The 2016 Miami Dolphins had a winning record for the first time since 2008, a dismal 7 year span with the end of the Parcells regime. Then began the painfully boring Philbin years (unless Bullygate excited you), where highlights were a cleaner playing field bereft of garbage, except of course for the actual play of our team. Last year began the Adam Gase era, and I say era, because I believe Adam Gase is going to be here in Miami for a long time. So what lies ahead for Adam Gase, Mike Tannenbaum and Chris Grier, our Head Coach, Executive Vice President of Football Operations and our General manager respectively?
The first wave of adding talent (and subtracting) is Free Agency. The front office has repeatedly made it clear they want to take care of their own, so that means re-signing players that are set to be eligible to play anywhere, not just here in Miami, so let the bidding wars begin! Our most important free agents are WR Kenny Stills, DE Andre Branch, TE Dion Sims, LS John Denney, RG Jermon Bushrod, special teams LB Spencer Paysinger, and special teams ace S Michael Thomas. I’d say I ordered these players in just about the correct order of importance, which of course is debatable.
Speculation as to what it will take to re-sign WR Kenny Stills is really all over the place. Estimates run from approximately $6M per to $8-10M per year. I know they want to keep Stills, but I can’t see paying Stills the latter, at least not above $8M per. We will have a lot of money invested at the WR position very soon when we re-sign Jarvis Landry, and we have Devante Parker who really needs to step it up, and if he does, he will need to get paid too, and he becomes an UFA in 2019. I know that’s still a ways to go, but Landry will undoubtedly be expensive to keep, and although Landry doesn’t score as many TD’s, Landry keeps the chains moving, and has made some incredible plays for this team. I’d say if the bidding stays at about $8M per, Stills will be with the Dolphins for at least the next 3-4 years, but if it goes beyond that, and it can, I think we may have to let him go.
I think Andre Branch is a little different. I don’t think the market will be as active for Branch, and while he played well enough to want him back, he wasn’t really a standout. Branch played all 16 games, started 11 of them, and finished with 5.5 sacks. He had 49 tackles (27 solo), 2 FF’s and 1 pass defensed. Those aren’t jump off the page numbers, they’re pretty pedestrian actually, but he played every game, stayed healthy, and contributed, and we need that too.
Then there’s TE Dion Sims. Some here I believe got a little too excited about Sims late season heroics, catching 4 TD’s in a 4 game span. You could also say he had ZERO TD’s in the other 14 games he played. I like Dion Sims, but I think he’s best served as our 2nd TE, or #2 on the depth chart, not #1. He’s a big bodied in line TE who can block, and is a decent receiver, no more than that. Can he be a starter, sure, because he can block and catch, but if he’s your #1 TE, you don’t value the TE enough.
Besides re-signing our own players, we have positions of need right now, and the most glaring ones are at LB, DE and OL. We need at least 2 starting caliber LB’s before we start the season. If you’re wondering why I didn’t include LB Kiko Alonso in the FA’s, he’s an ERFA (Exclusive Rights Free Agent), so we have control over Alonso, at least for this coming season. We will likely place the highest tender on him which means if any team decides they want him, and they negotiate a contract, that team has to surrender their 2017 1st RD pick, which I think is pretty unlikely to happen. So we keep Alonso, but I’d let the other guys go and test the market, which leaves 2 LB spots open. I think we’ll likely add some depth players in FA, but our starters may very well come from the draft.
At defensive end, Wake is 35, and Superman can’t play forever. Along with Wake, that leaves Terence Fede as the only other remaining DE on the roster, assuming we cut Mario Williams, which is almost a given. The cupboard is bare, so no question we have to bring in a player or two in FA, because you never know how the draft shakes out.
On the offensive line, there is talent, but a lot of questions too. If the top 5 on our line can stay healthy, LT Branden Albert, LG Laremy Tunsil, C Mike Pouncey, RG Jermon Bushrod, RT Ja’Wuan James, we’re in good shape. The problem is, that only happened 5 times last season. Pouncey has serious hip issues, and of course, he said he’s excited about 2017. I would like a realistic medical report as to where he’s at, so we can make a critical choice as to what we do going forward. I won’t be surprised if we move on from Pouncey. It would be ideal if we get a clear medical report that says either Pouncey will be OK, or he should retire. This way, we can either count him, or worse, count him out. That leaves a huge hole at C. Anthony Steen and Kraig Urbik are capable, but not very good players. They’re best when just filling in, and neither showed the ability to play anywhere near the level of a healthy Mike Pouncey. Branden Albert is a great LT when healthy, but “when healthy” has been the smaller percentage of the time each season. Albert carries a $10.6M cap hit next season, but only a $3.4M dead cap hit. My guess is Albert will be back for another season, but I think it’s obvious we have to have a solid fallback plan. If Tunsil has to move to LT, who do we have at LG, and of course, who is playing C, and RG. So lets’ take a look at who can help our team in 2017 free agency . . .
Offensive Line
Kevin Zeitler OG 6’4” 315 (Bengals) – I think Zeitler is the best FA OG available in 2017, but he would also likely be the most be expensive. How expensive will be determined, but almost certainly upwards of $8M per year, and more likely closer to $10-11M annually. That is definitely a lot of money, but it’s what the top guards are getting paid now. I can see us making that happen, but only after we open cap space elsewhere. Cutting Branden Albert opens up $7M of cap space, and then you move Laremy Tunsil to LT. Is it worth it to pay $10-11M for a top 5 OG? Tough to say, we could draft 2 OG/C and groom them ourselves, it would be a lot cheaper, and there are some good OG/C prospects in this draft.
Why he fits: He would be a veteran, proven plug-n-play top quality RG for the next 5 years who played in a similar blocking scheme in Cincinnati.
–Why he doesn’t fit: He will eat a lot of cap space and may make re-signing our own guys difficult or impossible.
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T.J. Lang OG 6’4” 305 (Packers) – Lang was one of the bright spots on the Packers line. Lang has played every spot except C on the Packers line. He started as a LT in ’09, has played LG, RG and RT. Lang will be 30 near the start of the season, and due to his age, won’t command as long or as lucrative a contract as Zeitler. He does offer great versatility, and you know our guys value versatility.
Why he fits: Although not a real long term answer, he would give us stability for at least 3 years. He’s also able to play all along the O-line, so we have great flexibility with him. His salary will probably somewhere around $8M per annually.
Why he doesn’t fit: The only reason might be his age, as he will be turning 30 at the beginning of the season, and they may want to go younger.
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Ronald Leary OG 6’3” 324 (Cowboys) – I’m sure all of us have said I’ll take anyone from that Cowboys O-line, so now here’s our chance. Leary, considered possibly the “weak link” on the Cowboys line came back and had a good season this year. He started 12 of the 13 games he played in. He has played mostly LG, but did play some at RG too. Leary is also one of the better guards available this year in FA, and of course, will be paid like it. Leary is probably 2nd in line to Zeitler salary wise, and should expect about $9M annually.
Why he fits: Another relatively young quality player who you have for the next 4-5 years.
Why he doesn’t fit: I think because Leary has played predominantly LG, unless Branden Albert isn’t on the team this season, or they feel Leary would be good at RG, he may not be the best fit for the Dolphins.
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Luke Joeckel OT/OG 6’6” 306 (Jaguars) – The 2nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft has had a tough career. Joeckel struggled at LT for the Jaguars, starting only 5 games at LT and RT in his rookie season. He did start the entire ’14 season at LT, and then all 14 games he played in ’15, but last year the Jags moved Joeckel to LG, and then he was injured. Joeckel tore his ACL and MCL, and had surgery on October 7th, so he should be able to play in ’17.
Why he fits: Former LT, before the injury, a very agile mover, who can both pass protect and run block well. Like T.J. Lang, he would also give the Dolphins flexibility to play guard or tackle. His contract would have to be of the “prove it” variety, so not top dollar like Zeitler or Leary. He also just turned 25, so he’s a very young player, and provided his knee healed well, and his rehab has him ready to go, he could be somewhat of a steal if he can become as good an OG in the pros as he was a LT in college.
Why he doesn’t fit: Coming off a major knee injury, he’s risky, and he only has little experience playing inside at OG. He seemed to settle down some at LG, but he was not a dominant player, in fact he had a lot of struggles. It would be all about his upside, and not what he’s accomplished as a pro. He would be a reclamation project of sorts.
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Defensive End
Jabaal Sheard DE 6’2” 254 (Patriots) – Sheard has played the last 2 years in New England, and has been a reserve/starter at RDE, and even played DT in pass rushing downs. Sheard played in 15 games last season, starting 8. He finished with 33 tackles (20 solo), 5 sacks and 4 passes defensed. In his early days in CLE, Sheard was a playmaker, totaling 22 sacks and forcing 7 fumbles in his first 3 seasons, and his first year with NE, forced 4 more fumbles. Sheard will be 28 YO.
Why he fits: If we’re expecting to draft a DE, Sheard won’t break the bank, and is a viable starter who can either compete with or replace Andre Branch. Sheard will probably get around $8M annually. It also takes a player away from the Pats.
Why he doesn’t fit: If we choose to re-sign Branch, there’s no way we spend that much on another RDE.
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Charles Johnson DE 6’2” 270 (Panthers) – Johnson is on the downside of his career, and was once a fearsome DE. Johnson, now almost 31, would certainly be a depth player who could start, and would provide some insurance for Cam Wake. He’s 2 years removed from a very productive season, in ’14 he finished with 46 tackles (31 solo), 8.5 sacks and 3 FF’s.
Why he fits: Starter/depth player who might be able to give more with less snaps at his age. Plays LE, and would be a great player to spell Cam Wake. Shouldn’t be expensive, around $6M annually.
Why he doesn’t fit: If they decide they want to draft Cam’s replacement, and feel that see enough in Fede that want to keep him.
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Chris Long DE 6’4” 275 (Patriots) – Long is now a shadow of his younger self, and hasn’t been healthy enough to be the player he was. His best season was in 2011, where he rang up 37 tackles (31 solo), 13 sacks, 1 FF and 2 passes defensed. he did play in 16 games for the Patriots last season, a good sign, but only started 7. Last season Long totaled 35 tackles (22 solo), 4 sacks, 1 FF and 3 passes defensed.
Why he fits: He shouldn’t be very expensive, and he knows how to play the game, he just needs to be healthy. He could provide depth at LE behind Wake.
Why he doesn’t fit: Do the Dolphins want another oft injured player named Long? Same as Charles Johnson, they may want to draft a DE early, and feel Fede is adequate depth.
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Linebacker
Dont’a Hightower LB 6’2” 265 (New England) – 5 year starter for NE, Hightower is a big throwback MLB. Last year Hightower finished with 65 tackles (only 31 solo), 2.5 sacks, and 1 FF. He’s not a tackling machine, in fact, he only reached 100 tackles once, and only 65 of those were solo.
Why he fits: He subtracts talent from the Patriots, and would allow Alonso to move to WLB.
Why he doesn’t fit: He might be expensive, and I think he’s more of a 2 down MLB. Not as much of a thumper as his size would lead you to believe.
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Malcolm Smith LB 6’0” 226 (Oakland) – Smith, while a little undersized, has the speed we covet, and has played both inside and outside for Oakland and Seattle. The boy can tackle too, logging 103 tackles last season (86 solo), along with an INT, 3 passes defensed, 2 FF’s and 1 FR. In ’15, Smith totaled 100 solo tackles and 23 assists, 6 passes defensed, 3 FF’s and 1 INT, along with 4 sacks. Ran a 4.44 at his pro day back in 2011.
Why he fits: He’s a starter who can play inside or outside, has the speed to go sideline to sideline and cover, and hey, he can tackle!
Why he doesn’t fit: He fits! He’s probably better than anyone else we have now, and until we sign Alonso, he IS better!
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Melvin Ingram LB 6’1” 246 (Chargers) – 5 year starter in a 3-4 defense at OLB. Ingram has been accomplished pass rusher at 3-4 OLB, has 18.5 sacks in the last 2 seasons. Last season, Ingram finished with 60 tackles (46 solo), 8 sacks, 5 passes defensed and a whopping 5 FF’s. Ingram is more quick than fast, he has good explosion.
Why he fits: He’s more talented than any other LB on the roster, can cover and can tackle.
Why he doesn’t fit: It would be a change of position to go to a 4-3 SLB or WLB after playing in a 3-4 the last 5 years. Instead of rushing the passer, he would be more involved with run support and pass coverage. He will also undoubtedly be the most expensive FA LB on the market right now, since the Browns re-signed Jamie Collins for 4 YR/$50M. You can put Ingram at that, or possibly higher, so this is a big contract for a player who will have to essentially learn a new position and new responsibilities.
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I expect us to negotiate with Jelani Jenkins, which would be smart if we can get him at a fair contract, commensurate with all his missed playing time. He’s a talented player who when healthy early in his career, really impressed, and he’s our own. I hope we can come to an agreement with him as well.
There are other positions we will address as well, but these are our most glaring needs. We may be surprised that we ignore or merely add depth at one or two of these spots, but then that will be a clear indication what direction we will be taking heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. Incidentally, the NFL combine is only 26 days away! Free agency is soon to follow on March 7th. I can’t wait for ALL of it! GO DOLPHINS!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Son
It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to that day myself, but it’s going to be a while. You’re gonna love it!
I know you missed me?
22: R1P22
LB REUBEN FOSTER
ALABAMA
54: R2P22
EDGE T.J. WATT
WISCONSIN
98: R3P34
C PAT ELFLEIN
OHIO STATE
167: R5P22
TE MICHAEL ROBERTS
TOLEDO
177: R5P32
EDGE DAWUANE SMOOT
ILLINOIS
185: R5P40
EDGE BRYAN COX
FLORIDA
207: R6P22
G SEAN HARLOW
OREGON STATE
243: R7P22
CB TRESTON DECOUD
OREGON STATE
Piggy,
That has the potential to be a very good draft if we were able to pull that off. So, do you think the team needs linebackers? Lol
Just a couple….
I’d take the top 3 right now. Don’t know enough about the rest.
Watt could be that player Mike and I were discussing Mevlin Ingram being.
Yep
If we drafted him I would play him at OLB and then maybe on 3rd down play him as DE
Smoot and Cos both have a shot to develop into pretty good DEs
Roberts is interesting
but not as dynamic as, well you know who….
22: R1P22
EDGE TAKKARIST MCKINLEY
UCLA
54: R2P22
G FORREST LAMP
WESTERN KENTUCKY
98: R3P34
LB KENDELL BECKWITH
LSU
167: R5P22
LB DUKE RILEY
LSU
177: R5P32
C KYLE FULLER
BAYLOR
185: R5P40
OT JON HECK
NORTH CAROLINA
207: R6P22
EDGE DEATRICH WISE JR.
ARKANSAS
243: R7P22
CB DES LAWRENCE
NORTH CAROLINA
Both drafts I did had OJ Howard off the board early
He probably will be. I would not be shocked if he went top 10. There is nothing he can’t do as a TE and he’s a rare athlete.
I was surprised to hear him as an option at 22
He’s very good
I think better than most of the TEs that have come out in recent years
I think that will change. I’d say 12-15 for sure.
I’d be shocked if Foster is there at 22. He looks like a top 10 player fairly easily., to me. I’m not sure Watt is great value at that spot, but he’s probably not gonna be there when we pick again. Smoot isn’t a great athlete, but he’s definitely got potential. Harlow in the 6th is a nice pick…some think he’s a top 5 guard in this draft. I don’t know if I agree…it is a weak guard draft…but in the 6th…I’ll take a swing!
I don’t think Foster will be there for us either.
Well
Some one has to fall to 22
😛
Sure, just not those guys. LOL
It kinda of makes sense for Howard to go top 15
It’s not even like there are a lot of highly ranked receivers
Know there’s not.
Meaning no there aren’t a lot of highly ranked WRs. Wrong spelling could mean something weird. LOL
I’d agree Howard goes top 15. Partly because there just aren’t a ton of high end talent in this draft, and he’s seen as a step above anybody at his position in this draft. That usually means you get picked a little higher. I’d take him as if he drops.
22: R1P22
S JABRILL PEPPERS
MICHIGAN
54: R2P22
C ETHAN POCIC
LSU
98: R3P34
TE JORDAN LEGGETT
CLEMSON
167: R5P22
EDGE JOSH CARRAWAY
TCU
177: R5P32
EDGE DAWUANE SMOOT
ILLINOIS
185: R5P40
OT STORM NORTON
TOLEDO
207: R6P22
CB JALEN MYRICK
MINNESOTA
243: R7P22
CB ASHTON LAMPKIN
OKLAHOMA STATE
No LBs?
Peppers is the LB
Sort of…
He was listed as a S and that’s really what he is, but also a nickel and dime LB. He’ll never hold up at his size taking on TEs and OL all day long.
Smoot isn’t a great athlete? Who said that?
I’m just throwing this out there. Don’t be surprised if we trade up because we think there is a drop off because we want a special player. I’m not saying into the top 5, but maybe inside 15. 🙂
I think Smoot hasn’t even scratched the surface yet in terms of talent and he still can be developed a lot further. He finally got better coaching this past season and gave a bit of a glimpse of how destructive he could be as a DE. He’s got the quick twitch you want in a pass rusher but it also gives him the ability to beat blocks and make plays in the backfield; another part of what he showcased this past season.
If he goes to the right team with the right coaching staff (Miami) I think they can make this guy into a perennial pro bowl talent. He needs to take part in the offseason strength and conditioning program with the team and bulk up. That, along with coaching, could make him a force to be reckoned with. But that’s JMHO.
That happens with prospects all the time. Sometimes it takes a couple of years.
Cam Wake
I meant to say “disruptive”; not “destructive”
Who would you be comparable to if you played CFB? Me: Ryan Switzer.
When I look at a lot of the players in this year’s draft I probably should be looking at them a lot differently than I have in the past. Some lack the athleticism I really would like to see on this team; especially when you consider they want to increase the overall team speed on the defensive side of the ball.
However, I truly believe that not only is the team going to be much better at picking talent for the team going forward but I also think the team is going to set the standard for player development going forward as well.
So, I think the “prospect pool” in the draft is larger for our team than it may be for others.
Before becoming a Miami Dolphin Cam Wake put up 39 sacks in 2 seasons with the BC Lions of the CFL.
After the 2008 CFL season Wake received interest from 17 NFL teams, worked out for 8, and signed with MIA. The rest is history.
Cam Wake was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year twice; in 2007 and 2008. ’07 was his rookie season.
When Cam Wake was a rookie with the BC Lions he had no internet, no tv. He didn’t want any distractions.
Piggy,
One of the reasons I put Reddick where I did is the same reason we moved up to get Howard in the 2nd rd last year. If a player fits what you want to do and you have a chance to get him you can’t wait until you pick again and run the risk he’ll be gone.
And, like I said in my post above there’s going to be players who maybe we wouldn’t have put the same emphasis on in the past but that’s because of the shortcomings in the coaching staff. Or maybe we would have taken a player in the past that didn’t work out as well because of the shortcomings of the coaching staff.
When I look at Reddick I see a guy who has a lot of talent and that talent needs to be developed. There’s plenty of athleticism and ability there and also a lot of untapped potential. So I wouldn’t have a problem if he was our pick in the first rd. Now if we took Jarrad Davis with that pick I’d hit the ceiling.
Among LB’s in the NFL Dont’a Hightower was 62nd in total tackles in ’16. He was 13th among MLB’s.
Among NFL LB’s Dont’a Hightower was 93rd in solo tackles in ’16. He was 16th among MLB’s. Hasn’t played a full season in the past 3 yrs.
Vince Williams started 4 games for Pittsburgh in ’16. He had more solo tackles than Dont’a Hightower.
Hightower played 708 defensive snaps. Williams played 269.
HEY SON & HERD; –I’m probably NOT the only grandpa on this site. But I GUARANTEE I LEAD THE PACK in Great Grandkids with SIX!!! – – My two grandsons (ages 16 & 19) likely will produce MORE Great Grandkids in the next 10 years, so my final tally for Great Grandkids could be in the 8-10 range. AND, HERD, there’s always the option of adoption, if you’re of a mind to do that. My adoptive parents were somewhat older than most, but things turned out OK for this kid who started out in an orphanage in Canada as his first home. —Anyway, congrats to SON and Mrs. SON. –May you have many more.
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My wife made her annual trek up to rural Tennessee to see our youngest daughter, our oldest grand daughter and 3 of our 6 Great Grandkids this morning. I had to drop her off at Tampa International about 3:45 AM so she could catch her 5 AM flight to Charlotte, and then to Nashville.
Getting up at 2:30 AM produced a bit of whining. But, then, I reminded her that her round trip airfare was a bit under $200, and the whining subsided. Just wished we had relatives who lived LESS THAN 600 MILES FROM TAMPA! Anyway, we’ll drive up to see them twice more this year because I have a convention in April and another in August about 90 miles from where they live. It’s SO IMPORTANT to see these kids in their younger years.
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FINALLY, DID YOU KNOW that if the Patriots LOSE TOMORROW, they’ll become the first franchise in NFL HISTORY TO LOSE 5 SUPER BOWLS??? Amidst all this Belicheat/Brady ass lick Fest, hardly NO ONE has even mentioned that a New England defeat makes them the NFL’s ALL-TIME LOSERS of Super Bowls!!! What does it say about a franchise when you lose 5 times EVEN WHILE ACTIVELY CHEATING??? –This franchise is the “Greatest of All Time??”–
GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
SPEAKING OF “THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME,” I invite all of you to read the front page of today’s MIAMI HERALD sports section, which is carried on their web site. In it, iconic Herald sports columnist Edwin Pope, who died Jan. 19, describes in graphic detail the highlights of Super Bowl VIII played in Rice Stadium, Houston, Jan.13, 1974. This game was the culmination of the GREATEST TWO YEAR RUN IN NFL HISTORY. It was the final chapter of Miami’s 32-2 record, a record THAT NO FRANCHISE HAS COME CLOSE TO BEATING since that time!!
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POPE begins by saying,”Call it Grants’ Tomb. Re-title it Shula’s Shrine. Or Csonka’s Causeway.
Or let ’em keep the name Rice Stadium. No matter. Henceforth, this fog-bound battleground will be known as the one where the Dolphins settled themselves by any reasonable measure as football’s all-time kings. —
It was murder. It made the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre look like a draw. —
(READ the rest and enjoy!!!) – – Old Dolfan
son of a son of a shula says:
February 3, 2017 at 1:51 pm
Hey pal, I haven’t been on much lately but great to see you.
I’m going to have some big news to share soon.
Reply
You’re finally coming out of the closet???
oops, I just read the rest of the posts….Congrats GrannyPa! That’s a great feeling to have a lil boy born into the family. Kudos
He shall be named Steel Tannyson. 🙂
Lou
I think Hightower’s tackling is suspect too, and I think I intimated that in my review of him
my comment wasn’t so much in response to your post above as much as it was just for informational purposes. I’m not a real big fan of his and never have been. we beat him with a TE and RB in coverage all day and I remember him getting gased as the game went on.
I gotcha – I didn’t think you were calling me out, just showing I agree. I don’t think much of him at all. If you’re going to be a 2 down MLB, you better be a tackling machine.
right. and he’s not
I don’t think Hightower is the type of LB we need. I’d rather look for guys with more range than a big thumper.
how’s your foot doing? Has it healed yet or is it a recurring thing where it never heals?
Well that was out of the blue. LOL
It’s all good now. I did my own therapy and worked through the pain. Thanks for asking.
the reason I have asked about is you never answered me the last 2 times. Well, I found out I need a by pass in the leg because not enough blood iss reaching the foot through the veins.All this time I was thinking the toe was just being stubborn in healing. The test it by doing a sony gram like the women get for pregnancy. Simple procedure and your good to go
Who else is? I am, a Grandpa that is… Been for about 5 years now, My lovely 26 year old daughter who lives in Alabama…
Congratulations Son
jetsssuck, I didn’t see you asking me that before.
Sorry to hear that you need that procedure. Hope all goes well.
it’s a simple procedure in and out in 1 overnight stay. I’m happy they figured it out and I know the pain will go away once the procedure is done.
I hate to say it, but Peter King made a pretty good point yesterday.
At 39, Marino, Montana and virtually every HOF QB was retired.
Last year at 39, Manning limped in the Bowl with a weak arm after bad season.
At 39, Brady is heading in to the Bowl after throwing 33 TDs versus 4 Ints.
Brady might ending up being the best QB ever just cause of longevity.
WHO DO YOU THINK WILL GET SELECTED for the NFL Hall of Fame Tonight??
My wild-ass guesses:
1) LaDanian Tomlinson
2) Jason Taylor
3) Isaac Bruce
4) Terrell Owens
5) John Lynch
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IF I was doing the picking, I’d bounce Lynch in favor of Morton Andersen, the all-time leading scorer in NFL history and CLEARLY A BETTER PLACE KICKER than Jan Stenerud, the only pure place kicker ever admitted to Canton. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Paul Tagliabue gets the call, even tho’ I would not vote for him.
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ANYONE ELSE want to take a shot at this? The announcements will be made on a show on FOX tonight at 8 PM eastern.
So you think JT gets it? I forget all the names but looked over the initial list and came away with it is a real tough slate this year.
Ya’, Jon, it IS a tough slate. But Taylor is, I believe, either #5 or #6 on the all-time sack list —-a huge statistic when you consider the importance of a pass rusher in today’s NFL.
Lets hope he gets it. I came away with him being in a good group of all deserving, but like three of them would have to wait till next year.
Lou,
I did….which you know. Smoot isn’t a freakish sort of athlete. He’s a good athlete, but he’s not really special. He doesn’t beat opponents with special athleticism. You go way overboard on your evaluations. Just how many of these guys do you think will be “pro bowl players”? Lol
Young Stanger; I just looked up the top sack artists of all time in the NFL. Jason Taylor currently stands 7th on that list. Everyone ahead of him who is eligible for the HOF is in the HOF!!! And several who are behind him (like John Randle) are also in the Hall. So I believe Taylor has a shot!
Look at the numbers from JT’s DPoY season in 2006.
60 Tackles, 40 solo, 20 asst., 13.5 sacks, 9 FF, 11 PD, 2 INT (both for TDs) and 2 FR.
Here are his career stats. His numbers scream HOF.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylJa03.htm
It would be great if JT got in. I’m not sure Owens or Bruce get in, the WR position is very watered down so they usually go with very special. I’d put Tomlinson and Lynch in though.
22: R1P22
EDGE TAKKARIST MCKINLEY
UCLA
54: R2P22
G FORREST LAMP
W KENTUCKY
98: R3P34
LB ELIJAH LEE
KANSAS ST
167: R5P22
LB BEN BOULWARE
CLEMSON
177: R5P32
EDGE DAWUANE SMOOT
ILLINOIS
185: R5P40
TE MICHAEL ROBERTS
TOLEDO
207: R6P22
CB FABIAN MOREAU
UCLA
243: R7P22
C JAY GUILLERMO
CLEMSON
In this scenario we play McKinnley as a DE
I got my LBs a little later
But Lee and Boulware are a nice blend
Lee is pretty good in coverage – he’s a real interesting prospect
Boulware is a thumper and has a chance to be a good MLB
Smooth gets his time to develop
Lamp can start from day 1 at OG
And we got a backup C too
When D was at the SB he said Boulware looked really small.
Doesn’t surprise me
That’s why he is available in the 5th round
I just saw that Jason Taylor was voted in the HOF.
Hey bartender, someone owes me a drink.
Piggy tosses a beer down the bar
Yeah JT!!! Congrats!!!
Go JT!!! That’s great, he was a great player we got to watch for a quite a while. His brother in law was great too, but he won’t be in the HOF.
I’d put Zach in. He was one of the best MLBs in the game for a decade.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomZa01.htm
He was a great player, but the competition at MLB is pretty tough.
If you were dominant when you played for a decade I think you should be in. He was.
.JUSTICE was done!! JT in the HOF!! YESSSSSSSSS
Pleasantly surprised that Morten Andersen got in, as did Easley, Terrell Davis and Tomlinson. I’m sick that the turd Jedrry Jones also got in. He rode Jimmy Johnson’s coat tails in my view!! Very surprised that neither T.O.nor Isaac Bruce were selected.
Also pleased that Kurt Warner was elected. He took two teams to the Super Bowl. And he still holds the Super Bowl record for most yards passing in a Super Bowl. He was the biggest factor in “The Greatest Show On Turf!”
I think it was Marshall Faulk, even Warner said that.
MARSHALL FAULK did not play with Warner when he took the Cards to the Super Bowl.
i watched Isaac Bruce’s son play HS ball at ST.Thomas and this kid someday will be in the NFL despite getting kicked off the UM football team for pot. The kid is playing at a junior college now since he was kicked off UM team. He will probably love to come home as a fa his father raised him from his plantation home. The kid was a man among boys every time I watched him. He played along Michael irvin’s son also which I believe enrolled for UM also.
OD, you said Warner was the biggest factor in “The Greatest Show On Turf!” That wasn’t in ARZ.
Awesome that JT made it, and well-deserved (not matter what you guys said when he played for the Yets).
And actually what makes me most happy is that if JT gets in first time around, maybe Zach does have a chance after all.
We signed TE Chris Pantale who was waived by PHI this past season. What’s interesting to me about him is there was some buzz down the shore that he was on the verge of buying his Mom a home down by us on the lagoons. It fell through when he was cut. He’s from Wayne. NJ. I also believe I know his Dad or Uncle. Both big dudes of the same last name.
Randy,
I’ve watched just about every game Smoot has played and have SEEN him beat people with athleticism.
I don’t care what anyone says. The Graham Norton Show is the best talkshow on television and that’s not debatable.