PBP: Grier's comments on Draft, Tunsil in the 1st

[cuchulainn]

In a shocking development, the Dolphins have drafted Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.Tunsil was considered the top player in the draft at one point but slid after a video leaked of him smoking marijuana leaked on the Internet just as the draft was starting.

“This was a guy No. 2 ranked on our board,” Dolphins GM Chris Grier said. “We did not expect him to be there.”

The Dolphins have had offensive line woes for years. The Dolphins have 32-year-old Branden Albert at left tackle.
Tunsil could be the left tackle of the future and start at guard while he develops. It’s also possible he could start at right tackle.

Miami could also consider moving Albert to guard. Kansas City considered it several years ago.
Grier said it’s up to coaches where Tunsil will play.

Tunsil, speaking to NFL Network after the draft, said the photo was taken years ago.

“Man it was a mistake, it happened years ago,” he said. “Somebody hacked my Twitter account and that’s how it got in there. It’s a crazy world. Things happen for a reason.”

Dolphins GM Chris Grier said the video is two years ago and Miami had heard rumors about it. “We had heard rumors but we had done work,” Grier said. “We knew about it. The video is two years old. We were comfortable with it.”

Tunsil said he’s “glad to be in Miami.”
“I’m going to work my butt off,” he said.

Tunsil was asked if his stepfather leaked the photo.
“I don’t know who it was,” he said. “I’m not going to put any names.
“I’m going to show everybody what type of person I am. I’m a great person despite all the mistakes. Things happen for a reason. I’m glad to be here.”

Tunsil said the Dolphins are getting “a great man.” He said he passed every drug test at Ole Miss.
“I’m going to put everything on the line,” he said. “I’m going to give it my all. They don’t have to worry.”

Grier praised Tunsil’s intelligence.
“He’s a smart guy,” Grier said. “He’s very intelligent. He loves football. He’s one of those grinders. Football is very important to him.”

[cuchulainn]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/28/draft-2016-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-grades-and-analysis-of-round-1-2/

13. Miami Dolphins: Laremy Tunsil | Grade: A

The story of the draft, Tunsil finally comes off the board and Miami gets the top offensive tackle in the draft. The last-minute video of Tunsil that took him off some team boards ends up working in Miami’s favor, though they do inherent the risk that most teams were wary of even before the last-minute shenanigans.

Tunsil has all of the tools to be one of the best tackles in the league as he’s smooth in pass protection (only five pressures surrendered last season) and an explosive run blocker capable of moving defenders at the line of scrimmage or climbing to the second level to find linebackers. Perhaps even more impressive about Tunsil’s work last year was the slate of pass rushers he turned away week after week in the SEC and in the bowl game against potential first-round pick Emmanuel Ogbah. When it’s all said and done, the Dolphins will either get burned, or they will have found the steal of the draft — and without speculating about off-field issues, we’ll lean that they got a steal.

[cuchulainn]

Tunsil allowed two (2) sacks his ENTIRE college career.

Dallas Thomas and Jason Fox allowed more sacks apiece than that in a single damned quarter.

[Idahomer]

It was a great pick. Not the playmaker we all craved but the best value on the board at 13 and a position of need. He was projected to be the #1 pick. In fact if we had the #1 pick and we drafted Tunsil not a single expert would criticize the pick. I'm in shock.

[Alpha]

A very strange development, but there is no way you can criticize Miami for taking him. Perhaps the best player in the draft at 13. I think he improves 2 OL spots instantly. For our 8th overall pick, we will have gotten a starting corner, starting LB and improved at tackle and guard (I think they move J. James to G).

[cuchulainn]

I hope they leave James alone and keep him at RT. Albert has played both LT and LG in the past. I'd like to see him and Tunsil stay on the left side in some combo and Dallas Thomas to the bench.

[AquaXI]

No complaints here. Maybe now we can take a chance on Jack in the 2nd.

[DolphinsFreak]

Gas mask or no gas mask, PRIOR to that picture Tunsil was ALWAYS viewed as the best player in this draft class. The only other player that came close was Ramsey. The only reason players were going to be drafted ahead of Tunsil was because they were desperate to get quarterback. Even then, there were still questions whether teams should still draft Tunsil first and then get a QB later in the draft. That is how dominating he was in college.

ONE PHOTO should not wipe away four years of hard work. Most fans wanted to go defense but Tunsil was the smartest pick the Dolphins could make. With Tannehill in his make or break season he needs protection to eliminate ALL excuses. With a "QBGuru" as the new head coach and a better offensive line, there are no more excuses. This is the year Tannenhill turns the corner or gets the boot.

[cuchulainn]

Grier said that they had already seen the video and was aware of everything around this kid. I like that they'd already done due diligence on all of the Top 100 prospects.

[DolphinsFreak]

Smart work, especially since there was really no chance they could draft him unless something completely crazy happened.............which it obviously did. 😊 It's hard to believe the Dolphins traded back in the draft, picked up TWO players of need, and still ended up getting the best player in the draft.

[hawkfinfan]

I'm not a fan of the drugs.....but I like the pick! Also our guards suck so bad this guy could be stoned to the bone and immediately be 1,000 times better than any of them. No joke they suck that bad.

[Wulf]

I'm EXCITED! We finally added to the OL!
Of course, we have BEEN adding players for years, but continued to have a poor OL. Tannehill doesn't carry ALL the blame for his sacks and poor decisions under pressure... Maybe we will finally see some improvement in the trenches?

[ONole1]

This was a pick that HAD to be made. There are only a handful of players with elite skill sets in this draft and Tunsil is one of them. To be able to land him at #13 is a risk worth taking. I was very impressed with the young man last night. He screwed up and he OWNED it. So many others would have danced around it, but this young man stepped up and said it was him. I hope he comes in with a chip on his shoulder.

As Cuch said last night, props to Tannebaum and company for staying true to the board and drafting BPA. Dropping back from #8 to #13 has yielded a starting CB, starting LB and the future franchise LT...nice job fellas.

[cuchulainn]

This was a pick that HAD to be made. There are only a handful of players with elite skill sets in this draft and Tunsil is one of them. To be able to land him at #13 is a risk worth taking. I was very impressed with the young man last night. He screwed up and he OWNED it. So many others would have danced around it, but this young man stepped up and said it was him. I hope he comes in with a chip on his shoulder.

As Cuch said last night, props to Tannebaum and company for staying true to the board and drafting BPA. Dropping back from #8 to #13 has yielded a starting CB, starting LB and the future franchise LT...nice job fellas.

Yes. And Holy Hell. We haven't even gotten past the 1st round yet.

Super stoked to see what we do with the next 6 rounds.

[Kato]

There are new allegations about LT of serious pay for play scandal at Ole Miss.....i am shocked. As for those type of scandals, YES the player should no better and do the right thing in a perfect world, but if you are lookinf for true blame, true cause and effect, you place that squarely on the adult administrators and coaches that used money as bait and enticement....not on a 19 year old kid looking to help his mom.

I posted this mid way through the draft and it bears repeating...LT was the highest rated player drafted, and it was ot even close.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/tracker/by-round#dt-by-round-input:1

Had to do it when BPA meets Serious position of need.

[Finatic]

Great read from the Bleacher Report. The fist part is a narrative on the Fins and it is hard to read. But, you can not disagree with any of it. The good part though is the review of Tunsil and his talent. Enjoy!

[cuchulainn]

There are new allegations about LT of serious pay for play scandal at Ole Miss.....i am shocked. As for those type of scandals, YES the player should no better and do the right thing in a perfect world, but if you are lookinf for true blame, true cause and effect, you place that squarely on the adult administrators and coaches that used money as bait and enticement....not on a 19 year old kid looking to help his mom.

I posted this mid way through the draft and it bears repeating...LT was the highest rated player drafted, and it was ot even close.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/tracker/by-round#dt-by-round-input:1

Had to do it when BPA meets Serious position of need.

Not new... he was suspended 7 games for it. Everyone in the SEC is always amazed how much pay for play Alabama gets away with. Their fans openly joke about other teams not being able to out pay their boosters. Ole Miss made over $51M from it's football program while handing out less than $3M in scholarships. Who's scamming who? lol...

Been going on forever though. Emmitt Smith's Dad was taken care of by Florida as I recall from back in the day.

Now he can take care of his Momma in style. lol...

[Kato]

Gas mask or no gas mask, PRIOR to that picture Tunsil was ALWAYS viewed as the best player in this draft class. The only other player that came close was Ramsey. The only reason players were going to be drafted ahead of Tunsil was because they were desperate to get quarterback. Even then, there were still questions whether teams should still draft Tunsil first and then get a QB later in the draft. That is how dominating he was in college.

ONE PHOTO should not wipe away four years of hard work. Most fans wanted to go defense but Tunsil was the smartest pick the Dolphins could make. With Tannehill in his make or break season he needs protection to eliminate ALL excuses. With a "QBGuru" as the new head coach and a better offensive line, there are no more excuses. This is the year Tannenhill turns the corner or gets the boot.

I have to admit, even in my wildest days we wouldn't have thought of a freakin gas mask...........gotta give the guy an extra point for creativity, and one for initiative.

[DolphinsFreak]

I've always thought stoners were some of the most creative people around. Back in the old days if they couldn't find their pipe or bong they would just make one out of tin foil, an apple or some other crazy thing laying around. These days these kids have taken getting high to a whole new level. Gas Mask? Seriously? < I Picked The Wrong Week To Stop Sniffing Glue >