Nothing Else Matters Until We Draft Well

[Russ57]

This team has to overcome a long history of drafting poorly. This will take time. To make matters even worse the few players we have drafted with potential have been malcontents, cancers, lazy, and/or unwilling to learn the playbook and stay on script. It doesn't matter who the coach is until this is fixed.

Many here want the entire roster blown up. Yet when Gase does what he can to purge the roster of these types of players, out come the posters who claim his ego and inability to develop talent and deal with difficult personalities are the problem. You can’t have it both ways.

Jake Long was the last true difference maker I can recall. From day one he was lock-down and nobody had to worry about blindside protection. Many fans were mad with the pick because they used hindsight to say we should have drafter Matt Ryan. We made the right choice then but haven’t made many afterwards.

Now in all fairness we appear to be drafting better lately. Only time will tell. Minkah looks to be a difference maker. Lord I pray Gesicki will be as well.

Paradoxically, we have typically done okay on later round picks. If we can continue that trend, and start drafting pro bowlers with our first two picks, the ship can be righted.

 

[pjcab]

Great players make even so-so coaches look good. The poor drafting and evaluation of talent has been what has brought this franchise down.

 

[dolfan91]

This is the part that terrifies me. What seems to look good on paper rarely pans out. Miami may have lucked into Jeremy Tunsil when he dropped and swinging a trade to land Howard in round 2. Both look like they are about to become pro bowlers. In 2017 they swung and seemingly missed on Harris. McMillan looks to need a bit more time to get acclimated to the pros and recover from his injury. Tankersley may become a bust, but that remains to be seen? Godchaux and Taylor may be what saves this draft class. The jury is still out on the 2018 draft class, but the early returns on Fitzpatrick are solid and looks like he'll become a fixture in the defense. Gesicki needs more time to develop, but am encouraged by his effort and ability, when he's actually caught the ball. The biggest surprise is Baker, who's been all over the field. He's very instinctive and speedy. I was not a fan, due to his lack of size, but his play has made me a huge fan. He's only going to get better with experience. The drafts from 2015 and prior are the ones that may set this franchise back. There's really nothing to show for a few of them. So yeah Miami needs to hit more on more draftees!! Not just a few here and there.

 

[johngarryvo]

3 things needed to 'truly change the culture' in Miami.

• get rid of Tannenbaum and the Czar of Football Ops position, period.
• appoint a GM (Grier possibly), and give him full control.
• DO NOT ALLOW Gase (or whoever is HC), control of the 53.

 

[Adam Strange]

The poor drafting and evaluation of talent has been what has brought this franchise down.

That’s been happening for decades now. Just compare the early 90s Bills, stocked with Hall of Famers on both sides of the ball, with the Dolphins teams of the same era. It’s actually amazing that Marino and Co. were competitive at all.

 

[Danny]

This team has to overcome a long history of drafting poorly. This will take time. To make matters even worse the few players we have drafted with potential have been malcontents, cancers, lazy, and/or unwilling to learn the playbook and stay on script. It doesn't matter who the coach is until this is fixed.

Many here want the entire roster blown up. Yet when Gase does what he can to purge the roster of these types of players, out come the posters who claim his ego and inability to develop talent and deal with difficult personalities are the problem. You can’t have it both ways.

Jake Long was the last true difference maker I can recall. From day one he was lock-down and nobody had to worry about blindside protection. Many fans were mad with the pick because they used hindsight to say we should have drafter Matt Ryan. We made the right choice then but haven’t made many afterwards.

Now in all fairness we appear to be drafting better lately. Only time will tell. Minkah looks to be a difference maker. Lord I pray Gesicki will be as well.

Paradoxically, we have typically done okay on later round picks. If we can continue that trend, and start drafting pro bowlers with our first two picks, the ship can be righted.

So you think a LT was a 'difference maker?.......that mentality is the reason we've been drafting bad for so long.

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

 

[Adam Strange]

We made the right choice then . . . .

You make some obvious points, but this is hardly self-evident. I’ll take my chances with the franchise QB at the top of the draft while selecting a left tackle later as opposed to the Parcells strategy of drafting a left tackle at number 1 and pairing him with a project QB that got us nowhere.

 

[Geordie]

As good as Jake Long was for that brief period, pointless having a pro bowl LT when you are protecting Chad Henne et al. Joe Thomas and the Browns, case in point.

We need to get our QB right, first and foremost, if that means next year giving up a lot to get him, then so be it. Get him in place then ass the pieces around.

 

[Dolphins81]

As good as Jake Long was for that brief period, pointless having a pro bowl LT when you are protecting Chad Henne et al. Joe Thomas and the Browns, case in point.

We need to get our QB right, first and foremost, if that means next year giving up a lot to get him, then so be it. Get him in place then *** the pieces around.

Not many QBs in this next draft unfortunately.

 

[artdnj]

Until we do something well especially on O we will be an 7 or 8 win team and nothing more. We have no oline and that's key.

 

[Geordie]

Not many QBs in this next draft unfortunately.

I like Will Grier, I really do, should never have been allowed to leave the Gators. Think that kid could make it in this league. I'm not too clued in on the rest of the class though.

 

[DolfanISS]

So you think a LT was a 'difference maker?.......that mentality is the reason we've been drafting bad for so long.

I know it hurts and it's not like he's the best of all time but Matt Ryan was absolutely the right pick in 2008. At the time I liked the Long pick because I thought with Ricky and Ronnie bolstering the offensive line was the best way to win right away and I was kind of right. That was short sighted. Not sure what Matt Ryan would have been in Miami, maybe he'd be out of the league or maybe he'd have an SB ring we'll never know. Either way that he was the right pick and we f'ed it up.

 

[superphin]

Not 4 months ago people were discussing our drafts being solid the last 3 years. Opinions change with the seasons I guess.

 

[DolfinJohnNY]

I like Will Grier, I really do, should never have been allowed to leave the Gators. Think that kid could make it in this league. I'm not too clued in on the rest of the class though.

As a western NYer, I'd like to offer up one Eric(?) DUNGY from Syracuse. I'm thinking semi-mid rounds kind of "prospect". The kid has a lot going for him. A tough as nails competitor.

Anyone else seen him play & can add anything to my perspective?