Can Dawson play Mike?

[AJ Duhe]

Question for those that have done more tape study of Dawson. Can he play the middle?

His recognition skills and ability to move through traffic look outstanding. Yeah, he doesn't look good in Combine events, but I don't think that should erase good game tape. I just wonder how far he's going to drop now, and if he should be a consideration if we trade down or he slips to round 2.

 

[FearTheBeard]

I'm a believer that with a space eating NT in front of him he would be able to function as a MIKE. Plus you look at the shape he was in at the combine...and one would figure if he converted some bad weight into muscle he could be closer to 240 which is plenty big enough for the middle. I think his instincts and quickness would work inside, albeit his most natural position is at WILL. I think his combine performance may have pushed him down to our 2nd rounder.

What I would be concerned about is his attitude. He showed clearly poorly prepared for the combine. His body was soft. Reports came out questioning his character that he had to answer to. Homework needs to be done on him...because the guy is talented and we desperately need those instincts and explosiveness if we can get it.

 

[MiamiDolphin618]

His character stuff I didn't know about until the past few weeks…but before then I thought he was a 1st round player. On tape he plays extremely fast..best instincts in the class IMO. I just don't see a 4.9 player on tape…at all…which actually concerns me because with the character stuff its easy to wonder if he has just been being lazy.

 

[I am Bane]

I'm a believer that with a space eating NT in front of him he would be able to function as a MIKE. Plus you look at the shape he was in at the combine...and one would figure if he converted some bad weight into muscle he could be closer to 240 which is plenty big enough for the middle. I think his instincts and quickness would work inside, albeit his most natural position is at WILL. I think his combine performance may have pushed him down to our 2nd rounder.

What I would be concerned about is his attitude. He showed clearly poorly prepared for the combine. His body was soft. Reports came out questioning his character that he had to answer to. Homework needs to be done on him...because the guy is talented and we desperately need those instincts and explosiveness if we can get it.

thats what is scaring me more than anything... he came into the combine with bad vibes from the start. seemed like he had attitude and walked around with an arrogance. he looked very unfit, had a gut, and an un-toned lower body. almost looked like he didnt care either as well as just went around chomping away on his gum.

it just makes me question his care, his work ethic and obviously his character concerns at TCU, showing up late and such.... what effort is he really going to put in as a Miami dolphin to first of all develop and improve himself, as well as work with and improve the Miami Dolphins???

and just to add it wasnt only the really poor times he delivered... but he looked poor in the drills too

 

[j-off-her-doll]

thats what is scaring me more than anything... he came into the combine with bad vibes from the start. seemed like he had attitude and walked around with an arrogance. he looked very unfit, had a gut, and an un-toned lower body. almost looked like he didnt care either as well as just went around chomping away on his gum.

it just makes me question his care, his work ethic and obviously his character concerns at TCU, showing up late and such.... what effort is he really going to put in as a Miami dolphin to first of all develop and improve himself, as well as work with and improve the Miami Dolphins???

and just to add it wasnt only the really poor times he delivered... but he looked poor in the drills too

Maybe he's this year's Vontaze Burfict, but I'd let someone else figure it out. Heading into the Combine, GM's were putting 5th and 6th RD grades on Dawson, and I assumed it was more due to his size and attitude, but he didn't show the necessary physical tools to compete in the NFL. I think the better question is can Paul Dawson play on Sundays - at any position?

 

[xXwarXx]

I'm a believer that with a space eating NT in front of him he would be able to function as a MIKE. Plus you look at the shape he was in at the combine...and one would figure if he converted some bad weight into muscle he could be closer to 240 which is plenty big enough for the middle. I think his instincts and quickness would work inside, albeit his most natural position is at WILL. I think his combine performance may have pushed him down to our 2nd rounder.

What I would be concerned about is his attitude. He showed clearly poorly prepared for the combine. His body was soft. Reports came out questioning his character that he had to answer to. Homework needs to be done on him...because the guy is talented and we desperately need those instincts and explosiveness if we can get it.

I very rarely drop players based on combine, and if I do, it's not very far.

Dawson dropped for me, and I was extremely high on him. If your a college football player heading into the draft and your not busting your butt for the combine, there's no way I can trust you during the off season year after year.

He was easily the most disappointing prospect in the combine, and I didn't even expect him to perform all that well, but he clearly just didn't give a ****. I'm almost in disbelief that's the same guy I saw on the game tape.

 

[datruth55]

His character stuff I didn't know about until the past few weeks…but before then I thought he was a 1st round player. On tape he plays extremely fast..best instincts in the class IMO. I just don't see a 4.9 player on tape…at all…which actually concerns me because with the character stuff its easy to wonder if he has just been being lazy.

The whole Dawson thing reminds me of Vontaze Burfict. Burfict had a terrible combine, think he ran a 5.0 40, looked awful in drills, was kicked off his team, went undrafted and Cincinnati signed him and the kid has been outstanding. If you watch Burfict on tape I would have said he was a 4.5-4.6 40 guy he played with that much speed. Not saying Dawson will be the same but this whole situation just reminds me of Burfict. Clearly Dawson plays a hole heck of a lot faster than he timed at the combine.

 

[ChambersWI]

The whole Dawson thing reminds me of Vontaze Burfict. Burfict had a terrible combine, think he ran a 5.0 40, looked awful in drills, was kicked off his team, went undrafted and Cincinnati signed him and the kid has been outstanding. If you watch Burfict on tape I would have said he was a 4.5-4.6 40 guy he played with that much speed. Not saying Dawson will be the same but this whole situation just reminds me of Burfict. Clearly Dawson plays a hole heck of a lot faster than he timed at the combine.

Yeah I had a man crush on Burfect after his first two years at ASU but then he didn't hide the fact that he was protecting himself his junior year. It also came out that at the combine Marvin Lewis came up to him and talked about how talented he was, but he had to work, and Burfect responded. Some guys do, some don't.

Either way Dawson cost himself a lot of money at the combine.

 

[xXwarXx]

Yeah I had a man crush on Burfect after his first two years at ASU but then he didn't hide the fact that he was protecting himself his junior year. It also came out that at the combine Marvin Lewis came up to him and talked about how talented he was, but he had to work, and Burfect responded. Some guys do, some don't.

Either way Dawson cost himself a lot of money at the combine.

He also interviewed bad.

People don't realize, no matter how talented a player is, no coach or scout wants to invest in an athlete that interviews like a 13 year old kid. especially when there just entreating the draft and already have a classroom of kids at home.

9/10 those guys don't make it, Burfict was an exception, not the rule.

 

[datruth55]

Yeah I had a man crush on Burfect after his first two years at ASU but then he didn't hide the fact that he was protecting himself his junior year. It also came out that at the combine Marvin Lewis came up to him and talked about how talented he was, but he had to work, and Burfect responded. Some guys do, some don't.

Either way Dawson cost himself a lot of money at the combine.

Burfect was also an undrafted player...it was either go all out in Cincinnati to make the team or fill out your application at the local McDonald's.

 

[I am Bane]

Burfect was also an undrafted player...it was either go all out in Cincinnati to make the team or fill out your application at the local McDonald's.

j off her doll also mentioned this reminding him of Burfect..... now Burfect at least wasnt a team stabbing at him in the draft, possibly wasting a pick... it was him going undrafted and working his booty off to make the NFL.

*** Question on Burfect, if you guys remember... in the combine did he show attitude, show lack of effort or care??? did he look unfit? or just performed poorly??? ***

Dawson really gave me bad vibes as soon as he walked to the starting lines of the 40... before he really even put his hand down to start... i was already worried on him.


J off her doll.... i am shocked that GMs had him graded at 5-6 before the combine... so low, i was not aware of that. and i agree with your question on Will he be able to play at any position on Sundays? will he be able to work for it, effort, and care???

 

[xXwarXx]

J off her doll.... i am shocked that GMs had him graded at 5-6 before the combine... so low, i was not aware of that. and i agree with your question on Will he be able to play at any position on Sundays? will he be able to work for it, effort, and care???

I didn't see that anywhere.

If thats true he must be a huge piece of ****.

 

[datruth55]

j off her doll also mentioned this reminding him of Burfect..... now Burfect at least wasnt a team stabbing at him in the draft, possibly wasting a pick... it was him going undrafted and working his booty off to make the NFL.

*** Question on Burfect, if you guys remember... in the combine did he show attitude, show lack of effort or care??? did he look unfit? or just performed poorly??? ***

Dawson really gave me bad vibes as soon as he walked to the starting lines of the 40... before he really even put his hand down to start... i was already worried on him.


J off her doll.... i am shocked that GMs had him graded at 5-6 before the combine... so low, i was not aware of that. and i agree with your question on Will he be able to play at any position on Sundays? will he be able to work for it, effort, and care???

He looked like he showed a lack of effort and care at the combine IIRC. Let me see if I can find an article cause I'm sure there was one.

Here's what people were saying about Burfict last year.

Bob Young, The Arizona Republic:

"He didn't even bother with the bench-press test or shuttle runs. So, let's see: No speed. No explosiveness. No competitive spirit.

"Yep, you want to invest millions of dollars in this guy."

Don Banks, SI, who gave him the "Career Self-Destruction Award":

"Burfict had a nice week. He proclaimed himself the "best linebacker in this draft,'' blamed everyone else but himself for his shaky 2011 season, defended his decision to "swing on'' a teammate in a locker-room fight last year, and then ran a disappointing 5.09 and broad-jumped just 8 feet, 7 inches. This is a guy who came across to the league as having blind spots the size of, well, the Grand Canyon, which coincidentally is in Arizona.

"Burfict thinks he's a misunderstood first-round talent. The league is more likely to give him an underachiever's third-round grade. And factoring in his winning personality and personal baggage, don't be surprised if you don't hear his name called on draft weekend until the third and final day."

Mike Mayock, NFL Network:

“I put his tape on with absolutely zero preconceived notions. I watched three tapes and really didn’t like him as a football player. I think he’s a non-draftable kid. For me, he’s a free agent.”

An unnamed NFL scout (via CBS Sports):

"I wouldn't touch him. He does have some talent, but he is so undisciplined on and off the field. The guy is completely out of control. There's no way you could trust him. I can't believe they (ASU coaching staff) didn't cut him loose."

ESPN Scouts Inc.:

"Burfict's 2011 film says he's a third-rounder, and when you add in those results along with character baggage and poor interviews his stock is beginning to plummet."

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/vont...ttle-nfl-combine-matters-2013-2#ixzz3ShjgtGIF