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Quick Roundup: Dolphins add Misi & Jerry; will convert Starks to nose

By Matt Infante

I bet nobody else saw this coming. On a night where the Dolphins added two potential starters via the draft, the highlight of the night came very late when general manager Jeff Ireland announced for the first time that the Dolphins have also filled their need at nose tackle. And the player was already on Miami's roster.

Here are my quick thoughts on Friday night's developments as well as what to look for on Saturday:

  • We all knew that the Dolphins had to address the nose tackle position in some way this offseason. Jason Ferguson is aging, coming off of a rather serious injury, and is suspended for the first eight games of the year. Paul Soliai, meanwhile, has been inconsistent and probably will never be anything more than a solid role player. But nobody probably expected the Dolphins to look in-house to solve their need. When Miami drafted Jared Odrick on Thursday night, some fans thought he'd be a potential nose tackle candidate. But as I said, Odrick was brought in here because he was the best 3-4 defensive end available in the draft. But now Odrick's selection, which puzzled some, now makes perfect sense. The Dolphins will not only shift Randy Starks to the nose, but he's already penciled in as the starter at the position. At 6'3, 305 pounds, he's roughly the same size as Ferguson and Jay Ratliff were when Bill Parcells drafted them to play the nose. And Randy, to his credit, is happy to make the move. When Tony Sparano told him of their plans, Randy reportedly said that he's "at home in there." And this isn't some "fly-by-night" decision. It goes as far back as the Senior Bowl, according to Ireland - which coincidentally is when Miami really fell in love with Odrick. I love the move and I'm excited to see how Randy handles the new role.
  • I really like the selection of Koa Misi because of how versatile he looks to be. Yes, the Dolphins need to generate a pass rush and Misi will have to do some of that. But Miami had a lot of trouble covering backs and tight ends and Misi said he's very comfortable dropping into coverage. I expect Misi to start from week one at outside linebacker. I just hope fans don't put too much pressure on him right away. Unfortunately for Misi, though, he's going to be linked to Jason Taylor this year. If Taylor has a better year in NY than Misi does down in Miami, you can bet this front office will hear it - as unfair as that is considering Koa will be learning a new position.
  • John Jerry is also changing positions. He played on the right side of the line at Mississippi but will be asked to play left guard in Miami (coincidentally, that's the spot Justin Smiley holds...or held). I like the pick of Jerry because I think he will improve this line's run-blocking. That's his strength. He's a mauler - a massive mauler, actually. It'll be interesting to see if he can win a starting job right from the beginning. But whether he does or doesn't, expect Jerry to start at some point in 2010 and be a long-term answer at the position for years to come.
  • For all the criticism fans are spewing at this front office, does anyone realize how many holes they have filled this offseason? Star wide receiver? Check. Inside linebacker? Check. Nose tackle? Check. Outside linebacker? Check. Depth along the interior offensive line? Check. Core special teamer? Check. So what's left? I would be looking for the Dolphins to address many of the following positions: tight end (Dennis Pitta or Aaron Hernandez are two possibilities), free safety, a cornerback who can replace Nathan Jones and be a special teams contributor, a return man, another outside linebacker who can play special teams, and more depth along both lines. Don't sleep on Miami adding a late-round running back, either.

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