Our first pick = Davis The most talked about pick = White. I guess the off-season is slow and this is bothering me in a football sense when it really shouldn't. I don't bank the success of this draft on White I bank it more of off one of the CBs being a good player and one of the WRers being a good player. Sure White was 2a and everything and he could help expand our wildcat offense at very least. I'm more concerned about the corners and wide receivers panning out. We doubled up on them in the draft for a reason (obviously so we'd have more of a chance of one of them panning out). It just seems that everywhere I hear Dolphins coverage it's Pat White or "If Pat White fails the draft is a bust". had to gripe somewhere...
For me, the Davis pick was a letdown. I actually think that Smith could end up being the better player. The White pick was at least interesting. I don't think it will be quite as impactful this year as some, but it promotes discussion into areas beyond just one player and into broader offensive philosophy.
also the thing about White is that he is the sexy pick. He is by far the most exciting pick to talk about. He is an unknown and explosive. He is also someone who people have strong opinions on. No one has a strong opinion on whether Davis is going to be a cornerback or not. There are some people who like to point out that he is more of a running qb and only a few running qbs have been successful, like McNabb, Cunningham, Steve Young and Vick(he was one game away from the superbowl). There are some who like to point out that he is a winner and the only qb in college history to quarterback 4 winning bowl games and was MVP in 3 of them AND won the last one mostly for his passing than his running
I've heard quite a few people say that they think that Smith could be the better player. I understand the logistics of White and why people talk about it but not one person in the media brings up Davis unless it's to pass on to white. kind of like the holy hand granade of antioch. "thou shall not count to two unless thou then proceeds directly to count to three" (it's a monty python thing). I just don't get why davis gets ignored. from what i understand davis' strengths are being played up in the quarters coverage and this could expand talk to our whole defense being great; which is more than one player (to rafael). I don't mind the talk about White but it seems that not only does he get the most coverage he gets the best coverage as well. For a while it was "Davis has an attitude much like his brother" (which could be completely overblown). *shrugs*. I just wish the media would go more into depth about our draft picks more. Has anyone heard anything about J.D. Folsom for example? The success of a franchise is largely based off of how well draft picks pan out IMO and White is only one of our picks this year..
I loved the Davis pick and honestly think he can be a great corner. Don't forget, it wasn't that long ago that he was the best corner in the draft and a projected Top 10 pick. Pat White will probably be a situational player his entire career while Vontae will hopefully be an every down player. If Vontae becomes a starter, and a pro-bowl starter at that this draft will be a success in my books.
I think you are basically correct anlgp, we took davis because we had to upgrade the secondary, that was job #1, with Owens and Brady coming into the AFC east this season, we had to man up. I just finished watching Crunch's games, and putting Jason Allen back on the field is not an attractive option...at all...when a team needed a large chunk of yds, they found #32 and got it, we had to do better then that this season. As for White, IMO a team needs an "X" factor, just a playmaker that you find ways to get the ball into their hands, White was that in College, he fits the WildCat, and that is the sort of thing we need to keep DefCord's up at night.
Well AG, you gotta be smilin some now. I loved our draft and said so right after, for one reason, i knew what the objective was going in, and by most accounts, we took players that fit those objectives perfectly..Physical..athletic..incredibly talented, Size, all these intangibles were desperately needed, even though it seemed by some that we took some chances with players that had {allegedly} some off the field issues...Well brother, the reason i say you can smile some is that those players that were in question, have gone out of their way to show professionalism, respect for their piers and coaches, and excellent work ethic. oh, and one last thing, we needed two corners worse then jet fans need a spelling lesson. We may of hit the jackpot on both. I dont think you would find anyone that would disagree that Vontae davis is and was the most physically gifted corner, and some would say overall, best athlete in the draft. Sean smith is arguably the 2nd. both, have been impressive with the way they are thinking, when it comes to image,and, a recognition of their talent, and what they need to do from a mental aspect, to become complete football players, i see them going out of there way to take those steps. Lets put it this way my brother, if those two combine some ninja like mental qualities with the talent they were blessed with, then our draft will be off to a hell of a start. Patrick turner, hmmmmm, lets see...SCORE, STEAL, whatever you wanna call it, a third round pick with that size, those fundamentals, excellent hands, and what Jeff Ireland calls " good competetive speed, knowin we got this guy for a third, you will be smilin from ear to ear come game day..After some ota's, jeff ireland said, " this kid is gonna be a very very good footbal player in this league....Thats all the confirmation i need after watching him play football all last year at usc and being excited about the pick. And Pat white...I know this one is kinda like blind faith, but hear me out...Dont let anyone mislead you, this kid is an ATHLETE/wildcat qb, that will play the wildcat position for us, an athlete that has some throwing skills to go along with his overall football iq, talent and instincts. The athlete will be put all over the field in different positions and formations. He will be the true X factor on offense that The league has never quite seen before. He will run, he will pass, he will catch, and, he has the talent to have to be accounted for. I wont get into him playing in a proset, because i dont think that utilizes his skills to the max, i also think that our front office realizes that, but at the same time, is getting the kid reps so he can play 3rd string in a pinch..if he wants to move up in the traditional sense, then fine, he will have to show that on the field, he controls that fate. He's a wildcat qb, and we are a bonafide wildcat implementing football team, Oh yes, we are going there... I loved are draft then, and iam seeing some good signs that i had reason for excitement. Once again, the objective..Bigger, Faster, stronger, more athletic...The analysis of each player tells me we accomplished our objective bigtime, while adding a player that can bring more diversity and skill, to an offense and position, that is obviously been committed to.
Secondary was a huge position of need so we doubled up at CB. We picked up Davis who was highly rated and who will turn out to be a decent pick up for us. We spent another high pick on Sean Smith. This is the guy I really wanted and I would've been happy if we picked him with our first rounder. Getting Davis, Smith and Chris Clemons at safety? Wow. I'm really excited about our secondary now. And it sounds like Sean Smith might even turn out to be the better defender. But so far all of them are sounding like great rookies for us.
I think you got your answers. Davis isn't talked about as much just because the effect Pat White is going to have on our WildCat. Also Davis wil be possibly somewhat limited in the playing time he gets only because we signed Greene who has experience and will likely start ahead of Davis and Smith, at least in their rookie seasons. Doesn't mean Davis is any less of a value pick or athlete than White, in fact he's (Davis) probably the best athlete we drafted and I expect him to be a Pro Bowl CB, just not in his first year. I have to give kudos to DJ for his post/analysis, dead on pretty much all around IMHO.
