Finhead's Ramblings: A new year with the same old optimism, but this time something is different.
by Finhead83 on Feb 14, 2012 5:00 PM EST
It's a new year and optimisim, for the most part, is in the air. Every year we are filled with optimism because we convince ourselves with ideas like "if we sign this guy or draft so-and-so, we'll be set." Yet, the optimism has failed to translate to success.
In 2009, we were riding high on the magic of the 2008 season. We ended in a disappointing 7-9 record. In 2010, we were optimistic because of flashes Chad Henne showed the previous year. With a year of experience and a new WR in Brandon Marshall, we'd be set. We were again disappointed, this time with Henne's play and our lackluster running game. The optimism may not have been as high in 2011, partly because of the lockout, but there was still hope that with improvement from Henne and a new flashy toy with Reggie Bush, our offense would get back on track. We had a new Offensive Coordinator in Brian Daboll and our defense was pretty darn good. We all know the story of last year.
This year, we're optimistic again. Predictions of 11-5 or 12-4 will be rolling out in the next few months. Now before you go and get all Debbie Downer on yourself when I look back at our past optimism and think it's just false hope, you have to think of why you're excited for this year. So what reasons do you have to be excited about?
29 comments"Poison pill" for offer sheets removed from CBA
There has been much discussion of the concept of the "poison pill" being placed in offer sheets by teams wishing to sign another teams restricted free agent. More specifically as it applies to this site the discussion has centered around the poison pill that NE placed in their offer sheet to Welker which in turn forced the Dolphins to trade Welker.
The poison pill of course is nothing more then wording placed in an offer sheet that makes it cost prohibitive for the players current team to match the offer. Wording in the past that has been used basically states that if the player plays a certain number of games in a given city or state that his entire contract will be guaranteed or accelerated to a much higher level.
I had speculated that it may have possibly been wiped out, the ability to use it that is, by the new CBA. There had been discussion of language in the new contract barring teams from doing so but with all the other larger issues at hand I never read anything confirming it. Previously there had been a "gentlemen's agreement" to stop using the practice.
Assuming this article that does not cite the actual CBA but "a source with intimate knowledge of the new CBA" this is exactly what has happened. According to this source "The ability of one team to sign a player to an offer sheet and include a term that would, for example, make the entire amount of the contract fully guaranteed if the player plays more than four games in the stadium where his current team plays, has disappeared."
Miami Dolphins News You May Have Missed - 2/14/12
by Kdog92 on Feb 14, 2012 12:00 PM EST
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News You May Have Missed
Here are the Miami Dolphins news stories from around the web you may have missed over the last 24 hours:
Dolphins Staff:
Examining the Miami Dolphins' ownership, front office and new-look coaching staff - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Photos of the whole entire Phins staff.
Dolphins Quarterbacks:
Peyton Manning Tracker: Where could he end up? - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
A look at the NFL teams that would be a good fit for Peyton Manning
Dolphins Wide Receivers:
Could Randy Moss find work with Miami Dolphins? – Miami Dolphins – Sun-Sentinel
The very last time we saw Randy Moss on a football field in South Florida Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis had the future Hall of Famer in a sleeper hold.
Mario Williams to Miami?
This guy thinks it's possible. I really doubt that he leaves Houston, since it would be a PR nightmare and he's still an outstanding talent. The author brings up a good point though about the cap space, and there's no doubt he'd be a perfect addition for our new 4-3 to compliment Cameron Wake. However, I think his price tag will be much too high and our front office will look elsewhere to spend our money.
Miami Dolphins All-Time Top 100 Players: 92. Marco Coleman
by Kevin Kraczkowski on Feb 14, 2012 8:00 AM EST
in Miami Dolphins Historical Perspective
Coleman attended Georgia Tech in college. Even though he only played three years, he left the school with a record 28 sacks. He earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors his junior year. In 1990, Coleman was named to the Sporting News All-American second team.
The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft with the 12th overall pick. In his rookie season, Coleman split time between left outside linebacker and right defensive end. He recorded a total of six sacks along with 84 tackles and a forced fumble on his way to being named the Sports Ilustrated Rookie of the Year and also the Sporting News Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Read more after the jump.
Mike Sherman's playbook
This page has a collection of Greenbay play write ups from when Mike Sherman was OC for the Packers. Yes it is from 5 years ago, but some of the plays might still be part of our playbook next year.
(I am thinking 98 Toss Solid Buck here: Marshall on the left, pouncy, long and incognito on the reach blocks...)
Free Agent Wide Receiver Randy Moss Wants to Comeback; Could Miami Make Sense?
by Mosul_DolFan on Feb 14, 2012 5:00 AM EST
in 2012 NFL Free Agency
Yesterday, Finhead83 posted a Fan Shot discussing free agent wide receiver Randy Moss attempting to make a come back in the NFL next year. With the Dolphins looking to improve after three straight losing seasons, could Moss make sense for the Dolphins?
The most common answer is going to be no. A very emphatic no, even. But, I think there's one reason why Moss could make sense in Miami next season.
Are We Next Year's 49ers?
by PhinnyFromItaly on Feb 14, 2012 12:25 AM EST
I am 24 years old. I have been watching football since the season Marino retired. I missed the glory days of the 70's. I missed Marino at his prime. I was able to watch some videos of the past eras of Miami Dolphins football and observed closely. I witnessed the way Csonka bulldozed through defenders, how decisive and precise Marino was.
There truly was a different culture. Dolphin fans filled the stands and it seemed as though we had a home field advantage at one point. It gave me chills seeing how dominate we were. Times have changed and will continue to do so, as this is a new era for Miami Dolphins football, which started with our new coaching staff.
As easy as it is to be negative and pessimistic regarding the Dolphins, I believe we are next years 49ers. With an already a good defense, we improve our secondary and get a pass rusher on the opposite end of Wake. At that point we will transition from good to great.
It's safe to say that our starting QB will most likely be either Manning, Flynn, or Moore. Less likely to be Luck, RG3 or Tennehill. Worst case scenario is we start Moore. I'm actually pretty comfortable with this move. That is, if we have no other options, but I'd prefer an upgrade. Alex Smith played in 4 more games and barely had better stats than Moore and look where they made it this year.
| Player | Att | Comp | Yds | Comp % | Yds/Att | TD | INT | Long | Sck | Sck/Lost | Rating |
| Moore | 347 | 210 | 2497 | 60.5 | 16 | 9 | 2.6 | 65 | 36 | 229 | 87.1 |
| Smith | 445 | 273 | 3144 | 61.3 | 17 | 5 | 1.1 | 56 | 44 | 263 | 90.7 |
Nearly every year there is a team that plays poorly one season, then turns it around the following year and makes a deep run into the playoffs. It's just a matter of perspective. Do you want to believe we are next or not?
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