Assessing Possibilities: Clint Sintim

As we all know, Miami needs a quality rusher on the opposite side of Joey Porter. I think that they will address this early in the draft, in hopes of strengthening the defense for the upcoming season.

Clint Sintim, OLB, 6-3 256lbs.
40 Time: 4.82/ Vertical: 34 1/2

- 2008 Second Team All-ACC.

Sintim is the prototypical rush linebacker out of a 3-4 system. He has unbelievable burst up the field and great closing speed. He's quick at the point of attack, and can wrap up the "run you over" type backs.

Sintim is a heavy hitter. He loves to get the big hits, create plays, and cause turnovers. He doesn't get manhandled by tackles, and often sheds the block and gets to the quarterback. He can hold fullbacks in spot and create a pile that stops the running game. He is monsterously strong. He has long arms and huge hands, and will securely make tackles.

Sintim can occasionally play the Defensive End spot, although I don't expect to see him in that position very much in the NFL.

More importantly, Sintim is intelligent. He understands the 3-4 since he has played it for four years in college. He was a vocal leader at Virginia, and with some time under his belt will do the same in the pros. He is extremely coachable, and is always ready to play the game. At Virginia, he was always one of the first in and one of the last out.

Sintim's weakness, much like many other linebackers coming out of college, is to predict how the speed of the NFL will affect his game. Sintim is not extremely fast, and although he can handle a tight end in pass coverage, at times, he can also get beat. This goes hand in hand with his inability to block passes, be it at the line or in open space.

Sintim's negatives are somewhat coachable. His coverage abilities can improve, although his 40 time must improve to be efficient against the much faster NFL players.

It certainly seems as though Sintim will be a great situational OLB right off the bat, and can develop into an above average OLB in the future with the proper coaching. I certainly doubt that he will not be successful in the NFL.

Overall: I think he would fit great in Miami. He understands the 3-4, and he has a hell of a OLB in Miami right now (JP) to mentor him and teach him how to best play the position. I think he has star potential if developed properly, and through some effort of his own working in pass coverage.

Assessing Possibilities: Mike Mickens

A couple of days ago we looked at LB/DE hybrid Nick Reed, and how, for a 7th round pick possibility, he may become a true contributor of an NFL football team who may dedicate some time to develop him.

Today I wanted to focus on what I consider will be a sleeper at the position which Miami needs to fill the most in the coming draft.

Mike Mickens, CB, 6-0 184lbs.
40 Time: 4.53/ Vertical: 35 1/2

- First team All-Big East 2006
- Second team All-Big East 2008

Mickens was a dominant corner for most of his career at Cincinnati. He is a great athlete with a nose for the football. He can run with the best of them. His 4.53 40 time during his pro day was with him at 85% back from arthroscopic surgery, and had he been 100% he would definitely have been in the low 4.4's. Mickens plays tougher than he looks, and is not afraid to tackle the ball carrier.

He has a nose for the football, and is a playmaker. He has above average hands for a cornerback, and is a natural when the ball is in his hands. He has a second wind, and possesses the speed to make up for any mistakes. He is the type of cover corner that can blanket a receiver. He's as close to a ballhawk as you get for a corner. His burst to the football causes QB's to hesitate when throwing to his side. He has a second gear if the opposing Wideout tries to go deep on him.

At Cincinnati, Mickens improved every year. He is very coachable and is very confident in his abilities. He has played a variety of defensive schemes, and understands and excels in all of them. He was extremely good in a zone scheme where there is heavy blitzing, and in cover 2 with a safety shading him. This allows him to take more risks and make more plays.

Possible negatives with Mickens are that he plays with huge attitude, and although that may be great, he will draw penalties from time to time, and will get called for holding beyond 5 yards in press coverage every once in a while. Mickens's size gives him trouble when he attempts to come off blocks to make plays in the running game. His tackling technique is flawed, as he leads with his shoulder rather than arm wrap the ball carrier.

Mickens is the type of cover corner who has both the tangibles and intangibles to translate his skills effectively into the NFL game. He is a high motor, no quit guy, who's very dedicated to being successful. With the proper coaching and the right players around him, Mickens can develop his skills and become a very good corner in the National Football League.

Overall: I like Mike Mickens to come into the NFL and possibly steal the nickel or dime spot from anyone on any team. With Miami's thin depth at corner, I feel he can come in and possible take the nickel spot right away, and may have a legitimate shot at the number 2 spot by the second half of the year. His draft position may have taken a hit due to his injury, but judging by what he managed to do at the Cincinnati pro day at only 85% I think he'd be worth the pick if he fell into the fourth round.

Assessing Possibilities: Nick Reed

We have established a 7 rd. layout of more or less what the Dolphins draft may look like, and we know that late in the draft they may be targeting a project hybrid defensive end/linebacker. Reed makes sense to fill this role for the Miami Dolphins.

In order to give a more accurate scouting report, I contacted Jeremy Conant from a great Ducks blog, Addicted to Quack, and he provided me with a great deal of information on Nick Reed and how he may or may not project to the NFL.

Nick Reed, DE/LB Hybrid, 6-1 248lbs.
At the Oregon Pro Day: 40 Time: 4.71/ Bench Press: 24

- Two-time Pac-10 leader in sacks (despite usually facing the opposition's best offensive tackle)
- First-team All-Pac-10 his junior and senior year
- First-team All-American for the 2008-09 season
- Two-time Academic All-American

Jeremy had this to say:

What we saw at Oregon was a good athlete with tremendous instincts and a knack for making big plays. Reed is fast. More importantly, he has a very quick burst at the snap - that is where he usually gains an advantage in his pass rush. Can he be a run stopper in the NFL? That's the million dollar question.

The motor is there, the intangibles are mostly in his favor. Reed plays with high intensity and, at Oregon, was a vocal leader on defense. It's a long-shot that Reed is the next Tedy Bruschi, but if some NFL team is smart enough to invest in his development it's not out of the question. Early on Reed would be a beast on special teams.

If Reed would have been invited to the combine at Indianapolis, Reed would have been very close to some of the top linebacker prospects in the draft. His 40 time was faster than Ray Maualuga (4.83), Brian Cushing (4.79). His bench press would have also been higher than Maualuga and Laurinitis, and "his cone and shuttle drills would have been within hundreths of a second if Laurinitis and Cushing."

In response to some of the questions I asked, Jeremy adds:

I don't recall seeing Reed in pass coverage, so I can't speak to that. That has to be a real question mark with the pro scouts. My gut tells me pass coverage would have to be an immediate focus area for Reed if he's to play inside linebacker. I believe he would be an effective situational blitzer. As a two-time Academic All-American, Reed should not have issues grasping an NFL playbook. I don't recall any compaints regarding his coachability or pressence in the locker room. I don't recall any off-the-field issues during his years at Oregon.

Bottom line with Nick Reed: He's just a great football player. He's the quintessential overachiever who's desire to succeed will overcome just about any obstacle. It would be a surprise to me and many other Duck fans if he doesn't make an NFL roster as a back-up linebacker, possibly contributing immediately on special teams.

I for one would not be at all oppossed to drafting Nick Reed with a 7th round pick and giving him a shot at making the team. With the great coaching staff down here at Miami, he may just become the next Tedy Bruschi, as much as I dislike him and his patsies!!.

I want to thank Jeremy for his thoughts on Nick Reed. I encourage all you Duck fans to drop by and add your thoughts about Nick Reed, and how you think he will fit not only in the NFL, but in Miami's 3-4 defense.

Dolphins sign Punter

The Miami Dolphins have signed punter Jy Bond from Australia. This possibly means that they aren't satisfied with the inconsistencies that Fields has brought, and are looking for someone to push him for his job or possibly even replace him.

Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0

The NFL Draft is 11 days away!! It's becoming quite a difficult task for me to sit straight in my chair, but while I try to hold that under control, I will drop my Dolphins Mock Draft 1.0.

This draft may change a couple of times in the coming days since the week before the draft gets extremely hectic when it comes to players value shooting up and down.

• 1st rd. (25th Overall)- With the 25th Pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois. As I've made clear before, I strongly believe that if Miami (who owns the toughest schedule in the NFL) is to at all come close to competing this season, they need to cover the hole they have in their secondary. Davis is the best corner in the draft and can likely take over Miami's number 1 corner spot by the second half of the year. That said, he may as well not be available at the 25 slot. If that's the case, I imagine Miami will look at Darius Butler or Sean Smith. I highly doubt Miami will draft outside the corner position in this slot in the draft. It is more likely they trade down.

• 2nd rd. (44th Overall)- With the 44th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select WR, Hakeem Nicks, UNC. First and foremost let me establish that I think he will be the perfect complement to Teddy Ginn. He's not as fast, so he doesn't post the deep threat, but he is your dream possession receiver, and a great blocker. He will help Miami's pass and run offense immensely. Like Davis, it is extremely possible that he may have been drafted by the 44th pick, and if that's the case, then I don't believe Miami will draft WR. I imagine they may be looking for an OLB, where the likes of Larry English, Clint Sintim, or even Worrell Williams.

• 2nd rd. (56th Overall)- With the 56th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select OLB, Clint Sintim, Virginia. This pick is very dependant on how high Tuna and his front office are on Cameron Wake. If they feel he's a project, they'll take an OLB early. Sintim has played the 3-4 in college and been successful, and will be used in the same slot he was in college if drafted by Miami. He will rush opposite Porter. My only issue with him is his pass coverage skills. If Miami happens to be high on Wake, and believe he's ready to play (who am I to argue with Parcells and his track record), then I can see Miami going after another corner to shore up that passing game once and for all. Possible targets might be Alphonso Smith or DJ Moore.

• 3rd rd. (87th Overall)- With the 87th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select OT, Jamon Meredith, South Carolina. Miami has 2 great left tackles. This is not necessarily a position of need, rather a position of want. If Carey or Long go down, Miami has no insurance. Drafting Meredith will not only provide insurance, but in the 3rd rd, he may as well be one of the better players available, and he'll be able to spell the Tackles from time to time. I doubt Miami will draft another WR, or a NT here, and if my assumptions are correct, and if they go corner twice with the first three picks, it won't happen again here. Other possibilities may be Jarius Byrd if they don't draft a corner in rd. 2 or another tackle, Fenuki Tupou, Lawrence Sidbury.
  

• 4th rd. (108th Overall)- With the 108th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select CB, Mike Mickens, Cincinnati. Mickens is a true cover corner who possesses the raw skills necessary to become a legit star in the NFL. He has the height and weight that Parcells likes, and his negatives can be fixed through coaching. Assuming Miami does not go corner twice on day one, they'll be taking a corner with this pick. Other options might be CB Greg Toler, NT Sammie Lee Hill.

• 5th rd. (161 Overall)- With the 161st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select NT, Terrence Taylor, Michigan. Taylor was once a first round prospect who struggled along with everyone else at Michigan last year. He lacks a bit in height, but his shape and conditioning will be fixed once he goes pro. He will be a legitimate run stopper in the NFL. Other possibilities here may include ILB Frantz Joseph.
  

• 6th rd. (181 Overall)- With the 181st pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select SS, Otis Wiley, Michigan State. This is basically and insurance pick. Bell is 32 years ol and has an extensive injury history. He managed to keep it together last year, but it never hurts to have someone who can come in and perform in his place were something to happen. If not, a safety to groom. Other Possibilities may include C Dallas Reynolds, ILB Dannell Ellerbe.

• 7th rd. (214 Overall)- With the 214th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select ILB, Nick Reed, Oregon. Reed will more than likely not compete for a starting job, but he'll be a project. Has great work ethic, and may make the team on special teams. At this point in the draft, Miami might be drafting for the best player available.

• 7th rd. (237th Overall)- With the 237th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select OG/OT George Bussey, Louisville. This pick will provide Miami with versatility depth at the O-line. He's also a player who has been injury free throughout college, and has trememndous upside if coached well (which he will be) in the pros. Again, there may be a ton of other options at this point in the draft.

Well, there it is, the 7 round Dolphins Mock Draft. Feel free to comment on what you would change or not.

Dolphins 2009 Schedule

The Miami Dolphins have officially been screwed by the Patriot loving NFL employees and schedule makers. The new schedule looks like this:

Week 1- @ Atlanta
Week 2- Indianapolis
Week 3- @ San Diego
Week 4- Buffalo
Week 5- NY Jets
Week 6- Bye
Week 7- Saints
Week 8- @ NY Jets
Week 9- @ New England
Week 10- Tampa Bay
Week 11- @ Carolina
Week 12- @ Buffalo
Week 13- Patriots
Week 14- @ Jacksonville
Week 15- @ Tennessee
Week 16- Houston
Week 17- Pittsburgh

Analysis:
The first 3 games are against non-division teams. Sadly, all these teams had a winning record last season, and all made the playoffs. You can argue that San Diego had a down year with LT injured and will be much more dominant this year with LT back to full health. At the same time, you can argue that Indianapolis lost a future Hall of Fame coach, and may struggle to adapt to a new system both offensively and defensively, but there's only so much struggling Peyton Manning can do. Atlanta on the other hand is a team that like Miami, had an unexpectedly great season and will only get better with Ryan at the helm.

(Hopeful) Predictions for first 3 games:
Week 1- Win over Atlanta
Week 2- Loss against Indianapolis
Week 3- Win over San Diego

If this is the case after the first three games, it will be a successful start to the season.

Weeks 4 and 5 are against Division rivals, making these games fairly important.

Week 4, we play the Bills, whom have arguably added another WR to burn our secondary. T.O. may bring a ton of issues into the locker room, but when he steps on the field, he's a great WR. In addition, Evans tends to have great games against the Miami secondary, a secondary which may have more holes this year than it did last year entering the season thus far. Nonetheless, I think that between Sparano on the sidelines, and CP10 leading us on the field, Miami will manage the clock and beat Buffalo.

Week 5, we play the... ugh... the Jets... New QB, New Coach, new systems. Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT want to underestimate this team, but I just don't see them being ultra competitive this year. The... ugh... Jets.. (get the theme..)will be playing wholeheartedly during week 5, and any team can beat any team on any giving week, except the 2008 Detroit Lions, ask our very own 2007 Dolphins. So it's important to maintain focus, but the Jets won't be ready just yet, and Miami should prevail.

(Hopeful) Predictions for Week 4/5/6
Week 4- Win over Buffalo
Week 5- Win over NY Jets
Week 6- Bye

Now, this is not bad at all, this sets us up with a 4-1 record through the first 5 games of the season.

Week 7 is against the Saints, who's pass heavy offense led by the magnificent Drew Brees will be too much for Miami's secondary, whether or not they draft a corner or even two. The Saints have too many offensive weapons, and if healthy, Miami's defense will be too vulnerable.

Week 8/9 Jets again, same result. Then the NFL's bride to be, the New England Patriots. They'll have Brady back. Welker, Moss, Maroney healthy, Galloway, and their million weapons... god I hate em all... At this point in the season, this may be the make or break game for Miami in contention of the AFC crown. Unfortunately, I have Miami suffering the loss to a healthy (key) Patriots team.

(Hopeful) Predictions for Weeks 7-9
Week 7- Loss to Saints
Week 8- Win over Jets
Week 9- Loss to Patriots

Now that puts us at 5-3 for the year, and considering we hold the NFL's toughest schedule, I would not be quite dissapointed. Specially if we are in a nice position to make the playoffs.

Week 10/11/12 are not extremely difficult weeks. We face Tampa Bay, who failed the playoffs last year because they choked real bad at the end of last season. They'll have a new coach, a new offense/defense and a new coaching approach. They'll have a new QB, no Joey Galloway, and a heavily aged defense who will no longer be capable of completely dominating like they used to a couple years back.

We also face Carolina. Carolina can be explosive between DeAngelo Williams and Steve Smith, but they have many injury issues year in and year out. If they're healthy, they'll be tough to beat.

Week 12 we face Buffalo and their dual WR threats. This time, they'll be victorious, playing at home, likely by that time, winter kicking in, and Miami not used to playing in those conditions.

(Hopeful) Predictions for weeks 10-12
Week 10- Win over TB
Week 11- Loss to Panthers
Week 12- Loss to Buffalo

Week 13 is against New England, and they usually split the season series, so I'll give this one to Miami.

Week 14 is against Jacksonville. Jacksonville has dropped Taylor, so Jones-Drew now has all the workload. They also have a QB competition working up since Garrard had such a down year. The defense has lost its dominance from 3 years back. They're in rebuilding mode whether they like it or not, and Miami should handle them without much of a problem.

Week 15 is the complete opposite. So the Titans lost Haynesworth. They remain one of the more dominant teams in football and if Collins falters, Young is healthy and will likely be more than ready to take over.

(Hopeful) Predictions for weeks 13-15
Week 13- Win over Pats
Week 14- Win over Jags
Week 15- Loss to Titans

So Miami, with the toughest NFL schedule holds in their hands, at 8-6 a shot at controlling their own destiny.

Week 16 is against Miami's kryptonite, Houston, and this year, the kryptonite expires, and Miami will win. A couple of Miami's losses to Houston have been simply because of underestimating them and because its been early, so CP10 wasn't full on understanding of the playbook. During week 16, an important week because of the playoff race, Miami takes Houston, by a wide margin.

Week 17 on the other hand is against possibly the best defense in football, and an offense that can on get steadier. Pittsburgh should easily handle Miami.

(Hopeful) Predictions for week 16-17
Week 16- Win over Houston
Week 17- Loss to Pitts

So Overall, that gives Miami a 9-7 record.

Will that make the playoffs? Possibly, possibly not, the Pats missed it with an 11-5 record last year.

My point is, screw the schedule, lets face these teams with the Heart of a Champion... stare them in the face, don't back down, and if we go down, go down fighting!!! Let that be the theme for our season!

NFL Releases 2009 Schedule Tonight

At 7 pm eastern time tonight, the National Football League will release the 2009 Season's Schedule for every team. That includes our Miami Dolphins.

Until now, we know that our preseason games will consist of games against the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The New Orleans Saints, and The Jacksonville Jaguars.

We also know the 16 teams that we will be playing throughout the 2009 season, and we know which ones will be at home and which ones will be away.

Tonight though, we will know our schedule, when we are home, when we are away, and from this we will obviously go into speculation about how it will affect us throughout the season, because it's what we do!

NFL Draft

As we all know, the NFL Draft is quickly approaching us. I'm sure that all you avid bloggers have been researching about the possibilities of Miami drafting the player whose bandwagon you ride, but lets take a close look at what Miami really needs in the upcoming draft.

Coming into the offseason, prior to free agency, Miami's major needs were quite different than the ones they have now heading into the draft. The front office (whom I trust wholeheartedly) has addressed the offensive line with the re-signing of Vernon Carey and the signing of Jake Grove to a 5 year $29.5 million contract. They have also addressed the safety slots with the re-signing of Yeremiah Bell and the major splash signing of Gibril Wilson to a 5 year, $27.5 million deal.

In addition to these signings, they have brought in depth with the likes of CB Eric Green, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, Cameron Wake, formerly of the CFL (and looks like he will be a stud player), Joe Berger, formerly of Dallas, and a few others.

Heading into the draft, Miami's major needs look like this:

CB, OLB, WR, NT, OL

Cornerback:
Miami has a huge hole at Corner, where the only true quality starter is Will Allen. As of now, it's going to be Jason Allen starting opposite him. Although this is a bloom or bust year for Allen, he defenitely is ready to cover the pass heavy offenses in the AFC, with the likes of Randy Moss and the newly arrived Terrell Owens. Our Nickel corner would be Joey Thomas, and to be quite honest, I don't even want him on the field. With that said, the secondary is by far Miami's most glaring hole, and one that needs to be heavily emphasized in the draft. I would assume that Miami will use their first and possibly another first day pick at this position.

Possibilities in the draft include the likes of Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, Sean Smith, Alphonso Smith and sleeper candidate Victor "Macho" Harris.

Outside Linebacker:
Miami's pass rush last year came from one side, from one man. Joey Porter. 17.5 sacks came from him and he was the only real threat to get to the QB. Defenses gameplanned, and managed to hold him up fairly well towards the latter part of the season. That said, Miami needs an OLB who can rush the passer, control the running game, and pass cover when the rush is from the other side. As of now, it's looking like Cameron Wake may get the chance to start opposite JP, but that's not a guarantee at success in the NFL.

It is likely that Miami won't draft a LB until their first pick of the 2nd round (44) since their major need is corner. Specially if Davis is available at 25. Regardless, I believe that the top OLB (Cushing, Curry, Maybin, Mathews) will be gone by the 25th pick.

Possibilities in the draft include Larry English, Clint Sintim, Connor Barwin, Cody Brown.

Wide Receiver:
Miami will almost certainly draft a wide receiver in the upcoming draft. The offense lacks a true wide receiver, as Teddy Ginn never developed into one, and looks as though he won't be doing so any time soon. Miami's WR group is not a bad one, but it none of the ones it has pose a real threat to any defense. As of now, it looks like Ginn is the #1 wideout, with Camarillo, Bess as the 2/3. Brandon London is a likely possibility to make the squad as the 5th wideout. (Not to mention I truly despise Ernest Wilford).

More than likely, Crabtree, Maclin, Heywerd-Bey, and Harvin will be off the board (Although Harvin's stock keeps falling due to the drug reports). That means that with the 44th or 56th pick, Miami may be able to grad someone like Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, or Brian Robiskie (Ginn's former teammate).

Nose Tackle:
Miami is running the 3-4 for its second year under the new staff. Currently on the roster as the Miami NT is Jason Ferguson. He is great at it too, when he's healthy. That's a big IF though, and Miami needs to bring someone in to give Jason breathing time during games. Paul Soliai is huge, and can defenitely fill the space, but he's not the tree stump we need, as he gets pushed back alot and often.

The 3rd or 4th round might be ideal for Miami to pick up a NT in the draft. At that time, Miami may find someone like Ron Brace (May need to drop a little for Miami to get him in the 3rd), or Terrence Taylor. Outside of those, I wouldn't see Miami throwing a pick in the way of this position.

Offensive Line:
Depthis sorely needed amongst the Offensive Line. Donald Thomas is coming off an injury and so is Justin Smiley. Miami has 2 outstanding tackles in Long and Carey, and a promising center for their line scheme with Grove. Outside of that, nothing. Berger can be a decent back up for the Center position, and maybe the guards. Miami traded Satele who was an above average backup.
This position must be addressed late in the draft, possibly twice.

Who would you like to see Miami draft in day one??