First time poster, long time listener.....I can't wait for the draft to get here, so I was scrounging around online for anything and all things draft related. By the way, I think I'm going to try to get through all seven rounds this year for once, provided they hopefully give Mel Kiper Jr. some Zoloft and a peanut butter sandwich so I don't have to hear the word "upside" 5 billion times. Anyways, came across an article by John Murphy about the draft needs of the afc east, and all the nfl.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-afceastneeds040207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Miami Dolphins
Team needs: DT, DB, OL, LB, WR
Overall pick/round: 9 (1), 40 (2), 60 (2), 71 (3), 108 (4), 181 (6), 219 (7), 238 (7)
DT: They could transition from playing strictly a 4-3 base to using more of a hybrid scheme that will allow defensive coordinator Dom Capers to put Jason Taylor and Joey Porter on the outside, while featuring veteran Vonnie Holliday at one of the DE spots. But they lack an up-field, wide-based interior defender to play that style or scheme, which could lead them in the direction of defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. In time and with some maturity in the weight room, the 19-year-old, 305-pound lineman could eventually thrive as a 320-pound defender.
DB: Under former coach Nick Saban, they addressed this area twice in the past two drafts, but have failed to produce an ideal starting defender. Last year's top-choice, Jason Allen, lacked ideal instincts and was a high reps guy that failed to learn the team's defense fast enough to contribute on the field. Meanwhile, cornerback Travis Daniels has been an inconsistent cover guy, so finding someone who could start off as a nickel back and maybe challenge him for playing time would be ideal.
OL: It seems very likely that they will add a few fresh faces again through the draft, although there is some hope that Joe Toledo might provide some steady play at guard if he recovers from a rookie knee injury. It is certainly not out of the question that they will select offensive tackle Levi Brown at No. 9 overall. However, even if they select Brown, they need to come back in the third or fourth round and secure two possible starters out of this draft.
LB: This is another area where the team is getting old and lacks ideal depth behind their current starters. A transition toward using the 3-4 scheme would create a need to find future replacements for Taylor and Porter, while also finding an inside guy to pair with Channing Crowder down the road. Stewart Bradley, Desmond Bishop, Justin Warren and Dallas Sartz are some names to remember.
WR: The loss of Wes Welker, their most reliable return man and possession receiver, has created a hole. Marty Booker showed signs of being a reliable No. 2 receiver next to Chris Chambers, but 2006 rookie Derek Hagan is still a work in progress. As a result, expect the Dolphins to go after a combo guy (WR/RT) like David Clowney or Steve Breaston possibly in round 3-4 or wait for Ryne Robinson. They could also look at a pass-catching tight end like Michael Allan, Jonny Harline or Braden Jones in the later rounds.
The analysis if pretty good, but I have two comments. First of all, where does this guy get off talking about that Jason Allen's "lacked ideal instincts", as if we all should nod our heads because this was agreed upon before the draft? From what I heard in the days leading up to the draft, he was a ballhawk, and if he hadn't injured that hip he could have went higher than us. The kid (and let's not forget, he still is just a kid in his second year) has not even started a game for us, and we're already trying to weed him out of the lineup and find a replacement. I don't think he's anywhere near a bust yet. He hasn't even hit the possible age where we could even consider him a "bust turned late bloomer" a la Drew Brees. I think Dolphins fans are way too hard on him, and expect Troy Palamalu's career arc to be duplicated here (started midway through his rookie year, now perennial pro bowler). I'm not saying he will be Troy Palamalu, but I will say that he's not Jamar Fletcher.
Secondly, it's good to hear at least one writer not chirping about us picking a quarterback in the first rounds. (I'm actually praying Brady Quinn doesn't drop to us, and we can trade back and still nab Ted Ginn Jr. Then we can address a lot of other needs with the other draft picks, while still securing our deep threat WR/KR/PR of the next 10 years.) Daunte has had a year and half to rehabilitate, and I think the clouds hanging over his health status will clear up a little after the quarterback camps and leading up to the draft. This draft isn't the deepest in terms of quarterbacks, but I still feel there's a couple gem to be had in the later rounds (like a Kevin Kolb). Hopefully we can draft one of them to provide depth, groom them, and then fleece the Texans out of 2(1/2) draft picks like the Falcons did with Schaub.
All in all, it was pretty good analysis by Murphy. Any thoughts? I still feel like a crackhead going through withdrawal, and if nobody wants me to kill for fun, they need to fast forward to this draft already.
(Tapping veins in forearm)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jm-afceastneeds040207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Miami Dolphins
Team needs: DT, DB, OL, LB, WR
Overall pick/round: 9 (1), 40 (2), 60 (2), 71 (3), 108 (4), 181 (6), 219 (7), 238 (7)
DT: They could transition from playing strictly a 4-3 base to using more of a hybrid scheme that will allow defensive coordinator Dom Capers to put Jason Taylor and Joey Porter on the outside, while featuring veteran Vonnie Holliday at one of the DE spots. But they lack an up-field, wide-based interior defender to play that style or scheme, which could lead them in the direction of defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. In time and with some maturity in the weight room, the 19-year-old, 305-pound lineman could eventually thrive as a 320-pound defender.
DB: Under former coach Nick Saban, they addressed this area twice in the past two drafts, but have failed to produce an ideal starting defender. Last year's top-choice, Jason Allen, lacked ideal instincts and was a high reps guy that failed to learn the team's defense fast enough to contribute on the field. Meanwhile, cornerback Travis Daniels has been an inconsistent cover guy, so finding someone who could start off as a nickel back and maybe challenge him for playing time would be ideal.
OL: It seems very likely that they will add a few fresh faces again through the draft, although there is some hope that Joe Toledo might provide some steady play at guard if he recovers from a rookie knee injury. It is certainly not out of the question that they will select offensive tackle Levi Brown at No. 9 overall. However, even if they select Brown, they need to come back in the third or fourth round and secure two possible starters out of this draft.
LB: This is another area where the team is getting old and lacks ideal depth behind their current starters. A transition toward using the 3-4 scheme would create a need to find future replacements for Taylor and Porter, while also finding an inside guy to pair with Channing Crowder down the road. Stewart Bradley, Desmond Bishop, Justin Warren and Dallas Sartz are some names to remember.
WR: The loss of Wes Welker, their most reliable return man and possession receiver, has created a hole. Marty Booker showed signs of being a reliable No. 2 receiver next to Chris Chambers, but 2006 rookie Derek Hagan is still a work in progress. As a result, expect the Dolphins to go after a combo guy (WR/RT) like David Clowney or Steve Breaston possibly in round 3-4 or wait for Ryne Robinson. They could also look at a pass-catching tight end like Michael Allan, Jonny Harline or Braden Jones in the later rounds.
The analysis if pretty good, but I have two comments. First of all, where does this guy get off talking about that Jason Allen's "lacked ideal instincts", as if we all should nod our heads because this was agreed upon before the draft? From what I heard in the days leading up to the draft, he was a ballhawk, and if he hadn't injured that hip he could have went higher than us. The kid (and let's not forget, he still is just a kid in his second year) has not even started a game for us, and we're already trying to weed him out of the lineup and find a replacement. I don't think he's anywhere near a bust yet. He hasn't even hit the possible age where we could even consider him a "bust turned late bloomer" a la Drew Brees. I think Dolphins fans are way too hard on him, and expect Troy Palamalu's career arc to be duplicated here (started midway through his rookie year, now perennial pro bowler). I'm not saying he will be Troy Palamalu, but I will say that he's not Jamar Fletcher.
Secondly, it's good to hear at least one writer not chirping about us picking a quarterback in the first rounds. (I'm actually praying Brady Quinn doesn't drop to us, and we can trade back and still nab Ted Ginn Jr. Then we can address a lot of other needs with the other draft picks, while still securing our deep threat WR/KR/PR of the next 10 years.) Daunte has had a year and half to rehabilitate, and I think the clouds hanging over his health status will clear up a little after the quarterback camps and leading up to the draft. This draft isn't the deepest in terms of quarterbacks, but I still feel there's a couple gem to be had in the later rounds (like a Kevin Kolb). Hopefully we can draft one of them to provide depth, groom them, and then fleece the Texans out of 2(1/2) draft picks like the Falcons did with Schaub.
All in all, it was pretty good analysis by Murphy. Any thoughts? I still feel like a crackhead going through withdrawal, and if nobody wants me to kill for fun, they need to fast forward to this draft already.
(Tapping veins in forearm)
