I watched HOF Miami Dolphins Center Dwight Stephenson stroll to the podium. He looked happy. I know why he was so happy, but I didn’t know then. He then uttered the words with the 42nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State. When he said Mike, my heart raced, and then he actually said GEH-Sick-ee, I screamed a a scream of happiness, it’s possible Tim who is about 45 miles away may have heard it. We did what we haven’t been able to do for over a decade since Randy McMichael, we selected a legitimate receiving TE. I’m happy for Brian in NY, his son, and really, I’m happy for Ryan Tannehill and all Dolphins fans, because this is a gamechanger. It’s the secret sauce we’ve been missing for far too long. Gesicki will open up that field for us, because he will be that nightmare that NFL teams struggle most to cover, including our own Dolphins defense. Just his presence on the field will open things up for our RB’s, and our perimeter WR’s. He will command attention, and that will give other players opportunities they haven’t had here. I can’t wait!
What about me boss? In the 3rd RD, The Dolphins selected Ohio State LB Jerome Baker. Baker who is 6’1 229 is a speed player. He’s not a run stopping thumper, but he’s a chase and tackle guy who can also cover pretty well. It will be interesting to see how Baker is used, and not to belabor the point, but where exactly does T.J. McDonald fit in? Seems we keep adding pieces that lessen the need for T.J. with Minkah Fitzpatrick and now LB Jerome Baker. The Dallas Cowboys want a safety , and we just happen to have one, and the Cowboys have pick #116 in the 4th RD, so maybe a deal can made. We could get a DT, RB and maybe a QB, so keep your eye on MTP who has obviously been tied up and must be raring to go, if he’s been untied that is.
So far, we’ve done and excellent job in this draft, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve had the luxury of saying that. Go DOLPHINS!!
JERSEY STRONG!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
OH and first fornicators!
We brought someone in last year and Denney still prevailed. LOL
I’m supposing when he stops leading the team in ST tackles it may happen?
That makes 2 from OD’s Owls 🦉
Mr. Randy Campbell,
I feel the need to DEFEND ya, being others are dissin’ ya.
We’ve got 3 (THREE!) interior linemen who are on the wrong side of 30, and only 1 of them (Josh Sitton: UCF product) grew up in the SoFlo heat/humidity. And even so, he’s been conditioned/acclimated to play in the Nordic over the last 10 years of his pro career.
When one of these three (hopefully not more) go down, we’d BETTER be sure that our backups can handle the load. I, for one, am not so sure.
I’m NOT happy that we didn’t address the O-Line AT ALL during this Draft. But aside from that, I DO like our Draft.
Once again, the wisdom of Old Dolfan and me gets thrown to the wind in yet another Draft. I wish we could’ve landed Joseph Noteboom for insurance. Oh well… it IS what it IS.
PRAY that the injury bugs don’t make their annual pilgrimage to our O-Line. And PRAY that the likes of Issac Asiata are ready to ROCK in the event this occurs.
Like OD, I’m TIRED of seeing our O-Line decimated with injury, year after year after year.
Let’s hope for the BEST… for I’m not sure we’ve prepared for the worst.
Defend away!
Useless complaining!
I’ve GOT OD’s back, man! He’s one of my faves, here!
Luv OD!
Heard him the first time!
Right on Wyoming!
Tim Knight says:
April 28, 2018 at 9:05 pm
No, that whole situation makes me ill. Sorry that was the case. Sad.
————-
Same here man, hence the winky… I wasn’t being serious.
I’d heard a Bill Cosby joke today: “the proof is in the pudding”. I just shook my head, STILL not being able to believe it, but knowing it’s likely true.
I don’t really care to elaborate on the subject, I’m just saddened by all that has transpired there. Damn…
Same here.
M13, Yeah, we got our TE’s bro!!!!!!!! I don’t know how many times I doubled down on TE in my mocks between Hurst or Gesicki and Smythe being the second. Sweet!
Come on Riley Ferguson, nice to hear the team was interested in him as I was.
HELL YEAH MY FRIEND!!!
JOB WELL DONE!!!
Come on Riley! Philly has a proven backup, we don’t (as much).
RIGHT there with ya on Riley!!!
Quentin Poling sounds like Diet Alonso
Looks like a 105.9M opening day ( Thurs night/Friday) for Infinity War, and targeting 240+M weekend. …2nd highest for both all-time.
Won’t these records just keep going up as movie prices go up? Really apples/oranges. Do they track number of actual people to attend movies?
Yes, they will.
I saw a database that corrected for movie prices/attendance/population/year, etc… about a year ago. And if I’m not mistaken, Star Wars is still #1.
It’s still a crap load of movie.
All-time adjusted for inflation leader is actually Gone with the Wind, followed by Star Wars, and Sound of Music.
Correction, money.
Well done, RGS!
RGS
That makes more sense to me. Money intake means nothing imo.
Let the draft settle in and then take in the big picture of who’s on the roster. We could be a good team. 🙂
Man… you say this kind of thing EVERY YEAR!!! 🙂
Just remember, we’ve only had 1 winning season over the last 10 years!!! 😉
Yes, he does, and it is awesome, a kids like view…..just being a fan. Why not hope for the positive?
Miami has had 2 winning seasons in the last 10 years.
If the talent wasn’t there I’d say so which I did a few times in the past saying 8-8 but with some good fortune maybe 10-6. This team I have no clue how it will all come together because it’s going to be a very different team than we’ve had in the recent past and especially last year with some guys coming back from injury. We’ve never seen this team play along with quite a few new coaches. Hope it pans out.
Two kinds of fans I guess. Those who are happy to hope and those who need to bitch and find fault to be happy.
I hope for the best and react to the worst. LOL
Lol, me too.
Only way to be. The other way is to accept defeat before it happens.
Phish, that’s why I can’t do W/L records based on schedule. I’m picking a loss before kickoff and anyone doing anything, I watch every game rooting for a win and believing it possible. I accept losses and we weren’t good enough. But always go in thinking win, even as a fan.
That is how I feel as well. Before social media it was a lot easier to feel that way….lol
Yep!
Yep. Start every year believing they are going undefeated.
Exactly! As opposed to I can’t wait to watch the game today thinking we will lose. LOL
A couple of years ago down 17-0 to ATL at the half and we win 20-17. Who saw that coming? 🙂
Damn, he went to the bucs
Here I go, another ,meeting… Just introduce yourself, stand up, admitting you are a addict is the first step… Hello… I am Steve…. A 53yr old addict…call me a homer… But when I put on the tape and watch these boys play… It is embarrassing… My wife walked in on me this morning watching tape on our guys and tears were rolling down both my cheeks…I feel these guys, I know what they have been through, I lived their dreams too.. My loving wife closed the door and just knew my heart was gonna be broke once more… So goes the life… our dreams and our deepest desires with these Rookies… Someday soon… sooner than our f—ing wildest dreams… these Dolphins… OUR DOLPHINS…. Will make our hearts scream with joy once again!!!
Wow, deep and poetic.
Remember this. I called for 13-3 on schedule release night and i stand by it… not calling any specific games a loss , but between game abc and d i feel we likely lose one ..👍😎. Good job filling needs in both FA and the draft , maybe Asiata will be ready and surprise this year
Tim the proof is in the pudding go look at how many QBs we met with and how many we brought for visits. The draft doesn’t always fall the way you want it so that could easily tell you why we didn’t have a selection, but to say that we weren’t really interested explain to me all the draft visits.
More preparation than conviction. I’m not looking to debate the what ifs, they didn’t make it a priority. That’s all. It’s not my opinion, it’s what happened.
This TC seems like it will be less of a sure thing for players to make the team than in the past due to contracts and status. We still have some status locks, but I don’t think it’s as secure as it once was. Gase seems serious about earning your keep, not how you got here.
I think Tannehill will be an upgrade on himself, i believe Osweiller is an upgrade over Cutler for at least this year, hopefully not needed..and there will be some QBS cut this year starting with Bridgewater and others that could be added.. that gets us into next year with a 🙏 still healthy and improved RT and a new set of QBS and less needs to draft for the future …
Tannehill, Osweiler and Fales all know Gase’s system and terminology. To me the thinking was Ryan is better than any of these rookie QBs at least at this time, and our backups are as good or better than the 2nd and 3rd tier guys. We’re not developing this year. We’re competing to perform and win games. Right or wrong, it sure seems like the plan.
And many said this is really not a great year for qbs. Sure a bunch got taken but the overall talent level not great.. so roll with whT we got as ya sId above Tim, and look for an upgrade / development guy next year
Best non-Marino draft I can remember.
(will go look that up…tell ya manana)
One word to describe Infinity War…holy fucking shit awesome! If you enjoyed the majority of the MCU movies then you’ll enjoy this one. Can’t wait to see part 2.
Wow OT goal by VGK called off due to Goalie Interference. About to go to 2nd OT period
I agree with Tim and the guys above on both QB and OL this year. There were literally about 5 OL guys in the whole draft that I would rate as bona fide NFL quality. The rest were just junk.
And those 5 were gone before we ever had a chance at any of them. Minkah will win us a game.
As far as QB, the hype machine was in full-on mode, and several teams like the Jest and the brownies did need QBs (all their own fault from past idiocy), but if a scientific approach is used, there was not one sure thing at QB in the whole draft. Like the man said, if you have two QBs , you don’t have one.
This was for a team but it holds for a draft as well. If there is no sure fire #1 QB in any draft, then that tells you something. This was not a Luck / Mariota / Wentz / Watson type year.
All of the top 6 had what i consider a deal breaking flaw. Jackson is a wild card who at best is Michael the shithead Vick. At worst he’s Geno Smith. RG3 1.5
Darnold is a wimp, USC glamour-boy Leinert/Sanchez/blah blah clone.
Rosen is a snarky smartass prima dona over-confident arrogant narcissistic … n/m
Allen sometimes throws the ball to unknown zip codes.
Wait, he does that almost 50% of the time.!
Mason Rudolph? Mason Rudolph? Why are you talking about Mason Rudolph?
to quote a famous HC meme The guy is a slug mentally who has no chance in the NFL.
And what will Baker Manzell do when Terrell Suggs slaps the shit out of his girlie head-band?
I am hoping for the league’s sake he is not a laughing stock bust, but he got a lot of yards doing things in college that NFL LBs will punish, NFL safeties will pick 6, and NFL CBs will never even allow a throw to be made. He’s no Russell Wilson on his feet, he’s no Drew Brees arm talent, and he’s no Alex Smith super-speed surgeon.
These guys might be ok, but I doubt there’s even one all-pro year in the bunch.
As far as the 2nd “tier”? What a bunch of posers. Lauletta is the best and he’s from frickin Richmond Spiders, that powerhouse that plays William and Mary for its big rival game.
I’m so happy we played the pat hand on OL and QB this year.
jmho of course.
LMAO!!! Thanks for that. Still laughing. LOL
This is an awesome rant.
Why do some not understand that the FO did not think the QB position was NOT a position of need?
May have to used a double negative, but u get the idea
Because it’s not about position of need or not. It’s about taking a player that can give you improvement at a position. They very certainly thought the position was one they might want to add a player at, they just were smart not to force it. They made smart decisions not to sacrifice draft capital to move up they let the draft and their board don’t all the work. I personally can’t see how y’all can see that. Do you really think the 5 different visits with Baker, the three visits with Falk, the visits with everyone from Allen to the dude from FAU means they were just smokescreening? It makes no sense what you guys are suggesting. I do agree with you that they decided against forcing the selection but that’s all they did, QB was a position they were interested in and at anywhere from 1st to 7th round.
D, all we’re saying is QB was not a priority in the draft. Not that there was no interest.
They lost interest in Drafting a QB when they signed Fales and Osweiler to guarantees thru the 2018 season, they have no room for a QB unless they release one, so common sense says; why sign a QB with guaranteed money that you may plan to discard?
very logical point
I like the kicker pick, why waste a 7th round pick on a player that will more than likely not make the team? however drafting a kicker in the 7th round insures you are getting one of the best kickers in college football, thus not a wasted pick.
smart move
excellent comment … he led college for 2 yrs in touchbacks
Well said. I rather use the pick in the 7th then risk losing someone we want to another team after the draft.
I had a feeling they would double down on LBers , we needed depth at that position. doubling down on TEs was a surprise to me knowing we had Gray.
We always keep 3 or even 4 TEs.
Let Gray be the H-back, fullback as those are hard on the body and hard to learn for a college kid.
manitobafinfan says:
April 28, 2018 at 11:51 pm
Wow OT goal by VGK called off due to Goalie Interference. About to go to 2nd OT period
————————
I was outside the stadium watching on the big screen (went to game 1), what a crock of shit. An early Sharks goal was called good on the same type of interference. It seemed the fix was in from the get go, penalty after penalty, and I’m sure there’s something to the puck drop on a face off, after the Sharks won face off after face off and scored twice off of them.
We were talking last week how enjoyable hockey was, because they let em play and the refs don’t influence the games like other sports, boy was I wrong.
D
you know you are right.
But sometimes when I shop for a car or something else big, I test drive some I don’t like the feel of, the power or the handling, and others I can’t get a good deal on at the finance desk.
It’s possible they liked the tape on Allen but not the personality. It’s possible they liked the person Mayfield but found the skillset not good for the NFL or good for the Dolphins.
Some of those lesser guys might have stunk up their auditions.
When we signed Oz, i knew we would not draft a pure back-up. Why waste a pick?
We have 2 back-ups with real NFL experience and Gase scheme experience. young enough to still learn but not raw guys that would sap the coaching time we need to spend on Gesicki for example and our other really young guys like Raek and the DBs, the whole D now really is a bunch of young guys still needing coaching.
I just think we showed interest in QB and did not like what we saw.
New England still drafts quarterbacks despite the fact they have Tom brady.
Also Cutler had Gase history and experience. That doesn’t mean it translates into success. QB is the most important position on the field. I’ll take a fourth one of those for competitive over an extra CB or LB any day.
Well he wraps up when he tackles!
i’ve never heard of a team carrying 4 qbs on the 53, that said if one of the top 4 qbs fell in their lap at 11 they may have been tempted. then they would have to dump one and take an 800k hit.
i like the alabama safety pick though.
Fales only counts 90k, if he’s cut, so he’s no guarantee, but I’m with you on the we don’t need no stinkin QB. If they they found one they liked and he fell to us, then take him, but don’t trade up or take one to take one.
and i really like the rb pick! he’s just the type of rb this team lacked last year.
He surely fits. The only pick i don’t see a spot for right away is Poling, but they may be looking to take a flyer on a guy to cut Alonso loose in 2019. Seems to be destined for PS.
mf13ss says:
April 28, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Mr. Randy Campbell,
I feel the need to DEFEND ya, being others are dissin’ ya.
We’ve got 3 (THREE!) interior linemen who are on the wrong side of 30, and only 1 of them (Josh Sitton: UCF product) grew up in the SoFlo heat/humidity. And even so, he’s been conditioned/acclimated to play in the Nordic over the last 10 years of his pro career.
___________________________________________
i have never liked pouncey, i thought he was over rated, in videos i had seen him avoid contact on running plays.
That said i think our OL play has been mis-conceived, the fact that over the years we’ve had no consistent running game which makes us an unbalanced predictable offense, when we’re in obvious passing situations the DL are pinning their ears back!
also the fact that Tannehill has no pocket presence and holds the ball way too long has created this myth that the OL stinks, and they may have stunk it up but i think the reasons above have a lot to do with it.
The OL has been pretty bad, with the exception of when Pouncey, Albert, and James all started. Last year was a disaster, but I hear you on Its pocket presence even he stepped it up in 2016 and was much better.
In his early years I’d watch his sack highlights, and would say that one was on him, that one he moved right into the rush…i didn’t see that in 2016, but he still didn’t have the Marino 2 step.
we need an earl campbell like RB that DL need to respect, they need to look for this beast running at them instead of pinning their ears back going for thill,
when a rb hits a hole and makes contact right away and still manages to gut out 4 to 6 yards, that’s a power running game
having a forceful running game brings DBs up into the box, it puts us in manageable down and distance making us unpredictable.
it opens up the passing game and takes pressure off the OL.
I’m sorry to say but in no way shape or form does Drake provide this.
I hope Ballage will excel at this, he certainly looks the part
He’s big and physical
He’s also got some speed and quickness to go along with this. I think he’s the big back you were asking for
I think playing in 3 different offenses in college hampered his production. He could have gone earlier if it were not for that IMO. To me Ballege = Royce Freeman. Ballege does seem to play with a little more “beast mode” than Freeman so I am happy with this pick.
Way to go Piggy (no buy jersey).
Wyoming, I know that was a highlight video on Cornell Armstrong but I like the way he wraps up and not afraid of contact as a CB. He actually has a little thump (like a safety/FS) in him. Me like!
He fits the you can never have enough CBs, and with the new QBs in our division what better time than now to add a few ballhawks to give them fits?
Saw Infinity War yesterday. Wow is all I can say
I am not surprised we didn’t take a QB early. I am surprised we didn’t take one at all. Probably my only complaint about our draft.
Rob – I think you’re going to like Ballage. I think we all are. You have to be able to catch the ball in Gase’s offense, and Ballage does that as good as any back in this draft. He can also run people over and convert short yardage situations. He’s not the most physical runner, but he’s sufficient.
Hard to complain about the size, speed and hands but not a lot of shifty stuff in him. And he might find that he can’t bowl people over any more like he did in college. Professor Gore should help him adjust his game some though.
https://twitter.com/finszone/status/990385214068215808
This draft just continued a trend for this team…..on both sides of the ball it is fast and just got faster.
Our new kicker looks like a LB!
I know you guys are talking about Infinity War. Speaking of movies, has anyone seen I, TONYA? My wife rented it and I was not in the mood for some chick flick skating movie. Man was I wrong. I was entertained through the whole movie and found it quite funny.
Saw it a couple weeks ago……great flick. Was interesting how they chose to do it without Nancy Kerrigan getting more than a walk by appearance, but guess it is called “I Tonya”
Screw you Chad!
Just for Tim!!!!!!!!!
Chad sucks the big one!
That’s just silly.
He’s certainly entitled to his opinion, whatever that’s worth. Save it and Twit it back to him later in the sesson.
Rob, nobody said anything about a 4th QB on the final 53.
According to NFL Research, Gesicki is taller than receiver Calvin Johnson, stronger than offensive lineman Donald Penn, faster than wide receiver Antonio Brown and a better vertical jumper than receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.
We need him on 3rd down and in the red zone, and that vertical is amazing. Midway through the season we’ll be saying, what’s that WRs name we had last year, the one that caught all the passes and for only 3 yards a catch?
That play above by Baker is it man. That ball was a TD till he stuck a glove up.
It would have been a great play if he’d have just knocked it down.
He’s crazy athletic, as is Micah, and why I said the back 7 is on notice, if Suh can be cut loose who is safe?
Gase has said you can’t have to many DB’s. I like their approach to this and I like our group of DB’s and LB’s.
Kevin Nogle at the Phinsider put together a bunch of grades for the Phins. Range from A to C+ (thanks Kiper)…..
https://www.thephinsider.com/2018/4/29/17297914/miami-dolphins-draft-grades-2018-minkah-fitzpatrick-mike-gesicki-jerome-baker-durham-smythe
Steve: i cannot comment on the earlier SJ goal being waved off as i did not watch entire game.. the guy coming around the net definitely got caught up with the end of Sharks goalies stick causing him to be turned out of position, which apparently is not goalie interference as he was not in crease, i still dont see that his skate hit him which they say was the reason for overturn… i would agree to interference if it were to do with the stick as it 100% spun the goalie regardless of whether skater was in blue paint .. you do get different crews who call games different than the previous night guys and a lot of games seem very onesided on calls but for the most part until things seem about to explode they really do Let Em Play in postseason.. looking forward to Barnburner/Slobberknocker Jets , Preds game tonight …
In the first series they let em play, but the first 2 games if this series it’s been penalty after penalty. Im not buying that all these penalties are on the level. Ive seen several FIFA like dives by Sharks players and they’ve been getting the calls. There was no consistency between the 2 interference calls with both going the Sharks way, both had defenders pushing, I thought the Sharks goalie flopped too.
ORob
gosh man Earl Campbell is a once in a lifetime type guy. If you are waiting / looking for another one of those, you will never be happy. Besides in today’s game, RBs need to be able to threaten in the pass game or they are gonna get gang tackled on every run.
Draft grades are totally pointless at this point anyway. If these guys help our team be better, than it was a great draft. Conversely, if they don’t, well then it wasn’t. I think you have to give a draft about 3 years, but they never do that.
Kipper evaluates the talent in the draft, but he doesn’t know shit about each individual team, we know more about the Fins than he does, so for that his eval is shit.
I’ll just post them to piss Tim off!
You are right, but then I read them every year anyhow. Figure at least get what these guys figure the value of our picks was. And they actually think it was pretty good….most of the complaints were about not hitting needs, which can figure out for myself.
Something else we had to accomplish that we did accomplish this draft that seems under the radar but is really important to me is restocking STs.
We llterally had no PK on the roster, so we got one with a really strong leg.
But we also lost MThomas, DWilliams, Hewitt, and Fede off our coverage teams, so we badly needed to replace them and Poling, Cornell, and Baker go a long way to doing that. (I hope.)
I’m going to be very honest!
After round 3 it felt like Ireland hunting nuggets!
All the rest of the picks were awesome, just like the first 3.
It was the closest thing to a perfect draft I’ve ever seen.
You need to check your “vision.”
ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU, WYOMING!! In the last 2 drafts combined, the Fins have drafted exactly ONE offensive lineman, and that is the so far useless Asiata!! But, Hell, when you are already “stacked” at O-Line, why bother to try to get better??
———–
Ex FAU kicker Greg Joseph might actually make this team. But, having watched him play the last 3 seasons, I’ve got to admit he’s no Parkey (who, statistically, had the best year ever by any Dolphin kicker as he missed ONLY 1 FG all season!) However, this regime’s policy has been to get rid of proven stars and replace them with whatevers.
Was hoping they would bring in an OL guy in the mid-rounds, but hard to complain about who we did get. I’m guessing they feel good about both Larsen and Davis.
Kiper is such a bad analyst he forgot about the starting RB on a team he was dissing.
He should get the D+, not the Dolphins.
Naples,
You bring up a good point about special teams. One I wasnt thinking about.
Seems in the 6th and 7th they let Darren Rizzi write the cards. And Baker has the makings of a ST ace.
Cornell also, though not as much as Baker. He appears to be a good tackler and not afraid of contact for a CB.
I guess it’s about time I change my Jarvis Landry screen saver
Any suggestions?
Geh-SICK-ee
Ghey-sick-he?
Cornell Armstrong went to HS and college right here in my backyard.
Know anything about him other than that?
I see the Jets signed UDFA RB Dimitri Flowers who was a favorite mock guy for a lot of you.
https://twitter.com/theflyingpig44/status/990638840787472384?s=21
You like?
Naming it Minkah!
So its going to be pink?
Yeah man! Nice! Did it not come in aqua and orange?
Yes – with puke on the seats. I passed.
Nice!
Tim,
The only things I know about him are what I’ve read. I don’t watch college or H.S. sports if I can help it. He might have gone through the program for local athletes my church has every April. I haven’t been involved since my kids were born. He patterns his game after Brent Grimes was one thing which I thought was funny. I can ask a few people about him, but it’s probably not worth the time.
Gotcha!
Just curious for those of you who scout college football, who are the stud QB’s in the 2019 draft?
WHY DO YOU HATE TANNEHILL? DON’T YOU WANT THIS TEAM TO SUCCEED?????
A few do, but others see teams with very good QB play take the next step. Phil, Rams, Oak…, so they want upgraded QB play.
I mentioned the upgrade to ST yesterday, but didnt get to detailed about it. Drafting a 2nd LB is mostly for ST initially, then for depth at LB. Also the CB depth are generally flyers on ST, so it should go without saying by adding speed to LB and CB you’re getting quality STers.
No doubt. I could see Fitzpatrick and Baker on STs too.
I would not want to risk Minkah on STs.
I hope they learned their lesson on that with Raekwon last year.
I wasn’t thinking Minkah, but Baker, Armstrong and Poling.
A lot of starters play STs all across the league. Guys get hurt playing their positions too. Sometimes with no contact.
Baker tackles like a DB in open space and an LB in close, I see him as an every down day 1 starter. Kiko, someone’s coming for your job, which will take Kiko off the field more in passing downs.
Mike E., I was interested in QB Clayton Thorson of NW but he blew an ACL in his bowl game. He is rehabbing well but will just keep an eye on him this year. He is a solid QB prospect. He was to come out this draft until the injury.
Thanks BBM!
Cornell’s tape (that I have seen) shows a wrap-up tackler not afraid to hit a guy. He operates very well in space and is able to seek out the guy through all the trash and arrive with strike force. i saw him cut down two different guys on the sideline. Most CBs just run along beside a guy and sorta steer him over the sideline when they can. Not this guy.
Those are traits you need on a ST gunner.
I would’ve liked some game tape, but the highlights and his speed and playmaking ability look very good.
Piggs
I actually used your Jeep love to steer (pardon the pun) my son who just moved to CT to get one. He got a badass black Cherokee. I think it was an AWD.
LOL SB – You know I do
OD
Check my vision?
I’ll have you know my vision is a corrected 20×80 with blended trifocals.
I can see a cement mixer from 25 ft.
can’t tell if it’s rotatin’ … but hey, that’s just a detail my man.
Why I think it was perfect:
Needs:
FS, check
TEx2, check
LBx2, check
STx2, check
PK, check
RB to catch and score in close and learn from Gore to be Drake’s sidekick for yrs to come, check
DT, ran out of picks
& OG. ran short of quality prospects
We did sign two DTs and two OL as UDFAs.
It looks like the vote so far is the Lions game, Sunday 10/21.
I’m hoping we can wrap that up so i can ask for the time off, and get the reservations done.
Anyone who hasn’t voted yet that plans to attend, please vote and be counted . . .
Thank you, the Management
Our offense was a problem, and I think we got at least 3 pieces so far that will really upgrade from this draft. I can easily see Gesicki split out or in the slot, with Smythe as the inline TE. You can do anything with that formation, run or pass, and ANY of our RB’s can catch the ball well out of the backfield. That’s versatility that’s harder to defend. Gesicki will command attention in the middle of the field, giving every one of our other targets more space. That’s how you win in the NFL
Gesicki changes the dynamic of our offense for sure. It’s so much fun knowing he’s on our team now and we can discuss it for real instead of hopefully. 🙂
No doubt! Even Rockhead will love him, and he can stop eating gogurt cream. lol
steveccnv says:
April 29, 2018 at 10:51 am
He surely fits. The only pick i don’t see a spot for right away is Poling, but they may be looking to take a flyer on a guy to cut Alonso loose in 2019. Seems to be destined for PS
He may be a purely ST ace / developmentental pick.
We did sign two DTs and two OL as UDFAs
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Tim, who were the DT’s? I’m on the road so can’t really check.
These are the official UDFA signings so far. Sorry just one DT, I read two incorrectly.
Connor Hilland, OL, Willam and Mary
Quincy Redmon DE/LB, Fairmont State
Buddy Howell, RB, Florida Atlantic
Mike McCray, LB, Michigan
Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State
Jamiyus Pittman, DT, Central Florida
Claudy Mathieu, DL, Notre Dame College (OH)
David Steinmetz, OL, Purdue
I guess this is not an official list because Barry Jackson posted some other guys including UM DT Anthony Moten. So that would make two DTs.
when a rb hits a hole and makes contact right away and still manages to gut out 4 to 6 yards, that’s a power running game
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/fantasy-football-metrics-that-matter-kenyan-drake
But again reality does not bear out your fantasy
If Ghey-sick-he could block he could open up our offense so much. To bad.
He’ll probably never be a great inline blocker, but that doesn’t mean he can’t learn to block better on the move. That counts too you know.
Go fins
Don’t get me wrong!
After looking I don’t mind the guys we picked.
Although the doubling down did remind me of some bad times?
I think they realized they needed a blocking TE, and they may have gotten the best one in that regard. I think they got the most dangerous receiving TE, and one of the best blocking TE’s. Can’t see how that’s a bad thing.
steveccnv says:
April 29, 2018 at 10:46 am
Fales only counts 90k, if he’s cut,
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I must have misread it.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/david-fales-14594/
steveccnv says:
April 29, 2018 at 10:58 am
The OL has been pretty bad, with the exception of when Pouncey, Albert, and James all started. Last year was a disaster, but I hear you on Its pocket presence even he stepped it up in 2016 and was much better.
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Yes 2016 was a good year for the OL and Tanny, but that was the year Ajayi was rushing at a good clip, teams had to step up and stop him. that opened up the rest of the offense
That’s what a stout running game will do for you.
naplesfan2010 says:
April 29, 2018 at 11:34 am
ORob
gosh man Earl Campbell is a once in a lifetime type guy. If you are waiting / looking for another one of those, you will never be happy
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LOL just an example, we need that guy who can get the tough yards like earl did, Hopefully Ballage is that guy.
Rockphin says:
April 29, 2018 at 2:29 pm
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/fantasy-football-metrics-that-matter-kenyan-drake
But again reality does not bear out your fantasy
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My reality is what i see with my own eyes, I watched Drake get stuffed multiple times putting us in long down and distance,he’s not gonna move the pile.
Drake is a good back but has a different skil set than a Frank Gore/ jerome bettis/derrick henry. that’s why he was behind Henry at alabama.
I believe this FO has realized this as well, why else would they get Frank Gore and draft Ballage?
I believe Polling has a shot to make the 53, we now have 8 lbers and we may go into the season with 8 or at least 7, so he may have one man to beat out unless an UDFA comes in and takes a job.
David Steinmetz, OL, Purdue #70
we will have other OL as UDFA, and after june 1 when we get cap relief we may sign a vet. or pick up one when teams cut down.
http://www.tribeathletics.com/news/2018/4/23/football-connor-hilland-earns-nsca-all-american-strength-and-conditioning-athlete-of-the-year-award.aspx
Over the past two seasons, Drake averages 5.0 yards per carry, which ties Mark Ingram for the best rate by any running back with at least 150 carries over this span.
In terms of yards after contact per attempt, Drake looked even better, posting our most efficient season ever recorded (4.29).
He would end the season averaging 105.2 yards from scrimmage per game in his six total starts. Drake would also post our single-highest-graded running back game last season, in Week 13 against the Broncos.
from PFF thanks to Rock
Head coach Adam Gase has quite the extensive history of raising running back play. In 2013, Gase’s first season as an NFL offensive coordinator, Knowshon Moreno finished as the No. 4 running back in PPR leagues. In 2014, C.J. Anderson led all running backs in PPR fantasy points from Week 10 on. In 2015, Matt Forte finished as fantasy’s No. 7 running back, despite playing in only 13 games. In 2016, Ajayi ranked fourth in rushing yards and 12th among running backs in fantasy points.
I like Baker where he was taken. With how the NFL is going, he seems to be a good fit. So, if you’re going to add speed, you are probably going to have to sacrifice power. You always prefer a guy with both, but that’s not that common. I’m also not sure this means anything for Kiko. We are bringing in LBers who are kind of tweeters. It’s filtering into the CB/S positions too. Basically, you’d like one guy at each level to be a tweeter and give you flexibility and the ability to disguise the shit out of your alignment.
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Brady usually knows pre snap where he’s going with the ball because he can read the defense and know where his best matchup will be. If you can make him guess where 2-3 players are actually lining up or where they’ll shift to after the snap, it’s a big advantage. You also need smart guys….because you ask guys to do a lot more than they normally do. It also impacts your blitz package. Then, you need guys who can get players on the ground immediately…and that’s where the lack of size and power can bite you. Especially since about 10% of the NFL actually knows how to tackle. Lol
I bet at least 90% of the NFL are Tweeters 😛
This is the most updated UDFA list I’ve found.
Jalen Davis, CB, Utah State
Lucas Gravelle, LS, TCU
Connor Hilland, G, William & Mary
Buddy Howell, RB, FAU
Greg Joseph, K, FAU
Claudy Mathieu, DE, Notre Dame (OH)
Mike McCray, LB, Michigan
Anthony Moten, DT, Miami
Jamiyus Pittman, DT, UCF
Quincy Redmon, EDGE, Fairmont State
David Steinmetz, OL, Purdue
Hey Randy.
“Especially since about 10% of the NFL actually knows how to tackle. Lol”
It’s the concussion problem.
Back in the leather helmet days when I played, I was taught that “the low man wins” and we were taught to “stick our head in there” and “form tackle” which meant our back was to be parallel to the ground, and we drove our shoulder into the guy’s thighs or belly and wrapped arms around him at his hips and lifted him up while driving with our dig-steps.
Of course most of us can’t even read or drive cars anymore because of all the concussions. We used to be proud of “getting our bell rung” as if it were a badge of being a “hard-nosed” player.
Nowadays, they are trying to teach kids to go chest to chest and wrestle the man down. I would’ve been given a skirt and sent home if I had hugged a RB like that.
But when we hit a guy he went down. There was none of this bear hug dancing for five yards till somebody tripped they call tackling now. Today it’s more like Sumo wrestling.
that’s because their trying to cause a fumble either by themselves or holding them up long enough for a teammate to come in and do it.
Good points, Randy. You need all kinds of matchup players on defense and I think that’s the been the plan based on what we’ve done this offseason. The same on offense. We should be a faster team on both sides of the ball.
I see Jerome Baker starting off more as a nickel LB and STs. He’ll likely get a lot of snaps because of all the nickel/dime teams play these days. Like Randy was saying, based on opponent we have some different types of LBs and DBs that may be better matchups against different personnel. Belichick does this sort of thing. He’ll activate a nickel LB type against more pass oriented teams and go big LB against more physical run teams.
I watched some highlights of CB Cornell Armstrong and even though they are highlights it showed some of his quality traits. He does a nice job wrapping up guys at the legs when tackling as opposed to trying to go up high for a smaller DB and getting run over. He also shows really good quick twitch to stay with receivers and he contests a lot of balls in the air. The video also showed a few drops where he could have had more INTs but he still broke up the play. He definitely fits that gunner position on STs as he is very fast and because of his ability to get low at the legs and cut down the return man. He also had a pick 6 and a blocked punt return for a TD.
When we drafted him I said huh and who, another DB? Now I can see what the vision likely is for him – depth, slot, STs.
All by myself…
Don’t want to be, all by myself… anymore LOL