Ahhhhh, I love my new hybrid galaxy shuttle. You know I need a quarter of the planet life force I used to, to take this bucket around the galaxy. For every planet I destroy, I can travel the galaxy three times! Now that’s efficient! Hybrids are great. Which brings me to today’s scouting report: Devin Funchess the tight end…I mean Devin Funchess the wide receiver….I mead Devin Funchness the hybrid!
In his time playing for the Wolverines, Funchess wore three different numbers: #19, #87 and #1. He also played two different positions: Tight End and Wide Receiver. If you ask Funchess which one he preferred – I’m sure he would say wide receiver. For his first two years at Michigan, Funchess lined up mostly at tight end and a little at wide receiver. But he begged and pleaded to play exclusively wide receiver and in 2014 the Michigan coaches rewarded him allowing him to play wide receiver the entire year.
So when Funchess was finally allowed to play his favorite position, his stats blew up right? Right? Meh…not really. He had more catches in 2014, but he produced more touchdowns in the prior two years and more yards in 2013. Funchess yards per catch was significantly higher at the tight end position.
So Funchess understood after 2014 that he was meant to be a tight end right? Right? Um…guess not. Funchess notably told scouts he should be a wide receiver at the next level. And to impress them, with his wide receiver lightning speed at the combine – Funchess ran a blazing 4.70….um…it wasn’t so blazing I guess…
The fact is, even when Michigan played Funchness at wide receiver, they played him a lot in the slot and used him a lot like a tight end would be used.
So its settled then, Funchess is best suited to play tight end, even if he doesn’t know it yet, some coach somewhere will coach him up to be a great tight end. Well…actually…Funchness isn’y known for his blocking. And for all his size and athleticism he isn’t exactly a very physical player.
Okay you got it all wrong if you keep thinking that way. Think of Funchess as a hybrid. A guy you can use a lot of different ways. A guy like, dare I say, Jimmy Graham!
Yes, its true, while Funchess doesn’t have Graham’s speed, he does have a lot of his athleticism. He can jump through the roof, adjusts well when the ball is in the air, has great body control, has a huge catch radius, has great size and has really big hands. Funchness ceiling is Jimmy Graham and that is a really high ceiling. But like Graham – Funchness is really raw. So raw, its really hard to project what he will be.
Okay, maybe he won’t be Jimmy Graham. The reality is, we just don’t know what any of these prospects will be, especially a hybrid like this guy.
But I suspect Funchess can be a mismatch nightmare and a redzone threat. Maybe a team that wants to utilize extensive two tight end sets will look at Funchess…
Hey, didn’t the Dolphins express some interest in using two tight end sets more extensively when they tried to keep Clay and pursued Jimmy Graham? Hmmmm…….
If I was going to compare Funchness to an Alien Weapon of Destruction I would definately compare him to my favorite Photon Rifle/Blast Grenade Launcher. Two weapons in one!!!
Watch his Highlights!
Finsmob Unleashed 
It’s very possible we target a guy like Funchess or other 2nd rd WRs and not go WR in the 1st.
just pls not USC wuss Agholor (sp) or Ginn 2.0 (Devin Smith)
If we want to get a really big guy, we should wait till our 4th and get Waller.
Why do you call Agholor a wuss? He actually seems like a good fit in our offense.
Wisniewski gone to Jaguars… not that I wanted him here anyway.
Man what a gorgeous day 78 and a nice breeze. The wife and I did a ton of yard work and later we have some family and friends coming over to pregame at our house then go to a local bar for karaoke. I’m pretty tired but a shower might help.
Hey…..Agholor is not a wuss. He actually catches much better on contact than the subject of the article. He’s a custom fit for this offense.
Sorry. I retract the wuss comment, but I just have a bad taste for USC WRs … they always seem to underperform in the NFL. Maybe “not having a solid work ethic” is a better label than “wuss.”
The only other USC WR I’ve liked was Woods. This kid is very similar to Cooper but he’s a better high point player.
If I was going to compare Funchness to an Alien Weapon of Destruction I would definately compare him to… Think of the sound Walawitz’s girlfriend makes (big bang theory) when she shoots a gun pweeeew.
Here’s your horizontal board!
Ok I’d be ok with this!
Your score is: 6046 (GRADE: B+)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 14: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (A+)
Round 2 Pick 15: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State (B+)
Round 4 Pick 15: Mitch Morse, OT/OG, Missouri (B)
Round 5 Pick 13: Adrian Amos, FS, Penn State (A+)
Round 5 Pick 14: Tyler Varga, FB, Yale (A)
Round 6 Pick 15: Nick Marshall, CB/QB, Auburn (B-)
Love the last 3. …Great value with those picks.
Here’s mine…
Round 1 Pick 14: La’el Collins, OT/OG, LSU (A)
Round 2 Pick 23 (ARI): Denzel Perryman, ILB/OLB, Miami (Fla.) (B-)
Round 3 Pick 22 (ARI): Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina (A-)
Round 4 Pick 15: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon (A)
Round 5 Pick 13: Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State (A+)
Round 5 Pick 14: Tyler Varga, FB, Yale (A)
Round 6 Pick 15: Sean Hickey, OT, Syracuse (B+)
Note: I was set on taking Amos in the 5th, but he was gone, so I decided to take O’ Leary with that pick.
I also have us signing Greg Jennings, so Hardy would be our 5th WR going into 2015.
Those first three would make everyone happy, with Varga to boot. Value, needs filled, and most of the right names for this crew.
Ifoooooooooooo
Good evening Dolphins fans! I think I was stuck on the last blog. I figured it was so beautiful out, everyone was busy doing other things. lol
And yet it was you doing his own thing 😉
…spanking the monkey on the old blog
You can use phinmaniacs now on fanspeak
14: R1P14
ILB ERIC KENDRICKS
UCLA
47: R2P15
WR BRESHAD PERRIMAN
CENTRAL FLORIDA
114: R4P15
TE NICK O’LEARY
FLORIDA STATE
149: R5P13
CB IFO EKPRE-OLOMU
OREGON
150: R5P14
ILB RAMIK WILSON
GEORGIA
191: R6P15
G ARIE KOUANDJIO
ALABAMA
14: R1P14
OT LA’EL COLLINS
LSU
47: R2P15
ILB STEPHONE ANTHONY
CLEMSON
114: R4P15
CB IFO EKPRE-OLOMU
OREGON
149: R5P13
FS GEROD HOLLIMAN
LOUISVILLE
150: R5P14
WR STEFON DIGGS
MARYLAND
191: R6P15
WR VINCE MAYLE
WASHINGTON STATE
Trade down first pick
Picks:
Round 1 Pick 22 (PITT): Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF (B+)
Round 2 Pick 15: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan (B)
Round 2 Pick 20 (PHI): Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart & William Smith (A-)
Round 2 Pick 24 (PITT): Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson (B+)
Round 4 Pick 14 (PHI): David Cobb, RB, Minnesota (A)
Round 4 Pick 15: Adrian Amos, FS, Penn State (B)
Round 5 Pick 13: Geneo Grissom, OLB, Oklahoma (C-)
Round 5 Pick 14: Charles Gaines, CB, Louisville (B+)
Round 6 Pick 15: Zach Wagenmann, DE/OLB, Montana (B-)
Trade up for a WR draft
Round 1 Pick 9 (NYG): Kevin White, WR, West Virginia (A+)
Round 4 Pick 27 (S.F.): Adrian Amos, FS, Penn State (B+)
Round 5 Pick 14: Charles Gaines, CB, Louisville (B+)
Round 5 Pick 15 (S.F.): Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State (A+)
Round 5 Pick 27 (DAL): Geneo Grissom, OLB, Oklahoma (C)
My first Fanspeak draft….weeee! 😉
14: R1P14
OT BRANDON SCHERFF
IOWA
47: R2P15
WR BRESHAD PERRIMAN
UCF
114: R4P15
CB STEVEN NELSON
OREGON STATE
149: R5P13
S GEROD HOLLIMAN
LOUISVILLE
150: R5P14
WR DARREN WALLER
GEORGIA TECH
191: R6P15
ILB ZACHARY VIGIL
UTAH STATE
You know what BLOWS? The Patriots got 5 draft picks in Top 101, from 32-101 👿
I saw an article the other day about the Fins strength by position, LB was the weakest, but reading the list was kind of depressing. Not a lot of talent at several positions, but as a whole much better.
And another about our weakest link, Dallas Thomas. Seems we must take an Olineman early. #14 seems to be a sweet spot, we can trade up/down or stay where we are and do pretty good, now that Jeffie won’t be at the Fins’ table.
Steve what my thinking on the above draft I posted was I too kinda hate the idea of another 1st round OL, but the top 3 WR’s & Trae Waynes were be gone by #14.
So in that case Scherff fell to us. He addresses depth @ OT now as well as starting OG & (replaces a T spot when Albert gets too old or too expensive.)
Then I doubled up on WR’s for the future. Waller also can help in a pinch as a move TE should Cameron go down. He can also compete for a starting WR role outside or rotate in in certain sits (redzone).
Then I doubled up in the secondary. Grimes is getting old, I love the physical game a fluid movement of Steven Nelson. Then Holliman as FS depth and in our 5-2 defensive pkgs that Coyle used a lot of last season. For that very reason and the addition of Suh, I felt addressing LB could be done late.
So with our last pick in the 6th round I went with Vigil to compete for a Mike or Will role. We’ll have a lot of competition @ LB.
(Jenkins is set, so is Misi (health allowing), so Sheppard, Tripp, McCain, & maybe Jordan will compete for snaps or certain sit roles. Keep in mind the 5-2 defense we employ.)
BTW, Zack Vigil reminds me on tape of Tripp, very fast, can blitz & cover. I think we’ll be ok @ LB, look how much Jelani improved in his 2nd season & with Suh & Mitchell up front, our LB’s will be clean to make plays more often.
BTW, we can also add a bigger power type RB as an UDFA in case Damien doesn’t work out, or we can maybe get a big RB after camps make tough cuts before the season starts.
So the strategy of this draft I think sets us up for now with 2-3 starters, some backup contingency players, & for the future. 😀
Piggy & GDP you guys posted for mock drafts above and not one selection of Tyler Fucking Varga ……WTF??
Four not for
Fail!
14: R1P14
RB TODD GURLEY
GEORGIA
47: R2P15
WR NELSON AGHOLOR
USC
114: R4P15
S ADRIAN AMOS
PENN STATE
149: R5P13
CB IFO EKPRE-OLOMU
OREGON
150: R5P14
ILB BEN HEENEY
KANSAS
191: R6P15
FB TYLER VARGA
YALE
Tyler Fucking Varga…approved
Professor Lou retweeted
Miami Dolphins @Dolphins__News · 13h13 hours ago
Terrence Fede / Dolphins DE Terrence Fede expects to have a bigger defensive http://goo.gl/2KHiOH #NFL #MIA
GO FEDE! 30.5 career sacks in college. Hope to see that type of production from him in our rotation
Professor Lou @professor_lou · 7h7 hours ago West Wyoming, PA
Phins trade for Kendall Wright and then take Gurley in the first. Tre Jackson in 2nd.
Tim Knight says:
April 18, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Man what a gorgeous day 78 and a nice breeze. The wife and I did a ton of yard work and later we have some family and friends coming over to pregame at our house then go to a local bar for karaoke. I’m pretty tired but a shower might help.
—————————————————-
we had low 90’s which SUCKS
This one is different
Your score is: 6542 (GRADE: A-)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 15 (S.F.): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson (A+)
Round 2 Pick 15: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State (A)
Round 3 Pick 15 (S.F.): Derron Smith, FS, Fresno State (B)
Round 4 Pick 15: Mitch Morse, OT/OG, Missouri (B)
Round 5 Pick 13: Tyler Varga, FB, Yale (A)
Round 5 Pick 14: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland (B+)
Round 6 Pick 15: Justin Manton, K, Louisiana-Monroe (A+)
TFV approved. LOL
First softball game today, excited to see my boys and get back to playing. I hate that we haven’t practiced, it’s impossible to get people to practice these days. Somehow, we’ve done well without it, so hopefully that continues. Should be a great weather day to play, 60 degrees and sunny, just perfect!
Good luck!
Thanks Bri
Trading fool mock draft😄
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 8 (ATL): Kevin White, WR, West Virginia (A+)
Round 2 Pick 28 (DAL): Ali Marpet, OG, Hobart & William Smith (A)
Round 3 Pick 12 (MINN): Denzel Perryman, ILB/OLB, Miami (Fla.) (A-)
Round 3 Pick 23 (PITT): Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State (B-)
Round 3 Pick 27 (DAL): Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon (B+)
Round 4 Pick 15: Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina (A)
Round 4 Pick 22 (PITT): Adrian Amos, FS, Penn State (B+)
Round 5 Pick 1 (MINN): Chris Conley, WR, Georgia (A)
Round 5 Pick 13: Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State (A+)
Round 5 Pick 14: Austin Shepherd, OT, Alabama (A-)
Round 6 Pick 15: Kyle Emanuel, OLB, North Dakota State (B-)
No Tyler Fucking Varga? Fail….
Good luck on the Game Mike!
Thanks Wyo
I don’t even think that we will draft a FB, but I know a lot of peole here like Varga and I figure WTF, it’s only a 5th round pick!
D-Bolt
You accumulated a lot of talent in that draft, there’s at least 7-8 players I like in that one
Well, to be fair, he did have 37 picks…
LOL!
LOL. I saw one guy managed to accumulate 60picks. He had every 5th round pick😄
If we did draft Varga, I’m sure we wouldn’t use him as a FB, he would be a RB that can grind out short yardage plays, and as a change of pace from Miller, like Damien Williams, and a receiver out of the backfield.
Agreed
GDP reminded me that the Patriots have 5 picks in the first 101 picks. That sucks.
Screw ’em! They should lose at least 2 of them for Deflategate those scumbag cheaters!
They should, but they will lose none.
Which has been swept under the rug as predicted.
Callers on NFL radio still bring it up, but the excuse is it took the NFL like 8 months to punish the Falcons and browns, and both of those teams admitted to wrongdoings, so you can’t expect this to go any faster, especially since the Patriots deny they did any wrong. It sucks, but hopefully, they get harshly punished at some point when they’re found guilty.
Your score is: 6704 (GRADE: A-)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 14: La’el Collins, OT/OG, LSU (A)
Round 2 Pick 15: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State (A)
Round 4 Pick 15: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford (A)
Round 5 Pick 13: Tyler Varga, FB, Yale (A)
Round 5 Pick 14: Nick O’Leary, TE, Florida State (A+)
Round 6 Pick 15: Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane (A+)
I couldn’t get a LB, which is rough, but I couldn’t find one I liked at any pick, so I didn’t take one just for the sake of taking one.
Brina, you drafted Gurley & Varga…uh, is Tuna back in the FO? 😉
Brian^^^ dang, where’s my coffee…lol
Lol! I drafted Varga for the masses!
D-Bolt
I get the feeling that the guys who get those crazy scores over 8000 probably accumulate a lot of picks. It’s silly though, but I guess they’re not looking for realism, it’s like a video game for them.
Zach Bowman
Last year he had five starts for the Giants with six passes defensed and two interceptions.
He was graded by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s 73rd cornerback of 108.
But he was best in the NFL among cornerbacks with a 36.1 percent completion rate.
Quarterbacks had just a 75.1 passer rating against him — 21st-best among cornerbacks.
He also allowed an NFL-worst 19.3 yards per completion. So when team’s did convert against him, he allowed a lot of yards.
————————————————-
Ok, so he needs safety help over the top.
He also seems to be a good tackler and ST ace.
I hear talk about us picking a pass rusher, because Wake will cost too much next yr and OV will be an FA, CBs, because Grimes is old… I think that’s a lot of BS, this is a playoffs or bust yr I think they’re swinging for the fences in the draft, so forget Gurley and any other injured player or guys that may help in the future (except later round picks).
I get the sense this is the year that Joe, Tannehill, etc are being given as much as possible so they can prove if they are keepers or if it’s time to move on. I realize this is not breaking news, but it seems as if every “excuse”given as to why we have not been in the playoffs is trying to be addressed NOW, so that when the season plays out, the decision to cut or keep will be as clear as can be under the circumstances.
It’s why I believe they go wr with the first, or trade out if possible for value later on.
I’m ok with not taking a WR at #14, there seems to be at least 4 options after the big 3 that will suffice. If we’re locked into a WR at 14 we may be missing a better player of need. I keep going back and forth on Waynes, I don’t really think we need him, but we do. Look what Bevis did for the pats last yr. Gurly I’m close to being done with, and there’s a few Olineman I wouldn’t mind at #14, Kendrick and a few others in a trade back…
Was Butthead on the Pats last year too?
I agree Steve, as I also believe the front office is there, too. I think if value is there at 14, they go with the best player available, but I think they believe a wr will be bpa @ 14 based on their projections.
Mike E. says:
April 19, 2015 at 8:10 am
First softball game today, excited to see my boys and get back to playing. I hate that we haven’t practiced, it’s impossible to get people to practice these days. Somehow, we’ve done well without it, so hopefully that continues. Should be a great weather day to play, 60 degrees and sunny, just perfect!
————————————————
OPENING DAY: How exciting is that….Are you pitching? Did you sleep last night with the excitement of opening day and the feeling that your team can win it all. The parades, the bands, the singing of national anthem and finally the umpire yelling “play ball”. Sends chills down my spine.
A regular Norman Rockwell setting until you see Mike E’s t-shirt that reads –
Philbin Sucks
Seriously though I still envision Opening Day the same way, the look of the fields as they are in their finest shape, perfect lines, beautifully mowed and raked.
I’m always impressed with the grass designs especially on TV. How they make those designs must take lots of time but it is very impressive
And yes Mike E pitches and its a fast pitch league
Varga has never played FB
They put him in @FB in the senior Bowl
And he made some nice blocks I might add!
When you hear the name Varga think Rathman!!!!!!!!!!!!
son of a son of a shula says:
April 19, 2015 at 12:22 pm
And yes Mike E pitches and its a fast pitch league
well there you go, i always thought of mike e as more the catcher type
Actually have a lot more respect for him as a softball guy after learning that today. In slow pitch the pitcher isn’t nearly as important……and that is what most leagues are. Explains why he was a bit proud of his record. And yeah — I did catch the joke.
And just to give Mike E a bit to make him happy:
“According to a league source, Collins, who started all 38 games he played the last three seasons for the Tigers, is viewed as a front-runner to become Miami’s first-round pick if he’s on the board when the Dolphins make their selection with the 14th pick in the 2015 draft.”
But then that is Omar…….maybe he shouldn’t be.
The league source is an old Garrard jockstrap Omar keeps in a mason jar.
Here you go, this is the entitlement bullshit these fucks think they should have. Kiss my ass bitch:
http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/04/18/parents-1-year-old-send-birthday-party-invitation-hell
I would RSVP no thanks we won’t be attending. SMH
I’d be inclined to do the same but then that isn’t nice to the kid. I think I’d just get whatever present I deemed right and give it without a receipt.
Son, the kid will get plenty of gifts and he’s only one, he has no idea what’s going on. LOL
Well, La’el Collins has been my pick for the Phins since early December, so here is hoping I’m right for a change with these early round picks. 😉
The Wedge Report discusses La’El Collins tomorrow
So make sure you check it out
SIGH… Holiday over back to reality tomorrow.. What up People !! less than to weeks to draft day.. kill it FO…
‘I think I’d just get whatever present I deemed right and give it without a receipt.’
i would get the kid a bottle of Jack. when the parents have a fit just tell them, with parents like you he cant start drinking early enough.
stangerx says:
April 19, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Actually have a lot more respect for him as a softball guy after learning that today
well of course he is a great pitcher. with all the hand exercise he gets he better be
I’d have no problem with Collins at #14. He’d provide depth at tackle in case Albert isn’t ready and competition at guard. He would likely become a starter by his 2nd season if not right away.
Fuck them parents!!!!!!
I’d get him 3 of those popping lawn mowers you push!
It’s my standard gift for 1 to 3 year olds!
If I did go I’d buy an old rusty tuba from a pawn shop just to see the look on the parents faces. LOL
This is easy for me- I wouldn’t associate with people like this, so it would never be an issue. And if it were family, this would already be worked out.
Try, I was thinking the same thing. I don’t socialize with people like that anyway.
It wasn’t easy but the Mets just swept the Marlins 4 games to win 8 in a row and are now at the top of the division at 10-3. 🙂
I think our LB situation may not be as dire as people think. I think McCain, Tripp, Sheppard, Paysinger and Knott could be underrated in people’s estimations. Misi when healthy can play and Jenkins has emerged. We need to find two other LBs to have good years as well.
McCain is the sleeper with the most upside followed by Tripp IMO, but Sheppard and Paysinger have more experience. Knott will have to have a great camp but he has ability.
Not adding a lb or 2 is a big risk
Where was all this talent when we could not stop the run lat year
Sorry but if you spend $ on Suh and you don’t have guys to collect tackles behind him
You may have wasted your $
A good lb behind Suh may be the difference between being an average defense and a top 5 defense
I didn’t say don’t add a LB but I don’t think it has to be high and two isn’t necessary. We’ll likely see only 2 LBs on the field 2/3rds of the time even though people scoff at that. We will see more of the 5-2 with Wake, Suh, Mitchell, Fede (was Odrick) and Vernon/Jordan standing up as edge rushers on the weak side. Then there is nickel/dime situations. Shelby will also get into that mix mainly backing up Wake.
Misi and Jenkins had around 170 tackles between them with Misi missing 4 games and some other playing time in games due to that high ankle sprain he dealt with all season. Erase that injury and hope he has a 14-16 game season with nothing too serious. Jenkins is a good young emerging LB. It’s not the same group and experience level it was last year. It’s already revamped. McCain is the guy to focus on followed by Tripp.
Agree with almost all, but my big Q is whether or not Misi is a nickel LB. Still not sure of that and, hey, they are going to line up in the 4-3 a lot of the time too. Definitely a place in the mix to pick talent if it falls.
Well, we swept two games today, but the game I pitched was NOT easy. We had a rough day in the field today, really rough. I’d say about 6 or 7 unearned runs, but admittedly, I kinda ran out of gas in the 5th a little bit, but I got a 2nd wind in the 6th, and then we tied the game in the 7th, so I had to pitch an extra inning, and we took it in the bottom of the 8th for the win. Ugly win, but a win nonetheless. I took a line drive about 3″ to left of my boys (I DO wear a cup), that was kinda scary. I didn’t even see the damn ball, it was a freaking rope. “That’s gonna leave a mark!”
Mets win again today, but lose 2 players, Pitcher Jerry Blevins (fractured forearm), and Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (fractured hand). Blevins got drilled on a line drive comebacker on the mound, and d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch. Mets will probably promote minor league Catcher Kevin Plawecki.
“we swept two games today”…..and you are worried about your ERA. 🙂
Congrats on the V’s and your still intact boys.
Nah man not worried about the ERA in the least, just a nicer way of saying that our fielding was atrocious, and I do mean atrocious. I can honestly say that maybe 1 of every 4 ground balls were fielded properly. It was a bad day, but that can happen when you don’t practice. Too many of our guys have moved to either NYC or Hoboken, so they don’t want to make the drive to Central Jersey just to practice. My boys (not the ones in my cup) 🙂 are getting older. These kids I started playing with 7 years ago are now nearing 30, married, and have more responsibilities. It’s nice to see actually, I’m enjoying seeing these guys become grown men. Man, there is nothing like what I call “The sounds of spring”. I still enjoy the camaraderie, and I know that’s what I’ll miss most if/when I hang up my cleats. There’s nothing like it.
I’ve watched a lot of ball, but I’ve never seen this….legal though.
That’s awesome!
Mike E, yeah I’m tired of our guys getting hit on the hand on wild pitching but Blevins was a freak situation even though he glove tossed it for the out on that play. Really impressive play.
The loss of d’Arnaud sucks because I felt today he was becoming one of our cornerstone type players. His athleticism to cover ground as a catcher is elite and he had a hot bat. Plawecki is supposedly our best prospect with Recker remaining the backup.
I was concerned with that 4th inning when we scored all 7 runs was going to throw Harvey off and it did. It lasted like a half hour where he batted and sat. He didn’t look the same after that. But the guy doesn’t walk anybody. His control is insane even when he doesn’t have his best stuff.
Yeah, I’m sad to see d’Arnaud hurt. He’s turning into a real nice player, both offensively and defensively. Shame, but injuries a part of the game. Hopefully it doesn’t set him back too long. I think it was his left hand, so I think in the scheme of things, better it wasn’t his throwing hand. Plawecki is a very promising prospect, but he will have to be next man up so to speak. Recker is a very good 2nd catcher, but he would be exposed as a starter. Blevins hurts, because he was so solid, and he’s a lefty, which means back to the drawing board trying to find a lefty.
Mike E — fielding takes practice and repetition. Can only assume they’ll get better over time.
I coached the softball team at my day camp in high school, and there was this one kid (like 12) who was so much better than the rest. Figured I should make him better. I put lazy grounders to the rest during fielding practice and would pummel them to him like I would to someone my own age. Darn kid ate them up (still wonder how his baseball career ended up).
But best laid plans of mice and wannabe coaches. Hit him a streamer one-hopper. He was right on it but the ball hit a rock, jumped up, smashed him in the face, and broke his nose. Blood was streaming. Then drove him to the ER. Lucky his parents didn’t sue…..cause they would have won.
Oh man, that sucks! Perils of the game. You actually had the right idea though. If you don’t push a kid like that to get better, it’s a waste of talent.
Stanger, I think there is a good chance McCain and Tripp will be major factors at LB this year. We might already have the two other guys.
Seeing Tripp talk as a rookie it won’t be from a lack of effort and he has the size, speed and athleticism (6-3 240 4.67) to pan out. McCain is a very gifted athlete at his size 6-5 250 and he has a chip on his shoulder from what he felt was a mutiny against him in college. He was considered a potential 2nd or 3rd round prospect.
Stanger
Thanks for the heads up on La’el Collins
Tim
You may be on the mark with our LB’s. We have some promising guys who may be able to get the job done for us. That would be great if we didn’t have to look for a LB, and could focus on WR, OL, CB and maybe S. The less needs, the better.
wyoming85 says:
April 19, 2015 at 12:58 pm
When you hear the name Varga think
Rathman!!!!!!!!!!!! TYLERFUCKINGVARGAThere I fixed it for you
Fail! LOL How do you close a modifier?
You need to close the html code with a / >, but no space between the / and the >
Damn I missed the start of the MikeE press conference.
Mike E, if you’ve noticed we added a lot of vet players who excel on STs and replaced the Trusnik, Freeny and Wilson’s of the world with Sheppard (picked up last tear), Paysinger and Bowman this year. Brice McCain as a nickel corner is also flying under the radar.
Misi, Jenkins, C. McCain and Tripp look to be our front runners at LB with some experienced vets and other guys competing.
I still feel OL, WR and one new addition in the back end LB or DB is where we should go early.
That said we’ll draft Gurley at #14 and say Miller is our guy in 2015 but in time you’ll like that we drafted Gurley. LOL
The NFL Draft, often unpredictable but it’s fun. LOL
LOL @ jetssuck. You didn’t really miss anything.
Just an old man rambling on incoherently
You get much sleep last night knowing OPENING DAY was today…a sweep on opening day now that’s the way to start a new season..
You said they didn’t want to practice but I can see you practiced with your pitching. I can see you in backyard throwing the ball against the wooden fence with a square marking the strike zone…Practice paid off
Okay, myself and others have gotten killed for suggesting a trade up. So what if we trade back into the early 20s and acquire a 3rd and 5th?
Now we have –
1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, and 6?
I’d be very happy with that that, unless we’re leaving a premium player at #14, but then again, yours or mine, or anyone else’s idea of what a premium player is will vary from person to person
jetssuck
I did sleep poorly last night. Not sure if it was anticipation, but I didn’t sleep well. I wish I had practiced, I wouldn’t have have fatigued as quickly. That’s what hurt me. All those muscles you use differently tired, and then the motion breaks down, and I lost velocity and accuracy, and the ability to consistently repeat the motion the same way at the same speed.
McCain has also run a 4.67 like Tripp. LOL
If we did end up with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 5c, and 6m we better get impact from 2-3 guys because there is a good chance the rest are developmental players.
Use the extra late picks to trade back into the lower 3rd !
We can do what we need with 4 Picks. if they are in the first 3 round!
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/report–eagles-plan-to-sign-tim-tebow-at-fourth-qb-on-monday-230425075.html
Good for him.
I got a ton of yardwork done this weekend, but I’m only 50% done. I think I’m going to need to take a day off of work to get the rest done.
Dan Hope retweeted
Ross Jones @RossJonesFOX · 2h2 hours ago
Former Missouri WR Dorial Green-Beckham declined visit with #Cowboys, source says. Reasoning for decision is unclear.
Guess- already one “diva” on team; not interested in competing for attention.
Big OT win for the Islanders today. Another win for the Mets too, although a costly one. I hope these injuries don’t derail this fast start.
I told Mike E (and you) a few weeks back that if you have a high quality pitching staff with a lot of great arms, history says those arms will break down as the season goes along.
Here Ya go Tim
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 20 (PHI): Jake Fisher, OT/OG, Oregon (B)
Round 2 Pick 15: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State (A)
Round 2 Pick 20 (PHI): Damarious Randall, FS, Arizona State (A-)
Round 3 Pick 20 (PHI): Paul Dawson, OLB/ILB, TCU (A)
Round 4 Pick 15: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon (A)
Round 4 Pick 21 (CINN): Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn (A-)
Dawson in the 3rd, yeah that’s not happening, he’ll be gone earlier.
In response to Tim above on our LBs, replacing Colonblow errr Wheeler with anyone makes our LBs better.
FINALLY BACK FROM A CONVENTION in suburban Chattanooga. GOT to see 5th Great Grandkid up close and personal!! —WILL talk to you fine folks tomorrow some time.
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A belated Happy B’day to Ken. AND a big “hello” again to Miss Gigi!! –Me and Mrs OD STILL suffering mightily after two weeks of this damn flu/Bubonic Plague or whatever!! Gazillion inches of rain in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee was the worst I’ve ever seen in that part of the country!! –OUT until tomorrow.