Miami’s Cornerback Situation
The break down on the Dolphins’ major issues is simple: they have three positions that desperately need an upgrade – Guard, Linebacker, and Corner Back. Yes, I know they also have positions that really need an upgrade as well, but those are the DEFCON 1 needs. With Guard, Linebacker and Corner, the Dolphins MUST find a way to address each of these positions, either through free agency or the draft, in order to have a shot at a competitive season in 2016. Here’s an overview of the cornerback situation.
The Dolphins have a “Pro Bowl corner” in Brent Grimes. However, he is rapidly entering the final stages of his career at the age of 32. Last season he began to show signs of slippage as he suffered at the hands of tall and speedy receivers like Brandon Marshall and Sammy Watkins, two players that Miami will face twice each year. Most CB’s would be expected to have issues with them as size and speed are a deadly combination. But, if you are the number one CB on the roster, getting paid $10 million a year, then it’s a problem for the team. Grimes salary number this year is $9.5 million, with $3 million being “dead” money if they cut him – so by cutting they would save money, but only a portion. The problem is, Grimes is still by far their best cornerback on the team, so at this point, they can’t afford to part ways with him. The general feeling among the best pay per head reviews is that Miami will find a cornerback this off-season to pair with Grimes. And then in 2017, when Grimes salary will be $8.5 million (but only $1.5 million will be considered dead money), contemplate partying ways with him – and Mika the Shrill (can anyone else not stomach another season with her) .
Regardless of what Miami’s long term decision is on Grimes, the Dolphins need to find a player that can hold his own across from Grimes. At this moment there is no one on the Dolphins roster that can be relied upon to play consistently well opposite of Grimes. There is one player that’s intriguing at the cornerback spot, Tony Lippett. Last season, Lippett spent his rookie year transitioning from being a wide receiver to a cornerback. And though it will likely take more than one season to fully blossom into a full-time starter, he is tall and lanky, and as a former wide receiver, he has very good ball skills and understanding of the WR position. While very raw, he “seemingly” is the only other CB hope on the current roster.
Outside the roster, in the immediate future of FA, one player that is going to hit the market that could be a huge improvement for the Dolphins secondary is Trumaine Johnson from the Los Angeles Rams. Johnson just completed his 4th year in the league, with last year being his best year. He only played in 14 games, but he was still able to finish with 7 interceptions, which was the second-most in the entire league. He also had 71 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown, and 17 passes defended. In addition, Johnson is one of the bigger cornerbacks in the league at 6’2”, 208 pounds. The problem with Johnson though is he will be highly sought and will command a large salary as the 5th or 6th ranked CB in FA, but it’s possible if the other CB’s ahead of him aren’t tagged his price might drop a bit. Due to the cap situation in Miami, it’s more than likely that the Dolphins will address the CB position in the draft so they can heal their cap.
The sad part is seeing Sean Smith, who is ranked the 4th CB in FA and Vontae Davis blossom on the Colts roster while Miami has such a huge void. Bad coaching and talent evaluation brought the Dolphins low. Let’s hope this is the year to turn it around. Go Fins!!!
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Miami CAN NOT go into this off-season HOPING that Deon Jordan comes clean, or Lippett pans out, and/or Hull/Vigil are for real. That was the same exact thinking that our former staff had for 3 years. That kind of thinking does nothing but disappoint and get you mediocrity. And that fellas, is exactly what we’ve had. Lets just say Miami addresses the positions of need without counting on your Jordans/Lippetts/Vigils, etc. And lets say said players are for real and they do come through, now all the sudden you have quality depth and priceless competition, not to mention options, such as trade bait, free agency, etc.
Miami needs to sign via free agency or draft, or both, a CB, and if they release Grimes, 2 CBs. I would easily swap Grimes salary for Johnson (Rams) and could have extra to add for signing a Jones (Bengals) or Hayward (Packers) as well.
LBer is DEFIANTLY DEFCON 1. At the #8 overall spot in the draft, you are going to get a top 2 CB, top 2 LBer, or a top 2 DE, all which would be a day 1 starter. I am hoping for Jack (UCLA). Or, trade back get another second and get Raggland (Alabama), or Smith (Notre Dame). I would like a Voughn Miller type player, a difference maker at the LBer position that this team has lacked in forever. I would like 2 of the first 3 picks to be a LBer (if value represents itself) and the other of the 3 being a guard.
All these scenarios depends on what happens or doesn’t happen via free agency. It is then that we can correctly make an reasonable assessment of the draft.
It is a big IF Dunner, but that’s what separates the little boy from the big ones. We really don’t know about how they practice, the true extent of their injuries, what kind of leaders and workers they are so we are making judgments at shadows, doing the best we can to make the right armchair call. I agree that it’s better to be safe than sorry at certain spots, but with so many and limited cap, this season will hinge on a couple of personnel calls in house and whether they pan out. Vigil, Jordan, Philips, Lippett, Ajayi, Jamil and the injury to Wake, these decision on talent and ability to fill holes will determine this season. The must hit these right. Like last year, Matthews eval cost them to use the first round pick on Parker…imagine if Marcus Peters CB had been draft instead? So these evals will set the tone for everything. If Lemmus is right we will suffer by over acquiring that position. Now if he is wrong, in part or in whole, then the season will suffer. Miami is in a very difficult spot as they need to hit so many out of the park to not have a repeat of 2015 – I believe they can till they don’t. But, there is alot riding on alot of calls and even the small ones could have very detrimental results.
I think Grimes has a lot offer, but he has two strikes against him: 10 mill a year and Mika. She is a distraction. Her arrest, the T-Hill hoopla was just her greatest hits. He is on the downward slope, that’s not to say he can’t make some great play…he does. It’s not to say he isn’t good, he is. It’s he isn’t great and he is the best we have. Lippet is a huge wildcard, but still a wild card. We aren’t certain he can be a #2…he could be a #1, we really don’t know. Same could be said about Vigil at MLB – Misi is injured every year and is paid a boatload, Jenkins is inconsistent too, and Hull has show he can be steady, maybe, but that’s not a great recipe for your backers give the third and first level is also shaky. That’s why I say they are DEFCON 1 😉 – but, if Vigil and Lippet pan out then they are…that though, is a big but – like Rosie big!
…couldn’t agree more on Lippett …he played a pretty nice game against NE …not perfect but then who is? …another camp and he should be ready to start …which is why I’m not in the DEFCON 1 camp when it comes to CB …we need a b/u developmental rookie in the draft but not high unless a top 5 stud somehow falls to us
…LB is a problem …but whether its a DEFCON 1 depends, imnsho, on what happens with Dion Jordan, Wake, and Vernon …if Jordan comes back clean and we lose either Wake or Vernon, I’d think the coaches will try to fill the slot with Jordan as the previous staff did …but Jordan could readily fill one of the LB slots just as well or better …he’s a truly gifted athlete if he can stay clean …yeah, big if …but he could make a huge difference if he does …finally
…of course, the betting line is that he won’t be back for any of a number of reasons …but damn …I can hope, eh
…Mika Grimes isn’t on the team and her hubby seems to accept that …so I won’t hold her against him unless she starts beating him up 🙂 …his first year with the fins was a “prove it” and he did that and more …last year wasn’t as good mostly because the match-ups weren’t as good for him …or maybe the bones are aging a bit more …que sera sera