Dolphins Need Long-Term Approach

[SF Dolphin Fan]

If the past drafts have proven anything for Miami it's that the team needs a long-term approach.

Just got done reading SI's story on Drew Brees and if he had gone to the Dolphins. That has to rank as the biggest miss in Miami's draft history. Not only did Brees fall into the teams' lap, but he did so at a time when Miami had a strong defense and running game. In essence, all the team needed was stronger quarterback play to be a legitimate super bowl threat.

I remember Dave Wannestedt saying at the time that Brees wouldn't be an immediate upgrade over Jay Fielder. He was right as Brees struggled in his first year with San Diego. However, that lack of long-term vision was a huge mistake.

Not having stability with the head coach has meant that the Dolphins have often taken a short sided approach (win now) to the draft. Immediate needs have taken precedent over best player available costing the team a ton of talent.

Adam Gase's first year with Miami hopefully puts that long-term vision in play.

Rather than revisit the past, though, I'm just hoping that the team has finally seen the light and will take the best player available throughout the draft.

Mike Ditka was asked what had happened to the Bears after their championship season and a few years of great football. He said something to the affect that we replaced great players with good players. That speaks volumes.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

IMO, building long term starts with a good HC, a good QB, a good o-line, a good front 7, good back end, good skill positions (can be sprinkled in during the acquisition of the other areas).

 

[fisi]

Youre absolutely right. We saw first hand with what happened after Dan marino retired. The team was so unprepared for his retirement even as his skills declined with age and injuries. However, we can see the difference AG is making, hence #newMiami. He sure is making sure that theyre keeping their own players and adding more. I think the teamin more than a decade is heading in a right direction. Only if they stop trading picks as that is an indication of a win now attitude. GO PHINS!

 

[datruth55]

IMO, building long term starts with a good HC, a good QB, a good o-line, a good front 7, good back end, good skill positions (can be sprinkled in during the acquisition of the other areas).

lol...so you basically covered the whole team.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

lol...so you basically covered the whole team.

I meant concentrate on solidifying those areas before focusing on the next (sequential). Which is why I wanted one of the top Gs in FA (a RG) and draft Lamp at 22. We could be well on our way to focusing on improving the front 7.

Right now...a total defensive draft will leave us with Larson and Bushrod at the G. Good luck Ajayi and Tannehill.

 

[BlueUndertow]

lol...so you basically covered the whole team.

True, we probably wouldn't need any special teams players if we had all the rest!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Youre absolutely right. We saw first hand with what happened after Dan marino retired. The team was so unprepared for his retirement even as his skills declined with age and injuries. However, we can see the difference AG is making, hence #newMiami. He sure is making sure that theyre keeping their own players and adding more. I think the teamin more than a decade is heading in a right direction. Only if they stop trading picks as that is an indication of a win now attitude. GO PHINS!

The pick of Laremy Tunsil was something I don't think this team would have done in the past. Hopefully that's an indication that Miami is now on the right path.

 

[datruth55]

I meant concentrate on solidifying those areas before focusing on the next (sequential). Which is why I wanted one of the top Gs in FA (a RG) and draft Lamp at 22. We could be well on our way to focusing on improving the front 7.

Right now...a total defensive draft will leave us with Larson and Bushrod at the G. Good luck Ajayi and Tannehill.

There will be opportunities to draft an OG the question will be where they rank on the Dolphins board. If Lamp/Barnett/Riddick are on the board at 22 who ranks higher on the Dolphins board (not the Finheaven board)? If we pass on Lamp or Lamp is off the board at 22 and Feeney (unlikely), Dawkins and Dorian Johnson are there at 54 but so is Jarrad Davis, Quincy Wilson, Gareon Conley and Montravius Adams...who do the Dolphins take? There are going to be quality players the Dolphins miss out on, at positions of need, because another player was higher who might not be at a position of need. For all we know they might draft Cooper Kupp or Zay Jones at 54 because that's the way their board was set.

 

[DPhinz_DPhinz]

There will be opportunities to draft an OG the question will be where they rank on the Dolphins board. If Lamp/Barnett/Riddick are on the board at 22 who ranks higher on the Dolphins board (not the Finheaven board)? If we pass on Lamp or Lamp is off the board at 22 and Feeney (unlikely), Dawkins and Dorian Johnson are there at 54 but so is Jarrad Davis, Quincy Wilson, Gareon Conley and Montravius Adams...who do the Dolphins take? There are going to be quality players the Dolphins miss out on, at positions of need, because another player was higher who might not be at a position of need. For all we know they might draft Cooper Kupp or Zay Jones at 54 because that's the way their board was set.

Which is why I would trade back. This is reacquiring draft capital. A 1st and 3rd...a 2nd and two 3rds. I would like additional picks to help alleviate missing too many picks.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

There will be opportunities to draft an OG the question will be where they rank on the Dolphins board. If Lamp/Barnett/Riddick are on the board at 22 who ranks higher on the Dolphins board (not the Finheaven board)? If we pass on Lamp or Lamp is off the board at 22 and Feeney (unlikely), Dawkins and Dorian Johnson are there at 54 but so is Jarrad Davis, Quincy Wilson, Gareon Conley and Montravius Adams...who do the Dolphins take? There are going to be quality players the Dolphins miss out on, at positions of need, because another player was higher who might not be at a position of need. For all we know they might draft Cooper Kupp or Zay Jones at 54 because that's the way their board was set.

Sidney Jones is another player who comes to mind. Probably a top 15 talent. Do you take him at #54 knowing he likely won't help you this season?

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Which is why I would trade back. This is reacquiring draft capital. A 1st and 3rd...a 2nd and two 3rds. I would like additional picks to help alleviate missing too many picks.

I would love that as well. It's sounding like every team wants to trade back, though. Even the teams sitting at the top are saying that. Now whether or not that is a smokescreen who knows?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

If the past drafts have proven anything for Miami it's that the team needs a long-term approach. Just got done reading SI's story on Drew Brees and if he had gone to the Dolphins. That has to rank as the biggest miss in Miami's draft history. Not only did Brees fall into the teams' lap, but he did so at a time when Miami had a strong defense and running game. In essence, all the team needed was stronger quarterback play to be a legitimate super bowl threat. I remember Dave Wannestedt saying at the time that Brees wouldn't be an immediate upgrade over Jay Fielder. He was right as Brees struggled in his first year with San Diego. However, that lack of long-term vision was a huge mistake. Not having stability with the head coach has meant that the Dolphins have often taken a short sided approach (win now) to the draft. Immediate needs have taken precedent over best player available costing the team a ton of talent. Adam Gase's first year with Miami hopefully puts that long-term vision in play. Rather than revisit the past, though, I'm just hoping that the team has finally seen the light and will take the best player available throughout the draft. Mike Ditka was asked what had happened to the Bears after their championship season and a few years of great football. He said something to the affect that we replaced great players with good players. That speaks volumes.

I agree with one caveat. Fans, always impatient, will want to see CLEAR progress every year. Getting players CLAIMED to be better won't get it. That doesn't mean more wins every year, but the discovery of acquiring another Dallas Thomas could risk the patience. Personally, I think AG and company can do it. And, as of now, some here think Miami is close while others think it's a team full of bad players.

 

[NorFlaFin]

FA are band aids for foxing draft mistakes.
Going long-term DE times two. A MLB and a FS.

 

[phintim]

Better drafting is the long term approach means the GM must get better

 

[gofins60]

The same people who traded up for Carroo and gave away 2 picks in this year's draft are the ones still doing the drafting. I have no faith in them whatsoever. Gase took over a team that needed to be rebuilt, thanks to Philbin (too many starters would be lucky to be a back-up on a good team). To rebuild you need draft picks, yet the idiots in charge give them away for a #4 WR?

 

[phintim]

The same people who traded up for Carroo and gave away 2 picks in this year's draft are the ones still doing the drafting. I have no faith in them whatsoever. Gase took over a team that needed to be rebuilt, thanks to Philbin (too many starters would be lucky to be a back-up on a good team). To rebuild you need draft picks, yet the idiots in charge give them away for a #4 WR?

Interesting few fans are connecting the dots from last years draft and we were picking much higher last year yets fans expect better results that being said I am hoping that Gase sticks his nose deeper in the draft this year and can make a difference