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jim1

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Merling must improve against the run. ESPN's KC Joyner tells us Merling had only three wins in 47 runs in his direction last year, a 6.4 percent success rate. Joyner awards a win ''if you don't allow an offensive blocker to create a run lane in your gap.'' By comparison, Starks had a 27.0 win percentage on runs (best among the team's defensive linemen) and Holliday was 14.6 percent. Runs toward Holliday averaged 3.6 yards, Merling 4.6.

The good news? Sparano said Merling is ''more physical'' now, and guard Justin Smiley said, ``We line up against each other, and I'm really impressed how much stronger he is.''

Smiley said 2008 seventh-round pick Lionel Dotson (inactive for 14 games in '08) was Miami's best pass-rushing end in practice last year and is now much better against the run. Sparano said Dotson was ''undersized'' when drafted but ``he has gotten a lot stronger. He's explosive. He will play an awful lot in the preseason.''

Not only did Jeff Ireland and Sparano bring Chad Henne on the road for predraft workouts with receivers from Florida, Ohio State, North Carolina and Maryland, but Henne said they also solicited his input on ''who I liked.'' Henne gave a strong endorsement for Ohio State's Brian Hartline, who Miami then drafted. ''He has tremendous hands -- that stuck out in the workout,'' Henne said.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/1078561.html
 
FYI: Henne said UF's Percy Harvin (drafted by Minnesota) ``is going to be tremendous. When I worked him out, I thought he was the most explosive I've ever seen getting in and out of cuts.''
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I'm glad he's in the NFC North, regardless of off field issues.
 
I am very hopeful after watching these guys go through a full Trifecta off-season what the FO hath wrought. Dang can't wait for the season! I am a lot more hopeful that we can do better than predicted.
 
Shows the confidence in the FO that Henne is the future when they ask his opinions on future receivers.
 
well, i just hope Henne wasn't the one to tell Ireland to pick him in the 4th round.
Hartline could of been had later, At least this makes the Hartline pick more bearable. I dont even understand his role in our WR corp, he's a special teamer.
 
Thats really amazing...they really are throwing all the eggs into the Henne basket if they are asking him who Henne wants to play with in the coming years...Very good endorsement for Henne let's hope it all works out
 
well, i just hope Henne wasn't the one to tell Ireland to pick him in the 4th round.
Hartline could of been had later, At least this makes the Hartline pick more bearable. I dont even understand his role in our WR corp, he's a special teamer.
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They're just OTA's, but he looked quite crisp on the posted highlights. Also, he would have been seen as a much better prospect if he had a QB throwing him the ball.
 
ADavieDolphin said:
well, i just hope Henne wasn't the one to tell Ireland to pick him in the 4th round.
Hartline could of been had later, At least this makes the Hartline pick more bearable. I dont even understand his role in our WR corp, he's a special teamer.
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He has size, great hands, was one of the top 60 meter hurdlers in the Big 10 (7th in 2008 I believe) and if I recall correctly had the best short shuttle time of any WR in the draft- which I find amazing. I'm warming up to him and Patrick Turner as well and look for them to compete for playing time at WR. And then you have Hartline's ST abilities, which is great.
 
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