The chances are he won't be. I did hear its being strongly rumored this afternoon that the Dolphins are considering moving down in the draft. Ireland better be sure he doesn't get another Odrick. He needs a real impact player.
I disagree....I wouldn't have a major issue with Cooper or Warmack over Eiffert...It seems as tho one of them could be there...I personally would rather have Eiffert, but we, as fans even somewhat connected fans on this forum, don't really know what they think they have with Yeatman, JJ and Martin... It'll say a lot if they do take a guard early on, but not a shock and not necessarily criticism worthy...
One thing, if they do take Eiffert, it certainly changes the general opinion of what is Irish's predetermined preferences are in players... I mean, at this point, you name any tackle or guard and he's instantly associated with them... EDIT: On the other hand, let's not forget where our musts/needs/wants lie either...Eiffert is a need, a G or T seems more likely to be a must...
Last year, Greg Rosenthal had a good article talking about how the Tight End position has been undervalued by NFL teams: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82860152/article/best-firstround-tight-ends-of-the-last-decade Here was the list of TEs drafted in the first round in the last decade: He goes on to say: In my opinion, this statement is pretty spot on. Look at that list. Some pretty good NFL players and a couple of bona fide stars there. Not many busts, if any at all. I have no problem with Tyler Eifert at the # 12 spot. If he's your # 1 target at # 12 and you're reasonably sure you can get him if you drop a little lower, fine if you can find a partner a couple spots down. But don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Get your man. Before the offseason, Jeff Ireland said he knew what he had to do this offseason, and that was find playmakers. In Free Agency he did some of that. This selection would go a long way in accomplishing that mission statement.
The 2011 QBs seemed to get more ink than Pouncey. I still LMFAO about the Mallett at 15 rumors. I could be wrong but I think there was more media/fan attention paid to Flynn than Manning or Tannehill. Ellerbe, Wheeler, Grimes and Keller weren't exactly on the radar coming into the offseason. Wallace was much talked about but Jennings was assumed to be the favorite for quite a while. I think the biggest misconception is that Philbin is from GB thus we want to be Packers South, load up on pass catchers and sling it all over the field. Except Philbin wasn't the boss in GB and we don't have Favre or Rodgers, we have a QB who is barely a toddler by NFL standards so the GB model is premature at best. One of the few discernible trends in Ireland's drafting has been taking the safe player over the high ceiling low floor guy especially in the 1st round. I think it continues b/c it's who he is as an evaluator and b/c it happens to fit with the team's needs.
I think there's less correlation between draft status and performance at tight end than there is at a lot of positions. Less of the top performers are 1st round picks than say, at offensive tackle or another like that.
That may be as you can list the three-Gs like clockwork: Gronk, Graham, Gates, (and obviously there are other TEs) and none of them were in the first round, while like you say, a good percentage of offensive tackles, particularly left tackles, are found in the first round. However, it doesn't look like you go wrong from taking a TE in the first round. It looks like it's a relatively safe bet with not much of a bust factor. I don't know Jeff Ireland, but it seems to me from who he's selected historically (not Tannehill, as he's stated that pick was outside of his usual specs for a 1st round pick), he appreciates lowering the risk with that first round pick. Jake Long, Jared Odrick, Mike Pouncey... those guys, in my opinion, although you never know, but in my opinion didn't have much of a bust factor, regardless of where in the first round they were selected. I think Eifert would fall in line with those picks. Granted, if one of the big three tackles fell, or even Milliner, who plays what Ireland's called a core position, fell, he may feel more comfortable taking those guys. But, aside from the TE not being a core position, I could see lots of reasons why both Ireland and Joe Philbin could get behind a pick like Tyler Eifert. A lot of potential reward, minimal potential risk.
If Cooper is as good as they say then criticism or not I'd love to have him. Notably, the criticism over picking Pouncey seems to have died down a bit.
The point I'm making about the criticism Larry is that if you have to take a guard, it's an indictment on the other players you've aquired....no way does he take a guard, and I love Jon cooper, love...you can't pass on this kind of offensive weapon..
I wouldn't take a TE at #12 if his name was Jesus Christ...I don't care if he can walk on water! Gimme Tavon, then one more high end receiver...
meh pats let welker go because they have gronk elite te is better than a slot wr imo but I'm not sold on eifert being elite
im a little confused by this statement? The TE position is clearly evolving Guys like vernon davis, gronkowski, jimmy graham and even lesser tier guys like gresham, hernandez, heath miller etc are all game changing type players. Frankly, fasano was a fine TE for us and i felt no ill towards him, but he never changed the game at all. I'll admit I don't know much about Eifert but I'm assuming hes more of a game changer then Fasano was. If you look at our offense right now a big time TE would do wonders for us. Though when healthy keller is capable of being that guy... Im glad im not a gm.
Which is why we signed Dustin Keller. It's amazing how little impact he and Wallace have had on the general consensus on the need for receiver help. And with Keller-Eifert-Clay-Egnew, who the hell is going to block and play ST?
If Eifert becomes the receiving TE we think he'll be, he'll force teams to face Miami in a dime formation. Prepare for a ridiculously strong running game, solid QB protection, and big play action plays (Patriot offense).
