RealDriscoll
Still Perfect.. and You're Not.
The Dolphins were one of those sexy picks coming into the season as one of those teams ready to make a major leap into the upper echelon of teams in the NFL. They added superstar Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall, Defensive stallwart Karlos Dansby, and Mike Nolan who was probably their best acquisition. Tony Sparano needed to make playoffs with these additions and the "hype" surrounding this team. Tony Sparano's Miami Dolphins are a team that shows an obvious lack of detail and their 1-6 record at home has sealed Sparano's fate.
Offensive Coordinator Dan Henning won't be back either as his play calling has been terrible and exposed major weaknesses in his young Quarterback Chad Henne. Owner Stephen Ross wants the Dolphins to be the "main" team in Miami and the truth is that Lebron James going to the Miami Heat changed that drastically. I think the Dolphins will make a splash and go after a "big" name coach ala Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden. That will give "Dolphin Nation" a new sign of optimism and the truth is that this team is far more talent than their record would suggest.
We learned a lot about this team and some players have elevated themselves as a force in this league. Cameron Wake is the name that jumps off the list as he has become the NFL's best pass-rusher and even more impressive has become a force against the run. The Dolphins recently have enetered negotiations regarding an extension with Wake and his agent so this "sack-machine" will be the foundation of a very good Dolphins' defense. ANother guy who turned things around was Paul Soliai who become one of the NFL's best Nose Tackles this season. The Dolphins are talking extension with Soliai as well so these two guys are going anywhere. Karlos Dansby has been as good as advertised and I think he only gets better going forward. Koa Misi has been very impressive as a rookie and I think this guy is the next player to transition from good to an impact player. One player who was played great but I think we lose in free agency is Tony McDaniel. He wants to start and we are loaded at Defensive End with Randy Starks, Kendall Langford, Jared Odrick, and Phillip Merling on board. It would be nice to keep McDaniel as well but it isn't likely. Channing Crowder might not be back as the Dolphins get AJ Edds back from injury and let's face it Crowder and his injury history do no equate with the trash he talks. Our secondary leads the NFL in dropped interceptions with 18 but these kids are young and have played very well. Today wasn't his best day but Vontae Davis is clearly one of the better young Cornerback's in football. Sean Smith has played very well since being put back in the startung lineup. Benny Sapp and Nolan Carroll have played well and will get better. Does Will Allen return? That is a question that is very intriguing. Defensively this team doesn't need much work with the exception of finding another pass-rusher.
The draft and off-season needs to fix our offense with finding a Quarterback being the main priority. Chad Henne had a ton of buzz coming into the season and has been a major disappointment. You can't teach decision making and that is Henne's weakness. We tried to have Chad Pennington save us but his comeback was cut short by injury to say the least. Whether we look at Carson Palmer or Kevin Kolb via trade or go after Matt Hassleback, Kyle Orton, or Michael Vick in free agency it has to be our goal. I would shop Henne and anything better than a 5th rounder I think you make a trade. Donovan McNabb is clearly on his way out of Washington and I think this guy would be an impact player for us. We have the weapons in the passing game with Brandon Marshall showing you earlier today he is an ELITE receiver. Marshalls numbers are down but he missed three games and has had lackluster Quarterback play to say the least. Davone Bess emerged as one of the best slot receivers in football and the Dolphins locked him up long-term. Brian Hartline hushed critics and became our most reliable Receiver. I don't think Marlon Moore or Roberto Wallace stick. Anthony Fasano is solid and we signed him to a two-year extension but we need a #2 who can produce and stretch the middle of the field. I am certain Dedrick Epps, Mickey Shuler, and Jeron Mustrad aren't the guys to do so. McNabb would have instant repoir with Marshall and I think this is the guy we target. We could go via the draft but Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett, and Cam Newton won't b e around when we pick and we don't have time to develop Pat Devlin or Jake Locker.
Our second priority has to be get the right mix of players on the Offensive Line.We are set at Left Tackle for the next decade as Jake Long remains the class of this position but there are a lot of question marks elsewhere. The only starter I am certain will be back if Richie Incognito has he has had a solid season. He won't be expensive to retain and I think he will move to Center. Joe Berger is a back-up. John Jerry is a project and must dedicate himself to the off-season program so he can get stronger. Vernon Carey has many questions surrounding him. Do we keep him at Right Tackle? Do we move him inside to Guard? Do we trade him or release him so we can free up the cash to chase Logan Mankins? I think Carey's days as a Dolphin could be numbered and we may be able to get a 3rd rounder for him. Logan Mankins is going to be on our wish-list as Jeff Ireland was interested in trading for him. I think we pursue him strongly and my gut tells me he will be a Dolphin.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have lost their pop. If Ricky wanted to stay for another season I would consider it but Ronnie Brown hasn't even been an average NFL Running Back this season. My off-season pipe dream would be to get Bill Cowher as our Head Coach, retain Mike Nolan as our Defensive Coordinator, Find a new Offensive Coordinator, Sign Don McNabb and Logan Mankins, Draft Mark Ingram in Round 1, and use the rest of the draft to find a new Right Tackle,Speed-threat Wide Receiver, Tight End, and lock up Soliai and Wake to long term deals.It sounds crazy I know but it is very doable. We should be in great cap shape with Chad Pennington,Jake Grove, Jason Allen, Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and possibly Vernon Carey and Will Allen's contracts no longer being on the books. We could offer Mankins a contract similar to what we paid Jake Grove (or higher and maybe its worth retaining Carey. In a perfect world this lineup would be awesome in my opinion.
QB: Donovan McNabb/Tyler Thigpen
RB: Mark Ingram/Ricky Williams
FB: Lou Polite
TE:Anthony Fasano
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Davone Bess/Brian Hartline
OT: Jake Long
OG: Logan Mankins
OC: Richie Incognito/Joe Berger
OG: John Moffitt/John Jerry
OT: Vernon Carey
K-Dan Capenter
P-Brandon Fields
DE: Randy Starks/ Jared Odrick
DE: Kendall Langford/ Phil Merling
NT: Paul Soliai
ILB: Karlos Dansby
ILB: Channing Crowder/ Aj Edds
OLB: Cameron Wake
OLB: Koa Misi/ Quentin Moses
CB: Vontae Davis/ Will Allen/Nolan Carroll
CB: Sean Smith/Benny Sapp
What are your thoughts, Finheaven? I think the Dolphins losing to the Bills today could have been whats' best for this team going forward. Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, Carson Palmer, McNabb, etc. will have all have their name linked to Miami but I know for sure that Sparano, Henning, and Henne won't be in Miami next season
Offensive Coordinator Dan Henning won't be back either as his play calling has been terrible and exposed major weaknesses in his young Quarterback Chad Henne. Owner Stephen Ross wants the Dolphins to be the "main" team in Miami and the truth is that Lebron James going to the Miami Heat changed that drastically. I think the Dolphins will make a splash and go after a "big" name coach ala Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden. That will give "Dolphin Nation" a new sign of optimism and the truth is that this team is far more talent than their record would suggest.
We learned a lot about this team and some players have elevated themselves as a force in this league. Cameron Wake is the name that jumps off the list as he has become the NFL's best pass-rusher and even more impressive has become a force against the run. The Dolphins recently have enetered negotiations regarding an extension with Wake and his agent so this "sack-machine" will be the foundation of a very good Dolphins' defense. ANother guy who turned things around was Paul Soliai who become one of the NFL's best Nose Tackles this season. The Dolphins are talking extension with Soliai as well so these two guys are going anywhere. Karlos Dansby has been as good as advertised and I think he only gets better going forward. Koa Misi has been very impressive as a rookie and I think this guy is the next player to transition from good to an impact player. One player who was played great but I think we lose in free agency is Tony McDaniel. He wants to start and we are loaded at Defensive End with Randy Starks, Kendall Langford, Jared Odrick, and Phillip Merling on board. It would be nice to keep McDaniel as well but it isn't likely. Channing Crowder might not be back as the Dolphins get AJ Edds back from injury and let's face it Crowder and his injury history do no equate with the trash he talks. Our secondary leads the NFL in dropped interceptions with 18 but these kids are young and have played very well. Today wasn't his best day but Vontae Davis is clearly one of the better young Cornerback's in football. Sean Smith has played very well since being put back in the startung lineup. Benny Sapp and Nolan Carroll have played well and will get better. Does Will Allen return? That is a question that is very intriguing. Defensively this team doesn't need much work with the exception of finding another pass-rusher.
The draft and off-season needs to fix our offense with finding a Quarterback being the main priority. Chad Henne had a ton of buzz coming into the season and has been a major disappointment. You can't teach decision making and that is Henne's weakness. We tried to have Chad Pennington save us but his comeback was cut short by injury to say the least. Whether we look at Carson Palmer or Kevin Kolb via trade or go after Matt Hassleback, Kyle Orton, or Michael Vick in free agency it has to be our goal. I would shop Henne and anything better than a 5th rounder I think you make a trade. Donovan McNabb is clearly on his way out of Washington and I think this guy would be an impact player for us. We have the weapons in the passing game with Brandon Marshall showing you earlier today he is an ELITE receiver. Marshalls numbers are down but he missed three games and has had lackluster Quarterback play to say the least. Davone Bess emerged as one of the best slot receivers in football and the Dolphins locked him up long-term. Brian Hartline hushed critics and became our most reliable Receiver. I don't think Marlon Moore or Roberto Wallace stick. Anthony Fasano is solid and we signed him to a two-year extension but we need a #2 who can produce and stretch the middle of the field. I am certain Dedrick Epps, Mickey Shuler, and Jeron Mustrad aren't the guys to do so. McNabb would have instant repoir with Marshall and I think this is the guy we target. We could go via the draft but Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett, and Cam Newton won't b e around when we pick and we don't have time to develop Pat Devlin or Jake Locker.
Our second priority has to be get the right mix of players on the Offensive Line.We are set at Left Tackle for the next decade as Jake Long remains the class of this position but there are a lot of question marks elsewhere. The only starter I am certain will be back if Richie Incognito has he has had a solid season. He won't be expensive to retain and I think he will move to Center. Joe Berger is a back-up. John Jerry is a project and must dedicate himself to the off-season program so he can get stronger. Vernon Carey has many questions surrounding him. Do we keep him at Right Tackle? Do we move him inside to Guard? Do we trade him or release him so we can free up the cash to chase Logan Mankins? I think Carey's days as a Dolphin could be numbered and we may be able to get a 3rd rounder for him. Logan Mankins is going to be on our wish-list as Jeff Ireland was interested in trading for him. I think we pursue him strongly and my gut tells me he will be a Dolphin.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have lost their pop. If Ricky wanted to stay for another season I would consider it but Ronnie Brown hasn't even been an average NFL Running Back this season. My off-season pipe dream would be to get Bill Cowher as our Head Coach, retain Mike Nolan as our Defensive Coordinator, Find a new Offensive Coordinator, Sign Don McNabb and Logan Mankins, Draft Mark Ingram in Round 1, and use the rest of the draft to find a new Right Tackle,Speed-threat Wide Receiver, Tight End, and lock up Soliai and Wake to long term deals.It sounds crazy I know but it is very doable. We should be in great cap shape with Chad Pennington,Jake Grove, Jason Allen, Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, and possibly Vernon Carey and Will Allen's contracts no longer being on the books. We could offer Mankins a contract similar to what we paid Jake Grove (or higher and maybe its worth retaining Carey. In a perfect world this lineup would be awesome in my opinion.
QB: Donovan McNabb/Tyler Thigpen
RB: Mark Ingram/Ricky Williams
FB: Lou Polite
TE:Anthony Fasano
WR: Brandon Marshall
WR: Davone Bess/Brian Hartline
OT: Jake Long
OG: Logan Mankins
OC: Richie Incognito/Joe Berger
OG: John Moffitt/John Jerry
OT: Vernon Carey
K-Dan Capenter
P-Brandon Fields
DE: Randy Starks/ Jared Odrick
DE: Kendall Langford/ Phil Merling
NT: Paul Soliai
ILB: Karlos Dansby
ILB: Channing Crowder/ Aj Edds
OLB: Cameron Wake
OLB: Koa Misi/ Quentin Moses
CB: Vontae Davis/ Will Allen/Nolan Carroll
CB: Sean Smith/Benny Sapp
What are your thoughts, Finheaven? I think the Dolphins losing to the Bills today could have been whats' best for this team going forward. Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, Carson Palmer, McNabb, etc. will have all have their name linked to Miami but I know for sure that Sparano, Henning, and Henne won't be in Miami next season
