Talkin some RB!

by kabvorka on Jun 5, 2011 2:19 PM EDT

Now the whole QB situation has been blurbed about here and there over and over, with much speculation. Over the last two seasons, the QB play has been pretty consistent (unfortunately, altho if all the other phases of the game were up to speed we might have been to two afc championship games :P but thats another debate) its the running game that has changed quite a bit.

2009 - Ranked 4th in the league, 2,231 yrds, 4.4 avg, 22 touchdowns
2010 - Ranked 21st in the league, 1,643 yrds, 3.7avg, 8 touchdowns

Ouch, only the Panthers (6) and Bills (7) had fewer rushing touchdowns in 2010. So its understandable that this offseason the team would try to rebuild the running game. And with the two main backs being free agents this offseason its very doable. We all know what steps have been taken thus far in the rebuilding process, drafting a big well hyped offensive lineman Mike Pouncey, and a powerful workhorse type running back Daniel Thomas. Not to mention the H-back? TE? Fullback? whatever he does, Charles Clay.

Address the RB position via free agency? Now there has been a lot of speculation as to who will be the compliment back to DT as this regime has shown to be in favor of using multiple running backs (with backs like Ronnie and RIcky tho, how can you not!) DeAngelo Williams' name has been tossed around a lot, I think mostly because of the interest he himself showed in wanting to come to MIA. There are other notable running back free agents who will hit the market once free agency begins.

Promote from within? I have read multiple times that the backs who were lower on the depth chart are excited for the opportunity to step up compete for the No.1 spot. Both Lex Hilliard and Kory Sheets have expressed this offseason that they want they chance to be that No.1 running back. Sure, with both Ronnie and Ricky heading towards free agency it would appear that job would now be available for them. Altho, if they deserved the job, why didn't they get more carries instead of coming in as a couple of unknowns. We got to see a little of what Lex is like when Brown was injured in 09. He came in and carried the ball 23 times for 89 yrds a 3.9 avg 1 TD, and caught the ball 20 times for 158 yrds 7.9avg for 2 TDs. Kory Sheets has seen very limited action, 1 carry for 5 yrds. Both had solid college careers tho.

Lex Hilliard - 680 att 3428 yrd 45 TDs // 46 rec. 451 yrd 2 TDs

For full stats http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/149243/lex-hilliard

Kory Sheets - 664 att 3341 yrd 48 TDs // 108 rec. 841 yrd 5 TDs

For full stats http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/stats/_/id/161035/kory-sheets

In Closing: I love that the two guys on the roster are hungry to have the job and are probably both working hard right now. Im sure they are capable backs, and theres no telling how each will play behind a solid offensive line. Preferably for me i would have R&R come back, I just love those guys in dolphins uniforms too much. But Im well aware of the possibility that both wont be back next season. Be that as it may, Im happy to hear the guys in the wings are wanting to prove to the coaches that they're worth a shot!!

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I love the idea of Hilliard and Sheets getting it done

But I can’t ignore the realists who point out how unproven they are…..

R & R had much love from me, but honestly, I think it’s time for fresh blood. If we keep one, definitely Ronnie, but I want to see him play with some urgency.

With no-name RBs making splashes each season, I’d say go promote from within.

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by Red Dog on Jun 5, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

can't wait till training camp when these dudes battle it out

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by Davone_Is_BessT on Jun 5, 2011 6:04 PM EDT reply actions

We have to get Thomas a better nickname than "DT" that is a position in a 43.

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by PotM on Jun 5, 2011 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

BTW, Mario Fannin is still available.

As is Noel Devine, Darren Evans, Andre Harris, Graig Cooper, Brandon Saine, Damien Berry, Emmanuel Moody, C.J. Gable, Gino Gordon, and John Griffin.

Scats backs are Devine, Cooper, and Saine. My requirements for the scat back label was either speedy guys or guys known for catching passes out of the backfield.

C. J. Gable also does KOs. Gino Gordon graduated from Harvard. Moody was used by UF in the redzone.

by PotM on Jun 5, 2011 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions

If they pick up Gordon..

he instantly becomes the player rep.

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by PhrozenPhish on Jun 6, 2011 6:25 AM EDT up reply actions

His concentration was in sociology.

by PotM on Jun 6, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Ya but he graduated from Harvard.

He’s heard more negotiations in study night at the pub than most guys in the NFL get in their lives.
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by PhrozenPhish on Jun 6, 2011 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I would take a degree from Harvard in basket weaving. Its freaking Harvard!

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by texascowpunk on Jun 6, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup..sort of my original point.

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by PhrozenPhish on Jun 6, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I have serious doubts about Thomas,

Lex imo is a ST/short yardage RB, I would try to change him into a FB, he’s a willing blocker and good receiver.

Sheets would be a nice addition if he can learn to pass block, until he does he won’t see the field, and even then it will be situational.

Ronnie should be resigned, and/or we should pick up a solid FA or trade.

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by uncle finster on Jun 6, 2011 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

If I am Ronnie I know this is my last contract so I am most likely going to look for the one that

pays me the best. I am sure he would give a bit of a discount to the Phins but in the end the high bidder will get him. I guess the big question is what is his value on the open market vs. to the Phins?

by texascowpunk on Jun 6, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I really don't think he'll be that expensive

If some of the RBs like Bradshaw and DeAngelo Williams become UDFAs, that means there are more RBs on the market and may drive Brown’s price down. Conversely, if they don’t hit the market and the 6 tear RFA remains, there will be less teams looking for RB help and there will still be reasonable options. Besides, Thomas Jones and LT received contracts for $2.5 million per year and they have a better history. Jones was also coming off a more productive season. I don’t think we’ll see Brown go anywhere for a big payday.

If there isn’t a salary cap, I think Miami will be interested in bringing Brown back. If there is, I think they will try to, but will refuse to pay a price they think is too high.

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by Finhead83 on Jun 6, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Assuming the owners win the court battle which I think they will then we will see a cap.

Also being not that expensive and what the team is willing to pay for a guy that had ridding the bench for much of his career are two different things.

by texascowpunk on Jun 6, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

The cap

At this point, I think that even if the NFLPA and the NFL come to an agreement and reach a CBA, I’m not sure if the cap would be implemented this year. Because of the season quickly approaching, I could see the NFL and NFLPA agreeing that changes to the salary cap and possibly the RFA and franchise tags changing in 2012. I think RFA and franchise tags are easier to make immediate implementations, but I think if we see a salary cap decrease, we may have it implemented a year late so teams could adjust without damaging their rosters too much.

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by Finhead83 on Jun 6, 2011 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt this but we shall see. I think the owners are more than happy to have

a delay to the season just so long as they get what they want.

by texascowpunk on Jun 6, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

A possible delay

I don’t think they mind a delay, but I don’t think they look forward to it. If they can get the new method of sharing the money up front in 2011 while pushing back the salary cap until next year, it’s a win-win for them because 1) they get more revenue since no games are lost and 2) they don’t have to go on a 2 week shopping spree for FAs that will cause teams to overpay. Also, they won’t have a salary floor so those cheap teams that would have spent under the salary limit (Cardinals and Bucs) could do so for another year. I think the owners would love this situation. I think it will be the NFLPA that may not be too fond of it. The NFLPA would know the NFL teams won’t overpay for FAs because of an approaching salary cap in 2012, but would fear the less money because of the teams below the minimum salary limit. The only incentive they’d have for this deal is players won’t miss games and will still collect their checks.

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

by Finhead83 on Jun 6, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions

No it makes sense but that almost seems like a reason it wont happen.

by texascowpunk on Jun 6, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL... very true.

I’m not sure if it will happen. I tend to think that if a CBA is agreed upon in July or later, it may be a possibility. The closer it gets to the start of the season, the better chance of it happening I think.

But like you said… when things make sense it doesn’t happen. After all, both the NFL and NFLPA proclaimed each side needs to meet at the negotiating table as much as possible and then they don’t speak to each other for 3 weeks. Like that makes sense…

- Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.
- Defeat isn't bitter if you don't swallow it.

by Finhead83 on Jun 6, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean like this seemingly counter productive move by one of the NFL's attorneys?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;ylt=AnkIFBdSx5Fqc5DOte8xqEFDubYF?slug=jc-colenfl_attorney_uses_mediation_against_players_060311

by texascowpunk on Jun 6, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree with POTM...

We should sign Noel divine or Mario Fannin as a Fa – Personally Fannin had good size/speed numbers at the combine… I think he might be a real good back… Divine is what we need in a scat back type..also i am NOT SOLD on Daniel Thomas either… we WAY OVER DRAFTED him….I just don’t see it. Now I just pray he is the real deal…..but I would resign Ronnie too – dosent have to be a long term deal….or at least bring in one PROVEN NFL back – D. Williams also works…. but I just want some SPEED IN THE BACKFIELD… Dan Thomas is a PLODDER……….4.63 ??? that sucks people…
sure Ronnie has “lost” a step – but he was a 4.4 back coming out… If healthy he is easily faster than Thomas still……….today’s NFL offense needs SPEED – at WR, RB and TE…..Speed puts the FEAR in a defense, keeps the safeties back, opens up the running lanes, and turns missed tackles into TD’s….
Lex is a backup nothing more, and really should be upgraded over – I root for him, but again dont see the speed/vision of a good back.

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by 62Lou on Jun 6, 2011 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I would like to see what Sheets can do but anyway

how many picks do we have in the supplemental draft?Also it should happen sometime next month so I have heard as well,I think we could find a guy there.
I would not mind taking Devlin for our no.3 QB either

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by Foy on Jun 6, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions