Predatory_Fins
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« on: March 15, 2006, 04:31:43 pm » |
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Some reaction Tuesday to Miami's trade for Daunte Culpepper and other moves:
• CBS' Phil Simms said Culpepper ''fits the Dolphins better'' than Drew Brees: ''Miami is a windy place at times, and Daunte is more suited than Drew [coming off a shoulder injury] would be. I didn't think you would have to give up that much [a second-round draft pick] to get Culpepper.
''Is he worth it? Of course he is -- an All-Pro, big, strong, fast, really good throwing arm, a lot better than any quarterback in the draft, and he fits what the Dolphins are looking for: a quarterback who will get it downfield. Mike Mularkey's offense will be a good fit. I like players that are mad and out to prove the world is against them.''
• Fox's Jimmy Johnson said Culpepper's knee is less of a risk than Brees' shoulder: ''If Culpepper is back to his old form, it's a bargain. Even if he has lost a step, he's still a hell of a quarterback.''
• NBC's John Madden called the move ''a risk the Dolphins have to take. To say it's not a risk, you're kidding yourself. Before his injury, he was a top-10 quarterback, an MVP candidate -- he's so big, so strong and throws the ball so well.'' Madden said there will be less pressure on Culpepper ''because I see them still being a running team.''
• ESPN's Joe Theismann attributes Culpepper's 2005 struggles to trying too hard ''and a post- Randy Moss hangover. It's a heck of a pickup for Miami. [But] New England is the best team in the AFC.''
• Though the Dolphins upgraded from Damion McIntosh at left tackle, they're not getting an elite player in L.J. Shelton. Browns general manager Phil Savage told The Cleveland Plain Dealer in January: ''I think, for the most part, he played adequately [in 2005]. I think there were certain games where he performed not up to standard, so people think he can't play at all, and that's not true. He's an NFL left tackle.'' The Browns tried to keep him, but felt they upgraded by signing Kevin Shaffer. The Dolphins wanted Detroit left tackle Jeff Backus, but the Lions placed the franchise tag on him. That left few options in a weak free agent class. Perhaps line coach Hudson Houck can elevate Shelton's play. A solid run-blocker, Shelton struggled at times against speed rushers.
• Don't expect ex-Saints linebacker Sedrick Hodge to automatically win the vacant outside linebacker job. Scouts Inc. calls Hodge a ''huge disappointment.'' He's a decent tackler but not particularly fast, and has just one sack, two forced fumbles and no interceptions in five years.
''In his time here, he was below average,'' Saints radio analyst Hokie Gajan said. ''He never lived up to the expectations of any of us.''
• Cornerback Andre' Goodman, 5-10, will compete to start, but many believe he's better suited as a nickel back. He had his best of five seasons last year, with three interceptions in eight starts for Detroit. He has good footwork and technique, but has been inconsistent, slowed by injuries and vulnerable against particularly fast and tall receivers.
• With UM spring practice set to start Tuesday, intriguing battles loom at cornerback ( Glenn Sharpe -- back from another knee injury -- and Randy Phillips face competition from Bruce Johnson and Carlos Armour) and linebacker. Larry Coker wants to get LBs Willie Williams and Jon Beason on the field together and raves about Darryl Sharpton. ( Tavares Gooden, Romeo Davis and Glenn Cook also are in the LB mix). . . . Besides using more motion and some one-back sets, offensive coordinator Rich Olson has spoken of using tight end Greg Olsen as an H-back at times.
• Sightings: Terrell Owens, Mitch Richmond, Rick Pitino, Jonathan Vilma, Charles Johnson, Micky Arison, two caged tigers and dancing girls joining Heat players at Shaquille O'Neal's 34th birthday bash Friday night on Indian Creek Island.
thoughts?
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