Boomer, since we're revisiting last year's draft can you respond with some insight on two items.....
1) Is it true the Dolphins had John Beck rated as the 4th best QB on their board behind Russell, Quinn and Kolb in that order? I know this contradicts some reports........
I'm pretty sure that's not the case. I think if memory serves me, that he was rated 2nd or possibly 3rd. Russell was rated 1st and then Beck. Or Quinn then Beck. But I think they had Beck rated 2nd.
2) Did the Dolphins try to trade up with KC at the end of the first round offering Chambers and their first second round pick in order to get Quinn? (Cleveland beat them to it by trading with Dallas one spot in front.....)
I know from pretty vast conversations with Dave Hyde when he was in London, that Mueller was desperately trying to trade up in to the early 30's, but only to secure Beck. That's the first I've heard about any deal for a) Quinn and b) that involved Chambers. And Hyde had a pretty long sit down with Mueller and he told me some fascinating things, so if that had been on the cards, I think he would have known.
Lastly, knowing what you now know, should the Dolphins have taken Ginn with the 9th pick? He wasn't even one of the 2 best rookie return men or top 2 rookie WRs this year......
Your well thought out analysis/responses are appreciated..........
Hindsight is a beautiful, beautiful thing.
I think Patrick Willis or Darrelle Revis would have been excellent picks. But I also think that when Miami has an offense - when they get the QB situation sorted, when Ronnie's back, when they have another legitimate target at WR and a quality tight end, plus an opening up of the offense, we'll really see what he's made of.
As for returns; if you add in the two touchdowns that were called back against Cleveland and Buffalo and the 52 yarder against Houston, ALL for questionable holding calls, then he's 4th in the league in returns. Which isn't bad. He needs to get stronger in his lower body, which apparently he's doing - his father says he's adding about 10lbs of muscle, he needs to trust his instincts more and he needs better blocking.
I think in a couple of seasons time, he'll be a legitimate 75 catch a season WR with 5/6 combined touchdowns on kicks and punts. At the end of the season he was clearly much more comfortable with all aspects of the game.