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The Dolphins went mostly bargain shopping in free agency, and their veteran pickups have received generally decent - but not entirely positive - reviews. Three of the eight are immersed in legitimate battles to start.
Some buzz on the newcomers and where they stand, with feedback from an AFC personnel executive, a longtime general manager, Dolphins people and ESPN Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson:
### Chad Ochocinco (one year, $925,000; worth up to $2 million with incentives): He looked very good in his first week of practice, making a couple of acrobatic catches. But the key will be how quickly he learns the offense after having 4 ½ weeks to study, in between his wedding and VH1 reality show. Davone Bess and Legedu Naanee took more first-team snaps than Ochocinco in mini-camp, with Brian Hartline sidelined by an appendectomy.
Ochocinco’s best quality, at 34? “His first step,” cornerback Sean Smith said. “He’s still pretty quick off the line. Gets on top of you quickly.”
Ochocinco was thrown only 31 passes in New England last year and caught 15. For Cincinnati in 2010, he caught 67 (out of 118 throws) but had eight drops, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 70[SUP]th[/SUP] of 110 qualifying receivers. His yards-after-catch average (2.9) ranked 89[SUP]th, [/SUP]and remember, YAC is important in Miami’s West Coast offense.
“His best asset is his ability to get separation on routes,” the longtime general manager said. “But you want a disciplined receiver to be in the right spots, and that’s not what this guy is. I would not have touched him. His personality issues are not going to change. I don’t know if he’s ever going to get it.”
### Richard Marshall (three years, $16 million): He likely won’t start, barring injury, but he will be on the field well over half the time. “A really good third corner,” Williamson said. “He was better two years ago in Carolina, OK at the end of last year for Arizona. His skill set isn’t top notch, but he won’t embarrass himself.”
PFF ranked Marshall 52nd among all corners in 2011, worse than Vontae Davis (43[SUP]rd[/SUP]) but better than Nolan Carroll (78[SUP]th[/SUP]), Will Allen (79[SUP]th[/SUP], now with the Patriots) and Smith (106[SUP]th[/SUP]). Joe Philbin likes what he sees, especially “his competitiveness. He has value inside defending as a nickel.”
### Tyrell Johnson (one year, $700,000): The biggest disappointment of the eight pickups. He ended the offseason program no better than fifth on the depth chart. “He was an NFL Combine warrior – a strong, size, speed guy that hasn’t shown anything,” Williamson said.
Among 86 safeties, PFF rank Johnson 65th last season. For perspective, ousted Yeremiah Bell (now with the Jets) ranked 77th and Reshad Jones was 56[SUP]th[/SUP].
“We had some mild interest in Johnson, and it wouldn’t shock me if Miami hit on him,” the AFC executive said. “He has speed, some play-making ability, but he’s also had some injuries.” But Miami hasn’t seen any of the play-making skills so far.
### David Garrard (one year, $3.35 million): Ranked 13th in NFL quarterback ratings in his last active season (2010) and enters camp as the slight front-runner.
Still, Williamson asserts that “last year’s version of Matt Moore was better than David Garrard has ever been.” The GM also was skeptical, wondering what’s the point of investing a year in Garrard as a caretaker starter.
The AFC executive added: “Before the back injury, he was tough to bring down. He’s always been efficient, but he doesn’t make a lot of wow plays.”
### Jamaal Westerman (one year, $615,000): Will get work as a backup defensive end and also can play outside linebacker. Made a few plays in the offseason, but Olivier Vernon drew more notice. “Jamaal’s a tough, great kid with some pass rush ability,” Jets coach Rex Ryan told us.
But the Jets didn’t want to tender him at $1.3 million after last year’s 3 ½ sack season. PFF ranked him 20th of 28 outside linebackers in a 3-4. “He’s not a good enough pass rusher to be a starter or as good a special teams player to be a core unit guy,” the AFC executive said.
### Gary Guyton (one year, $700,000): Was effective as a blitzer in minicamp but hasn't challenged Koa Misi for a starting job. “More of a backup than a starter on a good team,” the AFC executive said, noting Bill Belichick lost faith in him last season because of shaky pass coverage. “He’s a nickel guy, not a hammer in the run game,” Williamson said.
### Legedu Naanee (one year, $700,000): Looked good in May/June practices and has a good chance to be one of Miami’s top four receivers. But he needs a solid camp to hold off several younger players on the bubble, such as Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore. “We like his size [6-2] and his ability,” Philbin said. “He can attack the middle of the field.”
But this is discouraging: PFF ranked him 115th and last among all receivers last year. “To me, he’s a fourth receiver,” the AFC executive said. “A solid blocker, good hands, but he’s not going to stretch the field a lot.” Said Williamson: “Good special team player, but I’m far from excited about him.”
### Artis Hicks (one year, $1.2 million): Signed primarily to play tackle, but he ended summer workouts as the starter at right guard, ahead of disappointing John Jerry. PFF ranked him 91st of 142 tackles for 2011. “The ideal sixth offensive lineman,” Williamson said. The best Browns coach Pat Shurmur could say about Hicks? “He’s an effective pass blocker.”
CHATTER
### The Dolphins have inquired about, and shown some interest in, receiver Josh Gordon, the top prospect in Thursday’s supplemental draft, and also attended his Tuesday workout in Houston. Gordon caught 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns for Baylor in 2010, then was suspended after a marijuana arrest, transferred to Utah but turned pro before playing there.
Gordon, 6-4, ran a 4.51 in the 40 on Tuesday (despite a pulled quadriceps) and could go in the third or fourth round. Miami has picked only one player in the supplemental draft: Manny Wright, with a fifth-round pick, in 2005.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy
Some buzz on the newcomers and where they stand, with feedback from an AFC personnel executive, a longtime general manager, Dolphins people and ESPN Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson:
### Chad Ochocinco (one year, $925,000; worth up to $2 million with incentives): He looked very good in his first week of practice, making a couple of acrobatic catches. But the key will be how quickly he learns the offense after having 4 ½ weeks to study, in between his wedding and VH1 reality show. Davone Bess and Legedu Naanee took more first-team snaps than Ochocinco in mini-camp, with Brian Hartline sidelined by an appendectomy.
Ochocinco’s best quality, at 34? “His first step,” cornerback Sean Smith said. “He’s still pretty quick off the line. Gets on top of you quickly.”
Ochocinco was thrown only 31 passes in New England last year and caught 15. For Cincinnati in 2010, he caught 67 (out of 118 throws) but had eight drops, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 70[SUP]th[/SUP] of 110 qualifying receivers. His yards-after-catch average (2.9) ranked 89[SUP]th, [/SUP]and remember, YAC is important in Miami’s West Coast offense.
“His best asset is his ability to get separation on routes,” the longtime general manager said. “But you want a disciplined receiver to be in the right spots, and that’s not what this guy is. I would not have touched him. His personality issues are not going to change. I don’t know if he’s ever going to get it.”
### Richard Marshall (three years, $16 million): He likely won’t start, barring injury, but he will be on the field well over half the time. “A really good third corner,” Williamson said. “He was better two years ago in Carolina, OK at the end of last year for Arizona. His skill set isn’t top notch, but he won’t embarrass himself.”
PFF ranked Marshall 52nd among all corners in 2011, worse than Vontae Davis (43[SUP]rd[/SUP]) but better than Nolan Carroll (78[SUP]th[/SUP]), Will Allen (79[SUP]th[/SUP], now with the Patriots) and Smith (106[SUP]th[/SUP]). Joe Philbin likes what he sees, especially “his competitiveness. He has value inside defending as a nickel.”
### Tyrell Johnson (one year, $700,000): The biggest disappointment of the eight pickups. He ended the offseason program no better than fifth on the depth chart. “He was an NFL Combine warrior – a strong, size, speed guy that hasn’t shown anything,” Williamson said.
Among 86 safeties, PFF rank Johnson 65th last season. For perspective, ousted Yeremiah Bell (now with the Jets) ranked 77th and Reshad Jones was 56[SUP]th[/SUP].
“We had some mild interest in Johnson, and it wouldn’t shock me if Miami hit on him,” the AFC executive said. “He has speed, some play-making ability, but he’s also had some injuries.” But Miami hasn’t seen any of the play-making skills so far.
### David Garrard (one year, $3.35 million): Ranked 13th in NFL quarterback ratings in his last active season (2010) and enters camp as the slight front-runner.
Still, Williamson asserts that “last year’s version of Matt Moore was better than David Garrard has ever been.” The GM also was skeptical, wondering what’s the point of investing a year in Garrard as a caretaker starter.
The AFC executive added: “Before the back injury, he was tough to bring down. He’s always been efficient, but he doesn’t make a lot of wow plays.”
### Jamaal Westerman (one year, $615,000): Will get work as a backup defensive end and also can play outside linebacker. Made a few plays in the offseason, but Olivier Vernon drew more notice. “Jamaal’s a tough, great kid with some pass rush ability,” Jets coach Rex Ryan told us.
But the Jets didn’t want to tender him at $1.3 million after last year’s 3 ½ sack season. PFF ranked him 20th of 28 outside linebackers in a 3-4. “He’s not a good enough pass rusher to be a starter or as good a special teams player to be a core unit guy,” the AFC executive said.
### Gary Guyton (one year, $700,000): Was effective as a blitzer in minicamp but hasn't challenged Koa Misi for a starting job. “More of a backup than a starter on a good team,” the AFC executive said, noting Bill Belichick lost faith in him last season because of shaky pass coverage. “He’s a nickel guy, not a hammer in the run game,” Williamson said.
### Legedu Naanee (one year, $700,000): Looked good in May/June practices and has a good chance to be one of Miami’s top four receivers. But he needs a solid camp to hold off several younger players on the bubble, such as Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore. “We like his size [6-2] and his ability,” Philbin said. “He can attack the middle of the field.”
But this is discouraging: PFF ranked him 115th and last among all receivers last year. “To me, he’s a fourth receiver,” the AFC executive said. “A solid blocker, good hands, but he’s not going to stretch the field a lot.” Said Williamson: “Good special team player, but I’m far from excited about him.”
### Artis Hicks (one year, $1.2 million): Signed primarily to play tackle, but he ended summer workouts as the starter at right guard, ahead of disappointing John Jerry. PFF ranked him 91st of 142 tackles for 2011. “The ideal sixth offensive lineman,” Williamson said. The best Browns coach Pat Shurmur could say about Hicks? “He’s an effective pass blocker.”
CHATTER
### The Dolphins have inquired about, and shown some interest in, receiver Josh Gordon, the top prospect in Thursday’s supplemental draft, and also attended his Tuesday workout in Houston. Gordon caught 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns for Baylor in 2010, then was suspended after a marijuana arrest, transferred to Utah but turned pro before playing there.
Gordon, 6-4, ran a 4.51 in the 40 on Tuesday (despite a pulled quadriceps) and could go in the third or fourth round. Miami has picked only one player in the supplemental draft: Manny Wright, with a fifth-round pick, in 2005.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy
