Time for the Offseason

by Henne on Nov 19, 2010 6:23 PM EST

I dont about you guys, but this season is starting to tick me off. Having our first round draft pick go out early in the season, Jason Allen starting most of the season, two QBs getting hurt, and having 2 offensive lineman that are in the same position they started the season and healthy (Jerry and Carey). So this has got me to believe that our season is over because

1.We are probably 3 games out of our division

2. We have no tiebreakers against any top wildcard teams (Steelers/Ravens or Jets/Patriots)

So now I'm focusing on 2011. This is assuming there is no lockout.

The Draft

After seeing our team play this season, I know the one crucial part almost every other team has besides us. SPEED.

Patriots- Brandon Tate

Jets- Santiono Holmes

Steelers- Mike Wallace

Bears- Johhny Knox and Devin Hester

Ravens- Ray Rice is not as fast as the others but has the power that the others are lacking.

All those teams we lost to. And each player (except for Holmes- suspended) made a huge impact on us. Speed can change the momentum of a game in a split second (i.e. Brandon Tate kickoff return to start 2nd half). I see this being one of our crucial needs that we need to address in the draft. A good time to do this would be in the 3rd and 5th rounds. Yeah i said it. 3rd AND 6th. I think that we should look to get a speedy 3rd down back in the 3rd round that is good with screen plays and a 4th reciever that can come in and scorch a defense, making those safties back up. The last couple of weeks, I have liked what I have seen from Hartline and he is show a lot of improvement, so I don't think that is a need.

With the 17th overall pick in the NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select:

Mark Ingram, Alabama.

When I watch him play, I get more and more impressed. He is Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined. Hes got the physicality of Jacobs and the breakaway speed and vision of Bradshaw. I'm sorry for being a hater, but Ricky and Ronnie have to go. We can pick up a backup running back in free agency, like the Bears with Chester Taylor, who can come in and contribute quickly. With our other draft picks we should get a center (4th round), tight end (5th round) and other DL and OL late.

Free Agency

I don't about you guys, but I haven't even noticed Koa Misi the past 3-4 games. I don't think that he can handle the big outside tackles that he is going against and he doesn't have the quickness to make up for it. That's why I say we go into free agency and pick up a OLB and either move Misi to backup or move him inside next to Dansby. Either way, we need to find an OLB or a ILB to work with Dansby. We should also pick up some O lineman. Mankins anyone?????

Staff

Dan Henning goes. First day the season ends. Prove a point to the team that was his fault and build up their confidence. I think we should go after an OC who is not afraid of making risks. I'm hoping that the Texans coach Gary Kubiak gets cut and becomes our OC. Thats my first choice. I also think that Sparano is a great guy, just not a great coach. I think Bill Cowher is what this team needs

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Comments

I agree about Ingram

But give Misi some time. Do you know the statistics on rookie OLBs? They rarely ever have a good season, even the ones who become great. I agree we need a new ILB, Crowder is a good team presence but his performance just isn’t cutting it. And Henning shouldn’t just be fired, he should be excommunicated from football entirely.

by IMadeThisNameAfterWeDraftedReshadJones on Nov 19, 2010 6:27 PM EST reply actions

See what we need ...

Is a NT and a couple of DEs that really eat up blockers so that our LBs can stay clean …. right now we are not getting it done up front … You see Soliai doing well and penetrating… but that is because they are not doubling him and instead going and taking out our LBs.

"When a man's an empty kettle, He should be on his mettle
And yet I'm torn apart Just because I'm presumin'
That I could be a human, If I only had a heart" Chad Henne

by Jason Scott_90 on Nov 19, 2010 9:09 PM EST up reply actions

Nice post Henne

I think that there is one point I can make that sums this whole season up:

The genius front office traded Ted Ginn Jr. away for a 5th round pick. We then drafted Nolan Carroll, whose sole contribution to the team has been as a kick returner. Hm. Didn’t Ginn return two kickoffs for a TD last year in one game? Can’t really see how Carroll, who probably won’t return a kickoff for a TD (but I have seen improvement) is an upgrade over Ginn.

Ginn was at least a deep threat. Whether or not he could catch the ball, defenses can’t just let him run past them the whole game. Not to mention, he is EXCELLENT at making the deep catch (just watch tape from his days at OSU). His problem is catching in traffic. How much traffic would he be seeing with 2 to 3 defenders assigned to Marshall per snap?

How is it that the coaching staff couldn’t see this? Because they are inept.

by vincemoss86 on Nov 19, 2010 7:03 PM EST reply actions

Ginn was more of a liability than an asset. The guy couldn’t catch a cold.

He can barely make the roster for the team we traded him to.

Ginn was just a fast runner. We need a legit deep threat across from B Marsh.

by cm103 on Nov 21, 2010 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

I do have to disagree with you about Misi

He is being called one of the better rookies this year by a lot of “experts”. Not that I always agree with the Adam Schefters and Mark Claytons, but I do agree with them here. As a rookie starter, he’s got a few sacks, he’s making plays on the ball (like his pass deflection against the Titans), and he’s making plays in the backfield. Look for him to improve this season and blossom in the offseason.

by vincemoss86 on Nov 19, 2010 7:06 PM EST reply actions

I agree about a speedy guy.

We definitely need a speedy guy. I am not sure what speedy guys are out there but I am sure we can draft one in a later round. I hope Ingram falls to us in the first. He would be a great replacement for Ronnie. I would love to sign Cameron Heyward but I don’t know where he is going to fall.

Boom Heron would make a nice addition as runningback as well. He could replace Rickey. Heron will probably be overlooked by most other teams so he could be easy to obtain.

by firearchdruid on Nov 19, 2010 7:26 PM EST reply actions

Trade up and get Andrew Luck

Getting a franchise QB trumps all other needs. Luck looks like the real deal and our team would instantly become better.

aka "The Duke"
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by The Earl on Nov 19, 2010 9:19 PM EST reply actions

trade up with what?

We dont have a 2nd rounder this year so we’d be trading, what, our 3rd, and 4th? Screw that, we need all the picks we can get. Luck could bust for all we know

by Dash22 on Nov 20, 2010 2:25 AM EST up reply actions

1st, 3rd and 4th.

basically sell the whole draft for Luck.

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by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

I totally agree

It doesn’t matter what you pick when you still need a franchise QB. If we traded up and drafted Luck and he turns out to be a top tier QB, then he’d be worth more than ANYTHING else we could draft. A franchise QB is worth more than a WR, LT, RB, OLB, CB, or any other position. QBs win games. Period. And we may need one.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
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by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

I don't agree, teams win games, not QBs.

we would still have a lot of needs.

1) RT
2) C
3) Speedster
4) Receiving TE
5) Blocking TE
6) HB
7) Backup FS
8) Backup/ potential starter ILB
9) WOLB that we can groom, Wake has two good years left
10) DE (rotational needs after Starks goes back to NT)
11) Backup NT

These might seem trivial to you, but they add up over years. I saw let’s not sell the farm for a guy who might be the guy. now, if we are sitting at five and/ or he falls to us, then sure. I just don’t see that happening.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

If you take Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Philip Rivers off their teams

they don’t win games. I understand that other positions are very important. But quarterback is THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION IN FOOTBALL! No other position is as important.

Look at us. We drafted Jake Long first overall in 2008. He’s the best LT in the NFL right now. He could very well go down as the best LT whoever played. How many games is he going to win us? Brandon Marshall is a top 5 WR in the NFL. He’s virtually unstoppable. How many games will he win us?

We have several needs on this team, but none greater than a franchise QB. We can all of that stuff you mentioned and if we don’t have a franchise QB, we’ll be a 8 to 9 win team every year. You HAVE to have a franchise QB. Here are some other thoughts on QBs:

I could think of hundreds of examples about the value of a quarterback. Left tackles don’t change a franchise like quarterbacks. Ask Browns fans – they know they have absolutely no chance at the playoffs this year. Nobody believes in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace – PLEASE – Joe Thomas can’t lead them to the playoffs single-handedly as the best left tackle in the game.

However, the counter-argument to the “quarterbacks can’t do it by themselves” is that if a franchise is so inept that they can’t surround a very good quarterback with just average talent (because we know a productive passer can turn a 7-win team into an 11-win team easily), then drafting that defensive linemen or wide receiver wouldn’t have made a bit of difference because no one player makes or breaks a team.

If we go into another season with no franchise QB, then we can expect that season to be another mediocre season. I can’t understand why people cannot realize that having a top tier QB makes a huge difference. We MUST HAVE a true franchise QB. All other needs are secondary. If Luck becomes a top tier QB in three seasons, then anything we suffered through in the two years prior would be worth it. We won’t find a QB in FA. We won’t get one through a trade. We likely won’t get a franchise QB after the second round since those guys usually don’t pan out. Luck looks like the real deal and he’s worth trading up to get.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

But if we get luck and trade away the whole draft, that will set us back for years.

Preparing a Q for being great is all about the enivironment. if we mortgage this draft, the environment will suck. ?Meaning that the odds that he is the guy go down. Getting a top tier QB is a lot harder than you make it out to be. A. Smith was once the Luck of his draft and see where he is now? Also, Teams do win SBs. Steeler have won more SBs lately than the Colts, even though Manning is arguably the GOAT at the QB position and Ben flaked in his first SB win. I didn’t say we didn’t need a QB, just that we can’t mortgage everything for a guy that might be the guy and then put him in a bad situation. I even said:

now, if we are sitting at five and/ or he falls to us, then sure. I just don’t see that happening.

I don’t mind drafting a QB in the 1st, but not having a draft pick until the 5th round, or 4th round if we have to give up next years 2nd as well the situation is extremely bad. I like Mallet, as i haven’t seen Luck. I think that Mallet could be great.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

It might set us back a year or two

but if Luck became a top tier QB in three years, then it would be worth it. We’d be set at the most important position for 12-15 years. We already have most of the pieces in place now as it is. We have two top WRs, a good FB, LT, LG, RG/RT(depending on where they put Jerry), defensive line, LBs, secondary. Everything we need is basically secondary parts: RB, speedster, pass catching TE (although Fasano is playing strong right now), C, and RG/RT. If we had a top tier QB on the team this season, we’re 7-3 or 8-2 at worst. So we’re not that far off. If we kept this current team, add some FA pieces, and then trade up to get Luck, then we could be looking at a competitive team for the long haul. Adding all these extra parts will not make us better unless we have a great QB. I hope Henne can take the next step in the remainder of this season. But right now, Luck looks like the best QB prospect to enter the draft in a long time. If we get him, then we can look at being a contender for the next decade and a half.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

In retrospect

we should have traded up in the 2008 draft to get Ryan. We could have gotten Long and Ryan and that would have been epic. We could have given every other pick in that draft and even a 2nd rounder from 2009 to get Ryan. We would have missed out on Langford, but Ryan>Langford given the positional value and we would be set for a long time.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

I agree we need a franchise QB above all else.

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I have my Ninja's hunting for Henning as we speak.

by Weecho85 on Nov 20, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Hindsight is only 20/20 and Ryan is just as good as Henne.

So, i don’t think he would have been great here.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

Ryan is better than Henne right now

He’s in control of a top 5 team that might win their division and make a Super Bowl. After watching him lead the Falcons down the field to beat the Ravens a week or so ago, he looks like a true franchise QB. Granted, Henning might have ruined him. But he has the complete makeup of a franchise QB. Nothing else we got in that draft would have been worth losing over a chance to get Ryan. We might have missed out on Langford and Hilliard, but I’d take Ryan over three Langfords and Hilliards. We’d be contenders this year with Ryan.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 7:17 PM EST up reply actions

Although, Henne's and Ryan's stats were about the same in everything

but TD:INT ratio. So in a way worse system, Henne has been about as effective.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

But when you watch them play

you can see the difference. Ryan has total command of that offense. He makes the right reads and is the unquestioned leader of that offense. Henne still has question marks. I really hope that Henne can step it up and dominate the rest of the season. But if not, we’ll be looking for a QB sooner than later.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
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by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 7:25 PM EST up reply actions

If Henne plays like he did against Tennessee

then we’ll be in good shape. He played very pissed off and make some plays. I hope he can play against the Raiders. I want him to take over this team… become the leader. If he can’t, then he’ll never be a franchise QB.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, put Henne on that team and he will be even better.

Just due to play calling.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

I agree there

I think Henne will play more aggressively the rest of the season (assuming he plays) because he really has nothing to lose. If he’s successful, he’ll be the QB we need. If he fails, he’ll get a chance with a new team.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 7:30 PM EST up reply actions

I hope he takes it a little slow and

takes a few weeks, just to make sure he is healed.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

Well I meant his mentality

He should take more chances downfield, play with more aggression. He played with that aggressive attitude against Tennessee. He should do that from here on out. Assuming he’s healthy off course.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
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by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

We need basically an overhaul of the o-line,

brand new stable of RBs, 2 new TEs, and all those other things I’ve already said.
Without these pieces, Luck will get Carr’d and even though he is a good to great Qb, he won’t be able to play like it. Also, we don’t even know that he will be that guy. I haven’t been paying attention long, but I know that a lot of QBs taken in the first never make it and that most teams at the bottom won’t trade up. I think they also realize that Luck is a superior specimen. Also, I’d like to ask what teams has Washington beaten? I’m not sure, but aren’t they in a bad conference?

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 6:44 PM EST up reply actions

When our O-line was healthy, Henne had all kinds of time

This week we looked bad because we had Long with one arm, Incognito was playing center with McQuistan at LG. But when healthy, our O-line was great at pass protection. We do need a new center, but that’s about it. We may could grab Mankins since he’ll be a FA after this season. We could move Incognito to RG, Jerry to RT, draft a center in the 4th round or so and have a good O-line. We have Fasano as a blocking TE and a decent receiving option. However, this TE class looks kind of thin right now. We need a scatback option at RB, but we could still keep Ronnie to be our power back. Our defensive line is practically set since Soliai is playing well and we’ll get Odrick and Merling back full time. Our LB core will be solid with Edds coming back. Our secondary is young and improving. So other than few pieces, we are in decent shape. But we may or may not need a franchise QB. If Henne can’t cut it, then we’ll need one. I’d rather miss out on a few minor pieces in order to get a franchise QB, than draft the minor pieces and still need a QB. Without a QB, we’ll never become a contender. There is a reason teams go for QBs high in the draft. Because they can turn around your franchise.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

So, you'd leave the interior line alone.

That sounds great. A young QB and no running game. Hopefully Luck is Marino.

by PotM on Nov 20, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

Like I said

We could go after Mankins in FA. If we got him, then the only O-line position we would need would be center. We could draft a center in the 4th round or later. Since linemen have less positional value than QBs, you are more likely to get a late round center who can be productive than a late round QB who can become a franchise QB. And we still have Nate Garner coming back who will most likely move into a starting spot at a guard position if we need him.

We can resign Ronnie and still get a late round scatback that can give us a receiving option. Not to mention that we still have Kory Sheets to evaluate. So we aren’t quite as bad off as we seem. Granted we don’t have All Pros at these positions, but we have good enough players that a franchise QB could make look better.

And not to mention that we can have a great O-line and a great running game, but without a franchise QB, we are still just a mediocre team.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
Driving the Roberto Wallace Bandwagon
Also Driving the Trade Up and Draft Andrew Luck Bandwagon
Unofficial Phinsider DJ

by The Earl on Nov 20, 2010 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

Again I agree with this plan

by Weecho85 on Nov 22, 2010 9:22 AM EST up reply actions

add a speedy WR to go with Sheets an the other scatback. an we should be set

by Weecho85 on Nov 22, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

Psst. Ingram doesn't have the type of speed we need.

1) Mallet, QB, ARK; Rudolph, TE, ND; or Barksdale, OT, LSU.
3) Janoris Jenkins, CB/PR, UF; Matt Reynolds*, OT, BYU; Devlin, QB; Noel Devine, RB, West Virginia; Hill, FS, UF or O’Dowd, C, USC.
4) Locke, RB, UK; Q. Rodgers*, RB, OSU; Jernigan, WR/KR, Troy; J. Rodgers, WR/KR/PR, OSU or Sheppard, ILB, LSU.
5) Harvey, ILB, Marshall; Graham, TE, Louisville; Stocker, TE, Tennessee; Tyrod Taylor, QB/WR, V Tech.
6)See what is for 5; FS, App St.
7) Scott, RB, Maryland; FS, App St.; Bynes, ILB, Auburn; Smith, ILB, Notre Dame; Gray, NT, Southern Miss

by PotM on Nov 19, 2010 11:25 PM EST reply actions

Mark LeGree

He’s the FS from AppState you mentioned.

aka "The Duke"
Proponent of I-AA Football
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by The Earl on Nov 19, 2010 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

thanks

by PotM on Nov 19, 2010 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with you on one thing

Henning should be let go. Misi is a rookie

by Dolphinsrule0505 on Nov 20, 2010 3:26 AM EST reply actions

I didnt mean to post that before i was done

But misis is a rookie and has made some big plays this season. thats promising, give him some time and he should develop nicely. And about the LB position, we could use a better ilb with danby even though crowder is a good run stuffer, even though he is somewhat inconsistent. It kinda pisses me off how much he talks when he isnt that good though. but olb, we have 2 good starters (misi will be good as he develops) plus there was a lot of good things said about aj edds before he got hurt, a lot of people are forgetting about him. but i do not think we should get mark ingram. i think we should keep ronnie and get demarco murray. he is a much better compliment to ronnie. even if ronnie is having a down year, which has to do with the oline. split there carries 50/50 for the first year. murray will be a star. and even though i agree with you that henning should go, bill cowher will not be his replacement. as much as everyone would like that, he is not gonna come back to coaching as an offensive coordinator. he will come back as a head coach if he does come back at all

by Dolphinsrule0505 on Nov 20, 2010 3:34 AM EST up reply actions