I decided to delve into the most controversial move of the draft weekend: http://www.realfootball365.com/index.php/articles/dolphins/11064 Give it a quick read and let me know if you agree or disagree.
It was strictly about system. Lorenzo Booker was our Offensive MVp for the last 4 games of the season. Parcells likes to pound , not run screens and dump offs.
I voted for system as well although I must say I was not as impressed with him as many fans for the reasons you stated. There must have been a reason why Cam did not use him for most of the year and when he did get his chance he looked good compared to our other offensive players because a lot of them had packed it in already. As you said he showed a lot of flash but no big play ability.
No problem with trading him, didn't fit the system or Parcells' manna of pounding the ball. However, we gave a 3rd round pick for him, then after he showed he can be explosive and a play maker in the NFL, we only got a 4th for him, not impressed with that.
Booker was a bit of a luxury that we just can't afford right now. Much like the Welker trade that yielded us Satele, I'm hoping the Booker trade that yielded us Murphy turns out to be the right call for our offensive line. Booker was one of our lone bright spots last year (especially after Ronnie went down), an exciting player, but at the end of the day it made more sense for us to move him. My only complaint is that we should have maybe gotten more value out of him.
I also agree that it was schematic. It's always fun to watch an athlete like that run around a field. But for all his insane amount of quicks and speed, Booker is very much like Darren McFadden in that his smaller legs go dead on contact. He is not a tackle breaker in that way, something you have to be in Parcells' physical system . Very good point about Shawn Murphy. That's essentially what we traded him for. So that'll be a good watch point for us.
Thanks for props guys! The one thing that wasn't mentioned in this article is that Booker was not a great pass blocker. I think he could have figured it out, but it's probably worth mentioning.
I was kind of looking forward to what he could do this year. But, it's kind of pointless if he is not in a system that will utilize his ability. I'm guessing he will turn some heads in Philly, because their system fits him well.
I'll agree - Booker being traded was a system thing. He's a guy who got a first down 37% of the time he touched the ball. Not big on scoring, but a nifty player who could pick up yards. Philly could use a guy like that in their quick and speedy offensive game plan, but we're going to be a strict by the numbers between the tackles kind of offense. I'm sad to see him go, but wish him a lot of luck.
Ireland answered it pretty specifically in his PC. He said that Lobook wasn't going to supplant RB or RW. So as a 3rd back he was going to get the majority of his plays on STs. Unfortunately, Lobook doesn't play STs. Lobook is a playmaker but wouldn't get many plays in our system.