Brief Overview of OLB Prospects

by sister_ray on Dec 19, 2009 5:14 PM EST

So, I've spent the last few hours studying up on the top OLB prospects. In no particular order:

Ricky Sapp

Brandon Graham

Sergio Kindle

Jerry Hughes

. . .

I've been considering who would fit best in our system; who has the most physical talent; and who was most productive in college.

Right away, rule out Sapp. He's small for a WSOLB; he's tiny for SSOLB. Also, look at his production last season: 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. He played 4 games against ranked opponents and 9 against unranked teams. Against ranked opponents he had 3.5 tackles for loss (about on pace with his non-ranked numbers), but he only had 1 sack in the games he played against ranked teams. He's fast, but he's undersized, and his production doesn't jump out at all.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/147/1000767/tackleforloss/split.html

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/147/1000767/sack/split.html

. . .

Then, there's Sergio Kindle - the highest rated player in the bunch, according to Todd McShay. Kindle has decent size at 255, but you'd want him to add about 10 lbs to play SSOLB. Watching tape on him, he's plenty athletic, but he doesn't seem to know how to penetrate. Most of his plays come from running the ball down - as opposed to beating his blocker for quick penetration. Looking at his production: 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks. Those sack numbers right away are no better than pathetic for a 3-4 OLB projected to be a 1st RD pick. More concerning: 11.5 of his 12.5 tackles for loss came against unranked teams. Granted, he only played two ranked teams, but he only managed 1 tackle for loss in those two games. He also had no sacks against ranked competition. I'll pass.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/703/1003760/tackleforloss/split.html

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/703/1003760/sack/split.html

. . .

Jerry Hughes is more my speed. He weighs in at 257 - not huge, but getting there, and he plays with the kind of explosion you want from 1st or 2nd RD prospect. His stats: 15 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks (that's more like it). Like Kindle, he only played against 2 ranked teams, but he was more productive in those games. Against ranked competition, he totaled 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks (only one less sack than Kindle had on the entire season). Also, his consistency is a bonus he had at least one tackle for loss and one sack in each of his games against ranked competition.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/698/1007635/tackleforloss/split.html

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/698/1007635/sack/split.html

. . .

Getting to my favorite: Brandon Graham. He's the biggest at 263, and he plays with real explosion, and once he gets the edge, he's getting to the QB - or RB. I posted a couple of his highlight clips on another thread. He's also the only true SSOLB I see in the bunch. To the stats: 25 tackles for loss (10 more than the next player here), 9.5 sacks. Here's what I love: He played 4 times against ranked teams and 8 times against unranked teams. In those 4 games against ranked teams, he had 15 (!!!) tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He comes up big against the best. I fear that he won't be there when we draft, but if he is, I think he might be our guy.

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/418/1002051/tackleforloss/split.html

http://www.cfbstats.com/2009/player/418/1002051/sack/split.html

(Note: you can also check out each players game log stats on cfbstats.com)

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gonna do ILB's next?

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

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by PhinsTifosi on Dec 19, 2009 6:14 PM EST reply actions

Great overview as well! Thanks.

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Dec 19, 2009 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

I hadn’t thought about doing it for ILB’s, but it sounds fun enough. No promises, but I’ll definitely look into it. And, thank you for the kind words; I had a blast doing it.

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

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 19, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

R McClain, B Spikes, S Lee, M Johnson, etc

I really really like Spikes first and McClain 2nd and I think it is a real need for Phins

And as someone else suggested, the trifecta seems to pick in pairs

So, Graham at OLB and Spikes at ILB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe, just maybe NT Mt Cody in the 3rd or 4th, get him to lose 15-20 lbs to help his speed and especially stamina

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Dec 19, 2009 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

Assuming we get a V. Jackson, B. Marshall, or M. Austin (here’s hoping), my dream picks for Miami are:

RD 1: B. Graham
RD 2: T. Cody
RD 3: M. Johnson

But, if Cody is projected to drop to RD 3, that’d obviously change things.

I agree, though, that those are the three areas I’d like to address in the first three rounds. Of course, if we can’t land a #1 WR before the draft, it’ll change things.

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

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 19, 2009 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Graham

should be had in 2nd or even in 3rd round

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 19, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

I hope you’re right – assuming we get him – but from what I’ve seen, he’s head and shoulders above any other SSOLB prospect. He reminds me a lot of Lamar Woodley, and I think he has a great chance at being even better.

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

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 19, 2009 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

cody won;t drop till the 3rd round

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No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
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by samdaman on Dec 20, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah. I can't see Cody lasting past round two

He’s a great value in the second round anyway.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

McClain all the way

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No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
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by samdaman on Dec 20, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions

Very nice keep'em coming

you should add Lewis, Norwood, Kindle, Bowman, Dunlap(like E. Brown a possible big dropper), Muckelroy a position we should be able to get 2 of in the first 3 rounds

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 19, 2009 6:38 PM EST reply actions

Brandon Graham, a name to remember. We could certainly use help at OLB

Superbowl Starved

by garpow62 on Dec 19, 2009 6:43 PM EST reply actions

Trust me people we do NOT want Cody or Spikes on the Phins

They are B-U-S-T-S!

I probably know Judo! How many of you can make the same boast?

by Souwantmyname on Dec 20, 2009 3:50 AM EST reply actions

why not Spikes? I understand Cody, but maybe him in like Rd 6 or so

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Dec 20, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

i can see them both being busts

i’d still like to see cody tho

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by samdaman on Dec 20, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions

Nah, not Cody.

I would rather go with D. Williams instead of Cody.

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

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by Chupathingy on Dec 21, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

i'd take either

Self-proclaimed president of the Pat White and Brian Hartline fan club.
No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
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by samdaman on Dec 21, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

Mark me down as a Jerry Hughes fan

Abandoned the Draft Sean Smith at #25 Bandwagon to Join the Draft Sean Smith at #61 Bandwagon and get Vontae Davis and Chris Clemons. Trio > me.

by DolphDallas on Dec 20, 2009 4:33 PM EST reply actions

agreed

Hughes and Kindle are my favorites in this group

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I got dibs

by Little Nicky 21 on Dec 21, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

i like all of those names

once again, this is a defensive draft for us

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No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
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by samdaman on Dec 20, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions

Nice post!

I think we’re going after at least one of these guys in the draft. I can’t say I’d be disappointed if we walked away with an ILB and OLB before the end of the second round.

I would also add South Carolina’s Eric Norwood to this list.

I think most of the OLBs in this draft will land in round two, except for Kindle and possibly Hughes (if he makes a splash in the Fiesta Bowl); I am liking Graham more and more as I watch game footage of him.

I am also still into the idea of looking at Spikes, too. I love his instincts and his ability to make plays in coverage (he’s taken several INTs to the house), and I don’t see the bust factor in him that others claim exists. He’s temperamental and inconsistent, but wasn’t that the knock on Vontae Davis when he declared for the draft? With the right coaching, Spikes would drastically boost the play-making potential of our linebacker set. I am almost positive Spikes would flourish in a Parcells dictatorship.

The Trifecta added serious youth to our D line in ’08 and our secondary in ’09, so I expect them to re-build our linebacker corps in 2010.

And if we nail down Spikes/McClain (which just became a bigger possibility after today’s loss :-( ) and then Hughes or Graham, our starting linebackers would eventually look something like this (not necessarily in any particular order):

Hughes/Graham, Spikes/McClain, Crowder, Wake.

Yeah, I’d take that set-up.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 1:52 AM EST reply actions

I am not as down on Ricky Sapp, though

He could use more bulk, but it looks like he’s got room on his frame to add muscle. He’s not my #1 prospect at the position, but I am counting him out just yet.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions

I should have clarified that I’m not down on Sapp as a prospect – just as a 1st or 2nd RD draft pick. He’s a great athlete.

Right now, I like Micah Johnson as much as Spikes and McClain. Assuming that Graham does drop to RD 2, we can do some things:

RD 1: D Williams
RD 2: B Graham
RD 3: M Johnson

RD 1: J Hughes
RD 2: B Graham
RD 3: M Johnson

. . .

It might seem overkill to draft two OLB’s, but you can never have too many pass rushers, right?

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

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 21, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

Or, we could go with A Benn in RD 1. I think he has more potential than any of the WR’s in in 09 draft, and his lack of production in college is the only reason that he’ll be falling. But, I don’t see us drafting a WR in RD 1. Physically, though, he’s like a cross between A Boldin and A Johnson.

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

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 21, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Oh, you can definitely never have too many pass rushers

I do like Micah Johnson a lot, so if we draft NT and OLB in the first two rounds, it’d be hard to pass him up if he’s available in round three. Or we could get an ILB via FA and then really load up at the OLB position. Either way, our defense is going to get a lot better (and younger) this offseason.

I think the guy most likely to end up in a Dolphins uniform is Jerry Hughes. He just seems like a Parcells-approved defensive beast. I would gladly take him or Graham.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

HUUUUUUGE fan of Arrelious Benn

He’d be a great asset for an offense that truly lacks an explosive play-maker. I am curious to see what he’ll do in the 40-yd dash at the combine.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

It’s hard to tell, but I’d guess somewhere in the mid-4.4’s. I love how he runs when he gets his hands on the ball. If his lack of production knocks him back into the 2nd, I think he’d be impossible to pass up.

I do like this year’s crop of ILB’s, OLB’s, and NT’s a good deal more than I did the ‘09 class (at least near the top), so it’ll be interesting to see what the FO does come draft time. I’d love to see us make a trade to get another 2nd RD pick.

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

- John Berryman from THE DREAM SONGS #263

by sister_ray on Dec 21, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I've been thinking of ways we can nab additional draft picks

Here’s a couple of scenarios I’ve conjured up:

-Unload Gerbil onto the Chicago Bears.

Chicago’s about five seconds from diving into full rebuild mode, and a strong safety (emphasis on “strong”) like Gerbil would pair decently with Bears FS Al Afalava. If the Bears can trade a 2 for Gaines Adams, they can make a deal for Gibril.

-Unload Ted Ginn Jr. onto the Chokeland Raiders

This one’s too obvious, I know, but I don’t see a problem with dangling the world’s fastest tackling dummy to the black hole for a fourth-round pick. This is especially exciting considering our FO has KILLED the fourth round the last two years.

If we’re going to get ANY value for Ted, it’s this offseason. I say strike while the iron’s … well, lukewarm.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldnt and doubt FO

would dump Ginn for less then a 3rd rounder

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

As much as I'd love to dump him for a 3, I'd like you to find me the teams who would hand over that pick for Ginn

You couldn’t get a stick of gum for Ted before the second NYJ game, so I can’t say I’d lose sleep if we jettisoned him for a four (or a three if we have a horseshoe up our ass.)

Braylon Edwards was acquired for, what, a third and fifth-round pick? I would kiss the ground if we found someone who would take Ted off our hands for a four.

I’ve supported Ted longer than most, but my problem with him isn’t his complete lack of hands, or even his unwillingness to make catches over the middle — it’s the fact he’s taking up space on our wide receiver roster.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

and this is why

I expect him to remain on team as a KR and deep threat. I doubt seriously the FO go after another wideout after drafting 2 last year.

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

We're talking FA here

And you’re absolutely nuts if you think the FO isn’t going to consider rectifying our #1 wideout issue.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

time will tell

not either of us

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks, Gandolf

Sorry to be stubborn about this — and I really like your idea of drafting three LBs in 2010 — but I don’t get the logic of leaving our WR corps as is. Unless Patrick Turner comes out in the next two weeks and blazes two strips of fire like the DeLorean from “Back to the Future,” the FO has to do something about a #1 wideout.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

I am looking at our FO

I hear them you? Not into divas… have 5 recievers that are young and can play multible wr spots, have they decided who will be #2 IF we have a #1? Ginn? Hartline? Cam? all are under contract which do you get rid of since we only keep 5 and only 4 active? Ginn? Then you have a KR hole and like it or not guy hasnt dropped a pass since demoted and is 2nbd in AFC as a KR behind the best in game Cribbs and what happens if he doesnt drop another pass in last 2 games and goes 7 straight without one and he is arguably 2nd fastest man in football does FO give him up for njothing basically? We have 9 picks 8 since a conditional goes to KC for the QB. Or will they cut a 3rd rounder? If they believe Turner has progressedm he stays. Only opition seems to be getting rid of Ginn and I am not sold on that I am more inclined to believe this smashmouth FO gets themselves a Defense and continues mto run first. Give the 5 recievers another year to sort themselves out, get a top 5 defense and then in 2011 get a #1. Do I agree? Mostly being oldschool and wanting a dfefense and running game BUT I do think a true #1 would certainly make things interesting. I do believe defense is were we need to go all out for. I sit here trying to think like our FO and with what is said I am not sold in anyway they go after a #1 for what it will cost unhtil AFTER they get their young top flieght defense

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

and if they get a #1

at say trading Ginn that means either Cam or Hartline becomes 4th reciever and Turner not playinjg until 2011 at all barring injury. I just dont see the FO as decideing who is #2 and the loser for that spot and his salary rarely plays. Now after the 2010 season Cam’s contract is up or at the end of it thus opening up a spot

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

See, I am all about defense, too

And I want to spend most of this draft adding talent at LB and NT. I am just saying WR is a need we should address via FA. I like some of the wideouts in this draft, but I’d rather not use an early pick on the position.

So, if we could please change the subject, which of the draft linebackers are you most interested in? Linebacker is my favorite position on the field, so I tend to follow the position closely.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Love the avatar, BTW

I am also a huge Blackhawks fan.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

realistically

I’ll take Spikes in 1st(though want McClain), 2nd) Lewis(if slides)/Bowman from penn st/Kindle(though combine #’s make him a first I am afraid) (if Williams/Cody there I wouldnt complain), and 3rd Norwood or Graham. I want 3 backers and inside and 2 outsiders in first 3 picks

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

avatsr made by

uncle fin :)

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

With Norwood add Lewis, Bowman,

Dunlap(like E. Brown a possible big dropper), and Muckelroy

3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure

by Blaze453 on Dec 21, 2009 2:51 AM EST up reply actions

im interested to see what sapp does in the combine

same with cody

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No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
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by samdaman on Dec 21, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

I woiuld rather see us take a LB in FA

If we could nab Dansby or Ryans I’ll be happy

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by Patssuck456 on Dec 21, 2009 9:01 AM EST reply actions

Dansby would be so great in our defense

considering he’s able to play any LB position in the 3-4. He could line up anywhere on the field and cause wreckage. I really think this is the year we need to hit FA for some of our needs. ILB, OLB, WR, NT, FS I would say are the biggest needs on the team, (although I feel like Clemons can be a good FS for us), and we could fill any of them in FA (but not all, that would be expensive as hell). There should be options at each position, so I’d like to see us grab somebody (no Gibril though).

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I got dibs

by Little Nicky 21 on Dec 21, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

I plan on Clemons becoming our starting FS

Especially after the safety-in-wonderland shit show Gerbil threw down in Nashville yesterday. Someone must’ve shined Wilson’s helmet with mercury.

Dansby or Ryans would be money in the bank in our system. I really don’t care whether we draft an ILB or acquire one through FA — I just want to upgrade the position.

Dan Williams in 2010!

by kmb8488 on Dec 21, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

no, our defense is old

the draft this year is stacked with linebackers

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by samdaman on Dec 21, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

i've got an idea

trade up and get Suh

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No hating on Jay Fiedler, please.
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by samdaman on Dec 21, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply actions