Dolphins Game Changing Offseason Moves: A new anchor at nose
by Matty I on Jun 25, 2010 5:00 AM EDT
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
Email
Print
Sponsored Post: This post is presented by Sprint. Bringing you the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier. Only on the Now Network.
As we wrap up these posts that highlight the "game changing" moves that this Dolphins' front office engineered this offseason, I'd be crazy not to devote a little bit of time to perhaps the single biggest decision by this regime - one that has already greatly impacted some personnel decisions already and will have a huge impact on the field.
Of course I'm talking about the decision to move Randy Starks to nose tackle, taking the place of Jason Ferguson for at least the first eight weeks while Ferguson serves his suspension. Even after Jason returns, Starks will likely remain the starting nose, assuming he's performing well in his new role.
The Dolphins seem to think that Starks won't have any problem transitioning to his new role. After day two of the draft, Jeff Ireland told the media that the team had "played Starks there last season a little bit. When he was in there he was very good. Body type to be a nose. Very powerful."
To his credit, Starks himself seems very excited about his new role - even after being a Pro Bowl alternate at defensive end last year. After the Dolphins announced the move, Randy told the media, "I’m excited. It’s a new challenge and I feel at home because I’ve played inside before. It’s nothing new for me."
Starks also said that he doesn't plan on adding any weight. He played at 310 pounds last year and will do the same this year as he transitions to the nose. How long this move is for, though, is anyone's guess.
My guess, however, is that if Starks shows he can play the position effectively, this will be his new home. After all, with so many teams running a 3-4 these days, quality nose tackles are at a premium - meaning more cash when it's contract time.
"That’s what I hear," says Starks. "But I have to perform first before I think about it."
This move made by the organization was huge, too, because of the impact it had on the Dolphins' draft. No longer was nose tackle an early to mid round priority. More importantly, it gave the Dolphins the flexibility they needed to move back in round one of the draft and recoup the second rounder they gave Denver.
With Starks willing to accept the move to nose tackle, Miami was able to drop back to pick 28, add pick 40, and then spend that first rounder on whichever defensive lineman was still on the board. If Dan Williams was still on the board at 28, the Dolphins may have gone with the Tennessee nose tackle and kept Starks at defensive end. But with him gone, the Dolphins were able to take the next highest rated guy on their board, Penn State defensive end Jared Odrick. By doing so, the Dolphins filled their void at nose tackle with Starks and filled the new void at defensive end with Odrick.
And all the while, the Dolphins were able to recover that second round pick and draft linebacker Koa Misi, who just happens to be running with the first team defense.
That is why the decision to make Randy Starks the anchor of Miami's 3-4 defense was a "game changing offseason move."
64 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
We'll see how well this works out...
If it works, Ireland is a genius…. if not … we are in trouble for the first 8 games at least….
when does the season start.....
my thoughts exactly. i am so enjoying learning how this fo works. seems like i soon as i think i am getting a idea about it they go and do something i would have not thought they would have. moving startks and making it work for them in the draft to get better. this is what us hillbilly’s call one smart ass sob move.
as my great grand pappy use to say: BOY see that feller elvis on tv swing his hips that way? youngen: ya pappy i see’s it. pappy: that is one smartass summ-ah-b**ch. youngen: why’s that pappy? pappy: swingen them hips liken he does is gonna make him sh*t loads of cash. youngen: it is? pappy yep.. getten them girls all hot and bothered and ever’n one Knows that its the ladys who have all the money. yep’n one smart arse s o b right there.
common sence says if you put a stick in it and stirr if it stinks.. stop.. toss the stick and just walk away.
lmao so true
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the "present." -Master Oogway-
"One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it."-Master Oogway-
yeah i figure if I study high, take the test high, get high scores! right? -redman-
The official Kory Sheets clan leader!!! LaRon Byrd the next Phenom out of Miami!!!
That opening stretch will be the most important part of the season.
Let’s hope it works!
The Post W'Rec'ker
by Choose your screen name: on Jun 25, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
CYSN it will set the stage for the (whole season) wont it, "yes important" but the playoff's will be the more important!
Lol; superbowl will be the most important TY. there are stages as far as player’s are concerned. First getting drafted, makeing the team, starting or second team contributing the very best of your ability when called. Then there are the team goal’s, win your division or wild card. To win enuff to controll one’s own destiney, like home field addvantage in playoff’s wood be a perk & attainable. Permitting all fall’s right in playoff’s they make the superbowl all new goal’s haft to be made &run through your mind’s eye of your mental game!!!
by wild zion beaver on Jun 25, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Ireland knows defensive line positions?
Just Ireland, or was it with a Defensive Coach / Head Coach colaboration?
The genius would be a shared title…….
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Official draft Koa Misi bus -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
I think I trust Sparano to judge talent along the line,
You don’t go from line coach to HC in Parcell’s world, unless you got the ability to judge talent and Coach.
Note to self: Read the fanshots!
-Pulse of the Maggots- P.o.t.M.
Driving the Evan Royster and Allen Bradford Rock 'N Roll Train!
Mosul, check it out! http://www.mosuldolfan.blogspot.com/
don't sell Ireland short though
his entire job description is judging talent.
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Six Career Matty Awards
LN21 and MHTD - Goin Commando
Phinsider's Resident Chef
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 25, 2010 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
But Starks is/was already on the roster
It is Sparano’s job to get the players, the GM gets for him, in the best position to help the team.
Note to self: Read the fanshots!
-Pulse of the Maggots- P.o.t.M.
Driving the Evan Royster and Allen Bradford Rock 'N Roll Train!
Mosul, check it out! http://www.mosuldolfan.blogspot.com/
Ireland brought Starks in
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Six Career Matty Awards
LN21 and MHTD - Goin Commando
Phinsider's Resident Chef
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 27, 2010 3:19 AM EDT up reply actions
You misunderstood me
HC: Coach the players, and workwith what he has.
GM: Get the players the team needs, based off of what the philosophy is, what position needs tweaking, and what the HC says he needs.
Note to self: Read the fanshots!
-Pulse of the Maggots- P.o.t.M.
Driving the Evan Royster and Allen Bradford Rock 'N Roll Train!
Mosul, check it out! http://www.mosuldolfan.blogspot.com/
alsooo
i dont think any “reams” are running anything….
good post
this move was a game changer with no doubt. When we drafted odrick a lot of fans were wondering wtf. I think it will work out in the end.
From what i remebered..
Starks supposedly struggled playing in place of Fergdog. Maybe a full offseason at the position will prepare him well.
Apparently...
…they had made this decision as far back as the senior days. None of the NTs in the draft impressed them, I guess. When Starkes played in the position, I recall him being rather good. Better than Soliai anyway.
We’ll need to keep an eye on Cody in Baltimore. If he develops into a stud NT, then we might have missed out on something special.
cody was already obese on a college students allowance. imagine how fat he is going to be with a couple of million dollars to feed with! i think he is going to eat himself out of the league
Lol; its called the gout, as in glutton. Make potental to shuvel in one's mouth all the food posible, to make one's cheek's pop out.
One may have a hard time, calling this one a stud. But as i recall only to well, wasen’t he loseing weight by (40 lb. incrument’s) at one time????
by wild zion beaver on Jun 25, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
no one complains about Vince Wilfork being overweight....
and he is pushing 370lbs…. If we had the chance to grab him you know we would have needed to seriously make a play for him….
when does the season start.....
by Jason Scott_90 on Jun 26, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Critical move...
Against the better running teams this is the key area, but even against the passing teams we need a better push up the middle. Here’s to Nolan not taking too long to figure out whats the best way to go here. Hopefully having it figured out by Game 1.
"I likem me some UDFAs"
... by preseason games it will be done...
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Official draft Koa Misi bus -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
you definitely cant say we dont have the youth
it’s just how long it takes for them to mature at their positions
"I likem me some UDFAs"
Well, there's no question on the NT position...
… the DEs shouldn’t be that difficult to decipher. Linebackers is a little muddled. Dansby Crowder in the middle and Outside LBs is getting there… at least with Misi.
What else is there?
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Official draft Koa Misi bus -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
i agree the pieces are there
it will be the cohesion factor and the schemes that Nolan uses for the talent he has.
"I likem me some UDFAs"
Should have drafted 1 pure NT !
This move better pay off because – We could have taken any of the THREE BEST NT prospects in the draft – These players were on the board for us…
Round 1 – Terrance Cody, ALA
Round 2 – Linvall Joseph, East Carolina
Round 5 – Cam Thomas, North Carolina
In my mind the biggest FAILURE is not selecting CAM THOMAS in the 5th – he would have been good insurance for a low round 5th pick…. I really feel this is a disservice to STARKS too – the man had a great year at DE and we reward him with a position change ! he was our BEST DE… I feel like he will be a decent NT – but he is better suited to a DT in a 4-3 front. Look around, all the stud NT’s are much bigger than Starks, its takes a lot of body mass to play NT in a 3-4 in the NFL, as you face a double team constantly. also – don’t tell me Fergy was a great NT – thats simply not true… He is only better than average… We needed a real stud at NT if we were staying with this stupid 3-4… Ya, I hate the 3-4………… I will be pulling for STARKS – and he is one of my favorite players, but this is a risky move. I just wish we would switch to the 4-3 completely. If not this FO SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN US a young star to groom at NT. I’m more worried about this than I am about the safety position.
40 Year FIN FAN
DRAFT a #1 WR now.........
Dan Williams was entirely overrated
Terrence Cody had conditioning (and some attitude) issues, and wasn’t even playing in Miami yet..
Linval Joseph was a high-riser; nobody expected him to go in the second, and they likely overpaid for him there..
Cam Thomas? He was expected to go in the second or third. If NT are such a premium, there are obvious reasons he lasted so long.
There were no young stars to draft this year. If a lines coach doesn’t like any of the options, there are obviously no other routes to take.
Gonna take a fortnight at least to get this herd down to St. Louis on Mississippi. This glen's gonna be tough to traverse, and that river's got to be 50, 60 meters wide. And God knows how many fathoms. To hell with parliamentary procedure. We've got to wrangle up some cattles!
by Dave.Phuller on Jun 25, 2010 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Body type
Jay ratliff is smaller than starks and is a top 3 NT
"My ego is not that big. . . . I just want to win." - Dwyane Wade
Check out Mosul Dolfan's blog: An Observation on Sports
by Davone_Is_BessT on Jun 25, 2010 11:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Technique is the most important aspect for a NT
Note to self: Read the fanshots!
-Pulse of the Maggots- P.o.t.M.
Driving the Evan Royster and Allen Bradford Rock 'N Roll Train!
Mosul, check it out! http://www.mosuldolfan.blogspot.com/
Wrong on size
Franklin from the 49ers and Ratliff from Dallas are about the same size. Playin the noze depends much more on technique than your size.
As far as hating the 3-4 you should be happy cuz Nolan runs a hybrid 3-4/4-3.
Ferguson as well
plays right at 310-315
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Six Career Matty Awards
LN21 and MHTD - Goin Commando
Phinsider's Resident Chef
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 25, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
we could have also grabbed Cody when we picked in round 2....
but we obviously thought that most teams had already addressed their needs at NT
when does the season start.....
by Jason Scott_90 on Jun 26, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats true Phintastic. I too like the idea of Nolan taking on his job headfirst or "nose first" in this case
As new Def Coordinator he could have just tinkered with existing pieces and taken a wait and see approach with nobody knocking it in his first year. besides their were no top ranked NT’s on Miami’s board to take.
if he can turn around Denver's less talented
Defense to a top 10 unit. I like his chances with this team. I’m sure he had some say in the draft picks and has seen the film on the returning players. I’m excited about having a good defense like the old Arnsparger days (70-74, 76-83) (No Name/ Killer Bs). A great attacking defense that doesnt give up the big plays.
"I likem me some UDFAs"
Needs insurance while experimenting
fins shud of drafted cam thomas and resigned jason taylor this past offseason, nobody
thinking of the consequences if starks should get hurt.Why I say thomas and taylor? cuz we will have the luxury of staying with the 3-4 wit cam until our real NT comes back or
we could go with the 4-3 with taylor at DE with odrick manning the other DE.
wake,crowder,and dansby wud shine in 4-3, with kosi replacing crowder on 3rd down
by fin4three5yrs on Jun 25, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Odrick would not play DE in a 4-3...
In your scenario, Odrick and Starks would play DT while Taylor and Wake played DE.
Doubt Wake would be an every-down DE in a 4-3.
Langford would be the starter opposite JT in this bizarro scenario :)
Given JT's age, I think Langford would start OVER JT, not opposite him. As for Wake...
Wake experienced the majority of his success last season playing in a 3-point stance. ProFootballFocus has Wake listed as the 4th highest rated per 4-3 DEs last year. Granted he only got limited snaps in passing rushing downs only. But based on last season’s stats, he got to the QB nearly 20% of the time. He is an extremely effective pass rusher as a 4-3 DE. He would not be great against the run, but he wouldn’t need to be. Average run stopping ability with his pass rushing skill would make him a good RE.
I like the move
It makes our line more of a pass rush threat.
"My ego is not that big. . . . I just want to win." - Dwyane Wade
Check out Mosul Dolfan's blog: An Observation on Sports
by Davone_Is_BessT on Jun 25, 2010 11:08 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
There are advantages and disadvantages with this move...
The advantages are that is gave us draft flexibility and allowed us to address multiple needs early. It gives us flexibility to move in and out of defensive packages and looks. We can play 4-3 fronts, 3-4 fronts, and any variations of those.
The disadvantage is that we are starting at least 2 unknown players on the defensive line. We don’t really know how Starks will play as full time NT. We don’t know if Odrick will be effective as a rookie. Merling has the talent, but we don’t even know if he’ll win the starting job. Soliai may not even make the roster.
Best case scenario: Starks plays well as NT and gives us great versatility and depth on our D-line.
Worst case scenario: Starks can’t handle the spot and moves back to DE. We run NT by committee until week 8.
IMO, this move is not the best possible move, but I think it can be effective. Nolan had success with less talent in Denver last season. And given his affinity for running multiple fronts, this move gives us versatility. I believe Nolan will get the best out of our front 7 this season and I’m looking forward to it.
NT Position - Dave P.
I didnt even mention Dan Williams – because I didnt like him, and he was overrated. Now to say that Cam Thomas lasted till the 5th round (means he has no talent) is bogus. JT was a 3rd round pick – Zach thomas (5th) … Tom Brady 6th… so lets not act like all these NFL FO’s are “genius” when it comes to the draft… ! I suppose there was a “reason” they lasted so long too ? My point was that IF we MUST run the 3-4 then they should have gotten a young NT.. Big fat Paulie sucks… Fergy is old and has little time left.
Starks was our BEST DE and deserved to stay there. Langford and Merling get VERY FEW SACKS… Odrick is now the key, if he dosent prove to be worth his 1st rd status – then they blew this draft… thank God we had a great FA period (props to FO) but we took a big chance with this position switch.
Also – I think all the players I mentioned at NT are solid prospects – and will post later this year when we all know what type of players they turn out to be…
personally – I would have drafted BOTH Joeseph and C. thomas… goodbye to Paulie…
40 Year FIN FAN
DRAFT a #1 WR now.........
I'm sure Nolan was able to see
all the propective NTs on tape. We will be living on the edge until all the guys get up to speed on duties thats for sure. I’m sure Nolan will have to mix it up for us to stop the run and even more importantly rushing the QB. In Nolan “We trust”
"I likem me some UDFAs"
I think that the Dolphins
made great strides in the off season and the draft. It will all come together soon.
JT, Zach, and Brady are 3 examples of players drafted late that worked out
I can give you 1,000 names of guys drafted late that didn’t work out. We remember the ones that were good, but how about all the guys (probably close to 80-90%) of guys drafted late that don’t work out? Smart money is on Cam Thomas not being any good, because there might be, maybe, 1-2 players drafted in the 5th round that make any noise in the league. There’s a reason Zach Thomas dropped to the 5th, he was small and slow. You don’t draft a guy who’s physically limited in the first 2 rounds, because so few of those guys are any good. Saying Cam Thomas is in that category is ridiculous, because from the looks of it, he has the build and physical ability to be good, yet 32 teams passed on him 4+ times. It’s alarming due to the tremendous need for NT’s, that someone like Thomas would drop that far, and it tells me that every team saw something they didn’t like about him.
I’ll go on record as saying he won’t ever be more than a quality backup, and that’s an optimistic point of view.
Starks was our best DE, but he was a DT before he got here, and he says he likes playing on the inside, so whether or not he “deserved” to play outside is meaningless.. you put the best players on the field in a position where they can help the team the most. Not to mention, I think he deserves to be moved to NT, where the pay is better, and he will be compensated if he performs.
Also, I think it’s kind of black-and-white to say if Odrick doesn’t work out, we blew the draft. Misi is slated to be a starter, Reshad Jones is expected to take over for Bell in the near future, everyone around the team, including fans, are excited about AJ Edds, John Jerry could start at LG, not to mention snagging Marshall and Dobbins (who people seem to love) with trades involving our draft picks. If Odrick is great, it’s another phenomenal draft. If he’s mediocre, it still can be a very good draft.
And go right ahead and repost this if and when those players prove to be decent, because I’m going to go out on a limb and say Starks will be a better NT than all of them.
Phinsider HOF C/O 2009
Winner of Six Career Matty Awards
LN21 and MHTD - Goin Commando
Phinsider's Resident Chef
by Little Nicky 21 on Jun 25, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Not to mention the amount of talent that he was surrounded with at UNC...
He had guys that are 1st and 2nd rounds prospects for the 2011 draft. That could have made him look better than he truly was in college.
Well said...
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Official draft Koa Misi bus -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
Starks is going to be good at NT...
But he is not a traditional NT. He is a smaller quicker NT, which definately has its place, but in short yardage situations it would be nice to have that traditional NT. I still contend that they were hoping Cody would drop to the 3rd round since everyone that needed a NT had already taken one. I think they were surprised when the Ravens who already had Ngata went and grabbed Cody.
I think that moving Starks to NT was more of a backup plan at NT. They really liked Odrick. If he turns out to be a quality DE then you can’t say we messed up in getting him. If he doesn’t then we will always have questions about what we could have gotten at that spot. That is the danger in the draft, so it looks like they went with the guy they felt had the lowest chance of being a bust. They also really liked Misi, and they decided to take 2 3 down players over a 2 down player like Cody. We needed a OLB so you can’t say it was a bad idea to pick Misi in the 2nd round. You might argue that he was the wrong OLB, but none of us will really know that for at least a couple of years. I think he might not be a sack machine, but we already have that with Wake and it is good to have a more rounded OLB playing the other side, which is what I think he is.
The reason I think that was the plan though was the way they talked after day 1 compared to how they talked on day 2. Ireland said after day 1 that Odrick could play NT or DE. They didn’t really say anything about the plan to move Starks to NT. After day 2 is when they came out with this plan they had since before the draft to move Starks to NT. Why then? Was it because they missed out on the last NT that they believed was an upgrade at NT?
when does the season start.....
by Jason Scott_90 on Jun 26, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
... or da little dude....
Adjutant General, Matty Fan Club
64 "Phinsider Fued" Points..!!
"Official draft Koa Misi bus -- the A.J. Duhe of this decade!"
by Alpha6 on Jun 26, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
LMAO
Be sure to visit Mosul's new blog at www.mosuldolfan.blogspot.com/
"Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."-Steve Earle
"I'd rather be a dead Gram Parsons than a live Garth Brooks"-Kinky Friedman
Now riding in First Class on the "DRAFT LaRON BYRD IN 2011" Airbus A380.
by texascowpunk on Jun 26, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
wow that was random
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
2010 The Jim Mandich NewsFlash Award Winner.
""It only ends once. Everything that comes before is just progress"
by Patssuck456 on Jun 27, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
He deserved to play outside where he has less value?
I disagree with you there. If anything he earned with his performance it is the chance to move inside where there is a premium on NTs, and therefore he has the opportunity to make more money. To say he deserves to play a position he plays well, but he will get paid less money is silly. If he can fill the role, pay the man.
when does the season start.....
by Jason Scott_90 on Jun 26, 2010 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Langford/starks/odrick > langford/draft pick/starks
maybe that’s what it came down to
by christiandolfan on Jun 25, 2010 7:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Nose
I got on the net after the Phin’s announced they had moved Starks to NT and was able to find about 50 plays on him playing inside, That may not be a tremendous amount of film but I do think it was representative of what Starks could do. I have to tell you, I see the thinking Ireland had in making this move. He more than held his own in there in the plays that I saw. He was strong against double teams, got good penetration, had good lateral movement and in general seemed to be a very effective NT. The guy’s strong, nobody pushes him around. With the drafting of any player such an uncertainty I think moving a proven player over to a new position that he’s already had some experience at makes all the sense in the world. The drafting of Odrick to me just underscores the confidence this regime has in making this move. The bottom line to this whole thing is that we’ve strengthened our front 7 considerably, something we really needed to do.
by Biggest Dolphin Fan on Jun 26, 2010 2:36 AM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Phinsider
Related FanShots on The Phinsider
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
