and the miami dolphins select...

[miamiz19d]

Its so simple. History repeats itself, for the first time since Marino. We will draft a first round QB.
Sparano and Ireland both got extensions because they sold the fact that henne sucks.
They need a first round QB, and they well get one. Just like Marino fell, so well Mallet.
But if you read about the kid, he is a competitor, and play maker. He is not afaird.
Even as a freshman he was pushing henne for the starters position.
And we all know this regimen loves competition.
He loves the deep ball, and has an unbelievable gun.
He is a brave heart true gunslinger in the mold of Marino.
There has to be a change, unless Henne goes all brees like in his 4th year.
but we need new blood. We need that fire, attitude that mallet brings to that position.
something that can't be taught.

Ryan Mallet... Now I dont know if they well trade down and roll the chips or select him outright.
but my gut feeling is, Mallet's our number one pick.

 

[RockyMtnPhinfan]

Now this is what i like to hear.........I agree whole heartedly. Draft Mallet! He doesn't need to start day one, he only needs to get into the play book and try to learn from our coaches and players and be ready by year two to get his feet wet. Henne and Pennington will teach this kid good study habits as well.

 

[ckparrothead]

It should be more simple than it is. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it is.

I really don't see them taking Mark Ingram, because of philosophical problems they may have with the idea of that. But that's a theory, that Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano have carried on Parcells' discomfort with predicting NFL durability in a college kid. It's certainly nothing that is proven. It could be as simple as, with Parcells gone, Jeff Ireland branches out and operates according to what he believes not what Parcells believes...and takes Ingram. Could happen, but I still doubt it.

So then realistically you've got Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder...and Mike Pouncey?

I know everyone's saying it. I guess I still have a tough time believing it. Is he a Guard or Center? Because right now if you read the tea leaves, they just re-signed Richie Incognito to at the very least compete with Joe Berger at Center. They can say what they want to the public but Incognito is at an independent training facility all off season working purely at Center and working on snapping the ball. So, the proof is in the pudding on that one. If you believe that Pouncey is the target, then I would have to stipulate that you think they're targeting him as a Guard. And if you're going to take a Guard at #15, you'd better be sure he's another Steve Hutchinson. I like Pouncey, believe it or not. I wasn't even a big fan of his brother but I like Mike Pouncey. He's more athletic. But I have trouble with taking a Guard at #15 overall when you can find them much later on.

Outside of those three...I think you have a trade down. I don't see taking a WR at #15. A.J. Green and Julio Jones will be gone, and though I like Leonard Hankerson the Dolphins may wonder if he's what they really need. Part of his value stems from the fact you can work him on the perimeter or in the slot and really get him involved, and he can do it all. But the Dolphins already have three guys that can work the slot, one of them a slot specialist. I have a tough time believing that after acquiring Brandon Marshall with two 2nd round picks, we're still going to use a #15 overall on another wide receiver because they believe the position is still that problematic. They're very happy with Brian Hartline and obviously very happy with Davone Bess. They gave Brandon Marshall like $30 million in guarantees or whatever, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. Spend a 1st rounder on Leonard Hankerson, aren't you just tossing money down a well?

Could they really take a pass rusher at #15? With Cam Wake and Koa Misi here, could they justify it? I don't know if I see Mike Nolan on board with that. I don't think he likes the idea of two straight up pass rushers, two Cam Wakes...putting pressure on what he can and can't call due to their lack of versatility.

So I mean, having eliminated running back, wide receiver, pass rusher, guard and center from the talk at #15 overall...I think it has to be Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, or a trade. Maybe I'm just talking myself into something, and there's still this "feel" that taking a quarterback at #15 doesn't seem characteristic of these guys' conservatism. But, trading for Brandon Marshall sure didn't "feel" like them either, and yet they chose to address the problem that was in front of all our noses in a BIG way last year anyway. I mean that was the big overarching theme of last off season, we need a #1 wide receiver, without one we can't hope to win big, etc. Similarly, the quarterback position is the big overarching theme of this off season.

 

[TrinidadDolfan]

After watching Sparano condone inside running plays and dinky 5-yard passes (while we were down 14+ points in Q4 last season)......

I would not put it past him to use our #15 pick on a LT

 

[BlueFin]

Its so simple. History repeats itself, for the first time since Marino. We will draft a first round QB.
Sparano and Ireland both got extensions because they sold the fact that henne sucks.
They need a first round QB, and they well get one. Just like Marino fell, so well Mallet.
But if you read about the kid, he is a competitor, and play maker. He is not afaird.
Even as a freshman he was pushing henne for the starters position.
And we all know this regimen loves competition.
He loves the deep ball, and has an unbelievable gun.
He is a brave heart true gunslinger in the mold of Marino.
There has to be a change, unless Henne goes all brees like in his 4th year.
but we need new blood. We need that fire, attitude that mallet brings to that position.
something that can't be taught.

Ryan Mallet... Now I dont know if they well trade down and roll the chips or select him outright.
but my gut feeling is, Mallet's our number one pick.

I have to agree, you saved me starting a thread, this is the feeling I'm finally getting after much uncertainty.

It seems to me that there is no ultra special runningback worthy of pick 15. I also think you don't take a guard (Pouncey)that high unless he is really special. So in my mind that leaves taking Mallett if he is there, or drafting a Defensive player, which on the surface doe not seem likely due to what is projected to be available being in our area of strength, or trading down of course.

The quandry as I see it for Ireland will be making a decision to grab Mallett when he knows he can get him, or rolling the bones on a trade down and hoping he's still there, maybe settling for Kaepernick if he is gone and gaining the extra pick.

I feel Mallett is our guy and who they really want after the top two. The other small possibility is One of the top two slip to pick 9, in which case Dallas would be a willing trade up partner.

My prediction is Mallett in round one though.

 

[Aqua and Orange]

It should be more simple than it is. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it is.

I really don't see them taking Mark Ingram, because of philosophical problems they may have with the idea of that. But that's a theory, that Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano have carried on Parcells' discomfort with predicting NFL durability in a college kid. It's certainly nothing that is proven. It could be as simple as, with Parcells gone, Jeff Ireland branches out and operates according to what he believes not what Parcells believes...and takes Ingram. Could happen, but I still doubt it.

So then realistically you've got Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder...and Mike Pouncey?

I know everyone's saying it. I guess I still have a tough time believing it. Is he a Guard or Center? Because right now if you read the tea leaves, they just re-signed Richie Incognito to at the very least compete with Joe Berger at Center. They can say what they want to the public but Incognito is at an independent training facility all off season working purely at Center and working on snapping the ball. So, the proof is in the pudding on that one. If you believe that Pouncey is the target, then I would have to stipulate that you think they're targeting him as a Guard. And if you're going to take a Guard at #15, you'd better be sure he's another Steve Hutchinson. I like Pouncey, believe it or not. I wasn't even a big fan of his brother but I like Mike Pouncey. He's more athletic. But I have trouble with taking a Guard at #15 overall when you can find them much later on.

Outside of those three...I think you have a trade down. I don't see taking a WR at #15. A.J. Green and Julio Jones will be gone, and though I like Leonard Hankerson the Dolphins may wonder if he's what they really need. Part of his value stems from the fact you can work him on the perimeter or in the slot and really get him involved, and he can do it all. But the Dolphins already have three guys that can work the slot, one of them a slot specialist. I have a tough time believing that after acquiring Brandon Marshall with two 2nd round picks, we're still going to use a #15 overall on another wide receiver because they believe the position is still that problematic. They're very happy with Brian Hartline and obviously very happy with Davone Bess. They gave Brandon Marshall like $30 million in guarantees or whatever, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. Spend a 1st rounder on Leonard Hankerson, aren't you just tossing money down a well?

Could they really take a pass rusher at #15? With Cam Wake and Koa Misi here, could they justify it? I don't know if I see Mike Nolan on board with that. I don't think he likes the idea of two straight up pass rushers, two Cam Wakes...putting pressure on what he can and can't call due to their lack of versatility.

So I mean, having eliminated running back, wide receiver, pass rusher, guard and center from the talk at #15 overall...I think it has to be Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, or a trade. Maybe I'm just talking myself into something, and there's still this "feel" that taking a quarterback at #15 doesn't seem characteristic of these guys' conservatism. But, trading for Brandon Marshall sure didn't "feel" like them either, and yet they chose to address the problem that was in front of all our noses in a BIG way last year anyway. I mean that was the big overarching theme of last off season, we need a #1 wide receiver, without one we can't hope to win big, etc. Similarly, the quarterback position is the big overarching theme of this off season.

Ryan Mallett at 15 would be amazing, assuming he falls past the Vikings (who Rotoworld said appear to really like Jake Locker).

That said, the name I keep seeing the Dolphins taking is Mike Pouncey. His versatility to play both guard and center gives him a giant shot of winning one of those two positions, which you really need with a first rounder. Couple in the fact that Sparano is getting more of a say in this draft and an added emphasis to the line is a given.

I personally would love them to get a QB. The one wild card that everyone keeps bringing up, including the thread starter, is what Ireland and Sparano said to Ross to get rehired. There is a big insinuation on everyone's lips publicly that stiff competition will be brought in for Henne, and with a lockout making free agency an unknown the draft would be where this competition would be pulled from.

Another wild card is the urge to trade down. While the teams following the Dolphins don't appear to have QB needs (except Seattle), there are a lot of QB hungry teams at the top of the 2nd that could trade up into the back of the second round. My biggest fear is the Dolphins targeting a QB, getting "cute" and trading down, and then another team trading up before them and selecting the QB.

 

[Coach_Rob]

i hope to god you are right

 

[Kdawg954]

If they don't go QB or Ingram . . . they really need to trade down and maybe pick up Carimi and a 2nd rounder. Fits the Big 10 theme, he is going to be a great RT in the NFL . . . but he might win the LG spot on this team as well, dude is going to start on this line somewhere. In the 2nd, you leave yourself options to go anywhere that fills a need. Maybe a QB they thought about in round 1 slips . . . maybe the RB they love is there in round 2 . . . maybe the outside speedster is there . . . just leaves them options.

Are we really discounting them taking JJ Watt or Cam Jordan at 15? I mean on paper obviously that is a hell no . . . but for some reason I feel they are in the mix if they fall to 15. They have Langford and Merling as FA's after the year, McDaniel more than likely won't be back. They have Starks for 2 more years, Soliai on a 1 year deal and Odrick from last season. I dunno, wouldn't suprise me at all to be honest with you.

 

[hoops]

they go 3-4 de at #15 and i'm done...

 

[Aqua and Orange]

Are we really discounting them taking JJ Watt or Cam Jordan at 15? I mean on paper obviously that is a hell no . . . but for some reason I feel they are in the mix if they fall to 15. They have Langford and Merling as FA's after the year, McDaniel more than likely won't be back. They have Starks for 2 more years, Soliai on a 1 year deal and Odrick from last season. I dunno, wouldn't suprise me at all to be honest with you.

I, on the other hand, would be surprised as hell if they went in this direction with no 2nd rounder and the amount of holes they have on offense. I think the only way they go defense with their first pick is with a trade down, and even that is something I wouldn't put a cent on.

 

[Kdawg954]

I, on the other hand, would be surprised as hell if they went in this direction with no 2nd rounder and the amount of holes they have on offense. I think the only way they go defense with their first pick is with a trade down, and even that is something I wouldn't put a cent on.

I really think its unlikely, but definitely not to be discounted. At 15, they are essentially in a tough spot in "this" draft. But lets say they can't trade down, and they have concerns with Ingram (injury) and Mallet (off the field), and aren't really as high on Ponder as they are letting on . . . atleast not #15 high. I dunno, I believe they met with JJ Watt and I know he fits what they want to do . . . it just wouldn't shock me. Maybe they resign Brown and go OL, RB, TE in rounds 3, 4 and 5? Sign a speedy WR in Free Agency for cheap or maybe they want to put their eggs in a 2012 QB and go the FA route . . . I dunno . . . I just think in this type of draft JJ could be the best player at 15 and considering he is a BIG 10 lineman . . . who this regime LOVES . . . it just wouldn't shock me like it would many others.

That being said, they have to know the feedback they would get with that kind of pick at 15. It would be a feeding frenzy all over . . . from newspapers, to beat writers to the fans.

 

[Aqua and Orange]

That being said, they have to know the feedback they would get with that kind of pick at 15. It would be a feeding frenzy all over . . . from newspapers, to beat writers to the fans.

Definitely agree with that last sentence.

The one thing I would say about this administration that has been good and somewhat predictable is using that first pick on an area of dire need. Long was a pick when we had zilch for an O-line. Davis was a pick when we had zilch at the corner position. Odrick was a pick when we had (or so we thought), zilch at the NT position and needed to kick Starks there and find a DE replacement. That would signal the drafting of a RB or Guard, as those positions could very well be wide open for someone to start and learn within from day 1.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I REALLY hope that the wild card is Ross needing ONE SINGLE reason for fans to buy tickets this year, thus prompting the drafting of a QB of the future. Normally I would say this is a silly idea, but when a GM and coach are trying everything to keep their jobs, anything can be agreed upon. Ross really had more power this offseason than ever and this draft could very well reflect that.

 

[Ricky4Life]

I want mallett.

 

[ckparrothead]

They appeased the owner and the masses by bringing in Brandon Marshall last year. I would think they'd want to appease them by bringing in a QB this year.

We're in sort of a unique situation though where Dol-Fans are sort of settling in on Ryan Mallett as that guy at #15. If you look at Ben Volin's latest blog which is about Ryan Mallett, he posts a poll question. Over 80% of the people have one way or another said "YES" to Mallett. Half think just take him at #15, and half want a trade down. The half that want a trade down...let's just say...if we took him at #15 they wouldn't be booing like the crowd at Cam Cameron.

So more and more I think this Miami fanbase are going to settle in with Mallett at #15, just like they did with Brady Quinn at #9. That makes me wonder what's going to happen. If they take Mallett, then it will be a GOOD thing...because the fanbase will have already been on board and they'll give him breaks. I felt bad for Daunte Culpepper when he came on because I swear before he even started a game, half the fanbase already hated him. He was literally booed in the first half of his first home game. I'll never forget that.

But if we've got 80+ percent approval ratings for Ryan Mallett, we have a chance of having him get on well with the fans and media for a while. That would be ideal. He might not look awesome right away. He didn't at Michigan. And in my horrific worrywart dreams I could sort of see Sparano not liking him to where everyone's always wondering why Sparano isn't putting him in and it being some ridiculous sh-t like Mallett not always getting rid of the ball by the 3 second buzzer in practice.

 

[Kdawg954]

Definitely agree with that last sentence.

The one thing I would say about this administration that has been good and somewhat predictable is using that first pick on an area of dire need. Long was a pick when we had zilch for an O-line. Davis was a pick when we had zilch at the corner position. Odrick was a pick when we had (or so we thought), zilch at the NT position and needed to kick Starks there and find a DE replacement. That would signal the drafting of a RB or Guard, as those positions could very well be wide open for someone to start and learn within from day 1.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I REALLY hope that the wild card is Ross needing ONE SINGLE reason for fans to buy tickets this year, thus prompting the drafting of a QB of the future. Normally I would say this is a silly idea, but when a GM and coach are trying everything to keep their jobs, anything can be agreed upon. Ross really had more power this offseason than ever and this draft could very well reflect that.

I agree fully with the idea that a "primary" focus will be getting an "offensive" playmaker with that first round pick to put more excitement into the fanbase. That was the focus in 2007 as well, and they chose the wrong guy . . . when they had 2 defensive studs in Willis and Revis staring them in the face. Now 3 years later, everybody "claims" they wanted those 2 over an offensive playmaker at 9.

**** is scary man . . . I know it is a scary proposition taking a QB, whether at 1 or at 15 . . . and we need to be brave and make that happen . . . but be confident in the pick and don't take a guy just for taking one . . . while letting an elite talent on offense or defense fly by. We HAVE to hit on this first round pick.