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Thoughts on the Dolphins to date?

dabeastdabone

dabeastdabone

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What we know now is?

Dallas Thomas might not actually be a bust, he was injured last year (how was that not mentioned anywhere I recall?). So we actually might have a guard ready to go. This makes our line possible, could be, a shot in the dark at not sucking. I'm going to go out on a limb and say they didn't beat the bushes harder in FA to pick up another guy because they felt okay with him (Thomas). What about the rumors about Incognito coming back? Do we see drafting a lineman in the first two rounds? I don't, I think about a 25% chance they do draft one, a sure fire guy yeah but there won't be one remaining at 19.

Signing Moreno means maybe not so much need at RB? However I don't know if the Dolphins filled a play-maker need between RB and WR. Moreno is solid and cheap. I see him more as our Keven Faulk and not our Cory Dillon. I still think the RB position is in better shape than the passing game in whole given what the NFL is at this time and date. Although I am exited of the prospect of bringing in Tre Mason (in the second) I think Mike Evans would be a better choice in the first round, I don't see them going WR in the 1st and RB in the second.

I'm gonna say it again. We lost two games each of the last two years due to missed make-able field goals. If we had a good/very good kicker we would of make the playoffs last year. Nobody want's to spend a second thinking about improving your kicker but everyone wants to put Tannehill under a microscope. We need to get a consistent/good kicker or we will continue to lose the close ones. I've been patient with Philbin and a supporter but if we lose one game this year due to our kicker missing a field goal that is made 95% of the time and miss the playoffs because of "that game" I'm done with him. You should learn after losing 4 games in your 2 years due to missed make-able field goals.

Corners. I think Finnegin was a reach and there where better options out there. Most people think this was the worst offseason move for the Dolphins. The signing is uncharacteristic given the Dolphins have shown to be frugal, they over-payed for Finnegin in most peoples opinion.

Thought on the state of the team?
 
In terms of state of the team at this moment, I think we are the 2nd best team in the division and still hovering in the 7-9 to 9-7 range. We're still a solid team that can beat anybody, but still not enough talent compared to the really good teams.
 
we will go as far as Ryan Tannehill takes this team. We were contending for the playoffs last year, and we have no reason as to why we can't do it again this year. Get us in, and win.
 
dabeastdabone said:
What we know now is?

Dallas Thomas might not actually be a bust, he was injured last year (how was that not mentioned anywhere I recall?). So we actually might have a guard ready to go. This makes our line possible, could be, a shot in the dark at not sucking. I'm going to go out on a limb and say they didn't beat the bushes harder in FA to pick up another guy because they felt okay with him (Thomas). What about the rumors about Incognito coming back? Do we see drafting a lineman in the first two rounds? I don't, I think about a 25% chance they do draft one, a sure fire guy yeah but there won't be one remaining at 19.

Signing Moreno means maybe not so much need at RB? However I don't know if the Dolphins filled a play-maker need between RB and WR. Moreno is solid and cheap. I see him more as our Keven Faulk and not our Cory Dillon. I still think the RB position is in better shape than the passing game in whole given what the NFL is at this time and date. Although I am exited of the prospect of bringing in Tre Mason (in the second) I think Mike Evans would be a better choice in the first round, I don't see them going WR in the 1st and RB in the second.

I'm gonna say it again. We lost two games each of the last two years due to missed make-able field goals. If we had a good/very good kicker we would of make the playoffs last year. Nobody want's to spend a second thinking about improving your kicker but everyone wants to put Tannehill under a microscope. We need to get a consistent/good kicker or we will continue to lose the close ones. I've been patient with Philbin and a supporter but if we lose one game this year due to our kicker missing a field goal that is made 95% of the time and miss the playoffs because of "that game" I'm done with him. You should learn after losing 4 games in your 2 years due to missed make-able field goals.

Corners. I think Finnegin was a reach and there where better options out there. Most people think this was the worst offseason move for the Dolphins. The signing is uncharacteristic given the Dolphins have shown to be frugal, they over-payed for Finnegin in most peoples opinion.

Thought on the state of the team?
Click to expand...

I agree on Dallas Thomas and that it likely has some bearing on their thinking. I don't agree on the draft however, we still need more potential starters to compete on the line and would say it's 75-90% chance an O-lineman is drafted in the first two rounds.

I do see a scenario where no worthy lineman are there at 19 and we draft Mosely, Ebron, or even Evans......but in that scenario I would expect to see a Right tackle drafted in round 2. (Richardson, Morgan or Billy Turner possibly).

I don't agree on Finnegan....he is the type of player we need on this team to instill some attitude and mentor the younger corners...Like Dallas Thomas this is a guy who was injured last year and was man enough to play through a orbital injury that blurred his vision and hampered his play.

Not sure why some Dolphin fans who saw the success of Brent Grimes resurrection in Miami after injury in Atlanta would not be on board for Cortland Finnegan?

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 PM ----------
russianbear said:
we will go as far as Ryan Tannehill takes this team. We were contending for the playoffs last year, and we have no reason as to why we can't do it again this year. Get us in, and win.
Click to expand...

If we fix the Line and middle linebacker...this team can contend in my estimation.
 
I never thought Dallas Thomas was a bust, and I'm assuming he's contributing this year.

The O line is going to be a work in progress, until such time they prove otherwise, it's that simple.

What I think about last year's 8-8 record is that we should have actually lost more games based on how our offense underperformed. The defense kept us in some games and without Brent Grimes you are definitely under .500. We had a fast 3-0 start, but look at the teams we beat. Two of them were teams on the skids and ended up with 4-12 records.

Know what you are, otherwise you can't improve. The Dolphins now know what they are. What I like about the FA moves on offense, is that there was no over-reaching, no guessing. Think about the pickups before. We wondered, will Wallace fit, will Keller stay healthy, will Gibson be a bust? This time around, we are cautious. We pick up a LT we should have signed before, who is a great fit. We take the blinders off in regards to Lamar Miller and realize we need a proven, all-purpose back so we sign Moreno. We get rid of the deadwood and start filling in the O line. We realize part of the problem with the O line was not the players, but the scheme which they didn't seem to learn. Enter coach Benton. So...we're doing all we can, for now.
 
HoneyB said:
I never thought Dallas Thomas was a bust, and I'm assuming he's contributing this year.

The O line is going to be a work in progress, until such time they prove otherwise, it's that simple.

What I think about last year's 8-8 record is that we should have actually lost more games based on how our offense underperformed. The defense kept us in some games and without Brent Grimes you are definitely under .500. We had a fast 3-0 start, but look at the teams we beat. Two of them were teams on the skids and ended up with 4-12 records.

Know what you are, otherwise you can't improve. The Dolphins now know what they are. What I like about the FA moves on offense, is that there was no over-reaching, no guessing. Think about the pickups before. We wondered, will Wallace fit, will Keller stay healthy, will Gibson be a bust? This time around, we are cautious. We pick up a LT we should have signed before, who is a great fit. We take the blinders off in regards to Lamar Miller and realize we need a proven, all-purpose back so we sign Moreno. We get rid of the deadwood and start filling in the O line. We realize part of the problem with the O line was not the players, but the scheme which they didn't seem to learn. Enter coach Benton. So...we're doing all we can, for now.
Click to expand...

Strongly disagree on the quality of the players we had on the O-line last year............Martin was a bust....Brenner is a journeyman backup at best, Jerry was mediocre and Clabo was an average lineman who is now declining.

With Incognito gone.....this team needed 4 new starters on the O-line...We got one for sure and one maybe so far. There will be at least two O-lineman drafted you can bank on it.
 
I see it the other way HoneyB. I think of the games we lost on Defense....or poor line play and I think we should have had 11 wins at a minimum. The Bucs game, the Ravens game and Buffalo game 1 are all games we should have won in my opinion. Also, the defense let the Panthers March right down the field at the end of that game to steal that one at the end.

No question the offense cost us some games as well (who can forget Buffalo #2 and Jets #2) and the Saints game was on both the offense and the defense.

In my opinion....the offense was fair, but one dimentional. Teams didn't have to fear our run game so they were able to play pass 90% of the time (and we obliged with our play calling). I think if you fix the run game and the line....the offense is going to be very competitive.....and it all comes down to fixing the line. I think a big part of the problem with the line was the players. We are well on our way to fixing that.

I do agree on Dallas Thomas. I think he will contribute this year and I think the Phins are counting on that.
 
I hope we make a surprise pick and get a great TE in the first round. I know oline is the thought and frankly a need but to contender you make a move to add big time weapons to an offense. I have faith the oline can be worked out even if we don't use a first for zac martin
 
I like the directions our team is headed to. I am very optimistic of the bright future ahead for our organization. We immediately upgraded replacing our offensive coordinator and general manager.

Fins UP.
 
We've been mediocre for the last five years. I haven't seen anything to make me believe we won't be mediocre this year as well.

I'll believe it is going to change after I see it change.
 
I'm happy with the direction we're going. But o line is still a concern... Js
 
I think free agency has gone well so far. The Dolphins desperately needed Brandon Albert and got that deal done. He is a huge upgrade at LT. Shelley Smith will be a starter and is said to be a good run blocker and adequate in pass pro. That leaves two openings on the offensive line. I liked Dallas Thomas coming out of Tennessee so it's good to hear some optimism from the coaching staff. I see Miami taking an offensive lineman in either the 1st or 2nd round as that is still a huge need. I also wouldn't be surprised if the team drafted three players on the offensive line.

I think K. Moreno was a good signing at running back. Not spectacular, but pretty solid all-around and someone who can block. I think the Dolphins look for a later round RB with some power running ability --- I keep mentioning James Wilder Jr. as a running back sleeper.

I feel Delmas could be an upgrade from Clemens and Finnegan, if healthy, is an upgrade over Carroll. I would have liked for the team to keep Carroll considering his salary and what was spent on Finnegan.

As to the draft, Miami could go in a lot of directions at #19. Mosley is the guy I want there or with a slight trade up, but I could see the team going corner, offensive line, or even wide receiver. I'm intriqued by Brandin Cooks at wide receiver and wouln't be upset with a versatile lineman like Zach Martin.

My big question, though, is the coaching staff. Kevin Coyle didn't get enough out of Dion Jordan and I feel he's a player you can get really creative with. I'm sure Pete Carroll would have found a role for a talent like Jordan. That is a concern moving forward regarding the coaching staff. On offensive, I'm excited to see what Lazor brings. He seems to really understand the running game and I'm hopeful that he will take the reigns off Ryan Tannehill and let him get more chunk yards with his legs. Miami needs to commit to the running game and have some success there to be a playoff caliber team.
 
Dolphins512 said:
I see it the other way HoneyB. I think of the games we lost on Defense....or poor line play and I think we should have had 11 wins at a minimum. The Bucs game, the Ravens game and Buffalo game 1 are all games we should have won in my opinion. Also, the defense let the Panthers March right down the field at the end of that game to steal that one at the end.

No question the offense cost us some games as well (who can forget Buffalo #2 and Jets #2) and the Saints game was on both the offense and the defense.

In my opinion....the offense was fair, but one dimentional. Teams didn't have to fear our run game so they were able to play pass 90% of the time (and we obliged with our play calling). I think if you fix the run game and the line....the offense is going to be very competitive.....and it all comes down to fixing the line. I think a big part of the problem with the line was the players. We are well on our way to fixing that.

I do agree on Dallas Thomas. I think he will contribute this year and I think the Phins are counting on that.
Click to expand...

We didn't have a good enough team for 11 wins, it's that simple. Every team says, coulda shoulda.

Yes, the O line was a key problem, but that wasn't the only thing wrong with the offense. It was predictable and slow. There was no running game. There was plenty of passing, but receivers sometimes didn't seem to know where the 3rd down marker was, or else Tannehill didn't, because we ended up with a field goal, or we'd punt, when we had a good drive going. There was a lack of physicality. As the season wore on, we had more and more trouble in the red zone, too. I don't have the answers, but I'm hoping they find them this year.
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
My big question, though, is the coaching staff. Kevin Coyle didn't get enough out of Dion Jordan and I feel he's a player you can get really creative with. I'm sure Pete Carroll would have found a role for a talent like Jordan. That is a concern moving forward regarding the coaching staff. On offensive, I'm excited to see what Lazor brings. He seems to really understand the running game and I'm hopeful that he will take the reigns off Ryan Tannehill and let him get more chunk yards with his legs. Miami needs to commit to the running game and have some success there to be a playoff caliber team.
Click to expand...

Well, Ross wanted continuity. So we have that. Same DC, same head coach. We do have a new OC and a new OL coach, so I'm hoping some fresh eyes there will help. This is a prove-it year for the coaches. Plenty of time to install your offense and defense, now make it work. I'm not looking for a championship, I'm just looking for some signs that their program is working! And if it does, then the players will also buy into it, and they won't quit like they did the last two games of the season.
 
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