Mel Kiper on Dolphins needs and quarterbacks

Heeee's baaaack.

NFL draft guru Mel Kiper, the ESPN draft analyst extraordinaire, conducted a nearly two-hour conference call with media from around the country today.

He talked University of Miami players. He thinks cornerback Brandon Harris had a tough year but will still go in the first round. He talked Florida State. He called quarterback Christian Ponder a "poor man's Chad Pennington." He talked University of Florida. He said Mike Pouncey is nowhere near as good as his brother Markice Pouncey.

And, of course, he talked about the Miami Dolphins.

Kiper says he wasn't a huge fan of Chad Henne when he came out of Michigan in 2008 and what he saw there he's seeing from Henne in the NFL.

"I've thought about Miami and that quarterback position with Chad Henne, but I think it's unfair to kick him to the curb," Kiper said. "I was not a huge Henne guy like other people were. I thought he was wobbly inconsistent at Michigan and he is wobbly inconsistent in the NFL with Miami. That's the frustrating part. You see him great one week or in a quarter or quarter-and-a-half and then you see him revert back to an inconsistent quarterback that leaves you scratching your head with some throws that you say, 'How could you miss that receiver? How did you make that decision? How did you make that throw?' He's never been great mobility-wise but he's a big strong kid. He's a hard worker. I like Henne from that standpoint. I didn't love him coming out like some others did but I thought he'd be a serviceable starting quarterback. To kick him to the curb now is premature. He's still a young quarterback."

Kiper's Big Board on ESPN.com has the Dolphins selecting Alabama running back Mark Ingram in the first round. The Dolphins have the 15th selection in the first round.

 "For Miami, running back, they're going to restructure the backfield, which they will," Kiper said. "It'll be a new stable of running backs the way it looks. Quarterbacks they're going to have to settle on Henne is he the guy or they're going to draft a young quarterback and have competition there. Offensive guard and center, the interior of the offensive line they could look at.

"I thought Mark Ingram would be a nice start. That will improve and change the whole stable of running backs there. With Ingram you see a lot of Emmitt Smith in him. He's not the game-breaker some people may want but they said the same thing about Emmitt Smith and that's the reason he went No. 17 the year he came out of college and he became a Hall of Famer ... I think Miami could go with Ingram and then think about a quarterback down the line a little bit. Maybe an Andy Dalton [TCU], maybe a Christian Ponder [FSU], maybe a Ricky Stanzi [Iowa], somebody like that they can take down the line that can be insurance in case Henne doesn't develop into a consistent quarterback."

Well, what if the Dolphins get a wild hair and want to take a QB in the first round? The likely candidates are Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton of Auburn, Jake Locker of Washington and Ryan Mallett of Arkansas. Personally, I don't see Newton (too few starts), Mallett (no value at No. 15) as likelihoods. But that is not from a source. That's just opinion.

Kiper's problems with each of those four:

On Mallet: "The meltdowns at the Alabama and Ohio State game late. The sloppy mechanics at times. The long-striding in the pocket, which bothers me. It affected [Byron] Leftwich negatively and for Mallet I think it could be an issue."

On Newton: "You have only those 14 starts. His accuracy is not super precise.I mean his completion percentage was high because you have those huge windows, but in the NFL the windows are tight. He's not super precise. He's more accurate than others, but the concern is there.

On Gabbert: "The system. The Missouri offense is not NFL-like. And he had the meltdown at the end of the bowl game against Iowa -- that pick when he rolled left."

On Locker: "If you can't get it down against college defenses, are you going to get it done in the NFL? He had the second chance against Nebraska and struggled in that game ... Kyle Boller to me was the same way. If Kyle Boller couldn't get it done and complete a high percent of those throws at Cal, how could he come into the NFL as a first-round pick? Well, he still went in the first round. And maybe Locker will still go in the first round. This week at the Senior Bowl is important but he hasn't wowed me with what he's done down there. He's a great kid. He'll interview well. He's a tough kid. Shanahan probably would have taken him at No. 4 last year. But he's a tough projection right now. He could go Top 10. It wouldn't shock me if he went in the first round. It wouldn't shock me if he went in the second round.  

Comments

[oscar canosa]

Sorry, I forgot, add 2 tsp of salt to the H2O.

[oscar canosa]

Ronnie is a power back. He is not being utilized properly.

[alaidelon]

Here is to Fist pumber's last year!!!!! But we sill have Luck on our side. Of course if Ireland is still around, he'll pick a worthless lineman, "We pcik the best players at that slot" BS! that's taking the no research way out.
I hope for an aweful season so these F@@@@@@ coaches stop ruining the dolphins.

[Darryl Dunphy]

I agree, I think Te. Will help the offense more than a ruuning back, or reciever. We have to be able to exploit the seems, and the center of the field. This is one way to be more effective against cover 2.Which has been well documented an area we struggled. It is no secret that an atheletic tight end creatse mismatches. It help keep linebackers, as well as safties a little more honest then what they have been against us the the last two years. We missed the boat last year on a very deep draft class. This position must be addressed. If we can find a trade partner, and can draft later in the first round perhaps Ruldolph would be the right pick.I can't see him at fifteen

[alaidelon]

I hope the Fins su@k deep and hard.
Just like my mom does to all those guys

[promichael]

Oh just stop this kind of journalism. Armando you need a well deserved vacation after a poor Dolphin's season. Henne will be the backup to another more mobile QB who will have some experience. Look for the Dolphins to go after Brady Quinn. The Dolphins have to many other needs to draft a QB who will not serve them right away. Sparano needs to win to keep his job. Everyone knows the Dolphins need speed at the wide out and running back positions after Parcells took players like Henne, Pat White, Patrick Turner. Moreover the O line needs two offensive guards.

[BoulderFinFan]

I think at the end of next season we're gonna wish Dan Henning was still running the offense. These changes so far are not looking too good.
Sparano couldn't find a QB coach to do the job because he's lame duck so he makes dorrell the qb coach?

[oscar canosa]

Brady Quinn?

[Derek]

After a 1 or 2 hour read of several blogs on differing news sources, I have come to the same decision I did this time 1 year ago.

No matter what is said, or predicted and no matter what is reported by whomever, What happens between the draft and Free agency is ANYONE'S GUESS.

After all, as of this moment, the coaching staff is still in the works of sorting through the who's and the where's. But just like last year, the posts all look the same.

Every time a piece is written, many take it and run thinking it is the final word and things are now in stone. Even on the issue of assistant coaching. I'm sorry guy's, but I have watched and loved the NFL for 40+ years now and only very recently has the issue of who the assistants are been newsworthy.

Sure you knew the Head Coach, The D-Co and the O-Co... heck, you may have even known the O-line or Linebackers coach because 99 out of 100 times he is an ex-player.

I don't know... I guess the point I am driving at is fairly simple. Keep your shirts on, let the small stuff remain the small stuff and the big stuff work itself to its final rest. We will no nothing of this team until we see then play in the first preseason game.

Last year, after all was said and done, that is when we really saw what we had. And truth be told, last years preseason gave a very realistic view of what we saw for the next 17 weeks... and what that was was mediocrity.

Personally, in the face of all the negative attention and negativity from the fans... I feel Miami will improve next year. Perhaps not drastically. But I do believe without Parcells lording it over them, and being stuck with HIS BRAND on every player and position. This team has an opportunity to be new and unpredictable.

Yeah, Maybe I am naive... I'll take my experience and what I have seen teams do when enough change stirs them in the right direction over the easy rout of just calling it a "Suck for Luck" season... because after all, Locker was a Top 10 pick in last years draft... he stayed 1 more year and will be lucky to go in the first round... Proving that any and all things are temporary and for that moment only. I just have a hunch... and I'll roll with it!

[Jimmy Jam]

Thanks Bobbyd. I'll check him out.

[oscar canosa]

That's the Truth, Ruth(Derek).

[Greg Cote]

The Dolphins completed their revised coaching staff today with some curious/questionable moves that seem in keeping with the oddness so far: extending Tony Sparano's contract despite shopping for his replacement, and hiring Brian Daboll to run the offense despite his lack of success in Cleveland. In the latest moves, Miami made a special-teams coach of former ST assistant Darren Rizzi; turned wide receivers coach Karl Dorell into quarterbacks coach; moved Steve Bush from offensive quality control coach (a fairly minor position) to wide receivers coach; hired Tony Sparano Jr. (yes, the head coach's son, pictured) as offensive quality control coach; and brought in longtime former NFL receiver Ike Hilliard as assistant WRs coach. The word that connects all of these moves: Inexperience. Guys in new and in some cases unfamiliar roles. And that includes Tony The Kid coming in after a mere one year's coaching experience in the UFL. Beyond that, the appearance of nepotism alone makes the hire a questionable move for both Daddy and son. (The good news? Sparano's wife, Jeanette, had not yet been named as an assistant coach as of this writing). Another strange day for the Dolphins.

[shadow]

Anyone who can't see this team is unraveling from the top down is blind or in denial.

[oscar canosa]

Can't argue about it, Cote.

[larry]

Drafting a QB in the first round is so hard....first youhave to have guys that stand out as legitimate starters to draft in the 1st round....from the sounds of it, there is no one, bonified, college qb who is really 1st round draft material...but high demand and low inventory drives up the price...and so...well, you draft a qb 1st round and he flops and it costs you your job....You don't draft a qb 1st round because you don't see a real star there and you get criticized for not taking a chance and being aggressive enough to find the cornerstone to your club. Tough either way. Personally....I say ...and I hae to admit it....draft for best offensive athlete 1st round (won't be a qb) see if we can trade some how for Orton, great chemistry between him and his former wide receiver, Brandon Marshal)! Keep Henne and Thiggy this year or let one go and draft one....I could definitely see Ireland trying to trade down again in the 1st round to pick up a 2nd rounder again and I think that is a top priority of his...Dolphins fan forever! Go Phins!

[oscar canosa]

Hard stuff to swallow but it is the Truth. But still there remains Hope. Yes?

[shadow]

I love man juice on my chin

[oscar canosa]

Yeah, I know you can't swallow that, shadow.

[GulfDolphin]

We need an unraveling. It is also considered to be a revamping, restructuring, resurrection...

Do not think for one second you know more than the FO as to what is going on behind the scenes. Football is their life. They live and die for it. It is their goal to susceed, not fail.

However, I see where you are coming from all thy naysayers. But to critize every single aspect and decision this group makes before the ink on the dotted line is dry is freakin' LAME.

Get back to your recipe book, and blame your indigestion on your choice of platter.

I am sick and tired of the spoiled rotten attitude that so many of you cling to.

I see this coaching restructuring, and I am enthused. This is what many poster screamed for just a month or so ago. Now that it happening, many of the same crybabbies are screaming again.

I liken this revamping to an old saying, "When you have too many chiefs, and not enough indians, nothing ever gets acomplished.

We rid ourselves of B.P., and now we've rid ourselves of other problems. If nothing else, we've nipped a diseased bud or two.

By the way, I always step it up a notch or two when I am in the presence of my father. Always have, and always will. I am his Indian, forever.

[shadow]

oscar don't be fooled by the silly fakers... @11:08 is one of the jokers here.

[shadow]

Gulf...sounds like you are drinking the kool aid..the same FO that you say knows so much has put us in this disaster. Team going backwards fast. Sparano has lost the team, and now half the new coaches don't even have the right experience, the good ones wont come here because they know its regime change after next season. Have you forgotten how hard the owner tried to dump the coach? and with no class or respect. Hope won't help you friend, hope is for the weak, not for the realists. The whole division is improving while we are tanking.

[shadow]

Gulf..you would probably follow General Custer...Blind faith, follow the leader no matter how wrong they may be. Just because people live something day in and day out doesn't necessarily mean they are any good at it. Perfect example is this clusterferck of an organization.

[shadow]

I'm as dumb-as-a-fuckin-rock
But even dumbasses are allowed to post here

[shadow]

Gulf...silly boy...not fooling anyone at @11:32... go to mommy and get your diapers changed now.

[shadow]

Listen to me
Because I have built NFL winners

On Madden

I really su@k as a fan

[GulfDolphin]

Shadow, I understand that it appears bleak, but I truely believe that this coaching shake down is for the better, not worse. Of course, that's the difference between you and I. Optimist vs pesimist, without a crystal ball,and that's for real.

And neither am I weak.

[Clamato Juice]

PARADES OF MICE PEOPLE AND YARN!! LEMON TRISCUIT BUTTERSNAP PELICAN!!

THE TARANTULAS OF KOREA INVITE YOU TO A PLASTIC DRESS REVIVAL!

[shadow]

I will su@k my mommys titties
Like all the other guys

I'm a-fuckin Jets Troll

[shadow]

Gulf...you are confusing realism with pessimism because you can't handle reality. I have never seen an organization in a more dismal pathetic state as its in now...from a foolish owner to a coach that couldn't outwit a fly. We are the embarrassment of the NFL and you are applauding them. Not even a first time NFL coach would accept the highest offer in history to come here. Not even the owner of the team respects his staff. Wake up...Was this what you envisioned 3 years after Parcells took over? 1-7 at home, worst offense and ST in the history of the team...and in your mind we are on the right track...unfathomable.

[GulfDolphin]

Go figure...

[Gang of Defeat]

Welcome shadow

We add another skumbag to our Fan Club

0x80

President

Gang of Defeat

[GulfDolphin]

Remember to wash your mouth out with a gritty bar of Lava soap...hehe

[shadow]

I am definitely a Jets Troll

Look at my posts

The reality is I will blow any guy

With a Jets Jersey

[shadow]

oh yes..good solution..soap and avoidance...

Look, next season will be a joke, an excuse for Sparano to fail, we will get rolling again in 2012, next season is a wash. Ross totally messed up, he is a clown.

Don't understand those who blindly follow losers with false hopes. The team needs a fresh start. NE and NY are way ahead of us.

[redsky]

Ann said, Cuban = Redsky= Aloco, great mix of intellect she/he is challenging

[DyingBreed]

The primary reason Im not 100% sold on drafting a qb with a 1st rd pick this year is simply because of upside. They may presently have a better overall grade but there are a couple qb's with a lower present grade and much higher upside.

Dont wanna mistakenly draft a qb that getting a 1st rd draft grade may be a nudge away from his performance ceiling. I'ld much rather have a 3rd rd qb who's ceiling is nearly totally off the charts.

[shadow]

NE and NY have real coaches and real QB's. Fins have jokes. Is this what we brought Parcells in for? Parcells has more admiration for Ryan than he does Sparano. He bailed on TS and recommended Ryan. Time to flush and start again.

[redsky]

Bobbyd12 R

[shadow]

Anyway...just my 2 cents. Bash me for caring...I don't like to put my faith in those who have given me no evidence that they know what they are doing. I'm not convinced Ross can even bring in the right people now, he scared the good ones away.

[Box of Kleenex]

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Here's your tissue you whiny bit@h

[darrilo]

shadow..take it light...looks like Aloco and one of his many personalities is attacking you. Consider it a compliment!

[redsky]

Bobbyd12 R

[shadow]

I will be back later to post

My impressive NFL Resume

Since I've built sooo many winners

[redsky]

Bobbyd12 R

[redsky]

BobbyD12 forget it, not being posted.

[GulfDolphin]

Tony is the cutest coach we've had in years...lets give him our full support!

[GulfDolphin]

Breed, I agree. I hope the fins get it right this year. If they are able to put the correct peices together - in addition to what we already have in place - this team will be exciting to watch again

[Stephen Ross]

shadow, thank you for your input
Now go to bed like a good little boy

I have more money in my wallet
Then you will make in your lifetime

Leave the team to me

[shadow]

Ross, Let me take this moment to thank you for making a perfect ass out of yourself in front of the whole country. You disgraced your team and shamed your head coach. Do us a favor now and sell the team soon.

[shadow]

Oh well, thought this was a blog for adults. I see its more for those with a kiddie mentality. Maybe its the hour... Try not to wet the bed now...peace out...

[Stephen Ross]

Run along little boy

You know nothing

Your a nobody

No one will ever care

Now put on your Jets pajamas

And go to bed

[Greg Cote]

The Dolphins completed their revised coaching staff today with some curious/questionable moves that seem in keeping with the oddness so far: extending Tony Sparano's contract despite shopping for his replacement, and hiring Brian Daboll to run the offense despite his lack of success in Cleveland. In the latest moves, Miami made a special-teams coach of former ST assistant Darren Rizzi; turned wide receivers coach Karl Dorell into quarterbacks coach; moved Steve Bush from offensive quality control coach (a fairly minor position) to wide receivers coach; hired Tony Sparano Jr. (yes, the head coach's son, pictured) as offensive quality control coach; and brought in longtime former NFL receiver Ike Hilliard as assistant WRs coach. The word that connects all of these moves: Inexperience. Guys in new and in some cases unfamiliar roles. And that includes Tony The Kid coming in after a mere one year's coaching experience in the UFL. Beyond that, the appearance of nepotism alone makes the hire a questionable move for both Daddy and son. (The good news? Sparano's wife, Jeanette, had not yet been named as an assistant coach as of this writing). Another strange day for the Dolphins.

Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2011/01/mel-kiper-on-dolphins-needs-and-quarterbacks/comments/page/5/#comments#ixzz1CD4YXXEZ

[Stephen Ross]

Yes this blog is for adults
For fans who want their team to do well
For fans who root for improvement

Not for whiny little cryers
Wishing for failure
Come back when you grow up

And want to talk about players
And improvement
Not hoping for failure

[Peter King]

Belichek Brady, check
Ryan Sanchez, check
Gailey Fitzpatrick, possibilities
Sparanal Henstall, hahahahahahahahaha

[GulfDolphin]

Umm, at 12:05 shadow used my Gulf Dolphin pinmenship as a post saying something gay.

What a heathen...

[GayDolphin]

GulfDolphin, what size is your blow hole?

[frigo]

GayDolphin go blow yourself fago

[GulfDolphin]

i'm just a fish that is why i am too dumb to spell pinmenship...but i know everything else. i think. maybe. i'm smart, you know?

[GayDolphin]

frigo, how bout you blow me? I bet you would never go back

[GayDolphin]

You spelled it like you thought it, penisship. hehhehehe