Kiko Impressing Already

[cuchulainn]

Dolphins coaches got their first real look at Kiko Alonso during voluntary minicamp last week.

They didn’t just like what they saw. They loved it.

Alonso, who is coming off two knee injuries in as many seasons, was fast and agile during his first practices with the team.

The third-year linebacker exceeded all expectations, the Miami Herald has learned, and the team is cautiously optimistic that the Alonso of old is back.

If so, that would make an already good trade a great one. The Dolphins received Alonso and Byron Maxwell from the Eagles two months back, swapping first-round picks with Philadelphia in the process. But the Dolphins paid no price for moving from eighth to 13th in the draft; they would have taken Laremy Tunsil at either spot.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nf...#storylink=cpy

[cuchulainn]

Hope he stays healthy this year. He's due and a complete stud when on the field. He'll also be good for the young guys to watch and learn from.

[FTLDOLFAN]

I don't know why so many media types are writing this trade off as a disaster for the Dolphins. Alonso was not healthy last year and Maxwell was not a fit in the Eagles defense. Alonso's rookie season in Buffalo was pro bowl worthy. Maxwell is not an elite corner by any means but if he is in the right scheme which he will be with the Dolphins then he is a quality NFL corner. We got two starters for merely trading back 5 spots in the draft and even that didn't end up hurting us since Tunsil who was going to be the top pick in the draft before a couple of teams traded up to draft QB's ended up dropping to us.

[AquaXI]

So who named him Kiko? Hehehe! I think this draft was about the trust in our LB core to turn it around and fitting in this Joseph D.

[cuchulainn]

I'll go out on a limb here and say his parents. JK... His real name is Kristian. Kiko is a nickname. Hope we get a healthy season from him.

[cuchulainn]

I don't know why so many media types are writing this trade off as a disaster for the Dolphins. Alonso was not healthy last year and Maxwell was not a fit in the Eagles defense. Alonso's rookie season in Buffalo was pro bowl worthy. Maxwell is not an elite corner by any means but if he is in the right scheme which he will be with the Dolphins then he is a quality NFL corner. We got two starters for merely trading back 5 spots in the draft and even that didn't end up hurting us since Tunsil who was going to be the top pick in the draft before a couple of teams traded up to draft QB's ended up dropping to us.

Eagles fans... lol... some of them were booing Carson Wentz at the airport when he arrived in Philly a day or two ago. Maxwell struggled against Julio Jones last year in their first game and they wrote him off. By game 4, he was having a a solid season for them, he just didn't impress. He only gave up 2 TDs all season and also had 2 INTs, 2 FFs, and 10 PDs. When he was with the Seahawks, opposing QBs had a PR of 38. The first 2 weeks with the Eagles, QBs had a PR of 158. By mid-season last year, it was back down to 42. We'll have him back in press coverage facing the QB and playing with a better DL and Safety than what they had in Philly.

[DolphinsFreak]

Wentz shouldn't be surprised. What do expect from fans who throw D batteries at Santa Claus?

[cuchulainn]

lol... yes, and their old Field, The Vet, had a jail built into it for unruly fans. At The Linc, they have cops everywhere. Place is a zoo. I enjoy the City, mostly for it's history and culinary experiences, but that is one team I'd never want to play for if I were a player. The fans are too mercurial and rabid.