Pats & Dolphins Comparison

[Da 'Fins]

How is it the Patriots win 3 SB's, continue to dominate the division and could have gone to and won the SB again this year - yet, still have $2 million more under the cap than the Dolphins going into the off-season and, despite several more cuts by the 'Phins, the Pats are extremely aggressive in free agency - getting the top front 7 player in free agency; then signing Welker (evidently to a relatively good contract)? On top of that the Dolphins have lost one key position free agent (LT) and arguably their best special teams player and 3rd down RB (Sammy Morris).

In fact, the Dolphins are in the worst cap shape of any team in the division.

Go ahead and say that this is panicking or it's too early to complain. I realize that we could have a shot at Porter and if he does sign with us it will be significant (however, his play has tailed off the past year). But, we did miss out on most of the top level O-Linemen. And, we have no starting LDE, plus we've lost significant depth at DT.

The reality is, the Dolphins have had bad management the past several years. I'm not tired of the team but I'm growing tired of the bad running of the team. Though Huizenga is a class man and clearly wants to win, regardless of his desires, he's been a bad owner. His leadership just hasn't been effective (in terms of team involvement and/or front office hiring).

 

[Geforce]

How can the Pats be in better cap position than us? That's an easy question to answer. Until this year, they didn't pay through the teeth to keep their veterans. If you remember, they let both Ty Law and Willie McGinest leave instead of paying them "market" value. The Pats have done this year after year.

This year is the only year where they have been his active this early in free agency or spend the kind of money they have.

Non and I do mean non of the OL that received those huge contracts are worth it and I for one am glad we didn't overspend for them. Sure I would like to have signed Dielman but he felt it was better for him to stay in SD.

I guess you forgot about Matt Roth. He was Carter's understudy the past 2 season and I think he's ready to take over.

For the first time in recent memory, we have a true GM who knows how to build a team. He helped both Seattle New Orleans return to respectability and I think he can do that here.

 

[NYC#1finsfan]

How is it the Patriots win 3 SB's, continue to dominate the division and could have gone to and won the SB again this year - yet, still have $2 million more under the cap than the Dolphins going into the off-season and, despite several more cuts by the 'Phins, the Pats are extremely aggressive in free agency - getting the top front 7 player in free agency; then signing Welker (evidently to a relatively good contract)? On top of that the Dolphins have lost one key position free agent (LT) and arguably their best special teams player and 3rd down RB (Sammy Morris).

In fact, the Dolphins are in the worst cap shape of any team in the division.

Go ahead and say that this is panicking or it's too early to complain. I realize that we could have a shot at Porter and if he does sign with us it will be significant (however, his play has tailed off the past year). But, we did miss out on most of the top level O-Linemen. And, we have no starting LDE, plus we've lost significant depth at DT.

The reality is, the Dolphins have had bad management the past several years. I'm not tired of the team but I'm growing tired of the bad running of the team. Though Huizenga is a class man and clearly wants to win, regardless of his desires, he's been a bad owner. His leadership just hasn't been effective (in terms of team involvement and/or front office hiring).

I agree, this team has turned into a laughingstock. On top of that nobody seems to want to play for us. The coaching turnover certainly didn't help anything. The age discrepancy on the team is also way out of whack with a defense that is old and capable at a title run and an offense that is nowhere near a title run. I believe that it is time to re-build and stock up as many draft picks as possible and begin to make a run at a title in 3-4 years. I don't believe that we are just a few key signings away from challenging for anything.

 

[satz]

I think this whole this year FA is over blown,

from a pure % of cap the colvin contract is still the biggest.when colvin signed it was 6.4 % of the cap and now adaius thomas is 5.4 % of cap .so its not even the biggest one dished out.

If you take him out then they have signed morris,kyle brady and wes walker if they get him.


as far as cap goes they had 30 million for this year but they make different contract style than most NFL teams.most contracts are front loaded so once they pay 2-3 yrs the numbers drop drastically hence veterans are cheaper and can finish their contracts. - this year they signing a 20 million dollar contract with dan koppen but with a 8 million signing bonus his number toward cap number decrease after 3 years.same for brady and seymour their cap numbers are going down from this year and brady gets to 5 million and stay their.

 

[IluvJuMiami]

How is it the Patriots win 3 SB's, continue to dominate the division and could have gone to and won the SB again this year - yet, still have $2 million more under the cap than the Dolphins going into the off-season and, despite several more cuts by the 'Phins, the Pats are extremely aggressive in free agency - getting the top front 7 player in free agency; then signing Welker (evidently to a relatively good contract)? On top of that the Dolphins have lost one key position free agent (LT) and arguably their best special teams player and 3rd down RB (Sammy Morris).

In fact, the Dolphins are in the worst cap shape of any team in the division.

Go ahead and say that this is panicking or it's too early to complain. I realize that we could have a shot at Porter and if he does sign with us it will be significant (however, his play has tailed off the past year). But, we did miss out on most of the top level O-Linemen. And, we have no starting LDE, plus we've lost significant depth at DT.

The reality is, the Dolphins have had bad management the past several years. I'm not tired of the team but I'm growing tired of the bad running of the team. Though Huizenga is a class man and clearly wants to win, regardless of his desires, he's been a bad owner. His leadership just hasn't been effective (in terms of team involvement and/or front office hiring).

Scott Pioli

 

[Canadianfishfan]

Laughing stock? well my friend.. the only way to not become a laughing stock is to manage your team properly and not overpay for players so when you need key acquisitions you can. I can't remember the last time a SB winning team was built through free agency. Stop crying because the Phins aren't splashed all over the media... I would prefer to be a sleeper team that competes with some hunger.

 

[PhinFan0202]

Scott Pioli

:yeahthat:

They also have a habit of being able to win with Subpar talent which is something that we have tried for years with nothing to show for it.

 

[emocomputerjock]

:yeahthat:

They also have a habit of being able to win with Subpar talent which is something that we have tried for years with nothing to show for it.

It helps that they have depth signed to long-term contracts, which we don't have because we've been giving away draft picks for no benefit for 7 years now...

 

[ncdolfan]

Also helps to have Tom Brady on that team - he makes so many of their guys better. Having a guy like that on your team gives you the flexibility to let high-priced veterans go. Look at what they had last year at wide receiver and they were 2 minutes from going to the Super Bowl.

There's no doubt the Dolphins have been "mis-managed" the last few years, but there are a lot of other teams looking up to what the Patriots have done as well.

 

[Da 'Fins]

Laughing stock? well my friend.. the only way to not become a laughing stock is to manage your team properly and not overpay for players so when you need key acquisitions you can. I can't remember the last time a SB winning team was built through free agency. Stop crying because the Phins aren't splashed all over the media... I would prefer to be a sleeper team that competes with some hunger.

There is some truth to the fact that free agency is often a killer. But, the reality is, New England is a winning team that, as long as their key guys remain healthy, will win the division and dominate the Dolphins, with respect to overall record, again next year.

They also have made some significant splashes in accumulating veteran talent (via free agency; trades; etc.) that have made big contributions to SB teams and competitive playoff teams (like last year). The point in free agency is finding just the right guy to shore up a key weakness and structure the contract correctly.

They are able to do that. Miami is not. What I find interesting is how so many fans feel they know the scoop on free agency and that the Dolphins should largely stay out of it (in stark contrast to the Scott Pioli's of the world).

The Dolphins are still hyped in the news for three reasons: Don Shula's SB winning teams; Dan Marino; and South Florida. Beyond that, the franchise has had as much chance at winning a SB in the last decade as the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions.

 

[Da 'Fins]

How can the Pats be in better cap position than us? That's an easy question to answer. Until this year, they didn't pay through the teeth to keep their veterans. If you remember, they let both Ty Law and Willie McGinest leave instead of paying them "market" value. The Pats have done this year after year.

This year is the only year where they have been his active this early in free agency or spend the kind of money they have.

Non and I do mean non of the OL that received those huge contracts are worth it and I for one am glad we didn't overspend for them. Sure I would like to have signed Dielman but he felt it was better for him to stay in SD.

I guess you forgot about Matt Roth. He was Carter's understudy the past 2 season and I think he's ready to take over.

For the first time in recent memory, we have a true GM who knows how to build a team. He helped both Seattle New Orleans return to respectability and I think he can do that here.

Good points. I am very happy that we have a GM and I wish we'd sign Meuller to a long term deal. To be honest, I don't think Miami has ever had a true GM, period. The closest to that was Beathard in the 70's. Even then, Shula was the man and remained that way. Then JJ came in and while he had decent GM skills in some areas, the coach/GM model didn't work.

I did forget about Roth. He should be solid. I would like us to pick up more depth as we'll be losing 3-4 guys.

I'm also excited about the youth movement - though Porter goes in the opposite direction there. Not being totally skeptical (though my post did sound that way). But, I would hope we can build a good team over time.

The reality is, Huizenga needs to stop thinking, "Get the right leader in here and we'll win now," and start thinking, "Rebuild the franchise."

 

[Ronski_doodle]

Tom Brady, stability at QB has given NE the luxury to draft BPA.
Bellicheck is known as a genius, but don't ask the people in Cleveland.
Players win games, Not Tony Dungy, players win.
We can't get the playes, when we give away picks to fill a need.
We need to keep all our picks and draft the best player available in each round. We will begin to fill our needs with the best players available.