2008 Miami Dolphins NFL Draft Thread

[yuppi]

good pick with henne i have no clue who the our second rounder was... we still could've got ainge later so im not totally satisfied with that pic.

Ainge played exceptional while tennesse made it to the sec championship game against the eventual champs


brohm freakin sucks, i don't know what you guys are talking about.

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=5756

Phillip Merling Conference Call

(On how often he met with the Dolphins prior to being drafted) -- “I met with them at the Senior Bowl and talked to them at the combine, but I haven’t spoken to them since. They got to watch me work out and stuff like that, but I’m just glad everything worked out.”

(On what they said his role would be) -- “I don’t know. I just want to come out there and help out the defense. I want to learn from the defensive linemen and the coaches and everybody that’s there. When I get there I guess they’re going to tell me my role and I will do my role exactly as they ask me to do it.”

(On if he was surprised that he fell to the second round) -- “I was surprised a little bit, but it doesn’t really matter at all right now. I’m happy with where I’m going. I’m going to a good team that’s competitive and I just want to play. It doesn’t matter if I go in the first or second round.”

(On the sports hernia and how much it affected his play last year, as well as the offseason workouts) -- “It affected me a lot last year. My leg was hurting in the games. A lot of days it was hurting after the games. When I was at training I remember I wasn’t getting top speed at a lot of things and I was wondering what was going on. At the combine, when the medical trainers found I had a hernia, I just had the surgery and I’m fine now. I worked out, I had no pain after the work out; so that was good. Now I’m just ready to get back into the helmet and shoulder pads.”

(On if he thinks he will be healthy enough to participate in rookie camp) -- “I will be there, full speed and ready.”

(On who is with him right now) -- “I’ve got my family and my friends here. They’re all at my grandmother’s house. Everybody is just glad that my name’s off the board and everything went well.”

(On if Jason Taylor is one of his heroes) -- “I really do look up to Jason Taylor and I like the way he plays, how fast and aggressive he is. I know it will be a good opportunity to learn behind him and learn with him and experience winning.”

(On his strengths and weaknesses as a player right now) -- “I think I am a balanced defensive end. I think contain the run extremely well and get to the quarterback. I think I do a lot of things. I think I play natural, I don’t try doing some things, I just do it. I think those qualities will help me out there.”

(On what teams told him he needed to work on) -- “They all said I could use some more technique. That’s just what everyone wanted, technique in getting to the quarterback more. But other than that, they said I played the game very well. I play hard, I run with my motor on, I don’t stop, and that’s the key out there.”

(On if any teams spoke to him about becoming a pass-rushing linebacker) -- “I think I was more of a defensive end. If they wanted me to do that, I could do that. I feel confident with my speed and my abilities to be able to do that.”

(On if he saw Miami as a good possibility as where he would end up) -- “I didn’t know. This came out of the blue. This was a shocker to me. I’m just glad that it’s all over with and I’m glad that I’m with a good team.”

(On what he thinks of the chance to play under a Bill Parcells-led team) -- “That means a lot. He’s a legendary coach. I mean, I know he’s going to be a great man and that he’s a legendary coach and a person who’s hard. And I like that type of coaching – someone who is going to get on you. I know that the type of coaching he’s going to bring to the Miami Dolphins, is hard-nosed football, which is something I like to play.”

(On how he found out the Dolphins were going to draft him) -- “Over the phone. They called me.”

(On who his agent is) -- “Jimmy Sexton.”

(On what his emotions were like during the day and the first round) -- “I was getting nervous waiting for my name to get called, if I was going in the first, but that’s okay, though. I’m in the second round early and it doesn’t really matter where I’m it, it matters where I end up. This is how I start and I’ll finish a lot stronger and a lot different.”

(On if he watched a lot of NFL football and his impressions of the Dolphins season last year) -- “Actually, I was concentrating on college football and stuff like that. I wasn’t really into the NFL and its teams, I was a little too busy to watch the NFL.”

(On players he looked up to growing up) – “ I mirrored my game after a combination of different people because I didn’t want to be stuck in one box. I wanted to be like a Jason Taylor, a Julius Peppers, a Richard Seymour – just somebody who is well- rounded, somebody that could get to the quarterback, somebody who could drop into coverage. I didn’t want to be labeled as an extreme pass rusher or as a run stopper or just an athlete. I wanted to be everything out there. So I modeled my game after a couple of guys in the NFL.”

(On if he knows how many wins the Dolphins had) -- “Yes, I know how many wins they had.”

[doctord56]

Who do you all think the dolphins will take tomorrow with the first pick in the 3rd round? Maybe Dan Connor; the team could use a good linebacker?

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/top_story.asp?contentID=5758

Chad Henne Conference Call

April 26, 2008
  
(on his day and the emotions he went through during the day) It definitely was a roller coaster, kind of going up and down. But it was a great opportunity to wait this long and get with a good organization.

(on playing with DE Jake Long again) Oh, it’s a wonderful feeling to play with Jake. Definitely a good friend and a great person and I’ll be glad that I’ll have a couple more years with him.

(on any conversations he had with the Miami Dolphins) Well, I knew they were interested. They came up to Michigan to work me out. Took us out to dinner and said, pretty much, if you are around in the second round we’ll take you down here. It happened to be later, but it’s a good fit for me.

(on what his strengths as a quarterback are) I think that, first of all, I bring leadership qualities. Being a four-year starter at Michigan definitely developed me into that. Intelligence, being able to pick up things fast and performing on the field. Also, just my physical abilities, going out there and making plays.

(on how many other teams mentioned interest in him if he was still available in the second round) There were many – we didn’t know if teams were going to trade down or trade up. There were definitely possibilities with different teams. I know some of those called me right before pick 29 to say they were going to trade up and try to take me, and that didn’t happen, so I’ve just been sitting around.

(on the strengths that he brings to the position and the things that he needs to work on) I think the strengths are just my leadership qualities, being able to come in and handle all of the pressure, and then being able to play at a high level. My intelligence, just learning things fast, and picking up and kind of performing out there. My physical talents, my arm strength, making all those throws. Things I have to work on…obviously, continue to work on understanding NFL defenses and picking up the speed of the game. And just being able to avoid the rush and making those plays out there.

(on if he feels that he can be a starter in the NFL) I don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity to step in right now, but I mean, I know John Beck’s there, so, I’ll eventually go down there and compete. And whatever happens I’ll just take it as it is and just prepare like I’m going to compete for the starting job.

(on if the heat and humidity will be a challenge for him) No, I don’t think so. I’ve been out here training in California and I’m kind of used to the weather. But playing wise, it doesn’t really get too cold playing in Michigan, except for maybe November, but it’s pretty hot during September and October.

(on if the Dolphins told him he would be competing for the starting position this year) They described…obviously, there’s a quarterback there, John Beck, and I’m not sure who else is there. I’ll definitely compete and you know, we’ll see, we’ll see when I get down there.

(on if the Dolphins’ work out was different than any other teams’ workout) Pretty much what they had me do, they had me come in and go on the board and just draw some plays from my offense. And then make a couple of coverages to draw up and draw up a play that will attack that coverage. And after that, we went out on the field. Then they put me through a bunch of throws, trying to fit balls into some holes, instead of just shooting the ball and throwing it as hard as you can.

(on if he thought the Dolphins might draft him at the top of the second round) Yeah, I thought it would be a possibility, but anything goes and I definitely learned that today.

(on if any other teams than the St. Louis Rams were interested in him) St. Louis, Baltimore was up there, Chicago talked about it a little bit, Seattle, Atlanta drafted early but they were also interested. There were a bunch of teams with need for quarterbacks who contacted me.

(on where he has been following the draft and who is with him) I’m out in San Clemente, California, I’m training in Orange County, so I’m out here with my family, and my girlfriend and her parents and my agent’s out here.

(on if, as a kid, he was a fan of Dan Marino’s) Definitely, he came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I’m on the Philadelphia side, but definitely watched him go through and be a great, successful quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.

[Kirbyjr]

I also wondered about Connor in the 3rd, seems like he could slide into the lineup very easily.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Thanks for posting those interviews Dolfan. I'm not that familiar with Merling, so its good to read interviews with him and see his reactions.

[DolFan619]

Who do you all think the dolphins will take tomorrow with the first pick in the 3rd round? Maybe Dan Connor; the team could use a good linebacker?

  I could see the team going DT, with Pat Sims of Auburn. 

[Guru-In-Vegas]

Like sunstroke and others said, it would be great if we could trade down and try to pick up a couple more 3rd and 4th rounders.  We still have a lot of issues but I'm glad we had a good draft.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Two of my Clemson buff friends say that Philip Merling is destined for greatness in the NFL.

Take that for what it's worth!

Agreed.  I watched him wreak havoc on FSU's offensive backfield two years in a row.  Watch out for this kid. 

makes me think there is something in the works for Taylor....

Could very well be that they drafted Merling to start grooming him as JT's replacement.  Maybe they'll keep JT around to mentor him.  Seeing as he wasn't traded today, that could very well be the case. 

 I really like the Chad Henne pick....especially at #57.  Henne will have a much better NFL career then Brian Brohm will.  Parcells/Ireland/Sparano put together a great first day of the draft.  I am VERY happy with Miami's first 3 picks.   Can't wait to see who we pick tommorrow.    

I like the Henne pick as well, and I was shocked that both him and Brohm fell this far.

According to Sciotto, the Dolphins have already made their pick, but they can't announce it till the first round begins tomorrow at 10 am.  Dan Connor is still on the board.  I hope it's him. 

As for the Booker trade, while I am disappointed, I can see the reasoning behind it.  They basically dropped a few spots in the 4th round, and gave up a backup RB for a startling LB and a TE that could compete for a starting job. 

[Philly Fin Fan]

As for who they take at the top of round three tomorrow- here's an interesting thought...
Earlier today, I said this:
.

I have a strong feeling that Long will be reunited with his college QB today.

Is it possible they will be joined by another former Michigan player on the offensive side of the ball- Mario Manningham?

[jtex316]

I just want to say 1 thing: I think the Dolphins had an excellent Day 1 draft. What a difference Parcells makes, huh guys? The guy builds WINNERS. Don't ever take it for granted.

Side Note: I like the Giants pick, Kenny Phillips (S, the U).

[KC]

I love the Henne pick. He has a chance to be a good NFL quarterback, which is more than you can say for anyone else who's played the position since 1999.

As for Brian Brohm, he looked a lot worse playing for a bad Louisville team last year. And the Dolphins are a bad team right now.

One nitpick: would it have been worth the risk to fill another need at 57 and take Henne at 64? Only the Bucs were any risk to pick a QB between 58-63 (the other teams being the Colts, Giants, Cowboys, Pats, and Packers who just took Brohm).

Well it was a risk and there really isn't another option here - we have a lot of other needs but this one had to be addressed now and we can pick from among the rest first pick tomorrow.  As for the thing with Beck well a team doesn't have a need at a position when they have a guy they know they can count on at it and Beck is anything but that.  The hope is that one of them will develop into an above average QB and while Henne or Brohm aren't sure things by any means they both have a better shot at it then Beck, which I've been saying for the last year.  I like the Henne pick here, I hated the Beck pick the moment he was selected.  It's only been a year and the story's not told yet but it will be.  We're several years away from being a contender and we'll need a good QB then and this kid has a good shot. 

[KC]

How much do they save if they cut Beck.

I'm not sure why anyone's thinking that.  Even if someone steps up and goes to the pro bowl then you still need a good backup and McCown isn't even that.  Beck might be and as a matter of fact I think he's got a good chance to grow into that role.  I'm as far from a Beck fan as you can get but it makes absolutely no sense to cut him.  He's making about a million a year which is less than a third that dirtbag McCown is getting.  If we had a real QB we'd be spending a lot more here on just the one guy.  You got these 3 guys and it's just a matter of who can step up and you have a better chance with 3 although McCown should be on the practice squad really.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

I agree with you KC.

And picking up Henne with a second rounder (late 2nd round I might add) is not that much of a stretch.  Especially when you consider who our last 3 QB's have been as a result of a loss of a 2nd round pick.  

A.J. Feeley
Daunte Culpepper
John Beck

I love this pick.  I do think he has potential and the fact that he's back with his studly Tackle Mr. Long, things are looking up.

[bsfins]

Could very well be that they drafted Merling to start grooming him as JT's replacement.  Maybe they'll keep JT around to mentor him.  Seeing as he wasn't traded today, that could very well be the case. 

This is still up in the air,and rumors are that he's been traded for picks in next years draft.....

Guru keeps making me cry,bring up some of the second round picks spent on Qbs.....

I agree with the thought,that This admin,is bring in thier guy ...Henne is thier guy as of now,and We didn't trade up to get him,he fell to us in our lap at the pick........So I have no problems with the pick...