Choosing Other Teams’ Players Over In-House Talent: Part 1
Even with the flurry of activity the Dolphins have had this free-agency period, they appear to have the same needs on their roster as they did prior to free-agency. Cornerback and Guard still have question marks over them, and the loss of contributors has added new holes on the roster like Running Back and Defensive End. With the loss of every top Free Agent Miami had, choosing other teams players over in-house talent has been the model for this years approach, but will it be effective?
The trade for Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso came about by swapping first round picks with the Eagles. Two compounding consequences were that Brent Grimes, their best corner, was expendable so not only do they no longer have his services, but dropping back to the 13th pick, they might have put themselves out of range of selecting CB Vernon Hargreaves and OLB Myles Jack who might have made it to #8. Certainly they are out of range of have a top talent sliding to them. This puts serious onus on Maxwell panning out in order to justify Grimes departure and the extra pressure to make the 1st round pick be a good one.
Maxwell under-performed for being paid as a true shut down corner. However I will say, for as much as he struggled last season, he only allowed 2 touchdowns all season, and both were in the season opener against Julio Jones, who most sports gambling fans would say is the best receiver in the NFL. Miami will be using a zone coverage scheme, something Maxwell excelled at in Seattle, so clearly Miami is banking on him having a bounce back year, by playing in a more familiar scheme. Yet, even if Maxwell plays better next season, the Dolphins still have a hole on the other side of the field, because this was basically a swapping of players and expensive contracts of Maxwell and Grimes.
Alonso a player with a ton of talent but has only played 11 games in his last two years due to injuries. In addition, in the 11 games that he played last season, he did not play very well at all. In 11 games last year with the Eagles he only had 43 tackles and 1 interception, which was a far cry from his outstanding 2013 season of 159 tackles, sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 interceptions. Sadly most would say that Alonso is not the same player as he was in his rookie season. On a good note, the Dolphin only have to pay him roughly $1 million for 2016, which helps with their approach of cap responsibility.They recently doubled down on Alonso by extending his contract for an additional year, which will pay him $2.8 mill for two years.
This was merely their first move this off season, but the approach of letting go of their own talent and acquiring unfamiliar and risky laden talent has been the mode of operation. Caution should be taken at early evaluation. It could pan out. Miami could have gained two starters for simply moving back 5 spot in the 1st. Could is a dangerous work, especially with Miami’s history of incompetence. Tannenbaum has taken the high risk / reward road, a road that paves over many incompetents with great disaster, where only a few of the brilliant manage to make it to the promise land! Go Fins!!!
The bottom line so far in FA is that Miami has lost three talented starters – OV, Grimes, and Miller – and replaced them with scrubs, injured players or troublemakers. So far Tannenbaum looks on track to repeat his destructive performance at the Jets. I have been a Dolphins fan since the beginning and will remain so, but I am not expecting much looking at this disaster of a front office. I wish we had Hickey back. For that matter, I fear Tannenbaum will make the Ireland years look like a golden era. So sad. Where is Bobby Beathard when we need him?
Only thing Alpha, from what I read, again and again, Gase is a weirdo -sort of- but, players like him ALOT and respond. If either Maxwell or Alsono pans out, it was a steal. I think Mario will kill it, at least this year. The FS ( his name will be a hard one to remember) is really cool ( watched a vid on him) and was rated as a top 5 sleeper in FA. Only thing with him is he is more of a SS, than FS – so that will be interesting. Not dealing with last season when they could have been signed cheaper, if you focus on just this season, the only realistic signings were Shelby and Miller, but miller bothered me as his interior work didn’t sit with me until his contract year and Shelby was expensive for what he offered. I think Gase has a shot to make some of this work. Still holes are where they shouldn’t, and Bushrod at Guard gives me the willies and I think they are planning to move Dallas to RG – I still want that line bolstered…still I don’t see it as the sky is falling – YET.
Scrubs??? Anderson is coming off a Super Bowl, and can duplicate everything Miller did. May not be the homerun threat, but a better down hill runner.
Williams has more sacks in the last 4 years than even Wake, let alone OV. Yea, he may only have a couple good years left, but my thrive in this 4-3 system.
Maxwell is as good as Grimes was last year and much younger. And speaking of trouble, how is that spelled again – Miko. No thanks!!!
And we brought in a MLBer that was rookie defensive player of the year just 2 seasons ago. Sure, he may never be that player again. But, he may become that player again in his second season off his first serious injury. For the price and the potential, no brainer.
Did I miss something Alpha??? Because our defense was horrendous last year. So any changes on that side of the ball can only be an improvement. Miller was not used properly, so we don’t really know if can hold up w 20 carries a game. Bushrod was brought in to play guard, and again our guard play was horrendous, so any change there can only be an improvement.
Don’t see it like you do Alpha, doesn’t mean I’m right, but it doesn’t mean that you are right either.
Grass is always greener on the other side. I wish them luck. The ex-Dolphin that worries me the most is 711 (Chris Hogan). I can see him thriving as long as Brady is there in NE, just like another ex-Dolphin (Wes Welker).
No way I would pay that much for OV. There is a good chance that OV may have reached his potential. 8/9 sack seasons, not bad, but for that $, glad he’s not here. In his defense, he had to chase the $, may be his only opportunity at BIG payday.
Miller can be replaced, and may well have been (Anderson). He is the player that I thought should have taken a little less (5 million/year), to gain more.
I wish Matthews stayed, I feel he is going to be decent. I blame Philbin and that crew for him not getting an opportunity till this season. Thats what happens when you hire someone that can not relate to his players (not Gase).
I wish we could have retained Shelby, again can’t blame him, he needed to take the BIG $, may be his only opportunity to cash in.
I like how this defense looks already. Remember last years defense stunk. I believe they will be a improved “D”, question is, just how improved.
I really hope that we somehow obtain another second round pick. If Jaylan Smith is there in the second, should take him. I know he will be red-shirted, but when healthy he was the best defender in the entire draft, by a lot. Even if we have to give up next years second round.
I feel the sam way with Hogan…I despise Philbin more and more. I do like Anderson wayyy better than Miller. Interior work is what makes a back and his work there is way better than Miller. I do think though they (broncs) will match the offer – we can come back with a second offer, but then it gets dicey.
Wow, I did not know we could submit a second offer. Does make it interesting, and because of the lack of free agent RBs, puts Miami in somewhat of a bind. You could say the same about Denver. Be surprised if Denver doesn’t match.
htp://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/meyer-not-thinking-nfl-cardale-jones-article-1.2076368
4th or 5th round———–135th picked Cardale Jones QB Ohio State,
Losing Tom Herman to Houston was the biggest reason for the Buckeyes poor offensive showing this year 2015. Nothing against the current staff but Herman has a track record of success everywhere he has been
Houston was a 6.5-point underdog to Florida State in the Peach Bowl, but the Cougars proved they can compete with the nation’s best teams with a 38-24 victory over the Seminoles on Thursday in Atlanta. Peach Bowl.
Jones has above-average size and arm strength for the NFL with enough mobility to extend plays, but his inconsistent decision-making and accuracy show how raw he is right now.
If he declared last season, Jones likely would have been drafted in the second-round range.
What is his draft projection now? It’s tough to say because while the physical tools are intriguing, the mental side of his game is a work in progress and he hasn’t shown ideal development for a 23-year-old prospect. If he performs well throughout the draft process, Jones’ projection will likely land in the second- to fourth-round range. A wise choice for the Dolphins and many would pay to see his talents once resting the bench a season? We only need a Tom Herman to developed him.
i’d like to see miami, add some picks in the mid rounds so they can take some fliers – Jones would be very nice.
Hey, Steve your man Elliot killed his pro day…
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I wasn’t able to watch him. My opinion Elliot is best value and would ensure Miami a Playoff spot.
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&statisticPositionCategory=RUNNING_BACK&season=2015&seasonType=REG&experience=&tabSeq=1&qualified=true&Submit=Go
Rushing Touchdowns stats 2015
ATT TD
Adrian Peterson MIN RB 327 11
Todd Gurley STL RB 229 10 Rookie year
Devonta Freeman ATL RB 265 11
DeAngelo Williams PIT RB 200 11
Jeremy Hill CIN RB 223 11
Lamar Miller MIA RB 194 7 Departing Dolphin
C.J. Anderson DEN RB 152 5 Arriving Dolphin
Other team players vs current dolphins players?
In the case with Lamar Miller the Dolphins serve him an injustice because, We fans are not sure of Lamar’s talent due to the Fins trying to sell us Tannehill as a QB? Lamar Miller best moved for him was to Dallas who understands a balance offense.
A 6 wins and 10 lose team no one job is safe but in the case with the Dolphins their QB Tannehill. I supported him since he arrived and after this last season the Dolphins need to invest in A QB in the 5th to 6th round?
I prefer cap responsibility over star studded Swiss cheese. This is how a good team is built. I don’t consider last years not signing of Vernon and Miller..I consider this season as the first for the regime and given that all the choices were wise – except maybe Miller as he was slightly over priced. But, all in all, the current concept is sound and I’m down with it…but, the execution is far harder and it wil be where the battle is won or lost. Still alot of FA left and the draft, so it’s early.