Offseason needs

by smileyman on Dec 14, 2009 5:29 PM EST

Hi everyone,

I'm smileyman from over at the Niners Nation blog. The past several weeks Drew K and I have been doing a series of posts on the offseason, focusing on the draft as well as FA. We're beginning to focus on the needs of other teams in the NFL, and this week we're doing the AFC and NFC East.

As such I have a few questions I'd like to ask if you don't mind.

1.) What two or three positions do you see as the biggest needs for the Dolphins in the offseason?

2.) Are these more likely to be met through the draft or through FA?

3.) Which college player do you think will be picked by your team in the first round?

4.) What is your cap situation like?

To answer these questions from the Niners perspective. Our biggest needs are offensive line and secondary help. We have Carolina's 1st round pick this year, so that gives us two picks in the first round. I imagine we'll address at least one of those needs through FA and one through the draft. There have been a few mocks which have shown Berry falling to our Panther pick--if so we'll grab him, otherwise I think we grab the best OT available. Luckily we have lots of room in the cap. I believe it's around $50 million or so, so we should be a big player in FA (assuming a new CBA is in place of course).

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1) ILB draft
2) OLB draft
3) NT draft
4) #1 wr FA
5) FS draft
6) RB draft

Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 14, 2009 6:36 PM EST reply actions

Like I said, I’m pretty high on Clemons, so I don’t see FS as a big need.

Save for that, I’m pretty much right on board with this. The only issue is the #1 WR via FA. It’d be perfect if we could. But, it’s going to be difficult.

If we can’t land that #1, we’re going to have to make some very difficult decisions.

McClain and Bryant might not even be available when we draft. In fact, they probably won’t be available. So, we have to see how much we like players like Benn, Spikes, Dan Williams, Cody, and J. Hughes. The first two rounds should be full of fireworks.

We wake & blunder on, / wiser, on the whole, / but not more accurate.

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 14, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

i'm not sure about the salary cap situation....

but here are my position needs…:

1) Wide Receiver-we need a legit #1 guy. This will open up the run game and make a guy like Davone Bess a pro-bowler…Just think of Wes Welker catching 10 passes a game cause the middle of the field is open cause Randy Moss is on the other side…

2) Inside Linebacker-I like Channing Crowder but he needs some good competiton to step up his game….ILB is one of the only positions that the Front Office has not brought in a bunch of other guys for competition in training camp….

3) Free Safety- We need a true Free Safety that actually has some cover skills….Right now we have 2 tackling machines that are prone to giving up the big play cause they are always playing the run and letting the receiver get behind them and getting burned for the big play…(a la Gibril Wilson letting Tory Holt get the big play)

4) NoseTackle- Jason Ferguson is 35 and not getting any younger…Paul Soliai shows flashes sometimes but has not been consistent enough to acclamate him the anchor of our defensive line…

I think most of our needs can be addressed in the draft but we definately need some free agents that can produce at a high level right away….Our front office is better at drafting than picking up free agents but i think they can make a big move this offseason….

Just like a ton of dolphins fans i’m hoping for Dez Bryant in the first round but i seriously doubt that he will still be on the board when we pick…If Eric Berry is there i will be stoked cause he is the best coverage safety in the draft and still delivers the big hit…

GO FINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by scbrandon on Dec 14, 2009 6:54 PM EST reply actions

I like Clemons at FS. I’ve made a few posts saying that we should take Akin out and play a with 3 safeties as our base D.

We wake & blunder on, / wiser, on the whole, / but not more accurate.

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 14, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions

I like these questions

1) WR, NT and ILB are the positions we need to dress (an OLB would also be nice).

2) Honestly, I am not sure. I think WR is almost a lock to be addressed in FA, but there are players we’d gladly take to satisfy other areas of need (Vince Wilfork, Karlos Dansby, Demeco Ryans, etc.), too.

3) I think we’ll take nose tackle Dan Williams from Tennessee. We have significant depth everywhere on the defensive line except at nose tackle, and I think Williams would be an outstanding anchor for our 3-4 scheme. Terrence Cody is also a possiblity if someone (say, you guys or Denver) yanks Williams before he gets to us. Cody’s draft stock is hovering between the first and second round, but I think he’ll land squarely in round one if he can shed a few pounds and put up decent combine numbers.

Damian Williams or Arrelious Benn in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 14, 2009 7:05 PM EST reply actions

I agree that the WR position will be addressed in Free Agency...

but if we get a legit #1 guy in free agency than i don’t think we’ll be able to afford another big free agent pickup…

If we get Dansby as a free agent and a WR in the first round i think we’ll be legit superbowl contenders

by scbrandon on Dec 14, 2009 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

I simply meant WR isn't the only position we'd consider in FA

I didn’t mean doing both, though.

Damian Williams or Arrelious Benn in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 14, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions

I am hoping either

Williams or Cody is sitting there when we pick in round 2. McClain then…

Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 14, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions

I would get Cody in the second round.....

as long as they picked a receiver in the first….

If they go all defense in the draft i’ll be pissed

by scbrandon on Dec 14, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions

Really? I am hoping this is a defense-heavy draft

I really want a #1 receiver, but I think it makes more sense to sign a FA than draft one when we’re dealing with a position that typically takes multiple seasons to develop.

McClain is outstanding, but if he comes out, he’s likely gone within the first 10 picks. And of course there’s the issue of him possibly staying. I think he’ll come out, though; Nick Satan will plead with Ro to leave early if his draft stock remains as high as it is right now.

My ideal draft for now is Dan Williams in the first round and Sergio Kindle in the second round. The idea of having Wake and Kindle as pass rushers is an extremely scary thought.

I still like Brandon Spikes, too; he’d be a steal in the second round.

If we do draft a wideout, I’d like to get either Damian WIlliams or Arrelious Benn.

Damian Williams or Arrelious Benn in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 14, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions

I sent in a NT question to Darlington and he answered it today

He claims nose tackle is a position our FO values highly right now. And it’s easy to see why — platooning Soliai with Williams or Cody would be fantastic for our defensive line. We’re deep at defensive end right now, so it’d be nice to shore up the anchor position in our 3-4.

I LOVE defense.

Damian Williams or Arrelious Benn in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 14, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

I don't see why we don't switch back to the 4-3 defense....

If we don’t have an elite NT than the 3-4 defense is hard to make totally dominant…

We can use Soliai and Mcdaniel as the DT"s and have Wake and Langford or Merling on the outside and have JT and Porter as the linebackers with Crowder as the middle linebacker…

You can also have JT rotating sides and playing the d-end like when he won the Defensive MVP when Saban was the coach

by scbrandon on Dec 14, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

i agree im hoping we look to almost all D in our draft

our offense is great. I say we draft a WR in round 2 and and every other pick alloted to D

Laces out!

-2008 AFC East Champions-
Suck it Pats, Bills and most of all... the god damn jets.

Sean Smith/Vontae Davis= Pat Surtain/Sam Madison

by BSerious72 on Dec 14, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with that.

If we could get Williams in round 1, and Benn in round 2, then shore up the defense with the rest of our picks, I would be happy.

"Why don't you put that in a memo and entitle it 'Shit I Already Know'!" - Sarge from Red vs. Blue

I can't brain today, I have the dumb.

28 "Phinsider Feud" Points

by Chupathingy on Dec 16, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

I for some reason hate terrance cody ill stick with Dan Williams

Chillin in the Henne ERA!!!!
DRAFT GOLDEN TATE BANDWAGON!!!
Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
(Norman? Is he related to Albert? I guess we know who isn't a genius.)

by DPL3 Rollin on Dec 14, 2009 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

Hell yeah defense is easier to train than some positions on offense

by DPL3 Rollin on Dec 14, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply actions

I think we need:

1) DT or ILB: we need a linebacker who could cover and stop the run as well as Channing Crowder, and we need a DT to replace Fergielicious.
2) WR: Henne needs a go to guy, we already have the second and slot receivers.
3)OLB: Porter and Taylor are not getting younger and we need more pass rushing besides WAKE.
4)FS: Depth at FS i think Clemons or Culver will start at this position next year with Gilbril riding the bench and rotating in with Yeremiah Bell for certain plays.
5)RB or TE: we need to replace Ricky, A possession TE will really help Henne with those dump offs and TE routes.

by DPL3 Rollin on Dec 14, 2009 11:53 PM EST reply actions

1.WR
2.NT
3.FS

Unless Pual Solai becomes a beast in the next few games, the corps will prob pick up NT Dan Williams 1st round.

I pray that WR will be adressed in FA or trade (marshall or vincent…PLZ!)

Chris Clemmons is above average, maybe if the staff likes his progress they will use a draft pick on a LB instead.

by FishNFinz on Dec 15, 2009 12:51 AM EST reply actions

My wish list

1st round needs to be a BEAST: ILB or NT
2nd round needs to be whatever wasnt drafted in the 1st
3rd I forget hisname but the WR from Georgia Tech
4th, 5th, 6th trade any of these with a player to get another 3rd or 2nd round draft pick.

by esco6781 on Dec 15, 2009 1:54 AM EST reply actions

NT
ILB
FA WR

With Ferg most likely retiring Dan Williams pick looks really good. Not really into MT Cody he looks more like MT Fuji in that you can climb it in day. Soliai is coming on good but a solid rotation at NT with real NT’s (McD isn’t a NT) would be wise. NT is the most physical position in the game and should be split between two players such as the RB position is. Imagine Soliai, Williams, and possibly Ferg coming back and still teaching the you pups!!!!

ILB Brandon Spikes, I know this FO will get him and will be able to get him. Reason he has a lot of injuries and teams are going to avoid him like the plague because of it. But all the injuries that he’s had during his college career are due to not being in football shape. Sorry, seen some pics of him and he’s pudgy compared to Crowder, Ayodele, and the freak Wake. Parcells is going to get him and PT his ass and churn out a diamond cut machine of a man.

WR Yeah, I agree with everyone on this post. We need to get a FA #1. Brandon Marshall looks available due to I don’t think he’s happy in Denver. But he’s not a guy I’m looking at and neither Bowe, sorry if you’re taking PED’s you’re not the type of player a FO should put their necks out for. Dream is Andre Johnson even though he said he’s going to stay in Houston. I think that was more of a political statement more than anything and if Miami makes a play for him this offseason he’d listen.

FS No need to waste a draft or money, Clemons will fill and start that spot next season. The kid has the ball hawking skills for it he just needs to develop knowledge of the defensive schemes and create chemistry with the ILB and CB’s. Love Culver for depth at that position, too, so phins are good at that position.

by jesavius on Dec 15, 2009 2:14 AM EST reply actions

ferg has already stated

he wants to play snother year as long as his rehab goes as expected

Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 15, 2009 3:39 AM EST up reply actions

FWIW

I’m not a fan of Mt. Cody either though some Niner fans want to draft him.

Vincent Jackson might be available for you guys depending on what the Chargers do in the offseason. They’ve got Merriman, Sproles, McNeil, and Jackson all available in FA. They’ve only got about $10 million in cap space too, so some big name players will be hitting the market (assuming a new CBA).

Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.

by smileyman on Dec 15, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions