I remember last year, the pessimism on defense. Wake was limited, our corners unproven, Kmart Linebackers, and a porous run defense. One year later, on paper, it feels better. And isn't this what we need? No one expects a top 5 defense, but if they can be top 12-15, we can see exponential things. It could mean more possessions for an offense that I believe we feel better than a year ago too. It also could mean a fresher defense later on games. My optimism ranges around these issues: 1. Rashad is back and he has company. TJ Mac will be a nice addition after the first half. 2. I believe there is more talent at corner and some of that is based on guys playing better last year. We were up in arms about Kiko and Maxwell. Max came around. X is healthy. And Lippett played well and I'm sure will show progress. There is a lot of value I believe in Dre Tank. I'd love to see Revis added. 3. LB's. Pretty simple, we know what we have in Kiko, added Tim and drafted Kwon. 4. Defensive line and Ends. Cam is healthy, no pitch count. We drafted some help for Suh and Phillips is due for a breakout year. I love the addition of Hayes and his ability to stop the run. And that rotation at DE, with Charlie and Branch should keep us fresh. 5. Coaching. I believe Vance was more concerned about being a head coach and not as a DC. I believe Burke won't go anywhere for a while, so we have someone more focused. P.S. Don't turn this into a Tannehill thread lol
And there are a few UDFA to keep an eye on...my favorite on defense is Praise Martin-Oguike. Not only does he have the best name on the team, his highlights jump out at you. He was a force at Temple. He led the nation in strip sacks...he had several fumble recoveries and ints. He's a football player. He had a slow 40 time...but on the field, where leverage, angles, and closing speed are more relevant than straight line speed, he doesn't look slow. He's about 6'1.5, 255... I won't compare him to Cam Wake...but that's where he lines up. I saw him mostly in the "Wake stance"--both hands on the ground. If QB pressure is what's on order, this kid can bring it. I can't wait to watch him in Camp. I hope he excels.
We are quietly building this team with a deep pass rushing rotation. To beat Brady you have to beat Brady Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I know it's crazy.....but I think there's a chance he gets some LB reps. Regardless, he makes the team.
And there is another UDFA DE, Cameron Malveaux from UH. He looks like Greg Hardy coming out of college..tall and lean--but he weights 270ish. He looks like he could be an edge setting DE. I am not sure why he wasn't drafted...(Oguike was clearly 40 time). He is clearly a longshot on this team, but if he can impress in camp and land on the practice squad, he could be a hamstring away from getting reps. He's not as "sudden" on film as Oguike, but he looks like he can play. *** ***DISCLOSURE STATEMENT*** I am a COMPLETE AMATEUR as a "scout". I have no insight or skills that matter more than a lonely widow woman who occasionally watches football. All of my analysis could be, and probably is total BS! No stock or reference should be made to anything I post. It could be AKA "ramblings of untrained lunatic". Thanks for reading!
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=1001697&draftyear=2017&genpos=DE http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=124145&draftyear=2017&genpos=DE Some numbers on Oguike and Malveaux. What stands out here to be about Oguike is his 225 Bench press (30 reps) and his 1.6 Ten yard dash. Bench press doesn't translate to football, but it does say he possesses the discipline to spend the time in the gym. If this kid could spend a year or two around Wake and Charles Harris...we "just might" have found a gem. Of course the NFL is a numbers game, but when I watch Temple film, he and Hassan Reddick both jump out. Reddick was a top 15 pick. We got this kid as an UDFA. We'll see what happens.
im not sure who it is but someone who was an olympic athlete in the past has impressed Gase. drew Morgan is the offensive undrafted player I expect to make the team..he's slow, but he's damn good, best route runner in the draft..great hands, tough as nails, and Juice is his idol..watch out,I soon as we signed him and I watched his film, I called him my super sleeper to make it on a deep unit...suprise surprise...not..hes flashing all over the field, and every reporter there is saying the same. I'm really excited about this team..bout to explode type excitement, can't wait for the third year in this rebuild.just keep accumulating talent..and let gase do his thing. I think we win ten games..
For me the difference is Gase. I still have questions about the defense (Wake is a year older and the S opposite Jones is a concern) and like most I'm worried about the interior OL. Going into last season, Gase was an unknown to me. Lots of people with strong reps trusted him, but the same could be said about Philbin. I was definitely feeling once bitten, twice shy. But now I trust in Gase to make the most of what we have.
