LINK to rest of story http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8061590/First-pick-gives-insight-to-Parcells'-plan General manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano — who were there to announce Long had signed a contract four days before the draft — both report to Parcells in his role as Miami's executive vice president of football operations. That has led to widespread speculation about how Parcells' previous personnel history would influence the trio's first Dolphins draft. Parcells is known for valuing brilliant pass-rushers he has coached like Lawrence Taylor, Willie McGinest and DeMarcus Ware. Some media members and draft analysts subsequently mused that Miami would ultimately select a standout college defensive end like Virginia's Chris Long or Ohio State's Vernon Gholston even though contract negotiations with Jake Long began 1½ weeks ago. Clearly, those talks weren't a smokescreen.
If you look at his most recent work, including 2007 which would have been influenced by Parcells through Ireland you find a pattern that will be the likely blueprint in Miami. Obviously in any given year the focus can shift to make it seem a new pattern is evolving but overall our drafts should be very similar to what BP's did in Dallas. From rounds 1 through 4 the Cowboys drafted 5 offensive linemen, 4 linebackers, 3 defensive ends, 2 tightends, 2 runningbacks, 2 cornerbacks and only 1 QB/WR. Rounds 1 and 2 were dominated by 3 linebackers and 2 defensive-ends being selected. Round 3 was dominated with the selection of 3 offensive linemen. Round 4 was a mix of everything. The conclusion I would draw would be that BP & Co will focus on the offensive line as one of the major keys to success but also as something that may not require high level draft picks to attain a good one. The second key would be on the defensive front 7. With so many linebackers and defensive ends being drafted, stopping the run and pressuring the QB were considered critical for defensive success. The impacts of Jake Long and free agency: Jake Long obviously improves the offensive line in two places it could be at both tackle spots or tackle and guard. Long/Carey on the left side could dominate for years with Carey being just the right type of veteran to help Long along. BP & Co were very focused on upgrading our linebackers and defensive line through free agency. We missed what was probably the big fish in Calvin Pace and it makes you wonder just what Jason Taylor's role will be in Miami. On face value it would seem that Taylor is not in the short term plans and given his age shouldn't be. I think we should expect the Dolphins to find that replacement but whether it be in Quentin Groves or Cliff Avril we shall see. On the defensive line there is still room to get physically bigger while being stouter against the run, so expect a guy like Kentwan Balmer to be a strong possibility.
Cam talked big about building from the inside out, Bill does something about it rather than running his mouth about it. Expect more of the same this draft, bigger, faster, smarter, higher character players will be the standard for what Parcells/Ireland/Sparano call "the makeup". This term is already iconic in our FO and the locker room, Sparano and Ireland have used the term over and over. Bill knows better than anyone that games are won & lost in the trenches, up front. He and Ireland have already taken the first step to establish the mentality of our OL to be smashmouth, I love this. We will wear you down, run right over you, and run the ball again, right down your throat, try and stop us. Right out of the Vince Lombardi playbook of championships.
