Ross calls to hire you for the GM job...

[AllFinsAllDay]

The team’s glaring issue all year has been its maturity. We have a well-disciplined team (few penalties) but we’ve been extremely inconsistent. We’ve beaten NE, SD, PIT, IND, CIN but had inexplicable losses to teams like TB, BUF (twice) and the Jets. The Incognito scandal showed a lack of internal control and the late season collapse would never have happened if we had veteran leadership in place.

Teams often take on the persona of their head coaches. The image of Rex Ryan chest bumping with his players while Philibin remained stoic and emotionless on the sidelines will be engrained in my memory for some time. Philibin is more of a “thinker” – he’s not a bad coach, just not a player’s coach. You have to draw emotion from somewhere and the pulse of the team just seemed to die in the final weeks.

With that being said my head coaching wish list is a short one. Jay Gruden would be my top choice and maybe Lovie Smith as a backup plan. I’ve been a fan of Jay since his days with the Predators. He’s passionate, offensive minded, his players love him, and he’ll go to any lengths to win. He’ll have a HC job in the NFL next year (if he wants it); only question that remains is where? I’d stay away from all college coaches and John Gruden and Bill Cowher are staying put so I’m not even considering them. If I can’t have anyone from my wish list then I would consider sticking with Philibin for one more year and seeing where the road ends.

Once the HC is in place we sit down and talk about the rest of the staff. Changes need to be made and Sherman will likely be the scapegoat. He’s in over his head and many players seemed to complain about his play calling all season long. Defensive scheme needs to be more aggressive and more fundamentally sound. We have to figure out a way to get more production from our LBs (they’ve been horrid this year). I’d expect to see a shakeup in the coaching staff regardless of whether Philibin stays on as HC.

QB – The top free agents are Cutler, Vick, McCown and Freeman but none of them are worth the money. The college QBs coming out do not excite me. Tannehill is the best option and has shown me enough to stick with him for at least another year (maybe even until his contract is up).

RBs, WRs, TEs – I’m not satisfied with our current RB situation. We need a veteran RB but the top free agents (Moreno and Tate) will be pricey. I like MJD and McFadden but they’re too injury prone. Perhaps a guy like Mendenhall would fit the bill but I would more likely look toward the draft. We also need a tall possession receiver. Boldin would be wonderful but he won’t come cheap. I’d rather invest that type of money in a large/athletic TE and give Tannehill another nice security blanket to throw to.

OL – Absolutely this is my top area of need. Albert, Monroe, and Slauson would be at the top of my wish list. We’ll need to sign at least one of these guys. I’m not warm on the idea of moving Pouncey to guard. He’s a Pro Bowl center and that’s where I’d like to keep him. Would draft heavily on the OL in 2014. We’re going to need more help then we can likely find in just one offseason.

DL – Need to decide who to let go here (Starks or Soliai). Can’t afford them both so I’d probably let Starks go. We have enough young talent on the DL so I think we’ll be fine here.

LBs – Wish I could get a “redo” in this area but I think we’re stuck with our current guys. Guess we better figure out how to make the most of what we have. Anthony Spencer and Brandon Spikes might be worth a look but we may have to look to the draft again. Hopefully we can adjust our defensive scheme and make better use of what we have. I’m concerned about this position going into next year.

DBs- Lock up Grimes ASAP. Don’t even let him hit the open market. We have enough CBs on this team already so investing money/draft picks doesn’t make a lot of sense. Patterson may be a cap casualty but we should be able to find/develop somebody on the current roster. Should be OK here.

Special Teams – Decisions were already made this year. Have to live with them. Hopefully Sturgis improves in year 2. No major changes here.

Adding Veterans – Since we’ll be watching the playoffs from home this year I’ll be keeping an eye out for second tier players and experienced veterans that we can sign to short term contracts. Teams like SF, NO, Seattle and Denver are bursting at the seams with talent and if we can pluck a few players here and there it can only benefit us. Looking for value players that can fill areas of need and not break the bank.

The 2013 Fins had talent but were lacking in both leadership and maturity. We have a lot of good young players but nobody to mentor them and teach them how to be professionals. They lacked passion and emotion and were never held accountable for their mistakes (which has led to inconstancy and controversy). “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions” – (Harold S Geneen). Hopefully they’ll use this season as motivation and bring more attitude to the field in 2014. Hope you enjoyed the read.

Sensible and rational kind of refreshing Kudos.

 

[ProStyle]

Brian Xanders 2009-2012 GM with the Broncos:

During his tenure as the Broncos’ general manager, Broncos won the AFC West Division for the last two years (2011-2012), where 55/61 players (90%) were acquired through the draft, free agency or re-signed during his tenure as GM. Denver became only the third team since the 1970 NFL merger to win its division and a playoff game with a new head coach following four wins the previous season.
The Broncos executed high-producing NFL Draft classes over the last three years, which finished #1 in the NFL in playtime and #2 in games started during 2010-12. There were nine primary starters from those draft classes, including three Pro Bowl players: LB Von Miller, WR Demaryius Thomas and OG Zane Beadles. The opening day roster of the 2013 Broncos had 18/25 starters from the draft classes from 2008-2012. There were also eight other Pro Bowl players who were acquired, signed or extended during his tenure: QB Peyton Manning (FA, 2012), SS Brian Dawkins (UFA, 2009–11), WR Brandon Lloyd (FA, 2009–11), RB Willis McGahee (FA, 2011), CB Champ Bailey (re-signed, 2011), DE Elvis Dumervil (re-signed, 2010), WR Brandon Marshall (re-signed, 2010), and OT Ryan Clady (1st round, 2008).

 

[PhinFan in RI]

This is an asinine statement. You do not exclude every other race of people to hire a black GM. You hire the most qualified guy for the position, irregardless of the color of his skin. I think the players will respect anyone that is competent and doing well at his job. But I definitely can not stomach another season with our coaching staff and FO.

you lost me at "irregardless"

That beign said, i agree we could benefit from a black person in a solid front office or coaching position here. Doesnt have to be if there are more qualified people out there, but i think it could be a good idea.

 

[spiketex]

I'm with you. I want Tim tebow to be our qb, at least that kid brings heart and a will to win not many have. He would bring hope to our team. The fanbase would love him cuz of his heart. I would rather lose with tebow then these sry bunch of passionless robots.

Goonies - when you recommend Tebow as the solution are you aware that he has a ridiculously low pass completion percentage (less than 50%) or do you embrace him because of his evangelical christian network.
The reality is that Tim Tebow is more toxic than any other footballer in the NFL because of the circus that travels with him. Isn't it funny how good Denver has become after Elway sent the circus onto New York Jets. Isn't it funny how Rex made progress this year with limited talent, once the circus left town.
Belichick was smart enough to not let the circus put up the tent.

 

[DKphin]

--Kenny Britt (a one year type deal only. This guy has HUGE talent but is ****ing up his way out of the league. If properly motivated, he's as good as they come.)

Never sign Britt. He is hurt all the time and couple that with a bad attitude, you have a trainwreck waiting to happen. Why would you think that he would ever change with all the opportunity he has had in Tenn? The guy has been stealing pay checks ever since he has been in the league.

 

[TheWalrus]

Never sign Britt. He is hurt all the time and couple that with a bad attitude, you have a trainwreck waiting to happen. Why would you think that he would ever change with all the opportunity he has had in Tenn? The guy has been stealing pay checks ever since he has been in the league.

Britt isn't lazy, he just hasn't figured out how to get out of his own way. This is a guy who loves football so much he used to sleep in his pads before big games at Rutgers.

Anyway, it's a typical boom/bust signing. You don't get the opportunity to sign a talent like Kenny Britt for the league minimum unless there are some pretty significant risks involved.

 

[DaLionsden189]

I think the whole offense lost confidence in him

 

[GEORGIA FIN]

I would let it go to voicemail.

 

[BahamaFinFan78]

Here are the FA you have to make decisions on:
Grimes
Soliai
Starks
Clemons
Carroll
McKinnie
Jerry
Keller
Spilter
Clabo
Incognito
Restricted Free Agents:
Devlin
Yeatman
Standford
Watkins
Exclusive Rights Free Agents:
Binns
Freeny

 

[phinfan40353]

I'm pulling out the "We Are Marshall" playbook and driving to Tony Dungy's house. I'm standing on his door step until he lets me in. I'm staying in his house until he accepts the job.

Then I'm driving back to the stadium and turning on every light in the facility. I am going to my favorite sky box. As I gaze over the field, I crack open a can and wait patiently knowing I am about to witness a real football team being built.

My job is done.