Thursday, March 4, 2010
So what will our defense look like in 2010?
2:23 PM | Posted by
Phins 2 Phins
Just like I did with offense, I would like to take the time to summarize what we have discussed thus far in order to try to paint a picture of what our defense will look like in 2010. I would also like to take the time to take a look at our kickers because they are after all an integral part of the team and we shouldn’t forget about them.
Nose tackles.- Although not a priority to be fulfilled in the first round, we definitely need to acquire a nose tackle. It is still not clear whether or not Ferguson will return next season, and even if he does, not only will he not be done rehabilitating his quadricep injury until late July, but he will probably retire at the end of the season, so it would be wise to acquire his replacement, considering that the guy who is currently in charge of the task, Soliai, has not been very dependable in the position. While Ferguson was playing, our defense ranked 7th against the run, by season’s end, we had fallen to 18th and that is something we need to work on improving.
Defensive ends.- We have a very solid core of young defensive ends, and considerable depth in the position. This is one area of the team in which I expect to see great improvement in this upcoming season, not due to changes in the players, but actually with the changes in the coaching staff. These guys are young and have the ability to get even better; I think Nolan is the key to taking them to that next level.
Inside linebackers.- I wouldn’t mind seeing a whole different group of guys in this position, but realistically speaking, when it comes to our two starters, I see us getting rid of Ayodele and keeping Crowder. I also believe that if we are going to spend a lot of money on any one guy in free agency, that guy would be Dansby, and I will be staying up late tonight waiting to see what happens with him because I think he will be one of the first people who strikes a deal at the start of free agency. Regardless of whether or not we pick up Dansby, we will probably end up getting another guy in the draft. A lot of people believe that guy will be McClain, I personally hope it’s Brandon Spikes, because there is still something about McClain that makes me uneasy. Bottom line is, we will probably have two new ILBs on our roster next season, and we can only hope one of those comes in free agency.
Outside linebackers.- There are a lot of unknowns still when it comes to our OLBs. We are now certain that Porter will not be coming back, but are we going to just cut him, or will we try to trade him? I personally believe Porter might have some trade value but it wouldn’t surprise me if they just cut him in order to avoid any further headaches. We also still don’t know whether Taylor will be back, I think with Porter’s imminent departure there is a greater chance of seeing JT striking a fair deal with the Dolphins. Despite his age, Taylor has proven he is still capable of performing, but most importantly, we all know how much of an asset he would be when it comes to coaching and motivating the younger guys. I expect Cameron Wake to make an impact next season when he becomes a regular starter and I believe we will draft an OLB early on in the draft.
Cornerbacks.- Despite Will Allen’s recent encounter with the law, I don’t suspect he will be going anywhere, our new corners have both shown they can step their game up and perform but they could use the veteran’s guidance to help with their development. I don’t see any changes taking place in this position, but I believe we will see the improvements that come from having had the experience of playing a whole season in the NFL.
Safeties.- We have a Pro-Bowler in Yeremiah Bell, and a complete bust in Gibril Wilson; still, I don’t see us pursuing a safety in free agency or early on in the draft so I suspect we will see these two guys on the field again next season; that is unless, we strike gold with the safety we are sure to pick up in the draft in one of the later rounds.
With our offensive and defensive needs having been addressed, the only two people I haven’t talked about are our kickers. Even though sometimes their contributions go unnoticed, our kickers are an important part of the team and the ones that we have are both great each in their own right.
Dan Carpenter.- Carpenter was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and has been a reliable kicker in both his seasons with the Dolphins, having scored over 100 points in both. This past season he led the team in scoring with 112 points, having scored 25 out of 28 field goals as well as 37 out of 38 extra points. He had actually converted 62 straight extra points from the start of his career prior to missing his first and only one so far in the game against Tampa Bay. Carpenter finished fourth in the AFC when it comes to field goal percentage and made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season. Having a guy like Carpenter on the roster gives you the security of knowing that your team has the ability to secure three points on a FG when needed.
Brandon Fields.- Fields third season with the Dolphins was a good one. He punted 75 times for 3472 yards, averaging 46.3 yards per punt (that number is the second highest number in Dolphins’ history) and 33% of the time those punts landed behind the 20 yard line. Overall he finished third in the AFC and sixth in the NFL when it comes to gross punting.
Nose tackles.- Although not a priority to be fulfilled in the first round, we definitely need to acquire a nose tackle. It is still not clear whether or not Ferguson will return next season, and even if he does, not only will he not be done rehabilitating his quadricep injury until late July, but he will probably retire at the end of the season, so it would be wise to acquire his replacement, considering that the guy who is currently in charge of the task, Soliai, has not been very dependable in the position. While Ferguson was playing, our defense ranked 7th against the run, by season’s end, we had fallen to 18th and that is something we need to work on improving.
Defensive ends.- We have a very solid core of young defensive ends, and considerable depth in the position. This is one area of the team in which I expect to see great improvement in this upcoming season, not due to changes in the players, but actually with the changes in the coaching staff. These guys are young and have the ability to get even better; I think Nolan is the key to taking them to that next level.
Inside linebackers.- I wouldn’t mind seeing a whole different group of guys in this position, but realistically speaking, when it comes to our two starters, I see us getting rid of Ayodele and keeping Crowder. I also believe that if we are going to spend a lot of money on any one guy in free agency, that guy would be Dansby, and I will be staying up late tonight waiting to see what happens with him because I think he will be one of the first people who strikes a deal at the start of free agency. Regardless of whether or not we pick up Dansby, we will probably end up getting another guy in the draft. A lot of people believe that guy will be McClain, I personally hope it’s Brandon Spikes, because there is still something about McClain that makes me uneasy. Bottom line is, we will probably have two new ILBs on our roster next season, and we can only hope one of those comes in free agency.
Outside linebackers.- There are a lot of unknowns still when it comes to our OLBs. We are now certain that Porter will not be coming back, but are we going to just cut him, or will we try to trade him? I personally believe Porter might have some trade value but it wouldn’t surprise me if they just cut him in order to avoid any further headaches. We also still don’t know whether Taylor will be back, I think with Porter’s imminent departure there is a greater chance of seeing JT striking a fair deal with the Dolphins. Despite his age, Taylor has proven he is still capable of performing, but most importantly, we all know how much of an asset he would be when it comes to coaching and motivating the younger guys. I expect Cameron Wake to make an impact next season when he becomes a regular starter and I believe we will draft an OLB early on in the draft.
Cornerbacks.- Despite Will Allen’s recent encounter with the law, I don’t suspect he will be going anywhere, our new corners have both shown they can step their game up and perform but they could use the veteran’s guidance to help with their development. I don’t see any changes taking place in this position, but I believe we will see the improvements that come from having had the experience of playing a whole season in the NFL.
Safeties.- We have a Pro-Bowler in Yeremiah Bell, and a complete bust in Gibril Wilson; still, I don’t see us pursuing a safety in free agency or early on in the draft so I suspect we will see these two guys on the field again next season; that is unless, we strike gold with the safety we are sure to pick up in the draft in one of the later rounds.
With our offensive and defensive needs having been addressed, the only two people I haven’t talked about are our kickers. Even though sometimes their contributions go unnoticed, our kickers are an important part of the team and the ones that we have are both great each in their own right.
Dan Carpenter.- Carpenter was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008 and has been a reliable kicker in both his seasons with the Dolphins, having scored over 100 points in both. This past season he led the team in scoring with 112 points, having scored 25 out of 28 field goals as well as 37 out of 38 extra points. He had actually converted 62 straight extra points from the start of his career prior to missing his first and only one so far in the game against Tampa Bay. Carpenter finished fourth in the AFC when it comes to field goal percentage and made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season. Having a guy like Carpenter on the roster gives you the security of knowing that your team has the ability to secure three points on a FG when needed.
Brandon Fields.- Fields third season with the Dolphins was a good one. He punted 75 times for 3472 yards, averaging 46.3 yards per punt (that number is the second highest number in Dolphins’ history) and 33% of the time those punts landed behind the 20 yard line. Overall he finished third in the AFC and sixth in the NFL when it comes to gross punting.
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1 comments:
well carolina u heard me say this a few times this year but i also would like to see all new linebackers except J.T. need him to help the younger guys i think wake will be very solid this year .Im really not to sure about the dansby thing might end up spending to much on a solid guy not the super star needed but he would be solid.I really would like to use the draft to fill the need at linebacker.I would hope to trade some of these guys like crowder get something for him if not try to get him to take the pay cut and be a back up.Don't really think the rest of the defense is in bad shape our linebacker's really hert the team last year if you can't put pressure on the QB it going to be a long day . i really enjoy your blog so keep up the good reading.
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