http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2499150 Dolphins interested in former Virginia star Brooks By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com In the 2005 supplemental draft, the Miami Dolphins used a fifth-round selection on Manuel Wright, a talented but habitually underachieving defensive tackle from Southern California. For their investment, the Dolphins got an out-of-shape and immature defender, a guy who played in only three games and recorded four tackles and who reported back to work this spring in dubious condition. But say this for Nick Saban: Just because the Dolphins' coach was once bitten in the supplemental draft doesn't mean he will be twice shy about using it again to add a young defender. Which is why, more than just about any other team in the league, the Dolphins are eyeing linebacker Ahmad Brooks, the former University of Virginia star booted off the squad by coach Al Groh for a series of undisclosed infractions, as a possible choice in the July 13 supplemental draft. The Dolphins were one of 22 teams represented on Thursday at Brooks' audition for league scouts. But in terms of due diligence, Miami has already done more background work than most franchises on Brooks, a player with enormous physical ability but a history of poor judgments off the field. That includes sending him recently to meet with Lon Rosen, a psychologist and close friend of Saban who has done personality reports in the past for the Miami coach. It appears that Miami and San Francisco, which is scheduled to bring Brooks to the Bay Area next week for a one-on-one session, are the teams most interested in him. A team that exercises a pick in the supplemental draft must forfeit a choice in the corresponding round in next year's regular draft. Although he possesses first-round physical skills, Brooks, clearly the top prospect in the supplemental draft at this point, is more likely to be chosen in the middle rounds. If that's the case, the Dolphins, prone to take a few chances on players -- as was the case when they signed former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick last month as an undrafted free agent -- could be the club that chooses Brooks. Saban is attempting to gradually remake an aging defense. He added three starters in the last two drafts and there remains some hope that Wright will yet become a player. Plus, many scouts feel Brooks will be best suited to playing in a 3-4 front, the alignment that Saban wants to eventually make his base defense. New defensive coordinator Dom Capers has coached the 3-4 virtually his entire NFL career. At 6-feet-3 and 260 pounds, having shed more than 30 pounds in the past two months, Brooks certainly has the prototype frame for a 3-4 linebacker. And although Miami star Zach Thomas has demonstrated no signs of slippage, he is entering his 11th season and will be 33 when the campaign begins, and the Dolphins will soon have to start thinking about grooming his eventual successor. Brooks is big enough to play inside linebacker and quick enough, as evidenced by 13 sacks and 31 quarterback pressures in three seasons at Virginia, to move outside and rush the passer. He also had 234 tackles, 21 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, an interception and 14 passes defensed. All of which means it won't be surprising if Saban and the Dolphins roll the dice in the supplemental draft for the second year in a row.
Crowder was also a questionable character coming out of college, but he has behaved since getting on the team. Brooks might be a repeat of Crowder.
I sure hope so. Getting DT M. Wright in the 5th round of the 2005 Supplemental Draft was a steal. I'm not worried about him being overweight heading into training camp. In the humidity / heat down here, players in Wrights' situation become quickly transformed.... I certainly wouldn't underestimate Wright. He's still got a lot of growing to do, and based on his contributions as a rookie, he's going to be a good player for us.... As for LB A. Brooks, Miami is almost desperate to draft him. We really thought either J. Peterson / L. Arrington would end up in Miami, and we were counting on one of the two taking over since Seau retired. Once we missed out on those guys, Saban turned his focus on the Supp draft.... If Saban is serious about getting Brooks, {and Saban / Mueller are pretty set on getting him from everything I've read}, we're probably going to have to use a higher pick than we'd like to in order to outbid the rest of the teams who want him. Somewhere around a 2nd / 3rd round pick would do the job in my opinion....
Transformed into WHAT?!! 300 pound whimpering third graders? You got any examples of this miraculous transformation you want to lay on us?
I'm not going to get into a debate over DT M. Wright, we all know he was a highly touted player in the last years' Sup draft. Many experts were saying he could have been a possible 1st round selection had he stayed in school, and entered the NFL draft a year later. All speculation of course, but still, it was clear the kid has some talent. Well worth the 5th round selection we gave up in the process. I'm not saying he's going to be great, but at this time, I like what I see in him for the future....
Well, yeah. . . you were. Until you reached for your Manuel Wright gun and found yourself woefully without bullets. His value as a supplemental draft pick? Somewhere in the fifth round, it seems. That's the funny thing with making determinations of value - with the benefit of hindsight, they're always 100% accurate.
But why am I wasting my time??...You already know everything there is to know about DT M. Wright. Obviously there is no use in speculating, or voicing my opinions of him, when you already have all the answers.... Damn, and to think that the Miami Dolphins could have hired you as head coach instead of N. Saban!!!.....:lol:
Yes, crabby old women are always good for pinching cheeks. What sort, that's up for grabs. Haw! Word Play throughout.
