Suh Release: Fins Finally Choosing Team Concept Over Talent?
The release of Suh is a strong sign that the Fins finally get it
Suh is a business 1st and football 2nd kinda’ guy. When it gets tough, he reverts to type
The reports are everywhere: the Miami Dolphins will release DT Ndamukong Suh on Wednesday.
In less than a year the Dolphins will have traded or released three Pro Bowl players (Suh, Landry, and Ajayi). Up until this point, the Fins have been trashed for letting Ajayi and Landry go. I too shook my head at how the Landry situation ended…
But with Suh’s release, the worm is on the verge of turning. The Dolphins may have finally figured it out… winning franchises never choose talent at the sacrifice of culture.
It seems that Miami’s rock-bottom 2017 Season was exactly what the doctor ordered. Mike Tannenbaum may have finally had an epiphany: CAP responsibility is crucial and talent alone isn’t enough.
Adam Gase must not be forgotten in this. In 2016, Gase made sushi out a few dead-weight players on the Fins roster. His brash moves endeared him to fans. It was also Gase that made the ballsy call to move on from Jay Ajayi, so it’s very likely that he spearheaded this purge. If so, good for him, for we fans, and for the Dolphins future.
Even if you don’t see it now, when the shock subsides, you will. At the very least this ends Miami’s ‘surround a few good players with some warm bodies’ theory of team building.
Miami didn’t lack talent… they lacked leaders and chemistry
The reality is, having the right philosophy is only half the puzzle. Execution of that philosophy, and the iron will to stick to it, is the determiner on whether a dream becomes a reality. But… it first starts with the plan, and this is the right plan… FINALLY! At least now we have a shot at success, even if there’s no guarantee.
Initially, I scoffed at Suh’s release. A savings of $3.9 million seemed paltry for his elite play. But this view was before I understood that they could designate him as a Post June 1st cut and thus save far more than $3.9 million for FA. I can get behind that. On a side note, it also feeds into my belief that Vita Vea will be the Dolphins pick at #11 if Mayfield doesn’t make it to them. But this is likely just my love of Vea’s play… or the ghosts that haunt me on not trading up for Ngata and passing on Wilfork. So don’t book it with any white label pay per head bookie software solutions.
Believe it or not, beyond the hype, this FO has nailed a lot of low-priced purchases and back-end picks. Chirs Grier, if you look at his work objectively, has been quite good. Plenty will say Miami can’t draft or find talent. I disagree and wrote about it here.
It’s the big spends in FA where Miami has flopped.
I (like most sane fans) have had serious doubts about Tannenbaum. I thought the chances were high that Tannenbaum would pull a Jeff Ireland to save his job. That was my biggest concern. But the Maxwell dump, the Ajayi and Landry trades, and now the Suh release offer strong indications that the ‘buy a winner’ approach is going the way of the Dodo Bird in South Florida. Maybe it’s Gase’s call, or Ross’s, or the Trifecta as a whole. Whoever made the decision, it’s the right plan going forward.
So what’s the plan?
- H.C. is at the top of the food chain… and even if you’re a star player, cross him and you’re gone.
- Fill the roster with good talent for good prices at the sacrifice of expensive elite players.
- Find leaders to help the H.C. run a tight ship.
- Don’t drop a ton on a single player who isn’t a QB.
- Only accept players who are team-oriented, football-first guys.
- Build a team with CAP responsibility, make more good evaluations than not, and W’s will come.
This is the theory at least.
The practical side is: If the Phins can match their 2017 success in draftees, UDFA’s, and low-cost pickups, then you will see a much better team in 2018, despite the loss of some star talent.
You scoff? Just consider Ja’Wuan James being replaced by Sam Young as the test model. Young isn’t near the same level of talent. Most thought it would be an utter disaster. Instead, his production was far better. Consistency and chemistry were the winning factors. This is the format that needs to be rinsed and repeated this season. And then maybe, just maybe, the albatross will be removed from the mariner’s neck. Go Phins!
Now signing Amendola. Just when I thought we had things figured out. Here is a typical player we have been signing the last several years; older (32), hopefully not for a lot of money.
The only way this makes sense is if Miami is planning on moving Devate Parker and Carroo possibly using Wilson/Grant on the outside while Amendola is the slot???
Can’t be to purge the Pats, I don’t think they will miss at this point.
Trying to connect the dots. . . . . Parker trade, Carroo trade. Maybe package Parker to move up in the draft??? Trade Carroo for something (a 6th or 7th).
Just when I thought we had things figured out……………
Something is afoot… or someone is getting cut.
As much as I liked Landry, we are getting his replacement for half the $ (responsible financial move) and the offense becomes faster, while staying young, Wilson is only 25 years old.
Boy how we moved on quickly from Landry and we actually got a little bit in return. Nice methodical move Tannebaum/Gase.
Think about the starting offense heading into the ’17 season compared to the starting offense (as of now) heading into the “18 season. MUCH, MUCH, MUCH faster with Wilson instead of Landry, Drake instead of Ajayi, Tanny instead of Cutler. Not to mention whoever starts at TE, said player will be light years faster than the turtle Thomas. Another reason I believe Miami drafts a TE in the second or third round.
Not a bad start to the off season actually. Seems to be a plan, a plan that has evolved thus far.
I know that all this is hog wash until we get on the field. I’ll take it.
I’m starting to think that Pouncey’s spot could be on the line. If Miami is in fact interested in Detroit’s center Travis Swanson, he to could be had at a reduced rate compared to Pouncey.
Free agency hasn’t even officially started. Fun times to be a NFL fan.
Agree… and don’t forget Grant. I really think he will become a fairly big factor in 2018. Many writers I respect are now scoffing at the notion of culture after years of reading and gearing them mock the culture. Funny, I agree more often than not with them and a bit less with Salguero… but I think he is spot on. Our money issues stem from a poor FO culture that had a mode of operation that was asinine. At least they are showing balls and setting up the right way. Clear them books and get fiscal responsibility. If your dough isn’t in control… nothing is and will be. Start at the top and work your way down…
Good point Admin. I believe this all would have happened last season, however; we made the playoffs the previous season, so I believe they wanted to see just how far this group could go. Tanny goes down early and the wheels fell off and they never had a chance, I think it was doomed before Tanny went down, but any chance they had faded quickly with Tanny’s injury.
Whats The Plan???
1) I get the feeling Gase is starting to rub the Fins fan base the wrong way. Isn’t this how Billacheat did/does it? Yes it was and is, the difference now is that the Pats players/organization knows this and it just doesn’t happen as often as it once did because the ground work was layed out. And when it does, see you later, regardless. I like it, stability on the way!
2) Fill the roster with good talent for good prices at the sacrifice of expensive elite players. Well, the financial is given (I hope), Unless the player(s) is young, healthy and team oriented. These ELITE/EXPENSIVE players did not get us where we need(ed) to be, so what can go wrong? A losing season? These Expensive/Elite players got us 6 wins. ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION.
3) I believe that Gase has already started to find the leaders. He pretty much overhauled his coaching staff. A-because of ineffectiveness, B-leadership qualities, or lack thereof.
4) Suh did not score TDs (did little to prevent them). Landry only scored TDs (plural)this past season. James doesn’t score TDs, Pouncey doesn’t score TDs. Pay your QBs, RBs (to a point), WRs (alpha X WR), TEs (should we ever draft a worthy one).
5) Team oriented guys should have been the philosophy all along. There are places for “I” guys, but only in an established environment/locker room. Even then, they are 2/3 year players, not long term big $ guys.
6) The Ws will come with good evaluations, and with good evaluations comes good cap situations. Build the team through the draft, supplement via free agency.
Could there be a switch to a 3-4??? We know Suh wanted nothing to do with a 3-4 defense. Quinn played a 3-4 end/LBer last season. We have LBers that at the moment seem to be tailored to a 3-4 “D”. Mike LBers-McMillan, Kiko, Allen, Hull. A 3-4 defense could become a BIG nickel or dime, we have the safeties for it. I wounder if this was part of the reason behind Suhs departure (obviously $).
I agree… and I believe Vea will be the pick more and more… IF he’s still there at #11. This guy is a true stud. I was blown away by a 5.10 40 at 350… with a 41 bench. Now I don’t dismiss Steve’s philosophy of trading back… actually, aside from Vea and Mayfield, I think it would be wise. If we stay in a 4-3, then Vea isn’t a keeper, and then only Mayfield would be a reason to stay at #11… or Nelson…. but I think he is gone before #11, too.