that point wasn't a good idea IMO. On a team with so many holes to fill, why take a QB so high before we know what we have in Beck?

    Murphy is solid and could battle for a starting job if he can develop quickly, we still have a LG spot that needs to be filled. Unless of course Miami moves Smiley to LG and Mormino/Murphy to RG to avoid 2 young inexperienced players on Beck's (Yes, I said Beck's) blindside.

    Lex Hilliard is an intriguing pick, a Grizz fan I know from another board seems really high on the kid. After reading up on him, I'm pretty jazzed too. He's an excellent blocker and one tough SOB. I wonder how much time Mauia has left.

    Don't know much about the rest, but would have prefered to keep Booker. He was fun to watch late last year in the passing game. So Parcells and Co. did exactly what they said they were going to do, build from the inside out. Our OL is stronger and so is the DL, gotta love it.

    First impression after the draft is that this draft was rated a B. Could have been a B+ or higher if we actually used the Henne pick on someone else.
     
  17. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    I highly doubt that still. Look at game tape when he was at Clemson he will be a DE in the 3-4. At 6-5, about 280 he is way to big to be a OLB, he also ran a 4.80.

    Now if you want to compare him to Long you need to look at a couple of stats; Sacks and Tackle for Losses in college. Chris Long had 19 TFL ans 14 Sacks that means he has very fast closing speed. Now Merling had 17 tackles for loss, which is really good by all means, but he is really good versus the run so he should have a high TFL. However Merling only has 7 sacks. That is considerably lower than 14. That shows he lacks the closing burst required of the Rush Linebacker.

    I would be really, really surprised if he is not a DE in the 3-4.
     
  18. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    I had the same questions about Merling. I would guess we're going to attempt to have him at LB though since we didnt draft another.
     
  19. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    How big is Shawn Merriman? He's 6' 4" 272

    How big is DeMarcus Ware? He's 6' 4" 257

    Adalius Thomas? 6' 2" 270

    Terrell Suggs? 6'3 260

    Merling wasn't able to participate at the combine (where he measured in at 6-5 272)because of his injury. He put on a bit of weight because of it, but once he's back in shape he should be just fine and his 40 time (which are overrated anyway) should improve as well.

    Is he Chris Long?

    No

    Does that mean he can't be good?

    Absolutely not. Move him to the outside where he can use his quickness and ability to rush the QB, then judge him. I think we made out like bandits with Merling and Langford. :yes:
     
  20. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    I dunno about that. I think he can be a decent pass-rushing OLB but he'll have issues against the run, which could continue being our Achilles heel in the LB position since Torbor's a question mark and we passed on Dan Connor.
     
  21. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    Does anyone know anything about Langford? Cause I sure dont.
     
  22. Regan21286

    Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

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    Big strong guy. Good against the run but not so much against the pass. Not a lotta competition in college.
     
  23. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Thats an interesting take, cause USATODAY says the opposite of Merling :wink2:



    http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-04-27-draft-grades_N.htm
     
  24. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Pretty much a VERY watered down version of Merling :up:
     
  25. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    Hater! :lol:
     
  26. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well, just of our draft this year..that all :up:
     
  27. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    It didn't go exactly the way I had hoped either, but I'm pretty happy with the overall final outcome. The only pick that I really disliked was the Henne pick and the selection of Jake Long is actually growing on me. Parcells and Co. wanted a bunch of "big uglies" and they got 'em.
     
  28. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I am in the same camp on Long. Not really what I wanted, but I do usderstand and can live with it...depending on how he turns out of course.

    After that, not really happy about any of it. Merling is a nice pickup, and the Fasano Ayodele trade is nice...

    Aside from that, not so good..
     
  29. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    Jake Long - eh ok i'll be cool with that
    Merling - yay
    Henne - eh
    Langford - who?
    2 RBs - stupid
    Booker trade - Stupid and booooo
    Ayodele and Fasano trade - YAAAAY
    Taylor not being traded - BOOOOOOO

    Overall I'm feeling aright about the weekend. The whole RB situation pisses me off tho, so does JT.
     
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  30. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    Well, hopefully these players can change your mind. :wink2:
     
  31. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Of course we wont know how this pans out for a couple of years :wink2:

    I am not as upset at the guys we got as much I am the ones that were still available and we should have gotten

    Shawn Crable
    Manningham
    Dan Connor
    Kenny Phillips
    John Greco
    Charles Godrey
    Early Doucett
    Beau Bell
    Zach Bowman
    Roy Shuening
    Jonathan Goff
    Ahtaybe Rubin
    DeJaun Tribble
    Bo Ruud
    Mike Hart
    Caleb Campbell
    Josh Barrett


    Are ALL players we should have and every single one could have very easily taken.

    I got very tired and frustrated watching all this go down today..
     
  32. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    I agree with most of that but Manningham? lol why???
     
  33. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Considereing he didnt go till VERY late in the 3rd, I would consider that somebody we shouldve couldve gotten. Considering we have a walk-on from Hawaii some are already considering making the roster at WR, Manningham wouldve been a huge step up IMO.
     
  34. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    That dude has more flags then the U.N. The whole weed thing and his monsterous 6 on the wonderlic was enough for me.
     
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  35. calphin

    calphin deadly at 250 yards!!

    Connor fits better in 3-4 D than 4-3 IMHO.

    I would give us a b+ on this Draft.
     
  36. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    All good points but we will have to wait and see. I just don't know how quick he is; which is why I pointed out the 40 time (I am do not over-estimate the value of it). I think I could possible see him at Strong Outside Linebacker or DE in the 3-4. If he CAN play 3-4 Rush Linebacker more power to him, I just don't see it. Personally, I think it is good we are all argueing about this because it shows how versitle people think/know he is and where he would fit best with our team.

    In another note, if we did put him at Rush OLB where would we put Jerry Porter? He did not do so well last year and it might have been because Jason Taylor was in his Rush Linebacker role for a good portion of the season. Either way, I love this pick and hope he will be a stud.
     
  37. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    I really like him a lot after doing some major research. He is massive at 6-6 and 297. He was AMAZING against the run. I think in his career he only gave up 0.26 yards per carry directed toward him. Yes, 0.26 yards thats phenominal.

    I think he could start and should definatley be in the rotation. This pick warmed on me.
     
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  38. slickj101

    slickj101 Is Water

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    Damn, he would be a huge LB even if he loses like 20lbs. If this guys speed is decent then he could really be a monster.
     
  39. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    LOL. I think that is wishful thinking. I will take him as he is, he should be able to win the starting DE spot.
     
  40. Georgia Fin

    Georgia Fin Fin For Life

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    I can't argue with what we did at all. We now have some of the holes plugged and can see where the ship is still leaking. By no means do I think the draft fixed all our issues but it's definately a good base foundation for years to come. I am elated that we spent as many picks on the Oline and Dline as we did. As far as Henne, I abslutely can't blame them for taking him when they did. We went years without drafting QBs and we all pissed and moaned about it. Now that we've taken QBs in consecutive years people are all upset? We will draft and develop a QB and no longer trade for washed up castoffs, how can anyone be upset with that? JMO Great Draft:up:
     

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