Post-Draft Thoughts Around the Blogosphere

The general feeling, at least locally, is that the Dolphins rocked the draft. Perhaps it's a bit of hometown optimism, but I think we can safely assume that wasn't the case last year (nobody thought Cam Cameron deserved anything above an F). Maybe it's more polarization than homerism that occurs. Regardless, here's a quick summary of what's being said.

FinsNation was so pleased with the draft, they likened Parcells' performance to a comic book character. Phinsider seems pleased enough that Parcells and Ireland have a plan for this team. Phin Fever gives a breakdown of each draft pick. Here's the full draft board if you missed any picks.

We at The South Florida Fan are also pleased with the draft, with the lone exception of Lorenzo Booker being traded and Jalen Parmele/Lex Hilliard replacing him. I have my doubts on Chad Henne, but it was a very solid pick for the end of the 2nd round. We want to thank everyone who followed along with us. Congratulations also to FinsNation, Phinsider, and Phin Fever, for providing such excellent coverage throughout the weekend.

6 Days to Draft Prediction

The Dolphins will make (not pass...confirmed by Jeff Ireland) the #1 overall draft selection in just 6 days. Here's my current prediction:

Jake Long, OT - Michigan

I just have a feeling that's who they'll go with, especially after Jeff Ireland's famous Freudian Slip.

The other possibility is that they trade the pick. The only way that happens is if another team decides it's worth it to deal up for Darren McFadden. Don't rule out the possibility, but it's not looking likely as of today. We'll see what happens.

Jeff Ireland's slip, and what it means.

Every other media outlet is talking about it, so I want to clear something up here.

It doesn't mean anything.

For one, all of us make simple slips in conversation all of the time. Speaking in front of a large press crowd with the most intimidating boss in the NFL aka Bill Parcells staring at you the entire time is about as stressful as it gets, so you can't really blame the guy.

Sure, you can speculate. Maybe it was a Freudian slip. Maybe he actually meant to say "offense." Maybe he meant to say "team." Maybe it's an elaborate Parcells smokescreen.

Maybe it's being completely overblown by a media that's desperate for NFL content.

The fact is, nobody knows anything more about the Dolphins draft plans then they did before the conference. Anything people say at this point is pure speculation.

Besides, the first pick is not what is going to determine the future of the Miami Dolphins. Nearly everyone agrees that Jake Long, Chris Long, or Vernon Gholston are can't miss talents. I really can't see any of them being major busts. They would all also fill a position of need. So the first pick, quite frankly, doesn't mean nearly as much as what people are making it out to be just because of the prestige that goes along with being the first pick of the draft.

What is really going to make or break the Dolphins is how well our talent evaluation works in the middle rounds of the draft. Even if we nailed a first year Pro Bowler with the first pick, if all of the other picks were busts or development squad players, the Dolphins would still be looking at another 1 to 3 win season. However, if the first pick ends up being only an average starter, but we can get 2 to 4 more solid starters in the 2nd to 5th rounds to fill all of our positions of need, the Dolphins could be back to playoff contention within 2 or 3 years.

Of course you hope you can get lucky and land your Tom Brady in the 6th, but the entire point of the draft is to build depth and youth on your team, and if you don't consistently bring in 5 to 6 young players every year that remain in the league with your team, then you end up in exactly the position the Dolphins are in now.

Our Presence at the Miami Herald Chat

Our array of contributors got in 6 questions at the Miami Herald's Dolphins chat. We'll leave it to you to decide whether they were of appropriate caliber:

Submitted by The South Florida Fa from West Palm Beach, FL
Q: In light of Jeff Ireland's now-famous "Freudian Slip," do you think the Dolphins can spin it to their advantage? You can't create a better smokescreen than that.
Answered 04/18/08 13:01:14 by Greg Cote
A: The Dolphins won't spin it. They'll allow the media to spin it for them. But I have to tell you, it was a pretty obvious mistake.

Submitted by The South Florida Fa from West Palm Beach, FL
Q: Darren McFadden has been practically ruled out by analysts and experts nationwide, yet HE is arguably the best athlete in the draft. I know he doesn't fit their needs, but do you see any chance at all of the Dolphins turning to him at the last second?
Answered 04/18/08 13:06:25 by Greg Cote
A: No. It would be dumb given all the other needs. With Ronnie Brown healthy and the eighth or ninth life of Ricky Williams, there are far greater needs.
(Note: Armando had a different take later, so the question wasn't so dumb: Q: Armando. Money aside, who would you pick for the Dolphins as the number one pick in the upcoming draft? Why?
Answered 04/18/08 14:03:32 by Armando Salguero
A: Darren McFadden. He's the most explosive player at the top of the draft. He runs a 4.3. He dominated in the SEC. And even though there are questions about him, there are questions about all the other guys at the top of the draft also.)

Submitted by The South Florida Fa from West Palm Beach, FL
Q: Thanks for answering our questions! When you look back on the history of defensive linemen in the draft, a lot of early picks haven't turned out well. Courtney Brown comes specifically to mind. I remember Mel Kiper et. al assuring that he'd be a superstar for the Browns. When you look at guys like Orlando Pace, for instance, doesn't Jake Long seem the safer Long?
Answered 04/18/08 13:13:59 by Armando Salguero
A: Well, plenty of high-pick OL busts too (Tony Mandarich), but i agree jake Long probably is the "safest" pick.

Submitted by The South Florida Fa from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Q: The Rams have speculated that they're prepared for the Dolphins to actually PASS on their pick. Forgetting all the negative PR, etc. and assuming they couldn't trade the pick, wouldn't the move make sense for salary cap reasons? Why not take Chris/Jake Long/Gholston at #3 instead for less money? (This is just a hypothetical)
Answered 04/18/08 13:21:18 by Greg Cote
A: The Dolphins will not pass. I asked Jeff Ireland this specifically on Thursday and he said it would absolutely not happen.

Submitted by The South Florida Fa from Boca Raton, FLQ: We've been leading a very active campaign in Miami to try and help Save the Sonics. We were wondering what your thoughts were on the whole thing, especially as we've been through stadium-relocation nightmares with the Marlins for years?
Answered 04/18/08 13:58:09 by Greg Cote
A: A save the Sonics campaign in Miami is a great idea. Can you start a save the heat-dolphins-marlins-panthers campaign in Seattle?

Submitted by The South Florida Fa from Boca Raton, FL
Q: Thanks for the support, Cote. The only people who can really help Seattle are those from other NBA cities. I've been personally told that if you write anything in their favor, Save Our Sonics will augment you to hero status.
Answered 04/18/08 14:04:08 by Armando Salguero
A: Don't get me wrong. I feel for longtime Sonics fans in that area. But I have enough parochial concerns and interests to limit my inclination to delve into the woes of other markets.