http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/26/vaughn-martin-visits-dolphins/ "The 26-year-old Martin started 12 games at left defensive end in San Diego’s 3-4 front in 2012, recording 19 tackles. He was a starter for the Chargers in each of the last two seasons."
I had to look him up, because I'd never heard of him before, and I still have no idea. Can anyone comment on his ability, if they have PFF or watch SD games?
Vaughn Martin Visits Dolphins Well, I know he went to my college and played for the Mustangs at the University of Western Ontario
From what I've read on Twitter, he started 2 years as a 3-4 DE for San Diego but was rated 2nd to last in PFF for both years.
Big strong guy with rare athleticism for his size. Not often we see a 330 pounder run a 5.00 forty with a sub 1.7 10 yard, 4.31 shuttle, 7.28 cone drill, and 31 vertical. Probably still ascending. Who knows, could be Soliai's 2014 replacement.
Thing with his skills is spending that time in Canada means his football skill level is still really unknown. It took Idonje a bit of time to really become a polished pro for example
I'd think that he'd be more apt to replace Tony McDaniel, as padre said. He's down from 330lbs to anywhere listed between 297 and 308lbs as of last year. With that type of athleticism I think he's more of Randy Starks' backup and could compete with Kheeston Randall for that role as the 3rd DT in the rotation. From what I remember from last year, Randall seemed to play more 1 technique (Soliai's position) than anything else.
I've got a suspicion he'd be a 1-technique here, and that he's been misused as a 3-4 DE in San Diego probably simply because he's a physically talented player and the Chargers had too many freaking Nose Tackles.
Nice find padre. Shoot, with all the guys Seattle has on that D-line, they've got a more talented 2nd string than some team's regular starters.
It's all about generating pressure from a base 4 man DL, a lot like the old Wanny Cowboys DL's, just guys who can run and penetrate but w/o the two deep safety look all day every day ala Wanny
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/28/vaughn-martin-agrees-to-deal-with-dolphins/ He's signed now.
This is my only memory of him from when he came out in 2009: [video=youtube;koiYOwnpOTo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koiYOwnpOTo[/video]
I forgot that coming out he was a total workout demon. He was 6031 and 331 lbs. I do remember now he NEVER looked like he had 330 lbs on him, always wondered where the hell he hides that weight. At that size he ran a 5.00 at his pro day and jumped 31 inches on the vertical which is incredible. Even more incredible was his linebacker-like 4.31 in the short shuttle and 7.28 in the cone drill. Of course he did 33 bench reps at that size. Obviously never really translated on the football field but you can see where the Dolphins are going with this. They lost Tony McDaniel who was sort of a nose guy but one that you would only play that way in the nickel defense. Now they get a guy that probably should've been a nose in San Diego, but never was, and he's super athletic for a nose yet maybe not as 'country strong' as you like which again lends itself to the inside in your nickel package.
He was not rated very well as a defensive end, but I expect the Dolphins see his potential as being better at the DT position in a 4-3. So this situation is kinda like the guard Miami just signed who got a terrible rating as a tackle, but moved into the guard position and played better. At least Miami and I hope so. I have this gut feeling he will be a better 43 tackle.
Well, sort of, I can also see him being in the mix to spell Odrick at DE as he is larger and just as fast as Odie was coming out.
Ben Volin @BenVolinPBP2m #Dolphins announce Vaughn Martin signing. He was first Canadian underclassman ever drafted by an NFL team
He could be the next Reggie White and can line up all by himself and win games for us. He is Super Man in cleats and will lead us to 7 straight Super Bowl wins. Or he just add depth on the defensive line, so I hope we got him on the cheap. To be honest I never even heard of the guy before. But I will trust Ireland & Co and hope he turns out to be a player. The kid adds speed to the D-line, so I got my fingers crossed.
I think he was being sarcastic. The Dolphins definitely explored Elvis Dumervil, John Abraham, Dwight Freeney and Michael Bennett. I believe Osi Umenyiora as well.
We honestly had no DT depth. I like Randall to develop into an eventual starter but Randall and Alecxih at this point in their careers are not who you'd want spelling two franchise tag worthy players.
I normally agree with you on football stuff. But you've lost me here. I mean how far down the depth chart should really good players be, realistically?