Rock Sexton wrote:
wkloiber13 wrote:
I completely disagree, Ireland has done a solid job drafting defensive secondary. We just haven't used any high draft picks on the secondary since 2009. I believe that Ireland could easily find a solid nickel corner if given a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Easily.
2009 Round 1 - Vontae Davis
2009 Round 2 - Sean Smith
2009 Round 5 - Chris Clemons
2010 Round 5 - Nolan Carroll
2010 Round 5 - Reshad Jones
2011 Round 7 - Jimmy Wilson
Every single defensive back he's drafted is still on the team and is contributing on some level except for Davis. How again is he bad at drafting secondary? I think you underestimate Ireland's ability to draft defense. We have a top three run defense and by the end of the season I think our defense will be top ten overall. I don't know what your standards are but to me that's pretty good.
Completely disagree with what? I see we're changing arguments again, even though I specifically mentioned the
NICKEL CORNERBACK!!!!! Where is ours since it's so easy to fill? Not one single person who's watched the Dolphins over the last 4-5 years can say with a straight face that we've had dependable parts at that position. If your saving grace is the players are still on the team, then by all means you can hoist that trophy all you want. You act like our safeties are dependable when they too have been suspect in coverage. Only thing they've excelled in is run support.
No, what I was eluding to was the fact that Ireland has a better record of drafting defensive backs than you think. As far as the nickel corner position is concerned, I was pointing out that with Irelands steady track record of finding players that can play in the secondary, I have no doubt that with a 2nd or 3rd round pick he can find a nickel corner since it is a support position.
Marshall has actually played nickel in games and done an ok job considering he's still learning the defense. Nolan Carroll has been lining up outside in the nickel package in several formations. I think Marshall is a solid corner and I think he'll only get better as the season goes along. Then next year we'll be able to draft another corner in the first couple of rounds that can either replace Marshall on the outside or take over full time at the nickel. Carroll will take the dime.
I never claimed that the answers were on the roster, but I do think that Ireland will eventually add them to the roster. Our secondary isn't the best in the NFL but it also isn't the worst. They've been targeted all game long because teams cannot run the ball against us. Considering our opponents have gameplanned to attack the secondary, and the pass rush has been weak, I think they've done pretty good.
Also, I never said the safeties were dependable. I said I like Reshad Jones and think he's a good young player. Clemons on the other hand I think needs to be replaced sooner than later. I'm hoping we draft a safety early next year to replace him. Same goes for Carroll, I'm hoping we draft another corner to bump him at the nickel.
My honest opinion of our secondary is if we added a cornerback in the 2nd round and a safety in the 2nd or 3rd round, that our secondary would be complete and have a good mix of veteran and young players.