Silverphin
Chairman of the 'Owned! Awards' Commitee
This is the last thread of my predictions. Last time, it was the LB position (http://www.finheaven.com/boardvb2/showthread.php?t=149892). This time, it is the defensive line.
Last year, our defensive line performed alot better than some of us expected. Kevin Carter, Vonnie Holliday, and Keith Traylor became the three new starters, leaving Jason Taylor as the only starter leftover from last year (The again, who the hell would want to replace Taylor?). Despite being dropped to second string, Jeff Zgonina and David Bowens still became prominent members of this defense. And when Keith Traylor went down for a couple of games, Manuel Wright was all but happy to piss off a couple of linemen and make J.P. Losman his first sack victim. Matt Roth, even though he has to polish pass rushing skills, is great in run-support and goal line situations. Kevin Vickerson, though he had the brook trout look in the beginning (along with Wright), he showed during the pre-season before he got hit by cheap block. Nick Saban even wrote on the official website that Vickerson would of made the roster had it not been for the injury (though it turned out the staff over-reacted a bit).
This year, there are two more additions to the defensive line: Rodrique Wright and Fred Evans. Both are very promising. Especially Wright, coming off of a National Championship.
Now with that said, here our the battles.
Locks to make the team: Kevin Carter, Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holliday, Jason Taylor, David Bowens, John Denney (Long Snapper), Manuel Wright.
The Battlers: Kevin Vickerson vs. Fred Evans vs. Jeff Zgonina
My analysis: Jeff Zgonina has the edge in this battle due to his experience in the system and his playing experience, period. Thing is, we have no idea how many Defensive Tackles we are going to keep. Due to certain things, we could keep as much as six defensive tackles (Though that is highly unlikely). If not then, one of them may either end up in free agency or practice squad. But who knows?
My predicted winner: I'm not touching this with a 100 foot pole.
The Wildcard: Steve Fifita is pure nose tackle. During his games, he has been known to not only two gap, but penetrate the O-line, amassing 136 total tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks during his four years in Utah (44 Tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks his senior year) and was named first team All-Mountain West Conference selection his last two years. He'll be interesting watch in camp. If he gets waived, I hope he makes through the wire and makes it to our Practice Squad.
Okays guys, here's the last of the series for this off-season. Other good threads on this topic is the Dol-Fan Dupree's Manifesto (http://www.finheaven.com/boardvb2/showthread.php?t=149935). Let's enjoy camp!
:dolphins: :dolphins: :dolphins: :dolphins: :dolphins:
Last year, our defensive line performed alot better than some of us expected. Kevin Carter, Vonnie Holliday, and Keith Traylor became the three new starters, leaving Jason Taylor as the only starter leftover from last year (The again, who the hell would want to replace Taylor?). Despite being dropped to second string, Jeff Zgonina and David Bowens still became prominent members of this defense. And when Keith Traylor went down for a couple of games, Manuel Wright was all but happy to piss off a couple of linemen and make J.P. Losman his first sack victim. Matt Roth, even though he has to polish pass rushing skills, is great in run-support and goal line situations. Kevin Vickerson, though he had the brook trout look in the beginning (along with Wright), he showed during the pre-season before he got hit by cheap block. Nick Saban even wrote on the official website that Vickerson would of made the roster had it not been for the injury (though it turned out the staff over-reacted a bit).
This year, there are two more additions to the defensive line: Rodrique Wright and Fred Evans. Both are very promising. Especially Wright, coming off of a National Championship.
Now with that said, here our the battles.
Locks to make the team: Kevin Carter, Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holliday, Jason Taylor, David Bowens, John Denney (Long Snapper), Manuel Wright.
The Battlers: Kevin Vickerson vs. Fred Evans vs. Jeff Zgonina
My analysis: Jeff Zgonina has the edge in this battle due to his experience in the system and his playing experience, period. Thing is, we have no idea how many Defensive Tackles we are going to keep. Due to certain things, we could keep as much as six defensive tackles (Though that is highly unlikely). If not then, one of them may either end up in free agency or practice squad. But who knows?
My predicted winner: I'm not touching this with a 100 foot pole.
The Wildcard: Steve Fifita is pure nose tackle. During his games, he has been known to not only two gap, but penetrate the O-line, amassing 136 total tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks during his four years in Utah (44 Tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks his senior year) and was named first team All-Mountain West Conference selection his last two years. He'll be interesting watch in camp. If he gets waived, I hope he makes through the wire and makes it to our Practice Squad.
Okays guys, here's the last of the series for this off-season. Other good threads on this topic is the Dol-Fan Dupree's Manifesto (http://www.finheaven.com/boardvb2/showthread.php?t=149935). Let's enjoy camp!
:dolphins: :dolphins: :dolphins: :dolphins: :dolphins:
