ciscoholgate
Winning is a Habit
is we will draft a LB. We all know Parcells' is obsessed with finding the next LT, but I know we are looking for more talent at the LB position. Roth and Ayodele are VERY replaceable. Both are very solid but hardly game changers. It was Roth's first season as a SOLB and he did a solid job, but I just don't think he has the versatility to be great SOLB. Look at Lamaar Woodley from the Steelers, that is the kind of SOLB I want on my team, he is big, strong, fast, and is a playmaker.
Ayodele is our best pass covering LB and that is pretty sad. He is a very solid guy, but nothing special. Our defense is a LB driven defense and we need much more talent at LB. The reason I think we go LB with our first pick is mostly because of this year’s great class of LBs. I do have three that I would like to see in a Fins uniform next season:
Brian Cushing OLB USC - This guy has great size (6'3" 240lbs) and speed 4.64 40 time. He is an unquestioned leader and is very versatile. He can play inside and outside LB and even played some DE in college. I can envision here in Miami lining up next to Crowder on the inside. He would give an immediate pass rush presence at ILB, something Crowder needs to work on. Has some durability concerns, but has the toughness to play through the minor injuries. Will likely be gone by our pick, but could fall also.
Clay Matthews OLB USC - Very good size as well (6'3" 240lbs) and speed 4.62 40 time. Clay has a very similar playing style to Cushing. Walked on to USC and has less wear and tear than Cushing and Maualuga. He is very durable and is a very good pass rusher. I also envision Matthews as an ILB prospect here in Miami as well. Is just as versatile as Cushing and is a great tackler and is what you look for in an ILB. Will more than likely make it to Miami's first round pick, but could be gone by our pick as well.
Rey Maualuga ILB USC - Good bulk (249lbs) and decent size (6'2"), but is a great compact hitter at ILB. Rey is a true ILB and one of the hardest hitting LBs coming out of college this year. Has average speed (4.78 40 time), but is a very complete ILB. Rey is a great tackler and has plenty of experience (3 year starter). Very solid in pass coverage and can get after the QB in the pass rush as well. Would immediately start next to Channing and is the player I think our FO is very high on. I expect him to be a Dolphin if he is left at our first round pick.
All three of these guys would be great for our first round pick. I also expect our FO to take a good long hard look at a SOLB upgrade for Roth, but I can see them going for an ILB first. CB and WR are also pressing needs, but Parcells' draft history suggests WR will not be our first pick. I would be happy with any of the three above players, but all three could be gone by our pick as well. Overall I am very excited and can't wait for Saturday evening.
Ayodele is our best pass covering LB and that is pretty sad. He is a very solid guy, but nothing special. Our defense is a LB driven defense and we need much more talent at LB. The reason I think we go LB with our first pick is mostly because of this year’s great class of LBs. I do have three that I would like to see in a Fins uniform next season:
Brian Cushing OLB USC - This guy has great size (6'3" 240lbs) and speed 4.64 40 time. He is an unquestioned leader and is very versatile. He can play inside and outside LB and even played some DE in college. I can envision here in Miami lining up next to Crowder on the inside. He would give an immediate pass rush presence at ILB, something Crowder needs to work on. Has some durability concerns, but has the toughness to play through the minor injuries. Will likely be gone by our pick, but could fall also.
Clay Matthews OLB USC - Very good size as well (6'3" 240lbs) and speed 4.62 40 time. Clay has a very similar playing style to Cushing. Walked on to USC and has less wear and tear than Cushing and Maualuga. He is very durable and is a very good pass rusher. I also envision Matthews as an ILB prospect here in Miami as well. Is just as versatile as Cushing and is a great tackler and is what you look for in an ILB. Will more than likely make it to Miami's first round pick, but could be gone by our pick as well.
Rey Maualuga ILB USC - Good bulk (249lbs) and decent size (6'2"), but is a great compact hitter at ILB. Rey is a true ILB and one of the hardest hitting LBs coming out of college this year. Has average speed (4.78 40 time), but is a very complete ILB. Rey is a great tackler and has plenty of experience (3 year starter). Very solid in pass coverage and can get after the QB in the pass rush as well. Would immediately start next to Channing and is the player I think our FO is very high on. I expect him to be a Dolphin if he is left at our first round pick.
All three of these guys would be great for our first round pick. I also expect our FO to take a good long hard look at a SOLB upgrade for Roth, but I can see them going for an ILB first. CB and WR are also pressing needs, but Parcells' draft history suggests WR will not be our first pick. I would be happy with any of the three above players, but all three could be gone by our pick as well. Overall I am very excited and can't wait for Saturday evening.
