Maybe Jelani Jenkins will be recovered by the eleventh of next month. Or maybe the Seahawks won't throw much to the running backs and we'll be fine for a week in his absence. But as we hold our collective breath hoping our linebackers hold up each week, it might be worth remembering how we got here.
We have been active on draft day, mainly in the form a trading up for apparent "needs." Doing so has shortened our mid-round selections, leading to a linebacking corp loaded with undrafted free agents and career special teamers.
Paysinger is the most experienced reserve we have at linebacker, so we likely roll with him. Like the rest of the Dolphins faithful I'll spout off about his starts in New York (of which I know nothing) and secretly hope Jelani Jenkins responds well to his recovery regime. But the facts remain: A shortage of picks caused by our desire to move up on draft day potentially has its price.
The worst such trade we made was a panic move to try to adapt to the Patriots two TE sets (Dion Jordan.) In this year's draft, we have moved up for a player we felt we needed (Xavien Howard, who I think we could have gotten had we stood pat- most boards had him in round three.) Later in the same draft we moved up for a player we just plain liked (Leontee Caroo- a move I actually love.)
Caroo and Howard may turn out to be great acquisitions. But it is worth remembering that those upward moves, and the indefensible one for Jordan) came at a price. This year that price might be spelled "Paysinger."
Jay Lopez
Monday, August 29, 2016
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11 comments
I love you Jay, but this all sounds like sour grapes to me. We are here; we now have the coach to get us there (playoffs).
Personally, and after watching all three preseason games at least three times each, Hewitt played the best of the reserve LBs. Paysinger played well also. So, did Hull. But, Hewitt looks like a future starter in this league.
Caroo trade cost us next year's 3rd and 4th round picks so that price hasn't been paid yet. We feel we would be getting those picks back as compensatory picks, which would fall late in those rounds, due to losing Miller and Vernon. However, still lose the picks.
Could we have picked a LB instead? The depth in this year's LB prospects wasn't very good. I guess the jury will be out on Caroo move for a couple years and we see who we could have picked next year and how Caroo pans out. Personally, I like the pick too.
Lets see what happens with Dion Jordan first. With Jenkins sidelined he may get the opportunity to step in and contribute. Maybe this becomes the catalyst to his successful career.
As far as moving up for Howard, I have no opinion yet since he hasn't played a down.
Phins LB's are sooo bad, why not put in Hewitt, Hull, and play some Jordan ? Even if the Dline does what they are supposed to do, we need the LB's to step up and just tackle ! Kiko looks like a safety, Misi is always injured, and now Jenkins. The secondary is already suspect, we need some new LB's out there to see if they can do the job. No one was drafted, so what do we have ? Why not find out already ?? I sense an improved offense, but just outscoring an opponent week in and week out with high numbers is not going to happen if the defense does not hold it's own. Try new LB's. Nothing to lose much to gain.
Phins LB's are sooo bad, why not put in Hewitt, Hull, and play some Jordan ? Even if the Dline does what they are supposed to do, we need the LB's to step up and just tackle ! Kiko looks like a safety, Misi is always injured, and now Jenkins. The secondary is already suspect, we need some new LB's out there to see if they can do the job. No one was drafted, so what do we have ? Why not find out already ?? I sense an improved offense, but just outscoring an opponent week in and week out with high numbers is not going to happen if the defense does not hold it's own. Try new LB's. Nothing to lose much to gain.
Not trying to hate- just suggesting that our depth is off at many positions, and this is because we have targeted individuals on draft day and been impatient about moving up. I like this team plenty, but I worry about depth at CB and LB in particular. I think if we stay healthy, we are a winning team. If we get banged up, we will be more effected than mot teams because we are heavy on unproven players who were relatively low on anyone's wish lists.
Edwin: I disagree. I like the Alonso signing and I think Misi and Jenkins are solid. We do need to commit a pick or two to this position, though. Jordan is a DE and soon to be cut in my view.
I agree that with our lack of depth at certain positions, that making the decision to trade up should be made with gravity and reluctance. Neither of which was apparent during the draft. I would like for us to show greater reverence for the value of draft picks in the future.
I agree that with our lack of depth at certain positions, that making the decision to trade up should be made with gravity and reluctance. Neither of which was apparent during the draft. I would like for us to show greater reverence for the value of draft picks in the future.
I know a lot of fans didn't like the trade with Philly for Alonso and Maxwell. The old adage "I'd rather be lucky than good" is true. At the time who thought Tunsil would slip to 13? Under normal circumstances we wouldn't have gotten him at 8. If Alonso can stay healthy I feel he can be the heart and soul of the defense for a long time. He hasn't been outstanding in pre-season but he also hasn't made mistakes. Jenkins is a solid backer and Misi is steady. Nothing flashy about either but I think they can get the job done. Time will tell,
Francis: "Made with gravity and reluctance..." - exactly! I remember Jimmy always trading down to add depth to camp and make every position a competition. It feels to me, philosophically, like we have gotten away from those frugal draft day habits. Often, we seem convinced that other teams want guys that likely would fall to us anyways. I'd like to see us respect depth more, even if it means winding up with a player we don't rate quite as highly.
Neil: Exactly. That trade "down" epitomizes how you can wind up with the same player and a whole suite of other prizes by being patient and trusting in the depth in each draft class. I agree completely with your read on Alonso/linebackers.