Once considered a reach James vies for top rookie honors | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Once considered a reach James vies for top rookie honors

Daytona Fin

Daytona Fin

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Dennis Hickey's credibility as the Miami Dolphins' general manager instantly took a hit because of his conviction about the team's 2014 first-round pick.

With the 19th pick in May's draft, Hickey selected former University of Tennessee right tackle Ja'Wuan James and most viewed the selection as a pick made a round or two too early.

Minutes after the pick was made one NFL executive instantly texted the words "REACH!" when asked to provide his assessment.
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"We had a conviction for the player," Hickey said. "He was always a targeted player for us, and we are very excited about the skill set that he brings, about the person that he is. ... He started 49 games [in college]. He's been a captain, played at the highest level in the SEC."

James wasn't just a reach. He was the safe pick for Hickey.

Turns out, James was also the right pick for the Dolphins because it is hard to justify that any rookie offensive lineman has outperformed him this season. And that includes the four linemen — Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Taylor Lewan and Zack Martin — who were taken ahead of him.
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"I wonder if having Mike [Pouncey] next to Ja'Wuan is helping Ja'Wuan, because I think Ja'Wuan is getting better and better as he goes," offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said about James, who has allowed two sacks and 11 quarterback hurries in his team-leading 572 snaps.

James, who also fills in at left tackle, is just scratching the surface of his educational process in the NFL, and each week he makes it a goal to learn something new.
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In fact, based on his performance so far James should be in the conversation for the NFL's Rookie of the Year honors.

He doesn't play a stats driven position, or produce sexy numbers like Buffalo receiver Sammy Watkins. But James might be far more valuable to the Dolphins than any other rookie has been to their winning team.

James was a reach as a first-round pick, so why can't he be a reach for the NFL's top rookie honor?
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-omar-kelly-dolphins-1108-20141107-story.html
 
In retrospect, I think was perfect for the team.
I've been reading some very good things about Bitonio as well, but he is playing G and would not have helped the team as much.
 
Running game is ranked 4th in the league. Our QB is clean and we are on pace to cut the sacks down by @ 45%. I liked the pick for pure need, but had doubts based on "analysts" calling him a reach.

I have no doubts now. Book end RT for a Decade!
 
He was considered a "reach" based on the consensus of armchair gurus whose collective opinion was invalidated by the judgement of Hickey, a seasoned professional who made his bones in the actual trenches of player evaluation. Props 2U Dennis for following your convictions and filling a critical need with an outstanding pick who it turns out really was never a "reach" at all!
 
The thing I liked about him was that he started 49 games at RT and was a captain. I knew the transition was going to be smooth.
 
Once I read Slims take I was sold. He's not a Dolphin ball washer by any means, doesn't even like Tannehill, but was gushing about James as a pass blocker and stated it was "absolutely the right pick".
 
Vaark said:
He was considered a "reach" based on the consensus of armchair gurus whose collective opinion was invalidated by the judgement of Hickey, a seasoned professional who made his bones in the actual trenches of player evaluation. Props 2U Dennis for following your convictions and filling a critical need with an outstanding pick who it turns out really was never a "reach" at all!
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I was wondering how long it would take for someone to whine about other fans' opinions. I always wonder about the "armchair guru/QB/whatever" comment coming from others posting on a message board. Aren't you an "armchair whatever" as well, or is that only reserved for those you disagree with? Sorry, I think those kind of comments are just as bad as the nonsense spouted by the likes of Wallace17Pittsburgh (thanks for that, I think I'll change his name for accuracy :lol: ). It just turns these threads into pissing matches.

So, back to the topic. I'm very happy he's working out. If anything, I was happy that we may be done using first round picks on the offensive line for a little while. He wasn't considered a reach because of his ability to play RT. He was considered a reach because of his position being taken over "skill positions." IMO, if a RT is taken in the 1st round, he damn well better be one of the best in the league, if not the best. Personally, after Shazier was taken, I was hoping for Cooks or Clinton-Dix and addressing RT later. I still don't feel I was wrong for that, even if I am just a lowly "armchair guru" (I don't own an armchair though, so "sofa guru?"). Landing Landry in the 2nd made up for it quite a bit and overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the draft. At least we didn't follow up the pick with a John Beck-style selection.
 
I'd classify you as more of a "love seat guru" and are you actually whining about perceived whining? And if Hickey had taken Matthews if available? Wouldn't he have been a reach too? Or because some blogger who might call himself "Walter" or whatever proclaimed he's a worthy lineman to spend a first round pick on, then it would have been fine? And I think Hickey did a nice job also.
 
the Dolphins had a good 1st round pick? twilight zone
 
Vaark said:
I'd classify you as more of a "love seat guru" and are you actually whining about perceived whining? And if Hickey had taken Matthews if available? Wouldn't he have been a reach too? Or because some blogger who might call himself "Walter" or whatever proclaimed he's a worthy lineman to spend a first round pick on, then it would have been fine? And I think Hickey did a nice job also.
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No, I was commenting on how I don't understand why people get so upset about other fans' opinions and how it derails threads, junc-style ;) . Unlike you, I don't actually get upset about other fans' opinions about the team.

Back to the topic...again. I would have felt the same way with Matthews. Like James, I would completely understand the pick, I simply would have been happier with other picks. This is called "middle ground." That being said, either James or Matthews at 19 makes a hell of a lot more sense than taking a RB or OT over QB at #2 or #1 (respectively) when you need a QB, so it's certainly nothing to get upset about as in the latter case.

P.S. Don't have a love seat either. Just donated one to Housing Works last week though.
 
"love seat guru" in da love shack. :lol2:

[video=youtube;9SOryJvTAGs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SOryJvTAGs[/video]
 
I wasn't too concerned about the "reach" thing. I liked the fact that our GM used to the pick on someone that filled a glaring need, that HE liked to fill the spot, vs looking good for the media or fans even. It screams "no-nonsense". Landry I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt (or of my lack of knowledge), and he's filled our return game needs and playmaker needs at WR, so that's another great, logical pick.

Ireland makes a splash with Dion Jordan, even though some said that was a reach, he was adored by the media. So far, not the same ROI as James or Landry. That could change though.
 
Gonzo said:
No, I was commenting on how I don't understand why people get so upset about other fans' opinions and how it derails threads, junc-style ;) . Unlike you, I don't actually get upset about other fans' opinions about the team.

Back to the topic...again. I would have felt the same way with Matthews. Like James, I would completely understand the pick, I simply would have been happier with other picks. This is called "middle ground." That being said, either James or Matthews at 19 makes a hell of a lot more sense than taking a RB or OT over QB at #2 or #1 (respectively) when you need a QB, so it's certainly nothing to get upset about as in the latter case.
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Of course it's your prerogative to prioritize needs based on your perception. I was not refuting that. My issue is with the reaction of self-anointed draft board sages who've pimped their ratings and team prognostications for months, with their supposed "expertise" and then their reactive scorn when those they think less of, like James, is picked higher by those paid and experienced to know more like Hickey. Of course and then they inevitably get pissed resulting in condemning those picks as "reaches"as a defensive mechanism to protect their ego. It's like Mel going ballistic when the Phins passed on Brady Quinn who he was advocating big time. And while maybe right about Ted Jr, he sure was not about Quinn. And actually that's whom I was referring to as "armchair gurus" - not the response as a "reach" by those here and on other boards who negatively reacted because they bought into their opinions as the gospel.

PS..and would you prefer being called a "Lazyboy Guru"?
 
The ballsy move would have been to take Johnny and put him on the trade block immediately, I'm pretty sure the Browns would have ponied up their second in that scenario. And if not tell them we'd give them Johnny for their third and James, as long as James lasts that long and we don't get a better offer. That way you put most of the risk on them.

Then we take another QB with that extra pick, I would have taken McCarron but we could have gotten Carr or Garropollo with this strategy.
 
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