In the coming weeks before the 2010 NFL draft the Miami Dolphins have made a few attempts to fill the holes on the roster. The addition of Karlos Dansby improves the linebacking corps tremendously. He is arguably one of the most underrated middle linebackers in the game. The team attempted to improve to the missing piece at free safety but both Antrel Rolle and Ryan Clark declined amd signed elsewhere.
Bill Parcels, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano find themselves looking to fill the voids at nose tackle, outside linebacker, wide receiver, and at safety. Based on previous drafts conducted by the team the possibility that they draft a wide receiver in the first round is slim. The needs at nose tackle or outside linebacker will probably be addressed first.Should they look to improve the front seven the Dolphins have alot of options.
At nose tackle the Dolphins could select Tennessee's Dan Williams who has experience playing in Monte Kiffin's pro scheme. Williams would fill the need left from Jason Ferguson's recent 8 game suspension and Paul Soliai's inconsistency. He looks to be the most pro ready tackle needed to anchor the middle of the 3-4 defense. His arrival would help free up inside linebackers Karlos Danby and Channing Crowder to chase the running backs and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
The release of the declining Joey Porter and uncertainty surrounding Jason Taylor leaves a void at outside linebacker. Cameron Wake, Charlie Anderson, and Quentin Moses all possess the potential to contribute but Defensive Coordinator, Mike Nolan needs more of an arsenal to execute his aggressive schemes.
Should Miami select a linebacker, first round options are Michigan's Brandon Graham, who lit up the senior bowl for 2 sacks and a forced fumble. He was a consistent force for the Wolverines. Texas' Sergio Kindle has more experience standing upright and shifting into coverage while providing the speed, and aggressive skill set to harass quarterbacks on Sunday. Some Mock Drafts have the Dolphins selecting Georgia Tech's Derrick Morgan who is a force off the edge but hasn't necessarily proved to be a fit in the 3-4 scheme. Michigan's Graham provides the best option due to his consistent motor, high effort style that more than makes up for his size limitations. Plus, Dolphins QB Chad Henne and OT Jake Long provide an inside view on a highly regarded college teammate.
The needs at wide receiver and free safety will likely be addressed in the third and fourth rounds. If available the Dolphins should select Missouri's Danario Alexander who had over 1400 receiving yards while catching 14 touchdowns in 2009. He possess the speed and big play ability needed to help out the core group of Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo. At 6-5, 220 pounds he has the size to out jump defensive backs and break tackles. His knee is being rehabilitated and progressing well. Teams may stray from selecting the Missouri talent due to health concerns which could leave a opening for Miami.
In the fourth round, Miami could shore up the secondary by adding a young free safety to compete with the current group of defensive backs. Utah's Robert Johnson is a big presence at 6'2 206 and could compete for a starting spot while contributing on special teams. He flashed potential and has the size and speed to play the position and run with the premier tight ends in the league.
The days leading to the draft will lead to all sorts of predictions and mock drafts about who Miami will select. Hopefully some of the mentioned names will be called on draft day and help get the team on track to compete with the Patriots and Jets.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Brady Quinn's Fresh Start
Over the weekend the Clevland Browns continued to purge remnants of the old regime with Mike Holmgren's decision to trade QB Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos. In exchange for the maligned Quarterback, Denver gave up fullback/running back Peyton Hillis, 6th round draft pick, and a conditional draft pick based on Brady Quinn's role and performance.
The deal marks a smart move for the Denver Broncos because of the uncertainty surrounding RFA(restricted free agent) quarterback, Kyle Orton. Orton had a productive season under the guidance of Josh McDaniels but he has yet to prove he can be a franchise QB in a league where the passing game increasingly determines the outcome for many teams. Brady Quinn has the potential and familiarity with Denver's offensive scheme to be successful. Quinn played in a pro-style offense for former New England Offensive Coordinator, Charlie Weis.
The offense that made Brady Quinn a successful quarterback in Notre Dame is strikingly similar to the offense used by Josh McDaniels. As long as Denver straightens out the situation with receiver Brandon Marshall by either retaining him long term or move him in a trade and draft another top flight receiver. McDaniels runs a creative scheme that focuses on high percentage passes that spread a defense out before unleashing the big play. Quinn has the intangibles and ability to thrive in their scheme as long as the talent and committment is made to develop his skills.
Denver came out victorious after the trade but Clevland did receive some fair compensation in return. Clevland acquired fullback/running back Peyton Hillis, who is only two years removed from making waves for his big plays in Mike Shanahan's offense. Hillis gives Clevland a power pack who is capable of pairing up with the smaller,gifted Jerome Harrison. He also provides a weapon out of the backfield who is capable of being used at H-back, Tight end, and some receiver. He provides versatility and size to the position that supplants the loss of the aging, Jamal Lewis. Clevland has also gets an extra draft pick in 2010 and a conditional pick in 2011 which could be huge depending on how successful Quinn's move to Denver pans out.
Many football experts and Browns fans feel that Brady Quinn is a bust and someone who cost the organization the opporunity to fill other needs. In Quinn's defense, Denver gets a QB who has more potential than many quarterbacks coming out in the approaching draft and was never given the opportunity to thrive or properly develop because of the Browns inability to decide on a starting QB and maintain the committment. This move may not seem like anything to write home about but when the 2010 season begins Denver could find itself guilty of grand theft if Brady Quinn thrives.
The deal marks a smart move for the Denver Broncos because of the uncertainty surrounding RFA(restricted free agent) quarterback, Kyle Orton. Orton had a productive season under the guidance of Josh McDaniels but he has yet to prove he can be a franchise QB in a league where the passing game increasingly determines the outcome for many teams. Brady Quinn has the potential and familiarity with Denver's offensive scheme to be successful. Quinn played in a pro-style offense for former New England Offensive Coordinator, Charlie Weis.
The offense that made Brady Quinn a successful quarterback in Notre Dame is strikingly similar to the offense used by Josh McDaniels. As long as Denver straightens out the situation with receiver Brandon Marshall by either retaining him long term or move him in a trade and draft another top flight receiver. McDaniels runs a creative scheme that focuses on high percentage passes that spread a defense out before unleashing the big play. Quinn has the intangibles and ability to thrive in their scheme as long as the talent and committment is made to develop his skills.
Denver came out victorious after the trade but Clevland did receive some fair compensation in return. Clevland acquired fullback/running back Peyton Hillis, who is only two years removed from making waves for his big plays in Mike Shanahan's offense. Hillis gives Clevland a power pack who is capable of pairing up with the smaller,gifted Jerome Harrison. He also provides a weapon out of the backfield who is capable of being used at H-back, Tight end, and some receiver. He provides versatility and size to the position that supplants the loss of the aging, Jamal Lewis. Clevland has also gets an extra draft pick in 2010 and a conditional pick in 2011 which could be huge depending on how successful Quinn's move to Denver pans out.
Many football experts and Browns fans feel that Brady Quinn is a bust and someone who cost the organization the opporunity to fill other needs. In Quinn's defense, Denver gets a QB who has more potential than many quarterbacks coming out in the approaching draft and was never given the opportunity to thrive or properly develop because of the Browns inability to decide on a starting QB and maintain the committment. This move may not seem like anything to write home about but when the 2010 season begins Denver could find itself guilty of grand theft if Brady Quinn thrives.
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