This article was posted in today's USA Today:
In reading teams in need of defensive lineman, the article on the Miami Dolphins could have been the worst I have ever read from USA Today. To start, the author does not realize that Miami has transitioned to a full-time 3-4 alignment. Yes, Jason Taylor may sometimes play with his hand in the ground, but the defense itself and the concepts that go with it are 3-4 oriented. Also, Dom Capers, recently given a contract extension, is a 3-4 defense guru.
Because of this, the entire article doesn’t make sense. The article pointed out that all four starters on the D-Line are 30 years or older. First, there aren’t four starters on the D-Line, there are three. But, for the benefit of the doubt, we’ll say Jason Taylor is a D-Lineman. The starters would be Jason Taylor, Keith Traylor (might not start), Vonnie Holliday, and Matt Roth. The last time I checked, Matt Roth was 24. That isn’t over 30 where I come from.
He also mentions that their young backups are unproven. But the fact of the matter is that they do indeed have youth at the position. Five players drafted by Miami in the last two years are eager to assume larger roles, being Matt Roth (projected starter at DE), Fred Evans (possible starter at NT), Manny Wright, Rodrique Wright, and Kevin Vickerson. Obviously, these guys are “unproven,” but so is any player that you draft out of college! They also like Chase Page, 24, out of North Carolina, who they picked up from the San Diego Chargers last year. Also, the Dolphins have spent heavily on the defensive side of the ball, and all signs point to improving the offense with the draft.
The article then says that Amobi Okoye would add “fresh legs and energy to an aging interior unit.” Earlier in the article, it is mentioned by Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli that Okoye is best suited for a Tampa-2 style defense, playing the 3 technique. He does not have the size or strength to play NT in a 3-4 scheme. Maybe one day he will, but why would Miami risk a top-10 pick on a “maybe,” not to mention the young talent that they already have there.
Finally, the article says that Clemson’s Gaines Adams “would be an upgrade to Kevin Carter, turning 34, at defensive end.” There are so many things wrong with this; I don’t even know where to begin. Carter was cut by Miami this offseason, and picked up by Tampa Bay, for one. Second, Adams would be a rush linebacker in the Dolphins 3-4 set, ala Jason Taylor. Hmm, let’s see, Gaines Adams: 6’5”, 258. Jason Taylor: 6’6”, 255. Kevin Carter: 6’6”, 305. See where I’m getting at! Adams plays a different position entirely that Carter. Oh, did I mention Carter isn’t even on the Dolphins! Finally, the odds that Adams is there at 9 are slim to none, and slim just left the building. In fact, Detroit is said to have a lot of interest in him, even at #2. See, Adams would be a perfect fit as a DE in a Tampa-2 scheme, which is what Detroit runs. Did I mention that they also need D-Line help? They might be a better team to include in your write-up than say, The Miami Dolphins.
I expect more from the USA Today. Just because some so-called “draft-experts” have D-Line as a need for Miami, it would be better to actually investigate the situation, rather than go by what they say. Mel Kiper may have Okoye going to the Dolphins, but he also had USC’s Mike Williams, WR, as the best prospect in the draft and he may never play a down in the NFL again!
Sorry for the length of this, but it really was a terrible assessment of the Miami Dolphins.
Here is my letter to the editor:
In reading teams in need of defensive lineman, the article on the Miami Dolphins could have been the worst I have ever read from USA Today. To start, the author does not realize that Miami has transitioned to a full-time 3-4 alignment. Yes, Jason Taylor may sometimes play with his hand in the ground, but the defense itself and the concepts that go with it are 3-4 oriented. Also, Dom Capers, recently given a contract extension, is a 3-4 defense guru.
Because of this, the entire article doesn’t make sense. The article pointed out that all four starters on the D-Line are 30 years or older. First, there aren’t four starters on the D-Line, there are three. But, for the benefit of the doubt, we’ll say Jason Taylor is a D-Lineman. The starters would be Jason Taylor, Keith Traylor (might not start), Vonnie Holliday, and Matt Roth. The last time I checked, Matt Roth was 24. That isn’t over 30 where I come from.
He also mentions that their young backups are unproven. But the fact of the matter is that they do indeed have youth at the position. Five players drafted by Miami in the last two years are eager to assume larger roles, being Matt Roth (projected starter at DE), Fred Evans (possible starter at NT), Manny Wright, Rodrique Wright, and Kevin Vickerson. Obviously, these guys are “unproven,” but so is any player that you draft out of college! They also like Chase Page, 24, out of North Carolina, who they picked up from the San Diego Chargers last year. Also, the Dolphins have spent heavily on the defensive side of the ball, and all signs point to improving the offense with the draft.
The article then says that Amobi Okoye would add “fresh legs and energy to an aging interior unit.” Earlier in the article, it is mentioned by Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli that Okoye is best suited for a Tampa-2 style defense, playing the 3 technique. He does not have the size or strength to play NT in a 3-4 scheme. Maybe one day he will, but why would Miami risk a top-10 pick on a “maybe,” not to mention the young talent that they already have there.
Finally, the article says that Clemson’s Gaines Adams “would be an upgrade to Kevin Carter, turning 34, at defensive end.” There are so many things wrong with this; I don’t even know where to begin. Carter was cut by Miami this offseason, and picked up by Tampa Bay, for one. Second, Adams would be a rush linebacker in the Dolphins 3-4 set, ala Jason Taylor. Hmm, let’s see, Gaines Adams: 6’5”, 258. Jason Taylor: 6’6”, 255. Kevin Carter: 6’6”, 305. See where I’m getting at! Adams plays a different position entirely that Carter. Oh, did I mention Carter isn’t even on the Dolphins! Finally, the odds that Adams is there at 9 are slim to none, and slim just left the building. In fact, Detroit is said to have a lot of interest in him, even at #2. See, Adams would be a perfect fit as a DE in a Tampa-2 scheme, which is what Detroit runs. Did I mention that they also need D-Line help? They might be a better team to include in your write-up than say, The Miami Dolphins.
I expect more from the USA Today. Just because some so-called “draft-experts” have D-Line as a need for Miami, it would be better to actually investigate the situation, rather than go by what they say. Mel Kiper may have Okoye going to the Dolphins, but he also had USC’s Mike Williams, WR, as the best prospect in the draft and he may never play a down in the NFL again!
Sorry for the length of this, but it really was a terrible assessment of the Miami Dolphins.
