The Dolphins' need at nose tackle is clear to anyone with eyes but while much of the attention has centered around bigger-name prospects such as Dan Williams and Cam Thomas, a source tells me the Dolphins are looking in a different direction.

Think Jeff Owens of Georgia.

The Dolphins' coaching staff liked him in the Senior Bowl, interviewed him during the Indianapolis Combine and has now scheduled a visit to Davie in the coming weeks, the source said.

Owens is a typical refrigerator-bodied nose tackle type -- 6-1 1/4 and 305 pounds -- with superhuman strength. He benched 225 pounds an impressive 44 times at the Combine with one witness saying he looked like an engine piston raising the weight fast and easy early on in the process.

During the University of Georgia Pro Day on Tuesday Owens ran a 4.83 in the 40-yard dash.

Owens is not a first-round type. He's probably more a fifth-rounder type, maybe later.

That doesn't matter to Bill Parcells. In 1997 Parcells selected a little-known Georgia nose tackle in the seventh-round (229th overall) and has been very happy with him since. The draftee's name?

Jason Ferguson.

Mike Neal, the DT from Purdue is another guy that was at the Senior Bowl and was impressive in the game

I don't see it...Miami may be thinking of getting someone in the 3rd or later, but Jeff Owens? For a defense that had Jones at safety and Curran at linebacker but was still terrible, I'd think that the middle had to be at fault for their woes....meaning that the DLine was nothing impressive.

I don't see it...Miami may be thinking of getting someone in the 3rd or later, but Jeff Owens? For a defense that had Jones at safety and Curran at linebacker but was still terrible, I'd think that the middle had to be at fault for their woes....meaning that the DLine was nothing impressive.

I think a lot of the North's defensive line success had a lot to do with the South's offensive line terribleness. Everyone getting excited about Brandon Graham wreaking havoc, and anybody else that played well need to go back to tapes on those players because I don't think that game said so much about their ability, but lack thereof for the South's Oline.

So decisions should be made on speculation and assumptions rather than analysis and factual information?

A defensive line is made up for 3-4 guys, not one.

I have not seen tape of Jeff Owens

Exactly.

Scouting Report: Jeff Owens

Draft Projection: Late Rounder

Strengths
Owens is a long-time contributor to a great Georgia defense. He made a lot of plays in his tenure as starting DT in their 4-3 defense. He is a typical ‘jack-of-all-trades’ type of player where he does everything well but isn’t particularly great in one area. He anchors well in the run game and doesn’t get pushed back very often. He also can push the pocket and recorded several QB pressures in his career. Isn’t great at shooting a gap to get in the backfield but he holds his ground and is good at controlling his gap.

Weaknesses
Isn’t very tall, but he is very proportionate with his weight. At times, he was caught trying to do too much and got out of his gap assignment. Struggles to disengage from a blocker and make a tackle. Plays too high at times – he needs to learn to play under his pads a little bit better and really punch up into the opponent’s chest to drive him back. Missed almost all of the 2008 season with a knee injury, so that could worry some teams because of the position he plays.

Analysis
Has good enough measurables to be a good rotation DT in a 4-3 defense that wants to use him mainly as a quick, run stopping DT. If he was taller, he’d have a chance as a 3-4 End but he most likely doesn’t have the arm length (32 3/4″) a team is looking for. Probably won’t make a huge impact or be a playmaker but he’ll do what he’s asked and could be a leader in the locker room since he was named defensive co-captain his senior year.

Experience
Owens has started every game as a senior, sophomore and appeared in every game as a true freshman. Owens was slated to start his junior season but suffered a season ending knee injury.

Exactly what? Georgia's defense was bad. I need to watch tape on Jeff Owens in order to comment on this thread or what?

JEFF OWENS
6-foot-1 - 304 pounds - Georgia
Drew notice at the Scouting Combine by amassing 44 bench-press repetitions, which was second among all players and first among defenders ... Added six pounds to his frame between the Senior Bowl and Combine ... Missed all but one quarter of the 2008 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered early in the season opener; he recovered and posted 13 quarterback pressures and four tackles for losses as a senior.

Owens is coming off a solid 2009 season after missing all but one game in 2008 with a knee injury. Owens is a short, squatty built but strong interior defender that is more of a run stopper than pass rusher. He can anchor well when he keeps his pads down but needs to improve his hand use to disengage quicker to the ball. Owens needs an expanded pass rush package to be effective at the next level but has the natural power to push the pocket. Owens is a tough hard-nosed lineman that has some athletic limitations but his intangibles (motor, leadership qualities) gives him a great chance to contribute in his rookie season.

Owens has the natural strength, bulk and strength that can’t be taught. He displays impressive toughness and willingness to play through injuries. Competitive player who will fight to the whistle. Possesses impressive leadership qualities and was a team leader at Georgia.

Despite good bulk, Owens lacks ideal height. Lacks the necessary endurance to be a consistent, every-down player. Hand use needs some polish. Will likely come out for better pass rushers on third down. Plays with inconsistent pad level and can struggle anchoring at the point of attack.

Sure, but you've seen how one guy can make a defensive line, right? Jason Taylor made Miami's other end look great for years...look at all the guys they were able to plug in and have be a success and then dump. Albert Haynesworth leaving Tennessee took that defensive line from dominating to subpar. Jared Allen turned Minnesota from good to great. Reggie White elevated GB to a Super Bowl.
Point is, if Owens were anything impressive, wouldn't you think he'd have elevated the play of a defense that gave up 24 points a game?

Your comparing him to the best pass rusher of all time, the best pass rusher of this generation, and the most dominant DT a lot of people have ever seen play..

Unless you are an Albert Haynesworth, it's very hard for a DT in a 43 to make a big impact. Much less single handedly turn around a defense playing in the best conference in college football.

I'm not comparing him to them, it's just that you said a dline is made up of 3-4 players, and I was just saying that one guy can change a defensive line....
I'll use lesser examples. Jason Ferguson goes down, and Miami's D goes from run stopping to stop nothing.

I guess I'm just saying that if Owens were anything to get excited about, wouldn't Georgia's defense be at least mediocre?

According to the article, you could have said the same thing about Mr. Ferguson 13 years ago.

Using your line of thinking, I will assume Randy Starks is a bad player.

Um...no you couldn't. The article was referencing that Ferguson was projected to go late and also played for Georgia.

However, Georgia's defense gave up 14 ppg. 2009 Bulldogs gave up 26....

See the difference?

Whatever.

BTW, the Bulldogs only allowed 3.4 yards per rush...that's pretty darn good, and a number that's more pertinant to Owens than the team's PPG stat.

Phins Rock wins this one easily.