Tony McDaniel wants to play Nose Tackle

Can't height be a detriment -- particularly if you don't have the weight to go with it?

I think its the technique thats more important than height .If he can get low enough to get sufficient leverage on opponents.

However the injury history does not bode well for such a change of position.Nose tackles get chopped and cut blocked a lot .

"bakedmatt wrote:

Can't height be a detriment -- particularly if you don't have the weight to go with it?

I think you lose the lower body stregth and low center of gravity that centers have by snapping the ball and already being low. A taller NT has trouble getting lower and gaining leverage.

Maybe i'm wrong on that, but i think that's why they should be an ideal height not really tall.

But if he can play the nose and play it well, the way Ferg. described him that woudl be awesome, he's only 24 that's young. Hope the injury thing is past him. Love the kid's attitude. Sounds like he'll fit in nicely here in So.Florida.

"bakedmatt wrote:

Can't height be a detriment -- particularly if you don't have the weight to go with it?

Can be, especially on a double team block, if McDaniels is straightened upright he will look like he is on wheels when they push him back.

But all time Phins great Bob Baumhower was 6'6, McD is 6'7, Baumhower made 5 pro bowls, so it's not impossible.

My impression of McD was he could penetrate as a DT, and we need that from our NT, Fergie is fine as a tree stump run stuffer, but we need someone who can collapse the pocket.

It all comes down to leverage in my opinion and I know that Jack Del Rio discussed that with McDaniel when he played in Jacksonville. Del Rio commented on how raw of a player McDaniel is and even at this stage of his career, he is still trying to get by with his brute strength. McDaniel could be a player at nose tackle down the road but right now, he seems to be a project and could possibly best fit at defensive end.

Disagree Alen, the Jags moved McDaniels after signing him to a contract extension, the new GM cleared house, but at one time McD was considered a good replacement for Marcus Stroud.

Del Rio saw something in him, but that one year playoff run skewed everything, the new GM wanted his guys, Del Rio is trying to save his job, so they let McD go for cheap.

"padre31 wrote:

Disagree Alen, the Jags moved McDaniels after signing him to a contract extension, the new GM cleared house, but at one time McD was considered a good replacement for Marcus Stroud.

Del Rio saw something in him, but that one year playoff run skewed everything, the new GM wanted his guys, Del Rio is trying to save his job, so they let McD go for cheap.

Disagree with what? I'm not arguing if they wanted him or not, I'm paraphrasing what Jack Del Rio said.

Also, a seventh rounder isn't going to save Del Rio's job.

That would be nice to see. His size should be enough to make people run but I think he could dominate in the middle.

If he has the lower body strength and can stop the run, his height and push could collapse pockets, and wreak havoc with opponent's passing lanes. So I really hope he turns this thing into a successful switch to NT. And Ferguson should be about as qualified as anyone to know if the kid can do it or not. Seems to me McD will need to add some weight though, 305 seems pretty light for a NT especially at 6'7".

"alen1 wrote:

Disagree with what? I'm not arguing if they wanted him or not, I'm paraphrasing what Jack Del Rio said.

Who is going to speak badly of a oft injured player, then offer him a new contract?

Also, a seventh rounder isn't going to save Del Rio's job.

McDaniels was moved in a deck clearing, he was injured often, had a relatveily expensive contract, and whether Del Rio liked him or not, the new GM did not like him and out he went.

We've had a good history of oft injured players no longer being oft injured when they play here, perhaps McDaniels is the next one on the list.

Haynesworth is 6'6 or so, as far as height goes.

Someone to push Soliai is a good thing.

"Zeke0123 wrote:

Someone to push Soliai is a good thing.

He needs to step it up this year. You got a 35 year old vet that he still can't beat out of a job.:pity:

I love the potential that McDaniels has. Whether it translates or not (ala Wake) is another story.

I could see McDaniels substituting for Ferguson in more of our 4-3 schemes where he can contribute pressure.

Like others have said, his height could be an issue, especially when asked to tie up 2 OLmen for our LBs to rush in.

"slickj101 wrote:

I love the potential that McDaniels has. Whether it translates or not (ala Wake) is another story.

I could see McDaniels substituting for Ferguson in more of our 4-3 schemes where he can contribute pressure.

Like others have said, his height could be an issue, especially when asked to tie up 2 OLmen for our LBs to rush in.

Hmm...you know, we have the personnel to run the 4-3

Merling, Starks, McDaniel, Lankford..

Fergie, Wright, Soliai, a back ups

Anywho, the current staff has been spot on in both their player evaluations and squeezing production out of players who had underperformed up until now in their careers, if McD and Wake have the goods, and are coachable, we will squeeze performance out of them out on the field.

"padre31 wrote:

Who is going to speak badly of a oft injured player, then offer him a new contract?

Where did he speak badly of him? He was simply asked what he thought of McDaniels and he spoke the truth, just like Del Rio has always done. Did you see his comments this off-season on John Henderson's injury at camp? He basically called him a wimp and told him to get his rear in camp.

the new GM did not like him and out he went.

Link?

They likely felt that they couldn't do anything to change his injury history and when an offer came along, they thought "we got this guy as a free agent and now we're getting rewarded a draft pick despite him not being much of a contributor."

:beer:

I don't see a huge difference in Ferg and McDaniel as far as size. At their listed weights (if the Dolphins site is accurate), Ferg is 310... McDaniel is 305. Not a difference at all, if you ask me. McDaniel is 4" taller, but I don't see how the added height would be overly detrimental. Kevin Williams in Minnesota is 6'5". Haynesworth is 6'6". I don't think it makes a difference, really.

To me, it comes down to strength and conditioning. Either McDaniel can hold his ground down after down, or he can't. However, he and Ferg both sound pretty confident. I'm interested in seeing him give it a shot.

If he can do it, that'll be a big relief to me. I have very little confidence in Soliai right now.

Bob Baumhower did it at 6'6" & many probowls in his distinguished career
why not Tony McDaniels?
got room, opportunity & the guy wants to play NT

I say let them compete.

"NolePhin wrote:

Haynesworth is 6'6 or so, as far as height goes.

Do the Skins run a 3-4?

"Larry Little wrote:

I don't see a huge difference in Ferg and McDaniel as far as size. At their listed weights (if the Dolphins site is accurate), Ferg is 310... McDaniel is 305. Not a difference at all, if you ask me. McDaniel is 4" taller, but I don't see how the added height would be overly detrimental. Kevin Williams in Minnesota is 6'5". Haynesworth is 6'6". I don't think it makes a difference, really.

To me, it comes down to strength and conditioning. Either McDaniel can hold his ground down after down, or he can't. However, he and Ferg both sound pretty confident. I'm interested in seeing him give it a shot.

If he can do it, that'll be a big relief to me. I have very little confidence in Soliai right now.

Technique. Do the skins and vikes run a 3-4? Because you are comparing 1 gap 4-3 DT's to a 3-4 2 gap NT. Big difference in technique and responsibility.

Also, Ferg is 310 and 6'2 vs mcdaniel at 6'7 and 305...... 5 inches taller and 5 lbs lighter is a huge difference.

Now, im not saying he CANT play NT, Im just saying your comparison isnt very good.

.....now if we switch to a 1 gap scheme on certain plays, then McDaniel and Starks should be good at NT.

when you've e got exceptional height
@ NT it's all about getting under (leverage) the offensive linesman
a man 6'7" & 305 has the potential to put on 40 pounds in muscle w/o losing significant agility
& the added body length makes him a bigger threat to the QB or RB in the backfield
biggest thing is he wants a shot @ the position
that should build a bond fire under Solai this season

Yeah, sounding like a parrot here.

Good old "want to" goes a long way, and probably in most cases, is determinative, but his height is a real handicap here.

Bob Baumhower was 6'6"
didn't hamper his ability to play
have to wait & see. competition is always a good thing. Solai should step up this year.
NT: Fergie, Solai, McDaniels w/ Cohen or Ellis on the practice squad

Huge differences between Bob Baumhower and McDaniel is the time they played(play).
The position Baumhower played was considered NT, but it is nothing compared to what Fergy currently plays. Totally different technique all-together.

Also, although Baumhower was only roughly 260, the O-lineman he was facing were also down at that same size range. Huge difference now-adays

I do hope he can at least come in and be affective there, but that height and less weight dictates a higher center of gravity..I have never seen him in the locker-room or anything, but I would imagine he is carrying it much much higher than either Fergy or Solai