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Just say no to Dan Williams

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by GMJohnson, Apr 8, 2010.

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  1. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    Based on recent history, Dan Williams will not be much help as a NT in his rookie year, or even his second year. NT is the hardest position to play in the league, its the most physically demanding, and 99% of the college DTs being asked to play the position never played it in college, so theres a huge learning curve. Thats why there's there's not a single starting NT in this league with less than 3 years experience. Soliai just finished his 3rd year so he's getting there. Everyone one dumps on him for not playing well, but look at the other NTs in the league:

    Wilfork 6 years (28) 1st round
    Jenkins 9 yrs (30) 2nd round
    Ferguson 13 years (35) 7th round
    Ratliff 6 years (28), 7th round
    Franklin 7 years (29) 5th round
    Pickett 9 years (30) 1st round
    Hampton 9 years (32) 1st round
    Gregg 10 years (33) 6th round
    Peko 4 years (25) 4th round
    Williams 12 years (33) 2nd round
    Tyler 3 years (25) 3rd round
    Watson 4 years (26) 4th round
    Paul Soliai 3 years (26) 5th round
    Dan Williams 0 years (22) 1st round :sad::no::tantrum:

    All of the good ones have several years experience, are pushing or above 30, and only three were taken in the first round. The lone age exception is Peko, probably the top young nose in the league.

    Back to Williams though. If you think we're going to fill the NT spot with a rookie, youre dreaming. Its much more likely we'd take Williams and spend a few years watching him struggle as a starter, or not start at all. We cant slide him over to DE, we're already stacked there, and he certainly wont be any help on special teams. Williams probably rides the pine as the 2nd highest paid player on the defense. Daydreaming about ways to spend his millions while the rest of the team sweats it out on the field. How do you think thats gonna play in the locker room?

    Meanwhile, we'd be passing on several players who could come in and start. E Thomas, D Bryant, E Griffen, B Graham etc. Players who wont have to change positions, who have more than just one good year on their resume. Or we can spend our 1st rounder, and the 15+ million guaranteed that comes with it, on a backup. :pity::pity::pity::pity::pity:

    Not saying that we dont need a NT, just thats its much smarter to grab a guy in the later rounds, when the value is better. The top round picks and the big money go to players who can contribute right away, the mid-late rounds are for projects. Unless youre Pat White.
     
    Califin, CrunchTime, JimToss and 4 others like this.
  2. OCDolfan

    OCDolfan a.k.a. LostInPatsLand Club Member

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    If we could guarantee Williams would be a very solid starting NT on day one, I'd say, sure, draft him. But we can't...
     
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  3. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    No ones a guarantee, not even my boy E Thomas. But I can just about guarantee that Williams WONT be a solid starter for at least a few years.
     
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  4. I MiZFiT I

    I MiZFiT I The Young And The Bestest

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    Some people guarantee that D. Bryant is already a top 10 reciever in the league.
     
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  5. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    you're right. and thats true about the position in general. But in order to get an elite NT you either have to draft one and hope he becomes elite, or pay big time for one later. If Williams is going to become an elite NT, and i know i don't know enough about talent evaluation to say he will, but if he can be then i totally believe he's worth the #12. Either way, it's not my call.

    I'm very hands-off with this draft. I don't really care who we take because there's a lot of good talent and quite frankly it's not going to be an easy choice no matter what.

    Personally, i think we're going Morgan unless he's gone. He just seems like he fits what this FO wants.
     
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  6. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    some people claimed that about Mike Williams before the draft as well.
     
    Fin-Omenal likes this.
  7. JimToss

    JimToss Thank You Chad Pennington

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    Yes, we have other holes to fill on the defense.

    But as you stated NT's need a couple years to develop and most elite are drafted in the 1st round.
    By passing on Dan Williams this year only sets us back for future years. We are not ready to contend for a title and before we are we need an elite NT.

    I can't say I completely agree with what I typed, but I am using the logic you presented in the OP. I still think there are better prospects then Williams on the board at #12. (Bryant, Thomas, Berry (A guy can dream), Spiller) But taking Williams over any of these prospects is reasonable, if the FO believes he can become an elite NT.
     
  8. NorFlaFin

    NorFlaFin Active Member

    Mt Cody is the only Day 1 plug and play 3-4 NT in this draft.

    Everybody is going to need time to develop, just like all of the DE/OLB conversion candidates.

    If I had to take a NT at 12. I'd take Cody although I really prefer to trade down.
     
  9. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    I agree we're not ready to contend, but I think our best chance to do so would involve building around Chad Henne and our OL. Maybe not Bryant specifically, but we definitely need to add a playmaker or two. Scoring more points and holding on to the ball improves the defense as well.
     
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  10. High Definition

    High Definition No Smoke / No Drink 2011+

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    Gave thread five stars based on title alone.
     
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  11. Fin-Omenal

    Fin-Omenal Initiated

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    Excellent post, and your 100% right about no guarentee's....none, zero.
     
  12. PHINANALYST

    PHINANALYST Well-Known Member

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    No, No, N-O !!
     
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  13. OCDolfan

    OCDolfan a.k.a. LostInPatsLand Club Member

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    :knucks:
     
  14. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Dan Williams is a long way from being elite. He's a 2 down 43 defensive tackle with no pass rush and very inconsistent technique. Taking Williams at 12 is yet another sideways step for this franchise.
     
  15. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

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    Say Hello to Cam Thomas in the 3rd. baby! I wish. With so many teams running the 3-4 for the most part and he having the ability to be a true NT, imo, I doubt he will last that long, but that would be sweet.
     
  16. HULKFish

    HULKFish Artist and Scribe

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    Well whatever Boomer says I'm agreeing with him in general! There are no guarantees at any position though... I'd say that if he can't at least handle 20 snaps a game with some flashes of brilliance or if thats not what they would see then don't draft him.

    Ireland did remind everyone though that he found Ratliff in the seventh or whatever though so maybe that was a sign of things to come.
     
  17. GMJohnson

    GMJohnson New Member

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    We've got 3 six round picks and a couple 7th rounders. Take a couple NTs and let em battle it out in camp.
     
  18. greasyObnoxious

    greasyObnoxious New Member

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    great post, and i agree with most of it, but i think you're forgetting Haloti Ngata.
     
  19. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Ngata is a defensive end. Kelly Gregg plays NT.
     
  20. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Oh and the Bengals play a 43 so Peko is a DT not a nose tackle. ;)
     
  21. NorFlaFin

    NorFlaFin Active Member

    I'd nominate Kris Jenkins as the best 3-4 NT helluva presence in the middle for the Yets
     

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