Completing The Dominent D Puzzle
64 replies
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.
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Abbi NormalNew MemberBesides 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)
Pandarillaforum_veteranYeah, 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...
Abbi NormalNew Member"Pandarilla wrote:
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...
Fin-OmenalNew MemberOur 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.
Desidesforum_veteran"Abbi Normal wrote:
Besides Davis our DB's nothing to place the dominant word near.
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.
"Fin-Omenal wrote:
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.
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.
"Not you." — Tywin Lannister
"Abbi Normal wrote:
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)
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.
padre31luxury_boxProblem 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.
"Fin-Omenal wrote:
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.
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.
"Desides wrote:
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.
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.
Whitedolphin54luxury_boxWhat 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
"padre31 wrote:
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.
Agreed Padre, They are tuff to find but hopefully Ireland will pull another rabbit out of his hat.
padre31luxury_box"Whitedolphin54 wrote:
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.
padre31luxury_box"Southbeach wrote:
Agreed Padre, They are tuff to find but hopefully Ireland will pull another rabbit out of his hat.
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 feel like Yeremiah Bell will be a liability this year
Whitedolphin54luxury_box"padre31 wrote:
Odie is fine, I follow him on tweeter and he posted pictures of himself running gassers.
Though TBH, his personality is not very pleasant.
Why do you say that Padre ?
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.
padre31luxury_box"Whitedolphin54 wrote:
Why do you say that Padre ?
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.
"padre31 wrote:
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.
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?
Whitedolphin54luxury_boxDo you mean friendly as on twitter ? or as part of the team, or on the field ? Just wondering
padre31luxury_box"Whitedolphin54 wrote:
Do you mean friendly as on twitter ? or as part of the team, or on the field ? Just wondering
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.
Whitedolphin54luxury_boxOk shag. It doesn't make him a bad player though. Perhaps he is pissed that he missed a whole season !
padre31luxury_box"Southbeach wrote:
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.
Don't hold your breath on that happening..:lol:
There really is not much out there:
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.
What's your take on Clemons and Jones at FS?
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
Whitedolphin54luxury_boxLOL I've just added Jared to my list. Does he ever reply to anything you say ?
padre31luxury_box"Whitedolphin54 wrote:
LOL I've just added Jared to my list. Does he ever reply to anything you say ?
Nope.
And when he does say..well..you'll see.
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