As Naples was able to convey so clearly, this roster is basically set. There are only a couple of spots on the roster in which anyone drafted in this 2023 NFL Draft can make even the slightest impact on this season, and beyond. With that in mind, let’s once again look at those spots and the players that could have a chance to make that impact. To me, Tight End is the easiest. We have two blocking TE’s, Durham Smythe and Eric Saubert, and then we have a tweener, Tanner Conner, who was a former college WR converted to a TE. Realistically though, Conner is at best what we hoped former Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki, a dangerous receiver. Neither Smythe or Saubert has proven that they can be reliable receivers, but Conner has elite speed for the position (4.37 40) and hops as well with a nearly 40″ vertical. I’ve already illustrated that neither TE is a true receiving threat between Smythe and Saubert, they have a total of 121 receptions, 88 for Smythe over 5 seasons, and 33 over 6 seasons for Saubert, 3 TD’s for Smythe, 2 for Saubert. Those career totals don’t add up to one season for Niners TE George Kittle, who HC Mike McDaniel had the services of in SF as the Offensive Coordinator.
This brings us to Darnell Washington, who already has established that he’s a solid in-line blocking TE, with the size to get bigger, and he’s already shredded. His pass catching is more on potential than actual production, or he’d likely be the first TE off the board. Taking into account that TE is probably one spot where someone could potentially slide into early on, I wouldn’t be upset if we traded up to get him, and it looks that might be a necessity to guarantee he’s on our roster. If your roster is already mostly set, and you only have 4 picks, none of them on day one, and two of them on day 3, I see nothing wrong with acquiring one impact player in exchange for one of our 3 other picks. I think Washington has the size and speed to become a good receiver, and the fact that he could line up now and block on the line and downfield just as easily makes him an easy choice.
Another position where I think a player could help us right away is RB. Let’s face it, we have a RB room that screams “Running Back by Committee!!” There’s not one feature back on our roster, and one half of our RB room is signed through ’24, the other half on year contracts. Adding a versatile RB like Jamhyr Gibbs would be an easy pick. Gibbs increased his carries and receptions each year, and was a big part of the Alabama offense. He has a similar skillset to Mostert, Ahmed and Gaskin, in that he’s a very good receiver out of the backfield, can run either between the tackles, and has the speed to break a big run at any time with 4.36 speed. Mostert had career highs in carries (181) and yards (891) in his 8 year career. Wilson also had career highs last season, splitting the season between the Niners and Dolphins, finishing with 176 carries and 860 yards. None of our backs have played an entire season as a lead back getting the lions share of carries. Adding some young talent to the pool makes sense. Improve the depth, and very likely, one of either Ahmed or Gaskin would be either released or traded.
To me, it sure seems like the Dolphins staff is committed to developing OG Liam Eichenberg. If it were up to Ken, we’d have already moved on from Eich, but even Ken knows we invested an early 2nd RD pick, in order to do so we traded up from #50 and traded an additional 2022 3rd pick to get to #42 to take the Notre Dame OL. It’s sensible to get something back on your investment if you truly see the potential there. He absolutely has not realized that potential as of yet, and RT Austin Jackson is certainly on his last chance, being 2024 would be the fifth year option for Jackson, a $14M + decision, in which Jackson would need a standout year to have the Dolphins pick up that 5th year option. To think the Dolphins may spend another 2nd RD pick on an OL is not folly. I don’t think anyone here would be disappointed if we went that direction. Once again, there are a couple of interior OL that could give Eich a run for his money in this draft. TCU OG Steve Avila is a massive lineman, 6’3.5, 332 lbs., who is very light on his feet for such a big guy. He’s also a team captain, leader of men, and could potentially be a day one starter. Many here feel we need to upgrade the O-line, Avila could remedy that. Another OL I’ve mentioned is OL John Michael Schmitz. He is widely considered to be the top interior lineman, specifically OC prospect. I know some people get bent out of shape when you say we could move C Connor Williams to OG, (where he played 4 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys) and have Schmitz at C. Williams is a very solid player who played every-single-snap last season at C. He struggled some with high snaps, but otherwise it was hard to criticize his play. Schmitz is a true C that could step in day one, and moving Connor Williams to LG gives us a strong left side, with Armstead at LT and Williams at LG.
There’s always different ways to look at things, and we may just end up being patient, see who falls to our spot at each draft pick, and end up with 4 players, or we might get aggressive and package a pick or two to get a player. I’d prefer the latter, as I feel if we’re going to draft players in the 2nd RD and 3rd RD, these players better be roster worthy and at least in my estimation, should have some impact, even in their rookie season. Keep in mind we drafted LB Channing Tindall last season who made zero impact last season, but we’ve also seen Grier trade up for players he wants as he did with OG Liam Eichenberg. Whatever they do, I just hope these players we draft make our team better not only in the future, but this year as well.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
The change in scheme alone might go a long way to solving our running QB issues.
Yes
I posted this to Toba before the page turn about running QBs
That new linebacker helps there. Long ?
Ramsey as well of course however Wilkins will have been resigned and will have something to say about the DPOY when it’s all said and done.
Although he’s my candidate think about this
I predict the actual DPOY will come from our defense next season.
There you have it
That would be amazing. The season can’t get here quick enough.
Last time we had a Pro-Bowl LB (Bradley Chubb doesn’t count last year for us, his stats came from the Broncos)? 2010, Cam Wake, when we played him at OLB instead of the DE we came to know and love after.
Before Wake it was the imported Joey Porter from the Stealers* in 2008.
Truthfully, we’ve not had a drafted, impact LB since Zach Thomas. When are we going to change that?
Phillips or Chubb or someone could go off for like 20 sacks in what this defense will be.
Fangio go and look at that Arnsparger tape stashed over there. Oh you already did, oh you studied it all last year. Wonderful.
The hope is there!
This is the way…
I still think that if Drew Sanders is for the taking @ 51, we’d be foolish to pass him up. IMO, he’d be one of the BPA on the board, if not THE BPA on the board. We shall see…
If he’s so good as in Ulracher why would he fall to #51?
Wilkins should be studying Manny Fernandez and Bill Stanfill. That’s him. He’s both of them.
Conversely, we should be studying what Wilkins is worth to us, so as to extend him.
IMO, Wilkins is the literal ‘heart and soul’ of our Defense, if not the whole TEAM: that cat needs to get a new contract with us. #BEAST
He’ll get paid. Totally agree he’s the heart and soul. Heartbeat. Pay him post June first and pull his rip cord. Big year coming up.
Both sides are discussing a new deal. It’s basically a duh situation. Wilkins isn’t going anywhere. Worst case scenario is we tag him next year.
Rays bid for a perfect season comes to an end
They missed the record too
Good for them lol
M, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a faller in this draft. Might be Myers, might be Hooker might be the Bama back but I’m thinking we get a nice player. Sanders too he’d be a great addition.
Still don’t think whoever it is plays that much and that’s a good thing really.
I think if Mayer starts drifting towards the late thirties and you can see him making it to early forties then I think you go get him. He might be the best suited player in this draft to make an impact on our team.
That’s how I think we’re going to play the draft. We want to overwhelm opponents with mismatches. We might be all about adding another key player.
What do you think of my prediction above?
Cavs top post ^
Around May 11 for the schedule
They’re making too much of a big deal about the schedule release just put the damn thing out so people can start making plans. May is late the schedule used to come out around now.
There’s your Telecaster Doggie, 2 of ‘em
I love the guitar you showed us the other day, that looks cool as hell
I have a tiny amp I can bring
I still haven’t made that trade yet, but I’m optimistic that it will happen soon. The problem I’m having is parting ways with a bitchin guitar to get my Telle. 🐕🎸
Oh and great effing song !! 🐕🎸🥃🥃👍
Son, Phillips has DPOY upside. He’s got a lot of snaps as a 3-4 Edge and some hand in the ground DE his first 2 years. I think Fangio helps to take him to another level. Both Phillips and Chubb can play both sides. Two big and fast edge guys is nice. 🙂
He might be insane this year Phillips but it could be either should be fun no matter what
^ Agreed. Then Ogbah is in the mix. He’s a disruptor on the DL.
Oh shit this was really good too
Krishna, you and your shatter should like this. Spirals whatever. Enjoy
Oh and turn it up
Thank you, Son. Woke up to it…
Great song ! I’ve attempted playing slide guitar and now I know why I suck at it. My guitar’s action is to close to the fretboard and after watching this you need high action.
The iconic “Stairway to Heaven” guitar solo was done with a Tele and a small Supro amp. It was a great tone but it’s always about the player. I think it was the same deal on “Since I’ve Been Loving You” a year prior.
You are correct sir !! And was happy giving Jimmy his guitar lessons 😆 Seriously, he was my inspiration that made me want to play guitar at a young age 🎸🎼 along with many others, the list is huge as to how many influences in music got me going. Fucking Glenn Campbell ripped a guitar and was just known for his looks and lyrics.
Happy Birthday Hulk!
😃🎂
Happy Birthday Hulk !! Hope you have a great day 🐕🥃🎼
Thank you
So now that you’re 29, what are you going to smash today ? Please don’t say puppies 😳
Hulk smash dog catchers
Mike E, Did you have your short skirt on while baking that cake 😆
You know it! How else do you bake such a sexy cake?
Cav – Been waiting for the upcoming ‘Justified’ since they started talking about it last summer. Wish they would hurry up.
Happy gamma day, Green Man.
Happy Birthday, KEN!!
Just celebrate all weekend!
Will do. Thank you
BTW we are sometimes flying in to Tweed these last few trips up to see my son in Rhode Island. We’re using Avelo.
When we land, I get vibes of Casablanca the movie out on the tarmac.
6 months after the hurricane, this is what our beach still looks like.
https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/03/26/img_3116-61c6d14346fddd09be79dbd340c99c48bdd0d5a6-s1200-c85.webp
still waiting their turn after 6 months of cleanup
https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/03/26/img_3102-2754a68ab152ea36d9126d4de8260913ebaa1a1d-s1200-c85.webp
Happy Birthday Ken 🤢💪🐬
Thank you
You guys with your Drew Sanders….Jack Campbell is going to be the best linebacker in the NFL from this draft book it Dano
Happy Birthday Ken! 🎁🎂🎉🥳🍻
Thank you
Happy Birthday Ken.
Thank you
Happy birthday buddy
Thank you
Rock, Campbell plays side to side and not downhill for an ILB. He does have great size, athletic ability and range. Good in zone coverage. His 6’5 height and wing span make him a big obstacle in the passing game. I just wish he was more of a play making disruptor. He has 265 tackles in the last 2 seasons as a starter. More than half are assists which, I guess, compliments his range, motor and being around the ball a lot. Out of the 265 tackles, he only had 9 tackles for loss (again in 2 seasons starting) which is why I say he’s not a downhill ILB. He also only averaged 1 sack a season but that could have been more due to scheme and his ability to cover zone.
He has a lot of good pro’s but his #1 con by Lance Zierlein is he “plays conservatively”.
…and we know how you don’t care for conservatives. lol 😉
That’s my take for what it’s worth. He was my #1 ILB months ago until I started watching him more. I think he will be a good NFL ILB though.
For me on ILB, I would put him at #2 behind Drew Sanders with Ivan Pace, Jr a close #3. He could end up being the first ILB off the board as I have seen in some mocks.
Happy Birthday Sir Hulk!!
Thank w
Falcons signing ex-Titans, Steelers OLB Bud Dupree to one-year deal worth up to $5M
M13, JT was DPOY playing OLB when Saban was HC.
Phindog, Glenn Campbell was an awesome guitarist. Him and Roy Clark were awesome together.
Thank you
Happy Birthday Ken!
Looking at the free agent tracker, I come to realize that it doesn’t list XFL players as free agents. They are under contract until 31 May but are free to sign with NFL teams now and can join teams on 1 June when their current contracts expire.
If we are looking at some LB depth (if we don’t draft one on day 2), a guy we should look into is former Dolphins OLB/Edge Trent Harris. He is 27 and played for the Pats (PS) 2018, Dolphins (2019) and Giants (2020-2021). Ended the 2022 season on the Raiders PS. Now playing with the Arlington Renegades. He was a backup for us but did have a couple starts.
Harris (as of last weekend) leads the XFL in sacks with 7 and is tied for 1st with 10 tackles for loss. He is currently one of the top defenders in the XFL.
Bonus stat: Trent Harris was the last player to sack Tom Brady in a Patriot uniform and he did it as a Miami Dolphin.
Looking at our roster, we are pretty set at OLB/Edge. Need depth at ILB.
The second XFL player I really like is Former Baylor RB Abram Smith, 6′ 213 pounds. “Big, tough prospect who went from running back to linebacker and then back to running back during his collegiate career. Smith proved a formidable fit in Baylor’s zone scheme with a patient but decisive approach and a natural feel for cutback lanes.” I believe he went undrafted. Was in Saints TC in 2022.
Through the first 8 games in the XFL this year he has 137 carries for 717 yards at 5.23 per with 7 TD’s. Is being talked about as an XFL MVP candidate.
Great special teams value – He played LB for 8 games (4 as a starter) at Baylor due to injuries on defense in 2020. He logged 48 Tackles with 5 tackles for loss.
Moved back to RB in 2021 for Baylor and had 257 carries for 1,601 (6.2 per) and 12 rushing touchdowns.
The guy is a stud. I am highly impressed with him
Same here. I like how he finishes.
He has great vision
Speaking of XFL I really like Jordan Ta’amu the QB for D.C. Great athletic skills and really coming on as a passer. 10-1 TD to int ratio
I remember I liked him as an UDFA the year he was in the draft, but he signed with someone else. He was one of those guys where it was just going to take time. He’s had to earn his way his whole career. That’s why I liked him. The game really seems to be coming to him. He will get picked up by someone. Wouldn’t mind if it were us and see who he can beat out. He has a strong arm. I think he was one of the top QB’s in the USFL also.
I think he led the USFL in passing year but he is playing even better now in the XFL. In particular ball security and accuracy. He can play in the NFL. He is a tremendous athlete
I think he could beat out Skylar and maybe even White the way he is playing.
USFL kicks off today
Happy B-Day, Hulkster! Make it a great day.
Thank you
There are rumors that the Vikings could release Dalvin Cook if they can’t work out a new deal or they can’t trade him.
son of a son of a shula says:
April 14, 2023 at 10:16 pm
M, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a faller in this draft. Might be Myers, might be Hooker might be the Bama back but I’m thinking we get a nice player. Sanders too he’d be a great addition.
Still don’t think whoever it is plays that much and that’s a good thing really.
—————-
Absolutely, there’s probably going to be one or two fallers who could really surprise us @ 51. Yes, whoever it may be probably won’t play a whole heck of a lot this season either (unless it’s TE)… that IS a good thing.
I use PFF as my mock draft simulator (not for MY personal mock draft mind you, as I have different opinions) and they seem to have both Darnell Washington and Drew Sanders falling to the late 2nd round… that would be so ideal for us.
Personally, I don’t think either will fall to us, but we’ll soon see.
PFN does the same including Forbes at times.
Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
April 15, 2023 at 1:46 pm
M13, JT was DPOY playing OLB when Saban was HC.
————-
Correct, but that was in 2006… prior to Cam Wake (2010) and Joey Porter (2008). It’s been a LONG time since we’ve had a Pro-Bowl LB.
Imagine if we’d drafted Patrick Willis over Ted Ginn, Jr, and his whole family in ’07. By 2010, we’d have Wake, Willis, and Porter as our LBs!
That was such a mistake.
I think Baker has been a good LB although not a pro bowler. Phillips could become one soon.
Agreed.
Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
April 15, 2023 at 3:38 pm
There are rumors that the Vikings could release Dalvin Cook if they can’t work out a new deal or they can’t trade him.
————-
I think that would put us over the top on Offense. What do you propose (how would you make it work) with our current cap situation until June 1st?
No idea.
There were rumors that we looked into trading for him but it didn’t materialize. I’m sure we’d be interested and if he’s interested in coming to Miami maybe they make it work somehow.
Yes, there’s gotta be some way to make it work if we choose to sign him. He won’t be cheap, to be sure: there will certainly be other suiters (please don’t be the Bills) out there to drive his price high.
They don’t have a lot of cap space either. Also taxes in NY vs. Miami is a big difference. 😉
Thinking we unload Cedric Wilson, an XFL receiver we should try out is Jahcour Pearson. He is 5’7 180 and runs a 4.37. Could win the #5 or #6 WR position. I think he would be a really good backup for Berrios in the slot. That’s what he did at Western Kentucky. He was a first down machine out of the slot for WKU. I think he plays out of the slot for the Seattle Sea Dragons but not sure.
In 7 XFL games this year he has 50 rec for 513 yards, 10.26 ypc, 2 TD’s, 27 rec for 1st downs.
I think he could get much better under Welker.
If we do try and trade Cedric Wilson it probably will be after the draft when teams look at their WR rooms and feel they don’t have enough. I’m not sure why he was such a non factor last year because I thought he’d be pretty good for us.
Not sure either but he could be a post draft trade or a trade all the way up to the trade deadline.
If we don’t move him hopefully he’ll be more productive which won’t take much. LOL
Does it make it make me a perv if I have the women’s collegiate gymnastics on?
It depends on what you’re looking at. LOL
HB Ken!
Are you purposely commenting in the wrong place like Ken has been doing? LOL
Thank you
I’m sure you have a legitimate interest in tumbling and aren’t just waiting to spot wedgies
I think gymnastics is a true art form to be appreciated. If you end up gazing at the obvious, well, it is what it is.
BBM, it’s natural to look and it never goes away. 😉
I know. 🙂
Men over 80 still do it. LOL
All that said, I didn’t turn the channel there to watch it. It came on after the XFL football game. Though, I did leave it there for a while before turning it to golf. LPGA, that is. Is it just me or are the skirts getting shorter in women’s golf?
Just kidding, I turned it to the RBC Herritage in Hilton Head, SC.
It’s one of my favorite PGA tournaments after all the majors. Mainly because I was caddy for the amateur executives during the Pro/Am portion of the tournament. Got to meet quite a few of my favorite PGA players and walk a round or golf with them.
round of golf with them
It was the MCI Classic back then.
I looked up the best TE in the XFL and it came up with Sal Cannella. He was with us in TC in 2021 and got cut. Spent 2022 in the USFL and Packers. Now XFL.
He is mostly a receiving TE at 6’5 237. He’s more of a big WR, reminds me of Mack Hollins in a way.
The #2 TE is the same, a receiving TE. Jaylen Smith who spent time with the Ravens.
#3 would be my target and is said to be the best all round TE in the XFL, Briley Moore-McKinney of the D.C. Defenders.
Another option to take a look at would be former ND TE Alize Mack.
All in all, the XFL does not look so promising at the TE position.
All teams will be adding a lot of players from these different leagues to help fill out their rosters for TC.
Yes, most definitely.
Top XFL players after week 8. Posted some already.
1. RB Abram Smith, DC Defenders
2. QB AJ McCarron, St. Louis Battlehawks
3. WR (turned TE) Cody Latimer, Orlando Guardians
4. QB Jordan Ta’amu, DC Defenders
5. WR Jahcour Pearson, Seattle Sea Dragons
6. DB Michael Joseph, DC Defenders
7. DL Pita Taumoepenu, Vegas Vipers
8. LB Trent Harris, Houston Roughnecks
9. CB Luq Barcoo, San Antonio Brahmas
10. WR Lucky Jackson, DC Defenders
Two XFL OL who may be worth a look are:
OG Mike Horton – “Horton is the best run-blocking interior offensive lineman in the XFL through four weeks (77.9 run-blocking grade)”. After 4 games into the season, he did allow 6 QB pressures in pass protection. Not the area we need him to struggle in.
OT Kohl Levao – “Continued success in both run blocking and pass blocking has Levao making his debut as the Brahmas’ highest-graded offensive player.”
Was going to mention OC Kahlil McKenzie but he went on IR after week 4. Was drafted in 6th round by the Chiefs. He was the top graded offensive player on his team before going down.
XFL OL has been the weakest and most noticeable difference in level of play with the NFL imo
and that is the end of the XFL review. LOL
Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
April 15, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Men over 80 still do it. LOL
————–
My 92 yo father-in-law was a perfect example of that. lol
It never ends. Sorry we were biologically bred that way. We didn’t check a box. LOL
It’s Ken’s birthday, he can comment wherever he wants.
He started yesterday. LOL
I think it’s pathetic that the USFL can be broadcast in 4K, but the gazillion $ NFL cant.
There are some real improvements in both the USFL and XFL. The 4k for USFL land the replay rules and officiating transparency in the XFL are big improvements over the NFL
Happy birthday, Ken!
Thank you
Football is beautiful in 4K. Fuck the NFL for not making the investment
I think they’re headed that way after the Direct TV deal. If they don’t offer à la carte they’re stupid. You will get people to buy your product that will never buy the entire package.
Wow is it pouring rain!!!
We got dumped on this afternoon also. They are talking low’s around 48-49 the next 2 nights after this front goes through. Was going to hit the pier and fish early Monday morning. Not now. Cold snap like that is probably going to jack them up for a couple days. Still going to be in the mid 70’s for a high though.
I don’t care where you all stand politically on this issue, but weather patterns are becoming extreme and unpredictable. I’m not blaming anything. Just witnessing it.
For those of us in the NE of America, March is officially as much a winter month as a spring month. She’s a bitch. LOL
Seriously though. Regardless of what the cause of climate change is, it has to be dealt with to survive. Most life adapts and that’s what we will do. Humans are too narcissistic to become extinct. LOL
I think it has a lot to do with the continued pole shift.
Earth has nothing to do with it, just the only species that wears clothes. LOL
The polar vortex is all out of whack also.
We humans live in a few thousand and hundred year increments as a current species. The timeline of the universe blows our minds.
Well we’ve been in a LA Nina for 3 years, been colder than usual the last 3 winters, but I’m blaming it on Punxsutawney Phil
Anyone here watch Daisy Jones and the Six?
Is it like Debbie does Dallas?
Not quite. I’m really enjoying it. It’s on Amazon. A story about a band from Pittsburgh. Reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac.
You’re being so serious. Fleetwood Mac literally fucked each other. LOL
My favorite and they are wrong if they do not take him at 51
NOT FN SPAM! LOL
Talk about cryptic.
My favorite song is better than yours. LOL
Tim – not really being serious, I thought you really thought it was porn. lol
No worries just bustin balls. LOL
Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
April 15, 2023 at 7:39 pm
I don’t care where you all stand politically on this issue, but weather patterns are becoming extreme and unpredictable. I’m not blaming anything. Just witnessing it…
————-
I agree with this… as do several CIA documents from the 60s when we were supposedly going into the next ice age. As a result, we’ve been pumping barium and aluminum into the atmosphere (FACTS).
The result is most predictable. Have a HAARPY day, as whistleblowers would say.
When you feel your fellow citizen is purposely doing you harm it’s a shitty feeling. What’s the end game and why?
bailbondmike says:
April 15, 2023 at 7:48 pm
I think it has a lot to do with the continued pole shift.
———–
A pole shift will be instantaneous, not gradual or continual before it happens.
Allow me to walk that back just a hair. Yes, we may be witnessing the beginning of a polar shift. But when it happens, it’s going to be BOOM. Magnetism doesn’t work half-assed, but we may be observing the beginning of as much.
Mutiny 2.0 Watson was 1.0
https://www.si.com/nfl/cardinals/news/lamar-jackson-gives-baltimore-ravens-ultimatum-trade-arizona-cardinals-deandre-hopkins
Ravens aren’t going to take much more shit
Who the fuck does he think he is? Aaron Rodgers?? LOL
LOL
“I was told reliably by somebody who’s involved that Lamar told them in a conversation, ‘get Hopkins and get Beckham, and then we can talk.’ The club went back to them and said look, we can’t get Hopkins and Beckham. We just can’t afford both, but we’ll get one of them – and they got Beckham,” Lombardi said on his podcast, The Lombardi Line.
————-
They did get Beckham, so who knows. If they get both, Jackson can feel like he got something he demanded.
Mike E. says:
April 15, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Anyone here watch Daisy Jones and the Six?
——————
Wife and I watched it. Thought it was really good.
Yeah man, it’s a cool show
BBL, working on a 1,000,000 bond just got a call on. Most likely won’t happen any time soon though.
Mike – This is why anyone should be able to have any gun they want.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/connecticut-man-fights-off-4-men-attempted-carjacking-suspects-flee
It’s just a car. That was a bad decision on his part. Not selling me on this. If he had a Glock 9mm would it have been any different than an AR? If one of the thiefs had a gun and shot him as soon as he went outside, would it matter that he had an AR?
Never go to a gun fight with a pistol if you can take a rifle. He was a dumbass for trying to stop them unarmed.
I’d prefer laws that tell fuckheads, if you do this you’re done. Prison for 30+ years. It’s not that complicated to not do this. If bleeding hearts stopped for a second and realized what’s going on is not about guns but people who don’t care anymore. Yeah be a bleeding heart here. None of us want to see innocent people murdered.
Guns are not the problem. No such thing as “gun violence.” Only people violence.
I know. The trigger is a decision.
Phish, do you think there are too many stupid people with access to weapons that most of us would probably say that’s not a good idea?
Guns make it easier for people to kill people. Lots of them. Quickly. Ignoring the problem is to the shame of this country.
You are ignoring the problem. It is not the tool it is the user. Crazy dude in Idaho committed mass murder with a knife. Dude in NY used a vehicle. McVay used fertilizer. We have been killing each other since we crawled out of the mud.
There is no National shame, only your personal shame.
So you would support universal background checks?
Also I have no shame
Go Kings
👍
Interesting!
Came on here, because I just saw this news
Chosen is our 3rd or 4th wr, then Wilson and EZ, that’s 6 and Cracraft 7, how many do we need?
Maybe Wilson is getting moved
Not sure how I feel about it. He had issues with coaches in Carolina. He does check the speed box for McDaniel, ran a 4.36.
This will be his 9th season. Funny I don’t remember him being a Jet and he was there 4 years as a starter it looks like.
More of a reflection on they’d QB than him
Happy belated birthday, my Transatlantic angry friend. Hope nothing made you shred your threads and your alter ego got some rest in readiness for the upcoming season 😉
Tim – Apologies, didn’t mean to start a topic and disappear. Was on my way to bed after a long day in the sun.
Yes, I think there are plenty of stupid people who should not have a gun. There are also stupid people who shouldn’t be allowed to vote or say what’s on their mind. Self-avowed socialists and communists should not be allowed to vote. But until stupid people do something to lose those rights, they are entitled to them.
Ken says guns make it easier to kill people. People are easy to kill. There are lots of ways to kill, and crazy people will and do use them when guns are not available. Statistically innocent people being killed with a gun isn’t that common. Most people killed with a gun are engaged in criminal activity or willfully associated with someone who is. Focusing on the tool, instead of the mental illness that allows someone to kill innocents, is a panacea. The bank shooter should never have had a gun. He was being treated for mental illness. People around him knew it and said nothing until it was too late. Same for the trans shooter. And pretty much every shooter.
This Mike’s fault for drawing me into this subject.
Sorry bud, and I believe you know I’m totally for people owning guns. I do believe the background checks should be much more stringent. There should be serious background checks, social media checks etc. to give some idea as to the mental health of the buyer. I’m sure that’s not foolproof, nothing is. Regardless, I think purchasing a firearm and obtaining one should take at least a month if not more. It wouldn’t be terrible to have to meet in person with law enforcement as well, but I’m not sure if that’s feasible. You should have to probe you’re capable of operating your gun, understand how to load, unload and to put the safety on. Requiring a lock box for it wouldn’t be a terrible idea either. Just foster some ideas of responsibility and respect for the gun, rather than put it on the same level as buying a PS5 controller.
If personal gun ownership is supposed to make us safer and we have more guns in this country than any other country in the world and with the most gun sales in the world in the last 10 years then how come crime is on the rise in this country? Rhetorical question no need for an answer
OMG
I think Anderson is camp fodder/competition. I think he may not even make the team
Depends what the contract looks like
You can’t have too much speed
He plays a lot of slot and outside, so he’s competition for Berrios and injury insurance on the outside
We’re loaded with speed and at wr, don’t really see the need for Hill and Waddle to have a big game every week now
This signing can’t hurt, we didn’t need him, but we can use him
^
Especially if Wilson is gone in a draft day trade.
I really am enjoying the shit out of playing Madden this year. At least on madden the team is set up perfectly for the way I like to play. Pound the rock pound the rock pound the rock pound the rock play action touchdown
Also describes my sex life
LOL
Ken – I’ve said before I’m good with background checks. Would like to see them strengthen the input requirements. Currently, flags are missed because some agencies don’t enter the info they have into the database. Dr/therapist don’t enter data about patients (HIPPA0. Background checks are only as good as the data entries.
So you do agree there is some common sense gun reform that can help curb some of the problems we are seeing with the proliferation of guns. Like Mike E I do not expect we are going to ban all guns and start taking them away but I do believe there are common sense reforms that can help. The first of those being universal background checks
It becomes a matter of whose “common sense” you’re using.
how come crime is on the rise in this country?
———-
I’m not going to point out liberal vs conservative judges. Judges in general have gotten too soft on sentencing. Many criminals now days see the reward out ways the risk.
Perfect example: I have this file on my desk where we bonded out a guy for 3 counts of Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm in 2019. Him and 2 other guys hit 3 homes in the same neighborhood. He got a bond reduction to 150K, 50K per (was 100K per) case lasted into mid 2020. He only spent 20 days in jail when he got his bond reduced. Got sentenced only to 36 months felony probation and no more jail time. Eight months later in 2021 he gets arrested for Cocaine Trafficking and M/J Possession with Intent to Sell. Violated Probation. In Jan 2022, he was only sentenced to 11 months, 10 days county jail but only served 8 months and was given credit for time served on the cocaine trafficking and MJ selling as well.
So, for being guilty of 3 counts of Home Invasion Robbery with a Firearm, Cocaine Trafficking and MJ Possession, he only did 8 months in county jail with no more probation afterward.
Now, 7 months after getting out (3 weeks ago) he got arrested again for:
Possession of a Weapon by a Felon
Weapon Offense – Use of a Weapon while Committing a Felony
Cocaine Trafficking
Fentanyl Trafficking
Heroin Possession
Flee & Elude with Lights and Sirens Active
Resist Officer Without Violence
Reckless Driving
Driving While License Suspended
Drug Equipment Possession
Initial bond was set 184K. Three weeks later got the judge to reduce his bond to 54,500 despite his history and now the family is working with us to get him out again. His history goes back way before the home invasion robberies.
I don’t want to get him out, but if I don’t, another bondsman is going to get paid.
A year or less of jail time to a criminal ain’t shit. They just spend that time working on their next plan with inmates of the same mindset. Minimal jail time for them is like going to a long networking seminar.
This is just in general. Liberal cities, sorry, fa get about it.
I do our Discharge Report we send to our insurance company. I see every disposition on every bond we write. I can give you stories like this every day of the year. Even simple ones. I’m doing one now (I do one every weekend). This guy was arrested for a felony charge of Misdemeanor Petit Theft with 3rd or more Prior Convictions (makes it a felony in FL). He actually had 4 prior convictions. Circuit judge transferred the case down to misdemeanor court anyway. Dude was sentenced to a fine he will never pay and that’s it. Never paid any of his fines on anything, even traffic tickets. All they do is issue a D-6 suspension to their driving privileges.
There’s no penalty in the eyes of these criminals.
Escambia county would be one of the richest counties in the state of FL if they made people pay their fines, but they don’t. Most counties don’t. Pick a county in FL who has public access to court records. Start looking at peoples records and unpaid fines. You will be in the millions owed before you get through the A’s.
Well guess what we don’t have out here in Mohave County? Gun violence, pretty much everyone is carrying. So people that commit gun crimes go to where people don’t carry guns. It’s not the weapon, it’s the mental midget that can buy an illegal weapon from the back of a car in any crime ridden city that uses it to justify their manhood,shehood,theirhood,or whatever hood.
There are micro examples but on a macro level the argument that more guns makes us more safe falls apart
But if they are in the hands of law abiding citizens and not illegal purchased weapons in the hands of criminals? Sorry not buying it. Criminals will always take advantage of a weak target. These effers want street cred so when they get their ass kicked in a fight, guess what ? They go and get a gun to to get their cred. Go after the illegal weapon purchases from people that have no business having a weapon.
Once again a micro example. On a macro level most guns used in crimes, especially mass shootings were purchased legally
Most guns used in crimes purchased legally, I don’t buy that. Mass shootings, most probably.
Since 1996 77% of guns used in mass shootings were legally purchased
I said “most probably” but I agreed with you on mass shootings. What % of those are mentally unstable in the first place?
Purchased legally by people with mental issues that should not qualify to own a weapon. Address the mental crisis in America and violence will drop significantly. But as long as people can illegally buy a weapon on the streets shootings will continue. Soft on crime policies help nobody but criminals. Not allowing people to protect themselves is very foolish.
I used to enjoy going to San Francisco. It was a good Saturday trip, hit the pier, maybe go over to Alcatraz for a couple of hours. Get some wonderful food in Little Italy. Picnic in the state park.
My youngest daughter is studying to be a marine biologist, and has always had a strong interest in science. We used to take her to the Exporatorium pretty regularly. Last time we went was maybe 5 years ago. There were literally people shooting up in the heart of the tourist districts and homeless people everywhere. It felt like something bad just waiting to happen. We don’t go to San Francisco anymore.
This was a response to Steve’s post on San Fran and the video about the city/county/state policies.
Thanks Nancy Pelosi !!
I know my opinion is based on videos and news but areas of SF almost look apocalyptic.
I can guarantee you in my example above that firearm in the home invasion robbery was not obtained legally and neither was the firearm he was caught with this year when selling drugs.
I can also guarantee you, if that was my neighborhood and my house during the home invasion robbery, he would not be alive today to be selling Fentanyl on the streets.
Again it is a micro example that falls apart on a macro level. This country has the highest incarceration rate per capita in the world. Higher than China and even 3rd world dictatorships and yet crime continues to rise.
Gee I wonder why ? New soft on crime policies may have something to do with crimes continuing to rise.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/262962/countries-with-the-most-prisoners-per-100-000-inhabitants/
Well maybe not the highest but I think your stats still prove my point. Maybe what I read was for developed countries. The stats you cite are still very disturbing
They are disturbing
Not my definition of safe. To each their own
https://mobile.twitter.com/SteveRattner/status/1640733289722920963
Again if you want to commit a gun crime where law abiding trained citizens are carrying then I’m pretty sure you will chose a place to target that nobody carries a weapon but other criminals.
The are more guns than citizens in this country. Such a place that you talk about doesn’t exist. Guns are ubiquitous but so is crime
And I’m sure all criminals will eagerly give up their illegally obtained guns.
We need a seam threat TE in this draft, as high as we can get one.
We also need a NT or at least interior DT, to back up or surpass Davis.
We could use another “young legs” RB, so our guys we have now won’t leave us with only Ahmed and Gaskin when they go down in week 15 after a long tough season but right at the worst possible moment.
and
we could always use another ILB and another Center, as Williams is a FA next season, and we need another hard hitter @ MLB who can cover shallow crosses and RB safety valves and maybe even grab a pick.
My Miami Dolphins 2023 Mock Draft (4/7/2023)
R2P20 (51): Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (in a possible trade-up)
R3P21 (84): Blake Freeland, OT, BYU, OR Braeden Daniels, T/G, Utah
R6P20 (197): Brett Neilon, C, USC, OR Jerrod Clark, NT, Coastal Carolina
R7P21 (238): Devonnsha Maxwell, DT, Chattanooga
UDFA: Trent Thompson, TE/FB, UTEP; Christian Izien, S, Rutgers; Camren McDonald, TE, FSU; more to come…
FA: Brandon Shell, T
I just don’t see a seam-threat TE that can block, Naples. If blocking wasn’t an issue, we’d have re-signed Gesicki for $4.5M as the seam-threat TE he is. JMO
Nope
I’m very surprised we signed Robbie Anderson and not sure why we did. If we’re not careful, we’re going to push our blocking WRs like Cracraft out the door.
I cannot express how valuable it is to have a WR who can actually block.
I’m pretty sure McDaniel isn’t going to sabotage his own offense. LOL
Anderson is also one cocky mofo! I can’t see him being a team player.
We’ll see if he pans out. I’m not for or against him. I just posted that we signed him.
This country has the highest incarceration rate per capita in the world. Higher than China
———
China is not up there because they still widely use capital punishment.
“According to Amnesty International, China executes more people than all other countries combined.”
That’s a huge deal and puts in the heads of criminals. China: Hmmm, I could be put to death for this vs. America: Man, if I get caught for home invasion robbery with a gun, I won’t even do a year in jail.
Not much of a deterrent there. Reward over risk in US.
China has reduced their #’s of capital punishment over the last decade by dropping from 68 capital offenses down to around 46. I think the US still has around 40 capital offenses but also think like 3/4 are all related to some form of murder, or something related to death occurring.
China also still employs death by firing squad in some of their capital cases. Another big deterrent vs. here’s your medicine in this IV, good night. Yes, China does use lethal inject much more now.
China also has instituted a death sentence with probation. You complete your probation and don’t fuck up; you get a reduced sentence. You fuck up and you’re dead. Another nice deterrent.
China is still rather secretive about this subject so the #’s are probably much higher.
Many countries ranked below us have less tolerance and a higher capital punishment rate.
Ken, TBH, I don’t have an answer.
There is no easy answer and there will never be an absence of violence or crime but I do believe we can do better
🧐
Part of the problem with gun control and background checks etc. is that states all have different laws. It seems to me it needs to become federal if any of that is going to work.
I’m going to be VERY pissed off if we draft a mere seam-threat TE (no offense, Naples) who cannot block, instead of just keeping Gesicki. Maybe YAC would be a factor, being Gesicki could never break a tackle.
However, Gesicki’s catch radius more than made up for it [probably the best in the NFL: height, VJ, arm length, high-point ability, and hand size (one-handed catches)], as he made catches nobody else could make in the league. That also makes him a killer red zone threat.
I think if they target a pass catching TE they want a guy who is a better YAC guy than Gesicki. It really is that simple. Gesicki’s catch radius is great and all but there only so many plays he’s going to make like that out of 1,000 or so plays.
Steve has been talking about what we need at TE is a guy who can regularly get 7-8 yards when called on. Keep the chains moving. Gesicki is not that guy.
————
I don’t care where Nuk signs, just so long as it isn’t in the AFC East.
Or the Chefs*
I could see him wanting to go to the Chiefs but I think he’s cost prohibitive for them
I think this country has developed a very disturbingly screwed up culture.
But I also believe in the good that is here, and I am strongly patriotic about the USA.
I think the rampant gun violence in this country is a huge problem, but it is symptomatic of the decay in morals we are seeing. There are other symptoms. Equally bad is the lack of progress toward a solution to the gun problem, which is an indication of a dangerous loss of statesmanship in government and abandonment of common sense leadership in favor of self-aggrandizement through demagoguery.
And yet, I do not believe in “the good old days” philosophy. I grew up in the fifties and sixties, and my parents grew up in the thirties and forties, and those were times full of street violence, illegal drug abuse, crooked politicians, and evil embedded in institutions such as churches, families, and business. Go back to the robber barons, the Wild West, the Civil War, Plantation and sweat shop economies, etc. etc. right back to the Salem Witch Trials and territorial expansion via conquest of indigenous people.
So I’m not saying “hey, if we could just go back to the way it was in …”
because there was never a time when all was well, everyone was happy, crime did not occur, and the populace was well governed.
And yet the basic concepts upon which this country was founded is the best there is in the world today and in the history of the world. There’s always room for improvement, however, and I do not fear progress nor believe that what we have is a finished product. Although I think America is fucked up, I don’t believe in giving up.
These two concepts are 1) “everyone is created equal” before the law, and everyone has equal opportunity for the pursuit of happiness and 2) no person, institution, religion, region, party, belief system, or any such thing has the right to demand membership or adherence to it as a prerequisite or condition for education, jobs, wealth, housing, success, marriage, movement about the country, or any other basic human right or privilege of citizenship.
The thing that makes these two concepts possible is a representative democracy with three separate but equal branches, a system of checks and balances, and free and fair and private elections for representatives whose sole purpose is to promote and enact laws and policies that ensure #1 and #2 above. The enemies of America are those who would thwart or subvert democracy, equality, and freedom from dictated beliefs.
Well said.
I’m not sure what happened with Gesicki, but I don’t think it is as simple as it seems.
Not that you MF13 or anyone else on this blog or in general thinks it’s simple.
I think everyone including me, you, this blog, McDaniel, Grier, and Smythe and Gesicki are all wondering exactly what happened to his promising career with Miami.
It is what it is, therefore we can only move forward with a cat who can actually block and obviously make a catch. We’ve got so much speed on this team as is and I don’t see it as a need for our next TE to be a seam threat.
That’s JMO, as always… now watch us draft a seam threat TE! LOL
I think if you just take an obvious yet unfair (to Gesicki and McDaniel) example,
i.e. the “Kittle ideal” TE, you can see why we did not resign Gesicki at any price.
I think the closest thing to the Gesicki thing is the Edmonds thing and the Ced Wilson thing and the Rowe thing and the Elandon Roberts thing.
All players, even Brady and A-Rod, have their fatal flaw. How many SBs did Rodgers win? How many did Marino win?
All those players that we let go (or want to let go, in Ced’s case) have as their fatal flaw the one thing that McDaniel cannot tolerate in his system. They just don’t fit.
On the other hand, Brady was the perfect fit for Bellicheat.
But the fatal flaw of Gesicki is he’s not Kittle.
He’s not Kelce, either,
but Kelce isn’t Kittle either,
and Kelce would not fit what McDaniel wants either and might not’ve become the Kelce we now know if he had been drafted into the Shanahan system,
and Kittle might not have become the Kittle we now know if he’d not been drafted into the Shanahan system.
That’s exactly correct. Thus, I think we’re looking for a TE who can at least hold his own in the blocking department… that would be a staple of the Shanahan system. Now if he can’t catch, no dice. We’re looking for ‘multiples’ in this system.
Below is what I mean by the “fatal flaw” of Gesicki.
Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
April 16, 2023 at 3:00 pm
I think if they target a pass catching TE they want a guy who is a better YAC guy than Gesicki. It really is that simple. Gesicki’s catch radius is great and all but there only so many plays he’s going to make like that out of 1,000 or so plays.
Steve has been talking about what we need at TE is a guy who can regularly get 7-8 yards when called on. Keep the chains moving. Gesicki is not that guy.
I truly believe Gesicki’s fatal flaw was that he couldn’t block. And yes, he could never break a tackle for YAC, as I too stated above.
The Kittle’s and Kelce’s of the world can both block and receive.
Let us say (last year), we’ve got two WRs and Gesicki out wide with one RB in our formation. Tua sees a blitz coming pre-snap. He motions Gesicki to get back in-line to block the blitz. Well… he’s not going to get it done, so now the RB is going to be asked to block/chip as well because of Gesicki’s fatal flaw. The whole play design gets funked up because Gesicki cannot block.
I absolutely get it why we let him walk.
I’m just sayin’, we’d better upgrade from Gesicki so as not to repeat the mistake. Our drafted TE had better be able to block.
I really like the Darnell Washington’s and Brenton Strange’s of this TE class.
We do have two TEs who can block in Smythe and Saubert. They’re just not big time receivers.
Gesicki is a “high cut” athlete. I know y’all know that that means his center of gravity is high, which translates that it is easy to knock his base out from under him.
This inhibits BOTH his YAC production and his blocking. He can’t be an inline blocker because he can’t “sit down” because he doesn’t have enough sand in his pants as my coaches used to say. Short legged Linebackers can just knock Gesicki out of the way.
He can jump though. Like a basketball player or a volleyball player.
But the Shanny offense requires a TE who can hold point on the corner long enough for the RB to get outside. And then bowl over DBs to turn a 5-8 yard catch into a 12-15 yard gain.
+10000000000000000
Gesicki was also a volleyball player at PSU.
By the way, excellent post!
The thing about Kelce and Kittle is those guys became great TEs. It’s not like those teams set out to draft a Kelce or Kittle. Just like with Deebo last year when everyone was talking about how can the Dolphins find a Deebo. McDaniel said we didn’t go looking for a Deebo he became that guy.
Kelce – 3rd round pick
Kittle – 5th round pick
Deebo – 2nd round pick
It’s crazy that Kittle lasted to the 5th round! Look at his measurables…
https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=123883&DraftYear=2017
So why do I insist on trying to get a Seam Threat TE?
Cuz I want one.
And so do McDaniel and Grier, I think.
Because I think we already have 2 blocking TEs.
Yes, if we can get Washington, that would be great. Maybe.
But he might have the other flaw that Gesicki has.
Their speed is all straightline, slow twitch, and with no wiggle, no “make-ya-miss.”
Washington is a water buffalo, so he’ll knock his way through a couple DBs, but he’s not going to out run anyone or weave through traffic and take it to the house.
I totally understand what you’re saying, man. We’re coming to the same conclusions via different aspects: you through the receiving aspect, me through the blocking aspect.
We want the best of both worlds, but it’s very difficult to find.
Phish, I appreciate your response from last night. This gun issue always ends up the same for me. I don’t know how the answer.
A Seam Threat TE,
for example Luke Musgrave,
is fast enough to be able to get out into the part of the field where Hill and Waddle
are operating
and be a downfield blocker for them,
while at the same time be that third target in Tua’s same field of vision with the two deep threats.
A guy like Musgrave CAN take it to the house,
because seam threat TEs ARE fast twitch and broken field operators.
I think we MUST take the pressure or attention off Hill and Waddle and
protect them from taking a beating and
keep them fresh for the playoffs
and I think a Big Guy downfield would help with that.
I swear, I did NOT read this post before posting below!
Naples,
I’d be outright lying to ya if I didn’t say I have questions about Darnell Washington… and for the same reasons you explained above (“water buffalo”). Still, I think he could have a profound impact on our Offense.
If we could find a compromise between Washington and say Luke Musgrave, that cat would be pretty awesome for the Shanahan Offense. I’ll continue to search.
So we BOTH thought of Luke Musgrave! NICE!
Problem is, he’s likely gone before we select @ 51.
Additionally, he’s now got a significant injury in his history.
Naples,
Thank you for the dialogue today. You’ve got me rethinking a few things in my mock draft.
If we stay put I’m still about the best prospect on our board. If the value meets need even better. I don’t think that will be QB, WR, FB, LS, K or P. LOL
Agreed, my guy.
Much like last year’s draft this one might be similar adding young players we want to develop into eventual starters. Maybe we land an immediate impact player this year just don’t know what position.