Countdown To Camp: Will The Return Of Raekwon Mcmillan Solidify Dolphins’ Linebacker Unit? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Countdown To Camp: Will The Return Of Raekwon Mcmillan Solidify Dolphins’ Linebacker Unit?

DKphin

DKphin

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The Dolphins have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino’s departure, they’ve also been searching for a franchise middle linebacker since Zach Thomas’ departure.
All indications are that McMillan, the 2017 second-round pick who sustained a season-ending knee injury on his first snap in the preseason opener, is totally healthy.
But there’s nothing so far that indicates McMillan can serve as an every-down starter, correctly making all the calls and serving as a sure tackler behind a suspect defensive tackle unit. After all, he’s basically a rookie. It’s a bold experiment that’s already been delayed by a year.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-countdown8-20180723-story.html
 
At least hold him off on ST duties until the regular season. Let the guys trying to make the team show they can do the thing that they would be required to do on said team. Too important for ST duties in the preseason surrounded by overly eager guys doing anything they can to play on Sundays.
 
McMillan has prototype size and speed. He comes from a major college program and led his team in tackles for 2yrs.
He’s instinctive, smart and very young.
He’s exactly the type of player they refer to when they say you build your team through the draft.
No reason why he shouldn’t be an upper echelon LB in the NFL.
 
DKphin said:
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The Dolphins have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino’s departure, they’ve also been searching for a franchise middle linebacker since Zach Thomas’ departure.
All indications are that McMillan, the 2017 second-round pick who sustained a season-ending knee injury on his first snap in the preseason opener, is totally healthy.
But there’s nothing so far that indicates McMillan can serve as an every-down starter, correctly making all the calls and serving as a sure tackler behind a suspect defensive tackle unit. After all, he’s basically a rookie. It’s a bold experiment that’s already been delayed by a year.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-countdown8-20180723-story.html
Click to expand...

Maybe it's just me but "solidify" implies a good unit made consistently good. Miami hasn't had a good LB unit in a long time. Thus, IMHO, McMillan won't solidify the unit, he'll raise it to respectablity
 
Of course he is a rookie and it is true that he could fail. After acknowledging that I think it's over the top to say "But there’s nothing so far that indicates McMillan can serve as an every-down starter".

Nothing? Really? It is this kind of sensationalist writing that puts Perkins in the same category as Omar for me.

Yeah, there was nothing except how both the players and coaches raved about him in addition to his college resume. It's not that "bold" of an experiment.
 
Scrap said:
He’s basically a rookie. We need to remember that, and avoid setting the bar so high for the guy. I’ve seen how it works around here when expectations are rather high on anyone.
Click to expand...
He’s been through an NFL training camp and scrimmaged with NFL players.. He’s been in the film room with NFL coaches and players an entire season and should know the defensive playbook inside and out. He’s NOT “basically a rookie”.
He’s considerably further along than any rookie coming in this year.
 
DKphin said:
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The Dolphins have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino’s departure, they’ve also been searching for a franchise middle linebacker since Zach Thomas’ departure.
All indications are that McMillan, the 2017 second-round pick who sustained a season-ending knee injury on his first snap in the preseason opener, is totally healthy.
But there’s nothing so far that indicates McMillan can serve as an every-down starter, correctly making all the calls and serving as a sure tackler behind a suspect defensive tackle unit. After all, he’s basically a rookie. It’s a bold experiment that’s already been delayed by a year.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-countdown8-20180723-story.html
Click to expand...

I am not expecting McMillan to come in day one, and be the man in the middle, making the calls and directing Traffic, nobody really should.

On the other hand, this is a very accumplished and driven young man that has started and proven to be a leader everywhere he has played very early, so seeing him succeed very early this year would not surprise me.

Though I agree he did not start last year, he was there to watch his team practice, and play in games. Those rare type of cerebral people that seem to pick things up much quicker then others, do tend to also learn from the sidelines almost as much as being out there themselves, so after s few games, where he finally get his feet wet, don't be surprised if him and Fitzpatrick (a rookie that also is quick to learn playbook) are both competing on who becomes the leader of the defense.
 
tay0365 said:
I am not expecting McMillan to come in day one, and be the man in the middle, making the calls and directing Traffic, nobody really should.
Click to expand...

Well count me as nobody because I fully expect him to come in and hit the ground running. Barring any injury setbacks, Raekwon should be very prepared to come in and do everything you mentioned. Sure there will be mistakes but mentally he should become acclimated quicker than a rookie.
 
jlfin said:
He’s been through an NFL training camp and scrimmaged with NFL players.. He’s been in the film room with NFL coaches and players an entire season and should know the defensive playbook inside and out. He’s NOT “basically a rookie”.
He’s considerably further along than any rookie coming in this year.
Click to expand...

There's a difference between getting actual game experience and watching film/learning the playbook. That doesn't mean I think you're wrong, in fact, I agree with most of it. But anyone who's played organized football knows there's a difference. I don't expect the typical number of 'rookie mistakes' from RM, but he will make them. Once he gains confidence in his instincts and learns not to bite on things like play-action, I expect him to play like a 2nd year LB.
 
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