ESPN: Breakout Sophs

[NyPhan23]

On the main NFL page of ESPN.com there's a thumbnail of Dion Jordan on a Breakout Sophs video... unfortunately when I click the thumbnail it plays some Honeybadger video. Anyone able to get it to work?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/

 

[Bruzer]

I think the dion jordan part is in the insider article linked there. The reason honeybadger video is there is it fits the theme of sophmores.

 

[jerseys_FINest]

Dion Jordan, OLB, Miami Dolphins

Miami needs the athletic freak Jordan to play a larger role this season, which would be helped by moving him around the defense to tap into his movement skills. He can play in space, rush the passer off the edge and has the length to disrupt the pocket even when he doesn't get a clean rush. Jordan will benefit from a full and healthy offseason, as he was coming off of shoulder surgery when he was drafted. His hybrid skills should allow defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle to get creative with Jordan, the third pick in last year's draft who they traded up to select.

 

[Tureo]

Jordan has no other option but to break out. Last year he did very little so he should at least do something if given playing time.

 

[Dolfan23]

I keep hearing people say that Dion didn't do much but do they realize how good his rookie year actually was considering he was injured and wasn't a starter? Consider this. He had 19 tackles and 2 sacks as a rookie while not starting a single game or even playing that much. Jason Taylor, as a rookie, started 11 games and only had 30 tackles and 5 sacks. So when I look at these 2 guys who are very similar types of players and I see that in much more limited time and coming off of a shoulder injury that limited him much of the year, Dion stacked up pretty well with JT as a rookie. Now was this what you'd expect to get from the 3rd overall pick? Of course not, but there were plenty of signs that he's going to be a stud from his rookie season. From getting to the QB and pressuring / sacking him or swatting the ball forcing a game winning INT to guarding the best TE in the league deep down the field and breaking the pass up. That kid has elite skills and I for one believe he's going to be a monster for us and think we'll see a huge improvement from him this year.

 

[SCall13]

I keep hearing people say that Dion didn't do much but do they realize how good his rookie year actually was considering he was injured and wasn't a starter? Consider this. He had 19 tackles and 2 sacks as a rookie while not starting a single game or even playing that much. Jason Taylor, as a rookie, started 11 games and only had 30 tackles and 5 sacks. So when I look at these 2 guys who are very similar types of players and I see that in much more limited time and coming off of a shoulder injury that limited him much of the year, Dion stacked up pretty well with JT as a rookie. Now was this what you'd expect to get from the 3rd overall pick? Of course not, but there were plenty of signs that he's going to be a stud from his rookie season. From getting to the QB and pressuring / sacking him or swatting the ball forcing a game winning INT to guarding the best TE in the league deep down the field and breaking the pass up. That kid has elite skills and I for one believe he's going to be a monster for us and think we'll see a huge improvement from him this year.

Excellent point.

 

[phinfan40353]

I keep hearing people say that Dion didn't do much but do they realize how good his rookie year actually was considering he was injured and wasn't a starter? Consider this. He had 19 tackles and 2 sacks as a rookie while not starting a single game or even playing that much. Jason Taylor, as a rookie, started 11 games and only had 30 tackles and 5 sacks. So when I look at these 2 guys who are very similar types of players and I see that in much more limited time and coming off of a shoulder injury that limited him much of the year, Dion stacked up pretty well with JT as a rookie. Now was this what you'd expect to get from the 3rd overall pick? Of course not, but there were plenty of signs that he's going to be a stud from his rookie season. From getting to the QB and pressuring / sacking him or swatting the ball forcing a game winning INT to guarding the best TE in the league deep down the field and breaking the pass up. That kid has elite skills and I for one believe he's going to be a monster for us and think we'll see a huge improvement from him this year.

Been saying this all along.

The only reason Dion will fail is if our coaches fail... to recognize, to scheme, to coach and to basically identify the unknown quantity of potential inside this kid's body. His skill set is unique. He is the answer to the athletic seam TE. If we can't develop this asset, it's on us.

 

[phinzfan21]

I'm glad the Phins weren't dumb enough to trade away Jordan during the draft and pre-draft time that so many seemed to be talking up the possibility of. I am thrilled he is on this team and fully expect him to be a dominate force and every NFL fan will be well aware of who he is. His first season is what it was. Injury, not much playing time, bad use of his skills in the defensive game plan...whatever. Totally agree with those saying if we can't fit him into the gameplan better then that's a huge coaching issue. I will be shocked if he doesn't have a killer season coming up. He should be such an asset in so many ways. Now will we use him?

 

[SkapePhin]

I just wish Dion had the fire and passion that Wake and OV play with. And JT used to. I just don't see it in Dion. I could be wrong, but he has this permanently glazed look to him that almost makes it seem like he cares.

He is supremely talented, I'm just not sure the fire is there. I hope it is!

Now, OV I think is gong to continue to improve because his drive is really noticeable. Go listen to the recent interview he did on WQAM. The guy works his ass off to be the best he can be like Wake.


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[AL R]

Been saying this all along.

The only reason Dion will fail is if our coaches fail... to recognize, to scheme, to coach and to basically identify the unknown quantity of potential inside this kid's body. His skill set is unique. He is the answer to the athletic seam TE. If we can't develop this asset, it's on us.

Thats what irked me about Bush didn't seem to get enough max of his skills IMO. Hopefully this will not be a problem with Jordan.

 

[mnphinfan]

I just wish Dion had the fire and passion that Wake and OV play with. And JT used to. I just don't see it in Dion. I could be wrong, but he has this permanently glazed look to him that almost makes it seem like he cares.

He is supremely talented, I'm just not sure the fire is there. I hope it is!

Now, OV I think is gong to continue to improve because his drive is really noticeable. Go listen to the recent interview he did on WQAM. The guy works his ass off to be the best he can be like Wake.


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According to Philbin Jordan is a hard worker and the team expects a major jump in his play as well.

Both areas, pass rushing and run defense, need to improve. However, Philbin denied a report that surfaced last month that said the Dolphins were shopping Jordan.

"I don't know where that came from," he said. "As I said, I'm expecting him to make a significant jump from year one to year two."

Philbin also said Jordan is "definitely a hard worker," which is counter to another report that the team was disappointed in Jordan's work ethic.

"We know this guy has a lot of talent, he loves the game, plays fast," Philbin said.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/20...joe-philbin-defensive-coordinator-kevin-coyle

Jordan also showed up to the offseason workouts weeks before the rest of his team mates did.

Jordan, according to Joe Philbin, showed up at the team's training facility "a couple of weeks ago," the Dolphins coach told the team's in-house website Tuesday, to begin training for the 2014 season. The majority of the rest of the team showed up Monday for offseason conditioning and strength training.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolp...-conditioning-by-two-weeks.html#storylink=cpy

Jordan spoke earlier in the offseason about what his plans were for the offseason, such as speaking with Jason Taylor, working with Wake and watching game film of Von Miller, Jared Allen, and Demarcus Ware, as well as MMA training and sprint work.

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...tes-plan-heat-hurricanes-marlins-chatter.html

Now I remember JT said he hadn't spoke to Jordan a few months ago but a lot of time has passed since then but I come to believe since that interview with JT that Jordan has probably already spoken to JT or they have made plans to meet.

Based on what Jordan said he planned to do in the offseason and from all reports he seems to be following through I fully expect Jordan to be a force for the Fins defense this year.

 

[Ruckus45]

We would be speaking a different tune if OV didn't break out unexpectedly to have double digit sacks. We probably would be cursing the coaching staff for putting our #3 draft pick in too early and him blowing his shoulder out completely. That was the season we may not have wanted but exactly what he needed.

 

[phinfan40353]

Thats what irked me about Bush didn't seem to get enough max of his skills IMO. Hopefully this will not be a problem with Jordan.

I would agree with you, but Reggie was very outspoken when he joined us about proving to the league he was a "between the tackles" runner. So, I blame everyone involved.

But I also believe Reggie is what Reggie is going to be. You can't just bring him in on 3rd down or obvious passing downs and expect him to reel off 50 yards each time. It's too predictable. I think Reggie's willingness to prove he is an every down back has helped him stay on the field more and allow him to get more chances at those explosive plays. But once the "new" wore off of Reggie's game, he had to become a 3 down back to stay on the field and remain a starter. Credit Sean Payton for getting the most of our Reggie. No other coach was going to be able to use Reggie in that capacity once D's could matchup with him.

Eventually, nearly all "unique" players must develop a complete package in order to survive. And while Reggie's per touch ability/stats aren't as dynamic as they were early on, he has correctly extended his career by proving to the NFL he can run between the tackles and be productive. Otherwise, his career might be on the downside right now.

When he went to Detroit, he probably went to the "perfect fit" offense for his overall skills. As long as he avoids the injury bug, he could have a long career with good stats. But not great stats.

 

[Geforce]

Dion Jordan, OLB, Miami Dolphins

Miami needs the athletic freak Jordan to play a larger role this season, which would be helped by moving him around the defense to tap into his movement skills. He can play in space, rush the passer off the edge and has the length to disrupt the pocket even when he doesn't get a clean rush. Jordan will benefit from a full and healthy offseason, as he was coming off of shoulder surgery when he was drafted. His hybrid skills should allow defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle to get creative with Jordan, the third pick in last year's draft who they traded up to select.

Move Jordan around? Except for the secondary, Jordan was moved around plenty as he played RDE, LDE, ROLB, LOLB, ILB and DT.