Bob McGinn: "Olivier Vernon might be the best value pick in the entire draft

[Awsi Dooger]

I was hoping for T.Y. Hilton with one of the 3rds, and Vernon in the 4th. Hilton is a far superior kick returner than Lamar Miller, and I just think he's special overall.

As much as I like Vernon's strong wiry frame, mid 3rd round hardly seems like theft. I mentioned in the draft forum a few days before the draft that Mayock had moved Vernon to #68 on his board, and that meant value could be gone, that 4th round would be a good investment.

Vernon was neutralized by Ohio State early in 2010. That was a pivotal game and I anticipated that Vernon would star, disrupting the backfield. Instead, he got into too many hand fights and missed some chances on Pryor. It was obvious Vernon still needed some work, and that's where we remain today.

I was impressed that he mouthed off before that game, unafraid of mentioning the infamous 2003 Fiesta Bowl, and that the young Canes players were determined to earn a bit of long removed revenge. That was a team and program oriented goal, not the self-concerned celebration that we've seen from so many current Dolphins, while trailing by multiple scores.

 

[ckparrothead]

I actually just watched that Ohio State game. The Buckeyes did some interesting things to disarm Vernon in that game but really it was Randy Shannon who did the most to disarm him. For one thing he had him on half rations as far as the snap count goes. Like clockwork he took Vernon out every other drive, and it didn't matter how short one drive would be versus how long the other drive would be, etc. Vernon could come in for a few plays on one drive that goes three and out, and the next drive they have a different set of ends and tackles in the game for the entire drive and that drive could be 12 plays. Vernon's pure snap count in the game was disappointing. For another, on a lot of prime pass rushing opportunities, the defensive play calling had Vernon back up and play the pass as a surprise DL dropping into zone. I'd say it worked maybe once or twice but they did it at least three times, maybe four, and we're talking PRIME pass rush opportunities taken away for a guy that was already only playing half the time (if that). On third down, Ohio State did a lot of short passing, whereas on first down when Vernon was focusing more on strength and power technique to defend the run, that's when they did some long passing where Pryor sat in the pocket a little longer. On one of the third downs, Vernon used his counters beautifully against Mike Adams just flowing seamlessly from one move to another, making contact with his hands like speed to power, then ripping outside to go around Mike Adams, and when Adams was able to recover and step out, Vernon was already spinning back to the inside with a second move freeing himself straight to Pryor. Problem is, as I feel Vernon is sometimes prone to doing, he tried to do the same thing again later in another perfect pass rush opportunity, and Mike Adams was ready for it. He did the same thing with Chris Hairston that year trying to use an inside move multiple times and if there's one thing the very strong Hairston is generally not going to do (at least not that game), it's give up the inside.

You walk away feeling Vernon has the ability to be great, but doesn't know how to be great, and the coaches didn't know how to make him great.

 

[JCane]

but really it was Randy Shannon who did the most to disarm him.

You walk away feeling Vernon has the ability to be great, but doesn't know how to be great, and the coaches didn't know how to make him great.

Stunning analysis.

****ing Randy Shannon.

Hope he never gets another job for the rest of his life.