Two drafts in a row now that...

[MikeO]

Still a pick left to be made in Round 7, but lets be honest the last 2 years the Dolphins have dedicated pretty much their entire draft to the offensive side of the ball.

Last year every "meaningful" pick was on offense...Pouncey, Thomas, Gates, Clay (they only used 2 seventh round picks on defense; Kearse and Wilson)

This year was once again heavy  on offense (Tannehill, Martin, Egnew, Miller, Cunningham) Only the 3rd round pick Vernon and the 5th round pick Kaddu were defensive players, with still the 7th round pick left that could go either way.

2 full drafts and pretty much ALL OFFENSE early minus the Olivier Vernon pick! I like it.  The defense is an above average unit that only lost Langford, Merling, Allen, and Bell. None were major contributors really. Bell was but he was older and slower so addition by subtraction there. The Vernon pick this year was  good one but aside from that this team has gone ubber-heavy on the offensive side of the football and re-built this unit which has totally sucked for many many years!

[Landshark]

Because in 2010, they pretty much dedicated the entire draft to defense, despite the fact that there were pressing offensive needs and a wealth of offensive talent was passed over.

[masterfins]

Well its just a sign of how bad they let the offensive side of the ball get.  However, i'm not convined the defense is all that good, average at best in my opinion.  I think the defensive stats are skewed by the fact the Fins were losing come the fourth quarter, thereby the opposing teams did not need to press hard to score and pile up yardage.  The test of the defense is can they make stops when the game is on the line, and they failed on several occasions last year, the Giants and Denver games to name two.  Now I'm sure some will blame it on Miami's lack of offense, but if the other teams defense could shut us down, why couldn't our defense shut them down?

I do like the picks they have made the last two years, next years' pick will be heavy on defense.

[EKnight]

Well its just a sign of how bad they let the offensive side of the ball get.  However, i'm not convined the defense is all that good, average at best in my opinion.  I think the defensive stats are skewed by the fact the Fins were losing come the fourth quarter, thereby the opposing teams did not need to press hard to score and pile up yardage.  The test of the defense is can they make stops when the game is on the line, and they failed on several occasions last year, the Giants and Denver games to name two.  Now I'm sure some will blame it on Miami's lack of offense, but if the other teams defense could shut us down, why couldn't our defense shut them down?

I do like the picks they have made the last two years, next years' pick will be heavy on defense.

No no no! You're not allowed to say this in a Mike-started thread. Didn't you know? Miami's defense is stellar. They were 6th in the entire league in points allowed, and even though they still lost 10 games, they are uber-dominant.    -EK

[MikeO]

I do like the picks they have made the last two years, next years' pick will be heavy on defense.

Exactly I couldn't agree more. That will be the plan going forward.

Next year they will start to replenish on defense. Once again you will have Soliai going into the final year of his deal so DT/NT becomes an issue once again. Dansby and Burnett's contracts start to balloon and finding cheaper replacements for at least 1 will be a must. And as always adding depth in the secondary, especially at CB will be needed.

The defense is playing at a high level now and they will need to get younger there eventually. Last offseason and this offseason wasn't the time to do that thoug when they are still producing at a high level and we have a god awful garbage offense with no QB, but I expect  WR and defense to be the needs in the 2013 NFL Draft.

[MikeO]

Because in 2010, they pretty much dedicated the entire draft to defense, despite the fact that there were pressing offensive needs and a wealth of offensive talent was passed over.

And that is another fine point, the Fins in 2009 and 2010 invested heavily on defense. Drafting guys like Vonate and Sean Smith in Rd 1 and 2. Drafting Oddrick and Missi in rounds 1 and 2. Paying Soliai big money this offseason. Giving Dansby a big contract. Even giving Burnett a solid contract that isn't chump change. And the results are there. #3 rushing defense in 2011. #6 scoring defense in 2011. IT WORKED!

Now, the defense isn't dominate (and nobody has ever made that claim) but the results are there.  When you invest almost every early pick in 2 drafts on defense and the majority if not all of your free agent dollars on defense and the unit is producing its time to address the offense. That is what they did in 2011 and 2012. During that time Miami went heavy on defense what was the big offensive addition? Trading for Brandon Marshall. 1 player. That's it, and he was a huge disappointment on the field and never lived up to the billing or the contract.

BUT, Next year it swings back to defense some (aside from WR upgrades) and they will begin re-tooling on defense and looking to tweak it and find those final pieces to add to an already  VERY GOOD (not dominate, I nor has anyone else ever said dominate ever) defensive unit to help get it over the top.

[bsfins]

I also feel,the trifecta probably felt more comfortable (lack of a better term),or at least be better at,buying defense on the free agent market .

Wake,Dansby,Burnett,Trusnik,Guyton,Westerman,Tony Mcdaniel,Starks,Tyrell Johnson on the current team from free agency.

I don't want to list all the misses,in the draft,and free agency...I'm in a pretty good mood....

[MikeO]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7874303

2013 Draft Preview is out...lol (early look at it at least)

They say the strength of the 2013 draft will be the FRONT 7 on defense, specifically with inside linebackers and pass rushers. Both of which Miami will be in the market for a year from now to get younger at linebacker and add more weapons at pass rusher.

[Landshark]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7874303

2013 Draft Preview is out...lol (early look at it at least)

They say the strength of the 2013 draft will be the FRONT 7 on defense, specifically with inside linebackers and pass rushers. Both of which Miami will be in the market for a year from now to get younger at linebacker and add more weapons at pass rusher.

I think the front seven may need to be overhauled with the Dolphins going back to a 4-3 defense.  Although it may be wise to bring back Merling and give him a shot at end and move Odrick inside to tackle.  Those were their natural positions in college.

[MikeO]

I think the front seven may need to be overhauled with the Dolphins going back to a 4-3 defense.  Although it may be wise to bring back Merling and give him a shot at end and move Odrick inside to tackle.  Those were their natural positions in college.

Overhauled is too strong a word. Much too strong. This united played over 50% of its snaps last year in a 4-3 defense. This transition isn't a big deal. It really isn't.  But tweak the defense in time, yes. Replace older guys for younger guys, of course! That's the NFL! That's how this league works.

But "overhaul" , no way. Oddrick is still very young. We have Soliai for 2 years now. Wake will be tagged or re-signed most likely. Olivia Vernon is a rook. While I am not a huge Misi fan he is serviceable and doesn't hurt you on the field. He doesn't make impact plays but he doesn't make mistakes either, which counts for something.

If you want to replace a Starks or McDaniel as they get older and they aren't worth their contract numbers, that is fine. Want to add another weapon opposite Wake, fine. Want to replace Burnett with a cheaper option at LB, once again that is fine as well. But "overhaul" No way,  No how! Not when you have the #3 run defense and #6 defense in points allowed. Overhauling it for the sake of overhauling it is plain silly. If the unit slips this year and isn't any good, ok different story for a different day. But when you have a top unit in the league you only "TWEAK" it not overhaul it.

Also, Merling was lazy, out of shape from his first day, and a dog of a player. 2 coaching staffs now saw it and we have moved on. No chance he returns.

[Doc-phin]

I think the D-line is fine but I wish I had a better understanding of how they are going to work out the linebacker scenerio.  It is obvious Dansby will be our Mike but I am uncertain about the Sam and Will backers.

I imagine Wake and Burnette with play the Will spot a good bit and Misi will get the Sam spot a good bit (because of his size) but I simply don't know.  Especially with all the receiving tight ends out there, it doesn't seem like the Sam backer needs to be the big guy anymore.

[Diehard_Dolfan]

No no no! You're not allowed to say this in a Mike-started thread. Didn't you know? Miami's defense is stellar. They were 6th in the entire league in points allowed, and even though they still lost 10 games, they are uber-dominant.    -EK

I don't think "ANYONE" said the Dolphins defense was dominant!   They played pretty good at times and made mistakes and played bad at times...

The offense had a lot to do with that!

Being a guy that played defense... I can't tell you how much it takes out of you to force an opponents offense off the field only to watch your offense give it right back on a turnover or go three and out before you can get a drink of water! 

It takes a toll on you big time!  You force them off the field again to watch your offense hand the ball off three times in a row up the middle and punt!   Some guys get motivated and press hard to make stops while others start to slack both cause the defense to miss assignments and blow coverages... which we saw a lot with our defense.

[MikeO]

I think the D-line is fine but I wish I had a better understanding of how they are going to work out the linebacker scenerio.  It is obvious Dansby will be our Mike but I am uncertain about the Sam and Will backers.

I imagine Wake and Burnette with play the Will spot a good bit and Misi will get the Sam spot a good bit (because of his size) but I simply don't know.  Especially with all the receiving tight ends out there, it doesn't seem like the Sam backer needs to be the big guy anymore.

Wake is a DE now, not a linebacker. He is our RDE on the 4 man front. Have his hand in the ground, which is where he is at his best more times than not.

They also want to try Misi as the MIKE and try to have Burnett and Dansby on the outside. But we will see. I think when push comes to shove on the majority of plays Dansby will be the MIKE with Misi as the WILL.

[AquaandOrange]

I can actually see us going WR early next year somewhere between rounds 1-3 but the rest being defensive heavy.

We still need a ball-hawking Safety, and some young LB's.