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The explosion in interest in the draft is understandable. Draftniks and fans alike have allowed for a cottage industry to take root. However, with so many people following the draft, this leads to false advance impressions in people's minds such that they inevitably get disappointed and even frustrated when they are surprised time and again at the draft.
It is striking that so many of the draftniks covering the Dolphins got so frustrated: Big O, Omar Kelly, Toddie McShay, Mel Kiper, Jr., CK Parrothead, "Boomer," et al. Big O reportedly was having temper tantrums. But this common link got me thinking. They all built up expectations based on their study, and then when the draft didn't pan out exactly how they thought, they were frustrated and/or disappointed.
Don't get me wrong, I think following the draft is fascinating. But draftniks are just that; not professionals. They do not know with a professional eye what the Dolphins are looking for. Mike Mayock tends to be the best, but he is a former player and actually could work in a front office unlike the others. So, I would submit that we as fans should study the names of the players for what that endeavor is, and then see how the draft unfolds with some level of knowledge. But that is it.
Draftniks study the names of players and Google names to see who met with the Dolphins, etc. I find such discussion worthwhile. But draftnik's do not know what the Dolphins' brass is thinking or seeking. We know that as a fact because Ireland noted that his staff has confidentiality requirements. Agents may speak with the press about what they hear, but without knowledge of the Dolphins' thinking, draftnik babbling is no more than conjecture. And when Big O and Omar et al. freak out after the fact, it is nothing more than poor conjecture biting them.
McShay is the absolute worst of the lot. He is so out of tune with what the Dolphins actually think and look for in "makeup" that it is an absolute joke. He embarrases himself and ESPN. But ESPN is falling apart anyway, and I absolutely prefer Mayock and Charles Davis on NLFN.
As for the Dolphins, after two years of drafts, it is clear that the Dolphins pick players based on conviction. They don't mind grabbing a kid like Nalbone a tad early to make sure they get the kid. While a draftnik may amateurishly whine that does not take into account "value," they couldn't be more mistaken. The Dolphins want players and make sure they get the player. Last year, the Dolphins were criticized for taking Langford early. But they got their man and who cares if he was a "value draft pick." What is more important is that he is a "value player." And they picked up a slew of kids, with toughness and the makeup they want, all the way to Bess and Carpenter. You put it together and synergy forms.
This year, the Dolphins picked up Patrick Turner, a fluid 6'5 kid with loads of talent but who underachieved in college. But he had 10 TD's last season for the best program in the country. And did I mention that he is 6'5 and talented? McShay said there were 10 receivers available who he likes better. That is an asinine comment and shows his buffoonery. The Dolphins wanted a player that fits their need and they got their man. Why the heck would Miami want Iglesias over Turner? Same thing with Nalbone. The Dolphins wanted their guy. Accept it. The Dolphins have conviction on players and do not approach it like a cheapskate at a flea market trying to buy cheap.
It does you no good to draft for value if you get a roster of good value picks that are not the kids you want or don't fit your system. C'mon, there is no such thing as winning a "draft bowl." The Dolphins want players that fit their scheme and have the makeup they want. Eventually, you get a roster of players who fit that profile, and you put together a winning team. That's where it really matters.
Now the draft is a crapshoot to some extent, and Parcells and Ireland know that. So they doubled up on corners and receivers to increase their odds, just like they doubled up on defensive ends last year.
Something tells me that Ireland and Parcells would agree with this post 100%.
It is striking that so many of the draftniks covering the Dolphins got so frustrated: Big O, Omar Kelly, Toddie McShay, Mel Kiper, Jr., CK Parrothead, "Boomer," et al. Big O reportedly was having temper tantrums. But this common link got me thinking. They all built up expectations based on their study, and then when the draft didn't pan out exactly how they thought, they were frustrated and/or disappointed.
Don't get me wrong, I think following the draft is fascinating. But draftniks are just that; not professionals. They do not know with a professional eye what the Dolphins are looking for. Mike Mayock tends to be the best, but he is a former player and actually could work in a front office unlike the others. So, I would submit that we as fans should study the names of the players for what that endeavor is, and then see how the draft unfolds with some level of knowledge. But that is it.
Draftniks study the names of players and Google names to see who met with the Dolphins, etc. I find such discussion worthwhile. But draftnik's do not know what the Dolphins' brass is thinking or seeking. We know that as a fact because Ireland noted that his staff has confidentiality requirements. Agents may speak with the press about what they hear, but without knowledge of the Dolphins' thinking, draftnik babbling is no more than conjecture. And when Big O and Omar et al. freak out after the fact, it is nothing more than poor conjecture biting them.
McShay is the absolute worst of the lot. He is so out of tune with what the Dolphins actually think and look for in "makeup" that it is an absolute joke. He embarrases himself and ESPN. But ESPN is falling apart anyway, and I absolutely prefer Mayock and Charles Davis on NLFN.
As for the Dolphins, after two years of drafts, it is clear that the Dolphins pick players based on conviction. They don't mind grabbing a kid like Nalbone a tad early to make sure they get the kid. While a draftnik may amateurishly whine that does not take into account "value," they couldn't be more mistaken. The Dolphins want players and make sure they get the player. Last year, the Dolphins were criticized for taking Langford early. But they got their man and who cares if he was a "value draft pick." What is more important is that he is a "value player." And they picked up a slew of kids, with toughness and the makeup they want, all the way to Bess and Carpenter. You put it together and synergy forms.
This year, the Dolphins picked up Patrick Turner, a fluid 6'5 kid with loads of talent but who underachieved in college. But he had 10 TD's last season for the best program in the country. And did I mention that he is 6'5 and talented? McShay said there were 10 receivers available who he likes better. That is an asinine comment and shows his buffoonery. The Dolphins wanted a player that fits their need and they got their man. Why the heck would Miami want Iglesias over Turner? Same thing with Nalbone. The Dolphins wanted their guy. Accept it. The Dolphins have conviction on players and do not approach it like a cheapskate at a flea market trying to buy cheap.
It does you no good to draft for value if you get a roster of good value picks that are not the kids you want or don't fit your system. C'mon, there is no such thing as winning a "draft bowl." The Dolphins want players that fit their scheme and have the makeup they want. Eventually, you get a roster of players who fit that profile, and you put together a winning team. That's where it really matters.
Now the draft is a crapshoot to some extent, and Parcells and Ireland know that. So they doubled up on corners and receivers to increase their odds, just like they doubled up on defensive ends last year.
Something tells me that Ireland and Parcells would agree with this post 100%.
