*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***
Apr 19, 1998: -- Last Four Picks in 1998 Draft --
For their last 4 picks of the 1998 draft, the Dolphins have
taken offensive guard Scott Shaw of Michigan State in the fifth round,
center Nathan Strikwerda of Northwestern and quarterback John Dutton
of Nevada in the sixth round and offensive guard Jim Bundren of
Clemson in the seventh round.
Shaw is an enormously strong, mean and nasty competitor on the
offensive line who bench pressed 225 pounds 38 times at the combine.
He is also a team leader, who was picked as the offensive team captain
at Michigan State while he was there.
The drawback to Shaw is that he's not a very good athlete. He
has slow feet and doesn't run very fast. Despite these failings, he is
regarded as a good pass blocker who knows how to use his strength and
leverage to his advantage.
Shaw is the first offensive lineman taken in the draft by the
Dolphins and was drafted because of his strength and attitude more
than for his overall athletic ability.
Strikwerda is a very smart, very steady center who does not
excel in any particular area. He is not an exceptional athlete,but
because of his intelligence, he makes very few mistakes and
penalties. He did score highest in one area of competition at the Indy
combine - he had the best score on the Wonderlich intelligence test.
Strikwerda is also an exceptionally good long-snapper.
Dutton is a big, strong quarterback of the type that modern
scouts like. He was very productive in college, but supposedly has
poor throwing technique that prevented him from being seriously
considered higher in the draft.
Bundren played tackle and guard in college, but will probably
be only played at guard in the NFL. He is a very intense player who
has quick feet and good trap blocking skills and is athletic enough to
pull and run upfield to make the hit.
But the most impressive piece of information about Bundren is
that he held defensive end Andre Wadsworth to just 2 tackles and no
sacks when Clemson played FSU this year.
At the end of the 1998 draft, the Dolphins have taken 10
players in the draft - 1 running back, 1 defensive back, 1 linebacker,
1 quarterback, 2 defensive ends, 2 offensive guards, 1 wide receiver
and 1 center.
My Comments:
For the 5th round, Shaw is a good pick. The Dolphins are
looking for good run blockers with attitude and Shaw may very well
fill the bill. I also like the fact that he was selected offensive
team captain at MSU. The offensive line could certainly use an
emotional leader and Shaw might be able to step into that role.
Strikwerda is smart and steady and not much else. But he can
back up Frank Wainwright at long-snapper and that would be a help to
the team.
Dutton is a project, but one with a huge potential. He is
tough, productive and has good tools and now he'll get to study under
a master. He'll compete with Damon Huard and Stan White and whoever
wins the battle this summer will be the third QB.
Bundren seems to be one of JJ's finds. He's not flashy, but
he's a good player who is athletic for an offensive lineman and he is
an intense run-blocker who also has the ability to pass block well.
And that's the end of the draft. I'll write more later about
how I think the Dolphins did this weekend, after I've had the chance
to digest all this.
Don't forget that the Dolphins will be signing another bunch
of free agents this afternoon and tonight.
Related Info:
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Curt Fennell,
curt@phins.com, DOLFAN in New Rochelle (almost)
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