Run defense

[jimlerario]

To have a stout run defense, it's key to have good LBs, but it isn't the only key to run defense. Many factors open the door to run defense success, such as the d line, safety's, nickelbacks, and even corners. Hickey improved our run defense talent in all those areas, and that will give our sometimes disfunctional LBs some needed support in our run defense.
Mitchell is more athletic and in my opinion, more talented than the man he replaced, which will help our LBs get in the backfield. Delmas is a hard hitting, run stopping safety that pairs better with jones than Clemons, and brings what Clemons lacked in, which was a much needed nastiness in our tackling abilities. Finnegan is a great tackler, brings nastiness, and run support from the outside. That is why I like him as the nickel, so he doesn't have to be depended solely upon pass defending, and he can help our LBs out in run defense. We have to many holes to draft a LB in the first three rounds, so I think were gonna ride out with our overpaid LBs and keep improving upon the other areas in the defense. Money talks, and money can't be overused in one defensive area.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

I don't think we have too many holes to draft a LB in the 1st RD. If you're drafting to "fill holes," you're setting yourself up for failure. Keep in mind that with all of his missed tackles, poor angles, and bad reads, Wheeler still had 83 tackles and 7 passes defensed. In a similar defense (where Coyle used to be the DB Coach), Vontaze Burfict totaled 114 tackles and 3 sacks. Quick note on these stats, they're not including assists. By comparison, Luke Kuechly totaled 93 tackles.

If you put a monster like Ryan Shazier in that position, it completely changes the complexion of the defense.

 

[jimlerario]

I don't think we have too many holes to draft a LB in the 1st RD. If you're drafting to "fill holes," you're setting yourself up for failure. Keep in mind that with all of his missed tackles, poor angles, and bad reads, Wheeler still had 83 tackles and 7 passes defensed. In a similar defense (where Coyle used to be the DB Coach), Vontaze Burfict totaled 114 tackles and 3 sacks. Quick note on these stats, they're not including assists. By comparison, Luke Kuechly totaled 93 tackles.

If you put a monster like Ryan Shazier in that position, it completely changes the complexion of the defense.

shazier is an olb, and in my opinion, we need a mlb. Wheeler misi ellerbe, and Jenkins should man the olb positions. We need two starters on the oline, and we go OL with our 1st and second, in the third, then miami may take a linebacker, and that's if we sign a FA RB. still need a RB before we improve our lb core. If we end up signing moreno, then we can get go OLine in first, lb in second, guard in the third, tight end in forth, then another guard, corner, runningback in 5-7. We need a tightend, and of we don't sign Moreno, we'd need Oline in first, rb in second, guard in third, tightend, lbs, and maybe another corner or guard in rounds 5-7.

 

[AJ Duhe]

Unfortunately, the Fins could use a talent upgrade at all 3 linebacker positions. Misi has always been serviceable on the strong side, he won't make very many impact plays but he won't make many mistakes either. Ellerbe seems like a bad fit in the middle. He might need a move to the weakside to get back to a better level of performance. Wheeler was terrible. The only thing he does marginally well is rush the passer. I like Jenkins in coverage, but he has to improve when the run is flowing in his direction and he has to play with better leverage.

A better middle linebacker in the draft solves a lot of these issues. If it's first round, so be it. As long as the guy is a plug and play starter.

 

[13Dolfan87]

Yeah, we need a MLB so we can move Ellerbe to OLB and Wheeler to the bench. I'd take one in the 2nd or 3rd as long as they can start right away.

 

[Ruckus45]

There is no doubt our linebacker play could be better. I'm a fan of Misi and think he is the kind of guy any team would want playing for them. You rarely worry about him- he will play his role well thats it. The other two do need to step up another notch though.

One thing I keep thinking was how much focus did Coyle actually put on stopping the run last year? It's a passing league and I think all DCs know that. My main thought on the dysfunction of the run D would be that our scheme was based on stopping the pass first then dealing with the run. That half step difference in player placement or reaction could mean an extra yard or so per run.

Perhaps now with more maturity on the D and familiarity with the system Coyle can assert more of a balance

 

[j-off-her-doll]

shazier is an olb, and in my opinion, we need a mlb. Wheeler misi ellerbe, and Jenkins should man the olb positions. We need two starters on the oline, and we go OL with our 1st and second, in the third, then miami may take a linebacker, and that's if we sign a FA RB. still need a RB before we improve our lb core. If we end up signing moreno, then we can get go OLine in first, lb in second, guard in the third, tight end in forth, then another guard, corner, runningback in 5-7. We need a tightend, and of we don't sign Moreno, we'd need Oline in first, rb in second, guard in third, tightend, lbs, and maybe another corner or guard in rounds 5-7.

The biggest problem with this line of reasoning is that you don't have specific players for the spots - or groups of player who might or might not be there at certain spots. It's not the only problem, but it's the biggest. The draft is about talent acquisition - rather than filling holes. In the draft, you look for players who will make the greatest impact in your system. There is no O-lineman that stands a chance of being there at 19 who is on Shazier's level. There's also no MLB in the draft who is on Shazier's level.

I also think you're giving the offense way too much attention in a draft loaded with defensive talent. You want to help your young, developing QB? Get him a great D and a running game. Tannehill doesn't have the skill set to win by putting up 30+ points on a consistent basis. He does have attributes that you can make into a winner - imo. He's smart, big, athletic, and has a good arm. When you look at guys like Tom Brady, Big Ben, Joe Flacco, and Russell Wilson, their teams developed them by doing exactly what I've suggested - commitment to the running game and an emphasis on defensive talent. When New England and Pittsburgh got away from that, they stopped winning SB's (even though the QB's continued to improve).

 

[hoops]

we need a mike more than a will...even if the will options are higher rated prospects...you have to work with what you have...they have jelani jenkins who they like enough to want to see what he's got also at will who they just drafted last year...you have to fill your holes...hopefully with guys that validate the grades and where you draft them...case in point no true mike lb validates a 1st round grade in this class...

you add a will with your top pick and you got a guy getting paid massive bucks in wheeler and a 4th round pick just last year not getting any snaps...doesnt make any sense in 2014 for us to do that...more likely if that happens it would be 2015 provided jenkins doesnt show the development they want to be a every down player etc

my advice for miami specifically is do not take a lb in the first round with our top pick...make it more a pick 50 or 3rd round even thing...and if it's only gonna be a 2 down guy cause of lack of athleticism and coverage skills etc 3rd round at least...

but absolutely for the 2014 draft if it is a lb make it a mike...

 

[nick1]

we need a mike more than a will...even if the will options are higher rated prospects...you have to work with what you have...they have jelani jenkins who they like enough to want to see what he's got also at will who they just drafted last year...you have to fill your holes...hopefully with guys that validate the grades and where you draft them...case in point no true mike lb validates a 1st round grade in this class...

you add a will with your top pick and you got a guy getting paid massive bucks in wheeler and a 4th round pick just last year not getting any snaps...doesnt make any sense in 2014 for us to do that...more likely if that happens it would be 2015 provided jenkins doesnt show the development they want to be a every down player etc

my advice for miami specifically is do not take a lb in the first round with our top pick...make it more a pick 50 or 3rd round even thing...and if it's only gonna be a 2 down guy cause of lack of athleticism and coverage skills etc 3rd round at least...

but absolutely for the 2014 draft if it is a lb make it a mike...

What's your assessment of Jenkins. I think he did a solid job, if i remember right you didn't like that we drafted him

 

[hoops]

What's your assessment of Jenkins. I think he did a solid job, if i remember right you didn't like that we drafted him

he looked solid playing his assignment but showed zero instincts...nothing instinctual about his play in the run he got that i saw...all whatever his primary assignment was stuff nothing outside the box or intuition taking over...only his first year but that usually is an indicator that he's gonna be an average nfl lb at best in the grand scheme of things

personally i would think that we will be looking for a starting will in the next few years even with him here but i bet he gets a shot at it at least..