Maybe we really are building from the ground up

[phinphan4life]

I read a post earlier today that said something like, we're going to have the best special teams in the league with all the back-up players we're signing. At first I thought that was just funny. But after mulling it over for a while I figured that there might actually be some substance to that. Special teams are an area that a lot of teams don't put much emphasis on. But it's an area some teams should be spending a lot of time trying to shore up.

I thought back on the 20 years or so of Parcell coached teams, and I couldn't remember any of those teams being particularly spectacular in special teams. Solid maybe, but not spectacular. Maybe Parcells, Ireland, Sparano et al. are trying to find that hidden yardage (and points) that a team as bereft of talent as ours could certainly use. This could be nothing. They may actually be trying to give us depth in the secondary and elsewhere. I just thought it was worth noting. Opinions?

 

[phinzfan21]

I think they are definetly trying to sure up Special teams.

 

[X-Pacolypse]

As bad as Special Teams was last year. Shoring that unit up was a big priority.

 

[Deof Movestofca]

I think a lot more of the players they brought in are going to contribute at first on special teams with the long-term goal of them helping on the regular offense or defense than what people think. A good example of this would be Mark Vrabel when he was signed by the Patsies from the Steelers.

 

[RonnieBrownTown]

What I found funny we drafted Ted Ginn Jr for his punt returning and Kick returning and then it ends up that we are one of the worst in the NFL.

 

[RonnieBrownTown]

Yea I think we are making sure we make special teams good. We got some good special team player for special teams.:hi5:

 

[phinphan4life]

I think a lot more of the players they brought in are going to contribute at first on special teams with the long-term goal of them helping on the regular offense or defense than what people think. A good example of this would be Mark Vrabel when he was signed by the Patsies from the Steelers.

I never thought of any of these guys eventually contributing. But that very well could be the case. Good point about Vrabel.

 

[RonnieBrownTown]

I think a lot more of the players they brought in are going to contribute at first on special teams with the long-term goal of them helping on the regular offense or defense than what people think. A good example of this would be Mark Vrabel when he was signed by the Patsies from the Steelers.

That is also where Hinz Ward started out and look where he is.

 

[dlockz]

That is also where Hinz Ward started out and look where he is.

Yea but Ward was a first day pick so he was brought along.

 

[Deof Movestofca]

I never thought of any of these guys eventually contributing. But that very well could be the case. Good point about Vrabel.

If you look at how the Patsies built their team up, you'll see that Parcells is following the exact same script. Read http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-flspskolnick29sbfeb29,0,6943816.column and http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_y...slug=ms-thegameface022908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns and I think you'll see similarities between what they did and what Parcells and Ireland are now doing.

 

[BigScuingili]

Its a mixture of guys for special teams and quick fix guys to play and contribute. Some of these contracts are not long and those will be short term guys. Te ones who received longer term contracts are guys to be held over to see this think through till the team is atleast a contender. The FO guys know this thing may take up to 3 offseasons to start contending again so the moves have substance. The team isnt throwing money at old vets, rather younger guys who can play at a better level than what was on the team last year.

 

[ih8brady]

What I found funny we drafted Ted Ginn Jr for his punt returning and Kick returning and then it ends up that we are one of the worst in the NFL.

Ironic and true, but you can't put the blame on teddy. He improved and grew a lot as the year went on.

 

[GreenMachine]

I think a lot more of the players they brought in are going to contribute at first on special teams with the long-term goal of them helping on the regular offense or defense than what people think. A good example of this would be Mark Vrabel when he was signed by the Patsies from the Steelers.

Mike Vrabel.

 

[MrEd]

I read a post earlier today that said something like, we're going to have the best special teams in the league with all the back-up players we're signing. At first I thought that was just funny. But after mulling it over for a while I figured that there might actually be some substance to that. Special teams are an area that a lot of teams don't put much emphasis on. But it's an area some teams should be spending a lot of time trying to shore up.

I thought back on the 20 years or so of Parcell coached teams, and I couldn't remember any of those teams being particularly spectacular in special teams. Solid maybe, but not spectacular. Maybe Parcells, Ireland, Sparano et al. are trying to find that hidden yardage (and points) that a team as bereft of talent as ours could certainly use. This could be nothing. They may actually be trying to give us depth in the secondary and elsewhere. I just thought it was worth noting. Opinions?

it seems that BP/JI like to use the last spot on certain positions for ST's aces. At CB it seems that it will go 4 deep, with the 5th CB really just there because he was a ST's ace. AT Safety it looks 3 deep, with the 4th S, a ST's ace. Same thing with WR going 4 deep, then the 5th WR is a ST's ace. Interesting. I think that the Cobbs over Gado and/or Chatman had ST's implications as well. Also seems why BP decided to keep E Miles at LB eventhough he is too short to play BP style 3-4 and pretty much a D Pope clone (who BP decided not to re-sign)...because Miles was a leading ST's tackler for us last year. The last LB spot is likely for a ST's ace than anything else.

Hmm? Our ST's is shaping up like:

K: J Feely or P: B Fields
LB: E Miles
LB: C Anderson
LB: K Smith
LB: R Torbor
S: K Davis
CB: N Jones
FB: B Grisby
RB: P Cobbs
CB: M Lehan

KR: T Ginn
PR: T Ginn

 

[hemidemon]

What I found funny we drafted Ted Ginn Jr for his punt returning and Kick returning and then it ends up that we are one of the worst in the NFL.

Ted Ginn is a big reason why we are signing the players we are. Our special teams would have been much worse if it wasn't for Ginn. BP knows this kid is a weapon. BP is doing his best to make sure we win the battle of field position. For a team that is void of talent like ours, that is very important. Also BP is bringing in the young players we are lacking. Last year the Fins were either way to old or way to young. BP is filling in the middle ground. If a starter goes down Miami will have a solid back up to step in. These second tier players who are on the upswing of their careers will make for a spirited training camp b/c they will be fighting hard for playing time. The real stars on this team will come from the draft. Just don't be too shocked if one or two of these second tier no names turn out to be big name players on day. There was a real good team back in '72 that was built off of second tier players and cast offs. Ever wonder why they were called the "No Name Defense"?