TMQ Reality Check on Dolphins | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

TMQ Reality Check on Dolphins

Da 'Fins

Da 'Fins

FinHeaven VIP
Club Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2003
Messages
3,282
Reaction score
686
"The considerable wishful thinking about the now 1-6 Dolphins was not tempered by realism about their roster. It's not just two high-priced struggling quarterbacks who both were shown the door by previous employers. It's everybody else, too. Look who started Sunday against Green Bay. The defensive line -- all retreads from other clubs. The linebackers -- a couple of nice players in decline (Jason Taylor is a linebacker now). The defensive backs -- who are these guys? Mostly rejects from other teams; one was recently let go by Oakland! Miami has some decent talent at running back and receiver. Then there's the offensive line, which has surrendered 26 sacks, second-worst in the league. The right guard was let go in consecutive offseasons by Arizona and then Cleveland. The right tackle is a No. 1 draft pick who couldn't handle the pressure at left tackle. On Sunday only three players started for Miami who would start for New England, Denver, Chicago or a similar quality team: Chris Chambers, Jeno James and Taylor. In recent years the Dolphins have freely squandered draft choices -- two ones for Ricky Williams, a two for Daunte Culpepper, a two for A.J. Feeley, a three for Lamar Gordon. The result is a weak roster of retreads. Saban has a blog, a megabucks beachfront home and a nice panama hat, but no magic fairy dust to sprinkle on these guys. The Dolphins' core problem is a lack of quality players, and there might be unpleasant seasons of rebuilding ahead.

Now a few kind words for Joey Harrington. Though he finished with three interceptions, two of them were perfectly thrown passes that bounced off the hands of the no-account Randy McMichael. Once McMichael seemed like an emerging NFL star; now having to watch him play makes you wince."
(Greg Easterbrook)


He is dead on as far as talent. This team lacks it and needs some serious rebuilding. As an aside, it's too bad the NFL trading deadline is so early (that makes no sense to me - as it's after the 10th game or so that you can really know your chances and make a playoff run - Between now and the 11th game or so would be great - allowing teams to replace key injuries for the final five game playoff run).

At any rate there needs to be both cuts and trades. The problem is, with the salary cap the way it is Taylor, Thomas and co. are simply not very marketable - their cap #'s are astronomical as compared to their present and future value.

More than anything, we need draft choices ... Whatever it takes to get them, do it.
 
I don't think it is just a lack of talent that makes us a 1-6 team. Bringing in coaches like Mularkey and Capers has contributed to the problem. I agree that the draft is probably the only way to turn things around. I think if we have a top three pick we should try to trade down for extra picks if possible...we need to rebuild and basically start from scratch.
 
I don't entirely agree with him on what players from the Dolphins would start on one of the best teams, as I think there are a few others (for example, is Tatum Bell really better than Ronnie Brown? Have them switch teams and see what happens). But mostly, it's hard to argue with his analysis.

By the way, TMQ is one of my favorite NFL columns. It's a great read every week, especially with the frequent cheerleader pictures.
 
that was painful to read. such strong conviction yet so far from the truth. jeno james starting for the bears, pats or broncos? LOL.
 
You can legitimately nitpick his particular point about who starts where - but, his overall point is dead on, imo.
 
I think he is on-point. Has Saban been perfect or a magic fairy? No. Was he put in a crappy situation? Yes.

I don't think the 2nd for Cpep can be considered squandered yet. But if Cpep doesn't deliver next year then I can say yes it was squandered.
 
wow this guy obviously doesn't even watch the games...........

very bad article
 
I read the entire article earlier today, and I feel that he is very correct on his analysis of the Dolphins.

I also read the TMQ article by Easterbrook every Tuesday. It's a very good read, with lots of information and bits of humor...not to mention the numerous cheerleader pictures and links!
 
McMichael said:
wow this guy obviously doesn't even watch the games...........

very bad article
Click to expand...

Very much disagree with you...it's obvious that you didn't read the entire article and that you're not a regular TMQ reader!

As a regular reader of the weekly TMQ article (I look forward to it every Tuesday), I can honestly say that he watches and studies each NFL game. Each week, he has 2 or 3 "sweet plays of the week", 2 or 3 "sour plays of the week", a couple of "sweet 'n' sour plays of the week", a "sweet tactic of the week", a "maroon zone play of the week" (the Maroon zone is the area of the field that is too close to punt, too far to kick the FG), a few "stop me before I blitz again" plays of the week where he constantly shows that blitzing 7 is like (as he puts it) handing the offense a card reading "Please accept our invitation to score a TD." His "buck-buck-brawckkkk" chicken plays of the week, best blocks, etc., etc., etc.

You should know what you're posting about before you post something. It's obvious that Gregg Easterbrook watches every game very intensely.
 
renaldo hill was a good pickup for us. the defensive line retreads he's talking about are probably the only thing keeping us in games.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom