LikeUntoGod
The Oracle
I've been wondering what positions Messam and C Clay are going to be playing.
I'm guessing at what might be "the plan" and below I have the depth chart from the Palm Beach Post listed with a few comments.
Ryan Lewis:
I think we are hoping for a domino effect. I'm thinking that we want Ryan Lewis from Bethune-Cookman to win the FB position. Ryan Lewis came to B-C as a TE, was switched to LB his 2nd year of of college and we want to make him into a FB. If R Lewis can take the FB spot, Messam becomes a RB and Clay a TE.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...er-one-visit-with-brock-osweiler-isnt-enough/
(Bethune-Cookman LB Ryan Lewis – Dolphins are interested in switching Lewis (6-1, 245) into a fullback and short-yardage runner to compete with Canadian import Jerome Messam.)
http://college2pro.com/articles/87/nfl-mock-draft-ryan-lewis-sc-11/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2012/players/94104.html
Biography: Former tight end who moved into the starting lineup at linebacker as a sophomore and has been a team leader ever since then. Senior totals included 42 tackles/10.5 tackles for loss/.5 sacks, three interceptions and two pass breakups. Junior numbers included 81/17/5.
Positives: Explosive an athletic linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Fluid moving in reverse, smooth change-of-direction ability and covers a lot of area on the field. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself and is fast out to the sidelines. Gets depth on pass drops, effectively makes plays in space and flows to the action.
Negatives: Inefficient, taking too many steps or incorrect angles to plays. Easily slowed by blocks and not a strong tackler.
Analysis: Lewis adjusted well to his new position since moving to linebacker and offers the athleticism and skills necessary to get consideration on the weak side in a conventional defense.
Projection: FA
Jerome Messam
I've read about Messam either playing FB or RB. He had 1,000 yards last year as a RB in the CFL and we signed him to a 3 year contract but with no guarantee that he will make the roster. I wonder if anyone would leave the CFL as a RB to become a FB in the NFL. Maybe so. From what I've read, Messam is considered a "Bradon Jacobs" type of running back, the odd thing being that power backs are not really a CFL thing.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/20...-messam-12_1_cfl-lex-hilliard-backfield-depth
MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins added depth to a thin backfield by signing CFL standout Jerome Messam on Wednesday night.
Messam was awarded the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Player Award after rushing for 1,057 yards and scoring six touchdowns in 18 games with the Edmonton Eskimos last season.
Messam likely will receive a contract that pays him $390,000 in 2012 if he makes the 53-man roster.
Messam becomes the fourth tailback on the Dolphins roster, joining starter Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas and Richard Medlin, a former Fayetteville State standout who was promoted from the practice squad late last season. Medlin was signed to a futures contract last month.
Messam is a linear runner much like Lex Hilliard, who is a restricted free agent this offseason. His size (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) and experience as a blocker in the pass-happy CFL, hints that he might be used in a similar role as Hilliard, who served as a short yardage runner and fullback.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...-star-jerome-messam-has-signed-with-dolphins/
Exactly how Messam will fit in first-year coach Joe Philbin’s offense isn’t clear, though the Dolphins clearly missed Lousaka Polite last year after he had become a first-down machine for them the two previous seasons. Miami was a disappointing 6-for-16 on fourth-down conversions last year, 19th in the league.
The signing could mean backup running back Lex Hilliard has worn out his welcome with the Dolphins. A sixth-round pick in 2008 out of Montana, Hilliard has stuck around for four seasons largely on the strength of his special teams play. He had 16 carries for 41 yards and one touchdown and also caught five passes for 49 yards last season, but did not deliver when called upon in short-yardage situations.
Messam will vie for playing time with Reggie Bush, who rushed for 1,086 yards last season in a feature back role, and Daniel Thomas, who finished with 581 yards while being slowed much of the season with hamstring problems. The signing also could be an indication Ireland is not sold on the long-term future of Thomas, the two-time Big 12 rushing champion who came to Miami with a reputation as a bruising runner but averaged only 3.5 yards a carry.
Charles Clay:
Clay was brought in as a H-back and played both FB and TE after starting slowly (I think that he also had a hamstring problem like D Thomas but I could be wrong). I know he made some catches from both the FB and TE spot. It seems like we want him to be more of a pass catching TE rather as a FB. That does make some sense as he was not used at all as a short yardage runner but he seemed hard to cover from both the FB and TE position.
Below is one printed Depth Chart. I have to say that I see no reason for the love to Steve Slaton, Richard Medlin was simply brought in as a body last season due to injuries. Marcus Thigpen seems to be a special teams/return guy.
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/07/02/marcus-thigpen-a-life-turn-around/
Thigpen made his mark in the league, scoring a touchdown five different ways — kickoff return, punt return, missed field-goal return, reception and rushing play — becoming the first player in CFL history to accomplish the feat.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...nfl-draft-depth-chart-for-the-miami-dolphins/
[h=2]Projected post-NFL Draft depth chart for the Miami Dolphins[/h] by Ben Volin Let’s take a look at the Dolphins’ projected depth chart now that the draft is complete and only a handful of players available in free agency. This depth chart doesn’t include the undrafted free agents, who haven’t officially signed with the Dolphins yet.
OFFENSE (38 players)
WR: Brian Hartline; Clyde Gates; Marlon Moore, B.J. Cunningham*
WR: Davone Bess; Julius Pruitt
LT: Jake Long; Will Barker
LG: Richie Incognito; Nate Garner; Ray Feinga
C: Mike Pouncey; Ryan Cook
RG: John Jerry; Artis Hicks
RT: Jonathan Martin*; Lydon Murtha
TE: Anthony Fasano; Charles Clay; Michael Egnew*; Jeron Mastrud; Will Yeatman; Les Brown*
QB: Matt Moore; David Garrard; Ryan Tannehill*; Pat Devlin
RB: Reggie Bush; Daniel Thomas; Steve Slaton; Lamar Miller*; Richard Medlin; Marcus Thigpen*;
FB: Jerome Messam*
WR: Roberto Wallace; Legedu Naanee; Chris Hogan; Rishard Matthews*
Comments
Several positions – receiver, tight end, quarterback – are far from settled, and won’t be determined until the players battle it out on the field during training camp. At receiver, only Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are guaranteed roster spots. At least nine receivers, including undrafted free agents, will compete for the final three spots, and the Dolphins might continue look at available free agents for depth at receiver and on the offensive line (they had spoken with Jake Scott and Kyle Kosier before the draft). Dolphins appear to have a logjam at tight end, and could potentially keep more than the standard four. Lamar Miller likely won’t play much on offense at first, but is good insurance for Reggie Bush. Two undrafted players not listed here who could make the squad: Texas A&M receiver Jeff Fuller, who was Ryan Tannehill’s No. 2 receiver in college and knows the Dolphins’ coaching staff well, and Bethune-Cookman fullback Ryan Lewis, a converted linebacker. Canadian import Jerome Messam is more of a Brandon Jacobs type of halfback, not a true fullback.
DEFENSE (32 players)
DE: Cameron Wake; Jamaal Westerman; Jason Trusnik
DT: Randy Starks; Tony McDaniel; Kheeston Randall*
DT: Paul Soliai; Ryan Baker; Isaako Aaitui
DE: Jared Odrick; Olivier Vernon*; Jonathan Freeny
SLB: Kevin Burnett
MLB: Karlos Dansby; Austin Spitler
WLB: Koa Misi; Gary Guyton; Josh Kaddu*
CB: Vontae Davis; Nolan Carroll; Jonathan Wade
CB: Richard Marshall; Vincent Agnew
FS: Chris Clemons; Jimmy Wilson; Tyrone Culver
SS: Reshad Jones; Tyrell Johnson; Anderson Russell
CB: Sean Smith; Marcus Brown; Quinten Lawrence
Comment
The two areas of the Dolphins’ new 4-3 defense that are currently unsettled are at weakside linebacker and both safety spots. Koa Misi currently has a leg up on Gary Guyton, but those two will likely battle it out in training camp. At safety, Reshad Jones will likely win one starting job, but Jimmy Wilson and Tyrell Johnson could both push Chris Clemons for the second spot. Richard Marshall could also play safety if need be, and Wilson can play cornerback. On the defensive line, expect the Dolphins to play Jared Odrick as a defensive end on running downs, and kick him inside to defensive tackle on passing downs to give the Dolphins a good interior pass rush with Randy Starks. Third-round pick Olivier Vernon will be used as a Nickel pass rusher at first.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
LS: John Denney
KR: Lamar Miller; Clyde Gates; Steve Slaton
PR: Davone Bess, Reggie Bush; Lamar Miller
Comments
Davone Bess will likely keep his punt returning duties after finishing sixth among qualifying punt returners with a 11.9-yard average last season. But Clyde Gates finished just 22nd among kickoff returners with a 24.8 –yard average, and the Dolphins are going to give Lamar Miller a chance to win the kickoff returning job while he learns the nuances of the running back position. If Gates can’t win the kickoff returning job, his roster spot could be in serious jeopardy.
I'm guessing at what might be "the plan" and below I have the depth chart from the Palm Beach Post listed with a few comments.
Ryan Lewis:
I think we are hoping for a domino effect. I'm thinking that we want Ryan Lewis from Bethune-Cookman to win the FB position. Ryan Lewis came to B-C as a TE, was switched to LB his 2nd year of of college and we want to make him into a FB. If R Lewis can take the FB spot, Messam becomes a RB and Clay a TE.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...er-one-visit-with-brock-osweiler-isnt-enough/
(Bethune-Cookman LB Ryan Lewis – Dolphins are interested in switching Lewis (6-1, 245) into a fullback and short-yardage runner to compete with Canadian import Jerome Messam.)
http://college2pro.com/articles/87/nfl-mock-draft-ryan-lewis-sc-11/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2012/players/94104.html
Biography: Former tight end who moved into the starting lineup at linebacker as a sophomore and has been a team leader ever since then. Senior totals included 42 tackles/10.5 tackles for loss/.5 sacks, three interceptions and two pass breakups. Junior numbers included 81/17/5.
Positives: Explosive an athletic linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Fluid moving in reverse, smooth change-of-direction ability and covers a lot of area on the field. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself and is fast out to the sidelines. Gets depth on pass drops, effectively makes plays in space and flows to the action.
Negatives: Inefficient, taking too many steps or incorrect angles to plays. Easily slowed by blocks and not a strong tackler.
Analysis: Lewis adjusted well to his new position since moving to linebacker and offers the athleticism and skills necessary to get consideration on the weak side in a conventional defense.
Projection: FA
Jerome Messam
I've read about Messam either playing FB or RB. He had 1,000 yards last year as a RB in the CFL and we signed him to a 3 year contract but with no guarantee that he will make the roster. I wonder if anyone would leave the CFL as a RB to become a FB in the NFL. Maybe so. From what I've read, Messam is considered a "Bradon Jacobs" type of running back, the odd thing being that power backs are not really a CFL thing.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/20...-messam-12_1_cfl-lex-hilliard-backfield-depth
MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins added depth to a thin backfield by signing CFL standout Jerome Messam on Wednesday night.
Messam was awarded the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Player Award after rushing for 1,057 yards and scoring six touchdowns in 18 games with the Edmonton Eskimos last season.
Messam likely will receive a contract that pays him $390,000 in 2012 if he makes the 53-man roster.
Messam becomes the fourth tailback on the Dolphins roster, joining starter Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas and Richard Medlin, a former Fayetteville State standout who was promoted from the practice squad late last season. Medlin was signed to a futures contract last month.
Messam is a linear runner much like Lex Hilliard, who is a restricted free agent this offseason. His size (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) and experience as a blocker in the pass-happy CFL, hints that he might be used in a similar role as Hilliard, who served as a short yardage runner and fullback.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...-star-jerome-messam-has-signed-with-dolphins/
Exactly how Messam will fit in first-year coach Joe Philbin’s offense isn’t clear, though the Dolphins clearly missed Lousaka Polite last year after he had become a first-down machine for them the two previous seasons. Miami was a disappointing 6-for-16 on fourth-down conversions last year, 19th in the league.
The signing could mean backup running back Lex Hilliard has worn out his welcome with the Dolphins. A sixth-round pick in 2008 out of Montana, Hilliard has stuck around for four seasons largely on the strength of his special teams play. He had 16 carries for 41 yards and one touchdown and also caught five passes for 49 yards last season, but did not deliver when called upon in short-yardage situations.
Messam will vie for playing time with Reggie Bush, who rushed for 1,086 yards last season in a feature back role, and Daniel Thomas, who finished with 581 yards while being slowed much of the season with hamstring problems. The signing also could be an indication Ireland is not sold on the long-term future of Thomas, the two-time Big 12 rushing champion who came to Miami with a reputation as a bruising runner but averaged only 3.5 yards a carry.
Charles Clay:
Clay was brought in as a H-back and played both FB and TE after starting slowly (I think that he also had a hamstring problem like D Thomas but I could be wrong). I know he made some catches from both the FB and TE spot. It seems like we want him to be more of a pass catching TE rather as a FB. That does make some sense as he was not used at all as a short yardage runner but he seemed hard to cover from both the FB and TE position.
Below is one printed Depth Chart. I have to say that I see no reason for the love to Steve Slaton, Richard Medlin was simply brought in as a body last season due to injuries. Marcus Thigpen seems to be a special teams/return guy.
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/07/02/marcus-thigpen-a-life-turn-around/
Thigpen made his mark in the league, scoring a touchdown five different ways — kickoff return, punt return, missed field-goal return, reception and rushing play — becoming the first player in CFL history to accomplish the feat.
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...nfl-draft-depth-chart-for-the-miami-dolphins/
[h=2]Projected post-NFL Draft depth chart for the Miami Dolphins[/h] by Ben Volin Let’s take a look at the Dolphins’ projected depth chart now that the draft is complete and only a handful of players available in free agency. This depth chart doesn’t include the undrafted free agents, who haven’t officially signed with the Dolphins yet.
OFFENSE (38 players)
WR: Brian Hartline; Clyde Gates; Marlon Moore, B.J. Cunningham*
WR: Davone Bess; Julius Pruitt
LT: Jake Long; Will Barker
LG: Richie Incognito; Nate Garner; Ray Feinga
C: Mike Pouncey; Ryan Cook
RG: John Jerry; Artis Hicks
RT: Jonathan Martin*; Lydon Murtha
TE: Anthony Fasano; Charles Clay; Michael Egnew*; Jeron Mastrud; Will Yeatman; Les Brown*
QB: Matt Moore; David Garrard; Ryan Tannehill*; Pat Devlin
RB: Reggie Bush; Daniel Thomas; Steve Slaton; Lamar Miller*; Richard Medlin; Marcus Thigpen*;
FB: Jerome Messam*
WR: Roberto Wallace; Legedu Naanee; Chris Hogan; Rishard Matthews*
Comments
Several positions – receiver, tight end, quarterback – are far from settled, and won’t be determined until the players battle it out on the field during training camp. At receiver, only Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are guaranteed roster spots. At least nine receivers, including undrafted free agents, will compete for the final three spots, and the Dolphins might continue look at available free agents for depth at receiver and on the offensive line (they had spoken with Jake Scott and Kyle Kosier before the draft). Dolphins appear to have a logjam at tight end, and could potentially keep more than the standard four. Lamar Miller likely won’t play much on offense at first, but is good insurance for Reggie Bush. Two undrafted players not listed here who could make the squad: Texas A&M receiver Jeff Fuller, who was Ryan Tannehill’s No. 2 receiver in college and knows the Dolphins’ coaching staff well, and Bethune-Cookman fullback Ryan Lewis, a converted linebacker. Canadian import Jerome Messam is more of a Brandon Jacobs type of halfback, not a true fullback.
DEFENSE (32 players)
DE: Cameron Wake; Jamaal Westerman; Jason Trusnik
DT: Randy Starks; Tony McDaniel; Kheeston Randall*
DT: Paul Soliai; Ryan Baker; Isaako Aaitui
DE: Jared Odrick; Olivier Vernon*; Jonathan Freeny
SLB: Kevin Burnett
MLB: Karlos Dansby; Austin Spitler
WLB: Koa Misi; Gary Guyton; Josh Kaddu*
CB: Vontae Davis; Nolan Carroll; Jonathan Wade
CB: Richard Marshall; Vincent Agnew
FS: Chris Clemons; Jimmy Wilson; Tyrone Culver
SS: Reshad Jones; Tyrell Johnson; Anderson Russell
CB: Sean Smith; Marcus Brown; Quinten Lawrence
Comment
The two areas of the Dolphins’ new 4-3 defense that are currently unsettled are at weakside linebacker and both safety spots. Koa Misi currently has a leg up on Gary Guyton, but those two will likely battle it out in training camp. At safety, Reshad Jones will likely win one starting job, but Jimmy Wilson and Tyrell Johnson could both push Chris Clemons for the second spot. Richard Marshall could also play safety if need be, and Wilson can play cornerback. On the defensive line, expect the Dolphins to play Jared Odrick as a defensive end on running downs, and kick him inside to defensive tackle on passing downs to give the Dolphins a good interior pass rush with Randy Starks. Third-round pick Olivier Vernon will be used as a Nickel pass rusher at first.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Dan Carpenter
P: Brandon Fields
LS: John Denney
KR: Lamar Miller; Clyde Gates; Steve Slaton
PR: Davone Bess, Reggie Bush; Lamar Miller
Comments
Davone Bess will likely keep his punt returning duties after finishing sixth among qualifying punt returners with a 11.9-yard average last season. But Clyde Gates finished just 22nd among kickoff returners with a 24.8 –yard average, and the Dolphins are going to give Lamar Miller a chance to win the kickoff returning job while he learns the nuances of the running back position. If Gates can’t win the kickoff returning job, his roster spot could be in serious jeopardy.
