While most fans were panicking over the offensive line, I was pacing in circles over the state of the Dolphins' linebacking corps. I think it's fair to say the Trifecta were worried about it as well. They only signed two new players in 2009 thus far, and they are both linebackers, were both standouts in the CFL, and once in uniform they could easily be mistaken for one another. Cameron Wake and Tearrius George are both big, fast for their size, and are known for getting to the quarterback. While Wake was having a career year in Canada, George had already made it to the NFL, first as a practice squad grunt, but eventually got on to Dallas' 53 man roster by the end of the season. Add these two to the 3 or 4 virtually unknowns that were added throughout 2008, plus the returning starters and reserves, and it looks like Miami will go into workouts with a LOT of linebackers, many of whom could end up on the team this year.
There IS a pattern to the new guys. They are all virtually the same size. BIG. And they can't all be vying for the same positions. So here's the 'speculation' which I consider more of a mildly educated guess. They are planning on building a core of LBs that can rotate into any position, or at least into multiple positions. This will allow them to show twice as many 'looks' to the opponent. If it sounds familiar, it's something that Baltimore does, Pittsburgh too, but not as much. I have a feeling this group of guys, which will also include a couple of draftees, will be the hardest worked group in the offseason.
There IS a pattern to the new guys. They are all virtually the same size. BIG. And they can't all be vying for the same positions. So here's the 'speculation' which I consider more of a mildly educated guess. They are planning on building a core of LBs that can rotate into any position, or at least into multiple positions. This will allow them to show twice as many 'looks' to the opponent. If it sounds familiar, it's something that Baltimore does, Pittsburgh too, but not as much. I have a feeling this group of guys, which will also include a couple of draftees, will be the hardest worked group in the offseason.
Tin, George is not listed on the official roster anymore. I agree with what you're saying though. This team likes players who are flexible and can do more than one thing. LB is a good position for that. The Pats have done that for years, moving their LBs around and asking them to do different things.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say about that, he was signed to a contract after the 2008 season...so where is he?
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It should be noted that the official site has never been very accurate or up to date with their rosters, and NFL.com seems to have been updated but also has a couple of different players.
This is the only accurate roster on the web:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Miami_Dolphins_roster
Tin, the roster on the official Miami Dolphins site is pretty accurate. Within a day of a new player being acquired or released they make the change. George hasn't been on that roster for weeks so maybe that is an error. Yet Wake and Kilmer are on there and they were added quickly when we acquired them.
ReplyDeleteWe've had this argument before.s They may have gotten better but they rarely updated during last season, sometimes they'd take Will Billingsley off the PS after two weeks when he'd already been re-added to the PS, LOL.
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Anyway, I've noticed that wikipedia seems to get updated by the second, at least as far as the sports news goes.s NFL.com has George listed as a Miami transaction over a month ago, but when you click on his name, it shows him in New Orleans domain.s
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In any event, I have seen no REAL evidence that suggests he's NOT on Miami's roster.s But it is odd they have Kilmer and Wake up and not George on miamidolphins.com.
Tin, what's with the 0 comments on all of your blogs?
ReplyDeleteNice video, were upgrading our pass rush and FA hasn't even started yet
ReplyDeleteHow did I never hear about this George guy?s Did he play LB in canada because he seemed like he was always linning up on the defensive line? It looks like Quentin Mosses' days are numbered, I'm wondering if they keep Walden just because of his ST play, future doesn't look good for Rod Wright either. I'm going to take the wait and see approach with these canadian guys before I crown them starters, although most of the fanbase has Wake penciled in for 10 sacks already. I understand these guys have physical talent, but just like with draft picks I need to wait to see if it transfers to the NFl
After I fixed the internet explorer issue, the comment counter on the front page isn't working.s The comments are still working fine.s I spent about four hours trying to fix it yesterday with no luck.s I fought the internet and the internet won.s I'll try again when I have recovered.
ReplyDeleteGeorge was listed as a DE/OLB in his Dallas and New Orleans days and a DE in Canada, but he's clearly playing 4-3 DT in the video.s If he can do those sort of things from that position, he should be able to be as effective from a standing position without a guard/center in his face.s He got caught up in a numbers game in New Orleans and they had to waive him to sign another position due to injury.s It will do him good to spend an entire offseason in one system that will allow him to make plays.s
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Don't know how it will pan out, but to be brutally honest, I knew from day one that Moses wasn't going to work out (and thought we should've kept Ninkovich), and I at least have optimism for George.s As for Walden, he might be given a chance to play inside.s I think he's always been a OLB but his size projects more to the inside.s
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BTW I have Wake penciled in for 16 sacks...
Tinshaker:
ReplyDeleteLooks like you scooped the local Miami press.s Not that Isread everyday, but I don't remember seeingsanythingson this guy.ssHe was signed on January 6th, according to what I read.s I've been doing myshomework!!sDo teams intentionally try to keep things like this under the radar, and if so, why?s It just made me wonder because of all the "splash" with Wake, and nothing on this guy, that I remember.s
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BTW, for all my joking, I do enjoy reading this stuff and expanding my football knowledge.s I'll never grasp it all, but I try.s Old dog, new trick sort of thing.s
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OK, I'll keep posting this until I can see it!
ReplyDeleteOK, I see it! (Previous two posts didn't show up)
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Has BP seen no free agent DE/OLB that he feels has worth to him and might he be killing two birds with one stone by mitigating the need at that position in the draft?
I realize that I'm making BP out to be a deity of some kind.
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He is a football god and he's on our team 8-) !
Why anyone even uses IE as a browser I'll never know. It's the worst browser ever created. LOL
ReplyDeleteI agree! Been using firefox for the past several months. Before that it was opera. Not sure of which one that I like the best because they both have their little quirks.
ReplyDeleteHey guys, if you have any issues actually posting comments it's probably because I occasionally am fiddling around with the code on the blog trying to make the counter work.s
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It's ironic that anytime I fix something, another thing stops working.s I won't be messing around with it anymore today and will try to keep my fiddling around to late nights...wait a minute...strike that.
I remember at the Senior Bowl, the Dolphins were showing interest in Guards.s This does not mean they'd draft one high, one in particular was rated as a 3rd round guy.s I haven't heard any rumblings about DE/OLB in the Dolphins' draft plans.s That said, the Senior Bowl didn't have a certain group of underclassmen who are the creme of the draft.s I think once the combine starts, the Trifecta will get up early on the 21st.s That's the day the DL and LBs get measured and the interviews are.s THEN we'll start hearing rumours from Armando!
ReplyDeleteI think you are trying to start a late Friday afternoon downward spiral with that comment.
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I'm not the only one responsible for them!