Interesting [What's Bill Parcells thinking?]

[Randy White]

What's Bill Parcells thinking?
Ethan J. Skolnick | Sports columnist
10:32 PM EDT, April 26, 2009

Can't wait to see Cameron Wake.

He must really be something.

Either that, or we'll be seeing Jason Taylor here again soon.

Those are thoughts that came to mind at the close of a peculiar draft weekend. The Dolphins chose six more players Sunday, giving them nine over two days: two cornerbacks, one Wildcat (make that WildPat) quarterback, two receivers, a tight end, a safety, an offensive tackle and finally, an inside linebacker.

It's too early to characterize this draft as good or bad. Several of the Dolphins' Sunday selections conceded that they expected to be taken a round or two later. Is that Dolphins arrogance, the belief that they're smarter than their competitors? Or is it brilliance, the ability to correctly assess how a player might perform in their program? Those answers are three years away.

But drafts do reveal something immediately: the organization's assessment of its incumbent veterans.

So what did the weekend tell us?

Three defensive backs? The Jason Allen experiment is near its end, and Will Allen may be allowed to walk next offseason. Two receivers, one a red zone target? There may be room for the developing Brandon London or disappointing Ernest Wilford, but not both. No interior linemen? Donald Thomas must be progressing well. No defensive tackles? Paul Soliai, twice-suspended last season, must have grown up.

One player for the defensive front seven, and not until the seventh round, a project from Weber State who was about to become a veterinary trainer?

That was the shocker.

That, more than the inspired but risky choice of Pat White, is what sticks out. That's what makes this such a strange draft, and not the typical Bill Parcells product. Consider that Parcells has been a major contributor to, or the primary orchestrator of, 22 drafts since becoming a head coach in 1983 with the Giants. This is only the third time his team did not take a defensive lineman or linebacker in the first four rounds, let alone the first six.

So why does this matter?

Well, first, the front seven happens to be Parcells' primary area of expertise. Leonard Marshall, Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, Pepper Johnson, Ted Johnson, Willie McGinest, James Farrior, Shaun Ellis, John Abraham, DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James, Chris Canty, and most recently, promising Dolphins defensive linemen Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford are Parcells products. The list goes on.

And second, pass-rusher is always a serious need. Though the draft was short on run-stuffing nose tackles, it was long on hybrid quarterback-stalking linebackers. The Dolphins had 40 sacks last season, but 32-year-old Joey Porter had 17.5. Matt Roth (five) is the only other returning player with more than three. The inside linebackers (Channing Crowder, Akin Ayodele, Reggie Torbor) combined for one-half.

GM Jeff Ireland said "we are always looking for core positions," and pass-rusher is one: "It just didn't happen that we liked some of the players that fell to us."

Maybe they just liked developmental prospects Wake (the two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year), Tearrius George (a former Saint) and Erik Walden better. Maybe they still think Charlie Anderson can offer more.

Or maybe another horse isn't quite dead to them yet. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still out there. If the draft had gone differently, nobody outside the building would still be talking about the return of Jason Taylor. Inside?

"We really haven't talked about it too much," Ireland said.

They might want to start, unless Wake is ready to.

Ethan J. Skolnick can be reached at eskolnick@sun-sentinel.com

 

[Randy White]

why I find this article interesting.

1) Saturday in Facebook, I was telling my dullfans friends that there's a new boss in town and it ain't Tuna. I told them that this was not a typical Tuna draft and, in my opinion, this was Jeff Ireland' baby all the way. The reason for that was that I don't believe Tuna would have bothered with a knucklehead like Vontae Davis in the 1st round, but Ireland would because Davis, despite his immaturity, could very well be the best CB in the draft and he loves talent. I also told them that not taking a pass rusher or lineman with either of the first pick was not his ( Tuna's ) style.

True enough, the second day came and the Dullphins didn't take either a pass rusher or a D-lineman in the entire draft ( JD Folsom will be move to ILB ).

2) That bold part intrigued me because the Cowboys happened to select not one, but two of those " hybrid quarterback-stalking linebackers ": Victor Butler and Brandon Williams nearly back to back ( within 10 picks of each other ).

This tells me that if the article is accurate ( when it comes to that part ) then the Cowboys drafted to the strength of the draft while the Dullphins didn't.

Also, while the Cowboys didn't take a WR until the 7th ( and mostly as a returner) the Dullphins took two: Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline nearly back to back ( within 20 picks of each other ).

It's a clear contrast between the two franchises which makes it fun because now we'll get a chance to compare the scouting skills of Jeff and Tom.

 

[BAT]

Quick, trade them McQuistan and Proctor while they are in panic mode. They also might need a pass rusher like Ellis too.

 

[AKATheRake]

Quick, trade them McQuistan and Proctor while they are in panic mode. They also might need a pass rusher like Ellis too.

LOL's!!!! The way Tuna has Jerry we'd give Miami the 3 you mention and a 7th for a good ole pat on the back.

Saw Stephen Jones on the phones all draft day. Now we don't just have Jerrah mixing around, we have daddies boy too.

 

[Woods]

why I find this article interesting.

1) Saturday in Facebook, I was telling my dullfans friends that there's a new boss in town and it ain't Tuna. I told them that this was not a typical Tuna draft and, in my opinion, this was Jeff Ireland' baby all the way. The reason for that was that I don't believe Tuna would have bothered with a knucklehead like Vontae Davis in the 1st round, but Ireland would because Davis, despite his immaturity, could very well be the best CB in the draft and he loves talent. I also told them that not taking a pass rusher or lineman with either of the first pick was not his ( Tuna's ) style.

True enough, the second day came and the Dullphins didn't take either a pass rusher or a D-lineman in the entire draft ( JD Folsom will be move to ILB ).

2) That bold part intrigued me because the Cowboys happened to select not one, but two of those " hybrid quarterback-stalking linebackers ": Victor Butler and Brandon Williams nearly back to back ( within 10 picks of each other ).
This tells me that if the article is accurate ( when it comes to that part ) then the Cowboys drafted to the strength of the draft while the Dullphins didn't.

Also, while the Cowboys didn't take a WR until the 7th ( and mostly as a returner) the Dullphins took two: Patrick Turner and Brian Hartline nearly back to back ( within 20 picks of each other ).

It's a clear contrast between the two franchises which makes it fun because now we'll get a chance to compare the scouting skills of Jeff and Tom.

I have to admit, I was surprised that we took 2 DE/OLB tweeners back to back in Round 4. I'm assuming these were the top guys on our Board, as LBs were 3 of our top 5 picks.

Additionallly, we decided to pass on Sidbury and draft V Butler and B Marshall instead. I found that interesting as well. We had met with Sidbury, so I'm assuming we didn't really like him as much as many on this Board (including me) originally thought.

Also, it was sort of odd when Butler was interviewed on The Ticket, and Butler mentioned the Cowboys not only didn't show much interest in him during the scouting process but that they didn't even work him out.

As we took Butler with the 110 pick (going on memory), I wonder if we thought someone else was going to snap him up? To tell the truth, I hadn't really paid attention to him leading up to the Draft, and I had no idea he was rated so highly by any other teams' scouts.

For me, Round 4 was particularly interesting.

 

[DBOY3141]

First, this is BP's last year in Miami. Second, Parcells and Ireland were here for four drafts, 2 (2004/2006 were/are complete busts = F) 2003 = B, 2005 = A, so they are not draft gods. Miami drafted well last year, so this draft will probably be an F in 3 years.

 

[cowboyz]

What's Bill Parcells thinking?
Maybe they just liked developmental prospects Wake (the two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year), Tearrius George (a former Saint) and Erik Walden better. Maybe they still think Charlie Anderson can offer more.

they already drafted their olb. they got last year's cowboys without spending any draft picks

 

[Longboysfan]

Quick, trade them McQuistan and Proctor while they are in panic mode. They also might need a pass rusher like Ellis too.

They are waiting for us to release Carpenter.

 

[Alexander]

Maybe they just liked developmental prospects Wake (the two-time CFL Defensive Player of the Year), Tearrius George (a former Saint) and Erik Walden better.

That is interesting since we had two of them in Dallas at one time (we made a run at Wake also), yet we spent two picks Sunday on pass rushing types.

 

[Alexander]

Additionallly, we decided to pass on Sidbury and draft V Butler and B Marshall instead. I found that interesting as well. We had met with Sidbury, so I'm assuming we didn't really like him as much as many on this Board (including me) originally thought.

Sidbury seems like a better fit to grow into a 4-3 rush DE than grow into a 3-4 OLB position. He just doesn't seem athletic enough.

Also, it was sort of odd when Butler was interviewed on The Ticket, and Butler mentioned the Cowboys not only didn't show much interest in him during the scouting process but that they didn't even work him out.

But Miami and New England did, which is interesting. We all seem to go after the same players.

 

[Woods]

Sidbury seems like a better fit to grow into a 4-3 rush DE than grow into a 3-4 OLB position. He just doesn't seem athletic enough.



But Miami and New England did, which is interesting. We all seem to go after the same players.

That's interesting.

I didn't know both Miami and NE were interested in Butler.

 

[DBOY3141]

That is interesting since we had two of them in Dallas at one time (we made a run at Wake also), yet we spent two picks Sunday on pass rushing types.

I'm still pissed we kept James Marten over Walden.

 

[Hostile]

Why would you title an article "What's Bill Parcells Thinking?" and then not have any of his quotes (thoughts) in the article?

I take it Ethan Skolnick studied Occlumency?

 

[Woods]

I'm still pissed we kept James Marten over Walden.

I think Walden initially got picked up by the KC Chiefs after we cut him, and now he's on Miami's roster. He could simply be a fringe player.

 

[Alexander]

I think Walden initially got picked up by the KC Chiefs after we cut him, and not he's on Miami's roster. He could simply be a fringe player.

I think he is. If there is one thing I know Phillips can do is evaluate rushers, especially one he had his name attached to as was the case with Walden. He was simply a project we took that never panned out. It is not like he's doing a lot in Miami currently. All he would have had to do last year is perform on special teams and he didn't seem to do that.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I thought it was a decent draft and I'm not sure if this was Ireland or Parcells. Parcells was a big proponent of having at least 4 quality corners. At least he mentioned it in Dallas, although we didn't always execute it. I remember we went cheap on corners in '04 and paid a heavy price for it.

Pat White is an interesting pick. I think the Wildcat will eventually get owned by NFL defenses, but who knows when that will happen or maybe it just is the future of NFL offenses.



YAKUZA

 

[jterrell]

I would have graded the Dolphins an F.

There was a thread in the draft zone asking which is your untouchable.

That guy to me was Vontae Davis. I didn't see any actual CB skill there, just a really good athlete. He was overdrafted just like his brother. I honestly think Mike Mickens is a better CB than Vontae Davis. Mickens was injured, Davis just couldn't cover. Davis is built like a running back and BP likes physical CBs but how many CBs built like RBs can actually play the position?

And I like Pat White but a r2 pick is a mess for him. He could be a serviceable QB in this league or a dangerous 1 down hybrid but r2 is high for either scenario.

Pat Turner is a guy I liked ... in about r5. He's huge but one dimensional WRs are hardly big values.

This draft makes me think we got lucky Ireland left and Tom C stayed.

 

[jterrell]

I thought it was a decent draft and I'm not sure if this was Ireland or Parcells. Parcells was a big proponent of having at least 4 quality corners. At least he mentioned it in Dallas, although we didn't always execute it. I remember we went cheap on corners in '04 and paid a heavy price for it.

Pat White is an interesting pick. I think the Wildcat will eventually get owned by NFL defenses, but who knows when that will happen or maybe it just is the future of NFL offenses.



YAKUZA

The Dolphins already ran the wildcat well... so the White pick is an odd one to me. Why use a r2 on a scheme you already succeed with in limited fashion. I seriously doubt it becomes anyone's base offense.

Having corners is awesome but Dallas got its best value of the entire draft taking CBs late. And Davis was about as lithe and agile as a sumo wrestler at the combine.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I can't believe their draft. Very weird, and as RW said, not Parcells-like. He takes a known headcase and bad actor, a gimmick QB, and a big corner who isn't sudden and doesn't particularly like to tackle in the first three rounds? Then some other questionable players?

If we'd had this draft, people would be going ballistic. And probably with good reason.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I think he is. If there is one thing I know Phillips can do is evaluate rushers, especially one he had his name attached to as was the case with Walden. He was simply a project we took that never panned out. It is not like he's doing a lot in Miami currently. All he would have had to do last year is perform on special teams and he didn't seem to do that.

I agree. I think Wade's defense needs multiple pass rushers in order to be effective. Guys like Hodge, Williams, and Butler can be added to the mix on passing downs.

One thing that I found really depressing last year was how easy it was for teams to shut Ware down when they needed to and there was no one else to pick up the slack.