Dolphins nosing around the NFL Draft

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/02/dolphins-nosing-around-the-nfl-draft.html

Dolphins nosing around the NFL Draft

While nose tackle might not be gaping hole on the Dolphins roster, that's the position which has the steepest learning curve.

Jason Ferguson, a 12-year veteran, isn't getting any younger. The Dolphins already used him sparingly in 2008, primarily because the coaches couldn't afford to lose him.

It's not like Paul Soliai is tearing the world up. But in fairness to Soliai, it does take at least two seasons to learn that complicated position, which requires a nose to anchor firm in the middle of the line, taking on a center and a guard like a block of granite.

As I've pointed out previously in this blog, I suspect the Dolphins will have to use one of their first three picks on finding a young nose for Ferguson to groom because this draft is extremely weak at defensive tackle. And not every college defensive tackle can play nose.

And, more and more NFL defenses, from Green Bay, to Arizona, to Kansas City, to the 49ers, are transitioning to a 3-4 scheme, which means even more teams will be competing for the same batch of defensive linemen and linebackers.

For the record, as a lover of line play, this isn't a campaign for the Dolphins to replace Ferguson. He's one of my favorite players because I truly respect the difficult job he does on Sunday's 1 p.m. Im just pointing out the Dolphins should be forward thinking. And I believe they are.

Michigan's Terrance Taylor, a three-year starter who had a disappointing season after his new coaches asked the 6-foot, 314-pound space eater to drop weight, said the Dolphins were the team that showed him the most interest.

I'm told by Perfect Competition trainer Pete Bommarito that one of his clients, Stillman defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill, will blow the scouts away with his combine workout. Hill, who contributed 59 tackles and 7.5 sacks as a defensive end, has the frame (6-4, 330) needed to play the nose.

Maybe he'll be the next Ferguson, whom Parcells drafted in the seventh round in 1997. That's why I'm interested in watching how Hill performs at the combine, because he could be a late round steal in time.

Speaking of combine performances, I just want to point out some of Alabama's Antoine Caldwell's workout numbers. For those of you who follow this blog you know I've consistently said he's my favorite center prospect in this draft, ahead of Oregon's Max Unger, California's Alex Mack, Arkansas' Jonathan Luigs, and Louisville's Eric Wood.

Caldwell was the only center who handled B.J. Raji during the Senior Bowl practices and game. Wouldn't you know he had the best broad jump of the linemen. And if you read my tips report on how the evaluate the combine workouts the board jump is the best indicator for someone's lower body strength, which is key for moving people at the point of attack.

I'm betting this supposedly "heavy-footed, high-hipped plodder, who is best in a phone booth" has improved his stock at least a round, getting him up into the third or fourth round.

Caldwell is officially my first man crush of the 2009 NFL draft. He has been knighted.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 7:59:27 PM