NeedTracker: What the Dolphins are missing, and where they can find it, Part 2 of 3

great post

a #1 WR is one of the only exceptions I would make about acquiring a starter via FA.

My reasoning is this: WR is one of those positions that is boom or bust. If you want a #2 or #3 guy, you can pick them up in all rounds of the draft (or in Bess’ case, undrafted FA). But when you are looking for a real #1 guy, you are going to spend a first rounder, or you are going to get very lucky with a guy, like Marques Colston.

And so let’s say you spend a #1 draft pick – you still have to pay him, and you don’t really know what you are getting (pronounced “Ginn”).

So why not go out and get a young but proven guy in FA or via trade, even if it costs your first round pick? You are going to be paying someone a bunch either way, and you are going to spend that pick either way, right? And if you pick wrong in the draft, it sets you back quite a bit – at least a year or two as you continue to hope that he will develop and are unwilling to incur a big cap hit if you cut him (still pronounced “Ginn”).

I would rather get a guy that I can watch a year or two of NFL game tape on, than a guy that might or might not make the transition from college ball to the NFL.

Just my opinion, but I’m sticking to it.
=)

I say we go after him. Or any of the guys listed above.

I say we don’t draft a WR…unless they are very, very, very, very good.

i agree… Sparano and Co. are very good at picking up raw linemen and developing them. I would not worry about grabbing a couple of projects in later draft rounds.

Andre Johnson is a “two pants” type of pickup. In the way that you will shit in two pairs of pants if we ever got him. I’m gonna be using “two pants” players a lot in 2010, so I wanted to explain what it means lol

How about this: If we don’t re-sign Brown, we should look to trade him to KC for Dwayne Bowe and maybe a 5 or 6. If we’re not going to keep Brown, we need to get maximum value out of his South Beach exit.

Sign Chris Chambers in free agency.

Trade up and grab Dez Bryant.

Win Super Bowl.

http://www.battleredblog.com/2009/12/8/1191223/schaub-plans-to-play-sunday-andre

just dont use him so much. I am thrilled about a great WR class to look at, and hoping if Henne has a go to guy on the field we dont have to overuse Ronnie and him and Ricky will be a pair of fresh legs.

As much as I love Ronnie you do have get something for him while you can, and I believe we draft a running back to work in during Rickey’s final year or just stick with who we have.
 As far as receiver goes I would kill for V jack, Marshall, or Johnson however i don’t believe we have a shot at any one other than Boldin or Bowe. I’m not sold on Bowe and I believe boldin has a lot of miles as he plays like a running back. I believe Steve Breaston may be available and seeing as Parcells is not known for going after Marquee receivers ( T.O was JJ’s idea) I could see us going after Breaston.
 What I do know is i really like Bess and Hartline and who knows after one more year of experience under there belt and you throw in another good receiver into the mix we MAY and i emphasize may not need big name guy …keep in mind the Patriots won their super bowls with relatively no name receivers and guess what R. Moss and Wes Weezel i mean Welker ZERO Super Bowls!!!

It would be completely uncharacteristic of this front office to go after a player with such a high price tag….especially a front office that justifiably has a lot of confidence in it’s ability to grab the right guy in the draft.

With that being said I personally would love to have him but I think that an LB or an NT will be taken in the first round. Sunday showed that we can move the ball. Realize that we are 12th in the league in points scored in a game. And thats with losing key offensive lineman at times, losing Fasano to injury and stupidity at times, and losing our starting QB and our star RB. I want this offense to be explosive just everybody else but the fact is that mortgaging part of our draft for someone like Johnson is unneeded and out of the question.

Furthermore, how many times have all of us kicked and screamed during a game when our D just cant seem to stop the offense? And it always goes back to the same 3 positions. CB is fine because Allen will be back next year and may not start but will play some at least and the the two starters are rookies who as great as they do boneheaded things at times. We yell at the safeties but keep in mind that Bell is great where he is and really just needs more help form Wilson. Will Wilson play better next year? Hopefully, because he hasnt been terrible imo but he certaintly needs to ear what hes being paid…and dont forget about Clemons who is coming along nicely. So that leaves an inside linebacker. While Crowder did in fact record his first int, we need a ILB who is all over the field and make people afraid to throw over the middle. That will do wonders for this team.

So with all that, I believe we will ignore, TE and Qb like you said Nick, possibly grab a steal if its there in a RB, draft more “project” lineman in the latter rounds and grab a WR like Benn or Lafell in the 2nd round and focus on a either grab Cody is he’s still there or get someone like Brandon Spikes with our first pick

… it takes too long to groom one thru the draft. With that, I see the Dolphins (if they have to draft a receiver) go: 1st pick NT, 2nd pick wide-out, 3rd pick FS.

Of the draftees, I say Arrelious Benn “needs to practice catching toilet paper in the super market; his hands suck.” In Golden, it may be a more sure thing, but he’s under six foot. I like Brandon LaFell, out of LSU. But I know he may not be around in the second round.

The only other wide-out is Eric Decker, out of Minnesota. Depending on where in the second, it could be considered a reach.

I don’t like giving up picks for a veteran. If one is a free agent, ok. But it will be a difficult off season I think. But what do I know?

Rec’d

http://www.draftdebacled.com/DraftProspects.aspx

This site is basically Disneyworld for people interested in the 2010 draft. They even compile the results of other mock drafts and file them as percentages, so you can see the percentile of drafts that have Brandon Spikes going to Miami (it’s at 9%).

IMO we could use an athletic TE, Owen Daniels anyone?

If we trade Ronnie for a draft pick or two (maybe a 2nd and a 4th or 5th) we will have leverage for trading for a #1 receiver. In case Miles Austin gets franchised (which I think he will), Dallas could use the draft picks and they would not have to worry about facing Austin because he would play in the AFC. Also we could trade what we get for Ronnie to Dallas for him, and maybe a later round pick. With that ;late round pick we can finish solidifying our offensive line. The RB position is one that a rookie can come in and just dominate, because it does not require the sheer amount of learning that the receiver position requires. I hate to see Ronnie go, hes my dude, but if we can find some one who would trade us multiple picks for him, I say take it. The RBs we have now can hold us down. Plus we can draft a good one in the 3rd round of this years draft, or go get another franchise RB in the 2011 draft.

we already have young project RBs that could be the RBs of the future so I don’t see a need to draft one.

So we dont have to worry about a RB, but I wouldnt mind seing us draft Javaris James in like the 4th-5th round.

The FO has already WAY OVER SPENT on the OL and there is only so much money to go around for the offense. So I think signing a FA #1 WR would cost too much. If you spend that much money on one side of the ball, the other side will suffer. The money used to sign Grove (injured again, who would have thunk it) would have been better spent on a WR. Great OL’s don’t win superbowls, great skill position players do. That is what the phins need, great skill position players.

How will those skill postions get the ball if the QB is always on his back. The Lions and Raiders have been drafting skill positions for years and they suck. The OL is a good investment. besides those guys can produce for years. Creating plenty of time for the QB.

Which isn’t a bad thing. We’ve grabbed quality talent and stocked some youth. I doubt they overpay for a WR trade. Maybe they trade up if they’re sold on one.

I think its up to Ronnie to stay or go. If he plays ball with a team friendly contract then I think he stays. If he’s trying to get paid he’s as good as gone. I wouldn’t have a problem getting a 2 and a 4 for him. Our line should soon be able to manufacture productive RBs.

Sad to say it but Pennington is done as a Dolphin unless he joins the staff. They’re investing in Thigpen and from what I saw of him in KC he can play.

Not sure what to say about Turner. At this point its disppointing. Hopefully they’’re developing him and he shows up next season a different player.

Is Pat White gaining weight? I mean that in a good way. Muscle mass looks to be building up. Be patient with him. Like Ginn, White didn’t draft himself.

If Ginn can do that plus a bit more as we go foward I’ll be happy.

I know it wasn’t an option for the article but I put NT at the top of the needs list for the offseason.

I’m looking foward to signing young, cheap players and drafting as many answers as we can. If they spoil me with a FA splash then great. If they surprise me with a big trade then I hope its for a good value. I trust them.

NT, MLB for sure. Spikes, McClain first round; some big run-stopper (B.J. Raji type) second.

Not sure about Ronnie and the hometown discount possibility.

FA WR might be a possibility with Tony Sparano and the staff being a bunch of old-schoolers (who else could keep diva receivers in line?)

Chad Pennington as QB Coach=pair of pants

and it’s quite clear that the entire Org. is on the same page when it comes to a true #1 being a MUST HAVE so I will actually be shocked if they don’t do whatever it takes to get a proven #1 instead of throwing away good picks to go after a mediocre receiver like Bowe when you can positively and absolutely solve the problem and move on to adding quality depth which can be had in the later rounds as you said .

If you think that the only missing piece to being dominate Offensively is a true #1,how much is too much to pay for the right guy and just be done with the issue?Giving up even multiple high picks for a proven would be an absolute steal in my eyes considering it immediately makes our Offense one of the most dangerous AND young,I’m talking top 3,in the entire NFL..think about that for a moment.

I can’t even imagine the havoc a 4 WR set of a proven,Bess,Hartline,Rillo or Ginn would cause…talk about some sleepless nights for opposing Secondarys and their DC’s.

You can just tell by the way he talks and carries himself on the field that he doesn’t think anyone is getting between him and that first-down marker. I love it. What a keeper.

And the person who said this is a passing league is absolutely 100% correct. It’s important to run the ball in this league, but I feel like you’re sunk if you can’t throw the ball. Good thing the robot’s got a blaster cannon!

nice write up … couple of follow ups…

O-line
the team seems pretty set on the interior… very happy with the play of garner and berger has been ok… but depth at the tackle position seems very lacking… yes gardner had a nice camp and looked good in the preseason but then he didn’t exactly play against the best… but otherwise o-line seems to be evolving into a strenght…

QB
I know there is a lot of love for the old noodle arm, but you don’t bring back the old chief after you’ve established a new one… bringing Penne back would likely be popular but would be harmful for the future development of henne as every bad loss/then game/then pass would lead to a chorus of calls for the ‘old guy’.

TE

you forgot martin – last years unsung hero whose loss henniq has stated caused a good chunk of the deep play offense to go out the window, is still on the roster… and if fassano plays like he did the first half then i could see the team signing him… but this is a good area, where if you can’t het a #1 WR, you could make your WR better with a high pick TE… this is a spot where I see the team putting some offseason focus on.

RB
is the black hole of the future on the offense… it’s very possible that not one of those guys is on the team in 2 years (if they play that season)… ricky is old, ronnie is making a career of only playing 1/2 a season, cobbs is a role player at best, and hilliard hasn’t impressed me in the least… (yes i do enjoy the 110% effort – but the guy just gets ping ponged out there and he is S L O W) but as many teams prove, with a good o-line there is always a good rb on the street or late in the draft..

In my opinion the right move is to keep Thigpen and let Pennington walk.

No disrespect to Pennington – I still can’t beleive the guy did what he did when they win 11 after a 15 loss season.

Its just that I like the idea of getting younger and I really thought Thigpen was solid for a terrible KC team in 2008. I am comfortable with Thigpen as #2 QB.

I am happy with our QBs too, with a little twist, if you will…

I would love to trade White, but I am philosophically against his usage, the wildcat is one thing but putting a QB in cold for a couple plays a game isn’t fair to that player.

Even if it was a probowler, its not fair to ask them to come in cold and make a play, and its not fair to everyone else to put the game in the hands of a guy who hasn’t stepped on the field all day, I mean if he throws an int, who can blame him, he hasn’t been part of the game.

I think White is a huge project, i would just as soon he was someone elses project, I agree with you Henne is the goods, so lets let him take care of throwing the ball, keep TT, and see if we can get CP to step in as the “Don Strock” back up QB/QB coach.

I love Ronnie and I think he is part of our identity, so I’d love to keep him.

what would it take to get andre johnson to miami? 1st and a 3rd? ronnie and a 1st? maybe 1st, 3rd, 5th? idk, but that would be awsome! here’s an idea to bounce off ya, how about a package deal sending ronnie and some picks to houston for johnson, and drafting lagarret blount from oregon? yes everyone knows about the punch. but he’s young and he lost his cool once in four years give the kid a break. he is big, fast , and could be a key contributer?

he is older, but still effective, and better than any WR currently on our roster. He will have two expensive years (5M and 6M) left on his contract, so I am pretty sure Cinci would be interested in getting rid of him cheap.

I’m extremely impressed with the progress the offense has shown during the two seasons. The Long/Henne draft choices – instead of Matt Ryan was brilliant and I’m a big Ryan fan.

The OL is big and physical. Long, Carey and Grove are as good as any at their respective positions. Grove looking for his helmet during the Panther game after going down twice let me know all I needed to about these guys. The rest of the line seems to be by committee with the two young studs in Gardner and Thomas getting some valuable experience. The whole group has shown a lot of "want to" while adapting as guys get nicked and they’re still able to run the ball and keep Henne relatively clean. You can’t have too much depth here though.

Pennington or Thigpen. Enough said.

Brown may have a nasty injury. If he can come back, I’m happy to have him. Williams might be more incline to hang around a while longer if Brown’s on board. Cobbs is the best receiver of the bunch and is a "special" special teams player. Lex is just plain fun to watch. Going from the practice squad to the big show. That’s living the dream.
  
Sadly, I think Camarillo might end up being the odd man out. His contract is up and Hartline is getting better every week. Ginn’s not going anywhere, except maybe the Pro Bowl, and Bess is the go to guy. I wouldn’t count on a big time FA. That’s not how Coach Parcells rolls.

Sheets and Turner are the two biggest unknowns. If the staff can upgrade, I’m sure they will.

Can’t wait for you next installment. My assessment of that group isn’t quite so rosy.

Unless we are looking to ship out Brown, which I think isn’t the issue right away

However, I’m gonna bring up the San Diego Chargers, and not for VJax as a WR. LT dominated the league a few years ago, making the Chargers a run-first team. Then, an injury to LT, as well as the fact that he’ only getting older, and Philip Rivers leads a formr run-first offense into one of the top passing offenses in all of football. But, LT stays.

Miami, a run-first team, as Ronnie Brown, who, although was never as good as LT, had the same imact in that he could take over a game. Bring in a top recevier (like SD did in VJax) for a young quarterback (like Henne, or Rivers for SD) and the transition goes smooth.

So where is this going? Its not that I want Ronnie to go, but if he does go, then I want a true #1 WR in this league. We could make that transition from run-fist to pass-first like the Colts, Pats, Chargers, Saints, to name a few. We’ll still have Ricky, Cobbs, and Lex who are good enough if we rely on the air attack more for the future— which is also asking a lot out of Henne. So it’s up in the air for me, ultimately I want to see Ronnie a Dolphin, though. So in relation to the post, our needs for the draft will depend on the attitude and style of our future. Pass? or Rush?