Long, Jake OT -- Will be LT starting day 1 and play 10 yrs plus.
Merling, Phillip DE -- Was projected as a 1st rounder but slipped to early 2nd because of a sports hernia. Good value with this pick.
Henne, Chad QB -- He throws a pretty spiral.
Langford, Kendall DE Saw this guy in the SR. bowl and East/West Shrine game. Could see plenty of playing time with the fins.
Murphy, Shawn OG -- Don't know much about this pick except it is a need pick. Didn't like that we traded up 5 picks to get him.
Parmele, Jalen RB -- An inside the tackles type runner. Not Bernie's son.
Thomas, Don OG -- Fairly new to football so may be a lttle raw. Was playing B-ball when college coaches asked him to try out for football. Allowed only a half a sack sr. year.
Lex Hilliard RB/FB -- Was a RB but is probably projected to FB for the fins.
Lionel Dotson DT -- Don't know much about him.

I give the fins a C. I don't like the trade up to get an OG that may have been there at pick 115. So we lost an additional pick because they panic. Also, they did not get any help at CB. I feel like that was a big need going into the draft. These DE's better get to QB's real fast because WR's will be open quick. What the "Trifecta" did do is beef up the lines which was the Dolphins biggest need. This is why they are not getting an F.

What grade would you give the Trifecta on their first Dolphins draft?

I give Miami a B. I think the trifecta did a good job of getting both lines solidified. I know we all are ready to see a show and win play off games, but in order to do that we need to win the battles in the trenches. The foundation has been laid to not only win more games next year but we have decent skill position players which will be forced to compete and improve to keep a roster spots. I think th Dolphins will be right back in the middle of the pack in Sparano's 1st year as a coach.

Merling's hernia should be all cleared up soon and has already begun to work out. He was a steal with the 32nd. Langford will also help the pass rush. The Giants in the SB proved you can never have too many pass rushers!

Thanks for your comments!

I really like all the linemen we picked. Before the draft there were a lot of rumors and mocks that had us taking Henne at 32. So when Merling slipped my screams could be heard all the way in Miami. "Take Merling" over and over and they must have heard me. haha! I was so happy they took him. He's going to push Roth for a starting spot right away. Langford is a very good player also. I think he will see a lot of playing time this year in the rotation and more than likely be a starter next year. Of course Long is a starter day 1. Murphy, Thomas and Mormino will compete for the RG spot. I really think it will be more between Mormino and Murphy and Thomas be good depth at the position.

We did add depth at RB. I know very little about those guys except the quote from Ireland "They fit the mold". So, I'll have to see what they do in the Preseason to know if they were worth the picks or not. And will just have to trust the trifecta.

I was hoping we'd get at least 1 CB in the draft that can compete for a starting spot this year. Henne ended up being the pick. Henne has a lot going for him but what I don't like is the fact he telegraphs his passes and has a long windup. He has a very nice arm and throws a nice accurate, catchable ball but the other scares me. I really wanted a corner at that spot and if the trifecta heard my screaming, they sure didn't listen. haha. From what I am reading and hearing a lot of people really like Henne. What do you think about the Henne Pick?

I too loved the Merling pick. He'll start from day 1. He has superior athleticism compared to Roth. You're right on the money about the RG spot & Long.

Parmele has the all the measureables 6 ft, 220lbs, and a 4.5 40. Parmele will be great insurance at the RB position, besides this will be Ricky's last year with the Dolphins. Hilliard will likely be our short yardage back. You know Parcells likes to have "specialists". Hilliard may also compete with Mauia at FB.

Henne was a very interesting pick. He immediately intensifies the QB competition and may eventually become a really good QB. His wind up is concerning but I have confidence that Coach Lee can develop him

Looks like Mormino was the latest in the "Cleaning House" department.

This was from the Dolhins website.
The Miami Dolphins today waived/failed physical offensive lineman Drew Mormino. Mormino, a sixth-round draft choice of the club in 2007, spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

I give the Fins a B. We didn't get help at LB, WR, or CB...and we need help at all three. However, I think we did three important things.

One, I think we solidified the Oline with future superstars and young players. The oldest guy is still under 30. We could have an Oline that could be special in three to four years.

Two, we solidified the Dline. And if you consider the FA pickup of Randy Starks and the trade for Jason Ferguson, both of our lines have been revamped and improved. I think Merling and Langford are both going to see the field alot this year and be starters in 09.

And last but not least, I think between Beck, McCown, and now Henne, we finally have a QB on the roster who will be a quality starter on this team. I don't know which one. But I feel much more confident in the position now than I did a year ago.

This team is built with the Parcells philosophy of running the ball and stopping the run. If we can do those two things and have smart QB play, we can be like the Redskins when they had Mark Rypien as their QB...good enough to win.

Regardless of the grade of this offseason, I think we now on a sturdy foundation. Parcells has put several good pieces in place (FO structure, Asst coaches who teach, and an need to get tougher).

I say we'll be a playoff team in 09 and a perennial contender for the forseeable future after that.