PA Season Ticket Holder
04-17-2003, 02:47 PM
In the Dolphins' rush to work out a trade for Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, a key question might have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Why?
According to a league source, there are real questions about whether Seau will fit with the Dolphins defense. Per the source, Seau has a reputation for freelancing. The Miami defense, however, uses a highly-disciplined approach under coordinator Jim Bates.
The source tells us that, in the end, head coach Dave Wannstedt's desire to win in the short term outweighed any chalkboard concerns about whether Seau's approach fits with the current scheme. Word is that Wanny must make it to the playoffs in 2003, or else. Thus, it's likely that the need to bag some W's superseded the X's and O's.
And even if Seau doesn't precisely fit with the current scheme, Wannstedt surely believes that the defensive playbook can be revised to accommodate one of the best linebackers in the history of the game.
Also, don't underestimate the importance to Miami of keeping Seau away from another AFC contender. If the Fins hadn't reeled in Seau, he could've landed in Oakland or Buffalo or New York or New England or Cleveland or Indy -- and that could've made it harder for Miami to get to the postseason.
Bottom line: Miami has Seau, and no one else does. Thus, their position is no weaker than it was before the trade was made.
http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
Why?
According to a league source, there are real questions about whether Seau will fit with the Dolphins defense. Per the source, Seau has a reputation for freelancing. The Miami defense, however, uses a highly-disciplined approach under coordinator Jim Bates.
The source tells us that, in the end, head coach Dave Wannstedt's desire to win in the short term outweighed any chalkboard concerns about whether Seau's approach fits with the current scheme. Word is that Wanny must make it to the playoffs in 2003, or else. Thus, it's likely that the need to bag some W's superseded the X's and O's.
And even if Seau doesn't precisely fit with the current scheme, Wannstedt surely believes that the defensive playbook can be revised to accommodate one of the best linebackers in the history of the game.
Also, don't underestimate the importance to Miami of keeping Seau away from another AFC contender. If the Fins hadn't reeled in Seau, he could've landed in Oakland or Buffalo or New York or New England or Cleveland or Indy -- and that could've made it harder for Miami to get to the postseason.
Bottom line: Miami has Seau, and no one else does. Thus, their position is no weaker than it was before the trade was made.
http://profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm