Astrosback
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- May 5, 2007
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Last year, the turn around started b/c of a great draft with Long, Merling and Langford, and with Shaun Murphy in the 4th round as the only disappointing pick. 6th rounder Donald Thomas was almost a surprise steal (until injured in week 1) but Bess as an UDFA made our 2008 rookie class super solid.
Now this year, just when the rest of the NFL expects us to come back to Earth in 2009 while facing a tougher schedule, we went and drafted another potentially great class (and have Donald Thomas healthy).
Yes I know it's early and two preseason games doesn't prove anything but still...there is reason for optimism.
Vontae Davis scared me in preseason game 1 and I thought he might take years to develop like his brother Vernon. I was wondering it we were wise to pass on Rey Maualuga (who looked good in his Bengals debut) but Vontae showed up big time last night. It looks like he is ready to show his elite talent right now and CB was the need and Vontae was the BPA - correct pick.
Pat White has been accurate in passing and effective when scrambling. I don't have a problem investing a 2nd round pick for a future backup to Henne who can also bring value now as our wildcat. It's always good to have talent at the QB position and Penny/Henne/White is the best QB core we've had post-Marino.
Sean Smith is probably most Dolfan's favorite pick. I can't believe we traded back in round 2 and still snagged him. He brings the ball skills and playmaking ability to compliment Vontae's toughness against the run and shut down style. Along with vets Will Allen, Gibril Wilson and Bell, our secondary has a chance to be great this year!
Patrick Turner's measurables alone made his selection in the 3rd round a solid pick. He may not be getting great separation yet but that can be developed. WR was a huge need for us and Turner looks like a keeper at the very least.
Speaking of measurables, Brian Harline was in the top of the rankings in just about every timed event at the combine including the 3 cone drill, showing his quickness. Almost 6'2 size and good hands doesn't hurt either. Could he surprise ala Bess last year and earn a bunch of playing time this season? I think so. At the very least he looks a lot better than people were thinking when the said "who"?!?!? when his name was called for our 4th round pick.
John Nalbone may only make the practice squad and there was some OL talent still on the board (Duke Robinson, Herman Johnson) so this might have been our only bad/questionable pick. But of course it's still early.
Our second 5th round pick Chis Clemmons has looked very active and tough filling holes and we know he has excellent speed with one of the fastest 40s at the combine. Great depth for our safety spots which was also a need.
6th round pick Andrew Gardner was one of my favorite picks of the draft. I think he really slipped unfairly. He was a super solid LT for GTech his entire college carrer and just needed a shoulder surgery at the end of his senior year so his stock was cold at draft time. He is a very nice backup for Jake Long and if we have an injury inside, I'm wondering if might want to throw Andrew Gardner out there at RT and move Carey inside. Either way a nice OL pick.
LB JD Folsom as a 7th round pick may not have addressed a major need and he may not make the team, but with the rest of the picks looking so solid, how can I nit-pick?
Overall, in today's NFL, you mus build thru the draft and I'm feeling VERY good about our prospects b/c of this 2009 draft AND the continued improvement of our 2008 draft class. Donald Thomas is almost like a bonus pick for the 2009 class since he had to "red shirt" his rookie year. Factor in Thomas and you got a lot of new rookie starters who could be huge for us...
CB Sean Smith
NB Vontae Davis
RG Donald Thomas (quasi-rookie)
WC Pat White
WR2/PR Brian Hartline (I think he could win this job. Bess goes back to slot)
RZ WR Pat Turner
We may have a tougher schedule in 2009, but we also have a lot of new serious talent that will contribute.
Go Phins!
Now this year, just when the rest of the NFL expects us to come back to Earth in 2009 while facing a tougher schedule, we went and drafted another potentially great class (and have Donald Thomas healthy).
Yes I know it's early and two preseason games doesn't prove anything but still...there is reason for optimism.
Vontae Davis scared me in preseason game 1 and I thought he might take years to develop like his brother Vernon. I was wondering it we were wise to pass on Rey Maualuga (who looked good in his Bengals debut) but Vontae showed up big time last night. It looks like he is ready to show his elite talent right now and CB was the need and Vontae was the BPA - correct pick.
Pat White has been accurate in passing and effective when scrambling. I don't have a problem investing a 2nd round pick for a future backup to Henne who can also bring value now as our wildcat. It's always good to have talent at the QB position and Penny/Henne/White is the best QB core we've had post-Marino.
Sean Smith is probably most Dolfan's favorite pick. I can't believe we traded back in round 2 and still snagged him. He brings the ball skills and playmaking ability to compliment Vontae's toughness against the run and shut down style. Along with vets Will Allen, Gibril Wilson and Bell, our secondary has a chance to be great this year!
Patrick Turner's measurables alone made his selection in the 3rd round a solid pick. He may not be getting great separation yet but that can be developed. WR was a huge need for us and Turner looks like a keeper at the very least.
Speaking of measurables, Brian Harline was in the top of the rankings in just about every timed event at the combine including the 3 cone drill, showing his quickness. Almost 6'2 size and good hands doesn't hurt either. Could he surprise ala Bess last year and earn a bunch of playing time this season? I think so. At the very least he looks a lot better than people were thinking when the said "who"?!?!? when his name was called for our 4th round pick.
John Nalbone may only make the practice squad and there was some OL talent still on the board (Duke Robinson, Herman Johnson) so this might have been our only bad/questionable pick. But of course it's still early.
Our second 5th round pick Chis Clemmons has looked very active and tough filling holes and we know he has excellent speed with one of the fastest 40s at the combine. Great depth for our safety spots which was also a need.
6th round pick Andrew Gardner was one of my favorite picks of the draft. I think he really slipped unfairly. He was a super solid LT for GTech his entire college carrer and just needed a shoulder surgery at the end of his senior year so his stock was cold at draft time. He is a very nice backup for Jake Long and if we have an injury inside, I'm wondering if might want to throw Andrew Gardner out there at RT and move Carey inside. Either way a nice OL pick.
LB JD Folsom as a 7th round pick may not have addressed a major need and he may not make the team, but with the rest of the picks looking so solid, how can I nit-pick?
Overall, in today's NFL, you mus build thru the draft and I'm feeling VERY good about our prospects b/c of this 2009 draft AND the continued improvement of our 2008 draft class. Donald Thomas is almost like a bonus pick for the 2009 class since he had to "red shirt" his rookie year. Factor in Thomas and you got a lot of new rookie starters who could be huge for us...
CB Sean Smith
NB Vontae Davis
RG Donald Thomas (quasi-rookie)
WC Pat White
WR2/PR Brian Hartline (I think he could win this job. Bess goes back to slot)
RZ WR Pat Turner
We may have a tougher schedule in 2009, but we also have a lot of new serious talent that will contribute.
Go Phins!
