When the draft resumes this afternoon, I'm hoping the Dolphins land a certain RB that I've had my eyes on for a while whose name I will not type here because, believe it or not, I've recently learned at least one rival AFC team reads this blog for updates on what the Dolphins are thinking -- obviously not recognizing that I don't know squat about squat.
Joke's on them!
Nonetheless, I won't mention this RBs name at this point, not that it's a big secret.
Lookit, the Dolphins need speed today. It is lacking for them on offense. It is lacking on defense, although not to the same degree. It is definitely lacking on special teams.
Speed, speed, speed, speed, speed, speed!
When Bill Parcells first started constructing this team it started looking like a mirror image of the 1990 New York Giants for a while there. The Dolphins were big, hulking, and bulking. This team looks very imposing in the airport.
But the game has changed since 1990 and is played on the field not in an airport. So the plodding Fins have some adjusting to do.
They need speed to be more dynamic. They need speed to make sure those kickoff returns and punt returns stop going 90 yards in the other direction. They need speed to do something that we haven't seen around here a lot lately: Blow somebody up with a 90-yard punt return of their own, or hit them on a 74-yard run, or throw a 68-yard bomb over the top of their defense, or return an interception 101 yards.
So my hope is today is about turning the Incredible Hulk into Flash. Or something like that.
The hope for today is a:
Change of pace fast RB.
A return man. Must be ... fast.
(Hopefully the Dolphins can get two for one by having the fast RB also be a fast return guy.)
OLB help to punish Tom Brady and Slim Shady now that they're boys in New England.
Maybe a NT. He's the only one that doesn't need to be fast. Don't sleep on the NT, by the way.
[NOTE: Live blog happening right here at noon. Yesterday was the biggest day on this blog in all of 2011. Enormous! Thank you. And thanks to that team for checking in. I don't know anything.]
Chris, - both Stanzi and McElroy see the field MUCH better than Henne. Everyone beats Henne by locking in to his eyes. He telegraphs his passes, and ignores the left side of the field unless the play is designed there. Bad decisions, bad reads, but stronger arm is Henne compared to Stanzi, and McElroy. That's why I didn't want Mallett. Philip Rivers doesn't have a strong arm either, but he's considered elite. Stanzi or McElroy are much closer to his quality. I'd take a chance on either of them. Not much to lose here in the 4-7s.
Posted by: JS in LA | April 30, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Craig M, you impress me every time I read your comments. You are deff. in the 5% of Dolphin fans who are not retards or married to their sister, the other 95% have no clue and are the worst fans in the league. Keep up the good work and stay positive, the fins will be on top again one day.........soon.
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Agree with Mando.
I believe Sheets will end up not being the answer for what we need as well.
Cheers,
Posted by: Rob in OC | April 30, 2011 at 12:26 PM
It looks like the tight ends are starting to come off the board.
Craig M...I'm happy that the Phins passed on Mallet. I think he would have been set up for failure here. Even if he gets it together and becomes a good quarterback. IMO it was never in the cards here..He would have been forced into playing before I think our personel was set up properly for him to succeed.
As far as Palmer..I'm a fence sitter. Some days it makes sense to me. Other days. Not so much. If we could get him at a decent price, I think he is a model stop gap until we can build the core of this team, draft a QB, and develop him the right way.
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | April 30, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Even rookie I think Stanzi cancompete with Hene for the starting job
Posted by: adrian solorza | April 30, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Look out for Tyrod Taylor, I think he will be bringing his talents to South Davie!
Posted by: FB | April 30, 2011 at 12:27 PM
I hate this point in the draft. The talking heads just blah blah blah. Don't tell you about trades and you can't keep up with the picks.
Posted by: DolFan Rick | April 30, 2011 at 12:27 PM
I'm rooting for the kid from Eastern Washington. Of course that's a homer attitude having lived only a few miles from Cheney, Washington for many years. If he is also a return guy it would solidify two positions and come much cheaper than Reggie Bush or DeAngelo Williams. That's money we can save for a FA QB.
Posted by: Chris in the 623 | April 30, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Helu is another on my 2nd list...However, 1st list remains untouched!
Posted by: MojoMark | April 30, 2011 at 12:28 PM
How much does anyone want to bet we DO pick up a QB, and he'll be no-one anyone has mentioned in the media or this forum? Just feel it.
Posted by: JS in LA | April 30, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Good pick for the Vikings, that Ballard kid plays fast for his size.
Posted by: Mlb2007atla | April 30, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Who do you all think we will pick. D.J. Williams, T. Jones, or ?
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:30 PM
4th rd picks I'd love to see
Da'Norris Searcy SS UNC
Jerrell Jernigan WR Troy
Colin McCarthy ILB The U
Quinton Carter FS Oklahoma
Chimdi Chekwa DB OSU
Greg Salas WR Hawaii
Jordan Todman RB UCONN
Sam Acho OLB Texas
Ross Homan OLB OSU
Jordan Cameron TE USC
6th
Tyrod Taylor QB VT
Andrew Jackson OG Fresno St
Charles Clay HB Tulsa
DeMarcus Love OL Arkansas
Terrance Tolliver WR LSU
Ricky Elmore OLB Arizona
Lee Ziemba OL Auburn
Lawrence Wilson OLB UCONN
Stephen Schilling OG Michigan
Ronald Johnson WR USC
Lee Smith TE Marshall
Posted by: beerphin | April 30, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Armando,
Why are the experts making such a big deal over the rookies from today not getting a playbook? Can't the vets/rookies that already have playbooks share them with those that don't?
(Haven't they ever heard of a copier?)
Posted by: Matthew Stevens | April 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM
finatic13,
Thanks for your kind words. I make a lot of enemies on here because I don't bash the brass the way a lot of guys do. I want something to cheer for, not something to complain about. If I wanted something to complain about I would stil be married...LOL.
TE's coming off the board.....good time to grab one!
Posted by: Craig M | April 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM
No one ahead of us needs a RB...hmmm.
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Look at who's left at wr. There will be no speed left to draft in the 6th. Take a rb or te here and forget about trying to get a speed wr in the draft.
Posted by: stra8balla | April 30, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Jordan Todman, RB, Conn???
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:34 PM
FB, just because you mentioned Taylor, he won't be picked. Personally i have no interest in him - which DOES bode well for him being picked ;)
Posted by: JS in LA | April 30, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Got to take off guys....enjoy the day!!
I'll check in later....
Posted by: Craig M | April 30, 2011 at 12:34 PM
@stra8balla...Edmund Gates has 4.31 speed at WR.
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Im guessing if they fall we will go after Todman, Hunter, Green, or Williams. So the ? is which is worth a 4th rd a rb or te
Posted by: bk | April 30, 2011 at 12:35 PM
you can get a ton of speedy undrafted free agent WR, we need a down field threat TE, someone with speed and hands.
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Chris in the 623...Were you at the Montana V. EWU game this year? Jones lit it up as he always did against the Griz. The 2009 game in Missoula Jones had a huge return called back on a hold, had another rush td over 50 yards. Just awesome...That red turf is hard on the eyes....
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | April 30, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Edmund Gates = Mike Wallace...please make it so!!!
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Tandon Doss is still on the board; he might be the steal of the draft at WR.
Posted by: FB | April 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM
The dolphins better draft tawain jones...if hes still on the board
Posted by: fly high | April 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM
In a draft where you could have had Mark Ingram and Ryan Mallet u come away with Pouncey and Daniel Thomas what a joke.Stephen Ross your a joke Ireland your a bigger joke dolphin fans boycott this dumb front office staff. Thats why New England is so much better they have smart people making choices.
Posted by: The Kid | April 30, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Bogata: 2 good choices. I'd love either Gates or Todman. Get to the war room before those clowns mess it up
Posted by: GarbagePlate | April 30, 2011 at 12:39 PM
The kid, why did so many teams pass on both the players you say we should of got and why do all the EXPERTS say we made two great picks that will be starters day 1.
please let me know.
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM
FB...Doss: "Displays a burst of speed but is not a true vertical threat."
We already have 4 guys like that...NEED Gates!
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM
No, haven't seen the red field in person. Just love to root for small school guys and still have a lot of ties to that area. And we all know Sparano loves versitile guys.
Posted by: Chris in the 623 | April 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Tyrod Taylor? Eh.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | April 30, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Exactly what is the difference between Ingram and Thomas? Other than Thomas is bigger, but he fumbles more. Neither are very fast.
Posted by: GarbagePlate | April 30, 2011 at 12:41 PM
I hope everybody boycotts your fake fan crybaby ass THE KID!
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:41 PM
We are on the clock....
Posted by: FB | April 30, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Here we go...I think this pick is HUGE!
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Lot's of love for DJ Williams but isn't Green faster and better in and out of breaks. Williams is still and has very short arms. Not exceptional picking up yards after the catch either.
Deangelo Williams will be more than a hot commodity. So many are confident he will land here because of a passing comment. If we don't get speed at wr or rb in the draft it won't come in the form of an established player in free agency. Lot's of comp for very little talent. Same can be said at qb...every one will be on Palmer...Kolb and Vince who can't pass the football by the way. 3 notable qb's with almost every team needing qb help.
Posted by: stra8balla | April 30, 2011 at 12:42 PM
what team(s) read this blog?
Posted by: Jimmy p in nc | April 30, 2011 at 11:40 AM
-----------------------------
The dumbest team in the world if they pay any attention to the nitwits here.
Posted by: Frank | April 30, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Colin is off the board, good for him I though he might not go to the 5th but good for him.
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:43 PM
finatic. there are no EXPERTS. there is only tv and entertainment. talking heads. all gm's miss all the time, and the EXPERTS are only worse.
Posted by: scout9 | April 30, 2011 at 12:43 PM
I think Thomas will be better than Ingram.
Posted by: bk | April 30, 2011 at 12:43 PM
AMEN Frank
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:43 PM
there you go guys. is it looking better now?
Posted by: dm1 dolphan | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Nice!
Posted by: GarbagePlate | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Dolphins pick Edmund Gates, WR, Abilene Christian.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
We got Edmund Gates I like it
Posted by: bk | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
There is the speed guy....
Posted by: Darryl Dunphy | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Finally a speedster!!!!! Yeeeeeeesssssss!!!
Posted by: FB | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Ohhhh we got Gates!!
Posted by: Emory | April 30, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Like that pick.
Posted by: Chris in the 623 | April 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Armando- What in the world would we do with Tyrod Taylor? ST? We could try him on the OL? Maybe coach? Just becuase it makes no sense, -Yep that'll be our guy.
Posted by: JS in LA | April 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
there is your speed wr, i hope you guys will finally give the brass a break. 4.35 and 10 Td's
Posted by: finatic13 | April 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Called it!!!
Posted by: Bogota Phin Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
I love this pick!
Posted by: FB | April 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
LOVE the pick!
Posted by: Brent | April 30, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Maybe we'll have a kick return that goes past the 25 now. Good pick, fellas. He's fast, fast, fast.
Posted by: GarbagePlate | April 30, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Tyrod Taylor was the pick.
Posted by: PriceMaster | April 30, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Love the pick now we have the speed at wide receiver. Is he a return man?
Posted by: Fins Fan | April 30, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Gates lit up the Combine, running a 4.35
Posted by: Armando Salguero | April 30, 2011 at 12:46 PM