So, I've been reading the forums since the Odrick pick was made, and as I expected there have been some mixed reactions. I think that a lot of people are upset because we didn't get one of the "name" players in the draft. Or because they fell in love with a player at #12 and today are disappointed we moved to 28. Whatever your reason, you're entitled to your opinion. And I'm not going to tell anyone they're wrong. But I'd like to offer my point of view on this whole thing. First of all, I'd like to address the trade. This is something that shouldn't have surprised us. We know this regime covets draft picks. And trading with the Chargers made a lot of sense for us. This is the deepest draft since 1983 according to a lot of NFL analysts and to be able to spend our second round pick (#44) on Brandon Marshall and come back and trade with a team like the Chargers who had that high second round pick (#40) is amazing. In essence we moved back 16 spots in the first round, moved up 4 spots in the second round, acquired Brandon Marshall and Tim Dobbins in the process. You can't really complain much about that. Now onto the player himself. Jared Odrick, despite what you believe about him filling a need for us, is a top defensive prospect. And what I think a lot of us are forgetting is that we're not running the same defense as we did last year. Mike Nolan runs a very in depth defense. He likes to bring pressure from different positions and different angles. After watching as much film as I could get my hands on of Odrick, I think that he's a Mike Nolan type defensive player. He's strong at the point of attack and can reach the QB and disrupt the backfield. These are key for a DC who likes to blitz with EVERY position. And you have to know that Mike Nolan put his two cents in on this pick. So, does the pick address a need, that remains to be seen. Jeff Ireland played it very close to the vest when discussing where he will play. Although, I will say that in today's NFL DE rotation is key. And as it stands currently we have a very deep and very talented DE corp. However, we will have to wait and watch the rest of the draft to see what we pick to really understand what their thought process is here. Perhaps they truly are considering moving Merling to SOLB in the 3-4 and leaving Wake/Groves to hold down the WOLB. I still believe we need to address the OLB and certainly FS positions, possibly even NT. As we stand now, after the first round, did we receive a great defensive prospect and make a very advantageous trade? I think so. But that's all just my opinion I could be wrong.
You are 100% right and here's the proof: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/23/1594742/miami-dolphins-to-tweak-defense.html. I have been thinking for awhile that forcing a 3-4 when we don't have the right personnel is just not good thinking. I love the fact that Nolan is going to institute a system that makes the best use of who we have. Odrick makes so much sense now!
Very nice read. Thanks for posting. That article only goes to reinforce my belief that we made the right decision in taking Odrick. And that is one of the trademarks of a Mike Nolan defense. Yes, he has a scheme he runs, and yes he acquires players to fit that scheme. But overall, Nolan always runs his defense to his players strengths. And that is very reassuring.
Well, I was cool with trading down. In fact, I was delighted. It was my first preference all along (assuming the value was there). And, I think it was. We got our second round pick. So, like I said...I was cool with that. But, I was really disappointed we didn't take Jerry Hughes. I mean, he was right there for the taking. Having said that, I have to believe the FO has a plan, and Odrick is a better fit for this new defensive scheme. So, at the end of the day, if it helps make our team better, then I'm cool with the pick too.
I don't think a 3-4 DE is worth a first round pick unless he ends up becoming pretty much one of the most dominating forces along the line in the league. Earl Thomas/Dez Bryant + No Second Rounder > 3-4 DE + 2nd
A 4-3 DT has pretty much the same value to me honestly. Though I prefer the 4-3 to the 3-4 by a large margin. Pretty much you're either running a 3 or 4 man line...I dont think with all of our needs it was a very "smart" pick. Unless you expect Randy Starks to seriously regress.
Agree to disagree Alex, but Odrick, Dobbins, and the 2nd (3 picks higher than we gave up for Marshall) is so much more value than #12 and no 2nd. (and thats even without knowing who the mystery #40 turns into)
But you're also projecting Thomas and Bryant. Either way, you have to project a player, how they fit, what value they add, etc.
I have to disagree with you. In a draft this deep getting the #40 pick is equivalent to getting a mid 20 pick in a normal draft. I still feel it was the best move for us. As has been pointed out, the defense is changing. Not only does this give Mike Nolan a weapon to play with but it also may free up one of our current DEs to make a move to LB which will effectively eliminate the need of us taking a linebacker with the #40 pick. I'm not clairvoyant so all I can do is speculate on this. But if we filled 2 needs with one pick then that's tremendous value. And to acquire Brandon Marshall and Tim Dobbins and have the #40 pick is exceptional value. AND we still have 9 picks in this draft.
I wasn't a fan of us dropping down to 28 but I am glad we did. We got a good player that will be very good for us now and in the future.
It could be the pick that keeps on giving. We're discussing trade scenarios all morning long, moving up and down and weighing the options. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...-dolphins-draft-trades-042310,0,3574652.story That pick could multiply again. Just don't know how anyone can dislike what we've been able to do with the #12 pick.
I think the over arching question is what defensive system are we going to run long term and where does Odrich fit into that system. Hybrid - Is it possible we run a hybrid system long term? Has there been a team to do that? If not then Odrick has to fit into the other schemes below. I am fine running hybrid short term, but long term I don't know how much sense it makes. And Odrick has to make long term sense. 3-4 - It seems like the general concenssus is that this kid is a DE in the 3-4 not a DT. If that is true then that means he is meant to replace Langford or Starks at some point. 4-3 - I could see him as a DT, and staying in on pass rush downs. The big news would be that we are moving to a 4-3 long term, not that we picked Odrick. I think this hybird angle is being a bit overplayed because you have to look long term. In general you are either a 3-4 team or a 4-3 team. So you can play the hybrid card for a year or two but long term Odrick has to fit into one of the standard scheme. You can't really dodge the question by saying we are running 'hybrid'. I don't know what to think anymore. I am so confused.
I'm very much in favor of winning the battle at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and Odrick should help us in that way.
I think it's worth noting -- or repeating, in case it has been mention before -- that Odrick is very similar in size to Dallas' Jay Ratliff.
Our FO is on fire this off season: Nolan Dansby Marshall Incognito (great pick up for the price) Then, we move down 16 spots, pick up a higher 2nd than we traded away for Marshall (granted, we don't have our 2nd in 2011), an ILB who should see significant playing time, and a player at #28 - who I think the Browns should have selected with the 7th overall pick. And, with this hybrid D, I think Odrick does fill a need. And, we're going to be looking at 1st RD talents at #40. On fire.
strategically, i think splitting the draft up like this helps the people actually making the choices. they have a lot more time now to re-asess thier needs/plans according to: who they have now what picks they have now. what new weapons their competition acquired i like what we have done this off season so far. much more exciting then last year. and we still have rounds 2-7 to go. then possible UDRFA pick ups like D Bess. people we can bring in who didnt fit elsewhere.
You aren't helping me you are blowing my mind even MORE! Jay Ratliff | #90 | NT Height: 6-4 Weight: 303 Age: 28 Odrick NT Height: 6-5 Weight: 296 The reason why it's blowing my mind is because I thought Miami traditionally ran a Fairbanks-Bullough 3-4 defensive system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Patriots_strategy#Fairbanks-Bullough_3-4_defensive_system But Dallas runs a Bum Phillips 3-4 which is a 1 gap system. http://www.scardraft.com/Phillips34.html ^^ this article actually even mentions Odrick by name as a DE. So might we be moving to a quick smaller 3-4 system? A 1 GAP pentrating 3-4? MIND BLOWN!!!! ... and still confused by nobody can help me
We'll know more in the coming months. I don't think anyone outside of the FO/coaching staff honestly knows the answers to your questions. And they're definitely not going to tell us any time soon.
hes not worth it where we're picking. we have a lot of great options in round 2 and i dont think he makes it to round 3.
Obviously I would love if we went after Cody. I honestly thought we were going to grab him at 28 after Dan Williams was gone. But I don't think he's our pick. I have a strong feeling we trade out of the #40 spot. If we can't I think we take the best OLB/WR available.
To me this is the heart of the matter. With all the build up and anticipation leading to the draft, an awful lot of fans become infatuated with certain players. ...it turns into: in order for our draft to be a good one we need to draft one of "my guys" - it's the only formula for success. Any other pick ends up being a bad pick. Myself I like what's transpired. We got Odrick as well as Tim Dobbins, and we recouped our 2nd rd pick.
I love what they did.I stood up and clapped when they dropped down and when they picked Odrick too. Wanna know why? Because I am not the expert and can't question what the FO for the team does. I do know that the draft this year is deep and gaining an extra pick and getting that kid from SD to boot is a good move.That is fact... Nice thread ,Trowa.
I agree whole heartedly. I think a lot of times we as fans get so wrapped up in mock drafts and projections and combine numbers that we forget that there are personnel people who get paid millions of dollars to make these decisions. They don't always get the picks correct, but you show me one person who's never made a mistake at their job. Even Polian and A.J. Smith and Ozzie Newsome never got EVERY pick correct. But I have faith in the front office here. I think our first draft under this regime was successful. Last year's draft has caught a lot of flack, and possibly deservingly so. We had 4 players in that draft who played about 20 total plays last season (White, Turner, Nalbone, Clemons) but I think we're well on our way to putting together a successful draft this year and I'm ready to sit back and enjoy the rest of it.
Not only that but we picked up a player and a 2nd rounder. This is exactly what I wanted from the get go. Had it in my head that we were going to take Hughes at 28 but I love the player we got in Odrick. He's going to be a beast on our line for many many years.