Orlando Alzugaray Blog
"Where is the Veteran Leadership (7/31)"
Jul 30, 2010
Everyday I take phone calls, emails (bigo@wqam.com) & Facebook questions (bigoshow) about how Koa Misi, Jared Odrick, Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, Cam Wake and every other young guy needs to step up! Isn't that the obvious? The real challenge falls on the Trifecta of Parcells, Ireland & Sparano.
If I had to point to a legitimate concern, I would say veteran leadership and experience at certain positions could have a negative effect on this team if the coaches don't pick-up the slack. For example, at linebacker Dolfans are expecting a lot from Cameron Wake and Koa Misi. My question is where do they go when they want to ask an accomplished player how to read a certain defense or what make a great pass rusher? Will they get that from Charlie Anderson or Quentin Moses? As Chad Ochocinco would say "Child Please". It's not that Anderson can't play, he's a solid
backup, it's just that his voice doesn't carry the weight and experience a Jason Taylor would.
At defensive end, Kendall Langford & Jared Odrick will need to lean on the newest Dolphin to date Charles Grant, the former New Orleans Saint, who has a career 47 sacks and isn't the best example in the world.
At nose tackle, Miami took a gamble in the front office by not drafting or signing a quality player to replace the suspended and now retired Jason Furgeson. Instead the coaching staff elected to move their most productive defensive end Randy Starks to nose tackle. And with the aforementioned Furgeson retired, who's Randy going to turn to for advice on how to learn a new position. Not Paul Soliai.
Last year I felt horrible for Hartline, Ginn, Camarillo & Bess because they didn't have a Brandon Marshall around not just to alleviate pressure on the field, but to also learn how to be the best you can be from someone like Furgeson, J.T., Porter, Holliday, etc. In other words PLAYMAKERS that have been there and done that.
At free safety it looks like second year player Chris Clemons might be the clubhouse leader, but free agent castoff Tyrone Culver and rookie Reshad Jones are also in the mix. Again no veteran leadership and experience at this spot. I know Yerimiah Bell is there, but he's a proven strong safety, not a free.
The way I see it the front office has put the pressure on the coaching staff, Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, Todd Bowles (Asst. HC & Secondary), David Corrao (Asst LB coach), Joe Danna (Asst Secondary), Bill Sheridan (LB Coach) & Kacy Rogers (Defensive Line) will have to fill the shoes of the Taylors & Furgesons of the world.
If this defense is successful on the field, it's because the men behind the scenes have done an amazing job of molding and preparing a talented group of individuals into a team.
COACHING MAKES A DIFFERENCE.....
