Short & Long Term Expectations; 2009 Miami Dolphins

As Armando Salguero correctly points out in his latest article, it seems like we have been overlooking Chad (the one that has thrown more than 10 passes in the NFL not the other one) lately. We talk about Pat White and Chad Henne a whole lot, being no coincidence since we seem to be a bit obsesed with this whole building for the future thing. However, looking at how Parcells went about his business this past Draft, one cant help but wonder if, after all, this team is built to contend both in the future, but more interestingly, in the present. Why?

 Retained Key Free Agents-

Parcells made sure that 3 key starters (Channing Crowder, Yeremiah Bell and Vernon Carey) remained with the team. This means that Parcells doesnt want to set back the team for a couple of years, and more importantly, that after last season, he might feel like some of the "pre parcells" era are good enough to build a solid foundation around them, therefore, shortening the duration of the rebuilding process. 

90% O and D Lines Completion

Parcells emphasizes the importance of building inside out, meaning, giving a lot attention to both defensive and offensive lines. Last year he drafted high two Defensive Ends, a Left Tackle and a promising Right Guard, this year he resigned a franchise Right Tackle and brought in a beast at Center. Depth will come by as time goes by, however besides that little problem, I do feel like we are set at the most important aspect of a Parcells engineered team. But since what I think doesnt matter, just take a look at this last draft, how many linemen did we get? one, just one, and as a late round project for depth. This brings me to the next argument

Drafted Skill Position Players

99% or more members of the site agreed on the argument that 1- We werent yet on a point in the rebuilding process were we could draft skill position players with our highest draft picks since our needs were many, and 2- Parcell doesnt draft cornerbacks in the first round. In the aftermath, both of these things happened, so what might they mean:

1- Parcells confidence in our Linebackers corps is vast and even more in the little things we hardly are able to see as fans, Prospects. Yes, prospects, we claim that we really need a pass rusher and what not, but these moves reflect that a- The coaching staff's have a lot of confidence in Cameron Wake, and more importantly b- Like Brandon London told us, we may have a hidden gem in Eric Walden.

2- We got two top notch CBs in the 1st round and the 2nd round, plus a sure fire-immediate impact wildcat specialist in Pat White with our other 2nd. I dont know about you, but I cant help but see these moves as the icing of the cake more than the milk and eggs for it.

Free Agents to be starters

Another interesting indicator is the signing of Jake Grove and Gibril Wilson. Again, I dont know about you, but to me, if you are a team that is in the middle of a deep rebuilding process you draft Max Unger or Alex Mack in the 1st round and then develop rookie safety Chris Clemons into a solid starter, not throw big money at a veteran Center and Safety. Therefore, in my opinion, this is a clear cut indicator that the trifecta is looking for short term impact.

Parcells isnt getting any younger

Parcells is leaving next year, and after a lifelong of football the guy isnt getting any younger or any more patient. Does the recent Draft strategy of the Dolphins reflect that?

We got the QB

Yes, we got The Chad Pennington right here and right now. 2008 Comeback Player of the Year and runner up for the league's MVP.

"It covers speed ... power ... strength. It covers all the prehab, as I call it, to make sure that I'm keeping everything intact with the smaller muscles in my body. It covers film work. It covers the mental preparation. It covers being a servant to your team. That's part of being a leader -- the service. So it's a wide range of things and I constantly have to go back and revisit my plan to make sure I'm hitting all those goals."

His words dont seem like those of a guy who is waiting for the future to come by, this guy is getting ready to win NOW.

In conclusion, I am not saying that this rebuilding process is over or that we dont need to continue to add depth and young players to our roster. I am saying, based on the trifecta's offseason moves, that right here and right now, this team might scare the hell out of the NFL.... AGAIN.