Not trying to knock anyone, it's the way I talk football. Feel free to ask any and all questions about what I say that you may not understand or about schemes, concepts, and verbiage you may not have a grasp on.
Physically, sure. Fitzpatrick understands concepts. Jason Allen was about as dumb as a box of hammers. That was his biggest issue (other than being semi-YouTube famous for being run over in college by Ronnie Brown).
I guess if Ray Lewis thinks Fitz is special, also realizing he most likely knows what a solid S is... kinda out weighs many others evaluations IMO. I wanted Smith but he was gone and if Ray is this excited over Fitz and him even thinking he maybe the best player is enough for me to think we did pretty damn good... Ray Lewis view of Minkah:
I thought it was genuine. Thank you. Now when you say he's just a "slots/flats" player: don't you think that's an increasingly important position to be in this day in age in the NFL?
You come off a little strong at times.....most would probably use the word "a-hole". I personally think it's funny; not what you say, but the reactions that some people make when you go on the offensive. I'm an A-type personality so it doesn't bother me but a lot of people don't like that kind of confrontation. I see trash talking as a challenge though- others see a threat or an insult. Just remember that there are all types of people here- casual fans, hardcore junkies and everything in between. Some really know what they're talking about while others don't have a clue.....but we're all part of the brotherhood. So maybe just count to five before snapping on someone- it's not a crime to have a personal opinion here while knowing nothing at all about football. Sometimes you have to let some of that stuff just slide without a smart-butt reply....which is something I suck at too sometimes.
This is true. The NFL's passing game is played mainly b/w the numbers; that is where Fitzpatrick excelled, and he does possess very good quickness. One area that he'll have to transition in is where Saban teaches his DBs a shuffle technique, instead of a traditional backpedal. Some teams use the 3-5 step shuffle (Belichick is one and where Saban got it from, and some players use it too, even great ones like Champ Bailey) but in the past we have utilized the backpedal, so there might be a habit-breaking learning curve to be had. Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick is an example of a 'Bama DB who struggled with this transition. Here's my other concern about the slot position and it's speculation - football trends are cyclical. It's to my belief that the heavy passing game peaked around 2015 and RBs and the running game can be had for cheap now. I see offenses taking advantage of this by attacking lighter subpackage defensive schemes with more ground and pound. Not to the extent of the "good ol' days" but certainly if there's an advantage to be had it will be used. Trends also start at lower levels. RPOs (Run/Pass option) that began as designed out of 11+ personnel (1 RB, 1 TE), or now being designed out of 12 (1 RB, 2 TE), 13 (1 RB, 3 TE) and other heavier personnel packages at the HS and collegiate levels because of this. It's only a matter of time before the NFL is inheriting those coaches and players (TE's and H-backs). Of course this could take 3-5 years for this all to come to fruition at the pro level, but it's beginning to happen.
And now speaking of those cyclical trends, and a coach who has always stayed ahead of them in the NFL, Belichick has selected a great O-lineman and a RB in the first.
I’m disappointed that they didn’t opt for Edmunds or James. I’m not sure Minkah will have 11th overall pick improvement for Miami. I hope I’m wrong though and he ends up an All Pro
The thing with minkah is we upgraded two positions with one pick. Mincah as free safety and McDonald can now play WLB. We will be in nickel or dime packages the majority of time. We will finally be able to cover TEs. CYGNI MAKES a good point about the NFL cycling back to running game but for now we are where we need to be
Charles woodson, patrick peterson, and minkah the 3 people to win the bednarik and thorpe in the same year... but minkah sucks guys. some people are never happy.
Who on this team is good at covering te? I dont care if we are in nickel and dime packages we still don't have anybody that can match up with the gronks of the league. Edmunds or D James would have provided that. Minkah does not. He will not be much better at covering TEs than reshad or TJ have been.
Fitzpatrick got shades of Ed Reed in all these highlight reels. I'm hyped to see whats he's got, Grier and the boys hit the nail on the head on this one I think.
If Minkah is assigned the FS spot, Jones and/or McDonald should have the TE's in coverage. Having a MOF defender they'll be in better shape being trail defenders instead of having to to stay over top on vertical routes.
Jones and Mcdonald couldn't cover gronk worth a damn last year, and it wasnt for lack of help over the top from a FS. They were getting beat on underneath and intermediate routes due to their lack of size/length when matching up with gronk. Minkah doesnt fix that problem. A derwin james or tremeaine edmunds would have been a much better matchup against big athletic TEs like gronk. Plus james has more range and explosiveness to play high safety if thats what we wanted. Edmunds also would have filled our hole at SAM and nickel mike. I dont think minkah is a terrible pick, but there were better options available who addressed more pressing needs imo.
We never played with a true FS over the top. Now with the ability to play Cover 1 Robber and true Robber (two safeties screwed down underneath for an 8 man front in a 4-2-5) along with many other variations and with having a dedicated single high safety absolutely changes that dynamic. Would I have liked James or Edmunds? For sure. But Minkah's our guy and no amount of bickering or complaining is going to change a damn thing. We can look in the rearview mirror 2-3 years from now if that's a point that someone wants to drive home. It's pointless now.
I must admit I did zero pre-draft reading on DBs. I was all aboard the LB train, with a dash of maybe getting one of the top 4 QBs if they happened to fall. After going to a bunch of the pre-draft evaluation sites I must admit I am happier with this pick than I thought I would be. Whatever concerns about athleticism, and lets face it the kid has pretty good athleticism, is amaeliorated by the fact he plays smart and quick. His high football IQ gets him into position to make the play. Everything about his character/work ethic/ambition points to him not getting drunk amd wasted in the Miami Beach high life. Forcing his way onto Alabama’s starting team as a true freshman is a good sign. I know some people are worried he’s a product of a system, but I would be more worried about that if he sat his first 2 years and then became a starter as a Junior/Senior type player. So yes I would have preferred Tremaine Edmunds. However, I. can understand drafting Fitzpatrick over Edmunds due to Fitzpatrick being a less risky proposition.
Posters who are rookies talkin sh## about our site, hmmmm..the mains, club,there’s good people smart people in both, it’s all one site..learn how to respect and be grateful.
You’ve already insulted good posters in the mains, you feel the need to continue to boast about an evaluation of a player that is now a dolphin. Leave some room for mistakes in your evals..or don’t, your call..
We faced Gronk once last year (he was hurt for the 2nd game) and he had 5 catches for 82 yards.....his 4th lowest total on the season. He did have 2 TD catches but saying we couldn't cover him worth a damn is highly inaccurate. The difference for 2018 is that McDonald can be on him full time- that's the whole reason Fitzpatrick fits so nicely since we wanted McDonald in that hybrid role anyway. It's getting 3 ball-hawks on the field at once and I can't imagine how anyone can see that as a bad thing.
Just watched the draft up to our pick this morning on DVD. For those not wanting a QB, things fell just about perfectly. A month ago, I wanted James. A few weeks ago, Fitzpatrick, lately it was Edmunds. When we had to choose between all three, I froze and couldn't decide who I liked the best and who I hoped the pick would be. I guess I could say that I would have been ok with any of the 3 or Smith. That's not a bad thing, right? I know this is not news, but after reading his draft profile on nfl.com I am really excited about getting him. He fills a need and should start right away and hopefully in time it will be at a high level. I would have been happy with Edmunds, or James too, but I am very happy with this pick. The overview below says it all.
I'll be honest when the Raiders were on the clock before the trade happened I was thinking we are going to take Josh Rosen. Despite the fact he is my favourite QB in this class I'm kinda glad that the Cardinals moved up to take him. Fitzpatrick will be an excellent addition to our defense. I did like Vita Vea or Tremaine Edmunds, even Derwin James as options at 11. But Fitzpatrick was arguably the bpa and our front office made the right choice. Good start.
Bottom line is no one KNOWS for sure how any of these players are going to work out. We'll keep hoping for the best.
Leading up to the draft I read so much about our possible picks it sort of became all muddled. After going back and re-reading the stuff about Fitzpatrick I am more excited than ever!
Funny, this guy always mentions the negative side to a player as well. This is the first time I didn't hear him point out anything negative. I do think they always had the intention of playing him some at FS and moving him around in certain packages. I've mentioned that early on. This is a good pick. If they do like some of the prospects left on the board, I would like them to draft some young blood to compete at the QB position. I am intrigued by Rudolph, but we'll see.
I, for one, don't think he comes close to sucking. I just think Edmunds or James would have been better fits for the Dolphins. Minkah, for all of his great skills and intangibles, isn't the type of player that Edmunds and James are, IMO. Again though, I will root hard for this kid and hope he proves me wrong and becomes an All-Pro.
I agree with this....and it hurts me to write that. lol However, I'm hoping that Burke has something up his sleeve to combat this weakness.
A few months ago I wanted Minkah and Minkah only. However, after watching more tape and delving deeper into the play of people like James, Smith, Edmunds..to name a few, Minkah dropped a few levels for me. That doesn't mean he's not a great player, he is. It just means for me, (and my opinion is of little worth), I would have rather had a few other players.
“We lost our home. I lost all my clothes,” Minkah Jr. said. “But I take it as a victory when I look back on it, because it made me into who I am today. “I look back on moments like helping my dad on that truck, and I thank God for putting me through that time in my life. I would not be who I am without my family and without that experience. It's been really cool to see where me and my family have come from, and where we are today.” http://newsok.com/article/5582493/a...ick-learned-life-lessons-laying-under-a-truck
Board broke great for us up til pick 10. I would have gone with Derwin James or Edmunds frankly. The Edmunds pass really shocked me. The fit doesn’t get better scheme wise. James game Miami may not have had a plan for so I get that I guess. I better see minkah patrolling the center field in every single high look. This pick has to be about feeling like he’s an ideal fit for it. And it’s also an obvious nick saban waxing poetic in Adam gase ear about the player. And the culture change in the locker room.
Well, Burke I assume also had some say in this pick. I'm hoping that he has a good plan to utilize Minkah's skills.
