Nolan did a great job in bringing the D to #4 in the NFL. We got little or no help for him in this years draft. However, we have a #1 and a #4 coming back from last year's, and they know the system, what's expected of them, and should be stronger. Let's not forget Will Allen coming back, who could have a bigger impact than both rookies, and Merling will help as well. I looked through all of PFF's graded players on D who played more than 25% of a teams snaps. I am listing our players by rank- overall, pass rush, pass coverage (except DL), vs the run, and the number of snaps they played. A rank of Avg means Average, give or take a bit, and a Neg means Negative, a problem last season. DL- (DE's are ranked in the 3-4 only, NT includes DT's) Langford- He ranked #5 overall, #13 rush, #7 run, 753 snaps. Starks—–He ranked #10 overall, #5 rush, Neg run, 719snaps. McD——-He ranked #13 overall, Avg rush, #12 run, 422 snaps. Soliai—— He ranked #10 overall, Avg rush, #4 run, 554 snaps. Merling — He ranked #13 overall, #11 rush, Avg run. * 2009 rank Odrick—– He ranked #43 overall, Avg Rush, Avg run. * only 22 snaps LB- (OLB's are ranked in the 3-4 only, ILB includes all ILB's) Wake—- He ranked #4 overall, #3 rush, Avg cover, #10 run, 932 snaps. Misi——- He ranked # 7 overall, #13 rush, Avg cover, #2 run, 624 snaps. Dansby– He ranked #12 overall, #13 rush, #5 cover, #28 run, 868 snaps. Crowder- He ranked # 17 overall, Avg rush, Avg cover, #10 run, 510 snaps. DB- Smith—- He ranked # 8 overall, #11 rush, #14 cover, #16 run, 661 snaps. Davis—–He ranked #14 overall, Avg rush, #27 cover, #12 run, 1025 snaps. Bell——- He ranked #8 overall, #3 rush, Avg cover, #15 run, 989 snaps. Clemons-He ranked #61 overall, Avg rush, Neg cover, Avg run,889 snaps. W Allen– He ranked #32 overall, Avg rush, #20 cover, Avg run. *2009 rank Sapp—– He ranked #129 overall, 606 snaps. Enough said. If by health, knowledge, or experience, all of the above, except Sapp, should be better this year. We have a star in Wake, almost stars in Dansby and maybe Starks with Langford, and many believe stars to be in Davis, Smith, Misi, and Soliai. IF most or all goes very well, that's a whole lot of star power. We have few needs. A backup NT, maybe a FS (where Jones is lurking), and a pass rush specialist. With all the pass rushers drafted, I can see one available later. If the expected improvement takes place, and we minimize injuries, I see the Dolphins Dominant D puzzle solved. 1
Besides Davis our DB's nothing to place the dominant word near. Smith may develope but hopefully we go out and pick up a ligitmate cover guy who isn't 4-5 yds off the Wr like I saw way, way to often last year ( if you remember in many games getting torched there). Safety is another issue for upgrade. But to be dominant we definitely need upgrades in DB's. If done, it is potentially a very impressive D.... But don't fool yourself our DB's is an area of weakness.........(ex. Davis)
Yeah, right now we have the ability to make other teams beat us with their QB. If they would have drafted Prince Amakumura with their first pick, then I would say "look out NFL". As it is, they still have a chance to grow and be #1. However, there is the 2nd yr curse of Mike Nolan...
More like the 4th year curse of Sparano........... We'd be pretty tough with that DB from the Raiders...another Asmug&^)&^^*whatever, but even though the organization has spouted off being aggressive in FA can't seem them jumping on that guy. But who knows we did get Dansby last year...
Our current DB's really need to hold on to interceptions, the Safteys imo are the weak spot for this team. While they are not horrible I would be very happy to find some upgrades. Odrick coming back will add to what is already a very good unit, and Misi a year better is enough to keep us in the top 5 defensively imo.
Actually, Sean Smith was generally better than Vontae Davis this year. The dropped INTs were a huge problem, but he played better for longer periods of time than Vontae. We’re definitely bad at safety. A ball-hawking safety is the missing piece for this defense. We could always use more depth in general, but a top safety will make the biggest impact.
Most CBs take a couple years to adapt to the NFL. Asomugha, who you mention, started 7 games in his first two seasons, defending 3 passes. That's it. In year 3, he defended 14, and did not have his first pick until year 4. Smith defended 12 and 9 first two seasons, and got his fist pick last year. I think he is going to be VG. Players, coaches, and analyst have said the same.
Problem is SB, look at what the backups did in 2010 to see what 2011 will be like, how well did they play? That is why I think we needed or need, more OLB Depth, we need another passrushing part time player like Wake was in 2009, ST/Passrush etc. We do not have that in Ike or Q, we need to add it as that also helps ST.
Mostly agree. Bell is VG in pressuring the QB and run support but, middle of the pack, at best, in coverage. Will Allen replacing Sapp, as a nickel back, is a huge upgrade. He should also help Smith and Davis progress.
Clemons was a liability in coverage. However, he was a first time starter, had to be the QB in a very young secondary, and played with a groin tear for a month. He is the weakest link. Don't know how much he can improve. Jones did show flashes, and may be better. Somehow, we do need better play out of the FS position.
What is the info on Odrick ? Is he going to be good for preseason ? Our DB's need to hang on to more balls thrown their way, but i do like their aggressive play
Odie is fine, I follow him on tweeter and he posted pictures of himself running gassers. Though TBH, his personality is not very pleasant.
I have made it a semi mission to kick over rocks looking for passrushers and the mkt is thin, really thin. So much so I looked at practice squad players like John Chick on the Colts (fmr CFL DPOY) and there just is not a guy waiting for a phone call aside from Travis LaBoy and maybe Matt Roth.
I was just looking at what was lost from last year's D. Odrick and Merling- basically lost for the season. Starks goes from NT (Bad Decision) back to DE, does nothing for 1st 5 games, and then plays really well. Dansby misses 4 games. Crowder misses 5 games. Will Allen is lost for the season. Smith plays part time at SS in game one, plays part time FS in games 2, 3, and 4. Finally back to starting at CB in game #7, and plays really well the rest of the year. Injuries are part of the game but that was a lot of lost or misplaced snaps to deal with.
I've chatted with dozens of athletes via twitter and Odie is one of the few who is not what one would call very friendly.
My thought was maybe someone shaking loose from the teams drafting pass rushers but have not had the time to look up who, if anyone, would be of interest. I do believe we will get more of a rush from our DL, as well as Misi, but that does not solve depth at OLB. What's your take on Clemons and Jones at FS?
Just on Twitter bro, every other dolphin player I've chatted with is actually quite nice with a good sense of humor, Odie ain't like that.
Ok shag. It doesn't make him a bad player though. Perhaps he is pissed that he missed a whole season !
Don't hold your breath on that happening.. There really is not much out there: http://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...ts-4-3-defensive-ends3-4-outside-linebackers/ What we need is a 6'4 Lb/De who runs in the high 4.6's and who weighs about 250ish, they can be just a tad smaller. Jones needs Clemons' speed, Clemons needs Jones's hands. I think Clemons has plenty of upside, also think Reshad will be YBell's replacement. Keep an eye on Jonathon Amaya
Well, Kim Bokamper is not the most pleasant of personailites the truth be known, Odie is a bit more arrogant imho. Someone told him to STFU you draft bust, and he sort of became a bit upset over it...
At least he replied to him !! I asked him where he fits in after not playing for a year. Just awaiting a reply Kim was a good player for us and I respect him to a degree. Jared has done sweet FA for us so far, so i am just feeling out to him thus far LOL
Lets not forget AJ Edds.....isn't he still around? healthy? Think he was pushing to start before his injury. Not the rusher but I thought was an upgrade for us in coverage and looked like an exciting prospect before getting injured....
Defensive Line: Keep it the same. If McD becomes a FA, bring him back. He is vital as a pass rush NT on 3rd down and he was pretty solid as a backup at DE as well. Can't wait to see Merling+Odrick back. Holy hell, I honestly think we have the best over all DL in the league if everyone is healthy. Merling is our 4th option at DE. Scary. Linebackers: I want to stick with our ILB corps this year and see how they play. I feel like Crowder is borderline starter worthy. If he plays like he did in 09, then let him walk. If he improves, bring him back. Edds and Dobbins should be solid rotating in as well. Outside, we obviously need another pass rusher. I would like to take a look at either Gholston or Maybin and see what they can do in Mike Nolan's system. At the very least, they could possibly be decent end rushers in our 4 down-linemen system. I love Misi's potential, though. Secondary: I would like to keep Vontae+Sean as our duo, but have some insurance. Will Allen doesn't have much left in the tank, Benny Sapp is awful, Nate Ness is awful, and Nolan Carroll still has a lot of work to do. Clemons sucks, but I still like his potential to either be a backup or possibly keep his starting role if he doesn't get lost every game. Reshad Jones and Jonathan Amaya are nice prospects, who I could see being beneficial to us in the future. I think we are safe for a year though, with our current secondary depth chart, if we can generate a pass rush outside of Wake.
1. Jets didn't use him right. 2. I trust Mike Nolan's ability to turn him into something, because the potential has always been there. 3. Needs a change of scenery. 4. Could sign him to a 1 year deal for cheap 5. Better potential than Quentin Moses I wouldn't mind bringing him to tryout in TC with an UDFA to compete for a roster spot.
They tried to use him like a RDE/Pass Rushing specialist and he is more of a LDE/SOLB, or should be looked at it in that way. That and Rex Ryan prefers Veterans at linebacker, and on his defense in general, he does not develop people he merely plugs in Vets. So why not bring him in and see if Sheridan can do anything with him?
I think it's going to be a little bit difficult to find that kind of improvement in general, given that there aren't a lot of clear, urgent holes and there are quite a few young players with pretty good upside. A better pass rush would be nice. It wasn't bad by any means, but the extraordinary play was basically all Cameron Wake and Randy Starks. Koa Misi did well for a rookie and had upside, but a strong #3 OLB is a given, and they were interested in claiming Shawne Merriman off of waivers so that might be a position for it. I think the in-house changes at DE might be helpful, too. Koa Misi's improvement towards the end of the year will maybe mean less Kendall Langford at a wide speed rushing technique in the Nickel package(subbing for Misi), or less Paul Soliai at DT in Nickel formations(Which seemed to coincide with Misi at DE). Improved depth at DE might mean that Phillip Merling will be allowed to lose some needed weight and focus more on the pass rush element than having to hold up in a base package. People aren't particularly high on Merling, but I think it's worth remembering that Matt Roth sucked pretty bad as a stout 4-3 DE asked to gain a bunch of weight to play a 3-4 DE(or similiar role), and might be better off at a lighter weight. Letting Karlos Dansby be more of a wildcard might be helpful. The guy can do it all, and while he's not wasted per se in the position he's at, adding either a better coverage specialist(AJ Edds, etc.) comes on strong letting him be a little bit heavier a blitzer, or a true dedicated sideline to sideline type guy. Personally, I like the idea of signing Barrett Ruud. He's probably the best sideline to sideline guy available, and he's had experience playing over a sort of 2-gap front in Jim Bates defense, and he's a fantastic coverage guy playing in a system where he's asked frequently to play almost like a safety. I think the defensive back situation is obvious- Come down with interceptions. I think you just mostly have to hope the players you have can do it. It's hard to expect a lot of change at cornerback, with 6 players under contract and four of them with two or less years of experience. Safety right now is solid and unspectacular in coverage. I don't think Bell is a liability. Clemons was solid, and declined when he played hurt, but given Reshad Jones play given his snap count it's hard to expect they'll move much.
It's rather incredulous to me that the difference between those two sides would be any real improvement. If he can play, he should be able to play on either side.
Well not to me, Ghost is strong and fast, but not a passrusher, he is quite powerful but not explosive per se, like Ginn was fast, but not quick if you get my meaning? On the strongside his strengths would be highlighted, powerful man who has good speed, on the weakside, lack of explosion, lack of passrushing moves, are highlighted negatively. Also think people tend to forget that Ghost does not have a ton of football experience under his belt, he did not play HS football until he was a senior, then he came into the Draft early, he rarely played in NY, so whatever his potential he has little chance to develop it via playing. I also think this Regime in particular is quite good at converting DE types into SOLB's, Roth, Q, Ike Francis, Wake, Misi, that, imho, is one of the reasons why maybe we should give the Ghost a look.
