DKphin
Active Roster
Here's a quick Mock:
1. Darius Butler CB(Connecticut) 5' 11" 187lbs.
He has family ties to the Dolphins. His Uncle was Gene Atkins that played with the Phins in the early '90s. One of the best cover corners in the draft. He is always looking for the big play and has the ability to make it. He has that burst to recovery quickly to the receiver. He is not the most physical CB, but his coverage skills make up for any lack of physicality. Butler has the ability(if there is such a thing with advantages the offenses have in the passing game) to be a shut down corner in the NFL. He was a team leader and captain in college.
2A. Sean Smith CB/FS(Utah) 6'3" 218lbs.
Has great size for the position. Reminds me of Bobby Taylor who played with the Eagles and Seahawks. Smith is a former WR who uses his previous experience to benefit his abilities at CB. Uses his length to his advantage when battling for the ball. He is more than willing to get into the fray in run support. He is able to get the jam on the WR at the line of scrimmage. Still new to the position having only played it for 2yrs.
2B. Clint Sintim ILB/OLB(Virginia) 6'4" 252lbs.
I am projecting him inside. After the discussion on the boards and around the web, it makes sense to use his physicality in the middle. Was a 2nd Team All-ACC in 2008, only because there is another guy in conference named Aaron Curry. He can deliver the big hit, get to the quarterback and has the size to be a dominating linebacker in the NFL. He has the versatility both play ILB and OLB(although I am projecting him inside). He has drawn physical comparisons to Lawrence Taylor, but lacks the all out drive of LT. But if we can get him motivated and avoid those stretches where he coasts along, we would have one Hell of a Linebacker.
3. Keith Urbik OG(Wisconsin) 6'6" 326lbs.
He is exactly what Sparano is looking for: a big physical road grader for the OL. He has the versatility the coach is looking for to play either RT or RG. His footwork has been a concern, but it did improve this past year. He has the ability to trap and pull. He can get to the second defender. Lastly, he is strong as an OX.
4. Richard Quinn TE(North Carolina) 6'4" 267lbs.
2nd best blocking TE in the draft. Gained the nickname "Big Rich" at UNC and he lived up to his nickname. He essentailly gave the TarHeels another OT on the LOS. He really knows the blocking side of the position. He has good inital quickness off the snap and excellent hand placement to pop the defender. Understands leverage and uses it to drive the defender off the LOS. He lacks the straight-line speed to separate from the defender downfield, but shows enough pass catching ability to be effective with short-yardage passes.
5. Cornelius Lewis OT/OG(Tennessee State) 6'4" 324lbs.
A transfer from Florida St. to Tennessee St. At the practices and during the game at the Texas vs. Nation was the most dominate OL. In one-on-one match-ups, he was unbeatable. He really understands how to use his hands and feet to prevent the defender from threatening the QB. He plays with a tough, nasty and aggressive demeanor. He is very stout at the POA. He could shift inside to G or backup the RT position. He may have played a small school, but he is a big time talent.
6. Dudley Guice WR(NorthWestern State) 6'3" 209lbs.
He has fluid hips, outstanding hands and great body control. He is a thinking man on the field, using a variety of moves to separate from the defender. At the Texas vs. Nation game, scouts were taking a second, third and fourth look at this little known WR. Not receiving an invite to the combine, Guice had to perform for onlookers at his ProDay-he did not disappoint:
40 Yrd Dash: 4.40
20 Yrd Dash: 2.58
10 Yrd Dash: 1.49
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 12
Vertical Jump: 39
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.01
3-Cone Drill: 6.61
He graduated from Northwestern State with a 3.597 GPA and 2nd in the Draddy(Academic Heisman). Could he be this years Marques Colston?
7A. Antonio Appleby ILB(Virginia) 6'4" 246lbs.
Appleby has the prototypical size for the position. He is stout at the POA, but sometimes looks for the big hit allowing his technique to get sloppy. He is as effective as anyone in the draft against the run, but lacks the explosiveness of the higher rated players. He has great instincts and understands gap responsibility. He has decent straight-line speed, but will strugle stay with WR on short routes and RBs coming out of the backfield.
7B. Gartrelle Johnson RB(Colorado State) 5'11" 222lbs.
Good:
Had 285 yards rushing vs. Fresno St. in the New Mexico Bowl and was the game's MVP. He had nealy 400 yards combined rushing and receiving in the game. He had 191yds vs. UNLV, 130yds vs. SDSU, 127 vs. NMU, 135 vs. Wyoming in 2008. He's a one cut and go runner and that's the kind of RB the Trifecta is looking for. He's a strong runner between the tackles and has enough wiggle to make the defenders miss. He started his career at Michigan St., but the last 2 seasons at CSU he has 2,433(5.3 ypc), 44 catches for 398yds(9ypr) and 20TDs.
Bad:
Going into the combine he he was regarded as a top RB, but after he ran 4.75/40, his stock has fallen. At his ProDay, he improved his 40 time slightly with 2 runs of 4.68 and 4.67 respectively. That got me thinking there was something not right here. While his 40 time does throw up red flags, I think you have to look more closely at this kids 10 yard split. He ran his first 10yds. in 1.60 secs. Compare that with other runners from last years combine:
Here are some 10/20/40 splits from the 2008 combine:
While he is no Chris Johnson, he does compare favorablly with the other RBs listed. He is one of the RBs that, because of his burst through the hole, is able to just punish the other team after he gets his 12-15 carries. I remember when Emmit Smith was coming out of UF, they had the same concerns about him. Emmitt had vision, toughness and elusiveness to make up for the lack of speed. I am not saying Johnson is going to be the next Smith but he does possess the same traits as Emmitt.
1. Darius Butler CB(Connecticut) 5' 11" 187lbs.
He has family ties to the Dolphins. His Uncle was Gene Atkins that played with the Phins in the early '90s. One of the best cover corners in the draft. He is always looking for the big play and has the ability to make it. He has that burst to recovery quickly to the receiver. He is not the most physical CB, but his coverage skills make up for any lack of physicality. Butler has the ability(if there is such a thing with advantages the offenses have in the passing game) to be a shut down corner in the NFL. He was a team leader and captain in college.
2A. Sean Smith CB/FS(Utah) 6'3" 218lbs.
Has great size for the position. Reminds me of Bobby Taylor who played with the Eagles and Seahawks. Smith is a former WR who uses his previous experience to benefit his abilities at CB. Uses his length to his advantage when battling for the ball. He is more than willing to get into the fray in run support. He is able to get the jam on the WR at the line of scrimmage. Still new to the position having only played it for 2yrs.
2B. Clint Sintim ILB/OLB(Virginia) 6'4" 252lbs.
I am projecting him inside. After the discussion on the boards and around the web, it makes sense to use his physicality in the middle. Was a 2nd Team All-ACC in 2008, only because there is another guy in conference named Aaron Curry. He can deliver the big hit, get to the quarterback and has the size to be a dominating linebacker in the NFL. He has the versatility both play ILB and OLB(although I am projecting him inside). He has drawn physical comparisons to Lawrence Taylor, but lacks the all out drive of LT. But if we can get him motivated and avoid those stretches where he coasts along, we would have one Hell of a Linebacker.
3. Keith Urbik OG(Wisconsin) 6'6" 326lbs.
He is exactly what Sparano is looking for: a big physical road grader for the OL. He has the versatility the coach is looking for to play either RT or RG. His footwork has been a concern, but it did improve this past year. He has the ability to trap and pull. He can get to the second defender. Lastly, he is strong as an OX.
4. Richard Quinn TE(North Carolina) 6'4" 267lbs.
2nd best blocking TE in the draft. Gained the nickname "Big Rich" at UNC and he lived up to his nickname. He essentailly gave the TarHeels another OT on the LOS. He really knows the blocking side of the position. He has good inital quickness off the snap and excellent hand placement to pop the defender. Understands leverage and uses it to drive the defender off the LOS. He lacks the straight-line speed to separate from the defender downfield, but shows enough pass catching ability to be effective with short-yardage passes.
5. Cornelius Lewis OT/OG(Tennessee State) 6'4" 324lbs.
A transfer from Florida St. to Tennessee St. At the practices and during the game at the Texas vs. Nation was the most dominate OL. In one-on-one match-ups, he was unbeatable. He really understands how to use his hands and feet to prevent the defender from threatening the QB. He plays with a tough, nasty and aggressive demeanor. He is very stout at the POA. He could shift inside to G or backup the RT position. He may have played a small school, but he is a big time talent.
6. Dudley Guice WR(NorthWestern State) 6'3" 209lbs.
He has fluid hips, outstanding hands and great body control. He is a thinking man on the field, using a variety of moves to separate from the defender. At the Texas vs. Nation game, scouts were taking a second, third and fourth look at this little known WR. Not receiving an invite to the combine, Guice had to perform for onlookers at his ProDay-he did not disappoint:
40 Yrd Dash: 4.40
20 Yrd Dash: 2.58
10 Yrd Dash: 1.49
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 12
Vertical Jump: 39
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.01
3-Cone Drill: 6.61
He graduated from Northwestern State with a 3.597 GPA and 2nd in the Draddy(Academic Heisman). Could he be this years Marques Colston?
7A. Antonio Appleby ILB(Virginia) 6'4" 246lbs.
Appleby has the prototypical size for the position. He is stout at the POA, but sometimes looks for the big hit allowing his technique to get sloppy. He is as effective as anyone in the draft against the run, but lacks the explosiveness of the higher rated players. He has great instincts and understands gap responsibility. He has decent straight-line speed, but will strugle stay with WR on short routes and RBs coming out of the backfield.
7B. Gartrelle Johnson RB(Colorado State) 5'11" 222lbs.
Good:
Had 285 yards rushing vs. Fresno St. in the New Mexico Bowl and was the game's MVP. He had nealy 400 yards combined rushing and receiving in the game. He had 191yds vs. UNLV, 130yds vs. SDSU, 127 vs. NMU, 135 vs. Wyoming in 2008. He's a one cut and go runner and that's the kind of RB the Trifecta is looking for. He's a strong runner between the tackles and has enough wiggle to make the defenders miss. He started his career at Michigan St., but the last 2 seasons at CSU he has 2,433(5.3 ypc), 44 catches for 398yds(9ypr) and 20TDs.
Bad:
Going into the combine he he was regarded as a top RB, but after he ran 4.75/40, his stock has fallen. At his ProDay, he improved his 40 time slightly with 2 runs of 4.68 and 4.67 respectively. That got me thinking there was something not right here. While his 40 time does throw up red flags, I think you have to look more closely at this kids 10 yard split. He ran his first 10yds. in 1.60 secs. Compare that with other runners from last years combine:
Here are some 10/20/40 splits from the 2008 combine:
http://www.operationsports.com/forum...eration-4.html
While he is no Chris Johnson, he does compare favorablly with the other RBs listed. He is one of the RBs that, because of his burst through the hole, is able to just punish the other team after he gets his 12-15 carries. I remember when Emmit Smith was coming out of UF, they had the same concerns about him. Emmitt had vision, toughness and elusiveness to make up for the lack of speed. I am not saying Johnson is going to be the next Smith but he does possess the same traits as Emmitt.
