If we sign Smith to as big a contract as the rumors say we are than there isn't really a point taking a QB in the first round. If you're gonna pay Smith to be a franchise QB than put pieces around him.
There has been a huge difference in NFL contracts in the last two years.
Before the lockout and new CBA, first rounders could eat a lot of your salary cap, forcing a team to start them.
Today the CBA lowers the impact of first round contracts, allowing a talented rookie to hold a clipboard until he's ready or his team gets out of contending options. That will change the way every NFL team is picking.
Dolphins simply are the stinky guys of the NFL. Nobody wants to be related to this team, and the list of guys passing of joining this team is larger each day:
- Jim Harbaugh opted for San Francisco after owner Ross made the incorrect act of offering him to coach a team while Sparano still was coaching.
- Ryan Clark took a paycut and stayed in Pittsburgh.
- Jeff Fisher used this team to increase his value and finally signed with St Louis.
- Peyton Manning refused to interview with Dolphins until Marino begged him to hear the team. A few days later, Peyton called Miami to announce they were out of contention for his services.
- Now Matt Flynn fells this team is less promising than Seattle and goes NW.
Jeff Ireland is viewed as "Not a good guy making decisions". He insulted a potential player calling him mother a "prostitute". He has lacked of any class by cutting fan favorites like Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Brandon Marshall proving incapable of handling age/discipline issues.
While Redskins chose to trade up even I think they gave up too much to Rams, in a move that could allow them to build a serious franchise for the next decade. Miami can't find a way to solidify the passing game.
Miami was dreaming on Peyton Manning, who has proved he's ready to come back and his new team will be a contender. But he wasn't willing to play for this FO.
After this team passed on crucial 2011 QB prospect Ryan Mallet and now seem uncommitted to any free agent. Ireland is acting as he would like to start Matt Moore. I don't think Philbin shares the feeling. Ireland is a guy who underestimates most passers in a passing league. He hates to overpay and he's the only one able to establish the price, in his mind everybody is paying a fortune for a QB.
Mr. Ross don't know how to handle several football aspects.
Both are hurting this team.