igor79
Seasoned Veteran
Yester day I posted my offensive round up or something to the effect. It can be seen here: Offense
Today I give you my defense (and special teams). I know it's stuff you have all heard here a million times, but I just wanted to give my point of view. Let me know what you think.
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Linebackers: When you have to Hall of Famers playing next to each other, it's probably a good sign. Thomas untill he got injured last year was leading the league in tackles. He is jut not too old. I won't hear of it. Seau too has played at a high level. These guys may be on the down sides of their careers, but I think both of them have a few more seasons in the tank. Luckily we have some young blood coming up. If Channing Crowder can keep healthy and out of trouble he will be a beast. He is a great fill in for Thomas if he has any injury problems or breaks down late in the season. Donnie Spragan looks like he is going to be a great pick up. He has been blitzing like crazy and led the team in tackles against the Bears. Morlon Greenwood, eat your heart out. We got a better player cheaper. The other player worth mentioning is Jason Glenn. He had an interception for a touchdown and he has been looking pretty good. He is not a lock to make the team, but I think he has a good shot. Derrick Pope and Ayanbadejo could make the team because of their good special teams. Also, I thought that Pope showed some spark last year starting a few games. I hope he makes it.
Corners: A lot of people talk a lot of smack about Sam Madison. They say he has gotten worse in the last few years. They site him getting burned deep a few times and that he had no interceptions last year. The thing is, Sam is still one of the top 10 corners in the league and people won't pass any where near him this year. That is because they are going to be going after our rookie corner Travis Daniels. Daniels has excelled in camp because of his knowledge of Saban's system at LSU. He is looking like a huge steal in the draft. However, he is still a rookie, and he wasn't even Saban's first pick at corner. He wanted his other LSU corner Webster in the second round. Daniels is really going to have to impress this year if he wants to hold on to his spot, cause second year player Will Poole may make a return of the PUP list this year. Poole and Daniels should make a great duo in the future, and I am pretty excited that we may have corners fit to replace Madison and Surtain. After that their isn't much depth. We are full of disappointing players, Roundtree, Edwards and former Super Bowl starter Reggie Howard. Also, don't forget about undrafted free agent Shirdonya Mitchell. He blew out his knee during his pro day, but before it happened he was running 4.3s. He was predicted to be a first day guy, so if he can come back, he could be a good prospect in '06.
Safeties: If not quarterback, our safeties are the weakest on our team. Bell has really come on this camp and will hopefully make a fine safety. Lance Shulters was a high profile signing for us this year and will hopefully be ready to start by game one, but so far he has struggled learning the season, and he was not really in football shape. He came into camp late and has had problems because of it. The other starting safety is Tebucky Jones who as known as a hard hitter, but not much of a coverage guy. Tillman was considered the front runner for one of the safety spots, but he has not had much of a career and has looked pretty bad so far in camp. The other safety worth mentioning is Tony Bua. Everyone's second favorite moment of last year came when he flat out destroyed to St. Louis Rams during a special teams play. He has had some problems switching to safety from linebacker, but Saban has spoken highly of him and I think he will make the team as a special teams ace.
Defensive Ends: Jason Taylor is the best player on this team and everyone knows it, so their is no reason to talk about it. The new kid on the block is DE Kevin Carter. He is a dominant defensive end, and other than Ronnie Brown is the biggest acquisition we made this year. He has played very well, but on top of that he has helped the younger defensive linemen out a lot. Today he defended Kevin Vickerson, a rookie DT who has struggled a bit, to the media during a press conference. It showed true leadership and it made me proud that he was a Dolphin. Also today, Nick Saban said that he was a leader and one of the best guys he has out there as far as being a roll model for the other younger defensive linemen. Rookie Matt Roth has not been the player everyone was hoping for. He is very aggressive and "has a motor" like everyone has been saying, but his arms are too small and he does not have the technique to dominate. No one is giving up on him, and hopefully he will be a heck of a player in this league, he has just not done as well as some people might have hoped. The other DE of note is David Bowens. Personally I love him. I am glad he got a new contract in the off season and will be around for a while. I actually own a face mask he wore in a pre season game last year.
Defensive Tackles: As far as DT's go, Bowens retired and it will be sad not to see him. We have had great DTs in the past and I think it was a big reason why we lost so many games last year when he and Chester were out. Speaking of Larry Chester, I really hope he can get back out there this year... I don't know if he will ever play again if he goes on IR. In their place we have the massive Keith Traylor. He was great in the 3-4 with NE last year, and although he is an old man, I feel he has a bit more in the tank. I am guessing he would agree. Vonnie Holiday was more of a DE, but we have a greater need at DT so he is starting there. He is a pretty solid player and I hope he can be a force in the middle. The two leftovers from last year are Dario Romero and Jeff Zgonina. Romero probably won't make the team, but Zgonina is very solid depth and I've noticed he tends to make big plays. The other player who should make the team is Manny Wright. He is in horrible shape and made the national news for crying after Saban yelled at him. Also Carter mentioned that he had thrown up, passed out and quit practice early. Normally I'd figure he'd get cut, but we gave up a 5th round draft pick for him, and I don't think we will just let him go with out seeing what he is really made of.
Special Teams: Matt Turk is being challenged for his punting spot by the LSU punter Donnie Jones. Jones has a heck of a leg on him, but he is having trouble controlling it. Turk is going to win out, but I would not be surprised to see Jones take his job next year. There is a ton of people out there who hate Mare, and really it is entirely because he missed kicks in that awful game against the Pats two years ago. He is still a strong field goal kicker and in my mind is one of the best kick off men in the game. He is not going anywhere, sorry. Ed Perry is one of the best long snappers in the game. The one year he was hurt, we really noticed. He has been on the team since the days of Dan and he will probably be around for a while longer. And lastly we have Wes Welker. He is everyone's favorite player, including mine. He is just fun to watch. I don't know if he's the best returner we have had in 15 years, but he seems like it to me. I can't wait to watch him.
Today I give you my defense (and special teams). I know it's stuff you have all heard here a million times, but I just wanted to give my point of view. Let me know what you think.
________________________________________________________
Linebackers: When you have to Hall of Famers playing next to each other, it's probably a good sign. Thomas untill he got injured last year was leading the league in tackles. He is jut not too old. I won't hear of it. Seau too has played at a high level. These guys may be on the down sides of their careers, but I think both of them have a few more seasons in the tank. Luckily we have some young blood coming up. If Channing Crowder can keep healthy and out of trouble he will be a beast. He is a great fill in for Thomas if he has any injury problems or breaks down late in the season. Donnie Spragan looks like he is going to be a great pick up. He has been blitzing like crazy and led the team in tackles against the Bears. Morlon Greenwood, eat your heart out. We got a better player cheaper. The other player worth mentioning is Jason Glenn. He had an interception for a touchdown and he has been looking pretty good. He is not a lock to make the team, but I think he has a good shot. Derrick Pope and Ayanbadejo could make the team because of their good special teams. Also, I thought that Pope showed some spark last year starting a few games. I hope he makes it.
Corners: A lot of people talk a lot of smack about Sam Madison. They say he has gotten worse in the last few years. They site him getting burned deep a few times and that he had no interceptions last year. The thing is, Sam is still one of the top 10 corners in the league and people won't pass any where near him this year. That is because they are going to be going after our rookie corner Travis Daniels. Daniels has excelled in camp because of his knowledge of Saban's system at LSU. He is looking like a huge steal in the draft. However, he is still a rookie, and he wasn't even Saban's first pick at corner. He wanted his other LSU corner Webster in the second round. Daniels is really going to have to impress this year if he wants to hold on to his spot, cause second year player Will Poole may make a return of the PUP list this year. Poole and Daniels should make a great duo in the future, and I am pretty excited that we may have corners fit to replace Madison and Surtain. After that their isn't much depth. We are full of disappointing players, Roundtree, Edwards and former Super Bowl starter Reggie Howard. Also, don't forget about undrafted free agent Shirdonya Mitchell. He blew out his knee during his pro day, but before it happened he was running 4.3s. He was predicted to be a first day guy, so if he can come back, he could be a good prospect in '06.
Safeties: If not quarterback, our safeties are the weakest on our team. Bell has really come on this camp and will hopefully make a fine safety. Lance Shulters was a high profile signing for us this year and will hopefully be ready to start by game one, but so far he has struggled learning the season, and he was not really in football shape. He came into camp late and has had problems because of it. The other starting safety is Tebucky Jones who as known as a hard hitter, but not much of a coverage guy. Tillman was considered the front runner for one of the safety spots, but he has not had much of a career and has looked pretty bad so far in camp. The other safety worth mentioning is Tony Bua. Everyone's second favorite moment of last year came when he flat out destroyed to St. Louis Rams during a special teams play. He has had some problems switching to safety from linebacker, but Saban has spoken highly of him and I think he will make the team as a special teams ace.
Defensive Ends: Jason Taylor is the best player on this team and everyone knows it, so their is no reason to talk about it. The new kid on the block is DE Kevin Carter. He is a dominant defensive end, and other than Ronnie Brown is the biggest acquisition we made this year. He has played very well, but on top of that he has helped the younger defensive linemen out a lot. Today he defended Kevin Vickerson, a rookie DT who has struggled a bit, to the media during a press conference. It showed true leadership and it made me proud that he was a Dolphin. Also today, Nick Saban said that he was a leader and one of the best guys he has out there as far as being a roll model for the other younger defensive linemen. Rookie Matt Roth has not been the player everyone was hoping for. He is very aggressive and "has a motor" like everyone has been saying, but his arms are too small and he does not have the technique to dominate. No one is giving up on him, and hopefully he will be a heck of a player in this league, he has just not done as well as some people might have hoped. The other DE of note is David Bowens. Personally I love him. I am glad he got a new contract in the off season and will be around for a while. I actually own a face mask he wore in a pre season game last year.
Defensive Tackles: As far as DT's go, Bowens retired and it will be sad not to see him. We have had great DTs in the past and I think it was a big reason why we lost so many games last year when he and Chester were out. Speaking of Larry Chester, I really hope he can get back out there this year... I don't know if he will ever play again if he goes on IR. In their place we have the massive Keith Traylor. He was great in the 3-4 with NE last year, and although he is an old man, I feel he has a bit more in the tank. I am guessing he would agree. Vonnie Holiday was more of a DE, but we have a greater need at DT so he is starting there. He is a pretty solid player and I hope he can be a force in the middle. The two leftovers from last year are Dario Romero and Jeff Zgonina. Romero probably won't make the team, but Zgonina is very solid depth and I've noticed he tends to make big plays. The other player who should make the team is Manny Wright. He is in horrible shape and made the national news for crying after Saban yelled at him. Also Carter mentioned that he had thrown up, passed out and quit practice early. Normally I'd figure he'd get cut, but we gave up a 5th round draft pick for him, and I don't think we will just let him go with out seeing what he is really made of.
Special Teams: Matt Turk is being challenged for his punting spot by the LSU punter Donnie Jones. Jones has a heck of a leg on him, but he is having trouble controlling it. Turk is going to win out, but I would not be surprised to see Jones take his job next year. There is a ton of people out there who hate Mare, and really it is entirely because he missed kicks in that awful game against the Pats two years ago. He is still a strong field goal kicker and in my mind is one of the best kick off men in the game. He is not going anywhere, sorry. Ed Perry is one of the best long snappers in the game. The one year he was hurt, we really noticed. He has been on the team since the days of Dan and he will probably be around for a while longer. And lastly we have Wes Welker. He is everyone's favorite player, including mine. He is just fun to watch. I don't know if he's the best returner we have had in 15 years, but he seems like it to me. I can't wait to watch him.
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