I just read a blog from the Phinsider and they said that Randy Starks anchoring the nose is a game changing offseason move. Do you agree with this?? http://www.thephinsider.com/2010/6/25/1534693/dolphins-game-changing-offseason#storyjump
if he plays like he did last year. i agree. its game changing also in the fact that alot of our success hinges on how well he plays.....its a big thing to watch all season
It's a very significant move but whether it's a game changer will depend on whether Phil Merling or Jared Odrick is better at DE than Paul Soliai would have been at NT. A good DL is a good DL. I expect Randy Starks to play NT as well as he played DE/DT. But it's not an addition to the squad. It's just a move. To believe that it's a game changing move, you have to be convinced that the NT spot is just that much more important. I'm not sure I do.
Its a matter of opinion and discussion whether NT is that important. Jason Ferguson was an adequate NT and Paul Solaii has mostly been less than adequate. The big difference would be if Starks could be an improved version of the starting NT. If Starks plays as well as Ferguson we are fortunate, if he doesn't, we still have a glaring need there. On the other hand if Starks is an improvement and can apply pressure up the middle along with plugging the gap, he can be considered an outstanding offseason move. A NT who can not only eat up space in the middle, but pressure the QB would help the DE's improve their game and would greatly help create openings for blitzing LBs. I guess there are only three possible outcomes and thats a positive move, a failed experiment or an outstanding offseason move depending on the results but thats JMO.
Well, technicall it IS a game changing move since it does change our game. It helped us out significantly in the draft as the article points out. It all will come down to whether Starks can play the position well or not.
I am not sure personally if it is a game changing move just yet. I think he is capable of handling the job well until Ferguson gets back into the lineup. It will be interesting to see how everyone else will play if he plays well. If he does play well then will be in good shape come midseason when Ferguson comes back. Then we will be even more dangerous to deal with.
I think he will back up Ferguson and rotate with him to get him fresh and active. It will bring more depth to the position which is always good in the 2nd half of the season
I think that the Baltimore game in 2008 is a good example of why it's not such a game-changing move. I thought Starks was pretty outstanding in that game (and if you don't believe me see [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqWMOaVN2WA]this video I created of Starks at NT[/ame]). But the Ravens still ran all over us even with him having a good game, and Baltimore pounded out a solid fourth quarter victory. It was like a war of attrition and we finally broke. The NT could only do so much, he needed the ILBs and other DEs to step up and none of them did.
This video make me like the move even more. He only had a handful of plays I wouldnt consider good. we r going to have nearlyy 1000lbs from our front 3, I cant wait to see this defense getr on the field
I think it could be a game changing move, but not in the way we're thinking here. Starks has been our best defensive lineman. Not only was he the best against the run, but he's the only guy who's consistently been able to generate middle pressure on third down. You move that guy to NT, where he's going to get beaten on by two offensive lineman, and you're now forced to rest him on a lot more third downs. Somebody else has to fill that vacancy. If not, you watch despondently as Mark Sanchez punches in the winning touchdown in last year's rematch at the Meadowlands.
I'm also hoping he can fill the need until we get Ferguson back. Starks had a great year last year and we can only hope he translates that to NT. We have to hope our rookies like Odrick and Misi along with guys like Wake can step up and help Starks with that transition. From that video of Starks posted at NT from that Baltimore game,all that shows is yeah he is going to need a strong supporting cast to make sure he is a success at NT.
They could have gone Hughes/Cody instead of Odrick/Misi in the draft and kept Starks at DE. However, I like the move slightly, because I hear that it's a difficult position to transition to straight out of college. It's the biggest gamble of the offseason, but I think Starks makes it less of one. Me personally, I would have taken Brandon Graham with the 12th pick. Move Starks if you want to, but Cam Thomas was still available in the 5th round.
No one has mentioned the sack production from Starks No way you see seven sacks from Starks at the nose It can still be a game changing move buy it won't be in the sack department. Someone else will have to step up.
I think the DE's will step up and make the job for Starks that much easier. Then the LB's can do their job even better.
You neglect the addition of odrick and misi(plus dansby is a good blitzing ILB). They should generate more pressure. Plus if im not mistaken, Solia's strength was just bull rushing in(not so much run support, he seriously could push linemen back 5 yards easy pretty much when ever he felt like it), so im pretty sure he will suffice with pressure on 3rd downs. And with ferg back in week 8, im sure they will keep Starks fresh.
IMO Muck was right with his analysis except he failed to mention the sack production from Starks which will taper off. Starks is going to earn his money in there. Merling has to step up this year and prove himself. That guy gives me a migraine. He should dominate but he doesn't. Odrick is a vertical player who uses his hands well getting off blocks but it's the NFL now and he won't be getting around OL. Love his straight push but you have to have more. He struggles as rookie IMO. The FO is doing it right. Cook up something new when it don't work. Meaning '09.
If Starks can hold up like that he's going to be in the ProBowl and Dansby is going to have a monster year. As was said that video shows just how bad the Dolphins ILBs are/were.
seems to me: I was the first to suggest we go w/ Randy @ NT & draft a DE. took a lot of heat over that thread, but now it appears to be not as absurd when others (the pundits & reluctant ones) say it, it suddenly is a winning idea. look for Starks to do well & Solai to step up big time this season. my only concern remains @ FS. look for Jason Allen to get a shot @ the start, as they bring along Clemons
I think this FO and coaching staff are just flexible. They didn't panic on NT during the draft and they haven't panicked over FS. They will work with what they have until they feel like they can properly address the situation. Starks moving was key in us being able to go into the draft and have flexibility, but Mike Nolan, Dansby, and Marshall are all more important in my opinion.
I like randy's instincts in space, Iam not convinced him at the nose utilizes those strengths and instincts..we'll see, I think he's a great player, and I know he's strong, but having a real stout run defense usually is occupied by a large man. My hope is that he plays similar to Jay ratcliff, whom I think is the best in the game.. Watching that video makes me ill watching crowder...I think were gonna need the power game of Dobbins, because Crowder has 0.