Remember back in 2005 when Nick Saban (sorry, had to say his name) took over the Dolphins and in his first draft he went with a Southeastern Conference player in the first round? And he picked an SEC player in the third round. And another in the fourth round.
Saban said he picked guys from the SEC because he had coached in the conference at Louisiana State and was familiar with the players. Saban also plucked Kevin Vickerson from Michigan State in the seventh round and it was no coincidence he had coached at Michigan State before LSU and was still closely tied to folks at that program.
The point is familiarity was something Saban believed -- right or wrong -- gave him an advantage. It obviously didn't play out that way in 2006 when Saban picked an SEC guy in the first round again, especially when we all saw Jason Allen trying to cover people. But, again, familiarity was important to the coach.
Fast forward to the Bill Parcells era. He had an amazing tie to Montana, for some reason. And the Dolphins drafted Lex Hilliard from Montana. And the Dolphins signed kicker Dan Carpenter from Montana. And the Dolphins added Cory Procter to the roster at different times last year. Procter came from the Dallas Cowboys via, you guessed it, Montana.
I say all that to say this: All NFL teams have programs they feel very comfortable with. They feel they get inside information from those programs. The coaches on the NFL team feel they have a kinship with the coaches on the college team.
Bill Belichick had that with Saban at LSU and with Urban Meyer at Florida most recently. I guess that's the reason he felt comfortable picking TE Aaron Hernandez when other teams were worried about the kid's drug tests.
The Dolphins used to have a program they were pretty comfortable with once upon a time -- the University of Miami. This column in today's Miami Herald outlines the history of the ties between Miami's professional and collegiate football teams.
But the relationship got broken around the middle of the last decade for reasons the column explains. And that wasn't good for either, in my opinion.
It didn't hurt as much as it could because the Hurricanes haven't been championship-caliber in recent years. So the Dolphins haven't exactly missed out on players that were difference-makers -- with the exception of Jimmy Graham last year. (Yes, that's only a projection, but I love that kid's potential and cannot understand why the Dolphins didn't get him). I seriously wonder why it is a kid like Sam Shields, who played at Miami and was available as an undrafted free agent, signed with the Green Bay Packers and not the Miami Dolphins?
That kind of stuff shouldn't be happening. And apparently Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland is working to keep that from happening in the future. At least it looks like he is.
That's good because other teams are apparently working things at UM these days as well. Not the least of those teams is the Patriots, who got themselves a pretty sweet connection to the U in former quarterback Bernie Kosar, who is working for New England as a consultant.
But apparently Ireland has the right idea in making nice with the Canes and making sure the valuable information on players that the college coaches might have goes to the Dolphins also.
The Canes had their Pro Day last week. Bad weather caused a suspension and postponement. They will pick back up March 25. The results of Pro Day are only partial because the event did not conclude. I have shared with you the available results below.
And if you are not impressed with any of the players available from Miami this year, that's OK. This isn't about getting a fast fix. The relationship I hope the Dolphins and Canes are forging is a long-term one that will take advantage of Miami players well into the coming years.
At the very least, the fact the lines of communication are open again is good news.
| Name | Pos. | Ht | Wt | 40 Yd Dash | Vert. Jump | Bench Press | 60 yd Shuttle | Pro-shuttle | L Drill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Bosher | K/P | 6-004 | 207 | ||||||
| Jared Campbell | DB | 5-11 | 200 | 4.7 | 31 | 14 | |||
| Richard Gordon | TE | 6-33 | 267 | 4.65 | 32.5 | 25 | |||
| Patrick Hill | FB | 5-81 | 237 | 5.05 | 27.5 | 21 | |||
| Ryan Hill | DB | 5-11 | 202 | 4.52 | 32 | 17 | |||
| Cory Nelms | DB | 5-11 | 191 | 4.39 | 37 | 14 | |||
| Kylan Robinson | LB | 5-11 | 224 | 4.73 | 32 | 17 | |||
| Allen Bailey | DL | 6-33 | 281 | ||||||
| Damien Berry | RB | 5-10 | 206 | 4.45 | |||||
| Graig Cooper | RB | 5-105 | 197 | 4.6 | 32.5 | ||||
| Orlando Franklin | OL | 6-57 | 315 | 30 | |||||
| Brandon Harris | DB | 5-10 | 190 | 34.5 | |||||
| Leonard Hankerson | WR | 6-2 | 202 | ||||||
| Colin McCarthy | LB | 6-013 | 236 | ||||||
| DeMarcus Van Dyke | DB | 6-010 | 174 |
Mando, Funny you should post Matt Bosher a kicker at the top of the list....Please dont put any ideas in the fist pumper's head.......
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 10:01 AM
second
Posted by: anonomys | March 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM
This means we're gonna take Orlando Franklin at guard and move Incognito to center
Posted by: anonomys | March 13, 2011 at 10:31 AM
I never understood why of all the great canes players, particularly defensive players, in the past 25 years, none of them wore a dolphins jersey. Everyone knew Wilfork was going to be awesome yet we passed on him.
haven't read your article yet, but great discussion there. Thanks Mando.
GO CANES!!!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Posted by: dolfanSF | March 13, 2011 at 10:43 AM
SF, The front office has been "Out for lunch" the better part of 15 years..........IMHO./.
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 10:47 AM
About Time the Dolphins Look at the Talent at the U....How many times have they NOT even looked there and then have to play against them when they come to Miami on other Teams...?????
Posted by: zonk-39 | March 13, 2011 at 11:17 AM
This article is somewhat incorrect. If you were to look at the Dolphins roster at any point since 1985 you would be challenged to find more than one Hurricane player on the roster at any given year (except 1996, when we had Erickson, Hill, and Thomas on the roster)
There certainly have been very few Hurricanes drafted in the last 25 years. The few that I can recall off the top of my head:
Melvin Bratton
Randall Hill
Yatil Green
Vernon Carey
Posted by: TonyCane | March 13, 2011 at 11:33 AM
TC, Wasant Bratton taken by the broncos in the draft, He had a horrible knee injury during the National champ. game vs Nabraska dropping him to the 5th round if memory serves me right.
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Mando these stories get worse and worse. Your story floats the idea that it is the relationship between an NFL team and a college team that determines where a player plays professionally.
That's preposterous! It is the NFL draft that decides.
Hankerson should be a monster receiver in the NFL.
The team that he plays for will be decided by the draft not the relationship between an NFL coach and a college AD.
Posted by: PriceMaster | March 13, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Price, It's all "Back-door" Football......
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Hey CM my amigo.
It's not all back-door football.
The wildcat is back-door football and that train has left this town for good!
Posted by: PriceMaster | March 13, 2011 at 12:03 PM
PM, I can only hope the wild cat has left the building, But with the fist-pumper, who really knows??
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:05 PM
As for Hilliard he produced less in 2009 than Pat White did (look it up) and you never hammered him.
In 2010 Hilliard produced less than he did in 2009.
And Patrick Cobbs produces less than Hilliard but you never hammer him either.
Why is that?
Posted by: PriceMaster | March 13, 2011 at 12:08 PM
PM. I think it has to do with pat being a # 2 pick, but I might be wrong.......
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Amanda wrote: I seriously wonder why it is a kid like Sam Shields, who played at Miami and was available as an undrafted free agent, signed with the Green Bay Packers and not the Miami Dolphins?
Tim writes: Sam wants to play for a winning franchise?
Posted by: tim | March 13, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Getting back to the lockout I am not against a rookie salary cap.
The way things are if the team gets a top 5 pick it's screwed because whoever gets picks becomes on of the highest paid in the league before they play even 1 snap.
Sometimes you get a Jake Long or a Matt Ryan. Other times you get a Jamarcus Russell or Matt Stafford and then the team is screwed for 5 years.
Seriously how would like to be a Lions fan now. Stafford has had 2 surgeries on his throwing shoulder now in 2 seasons (just like Penny).
Posted by: PriceMaster | March 13, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Timmy, Welcome to G.O.D.(Gang of defeat)...
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:25 PM
damien berry would be great for the dolphins if hes there in the 3rd.
Posted by: Eddie | March 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM
I read somewhere that the Dolphins had Sam Shields in for a workout, Sparano asked Shields who the Dolphins' DB coach was, the kid couldn't answer, and the coach yelled at the kid repeatedly and told him to get out of the building. Yep, our great leader Sparano didn't even give the guy a chance to play.
The ending to the Harbaugh flirtation hurts me more every day.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | March 13, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Mark, Not sure if that's factual, but it wont surprise me either...
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:37 PM
"Would'nt"
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:38 PM
CM he was a 2nd rounder meaning he gets paid less than $1million/season. And I don't know of any 2nd team QB's that are allowed to take the starting qb out, put themselves in and then call thier own plays.
I don't want to talk about White anymore though.
Until there is some actual news I'll stick to hammering the poor journalism:
...Solia wants $4.5 mil and the Phins won't go anywhere near there...Daboll and Henne conspired to break the league's rules on contact between and a coach and it's players...Sparano/Ireland have the power to bench Henne...List the players entering final year of contract and leave Henne's name off the list...
Posted by: PriceMaster | March 13, 2011 at 12:44 PM
CM,
Here you go....
Miami Hurricanes football players ‘fired up’ by new coach Al Golden
.By Barry Jackson
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
« Previous |Page 3 of 3
• Shields’ father said his son worked out for the Dolphins, but Miami made no offer. “ Tony Sparano asked Sam the name of the defensive backs coach [ Todd Bowles] and Sam didn’t know,” Samuel Shields said. “Sparano then started yelling and said, ‘You failed the test already!’” Ugh.
Posted by: UTdolfan | March 13, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Sam Shields is exhibit A on how much good coaching matters. Four years at UM, almost no impact. Then he goes on to make one big play after another for the team that wins the Super Bowl. Nice job, Randy Shannon.
Posted by: GarbagePlate | March 13, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Shield should have then asked Tony Sparano if he knows who the head coach is.
Posted by: 0x80 | March 13, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Daboll, LMAOROTF, Here's a guy that was more ineffective then the living corpse Dan(I've been dead since 1964)Henning, What is the front office thinking.., 3 and 13 this upcoming season(1 and 8 in a strike shorten season)......
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:52 PM
UT, Amazing this guy is the head coach, BTW sam was a horrible wide-out for the canes, good thing he switched to defense, otherwise he'd been worse then Ted(Ive got amangina)Ginn.......
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Speaking of the Packers, the Dolphins could take a few more lessons from them on how to build a winner.
- Great draft record the last 4 or 5 years: Mathews, Raji, Jennings, Hawk, J. Jones, J. Nelson.
- Didnt use a 1st rounder on a RB. Theres alot of Ryan Grant's and James Starks' out there. (i.e Jordan Todman, RB, Conn)
- Patience at QB. Well timed separation with Favre. Rodgers didnt really get to play until his 4th year. Not all teams have that luxury, but most QB's are not very effective until that 3rd or 4th year. (yes, give Henne one more year)
- Good job supplementing good draft picks with good FA's (woodson) and acorns (Shields). The Dolphins have been good at that, bringing in guys like Dansby, while finding guys like Wake and Bess
Posted by: GarbagePlate | March 13, 2011 at 01:03 PM
Well put Garbage Plate
Posted by: PriceMaster | March 13, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Good to hear about the U connection And yeah, it's been sickening to see Miami players on other teams. Maybe Ireland's been getting pointers from somebody not named Parcells? I can dream, can't I?
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 13, 2011 at 02:06 PM
How'd that "talent" do in the Sun Bowl??
Posted by: turd ferguson | March 13, 2011 at 02:16 PM
The University of Miami's football program has set multiple records in producing players who go on to the National Football League. The Hurricanes hold the record for most players selected in the first round in a single draft (6, in 2004), most first-round draft picks in a two-year period (11, from 2003 to 2004), most first-round draft picks in a three-year period (15, from 2002 through 2004), and most first-round picks in a four-year period (19, from 2001 through 2004). For a 14-year period, from 1994 through 2008, Miami had at least one player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Hurricanes also hold an active streak of 139 consecutive regular season weeks where a former Miami Hurricane has scored a touchdown in an NFL game; the streak started in Week 15 of the 2002 NFL regular season and is current through Week 17 of the 2010 NFL regular season.[1] The Miami Hurricanes are also 10th overall on the NFL's all-time number of draft picks with 299.[2]
Since 1999, Miami Hurricanes has had 67 players selected, 2nd-most in the nation, behind only Ohio State University (77). In the same time-span, Hurricanes players were picked 33 times in the first-round, the most of any Division I university.[3] From the 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team alone, 17 players went on to compete in the NFL.
Over time, some sportswriters[4][5][6][7] have called Miami 'Quarterback U' as a result of the number of high-profile quarterbacks who attended UM, including Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde, Steve Walsh, Craig Erickson, Gino Torretta, and Ken Dorsey.
Questions?
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 13, 2011 at 02:24 PM
If you're going to cut and paste Wikipedia entries you should cite it.
Posted by: pete | March 13, 2011 at 03:11 PM
sparano/ireland(on the job trainee's) put us dolphins at a disadvantage. we desparately need talent evaluators! we cant afford to keep wasting picks looking for "acorns" while missing badly on real talent.
Posted by: greg z. | March 13, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Why? Not a college term paper and if you're a fan, you know this stuff anyway.
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 13, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Greg, that and I'm smarter than you syndrome. Wonder how much of this was Parcells training methods?
Posted by: cocoajoe | March 13, 2011 at 03:35 PM
WHAT?
Did Armando say Ireland reads Dolphins in Depth?
Good God! Just in case he reads this far down the comments section: Jeffy, try some progene you pumk!
PS: MAKE Mr. Nolan move Clemons to SS and start Reshad at FS!
Your Welcome-PUNK!
Posted by: odinseye | March 13, 2011 at 03:49 PM
I don`t get this blogg the Fins have notoriously thru out there history ignored the talent pool at Coral Gables. In 27 years as Fins head man Shula would only pick draft busts Jay Brophy and Randall Hill with a high draft pick. To give one glaring example, the 93 NFL Draft comes to mind. The Fins needing major upgrades at the LB position pass on the UM`s big three known as the bermuda triangle ( J.Armstead, M.Barrow, D.Smith). Darren Smith would be the last pick of rd.1 that year to Super Bowl Champ Dallas were he would start as a rookie. Barrow went to Car. in the 2nd rd, were he would go to 3 Pro Bowl`s and lead the league in tackles in 94, he was always around the league leaders in his day. Armstead fell to rd.6 because of a knee injury and the 5 time PB player made everybody regret it, he may have been the best of the 3. If you analyze the fact that we always got suspect play at the position in those years and that Shula could have drafted all 3 even if he did nothing else on that draft day, it speaks volumes.
Then JJ came in and your thinking finally someone that won`t ignore local talent and he starts the 96 draft by passing on maybe the best MLB in history (Ray Lewis) while taking under achieving malcontent D.Gardener. The reason poeple forget this is because he got lucky in rd.5 with Zach, by the way Lewis still playing and inspiring his team. I won`t even get into Wanny passing on Wilfork for Carey, yeah great advise they have gotten from UM Coaches !!!!!!
Posted by: fin4life | March 13, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Excuse the mistake on my last post Micheal Barrow was drafted by the Houston Oilers in rd.2 were he lead the league in tackles and was part of the move to Tenn, before signing biggest contract for a LB with Car.
Posted by: fin4life | March 13, 2011 at 04:23 PM
By the way back in 1982 or 83 when the USFL was being formed the owner of the N.J. Generals, one D.Trump offered Shula record money to coach his team, which by the way featured H.Walker and D.Flutie. While Shula shot the offer down and never really flirted with it local news still went into hyper mode about his possible replacement saying Shnellenberger could be a nice fit, I wonder how comfortable and chummy this made Shula feel ?
Posted by: fin4life | March 13, 2011 at 04:34 PM
USFL, Another joke, I wonder if "Hollywood" Ross was a potental investor, Mando, Check this possible scoop out...5 Bucks says this loser was involvoed somehow..
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:06 PM
fin4life,
You just ripped the scab off an old wound.
I thought I had successfully blocked those mamories out. THANKS, I'm hurting all over AGAIN-LOL!
Interesting facts, UGLY and PAINFUL, but yeah, interseting....................
Bermuda Triangle(SIGH)!
Posted by: odinseye | March 13, 2011 at 05:13 PM
YOU KNOW WHAT , THIS IS B.S.!!!! GOODELL ( THE KING IDIOT ) SAY'S THERE WILL BE A SEASON. WHAT, 7,8,9, MAYBE 10 GAMES. THEN WE STILL HAVE GUYS ON HERE , THEY SHOULD DRAFT THIS , THE SHOULD DRAFT THAT. SOME OF THE GUYS ON HERE THINK THEY'RE MINI-BERMANS (CHRIS ) AND THINK THEY MISSED THEIR CALLING. AS REAL FANS WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND SAY THIS IS ENOUGH!! THIS WHOLE COUNTRY IS STEADY SCREWING PEOPLE FROM THE BANKS, TO THE OIL COMPANIES, TO THE DAMN GOVERNMENT AND ALL THE DAMN SHEEP SAY--- OKAY , JUST MAKE SURE YOU USE VASELINE AND I'LL PAY MORE. LET ME ASK YOU REAL PEOPLE THIS ! iF YOU WERE MAKING 20 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR RIGHT NOW WOULD YOU BE CRYING ABOUT HEALTHCARE??? HELL IF YOU WERE MAKING 300,000 PER YEAR YOU'D GO OUT A BUY A DAMN POLICY!!! IT'S ALL ABOUT GREED AND FFFFING EVERYONE ELSE TO GET YOURS, YET THE BLUE COLLAR GUY KEEPS PAYING. YOU WANT AN ABBREVIATED FOOTBALL SEASON, WOULD YOU PAY FOR A DAMN CAR WITH 3 WHEELS--HELL NO! ALSO F%#K THE DRAFT. IF THEY DON'T HAVE CBA THEY CAN'T SIGN THE G-DAMN PLAYERS ANY FREAKIN' WAY.
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:25 PM
Great god of thunder, I call Hot ashley(AKA Princess of pineapples) Patch"The Bermuda Triangle", I'am still trying to get out of it, But I really dont want to If you know What I mean, And I think you do............
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:26 PM
AS FAR AS U OF M, THEY'LL GO TO THE WWE BEFORE THEY GO TO THE FINS AND THAT HIGHLY, MULTI-DYSFUNCTIONAL EMBARRASSMENT OF A SPORTS FRANCHISE!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Guy's, Lets not fret over a possible season of no football, lets think of things that NFL players on strike will be doing, I'll Start, Ben Rothlisberger will be hanging out at several community collages in the Penn. Area...
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:34 PM
MANDO,
YOU HAVE ONE GOOD ARTICLE ( YESTERDAY ) AND YOU BRING UP THE 2 SCUMMIEST PUKE WORDS IN ALL OF DOLPHIN HISTORY , PARCELLS AND SABAN !
GREG COTE COPY CAT POLL--
WHO'S THE BIGGEST LIAR AND THEIF, SABAN OR THE FAT TUNA???
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:35 PM
VICK WILL BE HANGING OUT AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY ( PROBABLY IN FLORIDA BECAUSE WE CAN'T SEEM TO FIND CHILDREN A GOOD HOME LET ALONE ANIMALS ).
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:37 PM
BURRESS WILL PROBABLY GET A JOB WITH ATF!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:37 PM
Ted(No Testicular Fortitude)Ginn will be a spokesperson for Massingale douche products..
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:38 PM
BRADY WILL STAY IN BRASIL AND GET A SEX CHANGE SO HE CAN BE THE LESBIAN HE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE.
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:38 PM
CUBAN -- THIS IS FUN!!!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:39 PM
HENNE WILL GET CORRECTIVE EYE SURGERY AND LEARN TO READ!
YOU TRY ONE!!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:40 PM
SPARANO WILL REALISE THAT WHEN HE DOES THE FAMOUS FIELD GOAL FIST PUMP THAT IF HE PUTS HIS PENIS IN HIS HAND FIRST IT'S WAY MORE FUN -- THEN HE GETS A SPOT ON JERSEY SHORE.
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Channing Crowder will be a spokesman for Nordick tracks new staionary bike..
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:42 PM
THEN, ( WITH THAT GOOFY SMILE ) CROWDER PAINTS HIMSELF ORANGE AT HALLOWEEN AND BECOMES THE GREAT PUMPKIN!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:45 PM
DAMN!! WHO NEEDS FOOTBALL THESE GUYS WILL HAVE WAY MORE FUN IF THEY DON'T PLAY!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Lil Aloco will quit his job at subway and become Obama's secretary of health and human resources.....
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:50 PM
MANDO QUITS HIS JOB AND BECOMES THE BRIDE OF J.T AND GETS MARRIED IN A JETS JERSEY!
Posted by: FINS ARMEGEDDON | March 13, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Home will be released from the mental instatution ands team up with Oliver Stone to make the Summer Mega-hit "Have a HARRPY DAY", Unable to sign Brad Pitt to play Home, Oliver decides to go with Carrot Top to play the lead role...........
Posted by: Cuban Menace | March 13, 2011 at 05:57 PM