Anmelden » Christian Wilkins nearly sacked Roger Goodell.Wilkins gleefully

Moments after becoming a Miami Dolphin http://www.thedolphinslockerroom.com/authentic-robert-quinn-jersey , defensive tackle leaped into the commissioner on the draft stage in Nashville, Tennessee. The Dolphins hope it was the first of many NFL celebrations by Wilkins, a 315-pound lineman from Clemson with an outsize personality to match.“Very charismatic,” Miami general manager Chris Grier said with a chuckle. “He told us it was the best decision we ever made when we picked him.”A rebuilding project has left the Dolphins perceived as the league’s lightweights, and to help change that, they used the 13th overall pick on the bulky Wilkins.More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins sign veteran lineman Jordan Mills to 1-year, $3 million contractJosh Rosen believes he can be Dan Marino-type franchise quarterback with DolphinsDolphins new QB Josh Rosen bids goodbye to Arizona, congratulates Kyler MurrayDolphins bolster defense, provide Josh Rosen with another shot to be franchise QBDolphins acquire QB Josh Rosen from Cardinals for 62nd pick, 5th-rounder in 2020The Dolphins went 7-9 in 2018, and after shedding numerous veterans from the roster this offseason, they’re widely expected to be worse this year under new coach Brian Flores. Their odds for winning the Super Bowl are 250 to 1, longest in the NFL.Even so, Wilkins was thrilled to be Miami-bound, as Goodell could attest after being targeted with a flying shoulder bump.“He wasn’t too upset about it,” Wilkins said with a laugh. “He wished me good luck. I’m surprised he didn’t hit back or anything. I did get him kind of hard. My shoulder is actually hurting a little bit from how hard I bumped him, but I was just so excited.”Miami passed on Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and instead attempted to shore up a defense that last year allowed 6,257 yards Womens A.J. Derby Jersey , most in franchise history.The draft was deep in defensive linemen, and some projected Wilkins as a top-10 pick. Last year the first-team All-American had 15 tackles for a loss and six sacks.The Dolphins had an extensive scouting report on Wilkins because their new defensive line coach, Marion Hobby, was his position coach at Clemson.“A very smart, versatile player,” Grier said. “Highly productive. I love the size, the athletic ability. For us it was an easy decision.”Wilkins helped the Tigers win two national titles, and became their first scholarship player to earn a degree in 2 1/2 years. He’s optimistic he can excel with the Dolphins.“I know about the history — guys like Dan Marino and Jason Taylor who put on that uniform,” he said. “I want to work hard so I can get to the point where I can be considered great like those guys.”While Wilkins was in a celebratory mood, he turned reflective when asked about his grandfather, killed in 2011 when a SWAT team rifle accidentally discharged during a raid.“My grandfather meant everything to me,” Wilkins said. “He was the most influential person in my life.”In opting for a lineman, Miami has still used a first-round pick on a quarterback only once since 1983. Well-traveled veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with the Dolphins in March, and they’ve acknowledged he’s merely a caretaker, but the draft wasn’t deep at the position.The Dolphins might pursue Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen, who is on the trade market after the Cardinals used the No. 1 overall pick to take quarterback Kyler Murray of Oklahoma. Arizona took Rosen with the 10th overall pick last year, and the former UCLA star had a rocky rookie season.“We’re investigating all avenues,” Grier said.With a multitude of needs still to be addressed, the Dolphins have one pick in the second round and another in the third round Friday. They’ll be in the market for an edge rusher and right tackle Akeem Spence Jersey , among other positions.“Where we are, we’ve got to build the roster up and create depth and competition everywhere,” Grier said. Hours after his team won the Super Bowl, New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores was hired Monday as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.Flores helped the Patriots shut down the high-scoring Los Angeles Rams for a 13-3 victory in the title game Sunday night in Atlanta, and then flew to Miami to seal his deal with the Dolphins.“It has been a whirlwind 24 hours,” Flores said with a smile at a news conference that drew two dozen cameras.“Looking at this crowd here, you’d think we won the Super Bowl,” Miami owner Stephen Ross said. “I’ve never seen this many people in this room. … To me, you start an organization by signing a great leader. I believe we’ve found that leader.”More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins sign veteran lineman Jordan Mills to 1-year, $3 million contractJosh Rosen believes he can be Dan Marino-type franchise quarterback with DolphinsDolphins new QB Josh Rosen bids goodbye to Arizona, congratulates Kyler MurrayDolphins bolster defense, provide Josh Rosen with another shot to be franchise QBDolphins acquire QB Josh Rosen from Cardinals for 62nd pick, 5th-rounder in 2020Flores was the first person the Dolphins interviewed after they fired coach Adam Gase on Dec. 31. They decided on Jan. 11 to offer the job to Flores, the Patriots’ defensive play-caller, but had to wait until New England’s season ended to complete an agreement.“I wasn’t in a rush to become a head coach,” said Flores, 37. “I had a good job in New England. I’m thankful I’m part of this organization now. We’re going to do everything possible to build a winner here.”While preparing for the Super Bowl, Flores also began to hire a Miami staff. The group is expected to include former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell as assistant head coach, Patriots receivers coach Chad O’Shea as offensive coordinator and Packers assistant Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator.Flores http://www.thedolphinslockerroom.com/authentic-bobby-mccain-jersey , the son of Honduran immigrants, grew up in Brooklyn and has spent his entire coaching career with the Patriots. He joined them in 2004 and became their de facto defensive coordinator a year ago after Matt Patricia left to join the Lions as their head coach.Flores is the ninth former assistant to Bill Belichick to become a head coach.“Two things that stand out immediately when you meet Brian are his football intelligence and leadership skills,” Miami general manager Chris Grier said in a statement. “If you talk with anyone who has played for him or worked with him, you will hear about his ability to lead and get the most out of people. Brian sets a high standard for his players and coaches, and we are completely aligned with our vision on how to build a successful organization.”Flores becomes the NFL’s fourth minority head coach for 2019, which is half the total of last season. Diversity advocates have questioned the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule requiring teams to interview at least one minority candidate for any head coach or general manager vacancy.A former Boston College linebacker, Flores also coached offense and special teams with New England. He has a long relationship with Grier, who took charge of football operations in the recent organizational shake-up.Both started as scouts for the Patriots, the Dolphins’ longtime nemeses in the AFC East. Flores will report to Grier under the team’s new, more streamlined leadership structure.Flores becomes Miami’s 10th head coach since 2004, including three interim coaches. He is leaving a team that won its sixth Super Bowl since 2002 to join a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 2000 and plans to rebuild after another dismal season.The Dolphins went 7-9 in 2018 to miss the playoffs for the 15th time in 17 years. They allowed 6,257 yards, the most in franchise history, and the offense was also among the league’s worst, finishing ranked 31st.After Ross fired Gase, he ordered a roster overhaul and acknowledged it may take several seasons to build a winner. The revamp is likely to include the departure of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has been with Miami since 2012 but has never taken a postseason snap.