faba Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 The Dolphins added some beef to their defensive line on Monday, signing former No. 1 overall pick Dan Wilkinson to a three-year deal. Dan WilkinsonDefensive Tackle Miami Dolphins Profile2005 SEASON STATISTICSTotAstSoloFFSackInt26206030 Coach Nick Saban said he expects Wilkinson, 33, to compete for a starting job. The 6-4, 353-pound Wilkinson, who was released by the Lions earlier this offseason, attended Dolphins practice on Monday but didn't participate. "We're going to give him a little time to evaluate his conditioning and not just throw him to the wolves," Saban said. "He adds depth to our team and is certainly a guy who can be a potential starter for us down the road when he figures out what to do." Wilkinson, 33, spent much of the spring mulling his possible retirement and never reported for any of the Lions' offseason conditioning activities. The indecision over his football future, coupled with the feeling by some in Detroit that Wilkinson might not be a good fit in the "cover two" defensive scheme being installed by first-year coach Rod Marinelli and coordinator Donnie Henderson, prompted Lions officials to release him with a year remaining on his contract. Even though Wilkinson doesn't provide the Dolphins a younger body, he gives Miami another big interior defender and a proven run-stuffer to add to the mix. And while he has principally played in a 4-3 front for most of his career, Wilkinson's size might permit him to align at nose tackle at times, and that would allow Saban and defensive coordinator Dom Capers to incorporate more 3-4 looks to the repertoire. The current Miami depth chart includes veterans Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holliday (who also provides some snaps at end) and Jeff Zgonina. Second-year veteran Manuel Wright, a fifth-round selection in the 2005 supplemental draft, remains an enigma, a physically talented defender who continues to battle some weight problems and may not be able to contribute much in 2006. Miami chose former Texas star Rodrique Wright in the seventh round this year, but he might miss his entire rookie campaign after shoulder surgery. "I've been looking at several different teams, but the Dolphins are the best," Wilkinson said Monday, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "This is a team that is right there, ready to make that big step, and I want to be part of that. I've been in this league for 13 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainzo Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 The Dolphins added some beef to their defensive line on Monday, signing former No. 1 overall pick Dan Wilkinson to a three-year deal. Dan WilkinsonDefensive Tackle Miami Dolphins Profile2005 SEASON STATISTICSTotAstSoloFFSackInt26206030 Coach Nick Saban said he expects Wilkinson, 33, to compete for a starting job. The 6-4, 353-pound Wilkinson, who was released by the Lions earlier this offseason, attended Dolphins practice on Monday but didn't participate. "We're going to give him a little time to evaluate his conditioning and not just throw him to the wolves," Saban said. "He adds depth to our team and is certainly a guy who can be a potential starter for us down the road when he figures out what to do." Wilkinson, 33, spent much of the spring mulling his possible retirement and never reported for any of the Lions' offseason conditioning activities. The indecision over his football future, coupled with the feeling by some in Detroit that Wilkinson might not be a good fit in the "cover two" defensive scheme being installed by first-year coach Rod Marinelli and coordinator Donnie Henderson, prompted Lions officials to release him with a year remaining on his contract. Even though Wilkinson doesn't provide the Dolphins a younger body, he gives Miami another big interior defender and a proven run-stuffer to add to the mix. And while he has principally played in a 4-3 front for most of his career, Wilkinson's size might permit him to align at nose tackle at times, and that would allow Saban and defensive coordinator Dom Capers to incorporate more 3-4 looks to the repertoire. The current Miami depth chart includes veterans Keith Traylor, Vonnie Holliday (who also provides some snaps at end) and Jeff Zgonina. Second-year veteran Manuel Wright, a fifth-round selection in the 2005 supplemental draft, remains an enigma, a physically talented defender who continues to battle some weight problems and may not be able to contribute much in 2006. Miami chose former Texas star Rodrique Wright in the seventh round this year, but he might miss his entire rookie campaign after shoulder surgery. "I've been looking at several different teams, but the Dolphins are the best," Wilkinson said Monday, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "This is a team that is right there, ready to make that big step, and I want to be part of that. I've been in this league for 13 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Good work Faba. You beat "JetNation" by 3 minutes on the story! Seriously a 3 year deal? Wilkinson sucks. He is worse than DRob! He's just a body for them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gainzo Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 He's just a body for them... Then why a 3 year deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT STALKER Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Even though Wilkinson doesn't provide the Dolphins a younger body, he gives Miami another big interior defender and a proven run-stuffer to add to the mix. And while he has principally played in a 4-3 front for most of his career, Wilkinson's size might permit him to align at nose tackle at times, and that would allow Dolphins coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinator Dom Capers to incorporate more 3-4 looks to the repertoire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Troll Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Wilkinson > DRob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFJF Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 From what I've read, Wilkerson has come in to his own and played well in Detroit for the past couple of seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted August 15, 2006 Author Share Posted August 15, 2006 As far as I know Grady Jackson has not signed still-wonder what type of shape is he in? The waiver wire will bring in a defensive lineman for us soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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