http://www.universaldraft.com/2010/04/01/2010-draft-spotlight-de-derrick-morgan-georgia-tech/ Mods I thought I'd post it here simply as there isn't much football action going on. Obviously move at your discretion, but thought it might be something for people to view.
Well, if you go by 3 cone and shuttle times alone 3 Cone time - 7.18 Shuttle - 4.67 Those numbers hardly shout OLB to me to be honest.
What he's tryna say is Derrick Morgan = 4-3 end, he's not coming to Miami unless its for a road game.
really, i think he was pointing out JPP ... not Morgan. Morgan is certainly one of the few OLBs that we have to consider in rd 1 ... especially since he is nearly the only one who meets this regimes 'prototype' size ...
i personally think we're taking Morgan, if not Dan Williams. The two most 'boring' picks but that's what i see happening. And rightfully so, we need both positions very badly.
Skill is also a requirement, and IMO Morgan doesnt have it, at least not yet. He excelled at beating slowfooted RTs around the edge in college, but those days are over. He's an average run defender, who has ZERO experience playing with this back to the QB, dropping into hook, flat zones, carrying RBs and TEs downfield etc. Man coverage? Dont even ask. If we're gonna go with a SOLB propsect in the 1st I hope it would be Eversen Griffin: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IfplrUsJgs"]YouTube- Universal Draft Presents DE Everson Griffen of USC[/ame]. He's bigger, faster, and stronger at the point/holds the edge better. Better in pursuit, has more pass rush moves, is effective rushing from either side. And most importantly, Griffen has experince playing in a 3-4, looks fluid in his drops, and is able to chase down plays on the sideline fairly easily. The knock on Griffen is that he underachieved at USC, which I cant speak to, but in terms of skill and athleticism, Griffin is miles ahead of Morgan at this point IMO.
Me personally, i am not looking for SOLB at 12 ... i want the lanky speed rusher that can create havoc. i believe a SOLB can be had much later in the draft. But if you are looking SOLB, as stated - Morgan has to be considered, especially given his size. reporting indicates that we have scouted just about all of the top 10 DEs -- less Wootton .... so, we are looking - very, very hard and only Carrington seems like a true DE out of the bunch. That gives us quite of few SOLB types to choose from and Griffen and JPP are by far the fastest. If he wasn't so short (as compared to the prototype) ... Hughes is clearly my WOLB pick at #12 ... he is fast enough to be an impact player -- but Morgan is faster than given credit for. Lane will be sitting there later in rds 3-5 to pick up as a SOLB ....
morgan has said he is more comfortable playing DE in a 4-3. he said he was willing to try to play LB because there is a need in the NFL. That says project to me. Especially as stiff as Morgan plays plus he whiffs a lot. I hadn't noticed him being on the ground so much till that was pointed out. i don't see much upside with Morgan in our defense. Seems like a bad fit.
killer .... my only question is - you don't think Morgan could do at least as good a job as Roth did at SOLB .... again, i am opposed to drafting a SOLB at 12 ... and i understand the counter argument -- would you draft Roth at 12 ... but still ... i am warming to drafting Carrrington and Lane in rds 3 + ... and let 1 win SOLB and the other DE ... but that still leaves a hole at WOLB and S for rds 1 & 2 .... (and no, i just don't see Wake at WOLB -- i didn't like JP there .... )
sure if that is what you want from the #12 pick but if that were the case they should have kept roth. he was developing nicely there and was young. still think we effed up that whole situation. anyway I would rather have a guy like Graham who has the versatility to move around. I'm not sure the guy couldn't play all four of the LB postions (not at once of course LOL) he is that good. I still see morgan as a project in our defense where as if he goes to a 4-3 team he would be an instant fit. That is the main reason I hope we stay off of him. The guy is not built for our scheme imo
The reviews are mixed on Morgan's ability to switch to a 3-4, but this is based on the assumption that all 3-4's are the same. In fact, not all 3-4's are created equal. Pittsburgh 3-4 is different than a Patriots/Chiefs 3-4. The Romeo Crennell 3-4, which stems from the Parcells line, uses a SOLB Mike Vrabel type who is responsible for the run and rushing the passer and has little coverage responsibility. Roth was the same. I think in our 3-4 system, Derrick Morgan will fit right in and complement Dansby, who will assist in coverage, and Crowder will now be the banger ILB. In fact I wonder at this point if we would have to trade up to get Morgan. He maybe under the fan radar, but I get the sense that he's going to be picked early (e.g. top ten). If we don't like Torbor as a backup banger, we may be able to get Brandon Spikes in the 3rd or 4th round, now with his ridiculously slow 40 time. He's like another Bryan Cox, which, if you haven't figured out already from my avatar, is my favorite Dolphin player.
i think we were in agreement about Roth during last season ... but none-the-less ... if Hughes were 2" taller .... i think he would be our unquestionable 1st rd pick ! i believe he brings what we are looking for at WOLB. if Thomas were 6' tall .... he would be 1a right behind Hughes -- and make it a tough choice between S and OLB in rd 1. i think if Graham was 2" taller ... he would still be #2 right behind Hughes ... between the DE/OLBs -- there are just so many SOLBs to choose from in this draft and none need to be picked in rd 1 .....
Lets just say Im not as enamored w/ size as some. Im more interested in whether or not a guy has the right skill set to play the position, and Morgan is a project 3-4 guy at this point. Griffen is more skilled, more talented, and less raw. Every team is looking for the havoc wreaking OLB/DE, hell, alot of these draftniks are trying to invent one out of thin air (JPP). But there isnt one out there, so IMO its best to go with the flow and take a (first rounder)player who can come in and play well, rather than a guy who might be a baller a couple years down the line.
Im all aboard the "why did we cut Matt Roth?" train. Moses looks like he can play the position, but he's nothing special, not a playmaker at all. Not sure I understand you, are you suggesting we put Morgan at WOLB, as our primary pass rusher? . Well, Morgan rushed from the right side 90% of the time in college, and IMO his pass rush moves are extremely underdeveloped. He's got a speed rush, a bull rush, and not much else. In our defense he'd be on the left side, against pro LTs, the speed/bull just wont cut it. Wake is a better rusher as an OLB, I think we should be grooming him for that WOLB role instead of drafting a guy to compete with him at 3-4 times his salary. Its not that I dont like Morgan, I just dont think he fits on this team, or better yet, I think there are several other players who would make better fits than he would.
no, Morgan is a SOLB ... no WOLB for him ... but i do think he isn't as 'slow' as some are making him out to be. i do think he fits on this team as a SOLB ... i'm just not sold on picking a SOLB at 12, since there are multiple decent SOLB candidates later in the draft. at 12, i want a game changer .... and i give Hughes a chance at that on the weak side, just for this regime, wish he were 2 " taller ....
How many more are you guys trying to do before the draft? Are you guys gonna do each of the Dolphin's picks after the draft?
