NFL Team Needs-Miami Dolphins
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2008 Miami Dolphins Team Needs
Defensive Tackle: The Dolphins finished in last place in terms of run defense in 2007, which means their interior defense is a clear need that must be addressed in the draft. Miami could also use some help on the edge as they were only able to sack opposing quarterbacks 30 times last season. Look for the Dolphins to draft some space eaters to free up their linebackers as well as a speed rusher to line up opposite Jason Taylor.
Wide Receiver: Last season, Chris Chambers was traded out of Miami, and Marty Booker signed with the Bears in the off-season. The Dolphins devoted a first round pick in 2007 to Ted Ginn Jr., but he was very inconsistent in his rookie campaign. Miami will likely look to draft another wideout early in the draft this year.
Quarterback: Trent Green and Cleo Lemon have left town, and John Beck is entering just his second pro season. In 2007, Beck did not look like he was ready for the NFL when he saw action. The Dolphins did bring in Josh McCown as a serviceable option, but they figure to draft a young arm to provide some competition behind center.
Tight End: David Martin has failed to be able to stretch the field, which is an attribute that Bill Parcells covets in a tight end. Parcells drafted a couple tight ends in the early rounds when he was coaching the Dallas Cowboys, so it would not come as a shock if he has Miami select one this year.
Draft Candidates: QB Matt Ryan, QB, Chad Henne, Michigan, WR Andre Caldwell, Florida, WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State, TE Brad Cottam, Tennessee, DE Chris Long, Virginia, DE Kendall Langford, Hampton, DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina, DT Red Bryant, Texas A&M
13 Comments on this post
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jon said:
Was this written a month ago? The Dolphins signed two D-Tackles in free agency and committeed a bunch of millions between the two. The team has lots and lots of needs, but that is no longer one of them.
Their number one need is offensive line. Going into the draft they are looking for more than just upgrades, they need actual bodies at one O-tackle and one O-guard spot. Barring trades, that probably means one of each of those taken in their first four picks (they have the first, two seconds, and the first pick in the third).
And the listed candidates don’t include Jake Long, who is senerally considered the 2nd most likely person taken with the first pick (after the other Long).
And while I am at it — a cornerback is more likley to be taken with one of their first four or five picks as a WR or QB and about as likely as a TE.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:12 am -
FrankieG said:
Dr. U, huh?
What does U stand for? Uneducated? U are obviously not qualified to be writing about football. (U)nless you wrote this back in January, you could possibly be the stupidest football blogger I’ve ever read. U have been exposed as a quack, it took the Dolphins’ draft needs to do it but U have been exposed.
The Dolphins lost 3/5ths of their starting offensive line in Free Agency and let go of their top 3 backups. They signed Justin Smiley to play guard but that leaves them with just one (1) guy that played tackle last year and no left tackle at all. Vernon Carey played there last year and failed. He has said he’d much rather be on the right side. The fins will pick a tackle on the first day along with DE/OLB that fits a 3/4 scheme. They targeted two such guys in Free Agency that didn’t pan out including Calvin Pace who ended up with division rival NY Jets.
Are U an idiot?April 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am -
FrankieG said:
The first comment by Jon is right on about DT. They traded and signed guys already during the off-season to fill that need. U don’t go out and make moves to acquire depth at a position and then go out and use a first day pick on the same position. Especially with as many needs as the fins have.
And “Parcells” likes TE’s that can stretch the field”? Are U kidding me. Jason Witten, Kyle Brady and Mark Bavaro hardly stretch the field. They are big guys that can block and catch the 10-yard-in route and break a tackle or two.
Dang U, U need to do some research before you post.April 1st, 2008 at 10:20 am -
Dr U said:
Frankie,
I love your enthusiasm. The “U” can’t stand for Uneducated, because you just educated me. I kept waiting for you to throw more “U” references in your comments. I thought they were humorous.
That being said, I certainly don’t want you to view this site as a lousy resource. I post these articles made especially for passionate football fans like yourself.
I do keep an eye on the free agency activity before the reports get published. I just don’t happen to share the same opinion as you and perhaps Jon. I know the Dolphins have brought in some help at defensive line, but I subscribe to the theory that if you finish 1-15, and you have the last place run defense, it takes more than just a couple signings to fix the problems.
When Parcells became the coach of Dallas, he looked to fix the team from the inside out, so he drafted defensive linemen, i.e. Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.
I actually should have written their draft need to read defensive tackle/defensive end, because I did outline the fact that I believe they need to draft a rush end to lineup opposite Jason Taylor.
As far as the tight ends, Bavaro was back in an era where teams were more run oriented offense. We are in a new era where teams run spread offenses and two tight end sets. I am not sure why you don’t feel Witten can stretch the field, but Dallas would constantly run Witten in the deep middle to free up T.O. either on sideline routes, or to run underneath routes in the middle that was left free by Witten.
Thank you for your comments (Frankie and Jon),
DR U
April 1st, 2008 at 9:13 pm -
FrankieG said:
I’m glad you thought the U comments were humorous. Thanks for not taking it personally like some people would. All this is, is opinions, no one really knows what Parcells will do. I just don’t think he’ll go DT on the first day and the moves he made in free agency and through trades back that up. I think he’ll definitely go DE on the first day, if not the first pick with Chris Long. But with their lack of depth, forget depth, their lack of anyone that can play Left Tackle, I think Jake Long is a strong possibility and think it foolish you don’t have OT on your list of draft needs for them. Parcells let go of, arguably, their best offensive lineman, performance-wise, in Rex Hadnot, and got rid of their offensive line coach, one of the best in football in Hudson Hauck. The evidence says he wants to completely redo their offensive line, keeping the “role” guys, center Samson Satele and Vernon Carey over at right tackle, and get some guys that can be stars on the offensive line in the draft in the next couple of years.
When it comes to TE I just don’t see Parcells drafting a guy under 250 pounds that runs a 4.6 to just catch passes. That’s not his kind of TE. That’s his kind of possession receiver! In today’s NFL Keyshawn would be a TE and Parcells would have never taken him. His TE’s have to block as well as catch that pass over the middle, in that 5-15 yard range, like you said, to clear the sidelines and deep post areas of the field for his burners down the field.April 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 am -
Dr U said:
Frankie,
I just wanted you to know I agree with you 100% that the Dolphins need to address the need at offensive line in the draft. I just listed four positions of need, but that is not to say that offensive line is not the a bigger need than the ones I listed.
Thank you for the comment.
DR U
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm -
The Wolf in NC said:
Doc,
I agree in less inflammatory terms with Frankie G and Jon, although I disagree that Houck was great. Three years in Miami exposed him as a decent coach with good players, not a great position coach. I don’t know what kind of say he had in personnel selection, but his legacy in Miami is, in my opinion, not that great. I like Satelle, and Carey is growing up (just in time for a contract extension), and Smiley – if healthy – could be a great fit.
I don’t understand why there isn’t more buzz about cornerback for the Dolphins. Our secondary looked bad last year, but all I hear is that because there was no pass rush they were exposed. And injuries killed the safety position, but I think the FA signings haved shored them up. In a perfect world I see day 1 looking like Jake Long, then Dan Conner (I’m not sold on Crowder OR Porter), then the best guard available. Then look for us to acquire more third round picks by dropping down at the beginning of day three and look for CB’s, OL and a QB like Booty or Woodson.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:28 am
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[...] http://drufantasyfootball.com/nfl-team-needs-miami-dolphins/Quarterback: Trent Green and Cleo Lemon have left town, and John Beck is entering just his second pro season. In 2007, Beck did not look like he was ready for the NFL when he saw action. The Dolphins did bring in Josh McCown as a … [...]
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
[...] http://drufantasyfootball.com/nfl-team-needs-miami-dolphins/Quarterback: Trent Green and Cleo Lemon have left town, and John Beck is entering just his second pro season. In 2007, Beck did not look like he was ready for the NFL when he saw action. The Dolphins did bring in Josh McCown as a … [...]
[...] http://drufantasyfootball.com/nfl-team-needs-miami-dolphins/Wide Receiver: Last season, Chris Chambers was traded out of Miami, and Marty Booker signed with the Bears in the off-season. The Dolphins devoted a first round pick in 2007 to Ted Ginn Citibank Credit Card Jr., but he was very inconsistent in his rookie … [...]
[...] Dr U wrote an interesting post today on NFL Team Needs-Miami DolphinsHere’s a quick excerptIn 2007, Beck did not look like he was ready for the NFL when he saw action. The Dolphins did bring in Josh McCown as a serviceable option, but they figure to draft a young arm to provide some competition behind center. … [...]
[...] http://drufantasyfootball.com/nfl-team-needs-miami-dolphins/Quarterback: Trent Green and Cleo Lemon have left town, and John Beck is entering just his second pro season. In 2007, Beck did not look like he was ready for the NFL when he saw action. ANZ Frequent Flyer Card The Dolphins did bring in Josh McCown as a … [...]