Miami Dolphins have dilema at Wide Reciever

[FinAtic8480]

Among the Dolphins' NFL Draft conundrums: If they use the No. 25 pick on defense (cornerback or pass-rushing linebacker) -- something that would be justified -- can they land an eventual starting receiver at No. 44 or 56, ideally someone who could develop into a true No. 1?

Although Bill Parcells rarely has used his top pick on a receiver, the problem is ''once you get to 40,'' NFL Network's Mike Mayock predicted, '' Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, and Brian Robiskie will be gone,'' as well as Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Percy Harvin. (Analysts see a drop-off after that).

Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano went to North Carolina to audition Nicks; Ohio State to see Robiskie (whom they have called about for months); Maryland (Heyward-Bey) and Florida (Harvin). They went to Rutgers to work out Britt and later summoned him to team headquarters.

Miami likes Britt's size (6-3), strength and production (87 catches, 1371 yards in 2008). But drops were a problem, and he was suspended for a game in '08 for violating team rules, though Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has strongly defended him. Dolphins officials have been phoning Nicks (Mayock calls him a poor man's Anquan Boldin), but that's not unusual. ESPN's Todd McShay said Tuesday that Nicks or Britt would be his best-case scenario for Miami at 25.

• Among second- or third-tier receiving options, here's what the Dolphins have done: They had a private session and expressed interest in North Carolina's Brandon Tate, who owns the NCAA record for return yards (3,523) but comes off a serious knee injury. Mel Kiper Jr. projects him to Miami at No. 108.

Miami also privately auditioned Florida's Louis Murphy, Ohio State's Brian Hartline, LSU's Demetrius Byrd (expected to recover fully from a car accident) and North Carolina's Brooks Foster; summoned Abilene Christian's Johnny Knox and Tulsa's Brennan Marion for visits; and conveyed an interest in Virginia's Kevin Ogletree and South Carolina's Kenny McKinley.

Among other prominent receivers, the Dolphins did not invite Oklahoma's Juaquin Iglesias, Penn State's Derrick Williams, Cal Poly's Ramses Barden (who is 6-6), Rice's Jarett Dillard or Georgia's Mohamed Massaquoi to a visit or private workout, according to their agents. But Miami studied them all, as well as BYU's Austin Collie, the nation's leading receiver in '08.

• The Dolphins know they need help at receiver but insisted to NFL types their group is better than some believe. ''We're underestimated,'' Davone Bess said. ''We hear Mel Kiper and Todd McShay saying the Dolphins don't have receivers. It's a smack in the face. We can't buy into it.'' . . . Greg Camarillo (knee) is ahead of schedule and expects to be ready for training camp.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1011079.html


Great Article!

 

[X-Pacolypse]

Good read.

 

[cheyannefan]

Good article. Thanks!
I don't see Brian Robiske going in the top 40 and if he does I don't mind taking Brandon Tate later in the draft. He was a good reciever before the injury (arguably better than Nicks) and if the staff thinks he will recover fine, then take him later in the draft. It is not like it would be wasting a first rounder on an injured guy, so take the chance.

 

[Valandui]

I thought we did work out Ramses Barden.

 

[FinAtic8480]

I thought Barden had worked out as well. Apparently you can pay much attention to what you read during this time. I have a list of every player coming out who has either visited, workedout or recieved some type of interest by Miami, Barden has recieved interest but nothing more.

 

[fishypete]

Dilema at receiver? I don't know about you...but I believe so.

It not a matter of who any more...but when.

Every top team has at least one great receiver...many have a tandem...what do the Dolphins have?

Ginn...has yet to live up to where he was drafted...can he ever be a number one type of receiver?

Wilford...

Camarillo...decent spot receiver...never the kind to scare defenses...coming off a serious injury.

Bess....great little slot type of a receiver...more of a wes welker type than a type of receiver that can carry a offense.

London and Armstrong...at best...a hope and a pray.

A dilema is saying it mildly.

The Dolphins can never advance...unless they acquire receivers that can threaten the defense...by doing so it helps all other aspects of the offense.

 

[Zounds]

I thought Barden had worked out as well. Apparently you can pay much attention to what you read during this time. I have a list of every player coming out who has either visited, workedout or recieved some type of interest by Miami, Barden has recieved interest but nothing more.

I remember reading that Barden had a private meeting with the Fins at the combine, not sure about priv workout though

 

[ArmyFin7]

Dilema at receiver? I don't know about you...but I believe so.

It not a matter of who any more...but when.

Every top team has at least one great receiver...many have a tandem...what do the Dolphins have?

Ginn...has yet to live up to where he was drafted...can he ever be a number one type of receiver?

Wilford...

Camarillo...decent spot receiver...never the kind to scare defenses...coming off a serious injury.

Bess....great little slot type of a receiver...more of a wes welker type than a type of receiver that can carry a offense.

London and Armstrong...at best...a hope and a pray.

A dilema is saying it mildly.

The Dolphins can never advance...unless they acquire receivers that can threaten the defense...by doing so it helps all other aspects of the offense.

When NE was actually winning superbowls Brady was throwing to a bunch of bums off the street. They got bif FA deal from other teams and disappeared. The Steelers don't exactly have a dominant #1 reciever either. Just some good role players....IMO people who want more offensive fireworks over value the WR spots. We definately need one, but not at #25.

 

[dlockz]

When NE was actually winning superbowls Brady was throwing to a bunch of bums off the street. They got bif FA deal from other teams and disappeared. The Steelers don't exactly have a dominant #1 reciever either. Just some good role players....IMO people who want more offensive fireworks over value the WR spots. We definately need one, but not at #25.

Surely you jest. Hines Ward is a 4 time pro bowler. Holmes is a 1st rond pick that every year has more yards than any dolphin receiver with the exception of Chris Chambers. Limas Sweed was drafted in the second last year. All three if these guys were day one picks. Let not act like they have a bunch of leftovers. Also dont forget Arizona very easily could have won that game and thier receivers are definately both number ones. We dont even have a guy as good as Pittsburgh's number 2.

Also dont pretend that having the studs at wr hurt New England.

I think people too often feel like all you need is defense or this or that. You need to improve any area of your team that can be improved.