2008 Off Season - Scouting the Draft

The only things experts can agree on about the new head coach, is that they expect major changes will take place through out the Dolphins organization. This week owner Stephen M. Ross was interviewed on 790 AM The Ticket, Ross said he expects to build his team around RB Ronnie Brown, who he says is the best running back in the league. When asked about off season priorities the owner anticipated rebuilding the offensive line, with both tackles being a top priority.

Stephen M. Ross was clearly in the spotlight this week, fielding questions questions about who exactly this mystery coach is ..., and how much power he will wield in the organization. While the heat has been turned up on owner Stephen M. Ross, Coach Phillips has been invisible, and  has not been seen driving to or from the Dolphins front office. Rumors are Coach Phillips was spotted at the Global Grill in Pensacola, FL with OLB Joey Porter. ESPN wanted to know why the coach was already taking a second vacation. Stephen A. Smith called the coach a racist, saying " ... coach only takes vacations on a white sand beaches, because regular sand is too dark for him, and of course a black man, Joey Porter, has to be his chauffeur". Relax guys, Coach Phillips was only on his way to Mobile, AL to scout the college players at the senior bowl. Dolphin's scouts didn't seem impressed by any of the senior QB's. The scouts spent time with some of the higher profile wide receivers, offensive lineman, and  corner backs in this years draft.

The Senior Bowl update is broadcast at 14:29 in this video.

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SCOUTING REPORT FROM THE COMBINE

QB - None of the top QB's appear to be worthy of a early draft pick in the first round. Matt Ryan is clearly the best QB in the draft, but he doesn't look like a game changer. Brian Brohm is a smart accurate passer, but he will not pass for 300+ yards a game on a regular basis, and his injury history is disturbing. If the Dolphins want Brohm they might have to reach for him. Josh Johnson is an intriguing Vince Young type prospect. Andre Woodson also warrants consideration after his Senior Bowl performance, but scouts are worried about his lack of mobility.

OL - Only the very top prospects look promising, the rest of the group posted lower combine results than expected. If the Dolphins plan to draft a starter on the offensive line they will have to select a player in the 1st round or early 2nd round. The talent level is high the top top few prospects could be elite players. Scouts are not optimistic about finding a starter in the mid to late rounds. One scout was quoted as saying "I wouldn't even bother drafting an offensive lineman after the 1st round".

RB - Darren McFadden didn't disappoint scouts. Expect McFadden to be a top 5 pick, but most scouts will tell you, he is the best player in the draft. The Dolphins are looking for a backup to Ronnie Brown, and have shown a special interest in Ray Rice and Kevin Smith. If either running back is available in the 3rd round, look for the Dolphins to consider picking up a running back. The Dolphins want a bruising running back who is physical and can dish out punishment, so don't expect them to draft a Felix Jones or Chris Johnson. After the third round the scouts feel there is a considerable drop off in the talent level. The Dolphins will not be picking up a RB late in the draft, but a  little birdie also told us they could pick up a full back after the 5th round.

WR/TE - The scouting department has told us this draft is one of the deepest drafts in years for receivers. Any team needing a WR could pick up a starter as late as the 3rd round or possibly the 4th round. Teams in need of a #1 WR could pick up a legitimate superstar in the 1st or 2nd round. This draft is also littered with play-making tight ends, which could present mismatch opportunities against linebackers. The TE's are not as deep, so a team need a TE should select one in the 1st or second round. Martellus Bennett is said to be the Dolphins top rated TE. Donnie Avery and DeSean Jackson are home run threats who also return kickoff's and punts. Look for these smaller wide receivers to go in the late first to second round. The Dolphins are in need of play-makers don't be shocked if more than one wide receiver is drafted by the Dolphins in the first four rounds. Dolphins personnel have Mario Manningham and Kevin Robinson targeted as mid round picks who could still be available in the 4th or 5th rounds.

DL - The Dolphins have privately told sources that the first round will be littered with defensive lineman that are busts. While many of the prospects have physical numbers that are off the charts, teams are so enamored with their physical abilities that they are over looking player's injury history. Coach Phillips said guys these sizes just don't put up these numbers with this much frequency. Phillips suggested that draft prospects were using personal trainers to help them pass the steroid screenings. Phillips then followed up by saying that any player this size taking steroids has a high risk for injury as their muscles often develop beyond the capabilities of their ligaments. Other franchises thought Phillips was trying to bring down the stock of the prospects in order to land one for himself. While Phillips says he likes both Sedrick Ellis and Glenn Dorsey, he still isn't sure he would spend a first round pick on either player. The Dolphins will be playing primarily a 3-4 defensive front this year, so they will need big defensive ends who can rush the passer. Only a few players fit the mold; Chris Long, Derrick Harvey, Lawrence Jackson, Philip Merling, and Calais Campbell are the only players who might have  a chance to push for playing time in Miami. Scouts felt the Dolphins could pick up a defensive tackle in the 3rd - 5th rounds who could contribute significant playing time; Dre Moore, Red Bryant, and Frank Okham are all large tackles who could play the nose guard position in a 3-4.

While the scouting department was interviewing the defensive lineman, Phillips was reported to have been on the phone with Jimmy Johnson. We think there may be a connection, because after Phillips got off the phone he interrupted the scouts interview process and asked Sedrick Ellis to leave for a few minutes. This is odd, because scouts only have a limited time with each player. Sam Phillips and Jimmy Johnson have had a definitive connection, and one could only speculate Phillips was getting insider information. Could the Dolphins head coach have a specific player on his radar? I guess we will find out at the draft.

LB - According to the scouting department, Keith Rivers is the only linebacker worthy of a first round pick and even some scouts argue that Rivers talent should put him at the end of the first round. Teams have historically picked linebackers early and often in the first round, and any team picking a linebacker will be making a slight reach. During lunch, Tavares Gooden was the subject of conversation, as the scouts marveled at his speed and coverage skills. A phone call was place to defensive coordinators at the Dolphins practice facility to have them scheme for his unique skill set. If the Dolphins selected Gooden, he could be making the move to ROLB. Coach Phillips personally clocked him, and said if he didn't have the body of a linebacker, he could play cornerback. Gooden was though to be a second round selection, but his draft stock is rising. Coach Phillips and the scouting department ranked LOBL Clifford Avril  as the best pass rusher in the draft, and the Dolphins would like to add his talents to their roster. Avril is expected to be a late second or early third round pick. MLB Beau Bell and ROLB Philip Wheeler are players who could contribute and are expected to go in the 4th or 5th rounds. The Dolphins have a good group of linebackers, but they are aging. Don't be shocked to see Coach Phillips select a couple of linebackers in the draft, as Phillips has made it clear he plans to intimidate opposing quarterbacks by hitting them early and often.

DB - Experts agreed that 8-10 defensive backs could be selected in the first round of the draft. The Dolphins would like to get another good lock down corner back, as their secondary is certainly showing it's age. The real value comes in the mid to late first round, as shutdown corners are not usually available this late in the draft.Dolphins scouts have rated Kenny Phillips the best DB available, but he isn't project to go until the last first round or early second, since safety isn't a priority in the NFL. Mike Jenkins has Florida ties and could be the best man cover corner in the draft. Others will argue Antoine Cason is the most complete cornerback, but he lacks elite speed. Everyone agrees that Aqib Talib has the best hands in the draft, but rumors are that he is a bit unstable mentality. A couple of second tier CB's are available in the second round, but this draft doesn't appear to have any sleepers at corner. Safety  is another story as several teams have identified two strong safeties as sleepers and possible rookie of the year contenders, but scouts refuse to give us any names. Keep an eye on any safeties drafted in the 2nd - 4th rounds.


The combine update is broadcast at 28:18 in the video

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