While Every Pick Isn’t A Star…
While not a star, Jordan Lucas has all the making of a leader for Miami.
Not likely to be a Star, Lucas’ demeanor makes it seem likely he’ll be a leader.
Not all picks end up being a star in this league. Even the very best drafts have players who never end up as Pro Bowl players or find themselves quickly ushered out of the league.
You can never say for sure where the stars, or where the duds will pop up. The first round round pick might end up a flop and the undrafted rookie ends up in the Hall Of Fame.
Sometimes though, you find players who aren’t great on the field, but rather solid players who are great leaders.
Leaders are guys who do things the right way: smart, professional, consistent, 100% effort, and full accountable. Leaders might not start, but if not, then they contribute in a small ways on game day as backups and special teams. But, it’s in the practice field and in the class rooms that they have their greatest effect. And it’s these type of players that are the back bone of all quality franchises.
Just a” hop, skip, and jump” into the past, Miami had signed rookies Zach Thomas and Larry Izzo – 20 years, can you believe it! Obviously, it doesn’t take a genius sportsbook to realize that Thomas was the dominant force, but Izzo played a crucial role on and off the field. Izzo had value enough that the Pats snatched him up and made him a core player through several championships. He eventually found his niche and elevated his level into a Pro Bowl player.
Now, players like Izzo, Bates, and Tasker are the pinnacle of these types of players, but they highlight how second and even third tiers players have crucial roles and are in actuality the majority of a teams composition…and it’s in these players that teams find their greatness.
On the more common level, “these” types of players are the “Steady Eddies” that hold down a position till better players are acquired. And the irony is they end up teaching their replacements the professionalism needed to replace the “Steady Eddies”. But, that’s what makes them so valuable – they are consummate professionals.
Although not a star, Derrick Shelby was a quality professional and quality pick for the Dolphins.
We just let go of one in Derrick Shelby. The Dolphins said he was a guy who ‘made himself a player with professionalism and handwork’. He stepped in last season and filled in admirably. Atlanta rewarded him with a nice contract to continue his role with them.
Sometimes, when you see a kid have his rookie interview you take notice of his demeanor. Jordan Lucas did that for me. I’m sure as heck not saying he is Miami’s “6th round Revis”, but I am saying this kid showed high intelligence, maturity, and clarity beyond the usual rookie. I am really looking to see what he brings as a second, or and more likely third tier player. Good solid picks filling in the lower tiers is the only way team quality and depth can be achieved.
While it will be a challenge for him to make the team, I bet he will make it hard on the staff to cut him if they do. He is a kid that will raise the bar of competition for all those around him. Jordan Lucas was a quiet signing, but if he sticks or not, he was a quality pick in the late rounds because it will take a quality player and a leader to get him fired. Go Fins!!!
Hello Dolphan’s a few player undrafted. The cornerback Calhoun I thought would have been drafted.
Not drafted
Ryker Mathews
OG
BYU
Darrell Greene San Diego State
OG
Tavese Calhoun CB Mississippi State
CB
Terrell Lathan Defensive Interior linemen
Tyler Gray LB Boise State
Lemmus
Well said!
Gronkowski (FB) was rated within the top three in the 2016 draft but not drafted. We could argued the point also with the ILB this last draft. I believed in him ( Good receiver, blocker and can get those tough yards. Rex does have a multiple running back already. I cannot Identify anyone on the dolphins quad who I would trust getting 3 tough yards? Ajai and Drake maybe? but both are rehabbing? Thinking we will get tough yards just passing means a thirty year repeat?
Some fans may assumed I’m negative not so! starting the 2016 season I asked what’s the plan to achieved those tough yards and goal line stands? We cannot think a spread offense and passed this is weak and the opposing defensive will love this scheme.
Do we assumed we will rush two injured running backs for tough yards? This is the HOLE IN THE MIAMI DOLPHINS OFFENSE THAT WILL KEEP THIS TEAM AT WINNING 4 TO 6 GAMES A SEASON.
“They” are saying Miami is looking at Herron and Arians, so I think they will look for another back to fill the squad.
…yeah, I grok the FB desire
…but if I had to choose between a TE with good blocking skills and a waiver wire FB udfa, I’d take the TE every time
…don’t recall any new bodies at TE and last year’s crew did diddly squat imnsho … so a decent waiver wire TE that can block would be higher on my list than Gronk’s little bro …now if we could swap bros, then I’d be in ?
…there are only 53 spots on the roster …is a 3rd string FB really worth it in today’s game? …clearly, a good FB would be …but how likely is that this time of year?
I think the kid they drafted last is going to be the guy they use for that FB/H-back role. He said he did alot f inline blocking during camp. We need one that’s for sure. I can’t stand empty backfields all the time.
…not sold on Gronk’s kid brother …he wasn’t good enough to draft and if Ryan drops him, then he wasn’t good enough to beat out Felton (who wasn’t himself good enough to keep Ryan from picking up some UDFA competition)
…I agree that we need a lot more backfield blocking but you can get that from the TEs as well, not just a FB which has become a very limited position in the modern NFL …and picking up a UDFA FB off the waiver wire when we have so many other needs seems a bit of a stretch to me
…what you can’t get normally get from a TE is 3 yds on the ground inside the 5 …but why not pick up a vet RB from the waiver wire instead who we know can do that and maybe a bit more?
I’m old school running game…so miss the FB. I am not sure if we have a true blocking back or even a good blocking TE for the backfield.
The Broncos nor the Bears had a true FB on their roster under Gase. The Bears did have a hybrid TE/FB. So I very much doubt that we will be looking to sign one. We do have E.Mitchell for some short yardage situations, and Gase likes flexibility and will implement such packages. I like old school running down hill smash mouth style, however; majority of today’s teams are 1 back sets. Spread them out and run the ball, a good O-Line will be as effective or better than your conventional FB sets (with a spread offense). You can still run it every time, the spread keeps defenses honest and really puts pressure on their LBers because of their inability to stack the box. This is another reason that I look for our defense to take a major leap forward this season, if our 2 CBs can truly play man press and not require help over the top every time, than all the sudden we have our 2 good safeties there to support the run.
We are going to run the ball more than most think. With Ajayi’s down hill style, could set up for a nice combo (at least one less defender in the box). When Ajayi or Drake start reeling off 5/6 yard runs, someone will start to stack the box and that is right where Gase wants them to be.
Lemmus
Well said! Gronkowski (FB) was rated within the top three in the 2016 draft but not drafted. We could argued the point also with the ILB this last draft. I believed in him ( Good receiver, blocker and can get those tough yards. Rex does have a multiple running back already. I cannot Identify anyone on the dolphins quad who I would trust getting 3 tough yards? Ajai and Drake maybe? but both are rehabbing? Thinking we will get tough yards just passing means a thirty year repeat?
Some fans may assumed I’m negative not so!
Yeah, i forgot about Mitchell can play that power blocker role on the rare occasion.
Admin! Dunner and Lemmus!
We really need to push the Fullback on the Dolphins. Gronkowski was not drafted but picked up by the Bills after the 2016 draft. If he slide from the Bills we need him to help protect Tannehill, block for Ajai and Drake etc. and to get those hard yards. This will strengthen our play action to keep the opposing defensive honest, I never like the Idea of a QB in the back field along. That makes us one dimensional and sure to be on the bench. Our Backs are rehabbing.
Currently at the Bills camp! Fullback job: Jerome Felton vs. Glenn Gronkowski
Everyone points out that Rex Ryan loves Jerome Felton and Gronkowski faces long odds of making the 53-man roster. Buffalo’s head coach is certainly high on Felton, but he’s also a big fan of Gronkowski. Ryan personally called the fullback after the draft to recruit him to join the Bills.
I’d love a FB, but in todays game and this system, I don’t see them using a roster spot for it. It will have to be someone else filling the role….I think the TE they picked will be that guy.
Is it possible that coaches are unsure or even disagree about the need for a fullback? But how many games have we witnessed the Dolphins getting murdered due to a safety, defensive end or linebacker not blocked because the linemen are blocking somebody already?
I’m not sold on Fullbacks are passed history? A tough yard is a tough yard, a needed blocked. (Current 184 QB sacks allowed by the Dolphins? A spread offense will be our Doom! (Lack of running a well balance offense will be our Doom! Panic and passed 1, 2, 3 back on the bench for 30 years?
Fullbacks are valuable and a no brainer when the Fins cannot passed their way into the end zone or that tough yard to stay in the game? Balance is the key to the Dolphins Success!
Michigan Fullback Joe Kerridge 2016 was picked up by the Redskins he will be cut because the Skins will keep 4 thigh tends.
•Very good blocker. He can move and lock onto his assignments often not giving up until the whistle.
•Plays with a satisfying level of intensity and effort.
•He has displayed a good pair of hands and looks to be a reliable target in the short pass game.
Where he really stands out is his blocking ability. He has a mean streak for sure and makes defensive players pay when they get in his way.
School: Michigan | Conference: BIG 10
Years Pro: R | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 249 lbs.
Projected Redskins Status: Cut before the final 53
The Dolphins can bring in the best fullbacks for less. We cannot think the Tightened will blocked effectively for Ajai, Drake and Tennehill this season. We cannot think Ajai or Drake who are injury prone will blocked to Standards? The defensive in todays NFL are to quick for our spread attacked offense, I really see Tennehill getting murdered with this type thinking? Its sounds good on paper until trying to execute the play without a solid, respectful run game. Balance offense Dolphins!
I like Lucas as a player. He is a Alpha player, and from his former coaches they all have nothing but good things to say about this kid. From his bio; he seems like a lunch pale guy, I’ll take as many of those players as possible.
Admin, not for nothing but I thought Shelby signed w Atlanta? Either way ha was a lunch pale guy, professional off the field, good man in the locker room.
Yeah, you’re right I’m in the middle of having my 3rd child in a Panama and it’s been an insane ride…so I screwed it up. Thanks Dunner…ohh I’m sick of Admin…names Mike. Fixing the error.
Mike, God Bless and good luck with your new born, hope all is well. Was it a coincidence, or did you plan the timing of your new born’s birthday? Not during the football season, LOL!
Thanks sir. It’s been a crazy few months as we live in Panama now and it was a crazy adjustment. No this baby was a total accident and not planned…we are happy, but our old selves are drinking alot of coffee now to keep it going!!!! Did I mention ALOT of coffee!!!
…good read ?
Thanks Lemmus…this one was all me. Jimmy is away till the 20th of June or so…so for good or bad it’s the “Admin Show”.