Rationalizing Matt Moore/Defense

by Daniel Suarez on Jan 17, 2012 9:43 AM EST

Before I begin my journey into MADNESS, I will include a disclaimer. I Believe the Dolphins should approach this Draft and/or this offseason targeting a QB that can provide stability either in the short term or long term. I feel its the easiest way to assure long term success, or seasonal playoff appearances, ala Chad Pennington. Nevertheless, the cards don't appear to be turning favorably for the Dolphins, and another plan of attack needs to be considered and evaluated.

The Ravens, 49er approach (Serviceable QB, good running game, great Defense.) Now I know this is somewhat blasphemous talk to Dolphin fans that have endured this philosophy for years and believe me, as I type it, I cringe at the possibility. Nevertheless, bear with me as I see how far the rabbit hole goes.

The Ravens were third in points allowed this year; There QB posted an 80.9 QB rating, 20 TD's 12 Ints

AFC championship game. (Jets used this formula twice to get into the Conference Championship.)

The 49ers were second in points allowed this year; There QB posted an 90.7 QB rating, 17 TD's 5 Ints

NFC championship game

The Miami Dolphins were 6th in points allowed this year; There QB posted an 87.1 QB rating, 16 TD's 8 Ints

in 12 starts (he had 9 INT's total but one came in relief so I wont count it since he wasn't the starter and had no practices under his belt. )

As you can see the Dolphins are not that far away from formula, and if you average out Matt Moore's performance over the entire season his numbers would look something along the lines of 21TD's and 11Ints. Also, consider that he had no offseason, wasn't able to practice with the starters and was coming of a shoulder injury that sidelined him the year before; that's almost a whole year without any field action. Very few QB's would be able to perform under those conditions.

So as I take all this Data in, I come to one sobering realization, IF WE CAN'T get RGIII, we need solidify our Defense further and get them to be elite. Because lets face it, we are not outscoring Tom Brady anytime soon, WE NEED TO STOP HIM.

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Let Baltimore or SF win the Super Bowl first...

Otherwise you’ll have comments from many trying to blow holes in your theories if the Pats pound Baltimore.

- 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.

Contributing Writer to the The Phinsider

by Finhead83 on Jan 17, 2012 9:53 AM EST reply actions

I know

But at this point I’ll take a conference championship appearance.

by Daniel Suarez on Jan 17, 2012 9:55 AM EST reply actions

I think you've got the right theory going but I'm sure neither team will win Pats NYG SB

"All the money in the world can't buy a perfect season"

" I'm a Buffalo Bills/Sabres fan so I don't know how to react to this"
(Bills fan after winning a tipping comp)

by AussiePhinfan on Jan 17, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

Moore needs to fumble less

Although, getting a real RT, will help that.

"The first thing I do when I get out of bed and feel the jolt in my knees is think of Roy Winston. On the second step, my calcified Adam's apple starts bobbing, and I think of Carl Eller. A few more steps in the dark and it's Willie Lanier. By the time I get to the bathroom, I'm flashing back to Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke. And when the light finally comes on, I just hope that somewhere in the darkness they're thinking of me, too" - Larry Csonka.
He played before my time but one of the toughest SOBs to ever play!

by Strange on Jan 17, 2012 10:22 AM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

and take less dumb sacks

a wise man once said..."My cats breath smells like cat food"
My love for THE MIAMI DOLPHINS is unconditional...period!
Win for pride, Win for us fans!
God I hope we can knock the Jets out of the playoffs, I couldn't imagine despising a team and fan base more.

Go Dolphins!

by Phinphinatic on Jan 17, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

Also helped by a real RT.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 17, 2012 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

I see your point, and as promising as we look

we’re not defensively on the level of Baltimore or San Fran yet.

I'm ALL- IN. Do whatever it takes to get Andrew Luck or RGIII to Miami in 2012.
Laces out!
-2008 AFC East Champions-
BRANDON MARSHALL- FUTURE MIAMI HOF WR!!!!!
Tom Brandstater- more TD's than completions. Last person to tell him that's not possible, well, nobody has seen him since.

by BSerious72 on Jan 17, 2012 10:46 AM EST reply actions

True Yet

But perhaps a good draft can get us their….. we are younger though than the Ravens, so thats something

by Daniel Suarez on Jan 17, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

I guess my point is

Perhaps we shouldn’t be ALL IN for a new QB when our current QB could actually be very good, maybe not GREAT!! but lets face it GREAT is rare and elusive to most Franchises.

by Daniel Suarez on Jan 17, 2012 12:15 PM EST reply actions

I was expecting this to go on

I think the Phins should do both. get a QB of the future and bolster the D. we can’t put all our eggs in just one basket (Matt Moore). this team has been burned by that too many times.
still, even in today’s pass-heavy NFL, the playoffs have shown us defense and running still win this time of year, but it’s a new formula: defense + run the ball + ability to pass. I think the Phins are starting to catch up to this formula. they just need the defense to be elite, and they’re not too far from that.

BULLieving in Miami | Tumblr

by BULLieving in Miami on Jan 17, 2012 1:42 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

But would you

give up picks to get RGIII?

by Daniel Suarez on Jan 17, 2012 2:43 PM EST reply actions

yes

it’s how business works in the NFL. picks traded to move up. happens all the time. but always at the right price in mind. not talking handing over the farm either.

btw, use reply…

BULLieving in Miami | Tumblr

by BULLieving in Miami on Jan 17, 2012 4:29 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

I'm starting to think Matt Moore might be the guy for next year if we can't get RGIII.

Give the guy weapons. Sign TE Carlson.

Solidify that line. Sign Mike Adams in the 2nd and OG Zeitler in the 3rd.

Go grab a pass rusher in the 1st either by sticking at 8 or trading down. If we go 4-3 Coples would be a great option. If not, trade down and grab Whitney Mercilus for 3-4. I really like him.

If you pick up an extra pick by trading down and get a second, grab Alameda Ta’amu, NT out of Washington or Josh Chapman, NT, out of Alabama (if we stick 3-4).

Then 4th round, Ladarius Greene.

Point is, solidify the defence and give Moore some weapons, and this may be a good argument.

by BahamaDolfan on Jan 17, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

the only issue I have is if it's a one-year trial for Moore

and he still busts but we finish 6-10 or 7-9, we’re back in the same position just out of reach to draft a top-prospect QB. I think St. Louis is ripe for the picking if they are really sticking with Bradford. gotta strike while the iron is hot.

BULLieving in Miami | Tumblr

by BULLieving in Miami on Jan 17, 2012 4:32 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

You don't think there will be 3 Top 10 QBs next year with Jones and Barkley

returning to school? I find that hard to believe.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 17, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, because nobody was saying that at this time last year, right?

by PNSter on Jan 18, 2012 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah,

except they can’t go back to play for the NCAA for a 5th year. Everyone coming out this year was juniors. You don’t think one big junior is coming out next year?

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 18, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

People say the same thing every year.

And yet every year, someone gets hurt, or decides not to play in the NFL, or has a down year, or any number of things. There’s a reason people make more than one mock draft.

I realize nothing is ever going to change your mind because you obstinately refuse to accept facts. I feel fortunate that you are not the one making decisions.

by PNSter on Jan 18, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting turn to the argument.

Considering I was all for selling the farm last year for Newton, or drafting Mallet at 15, it seems like my mind changes based on the circumstances; so, spare me the generic-poop-covered-attacks that you have pulled out of your ass.

As I said last year, if we wanted to go for Luck, then we needed to stockpile picks last year in order to make moving up in this years draft easier. The same exact situation exists for next years draft class, that has more NFL ready QBs in it. This draft is Luck and then projects. Many people are falling in love with RG3 because they are so desperate for a QB now (and I’m even seeing Weeden thrown into the conversation… yeah WEEDEN a guy older than John Beck was when he declared) but last year was the year to grab a QB in the first. Not this year. This year is Luck and then a huge drop off to the rest.

Also, last year we had Henne… and well Henne. Matt Moore is far better than Henne and plays well enough to get us into the playoffs should our coaching staff use our talent effectively. We are in a better position to wait until the right QB comes than we were last year.

But, I’m probably not going to change your “obstinate” mind, since your “facts” (read: opinions) don’t coincide with my actual logic.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 18, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

As I said.

Reality = ignored.

Many people are falling in love with RG3 because they are so desperate for a QB now

last year was the year to grab a QB in the first. Not this year.

Matt Moore is far better than Henne and plays well enough to get us into the playoffs

The argument hasn’t turned. I see you trying to turn, but I’m not falling for it.

There’s no guarantee next year’s draft will better than this year’s, and you didn’t know last year that half of the eligible 1st round QBs would go back to school.

by PNSter on Jan 18, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I sure didn't know that this year half the eligible 1st Round QBs would go back to school,

but what I did know was that there were a SHITLOAD of first round QBs last year. And this year really had ONE top name to target that made the rest of his class look good.

But nice job quoting my accurate statements.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 18, 2012 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

Oh

and keep pretending that the juniors that went back this year aren’t going to declare next year LMAO.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 18, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

I'm recing this.

The smartest things you’ve said all day are in those green boxes.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 18, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Not to mention,

last year was THE CLASS and people just had blinders on. Just wait until Locker gets more playing time and Mallet finally hits the field.

More of Moore in 2012!

Coples for our new 4-3!

'Phins phor Liphe!

by joel311 on Jan 18, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Good Article!

This is the approach Miami should use. Definately draft a QB this year, and hope you hit on a good one. Though Miami should also draft a TE and maybe a Guard for the offense.
John Jerry can play RT. Miami should draft claiborne if he falls to miami at #9 and move sean smith to safety. If claiborne is gone draft OLB Zach Brown.

by tpl on Jan 17, 2012 4:46 PM EST reply actions