Draft or free agency for Dolphins disastrous LB unit?

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

By David Hyde

Full article: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/fl-sp-hyde5-dolphins-lb-20180116-story.html

It touches on the unnecessary extension of Alonso, the bad scheme fit for Timmons, the ill signing of Maualuga (almost forgot about him), The 5th rd draft pick given up for Anthony, and the early injury to McMillan.

So with all those poor decisions and the unfortunate injury behind us, where do we go from here to fix the worst unit on the defense? FA? Draft? Both?

I think you have to expect McMillan to come back from his knee injury and man the the middle. He's a natural at Mike. So then what do we do for the Sam and Will?

Chase Allen is a possible in house option at Sam, which is a two down spot for us currently.

I haven't delved into the depths of the draft yet (that's offseason fun for me) but in just taking some quick glances at articles and film, and as much as Roquan Smith stood out this year, VT OLB Tremaine Edmunds appears to be the best fit for our scheme. My first impression is that he has the size and strength to be stout at the LOS and has the range and mobility for pass defense.

I also haven't looked over FA at any options as to who might be available.

How would you fix this unit?

I would definitely target Edmunds in the draft. He would be perfect for the Sam spot. We are pretty much stuck with Alonso at will at this point because of the idiotic contract we just gave him. Unless we find somebody dumb enough to trade for him we are stuck with him. I would only play him for 2 downs though. I don't want to see him on the field on passing downs anymore. Chase allen looks like a natural Mike to me. I would plug him in as McMillan's backup at Mike at this point. He could also play Sam but he is a more natural Mike. He is decent in coverage but that is the weakest part of his game.

I would also target a decent free agent once we cut timmons who was a complete waste of time. Maybe try to sign Zach Brown again. Basically we need to use both the draft and free agency to adequately address the position which is still probably the weakest unit on the team along with oline.

Carmen, you did a lot of work on Edmunds?

"djphinfan wrote:

Carmen, you did a lot of work on Edmunds?

No sir, not yet. Just a few articles, some with clips. I need to re-up a few subscriptions to get a hold of some collegiate game tape.

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

No sir, not yet. Just a few articles, some with clips. I need to re-up a few subscriptions to get a hold of some collegiate game tape.

I’m about 250 reps in and I’m worried about instincts and vision..He’s so young though I have to figure out if it’s youth or you know, a lack of vision and instincts..

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

No sir, not yet. Just a few articles, some with clips. I need to re-up a few subscriptions to get a hold of some collegiate game tape.

Plenty on YouTube!

Deluca

"invid wrote:

Plenty on YouTube!

Highlights or actual game film?

I prefer actual game footage with all their snap counts to properly scout a player.

Nigel Graham from the eagles would shore up our coverage problems. He' young and plays in the wide 9. He will also cost a lot. If you want to get a cheap bargain I think barkevious mingo from the Colts might be worth a look. You won' get sacks but He's good at run support and pass coverage.

In the draft, raquon and Treadwell seem to be the consensus picks but I'm not sold on them 100 percent. I might rather wait a round or two to get better value. Arius Moore, sione teuhema, and keishawn berria are 2nd 3rd day picks and udfas I am interested in.

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

By David Hyde

How would you fix this unit?

I think it's mostly fixed all by itself- let Timmons walk, slide Kiko outside and plug in McMillan as originally planned. Then let Allen compete for that final slot wherever it happens to fall- I would make LB a top 3-4 round priority. Honestly, I'm secretly hoping that the BPA at #11 is a linebacker, but I have a gut feeling that it's going to be a quarterback or the best RB overall. I'm good with that either way though.

What I WOULDN'T DO is hit free agency for an aging veteran- we may as well extend Timmons if that's the strategy. We have a pretty young team and that's been our one challenge slot for years now- imagine if we had someone young like Mack out there just blowing up the field!?!

So that would be my goal- count on McMillan and find 1/2 young guys to compete with Kiko, Allen and others. With that said, I know nothing about college football players entering the draft so I'll have to defer to others there.

"KeyFin wrote:

I think it's mostly fixed all by itself- let Timmons walk, slide Kiko outside and plug in McMillan as originally planned. Then let Allen compete for that final slot wherever it happens to fall- I would make LB a top 3-4 round priority. Honestly, I'm secretly hoping that the BPA at #11 is a linebacker, but I have a gut feeling that it's going to be a quarterback or the best RB overall. I'm good with that either way though.

What I WOULDN'T DO is hit free agency for an aging veteran- we may as well extend Timmons if that's the strategy. We have a pretty young team and that's been our one challenge slot for years now- imagine if we had someone young like Mack out there just blowing up the field!?!

So that would be my goal- count on McMillan and find 1/2 young guys to compete with Kiko, Allen and others. With that said, I know nothing about college football players entering the draft so I'll have to defer to others there.

Problem is, we saw what he can do, or rather what he can't do, as an OLB this year. Very unimpressive. He's failed at both Mike and Will in our defense.

Can't have to many LB's. They are the core of your special teams also. Draft at least two. There are some VERY good prospects this year. We need depth and starters at every spot so a 1-2 and a 5-6-7 wouldn't hurt my feelings. Throw in a FS ball hawk and a couple of big mean Malafalas at G and C and then find speed wherever you can. This team is SLOW. That FS needs to be able to fly, and so do the LB's

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

Highlights or actual game film?

I prefer actual game footage with all their snap counts to properly scout a player.

Every snap, just not every game. Type in "Tremaine Edmunds vs." in the search and you should make out fine. It's the broadcast angle, not the all-22 though. The broadcast angle is fine for looking at certain positions, but makes it hard to look at cornerbacks, wide receivers, and safeties.

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

By David Hyde

Full article: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/fl-sp-hyde5-dolphins-lb-20180116-story.html

It touches on the unnecessary extension of Alonso, the bad scheme fit for Timmons, the ill signing of Maualuga (almost forgot about him), The 5th rd draft pick given up for Anthony, and the early injury to McMillan.

So with all those poor decisions and the unfortunate injury behind us, where do we go from here to fix the worst unit on the defense? FA? Draft? Both?

I think you have to expect McMillan to come back from his knee injury and man the the middle. He's a natural at Mike. So then what do we do for the Sam and Will?

Chase Allen is a possible in house option at Sam, which is a two down spot for us currently.

I haven't delved into the depths of the draft yet (that's offseason fun for me) but in just taking some quick glances at articles and film, and as much as Roquan Smith stood out this year, VT OLB Tremaine Edmunds appears to be the best fit for our scheme. My first impression is that he has the size and strength to be stout at the LOS and has the range and mobility for pass defense.

I also haven't looked over FA at any options as to who might be available.

How would you fix this unit?

Draft Tremaine Edmunds in first round...

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

Problem is, we saw what he can do, or rather what he can't do, as an OLB this year. Very unimpressive. He's failed at both Mike and Will in our defense.

We're going to just disagree on this one- I saw Kiko making lots of plays all year long behind a largely pedestrian LB group. I would personally blame the defensive scheme itself though...we just didn't cover up holes like we should have and our LB's seemed to be in coverage far too often. I mean, hell, there were plays where Wake was covering a guy downfield...Wake!

"Redwine4all wrote:

Draft Tremaine Edmunds in first round...

He's not my first pick, but if that happened I'd be happy.

"KeyFin wrote:

We're going to just disagree on this one- I saw Kiko making lots of plays all year long behind a largely pedestrian LB group. I would personally blame the defensive scheme itself though...we just didn't cover up holes like we should have and our LB's seemed to be in coverage far too often. I mean, hell, there were plays where Wake was covering a guy downfield...Wake!

People tend to grade players in a vacuum. LB's are hard to grade because not only do you have to take into account their limitations, but the entire defense's as well.

Kiko is very athletically gifted. He, like 99% of all LB's, needs help in order to excel. He's not the best at anything, but he can pretty much do it all. He's not going to be able to cover TE's like Gronk or Kelce (not many LB's can), but he can cover most RB's for a reasonable amount of time. He can rush the passer, and he can defend the run.

Kinda early for predictions but at this stage wouldn't mind

FA.... Andrew Norwell G. Panthers

Draft Minkah Fitzpatrick or Roqaun Smith

Just read an interesting article that said Burke is looking to go even more hybrid nickel and dime packages next year. Will basically become our base defense. The plans are for McDonald to replace the WLB. We would have two linebackers, the Mike and sam. We will need a FS unless mate Allen is the guy. Starting to think Minka Fitzpatrick might be in our crosshairs

"adamprez2003 wrote:

Just read an interesting article that said Burke is looking to go even more hybrid nickel and dime packages next year. Will basically become our base defense. The plans are for McDonald to replace the WLB. We would have two linebackers, the Mike and sam. We will need a FS unless mate Allen is the guy. Starting to think Minka Fitzpatrick might be in our crosshairs

I like the fact that Fitz has a massive amount of versatility as a S and even CB and someone who might have an effect on TE's...that seem to be another of the huge Achilles heal we possess...

I'm more interested that we pick up atleast one QUALITY lineman in FA.... Plus IMO Pouncey though He can be outstanding is just to hard to depend on through a season due to injuries. (makes 2)

And with our top pick know they won't even really think about a QB.... I see us still in that perpetual early stage of rebuilding so I'm not looking for the quick fix like some, to think that we are one or two players away...Damn we need 2 just on the OL...

"KeyFin wrote:

We're going to just disagree on this one- I saw Kiko making lots of plays all year long behind a largely pedestrian LB group. I would personally blame the defensive scheme itself though...we just didn't cover up holes like we should have and our LB's seemed to be in coverage far too often. I mean, hell, there were plays where Wake was covering a guy downfield...Wake!

1008 . . . that's the number of defensive snap counts Alonso had for '17. So while the casual onlooker watches the game and hollers in excitement at a few good handful of positive plays that Alonso made, when you go back and analyze his game, on a per snap basis via coaches film, it's quite awful.

"adamprez2003 wrote:

Just read an interesting article that said Burke is looking to go even more hybrid nickel and dime packages next year. Will basically become our base defense. The plans are for McDonald to replace the WLB. We would have two linebackers, the Mike and sam. We will need a FS unless mate Allen is the guy. Starting to think Minka Fitzpatrick might be in our crosshairs

That sounds like good news and my initial reaction is a positive one, though I have to wonder what is in the plans to defend the run game in such packages.

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

That sounds like good news and my initial reaction is a positive one, though I have to wonder what is in the plans to defend the run game in such packages.

Well the patriots were bad against the run this year and this is almost copying their playbook but belichik switched to the nickel and even dime alignments because of all the 3 and 4 receiver sets he was seeing. What we will see is jones, McDonald and the FS all play the run. Whoever our FS is will have to be good against the run for this to work imo

When we run into more traditional running teams we will probably revert back to a more traditinal 4-3 alignment with 3 linebackers. But since passing seems to be the order of the day this could well become our base defense

"Carmen Cygni wrote:

That sounds like good news and my initial reaction is a positive one, though I have to wonder what is in the plans to defend the run game in such packages.

I don't think he will make a change. I'd like to read the article.

"adamprez2003 wrote:

Well the patriots were bad against the run this year and this is almost copying their playbook but belichik switched to the nickel and even dime alignments because of all the 3 and 4 receiver sets he was seeing. What we will see is jones, McDonald and the FS all play the run. Whoever our FS is will have to be good against the run for this to work imo

When we run into more traditional running teams we will probably revert back to a more traditinal 4-3 alignment with 3 linebackers. But since passing seems to be the order of the day this could well become our base defense

Not true. They were 2nd in the league, only to Minnesota, for least amount of rushing TD given up (6).

If this occurs, we will be nothing like them. We don't have the personnel versatility ( or coaching knowledge, IMO) to make it so.

Patriots base D last year was a 3-3-5 w/ a 50 front & Bear alignment. They also played many other alignments (4-3 Even, 4-2-5, 2-4-5, etc.) in both their front 7 and secondary that we would never be able to match. We also don't have a back 7 that can play strong M2M that creates a free defender. A free safety is a must to be able to successfully employ a subpackage as our base D, b/c of the need for an extra man in the the box vs the run.