Dolphins eyeing Boise St. CB Scandrick
By Carlos "Big C" Holmes
Dayton Daily News/Cox News Service
April 25, 2008
The Miami Dolphins got off to a great start on Tuesday addressing their draft day needs when they selected and signed Michigan OT Jake Long as the first overall pick. Now that the No. 1 pick is signed, sealed and delivered, the organization can begin focusing in on their two second-round picks No. 32 and No. 57 respectfully.
The team is expected to address their need at quarterback with the first of their two second-round choices and Michigan QB Chad Henne could likely be the pick. However, the Dolphins would prefer to see Louisville QB Brian Brohm still available, but no way does he fall to round tw
rlando Scandrick
With the second pick, it is believed that the team will look to address the secondary and Boise State CB Orlando Scandrick could be a possible target.
Word out of Dolphins camp is that the Scandrick ranks high on the team’s draft board among defensive backs and would provide the team with some speed at the cornerback position. Scandrick ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine in February and has seen his draft stock soar since then. Once projected as a fifth-round selection, he is now expected to go as early as the second-round.
Scandrick has received a ton of interest from NFL teams since his work out in Indy. He made pre-draft visits to Baltimore, San Diego, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. Cleveland also worked the player out.
At 5-11, 195 pounds Scandrick is a nice size corner with outstanding quickness and good ball skills. He’s a player who is not afraid to mix it up. Scandrick is most comfortable playing in man-to-man and press coverage. He was considered a shutdown corner in college because teams rarely threw his way. Scandrick also has value on special-teams, blocking four kicks in '07.
With the Dolphins changing to a more attacking style team defense, that would be right up Scandrick’s alley.
“I would fit in good with an aggressive style defense,” he said. “A team with a defensive line who rushes the quarterback putting him under duress and pressure would allow me to make some big plays and show my athletic ability.”
Scandrick is a true competitor with upside potential and never met a receiver who struck fear in his heart. He had the opportunity to match-up with the top receiver in this year’s draft Michigan State wideout Devin Thomas when training at Perfect Competition in preparation for the draft. According to Scandrick, he held his own against the top ranked receiver.
“When facing a guy like that you have to be disciplined. Discipline will beat athletic talent any day,” he said. “Devin beat me a couple of times, but I did my thing and held it down.”
NFL scouts believe that Scandrick is the real deal and the Dolphins appear ready to pull the trigger on the savvy defensive back. If not in the second-round at the top of round three providing he is still available. Scandrick is turning into one of the more sought after players in the draft.
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