normaniii
Active Roster
I'd be devastated with Austin
If anything, in forthcoming years the rules will be slanted even more in favor of guys like Austin, and the passing game in general.
I suspect the referendum will pass, even if we draft a towel boy in the first round. A specialized election like that is decided by which side has the passion and money. That will be the supporters. The Dolphins no doubt will launch a media blitz in the final weeks, one that will be largely unopposed. It's a completely different situational landscape than a referendum thrown into a high turnout general election, in which case it would have no chance.
This is like Ned Lamont defeating Joe Lieberman in the primary then being thumped by Lieberman in November, when everyone had a say.
However, ck's point is good in that the Dolphins may handicap the situation as if they need a boost coming out of the draft. What's the joke about the gorilla who hit a driver to within 5 feet on a par 5? His second shot was another driver, traveling 500 yards. This Dolphin brass is capable of being so petrified they'll overplay anything.
Actually the BEST case for Tavon Austin is the simple fact that the fanbase would be giddy about picking him.
There's a briefcase on the table in front of you that contains $200 million. A mere two weeks after the draft, whether you get that $200 million will be decided by a simple popularity contest. You've got plenty of "fans" out there. You could win. All you need to ensure that is get them to SHOW UP.
What do you do?
The point about low turnout, about the media blitz that will need to take place in the couple of weeks before the referendum (i.e. immediately after the draft) is exactly why if I were them I would indeed seriously consider manipulating draft strategy to get this done. You need to have fuel for this blitz, and the Mike Wallace signing is already stale.
And like I said, the strategy may not have anything to do with a Tavon Austin. It may be as simple as vetoing draft picks at 12 that are almost certain to drive the fanbase into the spitting mad frenzy that they've been at various points in the last 5 years. I mean jesus, if they come out and announce a pick as unpopular as Ted Ginn, complete with embarrassing YouTube videos of the "boos" during the announcement...that's the kind of thing that can feed back on itself in the media loop.
I'd be devastated with Austin
man ross is a damn billionaire. he could easily foot the bill for the stadium upgrades. so we only draft austin cause it helps in the stadium upgrade vote? man you have to be kidding me. i would love to draft austin cause he adds a speed element to this offense thats been missing since the 80"s. i guess if we trade up for an ot that stadium vote is gonna fail miserably..... ridiculous!
There is MUCH merit to what you say CK. It's about mobilizing the fan base, and countering the mobilization that the Billy Corben's and Norman Braman's will pay to ensure.
I love Jonathan Cooper. I love Sheldon Richardson. But now is not the time for those kind've picks, not with so much riding on popular sentiment..
I love that people are now naming every small player (I was going to say fast but I just aw WELKER being mentioned so there goes that) that has had some success being mentioned as reasons we should draft Austin.
He's a great prospect, but come on guys.
It's a completely different situational landscape than a referendum thrown into a high turnout general election, in which case it would have no chance.