Dolphins high on Joe Flacco?

by Matty I on Feb 27, 2008 3:54 PM EST in 2012 Miami Dolphins News

Here's an interesting tidbit from East Coast Sports News about the Dolphins and what they might do in April's draft:

Talk is cheap these days especially regarding the NFL Draft where smokescreens are a plenty, especially when scouts and NFL personnel talk about their own teams intentions in the Draft, but I have reason to believe that the Dolphins will pass up Matt Ryan with the first overall pick. A very good friend of mine in the scouting industry told me this morning that the talk around the scouting community is if the Dolphins aren't able to trade their first round pick, they will take either Chris Long or Vernon Gholston to play the rush end (or OLB) in their 3-4 scheme or use the pick on OT Jake Long of Michigan. My source also told me that he expects the Dolphins to take a quarterback with their pick in the second round, with that quarterback being none other than Deleware's Joe Flacco. The talk around the scouting community is that Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells is said to be enamored with Flacco, a New Jersey native just like Parcells.

Incase you haven't been able to tell, I'm really against the Dolphins drafting Matt Ryan #1. I'd much rather prefer either Chris Long or Jake Long if the Dolphins can't trade down. And I'm not totally against Vernon Gholston. I'm just not sure he's worthy of the #1 pick. But hey, if Parcells and company like him enough to take him #1, then that says something about the kid.

As far as the QB situation goes, I've said it before and I'll say it again: John Beck is going to be a good quarterback in this league. But with that said, I'll all for bringing in a rookie QB to compete with John, as long as it isn't in the first round. And Joe Flacco is an intriguing prospect. He's got a big arm and can make all the throws. Some question his footwork and mechanics, but that's nothing that good coaching can't take care of. So I'd be all for bringing in Flacco and letting him challenge Beck. However, I will say this: I got a "feeling" that John is working his butt off this offseason and that he's really going to look much improved come training camp.

But, hey, it's always good to have 2 good QBs on the roster. If Parcells and Jeff Ireland feel Flacco can be a good quarterback, then bring him on. But spending $35+ million in guarantees on Matt Ryan would be a bad move, in my honest opinion.

Thoughts?

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Draft strategy

That seems to make the most sense to me. I agree that this Flacco guy would definitely work out for us and could even possibly be a good fall back plan in case Beck is not the real deal. I do not know why people still think that we should be drafting a QB or Running Back with the top pick. Scratch that idea and throw it away. NO to Ryan and a double NO to McFadden.

It does not matter if it is one of the Longs who goes first, but that depends on free agency. If we get Adams or Faneca, then it will be Chris Long. If not, then we may have to consider Jake Long. Take a QB like Flacco with the first pick in the 2nd round, and then just work on other things after that.

Build through the draft, stand pat, do not trade any picks unless you are getting more picks. I am just so sick and tired of us giving away pick after pick for essentially retreads who only stay for a year and then are gone. At least this way we have some rookies who will be dedicated to ensuring that a solid team is being developed.

by resman on Feb 27, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions

I think

it has to be One of the Defensive Linemen. The draft is wayyyy too deep at the tackle position. If we can get a GREAT defensive lineman (Long, Gholston, Dorsey, Ellis) then we can get a good Offensive Lineman later on in the second... after we draft Joe Flacco with the 32nd pick ;)

~~ FINGUY23 ~~

by JDPhinFan on Feb 27, 2008 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

We shouldn't forget

We shouldn't forget the fact that John Beck is already up there in age, He'll be 27 at the start of the season. This might be another factor for losing faith in Beck and drafting another QB, which I am totally against 'till Beck gets his chance.

by Beck4Mercy on Feb 27, 2008 4:50 PM EST reply actions

Two Things

First, I like Gholston's athleticism and upside. He's a full year younger than Long. Basically, the decision will come down to whether people think Gholston's upside outweighs Long's motor and intangibles. Personally, Long would be the safe pick, but I'd probably go with Gholston based on his higher upside.

If the Dolphins go with Flacco in the 2nd round, and go with a veteran in FA, it kind of tells me that they believe Beck is closer to being ready to start and hold the reigns for the next 3 years, until Flacco is ready to play. Which makes sense.

by dab415217 on Feb 27, 2008 5:07 PM EST reply actions

I agree

mostly...

IF miami pick defense first, I want Gholston, however he'd be my 3rd pick. J long, and Ryan.

I just don't like flacco in the 2nd. I'd much rather draft Long first, then OL or DL 2nd with what ever is best on the board, and go with JJ as a development project behind Beck in the 4th.

Let's give Beck some time to drop back and throw a long pass, and some people for ronnie to run behind.

Plus Flacco was terrible by most reports senior bowl week and I have a nagging feeling that it's a bad omen for the guy. I'd rather take a shot on the atheletic JJ.

by W NY Fins Fan on Feb 27, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

I am all for bringing in flacco

to challenge beck. i would love for beck to step it up and win the starting job, but they need insurance- now and for the future- if he stumbles. the now would be a veteran QB- the leftwichs and collinses of the world or the like. and drafting another QB- be it flacco or someone else, would help solidify the future.

another name that was bandied about a while back and has faded... chris simms, anyone? if he could be had for a fourth a fifth rounder- might be worth a shot as another guy to challenge for the starter's job. i know, i know- the simms-parcells connection is too easy.. but food for thought.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Feb 27, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions

PS

my first thought is no on matt ryan at #1 too... but if parcells & co. are that high on him- i could get behind the decision.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Feb 27, 2008 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

We've talked about it before...

how nobody in this draft is a clear-cut number one. So you could make a very good case that the best thing we can do is trade down. Now that's easier said than done obviously.

I'm really not sold at all by John Beck. Granted his supporting cast was very poor last year, not to mention a clueless head coach. Still, he strikes me as being a little lost, a bit over his head. I think it is a bit sketchy to put so much faith in him to be a good QB - he might be, but he could just as easily flop. That's how it goes.

So if the fins really do think Beck is the guy and just want insurance, then a 2nd rnd QB pick is fine. Although they'll still need a veteran QB which makes you wonder how much money the QB position will tie up next year.

If the dolphins don't think Beck is the guy, then I think they have to get the best QB out there. Which, most everyone agrees is Matt Ryan.

The NFL is littered with countless guys who failed miserably despite having a big arm or great size or 'all the tools' I mean let's not forget the whole Leaf/Manning debate where Lead was widely seen as having more upside than Peyton (ha!). In retrospect that sounds stupid but that was the prevailing wisdom of the time.

by Natalya on Feb 27, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

So perhaps...

Flacco has all this upside, but upside and on field production are two different stories!

by Natalya on Feb 27, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Not against taking Flacco in the 2nd round

Chris Long is a sure bet to be a productive starter. He's the only one I would pick at #1. $35 mil is too much to pay for potential.

It will be interesting to see how Chris and Vernon's careers pan out. What do we know about Vernon's character? Will he be holding out in three years? Chris is a classic good character guy. Vernon may be stronger and faster, but Long plays every down and will play every down for his entire career.

by gophish on Feb 27, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions

Wat we should do

I like the idea on usin 1 of are 2nd rounders on flaco and the otha on a o-line man that we can use.But if we cant trade dwn then i believe that are number one pick should go to vernon ova chris long.I like longs motor and his attitute and i believe that hes the most nfl ready player in the draft.Vernon is kinda raw n needs some work on his technique and to keep his motor goen on like long.But i belive with good coachen vernon can get alot better than wat he is now and is only have as good as were he can max out to. But long in the otha hand theres not much more to do with, hes not a great athlete but he has a non stop motor coaces love,Well the problem with him is that a couple of years down the line hes not gonna get much better than wat he is right now.But i believe with the coachen staff we've got now in 2 years we can turn vernon into the next demarcus ware and maybe even better........

by lionel on Feb 27, 2008 5:50 PM EST reply actions

Flacco?

He may have a big time arm and stand very tall, and be younger than Beck by 4 years but he still is from Deleware a Division 1-AA school. And yes he was very productive there he did not have 1A athletes covering his WR or coming off the end trying to sack him. In the past QB's out of 1-AA programs have had a lot of trouble. The most recent one is T. Jackson on the Vikings. You have to look back to S. McNair to find proof it could happen.

I agree you can find gems anywhere, but I Flacco has not showed me anything to make me think he is better than Woodson, Henne, or Booty all potential 2nd round pics. And all those three played in the toughest conferences in college football.

The Patriots Suck

by k2oconnor on Feb 27, 2008 6:12 PM EST reply actions

Actually

TOny Romo is from a div 1-AA (Eastern Ill.) and is obviously an excellent QB.

Let's remember though, Tony sat on the bench for several years (aka: a project). That's the path to success, if he succeeds, that I see for Flacco.

by Natalya on Feb 27, 2008 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

But can we wait 4 years?

And it is a hell of a jump from a DII school to the pros.

And no two palyers are alike despite guys like Romo and Jerry Rice,w ho came from small schools only to excel in the NFL.

"Some question his footwork and mechanics, but that's nothing that good coaching can't take care of. So I'd be all for bringing in Flacco and letting him challenge Beck. However, I will say this: I got a "feeling" that John is working his butt off this offseason and that he's really going to look much improved come training camp."

Yeah, if those are his only weaknesses then I would have no problem drafting the guy.
It wouldnt suprise me to see us take Flacco anyway.

by Patssuck456 on Feb 27, 2008 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

Ummmm excuse me, but....................

CAN YOU PROMOUNCE ROTHLESBURGER?

Miami (of Ohio University). He played QB for my daughter's high school (Findlay, Ohio). And much like Flacco went unnoticed until the combine & draft started buzzing about him. Flacco is so much like Big Ben, it's scarey!

I'm all over this plan. Beck & Flacco are different for sure, but I think both can at least be good NFL QB's. Give Beck his shot this year & we have Flacco if we want to change gears.....all without paying JaMarcus Russell money & the crap & anxiety associated with it.

Give me a Long (either one) & Flacco & I'm happy!

by davehowardcustom on Feb 27, 2008 9:30 PM EST up reply actions

Vernon g.

Vernon was a under the radar type of guy and he was for a awaile,a couple of months ago nobody would of thought he was a top 5 type of pick.2months ago people had him in the mid 1st round,As time went on this guy went from bein in the top 10 into bein in the top 5 in the draft. One reason was cuz he sparked up the nfl combine, I believe that lil by lil people are gonna start to notice how good this guy is and how much talent he has in hes been moven up on everybodys draft board.To make a prediction on some of the players in this draft,I belive mcfadden well be the best player, he is just gonna be a bit of a chance wit whoeva wants to tke it.Chris long is gonna be a solid football player,But afta awaile people are gonna notice that he is gonna hit his max out point fast and wont get that much better afta that.With matt ryan afta 2 years on the bench wit a team learnen the system hes gonna be a solid starter,But not great.In then with my man vernon hes gonna have a slow year or 2 on a team but afta that hes gonna be an elite linebacker on a team.A player thats realy under the radar thats gonna be a real gold mind in the nfl is gonna be the runningback outta of ucf, kevin smith trust me on this one.I felt the same way about devin hester comen outa of collage and look at him now..................

by lionel on Feb 27, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions

Becks the future

Im not opposed to bringing in a veteran for back up but drafting a qb before the 4th round is CRAZY!!!!
we have so many holes, it would be a waste of a pick, with a couple good picks we could get a few starters this year not includig the #1. im not for throwing away quality picks for a back up.
just my opinion

What happend to the Killer BEEs

by FinfanT on Feb 27, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions

For the record I would hate this move

Matty doesn't like Ryan, I do. But whatever Bill does, I'll trust him till he pulls a Cam Cam.

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Feb 27, 2008 11:15 PM EST reply actions

Absolutely Agree Matty I...

I do like Ryan, however I don't like him as the #1 pick in this draft.

Where the fins go will depend on who they can get in the FA period I would guess. (Pick up Adams and/or Faneca and suddenly I don't think you will see Jake Long go #1...) However, this draft is deep at the OL slot, so I imagine regardless of which direction they go, they will get some depth in this draft at that spot if they are successful in the FA market.

If Long is not the pick, then I would expect Chris Long or Gholston to go #1, assuming they can't trade down. Gholston has really come out of nowhere of late, but if you watch the film on him in the NC game against LSU last year, he really was a pain in the ass to the LSU offense. A major disrupter who did this all year. Personally, I would rather see them pick Ellis as I think he will be a monster in the NFL.

Picking up Flacco with the 32nd pick would not be a bad deal and then grabbing a veteran backup from FA to compete with Beck and Flacco would be great. JUST GET RID OF CLEO!!!!

We also need WR's, TE's, majority of defensive positions.......

I get the feeling this is going to be another long year. Hopefully we get some solid talent in here though to start growing this thing. Maybe 5-6 wins, putting a quality product on the field, another good draft next year and some more FA's to add into the fray... Maybe see Ginn/Beck start to grow up a little, Brown & Ricky coming back healthy and being the 2-headed monster again...

Lets hope playoff "challengers" in 2 years max.

Definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

by azphinner on Feb 27, 2008 11:36 PM EST reply actions

Some people here are too funny...

Nobody, nobody, even thought Vernon Gholston would even be mentioned here as the possible first pick except myself. Now that certain media outlets are reporting it, everyone seems to think they who who this guy is, and wouldn't mind him being the first pick. Most peopple, up to a month ago, didn't even know who he was. I've been sayin all along that he reminds parcells of a more athletic DeMarcus Ware but noone wanted to listen. I posted something all the way back in January before the Combine, before free agency.

If we don't

Take the second trade with Dallas, i do like the trade down with Oakland. We do not know as of yet if in fact Oakland has the third pick because they have a coin flip, but if we can't get dorsey or one of the Longs, i'd love to see Vernon Gholston from OSU. the man is a beast literally, and has the freakish size and motor that Parcells loves.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0704/gallery.nfl.2008.draft.candids/images/gholston.j pg

And with the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...The Miami Dolphins select...Glenn Dorsey-LSU
by FinzD54 on Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 07:07:13 PM EDT

See guys you have to know what Parcells likes and living in New England, and having to follow him from the Gaytriots, to both New York teams, and then to Dallas, he has a certain type of player he is looking for. Gholston would fit that mold, he is younger than Long i believe, and is WAY more athletic. Do i think that he will be the pick come April?... that remains to be seen. But, given his track record of Loving to draft OLB in the 3-4 system, my bet is it will most definitely be one of those two.

And with the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...The Miami Dolphins select...Glenn Dorsey-LSU

by FinzD54 on Feb 28, 2008 6:32 AM EST reply actions

Don't Believe the Hype

The one and only thing I know about the draft is that you can't put too much stock into anything you hear. Teams throw out all kinds of smoke screens and information is "leaked" all the time. No team wants to show what hand it is playing. for all we know the Dolphins want McFadden and will say whatever it takes to make teams beleive something else for whatever reason.

Remember a couple years ago when Saban called up Braylon Edwards on his cell phone while the Dolphins were on the clock to make it look like we were going to take him to try to get cleveland to trade with us. Very very few people last year thought Ted Ginn's name was going to be announced with the #9 pick. i heard the dolphins were interested in several QBs last year, but Beck's name didn't come up very often.

Of course its fun to hypothesize. Just don't believe anything you hear.

by smirish on Feb 28, 2008 9:46 AM EST reply actions