WEBVTT - 2021 NFL Draft Off Ball Linebackers Preview 0:00:03.680 --> 0:00:17.279 Touchdown, Miami drun. What is up? Dolphans And welcome to 0:00:17.360 --> 0:00:21.520 the Drive Time Podcast, part of the Miami Dolphins podcast network, 0:00:21.680 --> 0:00:26.600 covering your team, your Miami Dolphins. How's it going everybody? 0:00:26.680 --> 0:00:30.080 I am your host, Travis Wingfield. And on today's show, 0:00:30.160 --> 0:00:32.839 we are back at the draft preview talking to the 0:00:32.920 --> 0:00:37.639 draft networks Trevor Sikama breaking down all things off ball linebackers. 0:00:37.680 --> 0:00:39.400 We're gonna get to the top of the class, who 0:00:39.400 --> 0:00:42.400 fits the Dolphins, traits and prototypes, and much much more 0:00:42.680 --> 0:00:45.839 with Trevor. Plus, we're gonna break down the latest Dolphins 0:00:45.840 --> 0:00:49.280 signing in veteran offensive lineman. He's played tackle, he's played 0:00:49.320 --> 0:00:52.760 guard in d J Fluker. Will break down DJ's game 0:00:52.840 --> 0:00:56.160 from the tape, from the stats, the PF data, pressure 0:00:56.200 --> 0:00:58.840 is allowed, where he's played, how many games he's played, 0:00:59.000 --> 0:01:01.000 what he means to the off pensive line, how he 0:01:01.080 --> 0:01:03.760 fits in, how things could shuffle on the old line. 0:01:03.960 --> 0:01:06.280 All of that and a whole bunch more on this 0:01:06.480 --> 0:01:12.360 edition of the Drive Time Podcast. And we do have 0:01:12.440 --> 0:01:16.640 some veteran beef joining the offensive line of Dolphins announced 0:01:16.640 --> 0:01:19.920 the signing of tackle slash guard d J Fluker on 0:01:19.959 --> 0:01:23.720 Tuesday morning, giving the team another plus three hundred forty 0:01:23.720 --> 0:01:27.440 pound offensive lineman. DJ was listed at three hundred forty 0:01:27.480 --> 0:01:30.919 two pounds last season. Solomon Kinley checks in just below 0:01:31.000 --> 0:01:34.520 three forty at three thirty nine, with Eric Flower still 0:01:34.560 --> 0:01:38.440 maintaining the title of heaviest offensive lineman heaviest player on 0:01:38.440 --> 0:01:41.200 the team at three hundred forty three pounds, So that 0:01:41.240 --> 0:01:43.840 gives you three players that weigh right in that three 0:01:43.920 --> 0:01:47.160 hundred forty pound range. No other offensive line in the 0:01:47.240 --> 0:01:51.240 NFL can say that. And DJ does have some positional flexibility. 0:01:51.480 --> 0:01:54.440 He was the Ravens right tackle from Week eight onward 0:01:54.560 --> 0:01:58.080 last season after Ronnie Stanley went down and they flipped 0:01:58.200 --> 0:02:00.960 Orlando Brown over to left tackle, and he played well 0:02:01.000 --> 0:02:02.800 there in a pinch. It took him a couple of 0:02:02.840 --> 0:02:05.520 games to get his feet under him after not playing 0:02:05.520 --> 0:02:07.800 a whole lot in the early portions of the season, 0:02:08.040 --> 0:02:10.959 coming off a strange off season, especially for a big 0:02:11.000 --> 0:02:14.080 fellow like DJ, and after a rough night in that 0:02:14.200 --> 0:02:17.600 Week ten Baltimore game with six pressures allowed and that 0:02:17.680 --> 0:02:20.239 was the game with the snap issues for Matt Skura 0:02:20.400 --> 0:02:23.800 and all that trrential downpour, so a really strange game. 0:02:24.000 --> 0:02:26.840 But after that he never allowed more than three pressures 0:02:26.840 --> 0:02:29.200 in a single game. He never allowed another sack and 0:02:29.200 --> 0:02:31.560 allowed just one hit the rest of the way. That's 0:02:31.600 --> 0:02:34.600 no sacks, one hit and seven team pressures on one 0:02:34.639 --> 0:02:37.680 hundred and seventy five pass blocking snaps over nine games, 0:02:37.840 --> 0:02:39.919 and if you include the two playoff games where he 0:02:39.960 --> 0:02:43.520 allowed four hurries and nothing else for the Ravens. But 0:02:44.080 --> 0:02:46.560 and this is why I mentioned the guards. DJ played 0:02:46.600 --> 0:02:50.359 guard for the Seahawks and twenty nineteen. He started twenty 0:02:50.360 --> 0:02:52.359 three games over a two year span there at the 0:02:52.400 --> 0:02:55.520 position for the Seahawks, allowing just thirty pressures on nine 0:02:56.040 --> 0:02:59.320 eighteen pass blocking snaps. That's a pressure every thirty point 0:02:59.360 --> 0:03:01.880 six snaps and less than one per game, as he 0:03:01.919 --> 0:03:05.120 averaged just a smidge under forty pass blocking snaps per game. 0:03:05.360 --> 0:03:07.880 And I say that meaning like thirty nine point nine 0:03:07.880 --> 0:03:11.760 four snaps are up snaps per game for Fluker. He 0:03:11.840 --> 0:03:14.080 made the same change with the Chargers after being the 0:03:14.080 --> 0:03:17.520 eleventh pick in draft. He started thirty one games in 0:03:17.560 --> 0:03:20.480 two years at right tackle, then started twenty eight games 0:03:20.480 --> 0:03:22.840 the next two seasons at right guard for the Chargers. 0:03:23.080 --> 0:03:24.639 Then he spent a year with the Giants, playing a 0:03:24.639 --> 0:03:27.280 little bit of both. So he fits the mold, big 0:03:27.320 --> 0:03:30.079 body position, versatile, and I happen to think you kind 0:03:30.120 --> 0:03:32.440 of mask some of the wards that had him bounce 0:03:32.520 --> 0:03:34.640 around a little bit, not just from team to team, 0:03:34.680 --> 0:03:37.400 but from position to position. I think those are kind 0:03:37.440 --> 0:03:40.280 of masked on tape. When he's inside. He's a big, 0:03:40.320 --> 0:03:42.560 big dude, so he can get out over his skis 0:03:42.600 --> 0:03:45.200 at times, but you anchor him inside and don't worry 0:03:45.200 --> 0:03:48.840 about speed rushers or possible devastating counter moves of those 0:03:48.840 --> 0:03:51.800 world class edge rushers off the outside. And he's pretty 0:03:51.840 --> 0:03:54.640 damn good inside. I think he's serviceable outside and can 0:03:54.680 --> 0:03:58.920 excel inside. Another massive, massive human being inside to help 0:03:59.000 --> 0:04:02.680 protect the interior and that pocket inside for ta. He 0:04:02.720 --> 0:04:04.680 gets tremendous push in the running game as well, a 0:04:04.680 --> 0:04:06.640 big boon to your running game. Just go look at 0:04:06.680 --> 0:04:09.040 his name on Twitter and click the video links. There 0:04:09.080 --> 0:04:12.640 are pancake scalore, there are choke slams. One rep. I 0:04:12.640 --> 0:04:14.440 want to say it was against Khalil Mack back with 0:04:14.480 --> 0:04:17.480 the Raiders, when flu grows with the Chargers. I need 0:04:17.520 --> 0:04:19.960 to put Jerry Lawler's voice over that clip. He just 0:04:20.240 --> 0:04:22.240 he just choke slams the guy to the ground after 0:04:22.240 --> 0:04:24.480 a good pass block rep. He chips guys who were 0:04:24.520 --> 0:04:26.880 engaged and sends them to the moon. And best of all, 0:04:26.960 --> 0:04:29.320 I put this in my Twitter threat on Tuesday morning. 0:04:29.520 --> 0:04:32.000 There's a video of him reach blocking and Dominicans sue 0:04:32.000 --> 0:04:34.240 against the Rams and that's hard enough to do. As 0:04:34.279 --> 0:04:35.960 a reach block. You have to get outside of a 0:04:36.000 --> 0:04:39.080 player who has you out aligned pre snap, but to 0:04:39.120 --> 0:04:41.840 completely turn him inside out and then bury him. That 0:04:42.320 --> 0:04:45.479 is a fun watch. He fits the mold from his size, sheer, 0:04:45.520 --> 0:04:49.440 density standpoint, power and versatility standpoint. He is, however, the 0:04:49.480 --> 0:04:52.360 first offensive player on the roster over the age of thirty. 0:04:52.560 --> 0:04:55.360 He joins John Jenkins as the loan thirty Club. I'll 0:04:55.400 --> 0:04:57.159 be sure to find my way to their lockers for 0:04:57.200 --> 0:04:59.080 the first time. We got access to the locker room 0:04:59.120 --> 0:05:01.200 this year, so I can joined the old Man's Club, 0:05:01.279 --> 0:05:04.240 the thirty and overcrew with those guys. He's played six thousand, 0:05:04.320 --> 0:05:07.559 seven hundred thirty seven career snaps, three thousand, nine hundred 0:05:07.600 --> 0:05:10.320 of those at right guard, two thousand, five hundred twenty 0:05:10.360 --> 0:05:13.760 seven at right tackle, three hundred and six at left tackle, 0:05:13.839 --> 0:05:16.200 and three as the extra offensive linemans. He's never played 0:05:16.240 --> 0:05:18.440 left guard, never played center. He's played a hundred eight 0:05:18.480 --> 0:05:21.200 games and started ninety six of them. To me, this 0:05:21.279 --> 0:05:24.520 gives you so much flexibility. It's the perfect supplement to 0:05:24.520 --> 0:05:27.320 the young offensive line we've got. You see Piney Sewell, 0:05:27.440 --> 0:05:30.000 Rashawn Slater, maybe even some of the guys eighteen or 0:05:30.000 --> 0:05:32.640 thirty six on the draft board as possible old line 0:05:32.680 --> 0:05:35.360 options for Miami. But I think this takes away any 0:05:35.360 --> 0:05:39.280 potential need you might have considered. It gives you more flexibility. 0:05:39.279 --> 0:05:41.640 Of course, you can still draft offensive lineman, but you 0:05:41.680 --> 0:05:44.239 don't really need it as badly as you did before 0:05:44.240 --> 0:05:46.560 the Fluker signing. This gives you a backup plan that 0:05:46.680 --> 0:05:50.039 literally all three spots the rookies played right Jackson left tackle, 0:05:50.160 --> 0:05:53.000 Hunt right tackle, Kinley right guard. If any of them 0:05:53.000 --> 0:05:56.000 struggles in year two, you've got the experienced Flucker waiting 0:05:56.000 --> 0:05:58.679 in the wings to pick up the performance. Or maybe 0:05:58.760 --> 0:06:01.159 you decide they're all progressed sing well, and you flipped 0:06:01.200 --> 0:06:03.679 Kinley over to left guard, where he played in college 0:06:03.839 --> 0:06:05.600 and even a little bit there last year as well, 0:06:05.600 --> 0:06:07.560 when Flowers was banged up, and I think some of 0:06:07.640 --> 0:06:10.520 his best hate for Kinley was at left guard. Maybe 0:06:10.520 --> 0:06:12.719 that's the route Fluker and Hunter on the same side 0:06:12.720 --> 0:06:15.520 of the offensive line. This in this you know potential scenario, 0:06:15.800 --> 0:06:18.200 and that's just a hair under seven hundred pounds. That's 0:06:18.279 --> 0:06:21.640 one trip to the public's bakery away from seven hundred 0:06:21.640 --> 0:06:24.880 pounds and two absolute steam rollers in the run blocking game. 0:06:24.960 --> 0:06:28.520 This gives Miami three Alabama ployers, that's the most in 0:06:28.520 --> 0:06:31.960 the NFL, and it gives them a joker in the 0:06:32.040 --> 0:06:40.320 highest form a cl We got a deal. That was 0:06:40.360 --> 0:06:42.640 a great video where he and Tyler Lockett of the 0:06:42.680 --> 0:06:45.440 Seahawks made fun of the Russell Wilson extension video when 0:06:45.440 --> 0:06:48.360 he was in bed and said, Seattle, We've got a deal. Funny, 0:06:48.480 --> 0:06:51.479 funny stuff. They're a funny guy. So there you have it. 0:06:51.720 --> 0:06:54.880 An acquisition in the final ten days of draft countdown. 0:06:54.960 --> 0:06:57.440 We needed it. I needed some pro tape to look at. 0:06:57.720 --> 0:07:00.559 Love the way Fluker Titans gaps throws those head the hands, 0:07:00.760 --> 0:07:02.880 love the way he walls off as a seal blocker 0:07:03.120 --> 0:07:05.359 on the backside, and the constant push he gets in 0:07:05.360 --> 0:07:07.360 the ground game. And you don't get signed by the 0:07:07.400 --> 0:07:10.000 Baltimore Ravens where he spent last season and not have 0:07:10.160 --> 0:07:12.880 skills in the running game. So d J. Fluker, your 0:07:12.920 --> 0:07:15.560 newest Miami Dolphin. Let's get to my interview with the 0:07:15.640 --> 0:07:18.800 Draft Networks Trevor Sikima and break down this rookie class 0:07:18.840 --> 0:07:21.400 that Flucker could be blocking next season at off ball 0:07:21.440 --> 0:07:24.960 linebacker and joining us now on the Drivetime podcast as 0:07:25.040 --> 0:07:27.840 senior NFL writer for the Draft Network. He's the co 0:07:27.960 --> 0:07:31.760 host of the hilarious and informative Locked on NFL Draft 0:07:31.800 --> 0:07:35.600 podcast with Benjamin Solak. He is Trevor Sikima and Trey. 0:07:35.760 --> 0:07:37.440 You know, I brought you on the podcast here, and 0:07:37.440 --> 0:07:39.600 I had a joke for my intro about how I'm 0:07:39.640 --> 0:07:42.480 wearing the hat because I can't compete with the quaff, 0:07:42.560 --> 0:07:46.040 but you're wearing the hat to man, what's going on here? Man? 0:07:46.080 --> 0:07:48.440 It's it's we are in the thick of it right 0:07:48.440 --> 0:07:51.280 now in draft season. And look, I barely got enough 0:07:51.280 --> 0:07:53.960 time to brush my teeth and your breakfast in the morning, 0:07:54.000 --> 0:07:55.720 so I don't have time to do my hair up 0:07:55.720 --> 0:07:58.040 every day because it's getting a little long now. So 0:07:58.080 --> 0:07:59.800 it's a little it's turned in a little bit of work. 0:07:59.840 --> 0:08:03.920 But I appreciate. I appreciate the shout out there. Nonetheless, 0:08:04.080 --> 0:08:06.440 my joke was gonna be that I I almost always 0:08:06.440 --> 0:08:08.160 say I'm wearing a hat for the same reason you 0:08:08.240 --> 0:08:10.040 just did. I don't have time to run a comb 0:08:10.040 --> 0:08:12.240 through it through the old mop. But the truth was, 0:08:12.360 --> 0:08:14.360 I just didn't want to compete today because it's the afternoon. 0:08:14.360 --> 0:08:16.920 We're rolling here late in the afternoon. But that's neither 0:08:17.040 --> 0:08:18.800 here nor there. You know. I do want to catch 0:08:18.880 --> 0:08:21.080 up with it here because I saw a great tweet 0:08:21.120 --> 0:08:25.520 from Alyssa talking about you going out to a track recently, 0:08:25.920 --> 0:08:28.440 and I recently promoted the hell out of the F 0:08:28.640 --> 0:08:32.120 one Show on the podcast here in my recommendation station 0:08:32.160 --> 0:08:34.400 portion of the podcast. I can't get enough of it. 0:08:34.640 --> 0:08:36.040 And now all I want to do is go out 0:08:36.080 --> 0:08:37.839 there and try to act like I know how to drive. 0:08:38.160 --> 0:08:40.760 That had to have been a blast, man. Yeah. So 0:08:41.360 --> 0:08:45.280 my wonderful girlfriend, Melissa, she got me for my birthday, 0:08:45.320 --> 0:08:52.000 my thirtieth birthday, a five minute session in a NASCAR 0:08:52.120 --> 0:08:56.600 stock car at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. And I had 0:08:56.640 --> 0:08:58.120 no idea what it was gonna be. I didn't know if, 0:08:58.160 --> 0:09:00.040 like I was, there was gonna be somebody else in 0:09:00.040 --> 0:09:01.880 the car with me, like you know, if there was 0:09:01.920 --> 0:09:03.520 gonna be like a two steering wheel thing. Because I'm 0:09:03.520 --> 0:09:05.120 thinking to my head, like there's no way that they 0:09:05.200 --> 0:09:07.520 just send me out there in a stock car and 0:09:07.840 --> 0:09:10.240 you know, there's governors on the engine and everything, so 0:09:10.280 --> 0:09:13.560 you can't go the full speed. But they were letting 0:09:13.559 --> 0:09:16.880 me get up to like hundred. I think my top 0:09:16.920 --> 0:09:20.760 speed was actually only thirty or something like that, but uh, dude, 0:09:20.760 --> 0:09:22.439 it was. It was a blast. I mean, once you 0:09:22.520 --> 0:09:24.720 get into gear, you were ripping it around the track 0:09:24.800 --> 0:09:27.120 and it was cool. It's it was called the Richard 0:09:27.200 --> 0:09:30.280 Petty driving Experience. If anybody's near Charlotte, or if anybody 0:09:30.280 --> 0:09:32.920 has anything like that by attract it's near them, I 0:09:33.000 --> 0:09:35.320 guarantee it will be a once in a lifetime thing 0:09:35.360 --> 0:09:36.839 and you'll absolutely love it. So that was a lot 0:09:36.840 --> 0:09:38.839 of fun. I'm looking forward to the Grand Prix, the 0:09:38.880 --> 0:09:41.400 Miami Grand Prix coming our way soon, to the Formula 0:09:41.440 --> 0:09:44.520 one Cup series. Should be amazing. And I was curious 0:09:44.520 --> 0:09:47.640 as you were doing that, Like you know, in this business, 0:09:47.640 --> 0:09:49.520 all we think about football, we think about how to 0:09:49.559 --> 0:09:51.640 promote our own our own work, and to talk about 0:09:51.760 --> 0:09:55.040 certain or create segments and everything we do in everyday life, right, 0:09:55.080 --> 0:09:56.960 So I was wondering did you come up with anything 0:09:56.960 --> 0:09:59.720 on that drive, like who might be the best race 0:09:59.800 --> 0:10:02.600 car driver in this class or maybe this car corners 0:10:02.679 --> 0:10:04.880 or transitions like player X, were you going through any 0:10:04.920 --> 0:10:07.559 of that? I don't know. Jalen Wattle might be the 0:10:07.640 --> 0:10:10.640 only guy who already has a good acclamation that those 0:10:10.720 --> 0:10:13.040 kinds of speeds him, and maybe Eric Stokes. I don't know. 0:10:13.160 --> 0:10:15.280 So maybe it's less of a learning curve for those 0:10:15.280 --> 0:10:17.360 guys because they're in high speeds when they're on foot, 0:10:17.400 --> 0:10:19.240 and it won't be too different when they put some 0:10:19.240 --> 0:10:21.400 wheels underneath them. Well, we're gonna talk about a position 0:10:21.440 --> 0:10:24.079 today on the podcast that would evolve more with the 0:10:24.120 --> 0:10:26.000 car crash element, the part that you and I probably 0:10:26.040 --> 0:10:27.680 would be involved in if we were to get on 0:10:27.679 --> 0:10:30.400 the track against actual racers and talk about some off 0:10:30.400 --> 0:10:32.840 ball linebackers. And I think the Dolphins are a a 0:10:32.920 --> 0:10:35.440 great team to go position by position with because there's 0:10:35.480 --> 0:10:37.719 so much there's so much that ven diagram in the 0:10:37.720 --> 0:10:40.240 middle right where there's so much crossover because everybody on 0:10:40.280 --> 0:10:44.200 this damn defense cross trains employs multiple spots. But in 0:10:44.240 --> 0:10:46.319 your job at the Draft Network, where you guys are 0:10:46.360 --> 0:10:48.600 the thirty third team, right, when you look at an 0:10:48.640 --> 0:10:51.200 off ball linebacker, what are the modern day traits you 0:10:51.240 --> 0:10:53.800 look for that not team specific, but just in general 0:10:53.960 --> 0:10:56.160 that you want in those players. Well, I think that 0:10:56.600 --> 0:10:59.520 the number one it's coverage. It's coverage ability. When you 0:10:59.520 --> 0:11:03.199 talked about the linebackers that you would want to select 0:11:03.200 --> 0:11:05.560 in the top fifty, they have to have some sort 0:11:05.600 --> 0:11:08.680 of a coverage profile. Too many defenses nowadays are playing 0:11:08.679 --> 0:11:12.360 in sub package the majority of the defense. And I 0:11:12.360 --> 0:11:14.960 wouldn't go as far to say, is hey, like Nicola 0:11:15.080 --> 0:11:17.280 is the new base. No, I mean it's called base 0:11:17.400 --> 0:11:19.520 for a reason. That's still you know, you've got to 0:11:19.559 --> 0:11:23.360 be able to execute up fronts with with more bodies 0:11:23.400 --> 0:11:25.000 in the box, and so like you, you've got to 0:11:25.040 --> 0:11:27.520 be able to stop things from a base perspective. But 0:11:27.800 --> 0:11:31.280 as we're seeing teams get more and more comfortable spreading 0:11:31.320 --> 0:11:34.000 their offenses out early, you've got to be able to 0:11:34.040 --> 0:11:35.960 have linebackers on the field who can cover because you're 0:11:35.960 --> 0:11:37.559 gonna be in those situations a lot. So if you 0:11:37.559 --> 0:11:39.960 don't have a coverage profile, that automatically really takes you 0:11:40.000 --> 0:11:43.640 out of first round consideration, given top fifty consideration, but 0:11:43.800 --> 0:11:45.439 just because there's gonna be a chance that some guys 0:11:45.440 --> 0:11:47.680 are are in there, of course, what goes into coverage 0:11:47.720 --> 0:11:52.040 is intelligence, anticipation, and athleticism. Those are probably the best traits, 0:11:52.040 --> 0:11:55.200 because you know, I think that we're getting a little 0:11:55.280 --> 0:11:58.880 overboard when we say, oh, linebackers are the running backs 0:11:58.880 --> 0:12:00.680 of defense. You know, you you get there are a 0:12:00.720 --> 0:12:02.680 dime a dozen, you can get one every single year. 0:12:02.920 --> 0:12:05.240 I don't totally agree with that, but I understand what 0:12:05.240 --> 0:12:08.760 people are saying from like a tackling perspective or like 0:12:08.800 --> 0:12:12.199 a run stuffing perspective, because if you grow up playing linebacker, 0:12:12.320 --> 0:12:14.280 that's just what you do. You should be able to 0:12:14.360 --> 0:12:17.040 do that. It's not like you can't have a linebacker 0:12:17.080 --> 0:12:18.960 at this point in time, and you're talking about especially 0:12:19.000 --> 0:12:20.480 for the NFL draft that you go like, oh, he 0:12:20.520 --> 0:12:22.800 struggles with tackling, Well, if he struggles with tackling, then 0:12:22.840 --> 0:12:25.959 that it's a major issue if you're playing your position 0:12:26.000 --> 0:12:28.559 that the main thing is tackling is So that's already 0:12:28.559 --> 0:12:30.559 a baseline. You should already be able to have that 0:12:30.840 --> 0:12:32.839 for a linebacker. And there's a couple of other traits 0:12:32.880 --> 0:12:34.160 as well, but I would tell you the ones that 0:12:34.200 --> 0:12:38.680 make the difference. Intelligence, anticipation, and athleticism. Those are the 0:12:38.679 --> 0:12:40.760 things that give you the coverage profile to be able 0:12:40.800 --> 0:12:42.880 to plan all three downs in the NFL. Yeah, I've 0:12:42.920 --> 0:12:44.880 got a few questions for you based upon that response, 0:12:44.880 --> 0:12:46.720 which was great, by the way. And you know you 0:12:46.760 --> 0:12:49.640 mentioned that the linebackers of the modern day running backs, 0:12:49.640 --> 0:12:51.600 but I wrote down my notes here not here. They're 0:12:51.640 --> 0:12:54.720 not because you know, the the defensive secondary definitely drives 0:12:54.760 --> 0:12:57.880 this Dolphins defense. We utilize UH six defensive backs are 0:12:57.920 --> 0:13:00.640 more at the seventh highest rate in the National Upball League. 0:13:00.760 --> 0:13:03.319 Lots of dime, plenty of nickel, like you mentioned, but 0:13:03.440 --> 0:13:06.120 you know they also operate with so many different linebacker 0:13:06.160 --> 0:13:08.680 looks because there are so many two three, two four 0:13:08.880 --> 0:13:12.000 three three looks in this defense that that fluctuates guys 0:13:12.000 --> 0:13:14.559 in and out based on down a distance. And I'm curious. 0:13:14.600 --> 0:13:16.560 You know, you mentioned that there is still a based defense, 0:13:16.559 --> 0:13:19.040 but the Dolphins. I've had a hard time explaining this 0:13:19.120 --> 0:13:21.840 to fans. There really isn't that based defense because of 0:13:21.840 --> 0:13:24.439 how play by play and how week by week this 0:13:24.559 --> 0:13:27.080 defense can be. But when you consider that Miami went 0:13:27.080 --> 0:13:29.640 out and got a Bernardrick McKinney, they've got Jerome Baker 0:13:29.679 --> 0:13:31.960 who does check that that coverage box you mentioned. But 0:13:32.000 --> 0:13:34.280 also as a hell of a blitzer. How much can 0:13:34.600 --> 0:13:37.920 having just elite level blitzing to your game kind of 0:13:37.920 --> 0:13:41.439 offset that coverage ability you're talking about there, No sure, 0:13:41.520 --> 0:13:43.640 And I guess you can also get into a mold 0:13:43.640 --> 0:13:46.240 where if you want to continue to put them on 0:13:46.280 --> 0:13:49.760 the same trajectory or outlook is running backs. Running Backs 0:13:49.760 --> 0:13:52.040 are often by committee now and that's normally because they 0:13:52.080 --> 0:13:54.280 have a specialization to them, right. I mean, like, you'll 0:13:54.280 --> 0:13:56.520 get a guy who's just got some great soft hands, 0:13:56.559 --> 0:13:58.520 who really knows how to run his routes. He's great 0:13:58.520 --> 0:14:00.560 on third down. He's a benefit to the ascent game. 0:14:00.760 --> 0:14:02.880 You also have your running backs to their mar bulked up. 0:14:02.920 --> 0:14:05.200 They're great in short yard and situations. They can convert 0:14:05.280 --> 0:14:07.200 for you on third or fourth down as well as 0:14:07.200 --> 0:14:09.000 in the red zone. And then you have some guys 0:14:09.000 --> 0:14:10.600 that you love to get in open space if you're 0:14:10.679 --> 0:14:13.960 running more outside zone stuff. Get them out towards the line, uh, 0:14:14.040 --> 0:14:16.400 towards the sideline, excuse me, and they might be able 0:14:16.400 --> 0:14:18.400 to break something open for you, maybe a home run 0:14:18.440 --> 0:14:20.560 of of forty fifty sixty yards whatever it is. And 0:14:20.640 --> 0:14:23.280 so you have those specializations and I think that that 0:14:23.320 --> 0:14:26.760 brings you value. Now, of course, there's normally only one 0:14:26.840 --> 0:14:29.040 running back on the field, and even if they don't 0:14:29.080 --> 0:14:31.040 get the ball on a certain play, it's not like 0:14:31.040 --> 0:14:34.200 a big detriment to the offense. Whereas linebacker it's a 0:14:34.240 --> 0:14:37.120 little bit different because they're in the center of the defense, right, 0:14:37.160 --> 0:14:40.280 and if you don't do your job on a certain play, that's, 0:14:40.480 --> 0:14:42.520 you know, a big detriment to what the defense is 0:14:42.520 --> 0:14:44.760 doing overall. But going back to your point of like 0:14:44.800 --> 0:14:47.400 how advantageous it is to have a great blitzer, Yeah, 0:14:47.440 --> 0:14:49.040 I think that's important. And I think that when you 0:14:49.040 --> 0:14:51.480 look at a team like the Dolphins that continues to 0:14:51.520 --> 0:14:54.720 throw different bodies out there to try to truly just 0:14:54.800 --> 0:14:57.760 take strengths and make those strengths whatever they're doing out 0:14:57.800 --> 0:14:59.960 there on the football field when their number is called, 0:15:00.480 --> 0:15:03.000 I suppose that there are certain alleys or lanes or 0:15:03.080 --> 0:15:05.480 roles and responsibilities that you could have for a variety 0:15:05.520 --> 0:15:07.760 of different guys. So there's no doubt about it. I mean, 0:15:07.800 --> 0:15:11.240 there's certainly a knack to being able to blitz, whether 0:15:11.280 --> 0:15:13.600 it's off the edge or through the middle. I think 0:15:13.600 --> 0:15:17.160 the navigating chaos is such an underrated trait for a 0:15:17.200 --> 0:15:19.440 lot of running backs being able to stay clean in 0:15:19.520 --> 0:15:21.840 areas where there's a lot of bodies flying around you. 0:15:22.040 --> 0:15:23.840 For example. Like I know we'll get into the prospects 0:15:23.840 --> 0:15:25.840 here in a second, but like Nick Bolton, I feel like, 0:15:25.880 --> 0:15:27.680 does that really really well? You know, he's just a 0:15:27.840 --> 0:15:30.960 slasher type of linebacker, comes from the middle, and it 0:15:31.040 --> 0:15:32.640 just seems like he's going through the A or the 0:15:32.680 --> 0:15:35.480 B gap whenever the offensive lines movement left or right, 0:15:35.480 --> 0:15:37.680 and he really knows how to anticipate and squeeze through 0:15:37.720 --> 0:15:39.800 those offensive line holes to get into the backfield. And 0:15:39.800 --> 0:15:42.440 it's like that definitely that like that has a place. 0:15:42.520 --> 0:15:44.880 Nick Bolton is not the best coverage linebacker to to 0:15:45.000 --> 0:15:47.400 kind of like bring it full circle. And that's why 0:15:47.440 --> 0:15:49.200 I'm not so sure that he's going to get drafted 0:15:49.240 --> 0:15:51.360 in the first round, even though he's a really fun prospect. 0:15:51.400 --> 0:15:53.800 But there's a role to what he can do for you, 0:15:53.840 --> 0:15:55.600 and I think that to your point, that kind of 0:15:55.640 --> 0:15:57.560 emphasizes and what you can do when you're attacking the 0:15:57.560 --> 0:16:00.600 line of scrimmage. To me, you just describe bogect Kenney's game. 0:16:00.640 --> 0:16:01.960 I mean, he was the second round draft pick a 0:16:01.960 --> 0:16:04.640 few years ago, number forty one overall. I think it was, 0:16:04.920 --> 0:16:07.720 and watching him on tape, Yeah, he's anticipating. You know, 0:16:07.880 --> 0:16:09.960 he's getting his keys, whether it's a pulling guard or 0:16:09.960 --> 0:16:12.400 a fullback coming across the formation or splits on, whatever 0:16:12.440 --> 0:16:14.280 it might be. And he sees that thing and he 0:16:14.320 --> 0:16:16.560 pulls that trigger and he combines that with you know, 0:16:16.600 --> 0:16:19.280 two hundred and sixty pound physicality he brings. I think 0:16:19.320 --> 0:16:21.080 that makes a lot of sense, and it just speaks 0:16:21.080 --> 0:16:24.200 to the different roles this Dolphins linebacker group fills. I mean, 0:16:24.200 --> 0:16:26.600 a landed Roberts came back and to me, maybe that 0:16:26.640 --> 0:16:29.280 means McKinney can get more edge snaps because Roberts is 0:16:29.280 --> 0:16:31.360 one of the better B gap to B gap bangers 0:16:31.600 --> 0:16:33.920 in the National Football League when it comes at early rundowns. 0:16:33.920 --> 0:16:36.040 And then you know Andrew van Ginkel, what what can 0:16:36.120 --> 0:16:38.720 he do? Multiple things? In Jerome Baker and Vince Beagel 0:16:38.760 --> 0:16:41.320 played some some four down even fronts, but also plays 0:16:41.360 --> 0:16:44.320 off ball linebackers. So now that we've kind of established 0:16:44.320 --> 0:16:46.560 that base here and talking about what this Dolphins team 0:16:46.560 --> 0:16:48.560 has at the position group, and you got into Nick 0:16:48.600 --> 0:16:50.480 Bolton there a little bit. I want to go through 0:16:50.480 --> 0:16:53.040 your tears of off ball linebackers and start obviously with 0:16:53.080 --> 0:16:55.520 the first one. Are there any first round linebackers in 0:16:55.520 --> 0:16:57.800 this group? And where does that kind of that kind 0:16:57.800 --> 0:17:00.520 of uh drop off come in terms of these are 0:17:00.520 --> 0:17:01.800 the top guys and then there's a little bit of 0:17:01.800 --> 0:17:04.240 a gap between the next tier of guys. Yeah, so 0:17:04.440 --> 0:17:07.840 I have one guy in tier one. There is clearly 0:17:08.240 --> 0:17:10.920 one linebacker who is head and shoulders above the rest, 0:17:11.080 --> 0:17:12.840 and I would tell you that that's Michael Parsons from 0:17:12.840 --> 0:17:15.600 Penn State. I mean what he brings from an athletic 0:17:15.640 --> 0:17:19.520 profile and edge rushing background, how comfortable he is rushing 0:17:19.520 --> 0:17:22.280 off the edge, also certainly blitz in between the A 0:17:22.320 --> 0:17:25.240 and the B gaps as well. What impressed me the 0:17:25.320 --> 0:17:29.160 most about Michael Parsons isn't just his athleticism. It was 0:17:29.320 --> 0:17:33.040 watching the progressions of his game. I watched his early 0:17:33.040 --> 0:17:35.600 tape and I would encourage everybody who whether you're just 0:17:35.600 --> 0:17:37.679 getting into watching tape or you've been watching it for 0:17:37.680 --> 0:17:39.680 a couple of cycles in the draft, I would always 0:17:39.720 --> 0:17:43.439 tell you, if you can watch tape of them in 0:17:43.440 --> 0:17:45.679 the early parts of this season, watch them in the 0:17:45.680 --> 0:17:47.320 middle parts of this season, and then watch them at 0:17:47.320 --> 0:17:49.520 the end. And watched them in order because I think 0:17:49.520 --> 0:17:52.399 that allows you to really see how much a player progressed. 0:17:52.400 --> 0:17:55.360 And I think that was exactly the case with Michael Parsons. 0:17:55.359 --> 0:17:57.440 This is a guy who came to Penn State as 0:17:57.440 --> 0:18:00.760 an edge rusher transitions over to a lit time backer spot, 0:18:00.760 --> 0:18:02.240 and they didn't exactly know where to play, and they 0:18:02.280 --> 0:18:04.159 were kind of playing him as an outside linebacker for 0:18:04.200 --> 0:18:07.040 a while as he was dealing with that hybrid role, 0:18:07.200 --> 0:18:09.040 but then they felt very comfortable playing him in the 0:18:09.080 --> 0:18:11.600 middle of that defense, and that's where he played this year. 0:18:11.800 --> 0:18:13.280 He was new to it, you know. And so when 0:18:13.280 --> 0:18:16.000 you watch his tape and if you're bouncing around different places, 0:18:16.000 --> 0:18:18.199 like if you watch the the the end of season 0:18:18.280 --> 0:18:20.080