Wednesday, January 13, 2010

2010 Draft – Tinshaker’s Top 10 by Position Projections - INSIDE LINEBACKER

Well the first Tin's Fins Poll of 2010 just wrapped up and as I expected, Rolando McClain of Alabama took 1st place when the question asked was who should the Dolphins choose with their 1st round draft pick this year.  He took about half the vote despite there being 6 solid choices.  Terrence Cody (NT) came in 2nd, with Dez Bryant (WR) in third but McClain had more votes than both of them combined.

So clearly the people have spoken, and clearly they want an inside line-backer in the first round, and clearly the one they want is McClain.  For the record, Brandon Spikes of Florida came in a respectable 4th.

Below is my latest Top 10 List of Inside Linebackers available in the 2010 draft.  It's not a hugely impressionable list, so it might be the wisest move to use that 12th pick rather than wait.  


56 comments:

  1. Tin, I wanted McClain but I voted for Spikes because I dont think McClain will be available. I know its early and theres a lot of variables that may hit before the draft...but do you see him being available? Also, Randy is huge on Angerer(of course) but I see his size being a huge issue. The 4inches and 20ish pounds that McClain(and Spikes) has on him is a lot harder to stop(imo). Am I overrating this? Lastly(sorry, lol) Spikes reminds me too much of Crowder but I really didnt watch him too often this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. In a 3-4 defense, the most important position is NT. McClain would surely help our sorry linebacking corps, but it's not the most pressing need, in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree to a point canam except for one thing...theres not one NT thats even close to a #12 pick this year. So if we can get BPA and one of our needs at the same time... Perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with Japman, if you can get McClain at # 12 (probably the low end of his projection) then you have to go for it.  There are several NT prospects available in the 2nd round.  The most important part in any NFL defense is all 11 players on the field.  You gotta go with the best player, and Terrence Cody would come in as another Paul Soliai type - strong, overweight, questionable as an NFL starter.  McClain or Spikes would be much safer picks. 

    Personally I do see the comparison between Spikes and Crowder, but I think it's important to upgrade and I think 2 Crowders is better than 1 Crowder and 1 Ayodele.  Also with the Original Crowder's health issues, getting someone who can be ready to start and be consistent like Crowder is better than crossing fingers and hoping the good Reggie Torbor shows up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, Angerer's size is a big issue, especially in today's NFL.  He has the ability to cover TE's downfield, but if the tight-end is 6'7", then Angerer better hope the ball is underthrown. 

    Personaly, I only see McClain, Spikes and Weatherspoon as potential starters in the NFL.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I completely agree with Tin's assessment on the ILB's. McClain is an elite talent, Spikes a solid mid 1st rounder and Weatherspoon a borderline 1st/2nd round prospect. Johnson and Angerer could be mid round sleepers but I don't see anyone else making an immediate impact.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree Tin. I dont like Spikes at 12 for that reason though. Maybe move down to 18-22 and get him? Whats your opinion on moving down if we dont get McClain? Go for Spikes, another need, or move down?

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Knight who says Ni!January 13, 2010 at 10:27 AM

    Not a strong year for ILBs unless the trifecta can find some gems from small schools.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Knight, so far Im not too impressed with the draft from a Fins point of view. Weak ILB draft, weak TE draft, weak WR draft. Its not even a strong QB class either.

    ReplyDelete
  10. it's a nice thought but we must remember there is no sure thing in trading down to get a player.  He could be gone if we do so.  Then what do you do ?  Not only that and I kinow you know this but who knows if a trade can be made. in the first place.  Trading down IMO should only be done if a team plans on taking the best player at any positon and within the top 20 of the first round.  Do you think we are in the position to do that ?  If we the non-experts can see the weaknesses of this team, wouldn't it be a good idea to stay where we are and hope that we get the help we need for where we need it ?  Just asking ? :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Japman, I don't think it's a weak WR draft at all, and I think it's solid at QB if not spectacular.

    As for your question, it's a bit early to start making trades but my 'speculative' thinking is to hope McClain falls and if he is gone to trade out of the 1st round all together if possible.  We definitely could use a couple of extra picks, especially in the 2nd/3rd round.  Maybe a player/pick trade could be finagled.  Impossible to know at this point so I'm going in expecting to pick at #12 no matter what and if McClain is not available then someone else will be.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Knight who says Ni!January 13, 2010 at 10:50 AM

    Japman, there are always good players in every draft. You have to find them.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The Knight who says Ni!January 13, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    Agreed

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Knight who says Ni!January 13, 2010 at 10:52 AM

    LBs are just as important as NT in a 3-4 and you need 4 of them.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Knight who says Ni!January 13, 2010 at 10:53 AM

    Angerer might pull a Zach Thomas and be a good 4-3 MLB or even OLB.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Knight, I know but finding them usually means later picks(3rd or lower). I'm sure we'll find some of those but I meant for our needs in the first few rounds. I should have said not impressed with the  impact player choices and instant starters for us this year.

    Tin- maybe I'm just not looking hard enough, lol. I'll reread your section.The top WRs should be gone pretty fast(2nd rnd) and Im not sure Tuna will pick that early. I'd love to see Lafell here but beyond that Im not too sure. Our D needs are so big I'm not sure they will use a early pick on WR especially if he needs any learning time beyond this next year. Clausen is the best of the  QB class. Bradford has way too many ???s. Locker I think is staying in school and Tebow will take yrs to get there(imo). Lots of potential but not too much early impact for this draft.

    Fang- I agree completely. I should have just said trade down to get more picks. Some Draftniks have Spikes going 1st of the ILB class still so who knows? I think they will change it but you never know if Spikes really, really impresses someone moreso than McClain. Im hoping for McClain big time and then for a tradedown if not.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think if McClain is gone and Spiller is still on the board at 12 it shouldn't be too hard to trade down. We shall see though, if one thing is certain we will see some activity when Free Agency opens up. I mean where already going crazy on the CFL guys, I'd imagine Jeff Ireland has an very itchy trigger finger at this point. 

    ReplyDelete
  18. I can name at least 15 WRs that will/should be drafted on the first day.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I honestly can't see Spiller falling out of the top 10, or even the top 5.
    After the impact guys like Percy Harvin are having in the NFL, would any
    team pass on a player of Spiller's ability?
    I suppose the fact that some of the top ten choosers have glaring needs
    could bump him down, but then again, if Spiller was available at #12, why
    wouldn't the DOLPHINS draft him?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lol, Tin!

    My bad. I reread that list you have and it's pretty impressive. I've been looking at Lafell way too much this year. Worries there are nonexistant now. Maybe your TE coverage later will find the gems there that Ive been too lazy to research! Thanks again for all the work you put into this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Tin, agree. This draft is seriously weak @ ILB. I am really starting to think we won't have a shot at McClain. I think 12 is too high for Spikes, maybe we could trade down a couple spots, get Spikes and another 2-3 round pick.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for reading! (or re-reading, LOL)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fang,
    Good points. But if we can't get the guy we want @ 12, then we should explore all trade possibilities. By that I mean up or down. I would rather have Spikes and more picks, than McClain and one less pick. YThis draft is super deep at several positions of need, namely S, and WR.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ya, it was nice. You are the person I usually use as a reference for draft talent. You dont predict things quite as well as HSB 2010 but you do know your draft, lol!

    ReplyDelete
  25. If we can get McClain - take him! If not, I'd like to see us trading down to 18-20 and pick up another 3rd rounder. At 18-20 we could fill one of our needs without reaching. That could be: Spikes (ILB), LaFell (WR), Gresham (TE), Cody/Dan Williams (NT), Earl Thomas (FS). None of them would be worthy the #12 pick but if you pick them at #20 it should be alright...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tin,
    What's your take on the fins getting permission to speak with Butler The LB coach from Pitt? I have to admit I don't know much about him, but if he has been under LeBeau for awhile, it sounds interesting to me.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Yeah I added a little note about the interest at the top of the blog page.

    I don't know much about the guy, but he apparently wants to be the DC for the Steelers and has been considered the 'heir' to Lebeau's throne apparently.

    Obviously, he has worked with Joey Porter before, and is responsible for a bunch of ho-hum players like James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, James Farrior and Porter, etc, and has been very succesful in football.  However, if it's a choice between coming to Miami now, or waiting another year for Lebeau to retire, I would probably wait and I have a feeling he will too.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The only thing about waiting is, who's to say LeBeau retires next year. We have a great organization from top to bottom, and if he does well here as DC, it could springboard him to a HC position later.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I know you're being sarcastic, but my mock draft in 2009, whilst not accurate from a 'which team will draft which player' standpoint, was very accurate if you give me a +/- 3 effect.  I think something like 75% of the players were drafted within 3 places or less of where I thought they would be.  It would've been higher if not for the Pat White debacle or the Raiders being a part of the draft...

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yes, well that's why my career never really takes off, lol. I always go for
    the unknown.
    At the same time, he could wait another year, get more responsibility this
    year with the Steelers, allowing a better transition for when LeBeau
    retires. Head Coach is not going to enter the conversation for another 2 or
    3 years after that anyway. Lebeau will have to retire soon enough - he'll
    be 73 when the next season starts, 74 the following year. He makes Dan
    Henning look like a 'spring chicken'.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Damn it Tin. I hate when you use things like logic ;) .

    ReplyDelete
  32. FinFan, I agree that we are a great organization. His family and being around what he's used to are hard to move against. Labeau's days are numbered and it will be sooner than later.

    ReplyDelete
  33. You're not the only one - my wife hates it too....

    ReplyDelete
  34. Just got a little bit weaker http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/13/michigan-state-gets-huge-boost-for-2010-defense/

    Dammit, a couple of hours after I put him in my top ten too!

    ReplyDelete
  35. He's a former NFL linebacker who has coached linebackers his whole career.


    http://news.steelers.com/team/coach/49260/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Well, Tin...that about sums it up lol. I need to get into some kind of draft gambling pool with you. It may not be your first choice of a career but it would be mine! I'll get the fake IDs for when they sent out the legbreakers to get their money back.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow. Stick with what you know and do it well. He definitely listened to that advice.

    ReplyDelete
  38. He's also coached def line and been a def coordinator in college.

    ReplyDelete
  39. As much as I love the draft, I've never heard of such a thing...do they
    exist?
    Imagine the money you could make if you chose some one like Sam Bradford to
    be the first pick instead of Suh, and the Rams actually chose
    Bradford...that would be like going to the races and betting on a horse
    that's not even in the race, but then gets substituted in because one of the
    line-up breaks their leg during warm-ups.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Every one seems to be spot on with this conversation.  So let me mess it up with this.  One thing i'm going to point out and Tin brought this up.  If we trade down to get more picks what makes us think the trifecta would draft quality players with the track record they have shown.  I bring this up mostly because of last years draft missing on so many players that contributed nothing.  Plus the moves they made in FA hasn't been the best in any of the years they have been here.  Again last year being the prime example.  Bringing in some players and releasing those who where better in Hill and Roth.  One more year of that, and 4 wins will look good.  ;)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Fans what a great conversation this has been.  I hope I haven't ruined the fun with my nonesence.  For myself I'm not worried about the names we draft as long as they can play and contribute as I think a selection should. :)   I would imagine we all feel that way.  Also I'm not really into doing any research on the College boys when their is no money involved.  If it were Civil War history or about Baking I'm the person.  But this NFL stuff I just watch and mention what comes to mind.  For the other things I l listen to you guys.

    Great job guys !!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. PFT and ESPN now report that the Dolphins interviewed AL GROH today for the DC vacancy.

    Source:
    http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/13/dolphins-interview-groh-for-defensive-coordinator-job/

    ReplyDelete
  43. it's on now. Groh for president! er, i mean coordinator!

    ReplyDelete
  44. The Knight who says Ni!January 13, 2010 at 9:30 PM

    Groh will be our next DC unless Butler works out.

    ReplyDelete
  45. The Knight who says Ni!January 14, 2010 at 6:37 AM

    Ho-hum players? Farrior was the 6th pick (Jets) in the draft 10 years ago or so and Woodley was expected to be what he is today as a 2nd round pick in 07. They also draft Timmons in the 1st that year. The Steelers also have a history of developing LBs out of nowhere like Greg Lloyd, Jason Gildon and Joey Porter.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Knight, I was being sarcastic....

    ReplyDelete
  47. This coaching staff has Bill Parcells stamp all over it.  I would say this is where his opinions are obeyed like an order from a 5 star General.  Kind of like E.F. Hutton !!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. The Knight who says Ni!January 14, 2010 at 10:16 AM

    I had read Jones probably was going back to school.

    ReplyDelete
  49. The Knight who says Ni!January 14, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    Damn!  :-E

    ReplyDelete
  50. to steal a post from bat on the ss blog

    "Groh is another of these dinosaurs who coach like the game is still played with leather helmets. He will be even more conservative than Paul P. ..No inventive blitzes, no disguised coverages, nothing innovative or risky. ..Plenty of playing it safe, rushing 3 and prevent bullshyte. NO NO NO to Groh!!!"


    i couldnt agree more

    ReplyDelete
  51. So you're voting for Butler then?

    ReplyDelete
  52. tin,

    not that my vote counts, and i am not saying i want butler, i just am saying i want a very aggressive coach and can be innovative

    ReplyDelete
  53. tin,

    speaking of coachs, just heard skip hotlz took the usf job

    ReplyDelete
  54. The Knight who says Ni!January 14, 2010 at 11:38 AM

    Yet Dick Lebeau who is older than all of them is the most aggressive DC in the game. LOL

    It's not about the age of a guy.

    ReplyDelete
  55. no arguement there.  i dont know of either coach.  i am going by what bat said about groh.  that he isnt aggressive.  all i am asking for is an aggressive dc

    ReplyDelete