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Tony McDaniel blurb

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jim1

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From Sun-Sentinel Q&A:

Q: Thanks for the fantastic Dolphins insight. You don't hear much about other teams then the Cowboys here in Dallas. How has Tony McDaniel from the Jacksonville trade looked so far. In reading up about him, he seems to have a body type that matches Darryl Gardener. I know Dolphin coaches pride themselves on bringing out the best in these types of underachieving bodies so I thought he would be a good fit. Unfortunately I haven't heard much about him so I just assume he has not made a big splash. Being in the 3-4 defense it only takes one great nose tackle to make the defense that much better as opposed to key interior personnel rotating in and out while running a 4-3. Furthermore, Vonnie Holliday is still on the market, and if I remember correctly, he played a little nose tackle as well as a great team leader. Might he make a Fins comeback if nobody else steps up to claim that position with authority? Blake Krystoff, Dallas.

A: Talked with Tony McDaniel and his position coach, Kacy Rodgers, at the June minicamp. Both agreed he's coming along fine. Jason Ferguson really likes him as well. Asked what stood out about McDaniel, Big Ferg said, "Big. Strong. Strong. Very strong." Ferguson made the point that McDaniel has to make the adjustment coming for the Jaguars' 4-3 which "is all about getting off the ball, getting penetration and going straight up field. That's just what they do. It works for them. Down here we like playing blocks. He's going to get the hang of it. His raw power, his way to come off the ball and attack his man, that's just God-gifted right there." I like the Gardener comparison. He was 6-6, 295. McDaniel is 6-7, 310. As for Vonnie, I'd say he's definitely on the radar should a key injury take place early in camp. But there's also the issue of cap space and playing time for such a proud veteran.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-askharvey,0,5741223.story
 
Would be nice for one of the backup NT's to finally step up and claim the successor to Ferguson.
Chubbs
 
I'm on the bring Vonnie back bandwagon. I know age is a factor, but in watching all the re-plays of last season he clearly is a leader and has gas left in the tank.
 
Hopefully either him or Solai can step up and be a good player for us. It would be awefully nice not to have to take a DT high in the draft next year or overpay for one in FA.
 
Thought he was being used at DE - thought it was made clear. Strange that got no mention.

If he learns how to play in the 3-4, he should add some nice depth. I like how the FO has taken under-the-radar DT's (Starks and now McDaniel) and utilized their size and strength as 3-4 DE's. If he can stuff the run like Starks, and if Merling doesn't improve drastically in that area, Merling might see himself in a position similar to last season.
 
This is surprisingly good news to me. Not the praise (although that makes me very happy too), but reading between the lines.

I know he was a DT in Jax's 4-3, but I had assumed (obviously incorrectly), that they would use him as a DE in our 3-4. It gives me some comfort to know they are teaching him to be a 3-4 NT, as we desperately need some insurance behind Ferggie.

Also sounds like his aggressiveness might be well-suited to spell Ferggie on obvious passing downs at the very least.

JT, Joey AND a penetrating NT on 3rd and long situations? Yea, I can get used to that:)
 
It looks to me like Jeff Ireland's view on the NT situation is that our future NT could just as easily be someone like Randy Starks, Tony McDaniel or even Lionel Dotson, as it could Paul Soliai, or the new UDFA that everyone likes, Louis Ellis.
 
Justin Smiley had some very positive words about Dotson:

Smiley said 2008 seventh-round pick Lionel Dotson (inactive for 14 games in '08) was Miami's best pass-rushing end in practice last year and is now much better against the run. Sparano said Dotson was ''undersized'' when drafted but ``he has gotten a lot stronger. He's explosive. He will play an awful lot in the preseason.''

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/1078561.html
 
I don't think anywhere in that answer does it imply that Tony McDaniel is being trained on as a nose tackle. The questioner implies it, but the questioner is wrong.

Guys like McDaniel and Starks hail from 4-3 defenses and they need to make the transition to a 2-gap system...and my guess is they're doing that at DE before they get a chance to try their hand at NT. This is partly because the DE position is less important than NT, and partly because DE is open season while they have Jason Ferguson manning the NT spot.
 
ckparrothead said:
I don't think anywhere in that answer does it imply that Tony McDaniel is being trained on as a nose tackle. The questioner implies it, but the questioner is wrong.

Guys like McDaniel and Starks hail from 4-3 defenses and they need to make the transition to a 2-gap system...and my guess is they're doing that at DE before they get a chance to try their hand at NT. This is partly because the DE position is less important than NT, and partly because DE is open season while they have Jason Ferguson manning the NT spot.
Click to expand...

My understanding was that he is to be trained at DE and NT- a flexible backup accross the line. We'll see what happens.

"The Dolphins hope McDaniel, 24, can line up at any of the three positions in the team’s 3-4 defensive scheme, Irby said."

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thed...ick-up-jags-dt-tony-mcdaniel-for-7th-rounder/
 
I expect McDaniel to make an impact in what is asked of him. With Taylor and Porter on the outside and Crowder behind him he'll be able to handle himself well in the middle of the field. A very nice addition who will complimentary player.
 
Wouldn't it be amazing if we had a top 5 front 7 this year? Imagine what's going to happen if teams can't run against us.
 
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