Dolphins Complete DE Recipe
The Dolphins have been desperately searching for another Defensive End to use for their rotation. They have had veterans Jason Jones, and Chris Clemons come in for a visit, but left without being signed, probably because their asking price was more than Miami was willing to pay, and they tried to set up a visit with Robert Ayers, however he spurned them.
Miami’s relentless search has ended with the signing of the youngest of the bunch, 26 years old Jacksonville Jaguar DE Andre Branch.
Despite Branch having pro-typical size for a defensive end, 6’5” and 265 pounds, he has struggled consistency throughout his 4 year career. Last season, he played in 13 games and had 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
The scouting report on Branch is that he does not turn the corner that well on his pass rush, and he typically collects his sacks from cleaning up plays, rather than creating them. However, Branch is very good at the point of attack, and does well against the run, so he maybe able to actually add something positive to our run defense, which all football gambling fans know was atrocious last season – Branch’s skill level is comparable to Derrick Shelby.
It is fair to say that Miami probably has evened out their two free agent losses on the defensive line of Vernon and Shelby, with their additions of Williams and Branch.
That is a good thing.
However, it still boggles my mind that Miami is not putting in the same kind of effort in fixing the Guard and Cornerback position- but, I digress.
On another front.
Chris Johnson had stated vocally that he would be deciding between the Cardinals, his current team, and the Dolphins – well the Fins were again the bridesmaid on this one as Johnson signed a 1 year offer with Arizona. It would have been nice to have him on the roster, but it’s not the end of the world.
I commend the Dolphins on their persistence in the search, while also being steadfast cap responsibility, of defensive ends and running backs.
However, I am still tentative about why they haven’t put in the same effort to find Cornerbacks and Guards. It would seem that the draft and post draft is how they see those spots being filled. But, puts tremendous pressure on them to fill the critical areas and go best player available.
In the end, I have learned from my wife it’s best not to critique a chef till the meal is complete, put on the table…and the bottle of wine is opened. Well, at least with my thoughts on the Dolphins, I will be able to speak my mind when it’s time. Go Fins!!!
Don’t criticize the chef!?!? This team has sucked for over a freakin decade. They whiffed on OL last year and now with more jokes than a slice of Swiss cheese these morons are serving the fans a dish of chicken shit.
But noooo kool aid drunkards, let’s not criticize yet…cause these morons have demonstrated they can build a roster – yeah right!
Homers. And by the way, if the meal doesn’t smell good or look good while its cooking I’m damn sure gonna question it before it’s served.
“all because Tommy Turnstile couldn’t pass block for him …once again” You guys are two for two! My confidence in Tannenbaum is evaporating…there’s still time before I climb to the ledge of the nearest building, but so many holes and not enough picks – as they are going hit on all of them anyway. It’s reaching the need for a Houdini level escape not to have a disaster of a season. I would have been fine to see them get the line together and get T-Hill together – even if it was a losing season. Without a successful line my wish list might be 0-2. I guess time will tell if he is a dunce or brilliant.
…I never criticize the chef lest I find myself eating my own cooking …rather watch reruns of our last playoff game 🙁
…love to know if the Jetster even bothered to give Mathis a call before he signed with Arizona this time …deja vu all over again
…with the drop to 13 and no xtra picks so far, I’m not holding my breath on the draft producing the starters and depth we need
…I’m not as worried as some here about the CBs …really expect Lippet to start and prove Hickey was right on the conversion …still need depth there but that’s not critical imnsho
…still hoping Gase was blowing smoke with his comments about Thomas and we draft at least 3 OL hoping to get lucky with one of them …every NFL player has some virtues else they wouldn’t have made a roster …but a guard has to do a lot more than be decent against the run on one of the worst run defenses in the league …and that doesn’t even begin to make up for his turnstile clown-show in pass defense …every DC and pass rusher we face has Thomas’s number
…I’ll tell you what would be much worse than us still not knowing about Tanny come Dec ’16 …it would be him showing some real progress and then getting so seriously injured that he can’t play, thus having zero value going forward …all because Tommy Turnstile couldn’t pass block for him …once again
They brought in Bushard but since he is and has been a tackle im not sure he will be able to play a whole season as a guard once Albert gets hurt
He will have to take over as a tackle and then we are back to Dallas as the starter at Guard
That is terrible planning on Tannebaum
I dont know what his problem is signing a Guard
Same thing last year
This year Mathis was available again and he never even tried to sign him
Guard will again be our achiles heel this year
Will only be able to draft onr guard and we dont know how he will turn out
We have no guards worth a damm and we still need 2 of them
The fins will be lucky to win more than 6 games this year without real guards
We are either going corner or tradeback in first round
I hope its trade back
We still need lots of starter caliber players
“im not sure he will be able to play a whole season as a guard once Albert gets hurt” Hahaha…the laughter covers over the hurt.