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Colombian Fin Fan
Analysts weigh in on Dolphins
Posted on Sun, Mar. 02, 2008
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Talent evaluators give the Dolphins generally favorable reviews for early moves in free agency. ''They've done a tremendous job,'' said ESPN.com analyst/former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who criticized Miami last March for the Joey Porter signing. ''They've added guys with their arrow going up.'' Feedback on several additions:
• Former Titans general manager Floyd Reese, now with ESPN, said of quarterback Josh McCown: ''If John Beck is not quite ready, he can probably keep you afloat. But if he's going to play the entire year and you expect to win 10 games, you're probably not going to do that. He has enough athleticism and savvy to pull some things out. The stricter the system, the less leeway he gets, the better he'll be.'' (FYI: Cleo Lemon had a bit higher passer rating last year, 71.0 to 69.4.)
• Former 49ers starter Justin Smiley expects to replace Rex Hadnot at right guard. ''I like him -- tough guy, athletic, strong, very aggressive,'' Reese said. ''Tenacious and smart,'' said 25-year NFL scout Doug Kretz, of ESPN.com.
Smiley, limited to eight games because of shoulder surgery last season, has allowed just three sacks in his past 24 games. ''Really good signing,'' Williamson said. ``Now, if you draft [Michigan tackle] Jake Long, you have an upper-echelon offensive line.''
• Defensive tackle Randy Starks is ''versatile, big and can play the run, but is never going to be a double-digit sack guy,'' said Reese, who drafted him with the Titans. Reese said he can play nose tackle (supplementing Jason Ferguson), but Williamson said he is better at defensive end in a 3-4 defense. Partly because the Titans had a deep defensive line, Starks managed just 16 tackles and no sacks in 2007, well off his '06 totals (40 tackles, three sacks). And the 60 running plays with Starks at the point of attack averaged 4.5 yards against the Titans last year, ESPN.com's KC Joyner relayed.
• Ferguson, traded here from Dallas, ''is a good stopgap nose tackle,'' Williamson said. But Reese said ''you've got to be a little worried'' about how much he has left at 33. A torn biceps tendon limited him to one game in '07.
• Ernest Wilford ''will be a big [6-4], reliable No. 2 receiver,'' Williamson said. Wilford's yards per reception dropped the past three years (16.6, 14.6, 11.5) and he averaged just 2.3 yards after the catch last season. ''He won't juke you as much as overpower you,'' Reese said. ``I'm not sure he was ever completely utilized in Jacksonville. When he's playing against a 5-9, 5-10 corner, there's no comparison.''
• With Miami signing linebacker Reggie Torbor and trying to complete a deal with Arizona linebacker Calvin Pace, Williamson wondered on Friday about the futures of Jason Taylor (who is expected to part ways with the Dolphins according to Yahoo.com) and Porter: "Torbor is serviceable and projects well to a 3-4 defense.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/440732.html
Didn't see this posted anywhere, so enjoy.
Posted on Sun, Mar. 02, 2008
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Talent evaluators give the Dolphins generally favorable reviews for early moves in free agency. ''They've done a tremendous job,'' said ESPN.com analyst/former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who criticized Miami last March for the Joey Porter signing. ''They've added guys with their arrow going up.'' Feedback on several additions:
• Former Titans general manager Floyd Reese, now with ESPN, said of quarterback Josh McCown: ''If John Beck is not quite ready, he can probably keep you afloat. But if he's going to play the entire year and you expect to win 10 games, you're probably not going to do that. He has enough athleticism and savvy to pull some things out. The stricter the system, the less leeway he gets, the better he'll be.'' (FYI: Cleo Lemon had a bit higher passer rating last year, 71.0 to 69.4.)
• Former 49ers starter Justin Smiley expects to replace Rex Hadnot at right guard. ''I like him -- tough guy, athletic, strong, very aggressive,'' Reese said. ''Tenacious and smart,'' said 25-year NFL scout Doug Kretz, of ESPN.com.
Smiley, limited to eight games because of shoulder surgery last season, has allowed just three sacks in his past 24 games. ''Really good signing,'' Williamson said. ``Now, if you draft [Michigan tackle] Jake Long, you have an upper-echelon offensive line.''
• Defensive tackle Randy Starks is ''versatile, big and can play the run, but is never going to be a double-digit sack guy,'' said Reese, who drafted him with the Titans. Reese said he can play nose tackle (supplementing Jason Ferguson), but Williamson said he is better at defensive end in a 3-4 defense. Partly because the Titans had a deep defensive line, Starks managed just 16 tackles and no sacks in 2007, well off his '06 totals (40 tackles, three sacks). And the 60 running plays with Starks at the point of attack averaged 4.5 yards against the Titans last year, ESPN.com's KC Joyner relayed.
• Ferguson, traded here from Dallas, ''is a good stopgap nose tackle,'' Williamson said. But Reese said ''you've got to be a little worried'' about how much he has left at 33. A torn biceps tendon limited him to one game in '07.
• Ernest Wilford ''will be a big [6-4], reliable No. 2 receiver,'' Williamson said. Wilford's yards per reception dropped the past three years (16.6, 14.6, 11.5) and he averaged just 2.3 yards after the catch last season. ''He won't juke you as much as overpower you,'' Reese said. ``I'm not sure he was ever completely utilized in Jacksonville. When he's playing against a 5-9, 5-10 corner, there's no comparison.''
• With Miami signing linebacker Reggie Torbor and trying to complete a deal with Arizona linebacker Calvin Pace, Williamson wondered on Friday about the futures of Jason Taylor (who is expected to part ways with the Dolphins according to Yahoo.com) and Porter: "Torbor is serviceable and projects well to a 3-4 defense.''
http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/440732.html
Didn't see this posted anywhere, so enjoy.
