Give new Dolphins coach Adam Gase credit for trying to lay a foundation in Miami. Instead of running a traditional rookie mini camp this week, he’s thinking outside the box and training his rookies on how to be Miami Dolphins. Gase recognizes how important it is for him to develop a winning culture in Miami. Installing plays is important but it’s more important the rookies learn how to be pros…
NFL At Large: Thoughts on the Fifth Year Option Guys.
Eric Fisher hasn’t lived up to the Chiefs expectations thus far. Lost in the hoopla of this past weekend’s NFL draft was Monday’s option deadline. Teams had until Monday to pick up a player’s fifth year option. Here are my thoughts on each first round pick of the 2013 draft and why their options were or weren’t picked up. No. 1 Pick: Eric Fisher, OT Chiefs: Fisher has struggled at…
2016 NFL Draft: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Each Team’s Draft.
THE GOOD Jacksonville Jaguars 1 (5) Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State 2 (36) (from Baltimore) Myles Jack, ILB, UCLA 3 (69) Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Maryland 4 (103) Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame 6 (181) Tyrone Holmes, DE, Montana 6 (201) (from Pittsburgh) Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas 7 (226) Jonathan Woodard, DE, Central Arkansas My Thoughts: The Jags had a tremendous draft. Any time you can add two of the top…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Thoughts on the 2016 Patriots Draft.
1. I like the Cyrus Jones pick. He can play in the slot and outside. With Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler free agents next off-season, Jones could find himself a starter in 2017. 2. Joe Thuney is a Dante Scarnecchia pick. He’s tough, athletic, smart, technically sound and ideally suited to play in a zone blocking scheme. Thuney could beat out Tre Jackson or Shaq Mason in camp for a…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Scouting Report on Devin Lucien.
The former UCLA/Arizona State product is an interesting value pick for the Patriots in the seventh round. At 6-2 195, Lucien has terrific size and ball skills. He is a straight line route runner who is a vertical threat. The Patriots have had great success drafting players in the seventh round. Could Lucien be the next great value pick? We’ll find out soon enough. Here is my scouting report on…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Scouting Report on Ted Karras.
Ted Karras comes from a family with a long and decorated history of playing football. He is the great nephew of Detroit Lions legend and former Webster star Alex Karras. Ted, is an overachiever who made himself into a division one prospect and an NFL draft prospect. He is a hard worker who maximizes his ability. Here is my scouting report on Ted Karras. 1. Initial Quicks: Karras shows decent…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Scouting Report on Elandon Roberts.
Elandon Roberts is a hard worker who makes the most of his ability. I think back to the Peach Bowl and I was really impressed with how tough, physical and smart he is. He’s never out of position and he is active. Roberts played all three linebacker spots so he’s versatile. Here is my scouting report on Elandon Roberts. 1. Vs. Inside Run: Roberts is instinctive. Recognizes plays quickly, attacks…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Scouting Report on Kamu Grugier-Hill
Grugier-Hill played inside and outside linebacker at Eastern Illinois but he will play as a nickel linebacker and safety in the NFL. Here is my scouting report on Kamu Grugier-Hill. 1. Vs. Inside Run: Hill reads guards and backs well and is patient when keying and diagnosing. Hill attacks second level blockers, stacks them and sheds. Solid tackler who finishes on contact. 2. Vs. Outside Run: Hill recognizes outside running…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Malcolm Mitchell Scouting Report.
Malcolm Mitchell is an interesting pick for the Patriots. When I look at him on film, I don’t think he does anything great but he is a sound receiver who does several different things well. Mitchell is a good route runner and he has shown some big play ability but has had some injury issues particularly with his knees. He’s healthy again but he needs a lot of technical work…
Patriots Pulse Blog: Scouting Report on Vincent Valentine.
Vincent Valentine is massive at 6-4 330. He can play the three technique defensive tackle, the shade defensive tackle or nose tackle. Valentine is raw but there is no question he has some potential upside. Bill Belichick loves defensive tackles that two gap and re-create the line of scrimmage. Valentine can do that. Here is my scouting report on Vincent Valentine. Vs. the Run: Valentine is strong at the point…