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Completing The RB Puzzle

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Southbeach, May 1, 2011.

  1. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    We added a couple of pieces to our running game in the draft. However, we still do have needs and questions.


    FB- Lousaka Polite- He was VG in 09, not so good last year. He ran 26 times for 62 yards, was still great in short yardage, not great in blocking. He may not make the team.


    Charles Clay- Rookie will get some snaps at FB, not sure he can take over this position. Not even sure this position will exist.


    HB- Lex Hilliard- No idea what he can do, has not played but Ireland likes him.

    Daniel Thomas- Rookie is now our starter. How much he can do is a question and he most definitely needs some help.

    I don't know how FB shakes out but it's of little concern. HB is a different story. We need to add two RBs. The best potential FAs I see are DeAngelo Williams, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles.


    Williams has expressed interest in Miami, and Omar, from the Sun, said the buzz on him is the same as it was with Dansby, although a few days before the draft. He is The Answer, and the perfect fit. He and Thomas split carries. Problem solved.


    Then there's Sproles, Thomas, Ronnie, Rickey, and maybe Reggie Bush in some type of combination.


    Opinions
     
    Rick 1966 likes this.
  2. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    If we can sign Williams, I will feel okay about our running back position.
     
    VA_Dolfan likes this.
  3. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well, Sheets, Hilliard, maybe even Clay, are all in a fight for a roster slot, D Thomas is a lock, everything else is up in the air, I'd bet it is hoped that Clay can take over PCobbs old role of Jack of All Trades but with more athleticism.

    As for Ronnie and Ricky, I'd suspect they get low offers and we bring in UDFA's like Berry/Cooper/Evans to compete for roster slots as competition to either one if they are resigned.

    Also think this is the yr they should keep at least 1 rb on the practice squad.
     
  4. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    I like Thomas, and with Williams I would be very happy. As of now, I do not see another good option.
     
  5. RoninFin4

    RoninFin4 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'd target DeAngelo Williams, and one guy not mentioned, Ahmad Bradshaw from the Giants. I think if you go into the season with Thomas, Bradshaw, and Hilliard, the RB position is set. You've got a Peyton Hillis type feature back. Bradshaw can be a feature back when necessary, but fits that Jahvid Best role Tony Sparano was talking about. Hilliard is a bigger, short yardage back, possibly even 3rd down back.

    Couple that backfield with Charles Clay's ability, though I think he'll see more snaps at TE than FB, between he and Bradshaw, I think you get the Patrick Cobbs role covered and then some. That being if there's even a Patrick Cobbs role with the new system.
     
    GMJohnson likes this.
  6. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    IMO if we sign DeAngelo Williams, OMMFG our offense could easily be a top 10 unit.
     
  7. Southbeach

    Southbeach Banned

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    For some reason I thought there was more talent out there. Anyone else I missed?
     
  8. Jaj

    Jaj Registered

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    DeAngelo and Kosier and Miami's run game may have been returned to early 2009 form.
     
  9. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Piere Thomas maybe looking for a new address with Ingram in NOLA, Barber will be waived by the Cowpokes, Ced Benson is on the mkt.

    http://www.footballsfuture.com/2011/fa/rb.html

    Let me go on record as saying between RB and RW, I'd take Ronnie B, RW is not a very good all around running back, he does a poor job vs the Blitz for example, RB can do a bit more imho.

    Now what if Sparano and Ireland goes nutz, brings both back, and we have a 3 headed monster at Running Back like the Giants did in 2008 when they rushed for over 2k yds as a team? Not taking another running back has me very curious and I sort of suspect that happening tbh about it.
     
  10. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I like Feinga, or Evan Mathis, or Diehl from Atlanta.
     
  11. ASUFinFan

    ASUFinFan Uh huh

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    Noel Devine is still sittn in that UDFA pool as well. Change of pace back right there. I'd also scoop up Pat Devlin real quick.
     
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  12. VA_Dolfan

    VA_Dolfan New Member

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    hell yeah bring back ronnie and sign deangelo williams i really didnt like the RB pick thought we should have gotten jaquizz rodgers but hey gatta trust the FO
     
    Pandarilla likes this.
  13. vt_dolfan

    vt_dolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Well...

    From taking a look at this from a MACRO level....I would say we are setting up our offense to be very unpredictable. I think Sparano realized this last season...that unless you are just going to dominate at the LOS and in the running game...you just cant run as predictable an offense as we did last year...and win.

    I believe they believe Henne can win the starting job...but I also firmly believe Henne has to win it against very solid veteran competition. Its really a great way to either get this kid to make the steps needed to succeed...or finally put the Henne years to bed, and let the Vet take over.

    For alot of this to work....I believe our running game is going to need a player that is a home run threat. DWilliams is that guy....I firmly believe Miami is gonna do whatever it takes...to land him. If we do that....we are sittin in a really good spot. Without that threat at TBack....the element of unpredictablity is not there.....
     
  14. CaribPhin

    CaribPhin Guest

    Hmmm, I don't think it would be wise to go after Sproles. He'll want some cash but there are UDFA's with his size and ability. Noel Devine and Derrick Locke come to mind.
     
  15. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    See, let me point this out fellas:

    -My goodness is it easy to find running backs who can come in and contribute, this is soo much different from Qb where it seems like the world revolves around the position, we can sign a Noel Devine or Jock Rodgers and skip Sproiles and never look back.
     
  16. BlameItOnTheHenne

    BlameItOnTheHenne Taking a poop

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    Daniel Thomas needs a nickname....his name is so damn basic.
     
  17. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Has to do something first, otherwise DTrain sounds good.
     
  18. surferosa

    surferosa Balance and Vision

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    Another guy worth mentioning is Michael Bush. I think he can have a Michael Turner like impact on an offense if signed into the right situation. Big, fast and fresh legs.

    That said, Deangelo is a type 5 RB talent who can be had for far below his market value because of an injury riddled season. If he wants to be here, than we should open up our wallet and bring him here.
     
  19. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Good name, but I heard the Raiders want him back:

    Eh, he is 28 and injury prone, not sure he is a good value.
     
  20. PhinsRDbest

    PhinsRDbest Transform and Transcend

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    I say bring back Jalen Parmele, get Justin Blalock for the left guard spot, and make sure you get Soliai and Wake to be Miami Dolphins for a long time.
     
  21. finsbuck719

    finsbuck719 New Member

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    We need to stick with Lousaka. We can't be shifting FBs around every 2-3 seasons because they have a down year. Reagan had some nasty moments, Lousaka was dominant in 09 and still very solid in 10, IIRC Sammy Morris was basically our FB in 06 and he wasn't terrible, etc...when's the last time we had a FB that was consistently on our roster? Rob Konrad?

    I just much rather stick with Lousaka for a couple of seasons. He is a good run blocker, but had a down year in 2010. But, so did our entire offensive line...but I don't see anyone saying John Jerry should be cut or Vernon Carey should be cut/traded.

    My dream for 2011 is this:

    RB- Daniel Thomas, DeAngelo Williams, Lex Hilliard (actually give him the ball some), and Kory Sheets
    FB- Lousaka Polite
    TE- Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay, Mickey Shuler

    I want as much depth as possible at RB. Sheets can help with STs and hopefully develop into a nice COP back for us. DeAngelo splitting time with Thomas can be nasty if our oline stays healthy and does their job. Hopefully Hilliard can manage to get 4-5 carries a game to mix things up and maybe sort of "break out" and prove himself.
     
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  22. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    Frikkin' resign Ronnie and play him at fullback...And get Devine on the roster stat.
     
  23. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    I agree about Lou Polite. I'd be disappointed if he isn't brought back. As for Jerry I think he should be in the mix at guard, but have seen some posters already calling him a bust. Very shortsighted to do so this soon IMO.
     
  24. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    I am pretty sure Pierre Thomas re-upped with the Saints, and I think DeAngelo is an RFA. Could be wrong, but I recall hearing that.

    If we are looking for a secondary back, Jerome Harrison would be an interesting option to me FA wise. If we go more rookies, Motion listed some of the guys I would be looking hard at.
     
  25. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Harrison was tendered as a RFA as well.
     
  26. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Well dang! :tongue2:
     
  27. dolfan22

    dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    Danny Thomas , one the original owners of the Miami Dolphins... needs no further nickname !
     
  28. dolfan22

    dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    He can't be confirmed as a bust at this point , I do agree. We don't know how hard he has worked this off season ,and how he has approached getting better. However he showed , at least to me , virtually nothing to make me think he would be a competent starter this year. One thing I do not like , and Miami did it again this draft , is overage draftees. Now sometimes the players are values so I don't say never , but 2 or 3 years is HUGE developmental wise and imo that needs to be factored in when you evaluate. A 21 year old 3rd round choice has more upside , is more likely to trend up , and to close the competitive gap than a 24 year old , again imo.

    He needs to work hard , and play smarter , I hope he does , he should be a starter and if he was a solid starter , that would be great news for Miami. As of right now , I would not bet he ever will be though , again I do hope I am wrong.
     
  29. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Quality rarely makes it to the FA market Tex, I wanted to see him in Miami as well, young and explosive.
     
  30. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    I wouldn't mind of Polite isn't a Dolphins next year. Watching him not block well last year made me think that he isn't worth his spot. It isn't like he was good at special teams. Also I attribute most of his first down getting to the line.
     

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