On NFL.com Lombardi provided his annual list of the best players at each position. I tend to like Lombardi's player evaluations and respect his opinions. (I don't always like his team evaluations b/c it seems that sometimes he lets his personal feelings about people he's worked with/against cloud his team evals, but I like his scouting ability with regards to individual players). I posted the positions that had Dolphins listed. We had several red chip players (top 10), but only one blue chip player (top 5). We had top players at DE, DT and CB on defense and T and C on offense. Bush was listed as being close at RB as well. Personally, I thought Dansby deserved a mention at ILB. I may not have put him on the list b/c he started off so poorly last year, but I thought he played at a top 10 level during the second half of the season. IMO we need Dansby to be a top 10 player for us along with finding a top 10 pass catcher (TE or WR) (actually he uses top 15 for WR), maybe a top 10 S and of course for RT to develop into a top 10 QB in this league for us to be a perennial contender again. I posted this b/c it shows that despite some media and fan perceptions, we're not universally seen as talentless. I think we have depth issues and some key holes, but this team is not devoid of talent. For comparison's sake, (I didn't check every team, just a few top contenders) the Ravens had the most players listed at 8, Giants and Packers had 6 and the Pats, Steelers and Texans had 7. This compares favorably with our 5 players listed and almost 6 since he said Bush was close. If RT becomes the player we hope he does then I think this team is on the right track. In this league it obviously comes down to the QB. I also thought it was noteworthy that he listed Sean Smith as a top 10 player at his position. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap10...uered-chips-on-defense?module=HP11_hot_topics Definition of a blue-chip player » Demonstrates rare abilities and creates mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game. » Is a premier player in the league and a weapon on the field. » Combines competitiveness and skill to provide a consistent championship-level performance. » Rates in the top five at his position in the league. Definition of a red-chip player » Has abilities that can create mismatches vs. most opponents in the league. » Is a featured player on his team and has an impact on the outcome of the game. » Can't be taken out of the game in a one-on-one matchup. » Is consistent from week to week. » Plays at a championship level. » Rates in the top 10 at his position in the league. DEFENSIVE END Blue chips Jared Allen, Vikings Trent Cole, Eagles Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants Red Bryant, Seahawks Julius Peppers, Bears Red chips Jason Babin, Eagles Justin Tuck, Giants J.J. Watt, Texans Cameron Wake, Dolphins Cliff Avril, Lions DEFENSIVE TACKLE Blue chips Ndamukong Suh, Lions Vince Wilfork, Patriots Haloti Ngata, Ravens Darnell Dockett, Cardinals Justin Smith, 49ers Red chips Kevin Williams, Vikings Paul Soliai, Dolphins Brodrick Bunkley, Saints Richard Seymour, Raiders Geno Atkins, Bengals CORNERBACK Blue chips Darrelle Revis, Jets Joe Haden, Browns Lardarius Webb, Ravens Johnathan Joseph, Texans Carlos Rogers, 49ers Red chips Nnamdi Asomugha, Eagles Champ Bailey, Broncos Brent Grimes, Falcons Sean Smith, Dolphins Brandon Flowers, Chiefs RUNNING BACK Blue Chips LeSean McCoy, Eagles Ray Rice, Ravens Arian Foster, Texans Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks Red Chips Chris Johnson, Titans Michael Turner, Falcons Matt Forte, Bears DeAngelo Williams, Panthers Darren Sproles, Saints Notes » Tough to keep Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden off the list, but both were hurt last year and must show they have still have the same talent -- and can play for all 16 games. » Reggie Bush was close to making the red-chip list, but I couldn't take anyone off. » Forte missed four games last year. He was a blue-chipper when he played, but the injury makes him a red right now. » I fully expect Johnson to be a blue this year, but based on last year's tape, he was just barely a red. TACKLE Blue Chips Joe Thomas, Browns Jake Long, Dolphins Ryan Clady, Broncos Michael Roos, Titans Duane Brown, Texans Red Chips Michael Oher, Ravens Joe Staley, 49ers Jordan Gross, Panthers Bryan Bulaga, Packers Andrew Whitworth, Bengals CENTER Blue Chips Nick Mangold, Jets Alex Mack, Browns Max Unger, Seahawks Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers Ryan Kalil, Panthers Red Chips Mike Pouncey, Dolphins Nick Hardwick, Chargers Chris Myers, Texans Scott Wells, Rams Kyle Cook, Bengals
Cameron Wake is going to have a monster year. He'll be a blu.e chip at seasons end. Same with Sean Smith. If Bush stays healthy he passes up Sproles as well.
Red Bryant has to have been a mistake. How is a DE with 2 career sacks in 4 seasons one of the top 5 DEs in the NFL? I don't care how good he might be against the run (and he's not that good), a DE has to have some pass rush ability to be top 5.
Seattle didn't give Bryant all that money for nothing. He is a monster. Really he's more of a DT or 3-4 DE, but in that defense it works.
Bush was close to making the list and I'd put him ahead of Lynch and Sproles. Our QB is a rookie. We obviously don't have a WR worthy of being on the list, but I'd put Fasano in the next group of 5 or so TEs.
The teams that are contenders have a QB and at least one other offensive playmaker on that list. That's where we need to get IMO. This year is all about getting Tannehill developed to the point where he can be on that list someday soon. The Pats got Gronkowski and Hernandez, both blue-chippers and heavy-duty mismatch players in today's game, in the 2nd round or later a couple years ago. Amazing. Couple them with Brady and Welker, who are also on the list, and you see why they're still so potent on offense, despite not having a stud RB or deep threat WR.
Michael Roos has no business being either a blue or red chip, and Jake Long is better than Joe Thomas--when healthy. Other than that, it's a pretty good list.
I always thought it strange how often players get conflated that don't make any sense. Justin Smith is a 3-4 DE but considered a DT, while Red Bryant plays pretty close to the same position and is considered a 4-3 DE. Bryant is quite good, but would you consider him a top interior linemen(whom he fits much better?) I don't think so, really.
I'm not going to pretend that I have watched all of Red Bryant's snaps and evaluated each one. But PFF has and they have as the 48th best 4-3 DE. He has 2 sacks in 4 seasons and his other pass rush stats and underwhelming as well. His overall rating is in the negative, i.e., below average, and his 22 tackles is nothing special, nor is his 18 stops. Just don't see how he comes anywhere close to being a top 5 4-3 DE. To the extent he is viewed as a 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT, I don't think he is even as good as Starks or Odrick.
Look at Sean Smith getting love as a top 10 CB. Love to see that as well as Long, Pouncey, Wake, Soliai and Bush.
You could include Wake on the list of players there that could have bee acquired via free agency or trade , but quite a few players were available to be had. Joseph , Rogers , Bailey , Asomugha ,Lynch , Turner , Sproles , Allen , Peppers , if Reggie produces like he did last year we can add him to the list. Bottom line , make more right moves than wrong ones , in all areas and you can win ... we haven't done that and of course we need playmakers ... Tanneyhill hopefully is a start.
Brandon Marshall and Wes Welker are both red chips. Man, I wish we could have had guys like that on our team. Oh wait.................
Cannot stand Lombardi anymore. He's just as wish washy as your average fan. Wasn't it last year he said Donald Penn was the games best offensive tackle? Penn didn't make either of his Tackle lists. Do appreciate the post though.
Any wonder why the 49er defense is so dominant? Blue chip DT (actually 3-4 DE) TWO Blue chip ILBs Blue chip OLB Blue chip CB Red chip safety So basically a Top 5 lineman, three Top 5 linebackers, a Top 5 corner and a Top 10 safety. **** me.... Blue chip TE Red chip LT Red chip G Blue chip head coach I'd say a blue chip GM as well.
lol you must be joking. I wouldn't. Gonzales, Owen Daniels, Gresham, Greg Olsen, Fred Davis, Pettigrew, and Celek are all better. hell even Dustin Keller is better.
