COACHES CORNER: I liked our Draft and roster moves, but one guy stands out

I'm pretty happy with the focus on defense in this years draft. It was both expected and needed IMO. While I was surprised by many of our selections, I can see how the players fit into what we are doing in Miami.

Moving Starks inside to NT was something I saw coming long before the draft. While he lined up most the time at DE last season, he did play some NT and looked good no matter where he was on the field. One thing that led me to believe NT was in his future was that many of his big plays at DE did not take place on the edge, or even off tackle. They occured inside on twists and slants inside the OT. He was definately an inside-out player, not outside-in. The is key to playing NT and while he may not have the bulk of some of the fatties that play NT in the NFL, but his quickness and playmaking will make him a great one inside. I know the initial thought was he was just covering until Fergy comes back, but I expect Starks to remain of NT for good. I also think he'll contend for the Pro Bowl at that position.

Part of that decision on moving Starks was just the perfect fit it made in drafting a player we had high on our boards in DE Odrick. Now we have a big strong DL that can ALL move pretty well, with Odrick, Langford, Merling, etc on the DE rotation we should expect alot of plays in opponents backfield. The LB pressure will just comliment that as Nolan will provide us with a look that can bring pressure inside and out from the LB position. The quality DE's are vital to this process in the scheme because if a DE can create a situation where OL have to double team them, or account for them beyond a typical situation, it creates lanes for our LB's to flow through to stuff the run or sack the passer.

I have really come to like what we've learned about Misi. He is the ultimate coaches player in terms of hustle and wanting to win. I suspect he'll end up a leader on this defense soon enough. He'll give us the best LB coverage on slots and TE's that we've seen (and Edd's will also be great in that way). I know it's a bit of a reach to say that two or three rookies could make a groundbreaking difference on a team, but really I think Edds, Misi, and the Odrick /Starks additions could take our Nickel from being a weakness to something we win with week after week. How many times have we played well on 1st and 2nd downs only to cough up a poor effort on 3rd down in our Nickel or Dime. I think those days are over Dolfans. These LB's we added can cover and the new DL look is going to give us a great TEAM pass rush. Not one guy, but rather a scheme and team that brings pressure all the time where they choose to from a variety of positions. And I havent even mentioned Dansby yet!

Karlos Dansby is going to get alot of credit this year from our defensive success because he was a big signing for us and plays a glamor position. I love the fact that while he can rush the passer inside or out, he is even better at coverage. We could run a great 3-3-5 nickel with Dansby, Edds, and Misi as our LB's. All three can cover better than anyone we've had at LB in years. It's going to create some great plays, and turnovers or us. I love that our FO had the forsight to make it happen.

The one player that has not gotten much attention though that I love is OLB McCoy. This stud has a blazing first step, and while he may not be light out fast, he is has an incredible first few steps. His first step reminds me of Hugh Green back in his prime. If this kids is coachable and can learn the right angles, he may be the talk of this draft as a pure pass rusher. I like Cam Wake, but I will not be shocked if this kid pushes him for the WOLB position as a pure pass rusher. The more video I see on him, the more I say "why not" when assessing who might be our best pass rushers. This guy stands out to me as a steal where we picked him up.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5I3ZpUnlX0"]YouTube- Chris McCoy #98 DE/OLB Middle Tennessee Highlight Film (Part 1)[/ame]


Here is some footage on McCoy, I think he could be special. Check out that first step and the angles he took in college. Not too bad at all and with those skills it's easy to see how he might compliment everything else that we brought in. The combination of pass rush and coverage LB's could really provide this teams pass defense with a huge upgrade over the last few seasons.

 

Yes, I think that if McCoy turns out to be a coachable guy, the sky is the limit with him.