More Ammo For Keeping OV

[So Be]

PFF gave it's Reggie White award for the NFL's top pass rusher. Aaron Donald won but he is a DT. Here's the top three after him.

First runner-up

J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans
At this point we are completely out of superlatives for Watt, who was only slowed as a pass-rusher this season by playing through a broken hand for two weeks. In any other season, Watt would again have been unrivaled as the league’s premier pass-rusher, but a huge step forward from two other players left Watt in a crowd atop this award list. Watt’s 91 pressures this season — he fared well not just from the interior but out on the edge, where he played more — takes his total over the last four seasons to 378. That is a remarkable tally and a gold standard for consistency among NFL pass-rushers.

Second runner-up

Khalil Mack, OLB, Oakland Raiders
Mack’s performance against the Broncos in Week 14 will live long in the memory of Raiders fans, and rightfully so. His five-sack, nine-pressure display earned the second-highest single game grade an edge defender has earned in nine seasons here at PFF, but that was simply the high point of a remarkably consistent season. Mack took the step from being a consistently productive pass-rusher to being a consistently destructive one in his second NFL season.

Third runner-up

Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami Dolphins
Entering the season as the third-best pass-rusher on his own defensive line, Vernon finished it as the highest-graded pass-rusher in the NFL over the second half of the season. After Cameron Wake was lost to a season-ending injury in Week 8, Vernon racked up 57 pressures (eight sacks, 24 hits, 25 hurries) in his final eight games — a mark that only 10 4-3 defensive ends managed in 16 games.

 

[So Be]

Interesting question for me is why he got better when Wake went down. I heard he was hurting early but no fact to point to.

 

[fishfanmiami]

He did finish the season strong and will be in demand. Still not sure we will be willing to meet his price if it is 9-10 mill a year. Probably not.
I like OV but remember along with the QB pressures you can also expect lots of bone head penalties.

 

[So Be]

He did finish the season strong and will be in demand. Still not sure we will be willing to meet his price if it is 9-10 mill a year. Probably not.
I like OV but remember along with the QB pressures you can also expect lots of bone head penalties.

How was Suh different?

 

[Birdmond]

He did finish the season strong and will be in demand. Still not sure we will be willing to meet his price if it is 9-10 mill a year. Probably not.
I like OV but remember along with the QB pressures you can also expect lots of bone head penalties.

9 million a year is a bargain. I'm guessing he'll get more.


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[fishfanmiami]

How was Suh different?

He is off side lots trying to get the jump. I'll take that over roughing the passer 15 yarders in critical 3rd down situations any day.

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------

9 million a year is a bargain. I'm guessing he'll get more.

You are probably correct and it we tag him I believe it's about 14 mil.

 

[miamiron]

He is off side lots trying to get the jump. I'll take that over roughing the passer 15 yarders in critical 3rd down situations any day.

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:06 PM ----------



You are probably correct and it we tag him I believe it's about 14 mil.

Last season's franchise hit for defensive ends was $14,813,000
this upcoming season projects to $15,494,000 a 4.6% increase

A $15,494,000 if correct would place him at the second highest cap hit
for defensive ends in the NFL just behind Mario Williams but
Buffalo will probably release Mario which would make Vernon if tagged
the highest cap for any defensive end

 

[So Be]

I look deeper than just sacks which some do, 80 total QB pressures is impressive. Hell, Watt only had 91.However, guess we can hope Wake fully recovers from serious injury, restructures, and stays healthy, restructure Coples, re-sign Shelby, and we still have Jordan and Fede. That'll scare a lot of QB's.

 

[fishfanmiami]

I look deeper than just sacks which some do, 80 total QB pressures is impressive. Hell, Watt only had 91.However, guess we can hope Wake fully recovers from serious injury, restructures, and stays healthy, restructure Coples, re-sign Shelby, and we still have Jordan and Fede. That'll scare a lot of QB's.

I was with you until you mention that sorry mofo Jordan. I doubt he will ever see the field again as a Dolphin.
(realize you were playing devils advocate)

A lot may depend on who's on top of their draft board. If it's a DE pass rusher OV is probably gone.

I prefer a CB or LB but you never who falls to us at #8

 

[Geforce]

Finally healthy, Miami Dolphins’ Olivier Vernon is playing better than ever

Interesting question for me is why he got better when Wake went down. I heard he was hurting early but no fact to point to.

Vernon sprained his ankle after getting leg-whipped in the season opener. And although he didn’t miss a game, Vernon’s game was not the same.

He had just one sack in the season’s first six games — certainly not the start any player wants to have in a contract season.

But in the six games since, he has been as good as anyone in football.

Sure, the Dolphins have changed the way in which they have used the fourth-year pass rusher. But the reason for his improvement isn’t that complicated.

If you can’t run, you can’t sack.

“Football’s football,” Vernon said. “You’re always going to be hurting. Unfortunately, I went down the first game of the season. It’s just about getting back. I like being out there with my teammates. I don’t like missing games, and I ain’t going to miss no games. It’s just fighting through it.”

When asked exactly how injured he was earlier in the year, Vernon responded: “All I know is I wasn’t feeling right. I was not feeling right. But now I’m back to normal.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article49473800.html

GIF of Vernon getting leg whipped.
https://giant.gfycat.com/PleasedTightHornedviper.gif

 

[FinaticalOne]

Interesting question for me is why he got better when Wake went down. I heard he was hurting early but no fact to point to.

It could be an injury early on, but I also noticed his improved play after Coyle was fired.

 

[fishfanmiami]

OV also had two or three sacks early that were called back because of really dumb penalties by CB Taylor even when he was injured.

Hey he was good especially when healthy (and with proper coaching) just the money may be too high to keep him.

 

[spiketex]

Don't forget Olivier is a Miami boy. Born and bred, grew up attending Dolphin coaching camps (which he won), educated at the University of Miami. His parents attend every game. While most just assume that he is gone, don't underestimate his preference to stay in Miami. Yes, he wants to get paid but if the Dolphins make him a fair offer, I can see him staying.

 

[fishfanmiami]

Don't forget Olivier is a Miami boy. Born and bred, grew up attending Dolphin coaching camps (which he won), educated at the University of Miami. His parents attend every game. While most just assume that he is gone, don't underestimate his preference to stay in Miami. Yes, he wants to get paid but if the Dolphins make him a fair offer, I can see him staying.

This is why I have mixed feeling being a Canes fan and Miami boy myself.

I hope he does take a home town discount but the money elsewhere might be hard to resist.

 

[DAFINZ]

This is why I want him back but I have a feeling he will be too rich for our taste. In which case I would bring back Shelby, get Wake to restructure add another lower priced vet in FA and spend the other saved money on Derrick Johnson if hes available.