Dartmouth's Artie Lynch Learning the Ropes with the Dolphins

[HoneyB]

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140606/SPORTS/406060312

When Artie Lynch botched a drill earlier this week, he heard the coach say, "Get me another tight end in here."
But the Dartmouth native, chosen by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round in last month's draft, is dealing with the entry-level frustration of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) the best he can. "A couple of times in the walk through they were just throwing stuff at me that I wasn't able to handle — boom, boom, you're out of there," said Lynch. "This has happened to me at the college level. Nobody's perfect, I don't care if you're Tom Brady or some undrafted guy. "It's not like college where your reps are limited, you're constantly competing. There's no red-shirting, there's no scholarships laying around. Once we put pads on, that will be an equalizer."

The competition is heavy in Dolphins camp where three other tight ends (ie. Dion Sims, Michael Egnew and Kyle Miller) are reportedly vying to back up pass-catching Charles Clay and offer a blocking presence and special-teams flexibility. The role sounds like it was drawn up for Lynch, whose blocking game has preceded his catching game every step of the way from the University of Georgia back to Dartmouth High School.

I'm hoping this pick pans out. We're going to need two productive tight ends, and for whatever reason Dion Sims just disappeared at some point last year. Egnew is a question mark, so there seems to be a spot for Lynch. He hasn't started out very good in OTA's, and was temporarily held out to an undisclosed injury, but it's early in the process.

The Dolphins really missed Anthony Fasano in the red zone last year. And the numbers on the board reflected that. If Lynch can be that guy, and Clay be the more elusive pass-catching TE, then we'll have fixed that position this year.

I looked back at the scouting report on Lynch, and gauged interest by other teams to see how he was regarded, and it's fairly positive:

Scouting Report

Draftscout.com rated him as the #6 TE prospect, a big target with sure hands, coming out of the SEC. He was listed as 6-5, 258lbs. He was projected as a 4th round pick (everywhere, not just on draft scout). In his final season he had 24 receptions for 390 yards, and scored five (5) touchdowns. He lined up both in-line and in the slot for the Bulldogs, projected in the NFL as a possession target and #2 TE on the roster. He doesn't easily get separation but is a "coordinated" athlete who isn't shy to get his hands dirty as a blocker.

Blogs

http://www.sportsonearth.com/articl...ion-by-position-scouting-reports-guide#!Wd78T

In a Sports on Earth article penned by Mike Tanier, Lynch is described as an "H Back Type," in the third tier behind elite prosects like Ebron, and next in line prospects like Jace Amaro. Russell Lande added to the article by saying he was "stunned" by Lynch and compares him to Dennis Pitta. Lande continued: "No one is going to mistake Lynch for Ebron athletically, but Lynch is a smooth and fluid athlete with good speed and excellent body control and balance. He is able to make great catches seem routine, keep his feet and consistently gain yards when running after contact."

Fantasy

http://firststopfantasy.com/nfl-teams/miami-dolphins/miami-dolphins-fantasy-forecast/

Firststopfantasy.com provided a post-draft fantasy projection for Dolphin players. They included Arthur Lynch: "Lynch should provide Tannehill with a big target over the middle of the field, and in the redzone. Lynch won’t beat out Charles Clay, but will be used in two tight end sets, and will be Tannehill’s primary target in the redzone. Lynch may be the Joseph Fauria of the Dolphins, and because of that, he should go undrafted, but could be a solid waiver pickup later in the season if he can produce."

Other Team Interest

Pre-draft, here are some examples of interest from other teams in the media:

CSBaltimore.com/Clinton Brown: "Why he fits: The Ravens’ two two tight ends will be free agents - Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson. Dallas Clark barely played down the stretch and is not expected back. Even if the Ravens bring back Pitta, as they hope, both Dickson and Clark could be gone, and the Ravens will have their eyes open for athletic, pass-catching tight ends. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Lynch fits that bill."

Giantgab.com: "The great Giants insider Paul Dotino, lovingly referred to as PDot, had a great tweet today regarding NY Giants draft prospects. So to kick off the scouting season, we’re taking a closer look with PDot at TE Arthur Lynch out of Georgia.

"So a spot opens up for a big, pass catching, red zone threat, and run blocking TE with good instincts in rounds 2-4 to get the best bang for their buck. PDot is right on the money for a mid round pick – TE Arthur Lynch, Georgia in round 3 heading to the NY Giants would be an outstanding value pick."


http://www.giantsgab.com/2014/01/10/scouting-te-arthur-lynch-georgia-mid-round-value/

 

[allsilverdreams]

man Odrick is a big guy

 

[Fins_of_Fury]

Good stuff! Can't wait to see how he pans out!

 

[fishfanmiami]

I watched several UG games last year and he did stand out. When they were down a couple WR they used him split out and he was an effective pass catcher who made some big play. Not the speedy seem threat some wanted but definitely strong competition for Sims and the rest.

[video=youtube_share;CDZZHM7aOls]http://youtu.be/CDZZHM7aOls[/video]


[video=youtube_share;tRwTFzfdVzg]http://youtu.be/tRwTFzfdVzg[/video]



More than decent blocker as well.

 

[JTC111]

sure hands....listed as 6-5

A smart OC should be able to create mismatches with him all over the field, although his sub-par vertical at the combines (only 29.5 inches) might be problematic in that effort.

 

[HoneyB]

I watched several UG games last year and he did stand out. When they were down a couple WR they used him split out and he was an effective pass catcher who made some big play. Not the speedy seem threat some wanted but definitely strong competition for Sims and the rest.

More than decent blocker as well.

I enjoyed the video. Loved the stiff arm he gave in the second video when he was going out for a pass, and all the blocking he did was impressive. I'm hoping he can learn his assignments and refine his route running and get on the field for us.

I used to complain about Anthony Fasano but since he left I miss him.

 

[Coach_Rob]

im not sold on him, and have not been to impressed with all the tape ive watched. ive seen him make a play here and there that I liked but the guy is a blocker and poor mans fasano he disappears way to much

 

[fishfanmiami]

I used to complain about Anthony Fasano but since he left I miss him.

The team missed him last year as we had no one to help out our struggling tackles.

Fasano was a good red zone threat as well and we could have used that.

Outside of Clay that one great catch from Sims was all we got out of that group last year.

 

[HoneyB]

man Odrick is a big guy

:up:

 

[Coach_Rob]

not to mention lynchs two big dropps against Nebraska that pretty much cost them the game

 

[fishfanmiami]

im not sold on him, and have not been to impressed with all the tape ive watched. ive seen him make a play here and there that I liked but the guy is a blocker and poor mans fasano he disappears way to much

Several nice catches but those drops were disturbing.

Hey just be better than what we've got there now which isn't much after Clay.

 

[allsilverdreams]

i think he will surprise many.if we use the 2 T.E set like Lazor claims to enjoy using Lynch will b tht guy

 

[HoneyB]

The team missed him last year as we had no one to help out our struggling tackles.

Fasano was a good red zone threat as well and we could have used that.

Outside of Clay that one great catch from Sims was all we got out of that group last year.

Yep, that one catch. I still have in download in my folder, I was so excited over that. It was a beautiful thing! But then where did he disappear to?

Nobody could score, and nobody could get open. Fasano was underrated because he blocked so well, and had a knack for the tough catches in the red zone. Look...if this kid contributes, that could be worth a game or two. He had five TD's coming out of college his last year, and I think that was more than Sims had when he came out. Realistically though, we're probably going to need him to develop. I'm just hoping for more than that because we need somebody to step up.

 

[FSU Truth]

The team missed him last year as we had no one to help out our struggling tackles.

Fasano was a good red zone threat as well and we could have used that.

Outside of Clay that one great catch from Sims was all we got out of that group last year.

Not resigning Fasano was almost as bad as letting Bush walk and not finding a legitimate tackle to replace Long

 

[Krush]

TE don't call plays