And Help For The O-Line Is Coming When?!!!
The Dolphins have been very active this free-agency period, and in a change from recent years, they have not signed the top free agent and every player that has walked through their building. Just to name a few players that have visited, but left without a contract are QB Brandon Weeden, LB Sean Spence, DE Jason Jones. And while it’s good that Miami is not just throwing money around like a drunk at a strip club, the one position I’d be alright with it if they did is the Guard Position. So if not now, help for the offensive line is coming when??!!!
Sure Miami just signed Jermon Bushrod, but Bushrod has been an offensive tackle his entire career, and last season he was suffering multiple injuries, and was not even able to start. The Dolphins are saying they are going to use Bushrod at Guard, but does that truly make any of you Miami Dolphins News fans feel like we solved one of the Guard position issues? I can understand signing Bushrod as a depth player at one of the tackle positions because we all know that Jason Fox was a disaster last season. However to bank on the idea that Bushrod is magically going to be a starting Guard just seems irresponsible. Even if they do try to use Bushrod as a Guard, my question is then why not just find a true Guard, who has been playing Guard his entire career in the NFL?
Lets not also forget the fact that the Dolphins need two Guards, because Thomas, Turner and Douglas all proved last year that they are not even close to being able to be a dependable starting Guard. How many seasons need to be wasted, until Miami finally realize that they need to fix the offensive line if they want their offense to be successful? The offensive line is the foundation of any offense’s running and passing game. Running backs can’t run if their lineman can not create space for them, and Quaterbacks can not complete passes if they are constantly being harassed, and are scrambling for their lives. It is a very simple philosophy, and it is obvious to all football gambling fans that Miami desperately needs to improve at their Guard positions.
The Dolphins already missed out on Alex Boone, however there are a few solid Guards on the market that Miami should seriously be looking to sign as soon as possible, such as Evan Mathis, Louis Vasquez, Jahri Evans, and Geoff Schwartz. Each of these players are veterans, who have been in the league for quite awhile, so they are not going to be a long term answer, however each of them is better than any Guard Miami has on their roster and can at least play for another 2 to 3 years. I do think there is a “shot” for Dallas to find his way by moving to the RG spot. Pass blocking is his weakness and RG is the beneficiary of a lot of help from the center. I still wouldn’t feel comfortable depending on him though.
The fact is Miami could have the most talented wide receivers, and running backs in the league, but if the offensive line continues to be a liability, then it does not matter who we have at the skill positions, because they are never going to have the time and space to make plays. The Dolphins will likely need to use another high draft pick on an offensive lineman because they need to finally fix this problem. For the Dolphins or Tannehill to have a chance at success, the offensive line needs to be improved. Even just a little improvement on the offensive line could do wonders for Miami’s offense, and team. So the question is, when will the help for the offensive line come?!
New Englands 2016 compensatory draft picks could possibly look this way.
96 Deion Jones OLB, Zack Sanchez CB, Darien Thompson FS
208 Joe Dahi OG
214 Avery Young OT
221 Anthony Zettel DE
NFLDraftScout.com
2016 NFL Draft: NFL announces 33 compensatory picks
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior AnalystMarch 12, 2016 3:17 am ET
The Patriots and Bill Belichick netted four compensatory picks. (USATSI)
The NFL has awarded 33 compensatory draft picks to 13 teams, including four selections in the third round. With the announcement of these selections within the third through sixth rounds, the official order of the 2016 NFL Draft is now complete, barring future trades.
The Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots have the most 2016 compensatory picks with four each.
Compensatory selections, which cannot be traded, are awarded to teams losing more or better free agents than it acquires in the previous year. The NFL Management Council uses a weighted formula to determine the picks based on salary, playing time and postseason honors.
The NFL is littered with players who were selected with compensatory picks, including Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was drafted 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Below are the 2016 compensatory draft picks for the 2016 NFL Draft:
Round Three
95. Detroit Lions
96. New England Patriots
97. Seattle Seahawks
98. Denver Broncos
Round Four
131. Green Bay Packers
132. Baltimore Ravens
133. San Francisco 49ers
134. Baltimore Ravens
135. Dallas Cowboys
136. Denver Broncos
137. Green Bay Packers
138. Cleveland Browns
139. Buffalo Bills
Round Five
170. Arizona Cardinals
171. Seattle Seahawks
172. Cleveland Browns
173. Cleveland Browns
174. San Francisco 49ers
175. San Diego Chargers
Round Six
208. New England Patriots
209. Baltimore Ravens
210. Detroit Lions
211. San Francisco 49ers
212. Dallas Cowboys
213. San Francisco 49ers
214. New England Patriots
215. Seattle Seahawks
216. Dallas Cowboys
217. Dallas Cowboys
218. Buffalo Bills
219. Denver Broncos
220. Pittsburgh Steelers
221. New England Patriots
FinFans as you see the list above New England has 4 extra picks, Dallas 4 Extra picks. Their plan of action designed to achieve more Draft Picks! Where are the Dolphins? Running with two questionable players from the Eagles?
We will be receiving a handful next year. As far as this year, our last staff dropped the ball on that as well. If they did not or removed the tag from Clay we would have been compensated. Another blunder by former staff. They were smart enough to realize that w OV, and the removal of the tag and the departure of OV can now be compensated, along w Miller, Mathews, Shelby.
Dunner, Admin, Phinfreak, Lemus and FinFans!
I will not beat up on this staff to much until we see how this FA and the Draft pan out. I’m no expert but its quite painful when your team lose prime time ratings base on their performance etc.
From my understanding We have 3 starting Offensive linemen? ( Pouncey, Albert, James). Now how difficult is it to take A pick from FA and some from the Draft that will start. Meaning The Dolphins needs a top linemen drafted.
My questioned is which player is more versatile the # 1 OG Cody Whitehair or Jason Springs Indiana 6’6 the 5th OT in draft.
42 *Germain Ifedi OT 6 Texas A&M rJr 6-6 324 or
48 Vadal Alexander OG 2 LSU Sr 6-5 326
Is it best to draft that OT or the top Offensive Guard above? I would think better to go OT that cn play both positions but I’m not the expert???
I believe there are a few variables involved. First, where is the value, meaning = where is said player(s) picked? Majority of the top OTs are taken in the first round, where as top guards can be had in the second and sometimes in the third (not in our case lately). I believe we should get a CB/DE/LBer at 13, and we should be able to get one of the top guards in the second at 42.
Secondly, where does your left tackle stand, meaning = how old is he, is going to be a free agent next season, can he continue to perform, how much is he owed? In our case Albert is not the youngest, injury is a concern, his performance is good enough, hes here for a few more, he does make a lot of $.
I have seen recently Whitehair falling to 42. That would be idea. I believe that the top 4 guards are day 1 starters:
Cody Whitehair, Vadal Alexander, Joshua Garnett, Christian Westerman
I feel that anyone of these 4 guards are day 1 starters and only Whitehair is predicted to possibly go in the first round. And only Westerman is predicted to possibly go later than the second, early third. You would not be able to grab a day 1 starting OT in those areas/rounds. Don’t get me wrong, they are there, but no one has figured out how to pinpoint them.
In a perfect world they trade back to Washington (21) and get another second round pick (53). At 21 we could still get a starting CB (Jackson, Apple, Alexander) or DE (Dodd, Spence) or LBer (Lee, Perry) and then be in position to either double up w guards in the second or use 1 of the seconds and try to get Jaylon Smith. Or go DE/LBer at 21, CB at 42, and guard at 53, all being day 1 starters (according to experts). To me trade back for a extra second round pick is idea, anything later than 21 and you may have positioned yourself out of the running for a impact player on defense. Even though they are there, but the obvious ones may be gone.
Great Break down Dunner
Thank you
yeah, you can find left tackles anywhere, but it get exponentially harder with every round beyond the 1st. Guards have a much more limited skill set and it makes it easier to find them …especially RG…man after watching Pats work the trade and FA, I’m a bit depressed!!!
Yes, it was bit of a somber day yesterday. The Pats however did not get the better end of that deal (thankfully). The guard they received is no better than the guards we had last year. That is not me talking, that is the tape. He was benched last year and has been a huge bust. Let’s hope that he is starting, because there is no way he can block Suh. The Pats did get a second round pick, but their replacement of Jones (Chris Long) is not the player Jones is. So, I am sure Albert doesn’t mind to see Jones go in place of Long, his 2 games vs the Pats just got a bit easier.
All the sudden RB is a pressing need. Free agency and/or draft.
Admin
Maimi could trade back with Denver since they are in the hunt for a QB? Taking Cody in the late 1st round.
Cody Whitehair, OG Projected 43rd 1st Pick Round 2
Then taking Vadal in the second round?
Vadal Alexander, OG Projected 46th 2nd best Offensive Guard Round 2
Resulting in having the top two guards plus your extra picks? Win situation?
I’d run with that! Athough miami still needs 2 more corners…
Jimmy Miami Corners are in the Draft? It will take extra picks to get a couple? Meaning another Trade but they should wait until draft day catching their opponents panic to make deal?
** Eli Apply Ohio State would be a late 1st rounder rated about 18th – 29th pick.**
Most of the best Cornerback would be in the late second early 3rd round.
60th William Jackson III 6’1
71st Rashard Robinson 6’2 LSU
77th Artie Burns 6.0 Miami (Stay another year in college possible 1st rounder)
Value player/ A Corner Back with Kick Return value
5th rounder ranked 161st: Morgan Burns CB Rank 20 Kansas State
In addition to being one of the best kickoff specialist entering the 2016 NFL Draft, Burns also started 12 games at cornerback, recording 38 tackles and 11 passes defended. Overall, Burns played in 48 career games starting 24 of those at cornerback and helped Kansas State to a 34-18 record and a Big 12 Championship in 2012 and four-straight bowl appearances.
A 7th rounder maybe undrafted
Mississippi State redshirt senior CB Taveze Calhoun
Both Jackson and Burns are climbing the draft board as we speak. Both may/probably will go higher than originally projected.
I have to believe that the staff has a plan. They can not ignore the glaring deficiency at both guard positions, such as our last staff. There are still a few starting guards remaining, there will be a few cut between now and OTAs. All most certain that we will be grabbing one via draft. Tannebaum is not afraid to make moves, and he may still make another player move as well as draft pick move(s).
And a DE, and a LBer or 2
Admin
Miami needs to developed Lippett once again the old staff I thought poorly developed players.
Lippett (6-2, 192) has good size for a cornerback and is a long-armed defensive player who only played cornerback sparingly, mostly his freshman season. Lippett was a quarterback/defensive back in high school and was recruited as a wide receiver. He played cornerback as a freshman, starting five games, but moved to wide receiver as a sophomore.
As a junior he had 44 receptions for 613 yards and two touchdowns, and as a senior he had 65 receptions for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns
I sure in New Englands system we would here more about Lippett?