As you guys probably know, our team at Universal Draft have been furnishing Draft articles for Dave Hyde at the South Florida Sun Sentinel for years, and as part of that series we (mostly Simon) have maintained lists of confirmed Miami interests. I believe our record stands at all but two of the Dolphins' draft picks having appeared on our lists before being drafted. There might be a third in there somewhere. This year only Frank Kearse did not appear on our list. Here was our final Draft Winds piece prior to the Draft, with the list at the bottom updated as updated could be before the start of the Draft. http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/spo...2011/04/draft_winds_heres_our_picks_fo_1.html Based on this list, I have weeded out the players that were drafted (including by us), and left only the undrafted free agents. The "(PW)" indicates a private workout. I've added in names that the Dolphins either showed interest in during the Draft itself or that we've somehow heard about interest after the Draft. Some of the names we've heard about post-Draft were already on the list pre-Draft. Either way I bolded all the names that I've heard about post-Draft. QB: Josh Portis, Adam Weber, Jeff Van Camp (PW), Diondre Borel, Ben Chappell, Pat Devlin, Adam Froman TB: Graig Cooper, Vai Taua, DuJuan Harris, Chase Reynolds, Mario Fannin (PW), Darren Evans (PW), Nic Grigsby, Brandon Saine FB: Matangi Tonga WR: Armon Binns, Tori Gurley, Dominique Johnson (PW), Terrance McCrae (PW), Lester Jean, Terrance Tolliver, Ricardo Lockette (PW), Gerald Stevenson, David Presley, Adam Mims, Jamorris Warren, Raymond Webber (PW), Lito Senatus (PW), Joe Morgan, Owen Spencer TE: Kyle Adams, Charlie Gantt, Greg Smith, Daniel Hardy, Tommy Gallarda, Andre Smith (PW), Zach Pianalto OT: Shannon Breen, David Mims, Byron Bell, Matt Murphy (PW) OG: Mike Ingersoll, Randall Hunt, Pat Illig OC: Brad Serini, Ryan Pugh, John Gianninoto (PW), Tim Barnes DE: Ryan Winterswyk, Ladi Ajiboye DT: Ian Williams OLB: Mario Addison, Michael Lockley, Monte Simmons, Cobrani Mixon, Keith Darbut ILB: (none) CB: Ryan Hill, Kamaal McIlwain S: Brian Lainhart, Erik Stoll, Maurice Rolle Jr. (PW), Ron Parker, Dominique Davenport, Tommy Irvin, Max Lerner, Zac Etheridge Long Snapper: Pat Scales
I'm surprised they didn't check out guys like Mario Addison and Monte Simmons at a private workout. My extreme darkhorse would be Tennessee State S Eugene Clifford, if they can get past his off-field problems (drugs) when he was Ohio State. Obviously I haven't caught many, if any, Tennessee State games, but Clifford did pretty well when he got to play at OSU early on. I at least think he'd give Tyrone Culver a run for his money.
Accidentally left a few guys in there that were drafted. I like their interest in Brandon Saine. Potentially a good role player. The guy is fast as hell, built well, a natural pass catcher that could have a future moving to that position, and he blocks. He's a good teammate. I think I like DuJuan Harris more as a pure runner but I'd bring them both in. The obvious name I think we'd all be pumped to see that is missing is Mark Herzlich. Sadly, I think teams are shying away because they don't want to have to cover his costly medical bills if/when his cancer comes calling again. Zach Pianalto would probably be my preference at Tight End. I've had my eye on him throughout the process and he's a guy that plays with enough athleticism but also plays really smart and should generally have soft hands. He's the kind of guy that can get on the same page with a system and a quarterback and be a very quarterback friendly option. He's not a lout when it comes to athleticism, either. He's just not special. I would prefer Adam Froman at quarterback but I know they also had a lot of interest in Jeff Van Camp. I would also have interest in Ben Chappell. Owen Spencer is a guy I could see trying to win a 5th spot on the roster...but I do wonder if Marlon Moore will do a lot better this preseason and win the job regardless of who we bring in. Spencer I think is a QB friendly guy that gets open deep. Tim Barnes I like as a backup Center to bring in and compete with Joe Berger. That'd be a smart signing. I'd love to see Keith Darbut's combination of speed and size up close. I think they like Brian Lainhart the best but I wouldn't mind seeing Ron Parker brought in instead.
Hmm, AFAIK Royster was drafted by the Redskins(?) Brandon Saine makes a lot of sense, fmr Team Captain as well. Also think Brian Gaine will run the UDFA signings once the gold rush kicks off, as such I hope they give him a large signing bonus budget.
Thanks CK. I was going to ask you and Yoda to do this. You guys forgot more than I know. However, I do remember the name of Noel Devine. Thanks again.
Thanks for the update, my search function couldn't find him so I thought he went undrafted. The Dolphins have a tendency to go hard after team captains.
I still like Kris O'Dowd, to me his football IQ should be outstanding, started as a 18 yr old at USC, to me his learning curve should be short and he would be worth a look at least. Also like Mario Harvey and Andre Mouton. And my ultimate sleeper: Mark Schiechl from the Colorado School of Mines: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=86282&draftyear=2011&genpos=DE
Kris O'Dowd plays like a lackwit imp. Do you mean Jonas Mouton? He was drafted by the Chargers a lot earlier than most would have expected (I like Mouton though). Mario Harvey is another name that will draw a lot of fan attention based on his athleticism and production. My criticisms of him are that he doesn't seem to have a quick trigger or explosive ability, and he has really bad stamina.
Have never seen Schiechl play or any game of CSM (abbrieviated it lol). What do you like about his play?
Alrightty then.. Adrian Moten I think Austin Spitler should be challenged, and really, Tim Dobbins, neither player quite has the size they like though. Mark Schiechl at 6 2" and change at 252 with a 35 inch vertical leap is the sort of athlete they like, and coming from a small western college it would be right in our Western Scout's wheelhouse..can never recall that scout's name though.
Adam Engroff. I haven't seen any indications that Engroff is onto Schiechl though. I think Edds, Spitler and Dobbins are fine for now. Only guy I'd bring in to crowd the group would be Herzlich. I have a soft spot for the guy. You bring in Adam Froman, Brandon Saine, DuJuan Harris, Andre Smith, Zach Pianalto, David Mims, Tim Barnes, Mark Herzlich, Keith Darbut and Ron Parker and I'm a happy man.
Youtube stuff: [video=youtube;3PdK1PsafbA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdK1PsafbA&feature=related[/video] [video=youtube;0LtxPKHJ9KU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LtxPKHJ9KU&feature=related[/video] Nice explosion, long arms and he hip tackles, he does not come in high allowing the Qb to escape, that should translate to the NFL, low level of competition though and he clearly overmatched them.
Is that the Colorado School of Mines I'm watching? Or the South Central Louisianna State Mud Dogs? Yikes. Was he not drafted because they've already directly linked him to steroids? Or have they not (yet) found incontrovertible proof? Hell, I'm on board. Put him in touch with Cameron Wake's Canadian doctors so we can limit his testing risk, and bring that psycho to camp!
The only reason why we might not sign him is the 6'4-260 "rule" for Lb's, but to me if you wanted to up the athleticism on the Lb corps he is worth a look, uses his hands really well as well most of his plays were made off of "shock and shed" or rip moves. Liked how they shifted him inside as a DT and he picked through the traffic to make plays, to me it means he can play OLB in the league.
Hmm: Mims to challenge Marten and Copa Froman to challenge Brandstater Smith and Pinatto challenge Epps and Shuler (never hurts to be an Italian with Sparano, the 1 Paisan rule) Barnes to challenge Berger and or Procter Saine and Harris to challenge Hilliard and Sheets Darbut to try and fillin for Francis or Moses Yeah, they all make sense.
I don't think so this yr Ck, there simply is not enough time for UDFA's to really push even a mildly established player like a Hilliard. Do think we need to replace Cobbs and Sheets if he is not 100% but guys like Marten have no more ps eligibility remaining, and Epps and Mastrud are both clearly on the bubble after doing nothing in 2010 when we needed a #2 Te, and Berger has started games meaning the longshots will have a tougher time unseating him.
Chris, am I right in thinking that in-state prospects have a leg up when it comes to personal workouts? I think I remember this from when Percy Harvin was coming out and someone saying that we were able to have him in for more visits because he was in-state. I'd just like to know because I'm not really all that high on Van Camp and think there are a lot better guys available at quarterback, including Devlin and Froman.
That is true, instate/local prospects do not count against the number of "official" workouts a team can have with prospects.
We have 75 guys on roster counting draft picks and our own free agents-to-be. I think there are at least 7 of those guys (Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen, Ronnie Brown, Pat Cobbs, Ricky Williams, Tony McDaniel, Quentin Moses) that will not be retained. That means 68 players where evidently we need 90 for training camp (used to be 80, has been raised). We're gonna be awful busy once they ratify the CBA, lol.
Yeah there's a rule where you're allowed to conduct local workouts. Froman and Van Camp are the guys they contacted on the third day of the Draft. Haven't heard about them contacting any others.
You watch "Training Day" lately padre? At least, that's what I thought of; the scene where Alonzo (Denzel) quarterbacks the framed murder on Roger.
We'd be DUMB not consider Noel Devine. People still talk about character issues - from back in HIGH SCHOOL. Guy did nothing BUT play great football at West Virgina and he would be a helluva a pick up. He's a mini -B. Sanders.
Character's not the reason Noel Devine is not going to the pros. Talent and physical dimensions are the reasons.
Hmmmm, weird. Last thing I heard about him was that Gil Brandt was really impressed with his workout at LSU despite the fact that he had pulled a hammy. Said he caught everything. I'd definitely be interested in giving him a shot.
Talent? Seriously. Come on CK. You can't deny the guy has talent. Small? Absolutely. But the guy can play. He's fast, quick, elusive, strong for his size, has good vision, can catch, etc... To say he lacks talent is just dead wrong. I'm not suggesting he should be a every down back by any stretch of the imagination. But the guy can play and he can make big plays. He WILL be in the NFL. And he will excel in a limited role with someone.
Since the Draft I've really thought Pianalto would be great to be brought in. We didn't exactly have great depth at the Tight End position last year and Pianalto can play. Until his injury he was Yates favorite target and UNC's leading receiver.
Should I rephrase to say that I don't think he consistently gains yards in the NFL? He's too small and doesn't make up for it with extraordinary vision, quickness, speed or (for his size) strength. He played in the 160 pound range at West Virginia. He tried to bulk up to 180 and got hurt, which often happens to diminutive guys trying to overload themselves with weight. And no, he will not necessarily be in the NFL. As per someone I know that had dinner with him a few nights ago in Sanibel, he's currently planning on signing with the USFL. He's a nice guy, a good kid, but he's not good for the NFL. Agree to disagree.
Yup. Their chemistry was impressive. It was one of the first things I noticed about Yates that drew me to him and eventually I had a mid-round grade on Yates at a time when he wasn't even getting invited to All Star Games, and most services had him way down among UDFAs.
Devine has what I'd call the "Lorenzo Booker Problem" meaning he is mostly a specialist and has dubious blocking skills and does not play ST, his lack of size also means a team would naturally think they cannot rely on him staying healthy for 16 games. Booker went to the UFL and showed he could do the things he wasn't doing in Miami or Philly, blocking, returning kicks, catch the ball out of the backfield, play Gunner on ST, that is why he signed with the Vikes. Keep in mind "talent" is normally not the issue for young guys, it is how many jobs they can do to keep their place on the roster.
Absolutely. Agree to disagree. I certainly don't like to argue. I just feel he has enough talent and ability to bring a little something to a team at this level.
I certainly understand the importance of being able to be an all around sort of guy to grab and retain a roster spot. Being an ex-football player and a coach, I definitely am aware of what's necessary to lock down a spot on a roster. That said, I could see big plays from Devine if a team could get him into space. Would excel better in the UFL or CFL? Absolutely. He'd probably have a better and longer career at one of those venues. But I still think he brings enough to the table to at least be looked at.