Chris Steuber of scout.com is doing an excellent job with his series on picking out which teams are sending scouts to which schools. It seems like every school he points out has teams other than the Dolphins scouting them, except for the schools of Ashland, where all eyes were on QB Billy Cundiff, and Western Michigan, where all eyes were on QB Tim Hiller. The exception to this has been the fact that Miami scouts were in attendance at TCU. The Dolphins used a 2nd round pick on a QB in 2008, and a 2nd round pick on a QB in 2009. I wonder if they plan on doing like Randy Mueller does, and drafting a QB in most every year. Cundiff, btw, is a Connecticut transfer. Sparano has ties there. If the Dolphins are getting rid of Pennington in 2010, it would make sense to look for a guy to develop as a third. The Dolphins may have it in their head that they're good enough at developing QBs that they can sell them off to high bidders.
If Penny leaves us next year, it would make much more sense to bring in a Veteran to back up Henne. As for always looking for the next Franchise QB, I think that is prudent due-dilligence. You never sit on what you have unless its Manning or Marino. Never know who you might end up with, could be the next Brady
There's a saying to the theme of drafting quarterbacks. I recall a GM saying it, something like "you should draft a quarterback every year" and if you have your franchise one, you should go with a late round QB or at least add one that is a UDFA. I personally think that saying is flawed because if you pick/draft them up well, you don't need to keep stockpiling them ala Gruden.
Keep drafting them I say.... You never know one might look like he has all the tools and some moron gm will GIVE his second round pick for him. ( See AJ Feeley)
I would love to see Tim Hiller compete against Henne, but I don't see it happening. So long as Buffalo or NE doesn't get Hiller, it won't bother me too much though.
I really like this idea, to me, it shows that this FO is always looking to upgrade and/or cover their losses. Be it because of injury issues, talent upgrade, or whatever and the QB position should be no exception. The lack of doing this IMHO is why we suffered after Dan was dismissed in 99 until last year. It should never have happened then and I hope will never happen again!
Yeah, I like him. I haven't broken him down on tape with specifics but I've seen a couple games of his and he's pretty damn good in my opinion.
As I keep reading these reports by Steuber, I'm seeing a definite and distinct pattern. The Dolphins are sending the scouts out to pre-season practices in order to get a look at QBs and OLBs. Steuber's probably come out with 20 or so of these reports about which teams were visiting what school and the ONLY schools Miami visited had either a QB prospect that everyone was looking at, or an OLB prospect. They were at TCU to see DE Jerry Hughes. They were at Troy to see DE Brandon Lang. They were at Murray State to see DE Austen Lane. They were at Northwestern to see DE Corey Wootton. They were at Western Michigan to see QB Tim Hiller. They were at Ashland to see QB Billy Cundiff. They were not at North Carolina. They were not at Louisianna Tech. They were not at Virginia Tech. They were not at Vanderbilt. They were not at Cincinnati. They were not at California. They were not at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. They were not at Ohio University. They were not at Colorado. They were not at Tulane. I can't say whether they have been looking after San Jose State DE/OLB Justin Cole or not...we just know that the Arizona Cardinals have been looking at him. Similarly, the reports on Washington State and Pittsburgh were just reports about single teams being confirmed to have been scouting them (Philadelphia and Baltimore, respectively). Anyway I think that's a pretty clear pattern. The Dolphins are actively scouting QBs and DE/OLBs but don't seem to be out there for other positions.
surprising that they're not also scouting OL, NT, ILB, TE and WR. I do think we're going heavy on OLB next year...at least two if not three and probably one ILB
There is also a saying that if you have a chance to draft a franchise QB you take it cause they don't come around very often!
Continuing right along the trend, Miami scouts were at Cincinnati-Rutgers. Could they be looking at receivers like Gilyard? Sure. But my guess? Continuing the same pattern, scouting QB Tony Pike (who played really, really well).
Pike looked outstanding. I just wonder if he has too much confidence in himself because he was making some throws that he shouldn't have and if it was a better team, it's probably a turnover.
Continuing a now obvious trend, Miami was one of a handful to send scouts to see Central Michigan play Michigan State. Can anyone guess why? *cough* Dan LeFevour *cough* My guess? Tony Sparano's vow to find more ways of getting Chad Henne in the game was not just lip service. They're going to find out if Henne really is a franchise QB this year or not, and if not, they keep drafting until they find one. I could see them keeping Pat White around as sort of a permanent backup/Wildcat guy while they draft, develop, and trade until they find a franchise guy.
I love Dan LeFevour. Moreso than Tim Hiller, though I think Hiller has a better chance of switching to the pros. Both I like more than I did Nate Davis who performed pretty well considering his draft grade.
Nate Davis has fantastic talent. I'm not at all surprised he was as dynamic as he was this preseason.
Well I was one of the few people who liked him more than any other QB last year. But that was a bit of (MAC) homerism talking. Still I liked him enough where I thought he should have been a 2nd rounder. I'd have preferred him over White.
Him over White? Are u kidding? White is the best QB in the NFL now and put him in the WildPat Wow Hall of Fame!!!!
Miami also scouting the South Carolina/Georgia game, and the Stanford/Wake Forest game. Jeff Owens, Eric Norwood, Erik Lorig, and John Russell perhaps?
Continuing along, Miami scouts traveled to see Florida State take on BYU. Jan Jorgenson a possibility there. But also the game featured two good QBs in Max Hall and Christian Ponder (junior).
Unless Henne is a huge bust, I think the team should focus on the rest of the roster so that Miami can a truly well-rounded team.
Absolutely, been thumping for him since before the season started. For some reason I see him ending up a Buffalo Bill.
Yeah, you and I talked about him with great affection during last season. I think he has all the tools, can get outside the pocket and throws well on the run.
Tim Hiller's not looking so good. Wanted to pass this along. Also, Rutgers OT Anthony Davis, Iowa's Bryan Baluga, and Illinois' Arrellious Benn are expected to enter the NFL Draft at the end of the year.
Dolphins scouts going to be at Cincinnati-South Florida tonight. I'll be there too, Section 237. I'll try and find the Miami scout and pick his brain a bit.
Did you see him? Mortenson tweeted to say that Bradford and Locker are one and two on most scouts lists at the moment.
Interesting. There are players on both teams that Miami could have been taking a close look at. On Cincinnati, my guess would be Mardy Gilyard. On South Florida, George Selvie is a guy they are probably evaluating closely.
the only QB Ive seen so far that I feel that way about. McCoy and Bradford might become starters but I dont believe they will be franchise guys that start for ten years
