AJ Francis

SammyBlueCat · Sep 1, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcbpW_ByxRM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkNvEWDOao

Ozymandias · Sep 1, 2013

Good depth signing. Hopefully he sticks.

patchick · Sep 1, 2013

I like this signing a lot. Francis being available may have been a case of a team putting too much stake in the draft status of its own players (a la the infamous Woodhead vs. McKnight episode). Every report out of Miami was that UDFA Francis outplayed a lot of the guys above him on the depth chart all through camp and preseason.

He has excellent length, plays on special teams (with impressive success blocking field goals), and it sounds like Miami had offered him a sweetened deal to sign to their practice squad.

mgteich · Sep 1, 2013

Yes, I suspect that Miami doesn't have the respect for UDFA's that Belichick does. Obviously, Belichick is willing to play UDFA's, especially as backup DL's.

patchick said:
I like this signing a lot. Francis being available may have been a case of a team putting too much stake in the draft status of its own players (a la the infamous Woodhead vs. McKnight episode). Every report out of Miami was that UDFA Francis outplayed a lot of the guys above him on the depth chart all through camp and preseason.

He has excellent length, plays on special teams (with impressive success blocking field goals), and it sounds like Miami had offered him a sweetened deal to sign to their practice squad.

Horace's Ivories · Sep 1, 2013

SammyBlueCat said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcbpW_ByxRM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkNvEWDOao

wow - for his size his athletic gifts look pretty special

jmt57 · Sep 1, 2013

Miami Dolphins lose DT A.J. Francis to New England Patriots - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

The Miami Dolphins waived defensive tackle A.J. Francis with the intention of putting the undrafted rookie on the practice squad.

However, the Dolphins knew there was a chance this talented undrafted rookie, who had impressed during the exhibition season, might be claimed by another team.

Miami's worst possible fear came true on Sunday when Francis was claimed by the New England Patriots, an AFC East division rival.

The Patriots only kept seven defensive linemen on the team's 53-man roster, so Francis' addition will supplement an aging front line, which is anchored by former UM standout Vince Wilfork.

Francis was viewed as the most talented player the Dolphins released on Saturday, trimming the roster down to 53.

SONS_OF_BELICHICK · Sep 1, 2013

Looks like a steal....I loved the article...he was on his way to special teams ...practice...LOL...BB never sleeps!!!

captain stone · Sep 1, 2013

My concern is, can we afford to have 2 UDFAs as backups to the aging Wilfork & Kelly?

Dingleberry · Sep 1, 2013

captain stone said:
My concern is, can we afford to have 2 UDFAs as backups to the aging Wilfork & Kelly?

I don't know enough about Francis, but I wouldn't let the UDFA label determine anything.

Can we afford to have an UDFA WR starting this year over the 2nd round WR?

Can we afford to go into another season with a 6th round QB?

Since Francis must go to the 53 roster, I am assuming BB thinks he is an upgrade over all that were cut.

ATippett56 · Sep 1, 2013

captain stone said:
My concern is, can we afford to have 2 UDFAs as backups to the aging Wilfork & Kelly?

Any better suggestions?

patchick · Sep 1, 2013

captain stone said:
My concern is, can we afford to have 2 UDFAs as backups to the aging Wilfork & Kelly?

Suppose we rephrase that as "2 rookies"?

I'm still confused about the decision to cut Kyle Love way back when (though he's available again!), but if these 2 beat out Forston, more power to them.

JackBauer · Sep 1, 2013

Seems like a possible steal. Fins fans are pissed, especially because they cut him when they had 11 DBs on the roster. Right on.

mgteich · Sep 1, 2013

Love and Brace are still out there.

patchick said:
Suppose we rephrase that as "2 rookies"?

I'm still confused about the decision to cut Kyle Love way back when (though he's available again!), but if these 2 beat out Forston, more power to them.

ATippett56 · Sep 1, 2013

mgteich said:
Love and Brace are still out there.

Ron Brace is a fat lazy bum!

No thanks!

jah · Sep 1, 2013

Finheaven thinks we're "getting nervous" and claiming their players for "inside info."

patchick · Sep 1, 2013

Elijah said:
Finheaven thinks we're "getting nervous" and claiming their players for "inside info."

And yet we had posters here suggest that the Patriots picked up rejects from preseason opponents for "inside info." Double

Ifleninwasawizard · Sep 1, 2013

Well the last time we robbed the Dolphins blind of a player it turned out pretty well...

Ozymandias · Sep 1, 2013

JackBauer said:
Seems like a possible steal. Fins fans are pissed, especially because they cut him when they had 11 DBs on the roster. Right on.

As the fans should be. The Dolphins tried a fast one and it backfired on them horribly. He was their best UDFA by a wide margin and they expected that they could sneak him through waivers. Silly goose.

Just imagine what the board would be like if the Patriots tried to sneak Thompkins or Sudfeld through waivers and got caught red-handed. That's essentially what happened here.

Brady'sButtBoy · Sep 1, 2013

Guy sounds like quite a character - in a good way. Like the way he talks, doesn't sound like agentspeak.

One scouting report I read said he was quick, another said he was heavy-footed. Another said he was strong and threw players out of his way, the next said he'd have to get stronger to play in the NFL.

One thing they all agreed on - he was hard worker who went at it right to the whistle.

Fairly in depth piece on his draft prep below, interesting dude.

Maryland?s A.J. Francis trains for the NFL with a new diet, Twitter handle

Brady6 · Sep 1, 2013

SammyBlueCat said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcbpW_ByxRM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkNvEWDOao

I’m not sure why but I’m truly excited about the prospect of this:

1Tech
Wilfork Vellano
Height 6'1 6'2
Weight 323 306
40 Yrd Dash 5.08 5.25
225 Bench Reps 36 27
Veritical Jump 26.5 27
Broad Jump 8'5" 7'8"
20 Yrd Shuffle 4.5 4.47
3-Cone Drill 7.62 7.58

3Tech
Kelly Francis
Height 6'6 6'5
Weight 325 309
40 Yrd Dash 4.94 5.12
225 Bench Reps 24 24
Veritical Jump 25 29
Broad Jump 8'9" 9'4"
20 Yrd Shuffle 4.45 4.58
3-Cone Drill 7.79 7.45

Their body types and athleticism are so similar, and the prospect of 2 youngsters coming from the same program to a place like this to work behind and be mentored by 2 of the best in business at their respective positions.

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