Fins: Some credit to Saban

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_seasonticket/2008/06/fins-some-credi.html

Fins: Some credit to Saban

You don't see this often here.

I'm not one to lavish praise on Nick Saban.

Nor do I believe in taking running backs early.

Still, it appears that Saban got it right, in terms of which running back he chose at the top of the 2005 draft.

Many had questions about Cedric Benson's work ethic and attitude before the draft. But he was in the conversation as potentially the best back in the class. The Dolphins took Ronnie Brown at No. 2, and Jerry Angelo and the Bears felt comfortable enough with Benson to take him at No. 4. Tampa Bay then took Cadillac Williams at No. 5.

For the first month of the 2005 season, I spent much time on this blog fending off readers who were furious that the Dolphins had passed on Cadillac, who was on his way to rookie records. But the Bucs rookie started tailing off even before all the injuries hit. And for all the injuries that Brown has suffered, he still seems to have the better future.

Looking back, how did you feel about the running back the Dolphins chose?

And how do you feel now?

> Posted by Ethan J. Skolnick at 11:31:21 AM

[EDGECRUSHER]

I was just thinking about this the other day. We definitely chose correctly. Saban got first hand experience of what Ronnie Brown could do at Auburn, so credit to him. Hopefully, we will credit him for Matt Roth and Channing Crowder as well this season.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Cadillac was more "NFL Ready" than Ronnie at the time they were drafted.  However, Ronnie had more tools and more upside.  As you can see, that made a big difference over the past two years.  However, both backs have durability issues.

[JoblessJayFiedler]

Cadillac was more "NFL Ready" than Ronnie at the time they were drafted.  However, Ronnie had more tools and more upside.  As you can see, that made a big difference over the past two years.  However, both backs have durability issues.

In addition to that, Cadillac's level of competition was piss poor.  Any running back could have ran through Tampa's opposing defense that year unscathed. On the other hand, Miami had the toughest schedule. Ronnie Brown was not able to produce the same yards as Cadillac did but was still effective nonetheless.

[Frimp]

I agree. Saban did produce some good draft picks. If he had stuck around, I think he would have been great. But, he stabbed us in the back. So screw you, Nicktator.

I think Crowder and Roth will explode this next season, and will be around for a long time.

[doctord56]

I think Crowder and Roth will explode this next season, and will be around for a long time.

If you think Crowder and Roth are going to be anything other than journeymen...

well, I have some condos here in Orlando I'd like to sell you. Guaranteed you can flip them in a few months and make an easy  fortune!



Seriously, I'd be happy to see either of them become really good players. But the old doc is skeptical about their chances.

[Phishfan]

I agree with Doc on one account, Crowder & Roth will be lifers in the NFL, but they will never be anything special. There sure are a lot of empty condos in the Orlando area.

[DolFan619]

  Much like the author of the blog, I hate giving any type of credit to Saban.  However, Nick did get it right when he chose Ronnie Brown #2 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft.  At the time, Ricky was still a question mark, and who else was supposed to run the ball?  Sammy Morris?  Lamar Gordon?  Travis Minor?  Ronnie has amazing versatility, and has a great set of hands for a RB.  Very underrated as a pass catcher.  I just hope that Ronnie will be able to put it all together for a full 16 game season.

[doctord56]

I agree, Ronnie Brown has a ton of talent and displayed great effort and pro bowl level production in the first half of the 2007 season. The question mark is whether he can stay healthy enough to put together the kind of career he is potentially capable of.

Much as I dislike Nick Satan, drafting Ronnie Brown was a good call.

The rest of the 2005 Satan draft? I think Crowder and Roth and Travis Daniels are journeymen at best. In the 2006 draft, I don't see Jason Allen or Derek Hagen rising above journeymen/career back up type players. Joe Toledo and Fred Evans are gone. Perhaps 7th rounder Rod Wright will end up being Saban's best pick in the 2006 draft?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

If you think Crowder and Roth are going to be anything other than journeymen...

well, I have some condos here in Orlando I'd like to sell you. Guaranteed you can flip them in a few months and make an easy  fortune!

Seriously, I'd be happy to see either of them become really good players. But the old doc is skeptical about their chances.

I agree with Doc on one account, Crowder & Roth will be lifers in the NFL, but they will never be anything special. There sure are a lot of empty condos in the Orlando area.

Two things.

1.  I agree that Roth will be nothing more than a journeyman, but Crowder can be something special if he can ever make it back to the way he played his rookie year. 

2.  The condo market in Orlando is so bad right now, I see 2 bed/2 bath condos going for under $90K. 

[Dphins4me]

Braylon Edwards might would have been the better pick.

[fyo]

Braylon Edwards might would have been the better pick.

For our needs? No. Edwards would've languished here AND wasn't a position of need.

[Dphins4me]

For our needs? No. Edwards would've languished here AND wasn't a position of need.

Wr wasn't a position of need?  Who did Miami have that made it not one?
Chambers & Booker?    Welker was a nobody in '05.  Miami did have David Boston on the roster.

Edwards would have been underutilized in Miami, but at least he would have been on the field to be used.   Brown has missed over 25% of the games since he was drafted.

Frank Gore was drafted with the 1st pick of Rd. 3 that year.  So Miami could have walked out of Rd. 1 & 2 with Edwards & Gore.  Instead of underachievers Roth & injury prone Brown.