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Barry Jackson | Dolphins might go defense at No. 9
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Chatter following the NFL combine:
• Though the chance of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn or Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. dropping to the Dolphins at No. 9 has fueled conversation, several top defensive players graded out well and remain in the mix.
What's the best-case scenario at No. 9, assuming JaMarcus Russell, Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas and Adrian Peterson are off the board? Three draftniks (ex-scouts Chris Landry and Russ Lande, and ESPN's Todd McShay) said Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams would be, though many expect he will be gone by Miami's pick.
But what's the most realistic scenario for Miami? ''Ginn or [19-year-old Louisville defensive tackle] Amobi Okoye,'' McShay said. ``[Michigan defensive tackle] Alan Branch helped himself but could fall to nine. I don't think Quinn will fall. If I were Miami, I wouldn't want Quinn to fall to me. I'm not getting better anywhere else if I draft him, and you would have so much money invested in quarterback. And it's a P.R. nightmare if you pass on him.''
McShay said the draft's top cornerback, Michigan's Leon Hall, isn't worth the ninth pick, though his 40-yard time Tuesday (4.39 seconds) eased some concerns. Lande indicated Penn State left tackle Levi Brown would be a reach at No. 9, but projections vary.
Among Quinn, Ginn, impressive LSU safety LaRon Landry and the four top defensive linemen (Adams, Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson, Branch and Okoye), at least three figure to be available at No. 9. Quinn is said to intrigue Miami, though NFL Network's Mike Mayock noted, ``every game, he misses a couple of wide open receivers.''
• More on several Canes beyond tight end Greg Olsen (a projected mid-to-late first-rounder): Linebacker Jon Beason didn't run as well as expected (4.6 was his best NFL combine time in the 40), but his workout Monday was impressive, McShay said. Mayock calls him a top-15 pick; Landry and McShay see him as a likely second-rounder.
Defensive lineman Baraka Atkins helped himself and should go in Round 3, McShay said. ( Kareem Brown, a defensive tackle, works out at UM's pro day Saturday.)
Receiver Ryan Moore did well in drills, but his 4.49 in the 40 was a disappointment, McShay said, adding he would be ''shocked'' if Moore or running back Tyrone Moss goes higher than Round 6.
Brandon Meriweather is considered a second- or third-rounder by ESPN's Mel Kiper.
• Mayock said Florida QB Chris Leak is ''on the bubble'' for the first three rounds but ''helped himself considerably.'' UF's first-round prospects: Defensive end Jarvis Moss and safety Reggie Nelson.
CHATTER
• Dolphins GM Randy Mueller, on free agency starting Friday: ''Our plan probably is, we need quantity over quality. Don't take that the wrong way. But we've got a few holes to fill.'' . . . Miami, which remains noncommittal about whether it wants Ricky Williams back, told Sammy Morris it would like to re-sign him.
Barry Jackson | Dolphins might go defense at No. 9
By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
Chatter following the NFL combine:
• Though the chance of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn or Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. dropping to the Dolphins at No. 9 has fueled conversation, several top defensive players graded out well and remain in the mix.
What's the best-case scenario at No. 9, assuming JaMarcus Russell, Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas and Adrian Peterson are off the board? Three draftniks (ex-scouts Chris Landry and Russ Lande, and ESPN's Todd McShay) said Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams would be, though many expect he will be gone by Miami's pick.
But what's the most realistic scenario for Miami? ''Ginn or [19-year-old Louisville defensive tackle] Amobi Okoye,'' McShay said. ``[Michigan defensive tackle] Alan Branch helped himself but could fall to nine. I don't think Quinn will fall. If I were Miami, I wouldn't want Quinn to fall to me. I'm not getting better anywhere else if I draft him, and you would have so much money invested in quarterback. And it's a P.R. nightmare if you pass on him.''
McShay said the draft's top cornerback, Michigan's Leon Hall, isn't worth the ninth pick, though his 40-yard time Tuesday (4.39 seconds) eased some concerns. Lande indicated Penn State left tackle Levi Brown would be a reach at No. 9, but projections vary.
Among Quinn, Ginn, impressive LSU safety LaRon Landry and the four top defensive linemen (Adams, Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson, Branch and Okoye), at least three figure to be available at No. 9. Quinn is said to intrigue Miami, though NFL Network's Mike Mayock noted, ``every game, he misses a couple of wide open receivers.''
• More on several Canes beyond tight end Greg Olsen (a projected mid-to-late first-rounder): Linebacker Jon Beason didn't run as well as expected (4.6 was his best NFL combine time in the 40), but his workout Monday was impressive, McShay said. Mayock calls him a top-15 pick; Landry and McShay see him as a likely second-rounder.
Defensive lineman Baraka Atkins helped himself and should go in Round 3, McShay said. ( Kareem Brown, a defensive tackle, works out at UM's pro day Saturday.)
Receiver Ryan Moore did well in drills, but his 4.49 in the 40 was a disappointment, McShay said, adding he would be ''shocked'' if Moore or running back Tyrone Moss goes higher than Round 6.
Brandon Meriweather is considered a second- or third-rounder by ESPN's Mel Kiper.
• Mayock said Florida QB Chris Leak is ''on the bubble'' for the first three rounds but ''helped himself considerably.'' UF's first-round prospects: Defensive end Jarvis Moss and safety Reggie Nelson.
CHATTER
• Dolphins GM Randy Mueller, on free agency starting Friday: ''Our plan probably is, we need quantity over quality. Don't take that the wrong way. But we've got a few holes to fill.'' . . . Miami, which remains noncommittal about whether it wants Ricky Williams back, told Sammy Morris it would like to re-sign him.
