Dolphins brass looking at ILB Rolando McClain

Why though? We just filled this need via FA. If we draft Mcclain, we ignore much bigger needs in FS, OLB, and WR.

Good point; two things come to mind.

1) I think it depends on what they do with JT at OLB. We were so/so at OLb, but we were aweful at S and ILB.

2) I think at the end of the season Crowder was in question and they could be drafting an upgrade.

There is so much D talent in this draft all departments of need will be addressed, but I sure hope they get this guy.

it would be an excellent pick. fits the prototype and makes the middle of the field untouchable. plus think of all the posts we could read on how ILB isnt really a "core" position

I'm still in the OLB camp however. I think McClain is a fallback if another team grabs the OLB they want

Ya brother ~ I hear you loud and clear!

You honestly think it would be a good pick if we draft him over Earl Thomas or Dez Bryant? It would make no sense. Crowder is an average player who can excel playing next to Karlos Dansby.

I like McClain, but am seeing bigger needs at WR, FS and OLB. I kinda hope he gets drafted before us and it pushes a need down to us.

I want to see Dez Bryant or Earl Thomas at #12.

I don't think it's an 'either or thing' - I think it could be both. We could grab him in a later round depending on what happens. S and LB will be addressed early and often. There is enough talent here to go around here. This is the best Defensive draft in a decade.

I think after the draft is over we will all be grinning like a slit melon.

Rather Bryant, Thomas, or Spiller... but unlike most other prospects, this one would NOT make me disappointed.

"Ashraf wrote:

You honestly think it would be a good pick if we draft him over Earl Thomas or Dez Bryant? It would make no sense. Crowder is an average player who can excel playing next to Karlos Dansby.

mcclain fits the prototype profile for the position that Parcells covets and has excellent character and intangibles. Thomas doesnt support the run as well as Parcells would prefer and we have to see what we have in Clemons. Bryant has the body but dont think he has the character nor plays the position Parcells covets. Plus we still have to see what we have in Turner. Turner wont be as good but he may turn into a good big physical receiver nontheless

Dansby has made it pretty clear that he will be on the inside, so where does that leave Crowder? Draft day trade or third string I guess.

I wonder what Crowder's future is? He is a solid player but if you look at the highlights of our loses he has some costly mistakes.

Remember: they are still trying to trade Smiley for a draft pick ......

Would love if we were shopping crowder for a pick, I already plan on our third round linebacker we choose to replace him, so why not look for a 4th or 5th up until draft day.

The possibilities are truly endless because there are so many talented Defensive players in this draft. Combine that with a whopping #12 pick and almost anything is possible. I think this is the most important draft this team has had in recent memory.

"adamprez2003 wrote:

mcclain fits the prototype profile for the position that Parcells covets and has excellent character and intangibles. Thomas doesnt support the run as well as Parcells would prefer and we have to see what we have in Clemons. Bryant has the body but dont think he has the character nor plays the position Parcells covets. Plus we still have to see what we have in Turner. Turner wont be as good but he may turn into a good big physical receiver nontheless

Bill Parcells doesn't draft Offensive Lineman in the first. Bill Parcells doesn't draft Corner Backs in the first. Bill Parcells doesn't draft Pat White's.

The past is the past. Bill Parcells has to adapt to todays game. It's a passing league. Rolando McClain will not help us against the pass. Is he better than Channing Crowder? Yes. But he won't make as big an impact as Earl Thomas or Dez Bryant.

I want Dez Bryant but if we go ILB i want Sean Weatherspoon who is a three down player that would make the middle of our defense so fast and donimant

"cobrajet wrote:

I wonder what Crowder's future is? He is a solid player but if you look at the highlights of our loses he has some costly mistakes.

Remember: they are still trying to trade Smiley for a draft pick ......

SOLB on Running plays

"cobrajet wrote:

1) I think it depends on what they do with JT at OLB. We were so/so at OLb, but we were aweful at S and ILB.

At this point in his career, Jason Taylor's presence really shouldn't lull us into thinking we can ignore OLB. Really, we should have already addressed this position with someone not named Cameron Wake. I still think we should have taken Clint Sintim over Pat White, for example.

And being awful at ILB isn't the reason for our defensive woes, which weren't all that woeful up front until injuries hit. Ayodele was worse than Crowder, and he's been massively upgraded with Dansby. Our real defensive focus should be on improving against the pass, which means a combination of maturation from our rookie corners, the addition of a ball-hawking free safety (I would pay Darren Sharper whatever he wants, presuming he passes a physical), and better short route pass coverage from the LBs... which we've already addressed with Dansby, and need to address at one of the OLB spots.

2) I think at the end of the season Crowder was in question and they could be drafting an upgrade.

Using the #12 pick to replace Crowder is extreme megadeath overkill. It's just unnecessary. I'd rather wait and see if Brandon Spikes is there at 43, which is looking more likely by the day. Spikes also has some versatility and could shift along the back of the line just as Dansby is projected, which can help mask some short-term deficiencies if we can't fully replenish the LB group due to a tumultuous draft.

McClain's a good player, but I look at some of the tape and don't quite see the things being attributed to him. The guy can analyze a play immediately, and he's vastly superior to Crowder in that regard, but I still don't see the need to waste the #12 pick on an ILB considering the current configuration of this team.

But he won't make as big an impact as Earl Thomas or Dez Bryant.

You are correct: McClain will not help us with the pass, but the other draft picks will.

If we continue to have a problem at NT we will be glad we have him. I say grab him with both hands and run like hell!

I would rather trade down if Bryant and Thomas are gone and we have McClain still on the board. There are other LB's just as good that we could take later on.

Using the #12 pick to replace Crowder is extreme megadeath overkill

I agree, there are other play makers that should go that high. But McClain will fall to round 2 (..or 3?).

"Ashraf wrote:

Bill Parcells doesn't draft Offensive Lineman in the first. Bill Parcells doesn't draft Corner Backs in the first. Bill Parcells doesn't draft Pat White's.

The past is the past. Bill Parcells has to adapt to todays game. It's a passing league. Rolando McClain will not help us against the pass. Is he better than Channing Crowder? Yes. But he won't make as big an impact as Earl Thomas or Dez Bryant.

jake long = jumbo elliott/ vontae davis = marc collins/ pat white = early stages of alzheimers or a fond remembrance of ray lucas which is a sign of early stages of alzheimers

you can say its a passing league all you want but it doesnt change the fact that you need linebackers to play the type of defense this FO envisions. We still dont have the LBs to make this defense work. Untiul we do thats our biggest need

"cobrajet wrote:

I agree, there are other play makers that should go that high. But McClain will fall to round 2 (..or 3?).

I don't see how McClain makes it past the Giants at 15.

"adamprez2003 wrote:

jake long = jumbo elliott/ vontae davis = marc collins/ pat white = early stages of alzheimers or a fond remembrance of ray lucas which is a sign of early stages of alzheimers

you can say its a passing league all you want but it doesnt change the fact that you need linebackers to play the type of defense this FO envisions. We still dont have the LBs to make this defense work. Untiul we do thats our biggest need

Jumbo Elliot was a second round selection. Same with Marc Collins.

We do need linebackers. I agree with you there. But we need outside linebackers, not inside linebackers. We addressed that need already with the addition of Karlos Dansby.

Think of it like this. Which upgrade will have a bigger impact on our team?

Channing Crowder to Rolando McCalin
Gibril Wilson to Earl Thomas
Ted Ginn Jr to Dez Bryant

I don't know about you, but I see the obvious answer.

The answer may be Paul Pasqualoni to Mike Nolan :)