HERALD: Dolphins about to make changes on defense that mitigate need for prototype DE

[Perfect72]

"...The Dolphins are off the prototype train ... well, not off, but not exactly strapped into their seat, either ... because new defensive coordinator Matt Burke is going to make some changes to the defense that will apparently make room for smaller edge rushers, if nothing else.“I think the one good thing of working with Matt Burke here as we’ve gone through it is Matt’s talked about even though some of those guys may not be that prototype you’re looking for with 4-3 ends is that how we’re going to do things a little bit different than before,” Grier announced loudly and amazingly and to the great surprise of everyone although no one seemed to really get it right away!

“He thinks those guys can fit and play,” Grier said of the undersized edge rushers. “We’ve had a lot of discussions about the scheme and how we’re going to use the players and stuff. For us, it’s still the traits. You look at the traits and what the players can do and then you try and balance it out in terms of what they can do in terms of playing the run, the physical toughness ... As long as guys are willing to be physical at the point of attack against the run, it gives you a chance to be successful, no matter what size. The Elvis Dumervils of the world, those types of guys have always been good football players -- undersized d-ends.”

Yeah, um, Miami’s undersized defensive ends got pushed around a bit in the run game last year. And apparently Burke is going to tweak the defense to where an undersized defensive end can still prosper in Miami -- be he a veteran or a new draft pick.

That’s interesting. It’s a big deal if it works."

More at LINK: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article145659814.html

Your thoughts?

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/s...-salguero/article145659814.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Eesti]

I was just looking for this article. I read it on my phone this morning. Either they are serious or this is a smokescreen so they can land a prototype DE like Willis.

 

[SQuinn17]

I was just looking for this article. I read it on my phone this morning. Either they are serious or this is a smokescreen so they can land a prototype DE like Willis.

Was thinking the same thing. Funny that you read this kind of stuff a week before the draft.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

"...The Dolphins are off the prototype train ... well, not off, but not exactly strapped into their seat, either ... because new defensive coordinator Matt Burke is going to make some changes to the defense that will apparently make room for smaller edge rushers, if nothing else.“I think the one good thing of working with Matt Burke here as we’ve gone through it is Matt’s talked about even though some of those guys may not be that prototype you’re looking for with 4-3 ends is that how we’re going to do things a little bit different than before,” Grier announced loudly and amazingly and to the great surprise of everyone although no one seemed to really get it right away!

“He thinks those guys can fit and play,” Grier said of the undersized edge rushers. “We’ve had a lot of discussions about the scheme and how we’re going to use the players and stuff. For us, it’s still the traits. You look at the traits and what the players can do and then you try and balance it out in terms of what they can do in terms of playing the run, the physical toughness ... As long as guys are willing to be physical at the point of attack against the run, it gives you a chance to be successful, no matter what size. The Elvis Dumervils of the world, those types of guys have always been good football players -- undersized d-ends.”

Yeah, um, Miami’s undersized defensive ends got pushed around a bit in the run game last year. And apparently Burke is going to tweak the defense to where an undersized defensive end can still prosper in Miami -- be he a veteran or a new draft pick.

That’s interesting. It’s a big deal if it works."

More at LINK: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article145659814.html

Your thoughts?

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/s...-salguero/article145659814.html#storylink=cpy

Another time we should have kept our mouths closed. Now teams that have DE as a secondary need can basically hold us hostage with the thought of a "run on DE's" like we thought about CBs last year.

Loose lips sinks ships...

Blubbity blubbity blubbity....

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

Makes sense to me as far as Pass rushing, run D not so much but SonsOfShula has illustrated we rely more on back 7 for run D so hey...but either way it's nice to hear he's thinking a bit outside the box - you know, like another coach in our division that has won a few games with all types of players on his teams.

 

[Digital]

At this point there is very little real information coming out. Nothing has changed, we're still looking for pass rushers for a 43 scheme. Armando wants to puff up that he has some sort of major news, and I don't blame him ... but in reality this is not that. Grier said the same thing at the combine.

There is the typical elite tier of players in this draft, and we're not getting those guys. But unlike most drafts, that next tier extends well into the 2nd round. This is a year where the #50 player might be better than the #10 player. Pass rushers will be available at 22, and into the top of the 2nd round. IMHO, we can't afford to pass those up, because they are so important and so hard to find. Take away our luck in recruiting Cam Wake ... how many pass rushers have we drafted in the past decade ... Vernon ... and ...... yeah, they're hard to find.

 

[malzacher]

If they say that about DE's then that applies to all positions, don't sleep on McDowell, especially if they trade back a bit

 

[NY8123]

Well hot damn finally a coach who fits the scheme to his players on hand instead of pounding square pegs into round holes.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

Well hot damn finally a coach who fits the scheme to his players on hand instead of pounding square pegs into round holes.

I thought that's what Vance Joseph, a self-admitted 3-4 guy, was doing last season with the 4-3 over?

How much has the personnel changed since then?

 

[Sean]

I don't think someone like Jordan Willis is someone we should be pursuing..... I mean, from what I saw he has a very slow first step and his athletic ability he displayed at the combine did not translate to his tape.... I think he's probably not a "pass rusher", he's more of an OLB, but that's just my opinion. Don't let his stats fool you into thinking he's a dominant pass rusher.

 

[kcbrown]

I don't think someone like Jordan Willis is someone we should be pursuing..... I mean, from what I saw he has a very slow first step and his athletic ability he displayed at the combine did not translate to his tape.... I think he's probably not a "pass rusher", he's more of an OLB, but that's just my opinion. Don't let his stats fool you into thinking he's a dominant pass rusher.

That's what also stood out to me, the kid looked slow. He's effective, like Trace Armstrong type, but I don't get the hype.

 

[Travis34]

So there could maybe be changes to the d? Hmm.... either way, being less rigid has to be good.

Jarred Davis maybe a third day pick? Ha ha ... wut

 

[Eesti]

I don't think someone like Jordan Willis is someone we should be pursuing..... I mean, from what I saw he has a very slow first step and his athletic ability he displayed at the combine did not translate to his tape.... I think he's probably not a "pass rusher", he's more of an OLB, but that's just my opinion. Don't let his stats fool you into thinking he's a dominant pass rusher.

So pay no attention to his college production or combine numbers. How does the fact that he led the nation in pressures not translate to the best physical testing numbers for DE's AND LB's at the combine?

College career sacks...

Derek Bennett 33
Myles Garrett 31
Jordan Willis 25.5
Tyus Bowser 22.5
Tim Williams 20
Taco Charlton 19
Charles Harris 18
Tak McKinley 16
Carl Lawson 14.5
Soloman Thomas 12
TJ Watt 11.5

 

[AJ Duhe]

I think we're all getting carried away with the need at DE. Branch was resigned, Wake signed an extension, and we traded for Hayes. My point being that we have starters. I don't see any DE outside of Myles Garrett unseating one of our top 3 on the depth chart. Barnett, Charlton, Harris, Willis, McDowell...take your pick. None of these guys is better than what we have right now.

That's why I believe we're looking at a different position in the 1st round. We have legitimate STARTER concerns at Guard, Safety, and Linebacker. I think the DE talk is legitimate, but I think the Dolphins are doing due diligence on a lot of DE prospects that they believe will be available in rounds 2-3.

 

[Sean]

So pay no attention to his college production or combine numbers. How does the fact that he led the nation in pressures not translate to the best physical testing numbers for DE's AND LB's at the combine?

College career sacks...

Derek Bennett 33
Myles Garrett 31
Jordan Willis 25.5
Tyus Bowser 22.5
Tim Williams 20
Taco Charlton 19
Charles Harris 18
Tak McKinley 16
Carl Lawson 14.5
Soloman Thomas 12
TJ Watt 11.5

Because that's EXACTLY what I said. Not. Don't look into to his stats much, if you watched his tape; they don't really line up. Don't try and twist my words.

I think he's more of a 4.85 guy on tape.