Change is good.
You Earthlings do it – so do aliens like me
And I needed a new hairdo…
No I’m not vain
I just need something versatile for a galaxies
and what is a better example of versatility
Peppers!!!!
What do you think of my new hairdo? I love it!
Its the kind of do that you can wear when you man a high powered phaser cannon or when you are relaxing eating Xerbe Squids on your day off!
Versatile like Jabrill Peppers
So who is Peppers you say?
Is he a Safety or a CB? Is he a Linebacker?
Does he play defense or offense? Is he a running back?
Does he play special teams? Is he a kick returner or a punt returner?
Who is Jabrill Peppers??? Well as Gary Oldman once said:
Peppers can do it all. And that is an asset that he brings to whichever team drafts him
While playing for the Michigan Wolverines Peppers was a star.
In three years he had 86 solo tackles, 119 combined tackles, 18.5 tackled for a loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception, 11 passes defended, 10 catches, 82 receiving yards, 45 carries, 239 rushing yards, 5 offensive touchdowns, 39 punt returns, 510 punt return yards, 18 kick returns, 483 kick return yards, 1 special teams Touchdowns and 6 total Touchdowns.
I’m out of breathe…
Consider Jabrill Peppers to be the Alpha Male of the 2017 Draft. He may be the most talented player available in 2017.
Peppers showed off that talent at the combine in Indianapolis.
Peppers, who tested with the Linebackers and the Defensive Backs ran a blazing 4.46 in the 40 yard dash, recorded 19 bench presses, a 35.5 vertical jump and a 128 inch broad jump.
Among Linebackers Peppers a the top 40 yard time, the 4th best vertical jump and the longest broad jump
In the NFL, Peppers will probably be a Safety and Nickelback
well that is what this alien hears anyway…but who knows.
What is really interesting is whether Peppers will play special teams in the NFL making him a dual threat he certainly has the skill set to return kicks.
But me…
I like Peppers on defense. I can just imagine a healthy Reshad Jones pairing up with the athletic Peppers. No one will be able to get to the edge against the Dolphins defense!
Peppers isn’t afraid to hit ball carriers and in fact often knifes behind the line of scrimmage fluidly. I imagine the Peppers Safety Blitz in the NFL will be spicy!
So what kind of Alien Weapon is this ultimate swiss army knife
….um you guessed it
Always keep your Peppers handy
Finsmob Unleashed 
Never thought I’d see the day where Steven A was the dude making sense and not making everything a race issue and the others on the show were the the ones taking up that torch. Those other two on first take now are complete morons
Literally would be a better show with Bayless back and that’s kinda sad to say
D, would you be shocked if Larsen is our starting RG and Steen at LG? I would not. Steen was doing a solid job filling in and starting at center until he suffered an ankle sprain. Then he couldn’t finish the season and we were on center #3 Urbik. Pundits forget that. How many teams can go 3 deep at center and roll along? It’s not easy.
I’d be shocked if Steen and Larsen were our starting Gs. Seems to me if they were would mean at least someone who was supposed to be either got injured or didn’t live up to what was planned.
I’d be shocked too if Larsen was starting at G instead of at C in place of Pouncey.
Right with you on that Lou…..exactly what I was thinking.
Can’t argue going with the plug and play guy in the 1st rd. Lamp starts day one at LG and solidifies the offensive line.
I’d be shocked if Larsen and Steen were our starters. We’re either drafting one of our starters, or we’re going to pick one up in FA
Yep — there is a starting G whose name we do not know yet. Only Q is who and in what way.
Poe is a classic 3/4 NT. Yes, you still have a NT in a 4/3, but it’s not a spot you spend big bucks. I don’t see any reason to sign Poe….especially if you’re gonna just use him in the rotation on running downs. He’s not a sacks guy on the interior. Am I missing something? How would we use him?
MikeE,
You’ll be more than shocked. You’ll be disappointed too. Lol
currently at $13,975,383 and Thomas’ restructure isn’t in that figure yet.
I wouldn’t be so sure that if we pick a guard at #22 he’d be an immediate starter. In fact, I’d be a little surprised if he was.
If it’s Lamp he’s starting day one.
Why so? Seems that is what you count on out of a first round OL guy. Didn’t Long, Pouncey, James and Tunsil all line up opening day?
Lamp is a “plug” and play guy. get it. plug and play. anyway, that’s what you’re getting from him. a guy who can start day one.
Lou,
You have no idea what lamp can do at guard. Guard is a real man’s position, and it can take guys a little while to get used to the physicality of the position. This love for lamp has gone way over the top. Even in his combine grade, they only project him as a “Chance to become a good NFL starter” and barely that at 6.1. Get past the hype. This is not a good group of guards in this draft.
He’s a day one starter my man. get used to it.
Pouncey is the key to the OL this year. But where do you think these guards are coming from guys? Okay maybe the draft, maybe also a draftee will need some development time. Larsen was signed to start somewhere, he’s been there done that – center or either guard spot. So has Steen and Urbik.
The offense is going to change in 2017 with the emergence of Ajayi and the addition of Thomas. This offense has about as much talent at the skill positions as you can ask for. We act like the world will end if we don’t find an elite guard. The only way that’s happening now is drafting a gem or an unknown surprises us.
Again, it’s Pouncey who could create the decline in the depth chart. Talk about a $7M cap savings if we move on from him next year if he can’t hold up anymore.
stanger,
I’m not saying he wouldn’t…and with our guard situation they need bodies. I think Larsen was signed in part as a guy who can step in at all three interior positions just in case a young draftee can’t. I’m just saying guard is a tough spot to step into…especially since none of the guys in this draft are all that special. They’re quite average actually.
I can’t judge the draft talent so much, but far as am concerned with our need at G any OL guy we take at #22 should be a starter. A 2nd or 3rd round guy would be different. Like Larsen’s ability to play C though, whether he starts or not.
Yeah that’s what I’m saying and I think xwhat Tim is saying, you definitely cannot pencil a rookie it, you can believe all day you can but a guy who has been in the league 3 years, and in the system the entire time the system has been in place has a leg up on the competition at least early. Lamp might have the higher end potential but I still wouldn’t be surprised if he was behind someone on the depth chart for first few games of the year at least. Gase even said last year if they hadn’t had to, Tunsil might not have started. So to me it’s a toss up between Steen, Larsen, or any rookie including a first rounder as to who would start.
You guys who think Pouncey is out are fooling yourselves as long as Pouncey is ready to go by start of the year. Healthy Pouncey is unequaled on our team at OC.
Ajayi leads the league in rushing if Pouncey plays 14-16 games. 🙂
Look for an offense where Ajayi and Thomas both score 10-12 TDs. That’s our bread and butter in the red zone.
Lou you have to look at a rookie like you would a kid out of college on a job. They moved that be the next CEO of the company off their educational background, natural intelligence, etc, but there are reasons that years of experience have a value equal to a certain number of years of college education, it’s because there is educational understanding and then there is real understanding, understanding of the procedures of the specific company, etc.
As much as these guys might be “pro ready” they have never taken a pro snap and they have no experience I. The system and they have not acclimated to the speed of the game.
There is not true “pro ready”. Listen to Tunsil interviews from first year, he said sane thing. It took him a little while to adjust to that and he was considered one of the most gifted and pro ready OL to come out of college in past decade.
They might be
Pouncey started day one, James started day one. guys do it all the time for other teams. Lamp can start day one also.
I counted up 65 players on our roster so far. Not sure if it’s accurate, but a couple more FA signings, 7 potential draft picks, 10-15 UDFAs and a couple of off the street type guys will get there. The final 53 is the key.
Lou,
I hope you’re right! I guess I need to see guys come in and do it before I can claim this or that…that’s just me. Personally, the guy I think has the best chance to start right away in the NFL is Feeney. I wouldn’t say he’s the most polished gard in this draft, but he may be the cleanest coming out of the gate. I’d probably be just as happy with Moton as I would with Lamp. They’re pretty close. Hell, this whole guard class is just sorta one big average group. Frankly, I think there will be a lot better value at #22 at other positions.
***
It really is wild how the NFL has changed. Fans…and teams too sometimes….just expect rookies to start day one. Even for high draft picks, it never used to be that way nearly as much. Sure, it’s always been there but not to this degree. Teams want to get their value out of that first year contract. Every team is young nowadays. It’s truly a young man’s game now.
Tim,
If we truly are playing a ton of 3-4 teams this year, Pouncey is gonna be tested. He does not play nearly as well against zero tech nose guards. We will definitely need to be running away from that point or have guards who can help a lot.
Well some of Ajayi’s best games were against 3-4 teams with Pouncey in there.
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Dontari Poe visit with Dolphins is over. No contact.
No surprise. Don’t understand why we brought him in for a visit in the first place
https://twitter.com/MDCheer/status/842139847586328576
I just wonder if a guy who’s used to being a starter on the d line, playing almost every snap, is really going to be happy splitting snaps with another guy when he’s playing to try and maximize his next FA contract.
One of the QAM guys giving the weather like ten minutes ago —
“…..will be in the seventies tmrw…..Dontari Poe you are your way to the airport…..are you hearing that right now?”
Young Stanger; Our forecast is for lows in the upper 30’s tomorrow morning in Pasco County. –Looks like I’ll actually have to wear LONG PANTS to work tomorrow — HORRORS!! But, by lunch time, I’ll be back in my walking shorts! –HOPE all is well with you & the Mrs.
That big gust of wind you felt a lil bit ago was the huge sigh of relief Jordan Phillips let out when Poe left town without throwing down any ink.
Now go move some piles #97!
2016 MIA qb pressures: Wake 26, Suh 21, Phillips 15.
2016 MIA Stuffs/Stuff yds: 1. Andre Branch 6 for 15 yds. 2. Jordan Phillips 6 for 10 yds
2016 MIA tkls for loss: 1. Suh 11, 2. Branch 8, 3. Wake 6, 4. Phillips 5
Phillips has been effective for us. In addition to that he had 3 passes defensed and 1 interception. He will continue to improve and he will be a solid starter for us.
That’s the hope. However, for the many good plays he’s had, he’s also been invisible or taken out of the play too often.
But I too think he’ll continue to develop. I stated the other day, many big DT’s don’t really come into their own until 3-4yrs it seems.
He’s young and with solid coaching he should still grow into a force as a pro DT.
Besides, rather than spend big on Poe, I’d see if Hankins came at a much lower price that we could make sense of. He too is young and trending up, whereas I think Poe will begin trending down…IMO.
Having Poe come in for a visit is doing our due diligence just like visiting with Jonathan Allen who we have no shot drafting at #22. But you have to know who’s out there and how you value them.
That and the probable additional motivation couldn’t hurt #97. Gase wants him to be more consistent.
Yeah but even Phillips knows that. Regardless we don’t have a penciled in #3 DT like we’ve had in the past. Phillips was that guy with Mitchell here. Now he’s #2. We have some guys who can slide inside on some downs but we need a 3rd DT to rely on in the rotation.
Tim, which is why I mentioned a looksie @ Hankins who’s 24yo.
GD, Hankins is out there. We either find a guy within the league or in the draft.
That said, can we even talk about Jordan as part of our edge rush because he’s still here at $3.225M? His dead cap is 0 so what’s going on with him?
Huh? Jordan Phillips…oh, you mean DFF…lol
I’m sure we go Edge in the draft within the first 3 rounds & maybe double down a lil later.
But what do you make of Jordan still being on the team? Others have been released. He’s like an asteroid. Maybe some day. LOL
https://twitter.com/theflyingpig44/status/842210044938727424
We probably need a penicillin shot to get rid of Dion Jordan?
LOL
the DT market right now is cold as ice with teams looking at the deep DT position in the draft for guys who can fill in on a rotational basis. Take a guy like Jaleel Johnson from Iowa. A team can draft him in the 3rd rd and have a huge cap savings and get the rotation out of him they need. They don’t need guys in a 4-3 who are playing 800+ snaps a season because they are splitting time during games anyway.
MIA, for instance, can draft a guy like Johnson and have him split snaps with Phillips and Johnson could play 300 or so snaps on defense.
So, the word is right now anyway that most teams aren’t looking to spend the money on these guys. It may get to the point where someone starts to make a move but nobody is banging down the doors on any of the free agents who are available.
And, with only $10M or so in cap, MIA is going to be very selective in who they choose for the 3rd DT in the rotation.
Agreed.
As of right now our front 7:
DE Wake, Branch, Hayes, Jordan, Fede, N. Williams
DT Suh, Phillips…
LB Alonso, Timmons, Hewitt, Misi, Hull etc.
got some work to do
We can hold up for awhile, but not good enough for a 16+ game season.
We need another stout DT to rotate in for a few snaps a game to spell #93 & #97.
There’s a lot of older DT’s in FA that could handle limited snaps a game and do well. So time is on the Phins side for now.
Tim, the team has more inside knowledge than we do on DFF. Perhaps he’s still doing all the right things and they’re holding out hope he can at least compete in OTA’s, mini camps, and show a shred of evidence to warrant further considerations.
Dion Asteroid FF 🙂
LOL
It would be a great story. Dion Jordan with 14.5 sacks for the Dolphins out of nowhere. 🙂
I’ve seen stranger things, so it wouldn’t really shock me too much. Would make for a nice story how someone can turn their life/career around before it’s absolutely too late.
And Piggy wins two lotteries
Bring back Tony McDaniel on a 1yr deal while grooming a later round draft pick or UDFA gem.
The best case scenario is Nick Williams can play that role. I think we will see Hayes play end and tackle.
A NIPPY 35 degrees in Lutz, Florida, when I walked the dogs at 7:00 AM today! But temps will warm up nicely this afternoon when I take my daily walk around the complex at work.
——————
AGREE WITH THOSE saying there’s still lots of work to do for our favorite team. We will certainly need A BETTER TEAM THAN LAST YEAR just to equal our 10-6 record of 2016. Much. much, tougher schedule this season.
—————–
MARCH MADNESS gets into full swing today! One of my favorite days in sports!
LMAO at firstpick!
YOUR TEAM: MIAMI DOLPHINS
GAME OVER!
Your score is: 12037 (GRADE: A-)
Your Picks:
Round 2 Pick 5 (LAR): Takkarist McKinley, OLB/DE, UCLA (A-)
Round 2 Pick 10 (N.O.): Charles Harris, DE/OLB, Missouri (A)
Round 3 Pick 5 (LAR): Pat Elflein, C/OG, Ohio State (A-)
Round 3 Pick 12 (N.O.): Kevin King, CB, Washington (A)
Round 3 Pick 33 (COMP): Anthony Walker Jr., ILB, Northwestern (A-)
Round 3 Pick 39 (N.O.): Jake Butt, TE, Michigan (A)
Round 5 Pick 22: Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M (B-)
Round 5 Pick 34 (COMP): Corn Elder, CB, Miami (Fla.) (B)
Round 5 Pick 40 (COMP): Jadar Johnson, SS, Clemson (B-)
Round 7 Pick 5: Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, DT, Southern California (B-)
Your Future Picks:
2018 Round 1 Pick
2019 Round 1 Pick
Keep in mind: just because Poe left Davie yesterday, that doesn’t mean he might not come back if he can’t find a better deal/situation. We’ll see what happens…
I’ve been clamoring to sign Tony McDaniel for about a week (he’s still one of the best in the biz at stopping the run), but now that we’re officially interested in Poe (sorry, I doubted Jason LaConfora’s report late last week because he’s constantly wrong), I’m sure we want a NT-sized DT (Nose Guard) to command double-teams and swallow the run… thus freeing-up Suh to attack: McDaniel isn’t that guy.
As I look to the draft, I’m not seeing a NG until later. What’s more, it generally takes a rookie NT 3-4 years to master the art, and perhaps slightly less when playing NG with added support on the line. REMEMBER: this guy will be constantly tasked with taking on double-teams… as opposed to a natty 4-3 DT, who can generally step in and excel from day 1. In short, don’t expect any NG via the Draft to play anytime soon.
That brings me to the experienced Big Paul Soliai on the cheap. If the blueprint is to free-up Suh to attack, he’s the guy we want (if he still has it in him) if Poe doesn’t come back after his FA exploratory. I’ve wanted to see this happen each of the last two seasons (Big Paul next to Suh).
Now if this NG idea folds altogether, Tony McDaniel (he’ll be cheap) could/should be our #1 target to be that run-stuffing DT next to Suh. We MUST be able to stop the run in 2017.
To reiterate: until Poe signs elsewhere, he still may come back to us… it ain’t over.
I’m sure Poe is asking too much money or he wouldn’t be leaving all these team visits without a contract.
Correct, meaning we’re still in play.
I think he was expecting more from everyone and wasn’t getting it and that’s why he now has to make a decision rather than signing with someone for an offer he liked.
He probably spent more time with MIA yesterday because he was hearing the same type of deal he heard elsewhere and they probably told him if he leaves they are moving on because they didn’t want to wait.
I have a feeling we’re gonna pick our starter at OG in the 2nd round.
Can jordan play DT? I’m sure his weight is close to Poe by now 🙂
I’m not all that excited about the prospect of Poe playing for us. If he does, it’s going to be a 1 yr deal and I’m not getting excited about a player who’s only going to be here only 1 yr. That includes any guy we pick up for the rotation on the d-line because we’ll be looking at the same situation.
Same thing goes for Hayes as well. He should help us with our run D but I’m not getting excited over a guy who isn’t the future at defensive end. Timmons as well. All these guys can help us this year but they aren’t our future.
I’ll get excited over guys we bring in who are our future. Other than that, guys like Poe don’t do it for me.
Now, if the Saints decided they wanted to move on from Stephone Anthony and we were able to get him, I’d get excited.
Poe will help provide pressure on the qb from the interior of the line but if we’re looking to improve our run D he’s not going to help.
I can’t believe the Pats are looking at the possibility of getting a 1st rd pick for a guy who was undrafted. SMH
Who?
professorloumiamidolphinsblog says:
March 16, 2017 at 10:33 am
Poe will help provide pressure on the qb from the interior of the line but if we’re looking to improve our run D he’s not going to help.
———-
I think the idea is that Poe will command double-teams, freeing Suh to attack the ball carrier. What’s more, Poe will clog running lanes, allowing our MIKE to attack the ball carrier. It’s not that Poe himself is a run-stuffing force… it’s what Poe would provide for others.
It was the same idea regarding Earl Mitchell, but Mitchell isn’t nearly as big and disruptive as Poe. Teams still doubled Suh with Mitchell in there.
People thought just because Mitchell played NT for the Texans that he was some kind of space-eater. That never was the case: Mitchell is a GAP-SHOOTING DT, not a NG and not a NT. I done tried to tell them. Ultimately, the project failed
Poe will be what many thought Mitchell was to be for us, only 50 pounds BIGGER (true NT or NG)… ALONG with the ability to shoot the gap, albeit not quite as quickly as Mitchell. Poe is damned fast for a man of his size.
Terry Williams can demand double teams for us and do it a lot cheaper.
I’m cool with that… as is the case with Big Paul. Ideally, we can save enough cap space this year to extend Kiko, and roll over enough for next year so that we can re-sign Jarvis.
we’re getting way too excited over a 1 yr stopgap here.
Hyde’s title says it all. “Ten mock drafts, 10 different Dolphins picks”
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/fl-sp-hyde5-ten-mock-drafts-20170316-story.html
Emily Kaplan has the right idea, IMO.
Can’t really argue against any of them. Least it is has reached the point in the mock season where the mocksters actually understand what we do need, like not just LB but which type of LB.
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Jordan Phillips is currently training on a live video on Instagram #MiamiDolphins
That timing after the Poe visit is just too funny. Guess we will get something out of his 9 hours in Davie no matter what team he ends up on.
D. Orlando Ledbetter @DOrlandoAJC 1h
Dontari Poe’s World Tour continues. Has left MIami and is NOW off to Oakland.
BigTimeFootball® @BigTimeFootball 6m
6 minutes ago
Dolphins Inquired On Johnathan Hankins
Poe is a straight drive back power DT. I think he actually would work better over the OG than the OC, but for us, he would mean that you would have 4 guys on 2 DT’s because if you dont double Poe, he is going to drive his guy all the way back and collapse the front of the pocket. I really think NT was a bad place for him and he was put there because he is massively large and KC ran a 3-4. He and Phillips are very similar and i think you would seem more of a brutal penetrating 4-3 DT in him than was seen as a NT.
I also think his run support numbers are reflective of him being an NT vs a DT. DT’s engange their man, find the ball and shed to take up a cutback or running lane, NT’s have a different assignment, which is more dive people back and conject the lane which causes them to cut into your DE’s and LB’s.
You don’t really have to justify things to everyone for them to be true, just look to the facts. We thought he would fit our defense or we wouldn’t have brought him in for a visit, so obviously we saw potential in him as a 4-3 DT, who could give some experience in packages that we had for shifting him to over nose and bringing the DE in with a LB on the line, what Tim was calling our 5-3 look last year.
We also got him to come in for a visit and you know some details of contract were worked out before he agreed and we paid for him to come in, so we had to be in the range of negotiating the number, and that means we have to be in the range of what the other teams bringing him in are at. That puts us at just as much potential for bringing him in as we were before and likely means whatever we are offering isn’t really low, either that or the rest of the teams are low balling as well.
These are just facts seen, evidenced by him visiting, and staying long enough to discuss the team, its plans for him, etc. Its too easy to let our own opinions of whether or not we should sign him influence our belief of what we were offering and whether or not we really wanted him. Look at the fact it says something completely different than a lot of you are saying.
That said i really didn’t care one way or the other all i know for sure is we wanted him and we wanted him as bad as we offered him . Only the team, coaches, FO, etc know a about what the level of their interest or the level of contribution they though they would get in return would be so ill just wait to see the details come out and base it off that. Its also possible that maybe they were hoping to have him to just give Phillips a mentor and a guy that might allow him a little more luxury of developing for another year, but we had reasons we wanted him and what we offered wasn’t chump change. It couldn’t have been and still got him to visit.
Suh has been mentoring Phillips from day one. They don’t need Poe to mentor him. Phillips is actually training his ass off right now. He knows this is his time in Miami. He’s being given the shot. I can’t wait. Shut up the doubters.
Whatever the exact reason, they would not have had Poe in unless they were interested….even if it was for a prove it contract at a price they knew would be lower than what he wanted. Intended or not, probably was a wake-up call for Phillips too. He’s on the team for the next two seasons, but his worst nightmare would be Poe signed two years solid on that (less chance for him to build stats for his 2nd contract) or a 1st or 2nd round DT pick (less chance plus replacement in waiting).
I dont think Gase is 100% convinced that Phillips’ heart is fully into football. His last interview, when asked about Phillips did not feel confident, it felt 50/50 on if he was going to wake up and start preparing like a pro. I think the talent discussion is undeibale and i think Gase sees that too, but Gase kicks people to the curb for not being passionate and dedicated to their jobs, and guys like Phillips has been, frustrate the shit out of guys like Gase. So IMO, the Poe thing was both a wakeup call to Phillips, and preparation for a “what if” he doesn’t get his shit straight. This is a good year for it, because a lot of talent DT’s are not being snatched up, so most of them probably want a better chance next year to hit the market again, which plays into a “give Phillips another year to be a pro” by getting a talented young DT on a 1 year show me.
Phillips is going to be just fine and if people were to watch his games from ’16 they’d see he’s a very effective DT for us. I think the misconception is he didn’t do his job all the time but Mitchell and Jones were the weak links when they filled in at his position splitting snaps.
I love Phillips game Lou, have been a fan since they picked him. I have watched him just brutalize OG’s over the past year. He does get winded easy and he does almost fall off the field as far as production when he gets tired, i fact my only real complaint with him is that he doesnt stay on the field because of that. Gase said in his interview he “hopes” he gets in better condition because he was going to be expected to put up a lot more snaps than he previously was, im just saying Gase didnt talk confidently about it, more like he was hoping he would turn the corner and bre a pro but that it was on Phillips, not him to get there. He basically said it as a “he may or may not get there” and again, despite any good i see or you see, Gase is the evaluater that matters, and he isnt showing he is fully convinced.
I hope you are right because i see an absolute stud when he is “ON”, like better than anyone else i have seen at his size in past few years type of stud.
well, he’s training his off right now for the season. so, I think he understands the importance of what they’re going to be asking him to do this year.
I hear you about his stamina. It’s an issue. I can’t argue about that. When he’s in there though, he is definitely very effective.
He’s massive, naturally strong, great nasty demeanor, he’s the perfect DT, he is just preparation lazy, a lot like Nick Fairley was/kinda still is. It has hurt Nick as well, he went from super stud talk to waste. Im glad at least this year its looking like he is changing that, thats very good to hear. Scary part is, generally when these guys get their laziness in check, they blow up, because they feel better, they are stronger (scary thought), faster, etc and their production just takes off too because on top of being able to put more out there on the field, they also are out there more for that better physical ability to show up. It could be a very large explosion of production for him this year and maybe a turn the corner on his pro career. Id easily pay him in excess of 10-12mil per year if he is playing up to his potential.
Are they bringing in Hankins on a visit? or was that just a report of we are interested?
D,
Nose guards are almost always better against centers than guards because centers are typically weaker/smaller players. But, playing the zero tech means you’re gonna pretty much get doubled every play from one guard or the other. Against a 4 man front, the center can only double left or right….so somebody is getting single blocked. Because of this…on defense…playing the 3 tech means you get more one-on-one blocks than you do at nose. Most teams will slide their blocking towards Suh. Poe is strong, but he’s not quick or elusive. He may win more by pure power simply because he’s getting more single blocks than he would playing zero, but he’s not a penetrator…he’s a space occupier. You can occupy more blockers/space at zero because of what I said above. My guess is their hope would be that he draws the center away from Suh.
***
And, for those who don’t remember, I loved Poe when he went into the draft and wanted to draft him. I was talking about him when people thought he would be a 5th round pick. It’s not that I dislike the player. I dislike the fit. Especially if he’s gonna be a one or two down player. Go draft a young kid, see what Phillips(who I want playing third downs) turns into and groom the youngster. But, as you said, it’s up to the team….I’d be fine either way. You can use Poe. I’d just go another way.
***
Lastly, I do think teams bring in guys for reasons other than they truly want to sign him. It never hurts to kick the tires on players, but it doesn’t always have to mean the club is all giddy over signing the dude. They do use these visits to get info on lots of things…not just the player. We do play KC next season, don’t we?
M13, I don’t think anyone thought of Mitchell as a space eating NT. Most of us expected him to make more plays in the backfield and he never really did. Then injuries took there toll and we moved on.
He got the space eater label because he was out of position in a 3-4 in Houston before he signed with us. He definitely was not a space eater, he was suppose to be a more penetrating style DT. He wasn’t horrible, but he wasn’t special either.
I think Phillips, even with his inconsistencies had reached a point where he was more effective even on a portion of his “off plays”, than Mitchell was when he was on. Last year, and probably due to the injury, was the first year this was very apparent and they decided the risk of not getting consistency out of Phillips was no longer outweighing the need for a starter who was better than Mitchell.
I think any interest in a top FA, or us possibly drafting a DT like big Stevie is just a message to Phillips to push himself, and also a plan B of if he doesnt, especially since we are trying to get one year rental/show me contracts on those FA’s.
I distinctly recall some saying, “DUDE! He was the NT for the Houston Texans! He’ll eat space!”. I said he never should have been utilized as much because he’s a strict gap-shooter.
It’s all good and it is what it is. I wish Earl Mitchell much luck in the future… I was really hoping he’d work out for us in an effort to pressure Lady* up the gut.
Al always pointed out that he lead all NTs in solo tackles with Houston.
Always thought he was going to be in the Atkins mold from the Bengals using excellent speed & power to beat OGs vs girth and being immovable.
Falcons land Dontari Poe
Man Oakland must have REALLY low balled lol.
Randy, you are SPOT-ON as usual. Excellent post above, echoing more eloquently what I was trying to state earlier this morning.
Let’s take look at our current roster…
Defense
DT: Being actively sought in FA after Earl Mitchell was cut, may address early in the Draft. Q: are we looking for a NG like Poe (just signed by the Falcons) to keep double-teams off Suh, or a traditional 4-3 DT now?
DE: Likely to add one more to the rotation if we can upgrade from Fede and/or Warmsley in the Draft. Dion Jordan will be cut (as previously reported) or traded for crumbs.
LB: Unless Neville Hewitt or Koa Misi (<– if he's even on our roster by then) are starting for us game 1, we're likely drafting one early.
CB: Byron Maxwell is scheduled to make $10M in '18 with $0 in dead cap, just sayin'. Can we upgrade from Bobby McCain?
S: Are Nate Allen or Michael Thomas the future at FS?
Offense
QB: Is Brandon Doughty our future backup QB once Matt Moore moves on? Too early to tell, of course.
RB: Can we upgrade from Storm Johnson and/or Senorise Perry as our 4th RB? Late 3rd day pick in the Draft, if at all?
WR: Unless we PLAN to allow Jarvis Landry to walk in '18 (I can't see that happening), there's nothing to see here.
TE: I see no reason to address TE as we've got plenty of up-and-coming talent behind Thomas and Fasano, but that's just me and my $.02. Others DO want to upgrade, via the Draft.
T: Can we upgrade our depth here and possibly push Ja'Wuan James for the starting RT job?
G: Can we find a starter early in the Draft? We likely will address this early.
C: Larson is the presumed backup to Pouncey for when he goes down once again this year, yet there are Centers in the Draft this year who double as Guards (I see you, Pat Elflein).
Thoughts?
I think Larsen is your starting RG.
The investigation concluded that Jose Fernandez was responsible for the boat crash that killed him and two others. He was the one who ran the boat at 65 mph straight into a break-water jetty in the middle of the night based on his injuries and his DNA on the throttle and steering wheel. Before it came out that he was drunk as anything and on coke. What a waste of talent and about the best life anyone could hope for.
By the way I haven’t seen Al post in quite some time. I hope all is well with him.
He couldn’t come to the Fest cause he got a new job and had training for it. Maybe his new job doesn’t let him hit the net at work. He’s an awesome dude though.
https://twitter.com/MDCheer/status/842422234719354881
Yeah I think Larsen will start at one of the guard spots unless he gets beaten out by someone.
MF,
I’m taking Elijah Hood in the 7th.
Not a bad choice!
With guys like Tedric Thompson, Xavier Woods and Dante Barnett all looking to be available in later rounds I don’t think Thomas nor Allen are the future at S. Also, MIA seems to be high on Rudy Ford for some reason. I hope that doesn’t happen but who knows?
Well I guess if any of these players have athletic ability, a functioning brain. & can play STs at a high level then they could replace Aikens and Thomas. Actually think Lucas might make one of them expendable soon.
dbolt48 says:
March 16, 2017 at 1:26 pm
I think Larsen is your starting RG.
———
I don’t care which side he’s on; I agree with Tim that he’s likely one of our two starting Guards.
Likely is the key in there for me. Still think we will have one G spot locked up and the other as compete. I could see Nick Mangold in aqua as that, even if our C.
Least we can be pretty sure what the Phins would not pay……and as the previous reports said he was open for was a one-year deal.
————-
Ian Rapopor@RapSheet
The Falcons and DT Dontari Poe agree to a 1-year deal worth $8M, source said. He can make up to $10M with incentives.
I still want to see our team take a shot at my boy CJ Beathard as well. Pick up a qb every year as they say. He won’t go until late and maybe even undrafted.
Yeah, we weren’t going anywhere with Poe and that price. Not with $10M in cap. Even if we cut loose Misi and Jordan we weren’t doing that and we aren’t asking Tannehill to restructure this season unless we have someone we are extremely interested in.
No matter what the cap number is now we can sign whoever we want even if not necessarily two of them. And that only starts with making Tanny guaranteed for 2018 gets you a serious player. After the re-sign with Reshad…..only serious FA money player in 2018 is Landry. And even he could be made cap friendly for that year.
we can sign whoever we want? on what planet? we’ve got $10m to work with and we still need to get a deal done with Kiko. If we cut loose Misi and Jordan it gets us up to $17M and then we need to keep cap for injuries during the season.
In addition, they keep $$ on hand to roll into next season. That’s the way they do it. They may be able to squeeze another $5M out of a Tannehill restructure this season IF they did it.
We’re pretty much finished in FA. They’ll target a DT and if they can get one they like for that $3-4M/yr they want to pay they are going to do it. If not, they may wait and just go with Big Stevie in the draft.
Please explain what you mean here because I want to know what you’re thinking.
Was just pointing out that we can re-do the cap in a way that we can sign a guy like Poe. Why else bring him in? Not a big fan of pushing cap forward but like said, not much on the horizon for 2018…..even if you are right on Alonso will be there as well (but we pick say Reddick and maybe not as much of a concern).
Not even saying I want that so much just that the option is there. Restructures on Tanny and Suh would yield high-end starter money…..and that is even if the cap is not pushed back.
But once more am not as sure of what will happen as you. Just not convinced “We’re pretty much finished in FA.” At the same time, you might be right. Other than say a $4-5 mil G would be very pleased if that the case.
We already paid Suh a $20M bonus to restructure that we’re prorating at $4M/yr. I think we’re pretty much finished restructuring him.
Tannehill can still be restructured and that can save us around $5M this year and even more down the road and I think it would be in the best interest of both parties to do it but I don’t see it happening THIS yr. I can definitely see it happening next offseason.
With what we’ve done so far in signing our own I see Kiko getting a deal before long. I don’t foresee them waiting until the end of this season. I think they want to reward him as they did the others for doing well and want to keep him.
They can easily keep his cap hit low in year one with a bonus and a low salary allocation in yr 1.
The problem right now is they can’t really cut Misi loose because, AGAIN, of a lack of a better alternative. Once again, Misi is hanging on because we don’t have a choice.
Was just saying there is money to pull from. There always is. Guarantee Tanny for 2018 and you get cap money. Same with Suh for 2019. Obviously those come at a cost of locking them in and possible injury…..but it is there. And that doesn’t even include the likely cuts we have that you mentoined.
Then you go into what we should do in real great points that I completely agree with (other than think a 2018 Tanny restructure, if needed, comes at little cost since think he will be on the team).
Main point was you seem too concerned with the current cap number. Always ways around that.
.
stangerx says:
March 16, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Likely is the key in there for me. Still think we will have one G spot locked up and the other as compete. I could see Nick Mangold in aqua as that, even if our C.
———–
There are no guarantees at this point in time regarding our Guard positions, thus “likely” is always the safe way to go! 🙂
Mangold, huh? I don’t see it myself, but very interesting thought as a Guard. According to B/R, Mangold wants to finish his career as a Center, but NFL teams want him to entertain switching to Guard… we’ll see!
Was just using Mangold as an example. And he could either switch or Pouncey could. Whether it be a rental like him or a high draft pick, figuring one G side will be set and the other up for compete with the loser being a next-guy up type.
Hankins is looking for multi-year deal and wants $8 M/yr. Takes him off the board as well. Wonder how much Sen’Derrick Marks is looking for.
https://professorlousmiamidolphinsblog.org/2017/03/16/transcript-from-poe-visit-with-miami/
Lou
I can’t believe you just argued that there is not a better alternative to Misi….WTF is going on with you?
No, no, no. I didn’t say there wasn’t a better alternative. The team feels they don’t have a better alternative on the roster right now and unless they find one Misi is here again. AGAIN!!
Sounds like you are…eh… Misi somebody…
😀
I actually think we can draft a LB in he 5th round who is likely o produce more than Misi
when a guy can’t stay on the field
its hard to argue than anyone is not a better alternative
even when you don’t know who that alternative yet
I heard< I don't remember where and it might be BS, that the team isn't cutting Misi bc it will allow him to train at the facility while he recovers from his injury
and that is a courtesy that the team is willing to extend to him
You think there is any truth to that?
It is seriously KILLING ME not being able to fit my man Desmond King into our Draft plans. I feel we have far more pressing needs than to draft him as either a FS or nickel CB in the 2nd Round.
King is Pearl Thomas-lite: doesn’t quite have his speed or range, but King’s probably the most tenacious DB of this Draft. King and Pearl are essentially the same size (5’10”, 200-ish)… but we don’t like ‘smallish’ DBs… but he can play boundary, inside, high, and low… and he’s a BALLHAWK!
King’s didn’t run the 40 at the Combine (abdominal strain), but WILL run at his Pro Day: the date for Iowa’s Pro Day can’t be found. That 40-time is going to weigh HEAVILY as to where King gets drafted.
If King SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY falls to the 3rd Round to us (VERY doubtful), I’m FLYING to the podium for him and y’all can’t stop me! LOL 😀
I’m not sure that versatile DB isn’t a pressing need
particularly if you draft him to play FS following the Abdul injury
we need a FS and if its one than can be a nickel instead, even better
If I can justify picking Peppers at 22
than its certainly justifiable to pick King in the 3rd
I see LB and OG as bigger needs
maybe even DE and DT
but we don’t just pick the biggest need
we pick needs that are the best players available IMO
personally, I think the draft is so deep in db’s I wouldn’t worry about taking one too early.
Everyone seems to say that. But there is always a run on corners and when it starts they go quick.
Dante Barnett can do it all:
I think what Time means on King
is that theory that you can never have enough DBs
You think there are a ton left
then you blink and the last 5 picks in the 2nd round were DBs
They come of the board in packs every year
I just said the same thing.
That’s typically how it goes. I think the run this year in RD 2 will be on interior OL.
The Flying Pig says:
March 16, 2017 at 2:58 pm
I’m not sure that versatile DB isn’t a pressing need
particularly if you draft him to play FS following the Abdul injury
we need a FS and if its one than can be a nickel instead, even better
If I can justify picking Peppers at 22
than its certainly justifiable to pick King in the 3rd
—————-
Pig, I follow ya here… but you’re missing me: King will go in the 2nd Round… not the 3rd, where I HOPE(!) he falls to us and just justified picking him. Or did you mean it’s justifiable to draft King in the 2nd? Please clarify, Bro!
I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s a NO-BRAINER to take King in the 3rd… there’s no need for justification there AT ALL! He’d likely be the BPA.
I’m wondering if you meant if it’s justifiable to take King in the 2nd?
He’s a justifiable pick in the 2nd
but at the end of the day its ends up being BPA
There will be LBs, DEs, and OL when we pick in the 2nd
I do think the team thinks S is a need though
So yes – I would take him or another safety with a 2nd
Will it be deemed a reach to take him in the 2nd
Yes
but who cares if he is can play
I don’t think you take him to play CB or Nickel with a 2nd
I think you have him as a Safety if you select him there
Misi has value but his durability issues and salary don’t add up.
^^^
well, we’ve known that for some time. problem is, we keep him around. don’t understand it.
DT Jonathan Hankins is looking for $10M+ per year. That’s probably why he’s still a UFA.
Let me ask you, Tim… what make YOU of possibly bringing Big Paul back on the cheap to be our NG? He’d be able to spring Suh from constant double-teams…
I’m not so sure on Big Paul anymore. He’s 33 and breaking down. I also don’t think anyone we bring in helps to spring Suh free. He’s the guy you have to get blocked. Would you double Soliai and take your chances one on one with Suh? I wouldn’t.
I haven’t really paid attention to Soliai since he left. I think he’s a vet teams target after the draft. The 2 biggest positives in regards to Paul are that he loves Miami & he could be a mentor who might be able to truly guide Phillips into becoming a true professional.
Tim Knight says:
March 16, 2017 at 3:29 pm
I’m not so sure on Big Paul anymore. He’s 33 and breaking down. I also don’t think anyone we bring in helps to spring Suh free. He’s the guy you have to get blocked. Would you double Soliai and take your chances one on one with Suh? I wouldn’t.
———–
Fair and GOOD reply. That would be my only question regarding Big Paul: is he breaking down or is he still serviceable?
If Big Paul is breaking down, I don’t see too many other viable options to play NG… and THAT was likely why we went after Poe: he’s sizable, quick, and still youthful enough to spring Suh free.
So if that’s the case, I’m calling Tony McDaniel… one of the best run-stuffers in the biz who is still a FA, and he’ll come cheap (under $1M last year for the Seahawks).
dbolt48 says:
March 16, 2017 at 3:39 pm
I haven’t really paid attention to Soliai since he left. I think he’s a vet teams target after the draft. The 2 biggest positives in regards to Paul are that he loves Miami & he could be a mentor who might be able to truly guide Phillips into becoming a true professional.
———-
Outstanding points, Dbolt. I just hope Big Paul is still serviceable. Get David Canter on line-one and lets talk to him.
Miami DolphinsVerified account @MiamiDolphins 37s37 seconds ago
More
We have re-signed Jermon Bushrod.
YES!!!
So we have a vet G who can play C and another vet G who can play T. Will be interesting to see who else fills out the top 7 OL active on game day.
Jay Ajayi @JayTrain23
Ok i see you PRES lol!! @j_bushrod7475
That’s a VERY happy Jay Ajayi, welcoming Bushrod back!!!
Right now we dont really have to re-negotiate with anyone and we could have still signed Poe (though that ship has sailed), we could sign Hankins and structure the contract in such a way we could absorb the hit (even though i doubt it because we dont want the multi-year).
We still have a couple players that would get us back almost 7.5 mil in cap savings, if we REALLY wanted to, we could make plenty of signings happen and still sign the rookie class. We still have Tanny’s contract we could re-negotiate to change the cap hits for future years, etc. We arent backs against the wall by any means, but i pretty much feel at this point we are done. I dont think we have strong interest in anyone left out there, unless some vet is just finding nothing else and is willing to take a very short term low money contract. If they arent humble and hungry i dont think they make this team.
Cool on re-signing Bushrod. There were rumors out there that we were working on that. His versatility and leadership is valuable even if he doesn’t start.
I dont think Desmond King is the king od CB we are looking for. He’s talented, but he is no press corner, and we do a good bit of zone out of the press and he isnt a great zone guy either. He is more a pure man coverage CB.
kind of
He’s a FS or nickel CB at the pro level.
What’s more, he’s a zone CB at the pro level.
Prof Lou,
LOL, hey, no offense… but it seems as though Bushrod got the best of you when he told you, “We’ll see” on Twitter, man!
I’d say it played out exactly like I said it would. He’s a player of last resort for them.
I’m just busting balls, my friend! All good! 🙂
no problem. with the cap # being what it is he was probably the best option for them at this time. he’s going to be extremely cheap
^ You are CORRECT! AND, Bushrod helped pave the way in all 16 games for Ajayi to have a breakout year. Bushrod isn’t chopped liver by any stretch.
I dont think they are looking for an NT/NG M13. I think they saw Poe as a Phillips kind of guy, with good burst and a guy who if you didnt commit a second OL to blocking him would push his guy back into the QB or RB. I dont think Soliai is the kind of guy they are looking for because he isnt overly explosive. He is a decent space eater, but again, i think thats a misconception that thats what they are looking for.
That’s fair! I’m thinking we wanted to get an elite NG with speed and youth on the cheap on a ‘show me’ deal. That doesn’t mean we’re hell-bent on getting a NG… and if Soliai has lost a step, move on to Tony McDaniel, expert 4-3 DT run-stuffer.
Randy brought it up right off the bat as to what we are looking for. All depends if they want Phillips to be an early down space-eater or turn into a force to get to the QB. He’s got the skills for the second, but last year the weight and wind of the first. Seems whoever else comes in depends on the answer to that.
Nice, im glad to see Bushrod back. He is a solid OL member, regardless of if he is playing as a starter or backup.
I could see King in the slot, but you want to take a slot CB in the 2nd?
Another OG that’s still out there is the fan favorite, Evan Mathis! lol
I think Bushrod is more than just a last resort guy, there are a few guys out there with pedigree and tread left on the tires, and they went back with Bushrod, so i dont really think he was last resort, though he definitely could have been an “expendable if your are too expensive” guy. They let him see in FA he didnt get a bigger contract and once he figured it out he signed at their price. Pretty standard with journeyman players.
A lot of Ajayi’s yards came in a handful of games. Imagine if we can consistently block in the run game, his numbers could be crazy.
So with the Bushrod signing and FA not even over yet — we have no need to fill in the first or even second round. We line up this Sunday and we have a G who started for us and another one who did for Bears last year.
Yeah we need a third DT and Misi will probably get cut……but there is always whoever is lurking behind on the roster and June cuts. We could go QB, WR and TE in the first three rounds if the BPA value was there.
D says:
March 16, 2017 at 5:22 pm
I could see King in the slot, but you want to take a slot CB in the 2nd?
———-
That’s what I was asking Pig… is he saying it’s justifiable to take King in the 2nd Round? But King is NOT a strict nickel CB… he’s best projected as a FS. And his size makes him ZONE friendly, not press as you suggested above.
Kevin Coyle would have LOVED King as a DB prospect in his zone system.
I see we signed Bushrod, have we done anything else?
We cut a check to pay the bill for all the food Poe ate.
stangerx says:
March 16, 2017 at 5:33 pm
…but there is always whoever is lurking behind on the roster and June cuts…
———-
And here I thought I was the only one thinking ahead to June cuts. WISE, Mr. Stanger, indeed. We want to keep enough cap space for as much… ya never know what may fall out of the trees.
I will say this as a well known Iowa pimp: Desmond King is a baller. His athletic skills aren’t elite. That’s not how he wins. He is, however, a great leader and very smart player. I’d find a place for him. He is also a returner. He’ll be one of the smartest guys in the locker room. He’s one of those guys who’s just a real good football player and a great locker room guy from all accounts. Oh yeah, he also stays on the field.
***
People are acting like he had a bad senior season. I saw every game. Teams stopped throwing at him after 8 INTs his junior year….and he still had 3. He’s gonna lose if he’s asked to cover deep speed constantly….anything else…I’ll take him.
It sounds like we’re signing Odrick. I’ll look for more info. confirming this.
Yeah M13, thats basically what im saying is Vance Joseph (and i bleive Burkes will be pretty much the same) play a lot of press, both man and zone varieties, and yeah Coyle’s system would have been perfect for him, he would be exactly the player they were looking for
stangerx says:
March 16, 2017 at 5:38 pm
Randy brought it up right off the bat as to what we are looking for. All depends if they want Phillips to be an early down space-eater or turn into a force to get to the QB…
———-
So what are we looking for? No offense, but that didn’t declare what we’re looking for when stated it “all depends” on what we’re wanting Phillips to be, being Phillips himself is undefined as either a space-eater or gap-shooter. See what I mean?
I think they want him to be a 4-3 DT, which means they could ask him to do just about any of those things on any given snap. I think they want and have in him, something way more versatile than a standard NT or gap eater.
so Professor Lou has bushrod tweeted you yet?
😆
Odrick is trolling Miami fans on Twitter
Is that what it is? It’s very cryptic.
Yep. It was pretty good too. Had most people before they figured it out.
Rigel Spikes @MF13SS · Jan 25
#Iowa Desmond King is my fav DB in ’17 NFL Draft. Tenacious, plays bigger than he is, BALL HAWK, & run-stopper. INTELLIGENT cat as well.
Note the date (1/25/17) and know that I’m your resident DB enthusiast! 🙂
I’m sorry… but LB and O-Line need to come first. I’m left to pray that King miracles into the 3rd Round for us.
Charlie at Walter Football has us taking (first 4 rounds)
Charles Harris DE Missouri
Haasan Reddick LB Temple
Alex Anzalone LB Florida
Id be pretty damn happy with that draft.
I can’t get excited about a one yr wonder at LB in the 3rd rd. Sorry, but it’s just me. If he had some kind of an outstanding season it would be different but he didn’t. I consider Anzalone with his production and injuries to be an udfa at best right now
M13,
I have no idea. I’m just throwing shit out there like everybody else. Here’s my thoughts: Phillips has the physical talent to do both. He’s big enough and quick enough to demand doubles and actually control or beat them. He can also make guards his bitch when teams single him up. I’ve seen him, as D has said, abuse guards at times. He SHOULD be the type of guy…based on his physical skills…that teams have to double. Suh is that sort of player. Imagine the damage you can do if Phillips can reach that level alongside Suh? Who do teams double?
***
With Poe, it’s more a guy who has a strong push and a little wiggle…not as much as he did 5 years ago. I think D believes he’s got more….and maybe he still does. I think he would be better at under tackle…simply because he’s seeing more single blocking. I think he’s a gap filler though…not a gap penetrator. He can….just not like Phillips can when he’s balling. I don’t think teams are gonna worry a ton about doubling Poe in a 4-3. He’ll get push, but my guess is teams are still gonna double Suh more times than not….or slide protection his way. Phillips can force teams out of that…again…if he plays up to his potential consistently. And again, I actually like Poe! It wouldn’t have bothered me if they’d signed him. He definitely has value. I just would have gone another way.
Randy says:
March 16, 2017 at 5:39 pm
I will say this as a well known Iowa pimp: Desmond King is a baller…
——-
Thank you for sharing! I KNOW you watch these games being Iowa is in your conference and I agree with ya. Now when are you going to address me? That’s twice today I’ve given respect to ya for your football knowledge, and NOT falsely. Curious…
Nevermind… just saw ya address me above! Thanks!
M13,
I’m from Iowa….definitely NOT a Minnesotan…just live here now. I may have seen every game King’s played….some Saturdays are fuzzy these past 4 years. I am a Hawkeye! Lol