It was almost a clean sweep, with coach
The offense`s sole representative: tackle Chris Perez of Kansas in the fifth round.
This was the first time the offense-minded Shula has taken more than two defensive players consecutively to start the draft.
``We`re still trying to come up with defensive people,`` Shula said after the fifth pick. ``We wanted to get more physical and we`re adding strength and size to our football team.``
Defense has been blamed for the team`s recent woes. After missing the playoffs five of six years, Shula apparently decided enough was enough. The backbreaker: last December`s swoon, when the team blew fourth-quarter leads in the final two games to finish 8-8 and miss the postseason.
The defensive deluge started early with a big assist from Shula`s son David, rookie coach of the
But the kid gave the old man a break.
First, the
That left one of the top five -- Vincent -- on the board. And the player everyone wanted to trade up for -- Klingler -- was gone.
No deals, no sweat, no-brainer.
The Dolphins jumped on Vincent, a big (6 feet 1, 191 pounds), fast cover cornerback who many considered the best in the draft.
``I`m delighted to be part of the organization,`` said Vincent.
The feeling was mutual.
Vincent was given a jersey with the No. 22, the same number worn by Tim McKyer, but unlike the flamboyant cornerback who lasted only a year in Miami, the humble Vincent wouldn`t make any bold pronouncements about his impact.
``If I have to work into it through special teams and the nickel package, I`ll do that,`` Vincent said. ``I just want to work as hard as I can.``
Coaches are confident he`ll be able to start immediately and upgrade the secondary. Dolphins cornerbacks intercepted only one pass last year.
Vincent intercepted only four in his four-year college career, but it`s not because of bad hands. Vincent said that quarterbacks often didn`t throw his way. Vincent was beaten for only one touchdown last season.
While the Dolphins heard almost unanimous praise for the first pick, the remaining picks all brought questions.
Coleman might be caught between positions, like 1988 first-round flop Eric Kumerow. Webster was an underachiever and Hollier broke his foot twice last year.
The biggest gamble: Blake, a 321-pound lineman who failed a drug test in February. He was regarded as one of the better guards in the draft, but Shula will use him at nose tackle. He played on Auburn`s goal-line defense and told Shula he`d be open to the switch.
Vincent and Coleman`s first appearance in Miami will come May 7 for the start of minicamp. Both plan on attending without contracts.
And both will command hefty signing bonuses.
Vincent will be represented by his ``godparents,`` James and Linda Bodley of Yardley, Pa. He lived with them in high school.
Coleman`s agent?
``Brian Ransom,`` he said. ``As in holding somebody ransom.``