Could we purposely be going "younger" with FAs.

[gdiaz0358]

I am beginning to worry that we may not bring back Soliai, Starks, Grimes, or Clemmons (these being our main FAs). A lot of reports/ rumors have us not even communicating with these players yet, let alone offering them a contract. Could this mean Hickey/Philbin want to bring in younger talent? There are a few big names at the same positions these guys currently play and maybe they feel they would rather try a new approach on the defense?
Not sure i agree that is a good idea, considering D hasnt been our main issue, and new players doesnt mean more success (Wheeler and Ellerbe for example). I feel like the younger guys will be much more expensive, and may not be as good as our current players. Draft is also hit or miss, as we have seen the last few drafts barely get any production from those players. I understand we drafted Davis and Taylor but neither showed me any hope of possible replacements for Grimes, and J.Wilson is good, but is he better than Clemmons? I am a bit worried about our direction.

 

[cangrejero]

No, our coach knows this could be his last year so he needs to win NOW

 

[BSQ]

We have to keep Grimes and either Starks or Soliai. I'd rather not lose Clemons but there are some Safetys in the draft that seem like bigtime hitters and enforcers, something Clemons is clearly not. I don't any teams paying big money to Clemons so we probably will end up keeping him. In the draft I like the kid Bucannon. There are a few rated higher but we probably could get him in the 3rd and I really like his game. I expect Jamar Taylor to be a player for us this season as long as his health is 100%. That being said I feel we should go offense in the first 4 rounds of the draft. O-line is a must and a new RB to replace Thomas is a must. A hot TE prospect would be good if Keller isn't resigned. But the o-line comes first. In FA we better get at least 2 new starters or too much pressure is on the draft to get the o-line fixed.

 

[Hayden Fox]

I think Joe will make a point to jettison as many of "Ireland's guys" as possible. That is the point he will try to make IMO.

 

[Phinsfan93]

Omar Kelly ‏@OmarKelly 6h
Want to know why the #Dolphins haven't made any offer to their own free agents? Why bid against yourself now,setting the market for players?

 

[Hayden Fox]

Omar Kelly ‏@OmarKelly 6h
Want to know why the #Dolphins haven't made any offer to their own free agents? Why bid against yourself now,setting the market for players?

Omar likes to say this EVERY ****ing year.

 

[hoops]

just let the process play out...too early to be worried about anything right now...some of these guys might be in for some rude awakenings...

 

[Hayden Fox]

Grimes, Starks and Soliai are all over the magic age of 30.

 

[AL R]

Grimes, Starks and Soliai are all over the magic age of 30.

Very true and we have to be careful about giving them large contracts that may come back and bite us later. Things could get a little ugly on the field though in 2014, in particular on the Defensive side of the ball if we turn over all of these players.

 

[ITS!MATEO]

None of them will get offered crazy money in free agency. Soliai will probably be offered the most though. We can let them test free agency and then get them at a good price.... Now, if that fails and they sign elsewhere we're ****ed..

There is not 1 single rookie at those said positions that will make our team better no matter what anyone on this board says. Keep the vets and draft for development.

 

[123phins]

Taylor is a big physical corner and can get alot better with some experience and early injuries set him way back from the start of rookie camp. Davis is pretty much a young grimes. He is a ball hawk, undersized, fast, good hands. Grimes played a whole 2 games in his rookie year. Dont need to overreact about these guys in their rookie year. Ellerbee came from a 3-4 Defense where he had different responsibilities. Wheeler also was still in the adjustment from being a LB in a 3-4 system while playing in Indy for 4 year before his year in oakland as well as trying to learn a new system after just learning one the previous off season.

No need to over react after 1 season of guys adapting to new systems. The defense wasn't the reason for the struggles in 2013.

Grimes will be back as contract talks are happening for a longer termed deal, keeping Clemons wont make or break the season, Solia and Starks need to hit the market because i would have to assume after both are coming of high salaries will ask for a kings ransom so getting their market value is the smart thing to do. I would like to see them all back but its not realistic with that many bigger name guys to resign. With Odrick now getting either starks or solia or even a mid round pick would be solid for 2014. Unlike most im not too worried about LB because they were knew to the system and that takes time. Both rookie corner should be ready to take a step up and play and grimes should be resigned and if not there a quite a few good corners available in FA this year.

 

[gdiaz0358]

My biggest concern is Grimes, he may be 30, but he has a lot less milage than most 30yr old CBs. He is still very athletic and he proved to be able to handle single coverage without any safety help. I think it may be worth exploring a younger cheaper option at DT, but bringing back your own guys is always good. I have high hopes for Taylor, not so much for Davis. I am hearing some rumblings about Wilson taking over for Clemons, and i dont know how comfortable i am with that. Still very excited to see what we do, and who we bring in. Would like to restructure Patterson, and Wallace but dont see that happening.

 

[rent this space]

Looks like Grimes is the only priority at this point. Clemons and Carroll are replaceable but I wouldn't mind seeing them back. Soliai and Starks have both played well for a long time, but some youth there could be a good thing. I have been saying I would keep Big Paul over Randy but Canter's act has worn thin and it wouldn't bother me to see that circus leave town. Also, I believe Starks when he said he flipped off his buddies, not the coaches.

 

[marinotoclayton]

Generally I thought thats what the idea was to get best youngest players. Which is why I hope we dont pay more than we should on an o lineman!

 

[Danny]

Keep on mind that we only have 6 picks and more holes than that. We're also going to lose some players tofree agency so more holes We'll have to bring some players back but I'm ok with not bringing back too many of the same players we've been losing with. I don't see how we can fix every problem Ieland created in just one off season but you need to start somewhere. I can see us getting several free agents and losing several too. Unless we hit in both free agency AND the draft, get ready for more losing.

Ozzy rules!!