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Phins4life

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Posts posted by Phins4life

  5. Posted

    Dolphins No Longer Pursuing Leach

     

    Per Salguero's Twitter...

     

    Backing away from Leach is Miami's choice. He wanted to play for the Dolphins. Wasn't using them for leverage. Was ready to sign.

     

    This annoys me. He wanted to play in Miami...he would have been a significant improvement over what we have. I understand that it isn't over until he signs with someone else, but there is a very real chance he will (Houston most likely), and we will have let him slip out of our grasp due to what appears to be a conflict in principle. We haven't an All-Pro caliber FB since Polite...it would be nice to have that security back.

  6. Posted · Edited by Phins4life

    At first, nothing seemed amiss about the empty field. I'm just early, Derek Wake thought. It was the spring of 2007, and Wake had been invited to a D.C.-area tryout for the Canadian Football League's BC Lions. As he waited for others to arrive, Wake threw on his cleats and started warming up on the turf at Howard University's Greene Stadium. Fifteen or so minutes passed before Wake made a call. "Everyone's here," said the voice on the other end of the phone. "Here" was Hampton University, another historically black college, three hours south of Howard. "I'm going to drive three hours, get out of the car, and run the 40?" Wake says, recalling that embarrassing moment six years later. "That's not going to happen."

     

    Some people have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Derek Wake was not one of these people. Undrafted out of Penn State in 2005, Wake was cut by the Giants before training camp. He worked out for a handful of teams but couldn't catch on anywhere. Wake spent part of the next year working at a mortgage brokerage before leaving for a job at Bally Total Fitness in an effort to stay in shape. The next spring, he was invited to Ravens minicamp. He left without a job. At 25, the chance with BC was possibly his last. "It started to cross my mind," Wake says. "What am I going to do? I've got to start making a move, as far as my life is concerned. How long am I going to sit by this phone?"

     

    All-22 All-Stars: Cameron Wake

     

    Love his story...love the piece.

     

    I'm a sucker for the underdog. In a world where analysts can swear up and down they have your future in the NFL (or lack thereof) pegged. It's nice to see guys like him strike it rich thanks to some good old fashioned blood, sweat and tears.

  8. Posted

    Calvin Johnson. While I love Peterson. Johnson would be nasty on the Bucs with Jackson and Williams already here.

     

    Julio Jones or AJ Green.

     

    Damn this is a tough one...but I'm choosing Jones. He strikes me as the more physical of the 2, and we need some muscle opposite Wallace.

     

    Earl Thomas or Eric Berry?

  10. Posted

    Soooooooooo

     

    What part of the Bold didn't you get? The man predicted they were going to sweep a team that beat them twice?

     

    I don't care what team he follows it sounded like he was a New Orleans fan. Not much negativity in the post considering they had the worst defense in NFL History.

     

    The Saints aren't his team, genius...it's one of the qualifiers of being a homer...yet you refer to him as "you" as if he's a Saints fan.

     

    Am I really wasting my time answering this post?

  11. Posted

    Watched Surrogates for the first time tonight. I liked it for the most part. I kind of understand why it didn't get a great overall rating, but it was still enjoyable for me.

     

    Also watched 3:10 to Yuma (remake). That entire 3rd act is one of my favorites among today's movies. And I think Crowe plays the villain to perfection. I can never quite decide if I want to hate him or respect him or both at the same time.

    • Upvote 1

  13. Posted

    Fairly simple concept, list two people and the next poster explains which of the two they would add to their favorite NFL team with some explanation. I thought this would lead to some interesting discussion, I put this in the sideline so that it wouldn't be limited to NFL players, obviously that would be easier, but I think it would be more interesting to expand into other sports or even outside the world of sports. If the people listed (or the person you choose) isn't a current football player then include in your explanation where you would be playing them.

     

    Two basic rules:

    1) If one of the two people suggested is already on your favorite team, you don't get to pick the other and say that way you'd have both, the game is if you could have either, so if person 1 is already on your team and you choose person 2, then your team loses person 1

    2) Try to make it difficult, if you list something like Aaron Rodgers and Mark Sanchez, you lose

     

    Alright, let's start off with a pair of top college football players:

    Johnny Manziel or Jadeveon Clowney (I suppose it's an easy question for some teams, but for anyone in need of a QB, which is about half the league ... )

     

    Clowney...for pretty obvious reasons in regards to Miami. Clowney/Wake duo would be too epic for the NFL to handle.

     

     

    Trent Richardson or CJ Spiller (is this kind of what you had in mind?)

  17. Posted

    I'm sure all of the blitzing ability and athleticism will allow for some interesting schemes, and they may well be effective on the whole, but I just don't believe they'll work against Brady. Blitzing him just doesn't work, and he's been in the league for 14 years so I don't think you can give him something he's never seen before.

     

    2012 stats vs. blitz: 96/150, 64%, 1112 yards, 7.41 YPA, 21 TD, 0 INT

     

    Trust me, I'm aware of the numbers...but there is always the chance for change. Even Rome fell eventually ;).

  18. Posted

    It's completely unfair, but I am down on the Dolphins purely because it seems like Jeff Ireland is trying to buy the division.

     

    I felt that way, too for a while. But the more homework I've done, the more I think he's done his. The big thing for me is that he handed out a lot of 1-year deals. I like that a lot...it may be the more expensive route, but it gives us a chance to minimize commitment to players while seeing what they can bring. I am perfectly willing to call this his best off-season as the GM. It may be too late, or it may end up proving to have been the smartest combo of moves he could have made to save his job.

     

    RB: I love Lamar Miller. Reminds me of Jamaal Charles in that he needs space to operate, but when you give it to him he can eat up ground in a hurry. He's not a guy who is going to create a ton on his own, so the blocking will have to be there. Charles Clay is a plus FB, but I'm not big on the depth at RB. Not a big Thomas fan and it's unclear what Gillislee will be able to do in the NFL.

     

    Which is why I really want to see a Leach deal done. His presence in the run blocking game will provide immediate returns.

     

    OL: On the whole, the line is solid. But I think LT has to be a concern. There was more bad than good to Martin's game last year and now he's on the blind side.

     

    This is true, but the blind side is also where he gained a reputation as Luck's protector. I think he may have an up and down season this year as he adjusts to the NFL level of blind side protection, but his athleticism matches up well with the demands of the position, and I think by next year he will find his place.

     

    LB: I have to be honest- I hated what the Dolphins did at linebacker this offseson. I know they got younger, but I also think they got worse. Ellerbe was pretty overrated coming off that SB IMO, and I highly doubt that Wheeler will outplay the more well rounded Kevin Burnett. I realize that the three starters all figure to be good blitzing the QB, but the thing about blitzing is that you have to have someone behind it that can actually cover. Otherwise savvy QB's will throw into the blitz and burn you every time. Seemed like an odd way to construct a defense, seeing as how the path to the division crown runs through New England and Tom Brady's rating is actually at its highest when teams try to blitz him. Ithink he'll tear Miami's defense up at the second level.

     

    And this is where I think Vernon and Jordan are very intriguing players. Vernon flashed the ability to cover seam guys like Keller last year, even downfield, so I have confidence that he can pull it off against the short dump off routes. He's still raw, but he has the athleticism. Jordan is the same. He even played slot corner here and there at Oregon...that is ridiculous.

     

    I think those 2 could present some interesting blitz schemes involving the weak side stunting and swinging into short to middle coverage, while overloading the strong side with Wake, Misi, and Ellerbe. And that's just one method. I honestly have no idea how Miami plans to use Jordan, and Vernon has the strength and athleticism to play Mike or Will in situational packages. Time will tell, and I'm looking forward to it.

     

    Secondary: Grimes, if healthy, is going to make all the difference here. He's a much better #1 than Sean Smith. The safety duo is probably the league's best, Richard Marshall is solid slot corner, Will Davis is serviceable, and Jamar Taylor is very talented.

     

    Not sure I can agree when you look at Seattle, SF, and TB, but it's nice to see a mention like that from a non-fan :party: .

  19. Posted

    You seem to use a double standard in your analysis. Carolina Secondary worst in the NFL yet the Saints defense was the worst in NFL history. But you give all positives to your new defense (3-4) that usually takes a year or so really get used to. Rob Ryan didn't light it up in Dallas so assuming he is going to be a major difference is a reach.

     

    You also didn't mention Carolina had the top ranked defense in the NFC South and the the Saints had the worst defense in NFL HISTORY!!! You didn't mention that Carolina addressed the worst secondary in the NFL with some good young talent. Josh Norman's issue wasn't lack of talent. He had to learn to do things a team way and not his own way. You didn't mention the overhaul of the Defensive Tackle position. A position that may have only one returning DT on the roster. I guess we'll see what your unbiased opinion is when you do the Panthers. ;)

     

    I believe the NFC South is going to be a dog fight and it wouldn't surprise me that everyone goes 3-3. To predict a sweep of a team that swept you in 2012 is pretty bold.

     

    Good homer thread though... Got me excited if I were a Saints Fan.

     

    Homer?

     

    172.gif

     

    OP is a Bengals fan...

    • Upvote 1

  20. Posted

    Ideas like this are always fun.

     

    Let's go with:

     

    First Name: Jordy

    Last Name: Largent

    Player Position: WR (WR2 or WR3 preferred)

    Jersey Number: 80

    Handedness: Right

    Hometown: York, SC

    Height: 5'9"

    Weight: 175

    Skin Tone: White (1 or 2 I guess?)

    Accessories: Gloves, eye paint, and whatever

    Strengths: Reliable hands and route running

    Weaknesses: Not the speediest guy on the field, but not the slowest, either; fumble prone

    Star Rating: 3 or 4

  21. Posted

    QB: Tannehill played better than "average" imo. At the very least, he achieved more in his rookie year than any other Dolphin, to include Marino and Griese. A handful of analysts/critics have also stated that had it not been for such a deep QB class, he would have had a pretty solid shot at ROTY. I will very gladly take his performance over anything Moore could have managed with the same offense.

     

    RB: I don't think it's hard to call Miller an upgrade over Bush...he's younger, thicker, stronger, better at pass pro now than he was a year ago, and as already mentioned, he's just better between the tackles. His lack of production at receiver (ignoring the fact that he had limited snaps) won't really matter either way considering the makeover of the receiving corps. What they've done this off season tells me they are less concerned with the HB's contributions at receiving than they were last year.

     

    Receivers: The analysis of the TE position is pretty consistent with my own take. Give and take is definitely the theme. Fasano's sure-handedness and respectable blocking will be missed, but there's no denying that Keller brings a vertical dimension that Fasano just never had. Based on early assessments of Sims and how he's been progressing (one Phinsider report claims he played on 95% of the offensive snaps at mini-camp), my guess is he will replace Keller on plays requiring blocking from the TE, so we may be able to minimize that particular weakness.

     

    As for Gibson vs. Hartline, I think it's a win-win. The fact that neither are WR1 caliber, but both still managed respectable performances in those roles, tells me that no matter how it works out, we should be looking pretty good for 2 and 3. Frankly, I'd really like to see Jasper Collins make the roster as a dark horse and play the slot at 3 and/or 4 this year. On the limited video I've seen of him, I like what I saw. He also comes from a school with a rising NFL pedigree (Garcon, Shorts) which is a plus.

     

    D-Line: I don't know how much I trust that bottom 15 pass rush ranking for Vernon. Are they based on raw season totals or snap counts? Considering he only saw 39% of the defensive snaps last year, I'd call 3.5 sacks and 18 solo tackles a very respectable performance. Despite the fact that he is still raw in some areas, the amount of potential he brings to the table as a jack of all trades is invaluable. He has the physical tools and athleticism to do just about anything he sets his mind to. Same goes for Jordan. Both of those kids have hit the jackpot, if you ask me. Leadership brought them in to become the next generation of Miami pass rushers, and they will be gaining some of the best insight from one of the most gifted sack artists in the game. If things went my way, we'd see Odrick move to DT (where I personally think he will do just fine) and Vernon and Jordan would share time off the weak edge.

     

    LB: I disagree with the idea that we didn't improve the LB position, but that can be boiled down to personal opinion. We got younger and faster (not to mention the new faces put up 7.5 sacks over Burnett and Dansby's 3.5), and it was a clear statement that leadership wanted to present some relief for Wake and free him up for what could be an even better season than 2012. All he needs is for a couple more defenders to draw additional blocks, and the sky is the limit. As far as coverage goes, I am not too worried about it, thanks to who our DC is (I'll cover that shortly).

     

    DB: While the star of the secondary may be Jones, Clemons' year shouldn't go unnoticed. I'd dare say they fed off each other's improvements if anything. Both were drafted in the 5th round as developmental players, and both saw dramatic increases over previous season performances. Why? I look no further than Kevin Coyle, a pass coverage specialist. I don't consider it a coincidence that almost overnight, 2 5th round safeties put up career years in the same season he took over (180+ tackles and 6 picks) as the DC. His resume is full of situations where he left a secondary better than he found it...albeit that was in the NCAA, but last year tells me he is good enough to make it translate to the next level.

     

    It is true that there are a lot more questions at CB than answers, but as far as Grimes goes, I'm not concerned about the achilles at this time. All indications right now are that he has performed well above expectations, even garnering some high praise from Wallace for his athleticism during their one-on-ones. How much of that is PR politics and how much is truth remains to be seen, but for now that's all we can really go off of. The more I find out about Will Davis, the more excited I am to watch him develop. He's been mostly touted for his ball skills and open field tackling ability, and I would love to see him get some nickel reps if possible. I know less about Taylor, but with Coyle giving him and the other young guys guidance, I think they could surprise some people when all is said and done.

    • Upvote 1

  22. Posted

    I've been a member on other sites with a "Poster of the Month" thing, and it didn't really change anything.

     

    "Post of the Month" actually sounds worse, no offense.

     

    And FTR, I'm also not a fan of yearly awards.

     

    Newer posters should continue to post because of the great discussion and debates we have here, not because of some shiny new award.

     

    Fair enough, and no offense taken. The suggestion box would be useless without solid criticism.

    • Upvote 1

  23. Posted · Edited by Phins4life

    I was torn between Winfield and DRC. I think DRC is still loaded with potential, and if utilized correctly, Denver could really maximize his output and help us forget how little he's done recently.

     

    On the other hand, Winfield is a stellar talent, even more so a veteran leadership figure on a very young secondary. I think his locker room presence will overshadow anything else. Oh, and he can still cover...so that now makes Seattle's secondary the deepest in the league, almost without debate. Ended up going with Winfield.

  24. Posted

    I'm not sure what caused me to make the comparison, but I got the idea that the new Elite system is at least loosely based around the "Whole Member" concept...kind of stealing from Air Force doctrine here, so bear with me. Airman/NCO/etc. of the Quarter awards tend to go to "Whole Airmen"...people who do a bit of everything as well-rounded members of the team.

     

    I was thinking we could also have a smaller scale awards system more geared towards "job performance" for lack of a better comparison. Something like a Post of the Month honor, or maybe on a larger scale, a Poster of the Month. Something geared strictly towards people who put great thought into their posts (be it humor or knowledge, or whatever else), rather than focusing on upping the post count, and those who may just not have the time to add to the other things like organizing leagues or games, etc. I guess the recognition could come in the form of a badge or something to be worn and passed around to each new winner...never sitting in one place, no different from Elite status.

     

    In general, I think this would be more tailored towards getting the newer folks recognized, whose better posts might just get lost in the shuffle due to lack of name recognition or whatever. Idk...just some late night rambling to mull over if you want.

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