The biggest thing I loved about this draft which is something I've been begging for, for years, is moveable mismatch pieces. Tannehill was at his best When he had Clay who was my favorite phin. A moveable piece who created mismatches all over the field. He was a complete headache for defenses because of his versatility.
when we lost him I said that was a HUGE loss, I don't think a lot of ppl appreciated his value to this team.
In this draft we got 3 moveable mismatch pieces in Grant, Duarte, and Drake. I'll touch more on this later, but to me, the easiest way to create offense in the NFL, is mismatch pieces.
I agree. I made a lengthy post in the main forum an hour or so ago, on the same theme. Tannehill had multiple games last season with very high YPA but we scored an absurdly low number of points in those games. Gase is not going to tolerate that type of thing. This draft was designed to provide an artificial bump, if you want to call it that, in terms of cheap field position and yards and therefore points.
I just hope we got it out of our system because the cost was too high and there were other targets and routes available. You need multiple guys in mind and allow them to fall to you, to avoid the panic and overpaying. John Harbaugh gave an excellent interview to NFL Network yesterday regarding the Ravens' fourth round with all the picks. Everybody has raved -- so to speak -- about Baltimore choices in that round. I was amazed at their haul, with some of my favorites like Willie Henry and Kenneth Dixon. Harbaugh detailed that some guys were throwing things in the draft room as that round progressed, but Ozzie Newsome in charge was cool like a Star Trek captain and merely allowed the process to play out. In other words, Baltimore didn't get everybody they targeted in that round. It merely appeared that way, because the overall approach and prioritization is so sound
* I want to comment on the televised coverage. I watch ESPN at first take but I eventually watch both networks in full, taping the NFL Network version for later viewing.
ESPN had a dominant edge in the first round, primarily due to Jon Gruden. He is extra special. You don't know what you'll get out of him, while everyone else is mostly familiar and standard fare. Gruden understands that many of these guys will bust, even in the first round. He finds distinct weaknesses and isn't concerned about emphasizing them above the gushing. Riddick tried to keep up with Gruden during that first round but I thought some of his critical packages were forced and overdone. Regardless, it was an incredibly refreshing real world slant and presentation. The remainder of the draft really suffered without Gruden.
* Day Two belonged to NFL Network, especially the first hour when ESPN wobbled. NFL Network did a much better job of showing picks live from the podium while ESPN was wandering and mumbling. Urban Meyer always says something fascinating and different about football technique and evolution at certain positions. Meyer is better than David Shaw in that role. Daniel Jermemiah should be spotlighted beginning on Day Two, like ESPN elevates McShay, instead of relegating Jeremiah to the back table until the third day. Makes little sense.
* I rip NFL Network deservedly every year largely because it is such a juvenile presentation. Rich Eisen has no business in that role. This year on Saturday they took it to lower and more disgusting level. NFL Network was actually winning the day with live picks from remote locations until Eisen and particularly Mike Mayock somehow resorted to the familiar 9th grade locker room banter surrounding the choice of Deon Bush. If that type of television were ideal then Sean Salisbury would be the star of every sports network. Eisen couldn't contain himself with giggles and the entire panel, with the possible exception of Jeremiah, seemingly had no clue how out of line it was. Eisen waved off the segment and went to an abrupt commercial since he couldn't manage a competent sentence.
Keep in mind I'm watching this long after the fact. When they went to commercial I wondered if the entire crew would return intact. I thought somebody atop the network might insist on an immediate suspension, at least for a while. That's how bad it was. The 9th grade locker room material is not creative or funny and only reflects poorly on the person(s) offering it. I am pleased that this site does not partake very often, notably in contrast to another Dolphins forum that I visit occasionally. That crew is often low class and seemingly doesn't realize it.
And there was a dramatic change once Eisen and Co. returned. They got an earful from producers during the break. I've never seen that group so subdued and busniesslike during the draft coverage, and it lasted for an extended period. The earful was well deserved.
NFL Network did rescue the situation during the interview with the German guy and coverage of his drafting by the Vikings. Well done. Great TV. far better than anything ESPN managed.
Both networks did a good job yesterday with far fewer interviews with NFL coaches and general managers than standard on day three. Normally they offer nothing. John Harbaugh is an exception and was smartly chosen.
