I can honestly say that I cannot recollect more production in two drafts. Can anyone cite two consecutive drafts with similar production? All of the names listed have served a role on the field this year but the crazy thing is that the names highlighted in red were listed as starters YESTERDAY. Jake Long Phillip Merling Chad Henne Kendall Langford Donald Thomas Lex Hilliard Davone Bess Vontae Davis Pat White Sean Smith Patrick Turner Brian Hartline John Nalbone Chris Clemons Andrew Gardner I'm all for still making the playoffs. But today I am thankful. I'm thankful for because I think it's proven fact that for us (Phin fans) the draft actually makes a difference. That cannot be said for many teams including our recent past. The offseason isn't quite as long afterall...... For those that still want to piss and moan about Ted Ginn and Jason Allen - you can have at it. Personally, I think your time would be better served noticing the positives that are happening RIGHT NOW. For instance my latest musings: "Patrick's done a nice job, he really has. He's a work in progress right now. Obviously you wish you could take every player to the game and we can't do that. We've carried four receivers on a lot of the occasions. He's been active a couple of times and played sparingly on special teams. But the guy works very hard in practice. I see great improvement out of him and he's a guy, sooner or later here, is going to get an opportunity and I'm sure make the most of it." [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCoK6p5nElM"]YouTube- Patrick Turner[/ame]
Ginn has shown so little, if we were not in the playoff chase I'd love to see Turner activated along with Tristan Davis the kick returner for the last game against the Steelers and Ginn deactivated.
AHhhhh details details - I like Zod's point, but, truth is, as far as bringing in talent that was capable of starting is also a barometer of how bad we really were. I do like the talent we have accrued, and I whole-heartedly believe we have some really special things going on, but there are many many things to consider when determining wht IMO
I agree with this. We have brought in some talent, and it's the kind of talent that shows exactly what was wrong with the Saban/Cameron way of doing things. We've now got some big, physical players that hit hard and play tough. It's not all through the draft either - we've made some good decisions in free agency too. That being said, we've had some real stinkers. Unless its Ware, I don't think they should be allowed to sign anyone with a last name that starts with a W. Overall I think that the front office is doing an alright job getting this team players that raise the overall level of talent and give us a chance to be competitive with some of the tougher teams out there. I'll get more into some specifics in a couple of weeks when I've got some final numbers to work with.
You can take that commentary through Dave Wannstedt all the way back to Jimmy Johnson. We went a decade without the draft amounting to a hill of beans.
Gotta disagree. I think Cameron Wake is going to be a VERY solid contributor for us One thing I see more and more is this FO is going after certain types of players-physically and mentally TOUGH (Ginn is gone before next year). I also think when a few more key-pieces are in place, we will not be competitive for a single year..... - - - - - - We will be competitive for several consecutive years and will be very very deep 53 players deep... That is becoming more and more evident with every unfortunate injury we suffer.
Man, how cool would it be to finally see Turner on the field and making plays for this team in the last two games? He could still be a difference maker this season. Or, is that just wishful thinking on my part?
Johnson was great on drafting defense. Wannstedt was horrible. The only reason I didn't include him was because so many players from that time are out of football one way or the other now, and not just the godawful picks that were made then. Wake is one of the stranger decisions I've seen the staff make. By the numbers, he's had the most impact of any pass rusher in the NFL this year, but he is still having problems getting on the field. Personally, I think Wake is great but the staff is not working hard enough to find ways to get him involved. Therefore, the Wake thing is pretty much up in the air at this point. If he can make the jump to LB it's a great thing, otherwise we'll continue to talk about him every week, wondering why we don't see more of him.
I wanted to correct a small error Devon Bess was no drafted by Miami or any other team he was invited for a tryout and made the team.
You and I agree on this, HOWEVER, even if he remains a situational type player, he is still an over-turned Gem IMO.
True, I mean, the reason we're talking about him is because he's doing a great job out there. He's definitely earning his paycheck.
True, but at the same time, its always good to have a guy you can put on the field in obvious pass rushing situations.
I am encouraged by the production from the young players on the team. However, we need desperately to have another draft just as good this year to fill the holes we have to fill in order to become a top-tier team. If we can pick up a starting #1 WR, at least one starting LB and a starting safety in this draft, and pick up some backups in free agency, we can take this damned division.
And IF he can learn to become an everydown player at the same level he is on, that really really opens up our off-season moves quite radically. Honestly, Cam Wake is actually what many had projected Vern Ghoulston would become.....cept Wake actually has talent....and desire
Yeah, I originally had a space between the two. Then I just placed him last. I do not know where you list undrafted free agent. Since they are all essentially signed right after the draft, I have started considering them the "recruitment" portion of the draft. When you reflect on the time before Ireland, it seems that the ONLY time we knew anything about undrafted free agents (on this team) was when Adewale Ogunleye came along. Ireland hits on UFAs in his first year. Go figure.........
lol that video zod posted about turner "he wont be drafted earlier than the 4th round" ................................
I thought it did wonders to explain why we haven't seen him yet. My hope is that he's taking to some coaching that he didn't receive or didn't take to at USC.
