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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Jason Taylor and Other News

It appears that Miami is in negotiations with Jason Taylor. It also appears that they aren't the only team interested. I figured this might happen, and would love to have Jason back in a Miami uniform.

That said, the newly drafted Miami Dolphins have requested the numbers for their uniforms for the 2009 campaign. I was really pulling to have receivers wearing numbers in the 90's, but none chose any of those numbers. Here are what they chose:

Pat White - 6
Vontae Davis - 24
Chris Clemons - 30
Sean Smith - 31
J.D. Folsom - 59
Andrew Gardner - 63
Brian Hartline - 82
Patrick Turner - 84
John Nalbone - 86

These numbers aren't yet official, but it's important to have an idea of what they are for when camp comes around. This way, if any of you attend, you can spot who's who.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Dolphins Release John Beck

In an inevitable end to a relationship that never really had a chance, the Miami Dolphins release John Beck.

General Manager Jeff Ireland had this to say:


"We want to thank John for his work ethic and his professionalism, We wish him well in the future."


I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors, and thank him for his time as a Miami Dolphin.

Monday, April 27, 2009

UDFA Signings

It looks like Miami hit the phones quickly after the draft was over, and began signing some undrafted prospects they may have been eyeing.

Although it is not official, NE Patriots Draft has a list updating all the signings and by whom.

As of now, the Dolphins have "unofficially" signed TE Jared Bronson (Central Washington), OG Mark Lewis (Oregon), DE Ryan Baker (Purdue), LB Orion Martin (Virginia Tech), WR Chris Williams (New Mexico St.), OC Alex Derenthal (Temple), WR Brennan Marion (Tulsa).

Other Notables signed already are:
LB Antonio Appleby (Virginia)- Patriots
LB Darry Beckwith (LSU)- Chargers
LB Frantz Joseph (Florida Atlantic)- Raiders
DT Chris Baker (Hampton)- Broncos
LB Lee Robinson (Alcorn St)- Broncos
LB Dannell Ellerbe (Georgia)- Ravens
S Otis Wiley (Mich State)- Giants
LB Dallas Reynolds (BYU)- Eagles
WR Kevin Ogletree (Virginia)- Cowboys
OT Alex Boone (Ohio State)- 49ers
OG Cedric Dockery (Texas)- Saints

More updates will come as they become available.

Grading the Phins Draft

The long awaited draft weekend has ended, and after much speculation about nothing, we now know who the new Miami Dolphins are. Parcells, Ireland and Sparano went into the draft with the plan of attacking Miami's needs. Their draft strategy was simple, there is quality in quantities. While I trust this regime wholeheartedly, I disagree with some of the picks. Then again, I don't get paid millions of dollars to draft for any NFL franchise.

Entering the draft, Miami's biggest needs as analyzed by most were CB, WR, OLB, and NT. It's safe to say Miami addressed these needs, although not necessarily in the way that most of us wanted or predicted.

Miami had a weak secondary entering this draft. They addressed the cornerback position with not one but two stud players at the cornerback position. With their 25th pick, they drafted Vontae Davis, who has the best physical tools of any corner to come out of college in the past three years. They also drafted Seasn Smith with their 61st pick in the draft. Smith could be considered a steal, as many many mock drafts had him going in the first round. In addition, in the 5th round, Miami drafted FS Chris Clemons. Clemons is going to ensure that the safety position remains covered throughout the season. He was probably the best pick the Phins made in day 2.

The second position of weakness was wide receiver. It would be unreal to say that it wasn't addressed, because it was. Now, do I think that it was addressed properly? NO!! The Dolphins obviously could not have known or avoided the wide receiver run that took place during the late first round to the early second round. That run wiped Nicks, Britt, and Robiskie, and the other top receivers where gone since before the 25th pick. Since they couldn't take any of those receivers, they took back to back receivers in the 3rd and 4th rounds. That though, is not even what I criticize. I criticize who they took with those picks. The Dolphins took Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline. Now, I've done much scouting and analyzing of this draft, and I can honestly say that those guys would have easily been there during the 6th and maybe even the 7th round.

The third position of need, Outside Linebacker, was addressed in the 7th round. Yeah, the 7th round... I can't believe it either. Even more surprising, when the 7th round came along, I was surprised at the remaining prospects, and dared to get excited. Hell, Beckwith was there, so was Worrell Williams.. but noooo, they took JD Folsom... who??

The fourth position of need... wait, need? The front office doesn't seem to think so.

On the bright side, although I initially didn't like the pick, the Dolphins drafted Pat White. Now, after thinking alot about this pick, White might just be a great addition. He's going to play some Wide receiver, return some kicks, and take somewhere around 7-10 snaps at QB per game. That's not bad, especially if he becomes a successful utility player in the NFL, ala Antwaan Randle El.

Another couple of great picks were Chris Clemons and John Nalbone. Clemons addressed not only our future at safety but insurance at a poosition that lacked it. Nalbone is also not only insurance at the Tight end position, but someone whom the trifecta will groom, and now it doesn't force them to sign any of our two free agent tight ends next offseason if this kid comes along.

Overall, Miami's draft was not great, but it can be if just the two corners we selected pan out. We really don't know how well this draft really goes until 2-3 years down the line, and so, grading the teams picks, specially right now after having seen the players play ZERO NFL games, is pointless, but I'll do it anyways. My final grade for the Miami Dolphins 2009 NFL Draft is: C

Sunday, April 26, 2009

2009 NFL Draft: Day 2

So we're done? Yes we're done! Day 2 had its ups and downs as a fins fan and someone who considers themselves somewhat knowledgeable about football, college football, and all the processes involved with both sports.

- Dolphins open the day by drafting 2 wide receivers, both of whom I haven't heard much of, while other "better" receivers according to experts were still on the board. Initially, I was disappointed, but after seeing that Patrick Turner caught 49 passes for 749 yards and 10 touchdowns for USC last season, I'm a bit more relieved. Brian Hartline will not be any more than a 4th receiver at the NFL level in my opinion, but he may be a great gunner in special teams.

- In the 5th round they went on to draft John Nalbone, TE from Monmouth. This guy was the beginning of a nice set of picks by Miami. Nalbone ranked in the top 5 in all his measurables as a tight end except his vertical. He is a cheap man's Pettigrew.

- Also in the 5th round, Miami addressed the secondary yet again in this draft by bringing to Miami the future at safety, Chris Clemons. Clemons won't be starting this year since we have two brilliant safeties, but he'll have a couple good players to learn from, and he can spell them every once in a while, or become a decent back up if one of them goes down.

- In the 6th round, Miami drafted Andrew Gardner, OT from Georgia Tech. This pick is more likely a project that anything else. Gardner has to be a quick tackle to have started at GT where they run the option a while lot. I don't think he will represent much more than a 3rd string tackle in Miami this season.

- With what became their last pick in the draft, Miami picked J.D. Folsom. Folsom is a linebacker from a small school who has the size that Parcells and company love. I dislike this pick simply because there were much better linebackers on the board that could have been drafted and likely actually pushed for a roster spot.

Overall: I liked just a couple of picks today, and felt like all the others were either reaches, or just didn't fit overall. I hope I'm wrong, I hope the picks pan out. Today though, I grade the dolphins with a D.

NFL Draft Live Thread: Day 2

Today we continue rounds 3-7 in the draft. In case you were not around yesterday, and haven't had a chance to check who our new Baby Phins are, Miami drafted Vontae Davis, Pat White, and Sean Smith yesterday.

Today, Miami enters the day with the following 7 picks:
23rd pick in the 3rd rd, 87th Overall
8th pick in the 4th rd, 108th Overall
25th pick in the 5th rd, 161st Overall
29th pick in the 5th rd, 165th Overall
8th pick in the 6th rd, 181st Overall
5th pick in the 7th rd, 214th Overall
28th pick in the 7th rd, 237th Overall

Lets Hope they make the best of it!

Again, like yesterday, I encourage you to drop by and give you opinions about the draft. I'm checking on an often basis, and will respond to any of your comments. Updates will come as the draft goes on and Miami makes their picks, similar to yesterday's style.

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With the 87th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Patrick Turner, WR, USC. There were other receiver options I liked more, and other options in general that I feel were better. This, I think, was not a good pick.

With the 108th pick in the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Brian Hartline, WR, Ohio St. Looks like Miami is addressing the need positions quite heavily. The positive to this is that you can only miss so much, so maybe they can hit on atleast one of these guys and find a number 1 receiver as a late round gem.

With the 161st pick in the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select John Nalbone, TE, Monmouth. Good pick here. The kid's measurables rank amongst the top tight ends in the draft, and may be a real sleeper at the position. Considering Miami has 2 of their 3 TE's as free agents next offseason, this is a great pick.

With the 165th pick in the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Chris Clemons, S, Clemson. I like this pick as well. I think he would have gone earlier, and he provides not only someone to learn from our good safeties, but someone to spell them and as depth at the position in case one of them gets injured.

With the 181st pick in the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Andrew Gardner, OT, Georgia Tech. Not a horrible pick. Provides the depth needed at tackle and considering that GT runs the option, he must be mobile enough to play the position.

With the 214th pick in the NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select J.D. Folsom, OLB, Weber State. This pick addresses the OLB position, although not with an elite pass rusher as everyone expect before the draft.

The Dolphins trade their 237th pick to the Kansas City Chiefs. KC will give the Dolphins "consideration" in next years draft.