Dolphins unfairly criticized for one element of their offseason

[fisi]

The month of March has been a dud for the Miami Dolphins in almost every regard. However, there is one area in which criticism is unfounded: their treatment of "homegrown" talent.

In reality, the team did not do very well in March even when reassessing the situation several days later. They missed out on their two top targets (Jones and Boone). Adam Jones was reportedly in Miami when he decided not to sign with the team. His trip was reported to be for recreational reasons and not for the purpose of a visit with the Dolphins, though conflicting reports exist as to the nature of his presence in South Florida. The team also lost out on running back C.J. Anderson.

However, there is one conclusion about the Dolphins’ offseason that many have reached that is false. This is the idea that they are losing out on homegrown talent.

Yes, the team allowed Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller both to leave Miami and seek greener pastures (which are greener because they are lined with money). The team’s last coaching staff selected both players in their first draft under Joe Philbin, and developed them into starters. Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller both came out of the University of Miami and have strong ties to South Florida. This made the Dolphins’ decision to let them walk more curious, and emotionally stimulating for many.

The issue with allowing these players to walk has nothing to do with homegrown talent. Because for Adam Gase, they aren’t homegrown players at all.

In essence, the Miami Dolphins’ bigger crime this offseason has been not prioritizing what they truly need in terms of talent. Why did they not sign a guard entering a make-or-break season contractually for Ryan Tannehill? No idea. Why did the team not make a push for a cornerback to compliment Byron Maxwell, which would have freed up their first round pick to go with the best player available? I really wish I could tell you.

http://www.thephinsider.com/2016/3/...criticized-for-one-element-of-their-offseason

I completely agree with these guy.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Any good FO can see value in ballclub drafted players like OV, Miller, Matthews, Shelby, etc.

Unfortunately we are not a good ballclub and we apparently see the value in drafted players like Dallas Thomas.

 

[Atila]

Letting OV and Matthews walk were absolutely the right moves. Shelby and Miller could be argued for one way or the other - in Shelby's case he signed a very reasonable contract BUT had major off the field issues.

My biggest gripe with this offseason has been restructuring Suh and taking on Maxwell's horrible contract. We're just not in a position to make a deep playoff run this year but some of the moves imply that we are. They haven't been consistent with how to rebuild this franchise... no apparent vision.

 

[dlockz]

Letting OV and Matthews walk were absolutely the right moves. Shelby and Miller could be argued for one way or the other - in Shelby's case he signed a very reasonable contract BUT had major off the field issues.

My biggest gripe with this offseason has been restructuring Suh and taking on Maxwell's horrible contract. We're just not in a position to make a deep playoff run this year but some of the moves imply that we are. They haven't been consistent with how to rebuild this franchise... no apparent vision.

great post couldnt agree more

 

[2230]

Absolutely the right move is not over paying players going forward. The problem was letting them get to free agency in the first place. 4 million a year probably keeps Miller here and 8 million a year keeps OV if they were done last off season. The lack of foresight bothers me more than anything else. You don't fix a mistake by making another. I hope they have learned going forward and once we know a player is someone we want to keep start thinking long term. Landry should be done as soon as possible.

 

[Vaark]

After the false starts and rejection, sure looks like TBum was being penny wise and pound foolish not going the extra $1.5MM for dynamic, homegrown, low mileage Miller. I think as usual he outsmarted himself taking on a mediocre CB's contract which could well have had a bearing on this shortsightedness with Lamar.

 

[dlockz]

After the false starts and rejection, sure looks like TBum was being penny wise and pound foolish not going the extra $1.5MM for dynamic, homegrown, low mileage Miller. I think as usual he outsmarted himself taking on a mediocre CB's contract which could well have had a bearing on this shortsightedness with Lamar.

I was never in love with Miller but I do get your logic. Miller a is by far a better value than Maxwell at 8.5
To be fair though we are talking about a mediocre gm that basically backdoored around NFL rules to get his position and chose Grier as his puppet because he did not have to interview anyone else

 

[ohall]

Any good FO can see value in ballclub drafted players like OV, Miller, Matthews, Shelby, etc.

Unfortunately we are not a good ballclub and we apparently see the value in drafted players like Dallas Thomas.

What you continue to ignore, and simply gloss over, this current front office and coaching staff had nothing to do with drafting those players.

And for me, if this front office got any where close to what OV got from the Giants they should have been let go 10 minutes after they made that deal.

 

[Spiff]

What you continue to ignore, and simply gloss over, this current front office and coaching staff had nothing to do with drafting those players.

And for me, if this front office got any where close to what OV got from the Giants they should have been let go 10 minutes after they made that deal.

I agree. Vernon is not worth that much. If you compare the moments when you thought "Vernon made a helluva play" and the ones when you thought "WTF? Vernon's keeping the drive alive with that stupid penalty?!", which thought wins?

 

[BlueUndertow]

Absolutely disagree.

You want to be good? You don't keep letting your good young talent walk out the door.

Now granted, there wasn't many options available at these prices. But that's the problem... you should have locked them up earlier. Every GM and capologist worth their salt should have known this would be a record offseason due to spending rules. That was the mistake, not locking them up when they would've been cheaper.

 

[SCLSU Mud Dogs]

C'mon man. No way you can keep OV for that contract. It was completely absurd.

 

[Lionstone]

Any good FO can see value in ballclub drafted players like OV, Miller, Matthews, Shelby, etc.

Unfortunately we are not a good ballclub and we apparently see the value in drafted players like Dallas Thomas.

I doubt anyone is fan of Dallas Thomas, but I do not understand your comment within the context of free agency. Thomas is not a free agent, and he does not have an expensive contract.

 

[Lionstone]

Absolutely disagree.

You want to be good? You don't keep letting your good young talent walk out the door.

Now granted, there wasn't many options available at these prices. But that's the problem... you should have locked them up earlier. Every GM and capologist worth their salt should have known this would be a record offseason due to spending rules. That was the mistake, not locking them up when they would've been cheaper.

I disagree with your premise, OV is not a good DE. He is an above average pass rush specialist, but he is a liability versus the run and a liability on bootlegs and reverses. I believe the FO made the correct decision.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

What you continue to ignore, and simply gloss over, this current front office and coaching staff had nothing to do with drafting those players.

With that flawed logic and our staff turnover rate we'll never have incentive to keep any of our proven drafted players.

 

[Lionstone]

After the false starts and rejection, sure looks like TBum was being penny wise and pound foolish not going the extra $1.5MM for dynamic, homegrown, low mileage Miller. I think as usual he outsmarted himself taking on a mediocre CB's contract which could well have had a bearing on this shortsightedness with Lamar.

Retaining Miller is a completely separate decision than the trade. Coach Gase described the trade as well as anyone. We got three starters for one with the trade. It was a very easy decision to make. I struggle to see why three for one is not seen as a good deal.

As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with how the Patriots view the value of running backs. You should be able to get reasonable performance from less expensive backs. Miller is very talented, and my largest complaint is the coaching staff wasted the value he brought to the team with his rookie contract.