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what to do in 2014 to improve the roster

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by the 23rd, Feb 2, 2014.

  1. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    KEEPERS & WHAT TO DO:
    offensive line:
    would rebuild the starting offensive line through free-agency with proven bulls, keeping:
    Pouncey, Mike
    Thomas, Dallas
    Watkins, Danny
    Clabo, Tyson
    Garner, Nate
    (in my book, Incognito is still an option & we should draft a RT to develop & compete w/Clabo)
    receiving corp:

    if healthy, we need nothing, just bring back:
    Binns, Armon
    Gibson, Brandon
    Keller, Dustin
    sundry items:
    1) keep Matt Moore as back-up for another season. Tannehill ended badly.
    2) rebuild the starting offensive line mostly through free-agency
    3) replace Thomas with a short-yardage/ blocking PowerBack/FB
    4) keep Solai & use more frequently the 3/4 (Dion @ L/B) & re-sign Grimes & Patterson
    5) bring in kicker to compete with Sturgis
    6) draft the best/highest rated as they fall in the draft. talent creates competition!

    *given that Tannehill continues to improve, I think we're much closer to consistent viability & play-offs than most are willing to admit after so much promise & disappointment in 2013

    if you are not a pundit (recognizing we have a number of them posting our forum), there is a big difference between negative & constructive, innovated/thought-provoking posting... we are the NFL environment the franchise must take root in to grow into fruition.
     
  2. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    Can't tell you that you might use it when you become a GM:wink2:
     
  3. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    thank you
    would also like to see Incognito brought back @ RG with the right contract in place!
    never know what the season will bring...
     
  4. Phoenician Fan

    Phoenician Fan Well-Known Member

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    The single best move this team could make would be to convert to a base 3-4 and move Jordan to the Will LB/Joker position and using Misi as a 1 or 2 down LB at Mike or thumper.

    Acquire Cooper Taylor via trade and let him and Jelani Jenkins compete for coverage LB duties.

    This relegates Wheeler and Ellerbe to special teams and spot duty/backup roles; and that improve the team's performance more than any single FA, even the prized LT Eugene Monroe, but I definitely want him too, along with a few other FA's like RT David Stewart,C Dominic Raiola, RB Toby Gerhart,WR Danario Alexander,OG Jon Asamoah,OLB Lawrence Sidbury,DT Al Woods.

    Trade Daniel Thomas and Jonathan Martin and draft RB Lache Seastrunk and OT James Hurst.

    No time for the rest.
     
    the 23rd likes this.
  5. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    He will not be coming back.Gibson is on a 3-year deal.Nobody will trade for Jonathan Martin.Just some general responses.
     
    the 23rd likes this.
  6. Ohio Fanatic

    Ohio Fanatic Twuaddle or bust Club Member

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    As much as I love Dustin Keller, I'm not sure I want him on the team next year. Odds are, even if he makes a comeback, he'll be a fraction of his former self and likely ends up injured again. We need to draft a TE in one of the first two rounds. If Keller wants to come back and nurse his health and be a cheap 2nd/3rd TE behind Clay and the rookie, then great. otherwise, we need to move on.
     
  7. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    enjoyed immensely Bruno Mars' drum solo:

    1) what this SuperBowl "beat-down" shows is the importance of brutality & aggressive attitude in the sport. hope the "bully-gate" didn't castrate/derail our team (coaching cadre). I'm sure that would please many Dolphin detractors. just one more reason to return Incognito to the offensive line. talent, attitude & coaching win games.

    2) Keller is a proven commodity. there was no nerve damage to the knee, so he'll probably be back next year. his motivation to play the best in his illustrious career will be paramount given that he was already playing on a 1 year contract before his injury. I suspect/hope he will do just fine... Keller & Clay could be an item! what's not to like?

    3) don't see a market/trade for Jonathan Martin but Daniel Thomas should be worth something. having said that, don't be surprised to see Incognito quietly slip back into the fold. we have two viable pro-bowl linesmen with reasonable playing time left on their clock & can't afford to lose either one of them... even if they rub some (amongst the righteous & indignant) the wrong way .
     
  8. Fame

    Fame Well-Known Member

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    Incognito will never play for the dolphins again. Matt Moore is way too expensive to keep as a backup. Sturgis is fine and he's cheap. You don't bring in kicker competition for a guy you just drafted.
     
  9. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    in reply:

    1) don't count Incognito out until he is actually no longer on the team & under contract somewhere else. after the dust has settled, reason may yet prevail...

    2) Moore expensive? maybe, maybe not. Tannehill's success in his 3rd year is no guarantee after the last 2 games of the season. your back-up may quickly become your starter if Ryan doesn't recover from the beating he took in 2013. personally, I would view Moore's presence on the roster as an insurance policy until Tannehill gets through his third year, legitimately emerging as our franchise QB...

    3) Sturgis may turn the corner on the job next season, but he was not a qualified success in 2013. I'd build a fire under him, nothing like competition to motivate.
    we're not talking major money to bring in another kicker to compete & we obviously need to improve that area of our game. unlike many positions, kickers do not require a great deal of time to prove their worth or reach/display their potential. its a relatively straight forward process for their skill set.
     
  10. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

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    Nothing good happens in Miami until the OL is sorted out.

    Martin and Incognito - gone. Either of them back just turns the whole place into a circus again.
    Pouncey - I'd be happy to see him traded away. I'm getting the screaming heebie jeebies about his character. Drug use, Hernandez, being the only player to publicly support either Martin or Incognito. Tick tick tick goes the time bomb so let someone else be carrying it when it goes boom.
    The rest of them - generic scrubs to be upgraded.

    If the 'phins spend 3 of their first 4 picks on the OL, I'd be quite cool with that.
     
  11. LBsFinest

    LBsFinest Banned

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    you could if you weren't the one who drafted him.
     
    the 23rd and Itsdahumidity like this.
  12. Xeticus

    Xeticus Junior Member

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    That is one of the things that drove me nuts about Ireland. He never spent high draft picks on WR/TE. I think Egnew was has highest pick and last draft was loaded with receivers and tight ends. I do like Charles Clay though for us. but more TE help would be great.
     
  13. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    from thread entry:
    *given that Tannehill continues to improve, I think we're much closer to consistent viability & play-offs than most are willing to admit after so much promise & disappointment in 2013


    interesting statement from the owner:
    http://www.sun-sentinel.com/videogallery/79104947/Steve-Ross-We-re-not-playing-fantasy-football

    I think Steve Ross:
    1) has just taken too much unjustifiable criticism
    2) is developing into an excellent owner & is no body's fool
    3) looking forward to an excellent 2014, if Tannehill returns intact & unscathed

    I agree with Pauly it all begins in the trenches. having said that, we have very little on the "to do"/"must do" list outside of correcting/building a viable offensive line in 2014... very "doable"
     
  14. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    DT is an issue, I favor the 4-3, but with our two DT's in FA, we have an issue there

    Do think Ireland, for his faults could fill those holes on the DL

    Also think Wheeler is very replaceable.

    Think we need FA OL on two of the four holes, esp LT as drafting one with the #18 makes little sense, to me, LG is a seriously problem and would prefer seeing one added with a high pick to team with Pouncey
     
  15. Silverphin

    Silverphin Well-Known Member

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    ....Yeah, I don't want Richie Incognito back. Honestly, I think it'd be in our best interests to distance ourselves from both him and Martin.

    As for ways to improve the team? I think we need to go O-line heavy this offseason. Maybe re-sign McKinnie as a back up, if he's down with that. Basically, build around Pouncey. Plus, find a Tight End I can block. See if Dustin Keller can go. And if not, find a TE that can give us a two handed monster of sorts.

    Also, have Tannehill and Wallace on a training regimen so they can actually be in sync.
     
  16. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    all good ideas...
    having said that, I assure you, even with "proven NFL bulls" replacing four out of five starters & winning will be extremely difficult the first year & we have to win in 2014. it would take an excellent pre-season & half the regular season to transition the line. I'd keep Clabo & work a deal with Incognito in the quiet of the off-season.
    an interesting move would be to go after a pro-bowl caliber Center moving Pouncey to LG & Incognito to RG, replacing the left tackle with a younger pro-bowl caliber player & drafting a RT to groom & compete with Clabo.
    it all begins in the trenches.
     
  17. Phoenician Fan

    Phoenician Fan Well-Known Member

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    After the scandal broke Jim Harbaugh, Martins coach at Stanford, came out in support of Jonathan Martin and went as far as calling him his friend.

    The 49ers have nothing on their bench coming into 2014 as far OT except undrafted rookie Luke Marqhardt who spent the year on the non football reserve list.

    They might just give us one of their three 7th round picks; and they may actually have another one via comp.

    It's the most plausible IMO, but who knows any more. Maybe the Sea Hawks give us a 6th just to spite Harbaugh.
     
  18. TooGoodForDez

    TooGoodForDez Deion Sanders for GM

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    Call Seahawks about Chancellor
     
  19. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    Philbinfan:
    1) do you honestly think the SeaHawks would consider Jon Jon as a water boy on their team? Martin is the epitome of what they are not!
    2) as far as the 49'ers... well, they have to play the SeaHawks twice every season. do you think they can afford a franchise wrecker amongst their final 53? I don't think a winning coach would go there, even out of friendship.
     
  20. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    1) you don't just snap your fingers and build in that 'aggressive attitude' into a team. It's not in Philbin's DNA, that comes from the HC and he does not have that aggressiveness built in to himself...Don't hold your hopes up of seeing that...

    2) I loved the Keller signing, but he's missed time in each of his 6 seasons. He may re-sign with us, but it would only be after testing the market once again and our inability to pickup a better option. He may or may not have had nerve damage, but that knee was shredded...it's unlikely he comes back here...

    3) after the Bully-gate thing, RI will not, in any way, shape or form be back here. His time is done in Miami. Ross has as much as said so. He is also a FA anyway... There might even be a chance that Pouncey gets involved in this melee with the Wells report, beings that he's been outed as a drug source by RI and JM...and don't forget the police are still talking to him about his association with Hernandez... Admittedly, he's our one true stud on the OL but don't be too shocked if we are looking for 5 OL, not just the 4 that we need now...
     
  21. the 23rd

    the 23rd a.k.a. Rio

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    Larryfinfan:

    1) I think many people underestimate Philbin. I may be way out in left field, but I see the guy as possessing all the necessary attributes of a SuperBowl contending coach. for me, I believe he is caste from the same mold as coaches like Dungy or Belichick. Lazor may help provide more motivational fire in the belly required on the offense. ultimately, we need to foster more leadership on our player roster.

    2) it is a medical fact not my opinion that there was no permanent nerve damage to Keller's knee. I think his best option is a second shot with Miami in 2014. certainly, after the injury suffered, his expectations in free agency have to be significantly reduced.

    3) we cannot replace 4 out of 5 starting linesmen & expect a winning season & shot at the play-offs. the offensive line, more than any unit requires integration, timing & familiarity to succeed. they move as one.
     
  22. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    All I was saying is that Philbin is not that kind of HC. He is not a fiery leader like Harbaugh, Shula, Noll, Cowher, etc...he's more cerebral and passive. That is going to reflect this team as well... If you expect that a new OC is suddenly going to change Philbin, I don't think so...that said, I don't think he can't be successful, just that he's not going to suddenly be capable of turning this team into the machismo of the Ravens in Ray Lewis' heyday...

    I think they like what Clay has become and will try to build on it. If they pick up another TE, it will likely be more of the complimentary type, not the same type (both Clay and Keller are 'pass receiving TE's')... I could be wrong, but he will want to start somewhere and I don't think they hold Clay back to give him a shot... To me, that means he's on his way out...

    Whether or not it's wise to try to replace the OL wholesale, I think they will be forced into it. Pouncey, unless the NFL steps in, will be here. JJ is borderline quality. The reason he didn't receive as much flack this year is that the OTs were so bad that they overshadowed what he was doing. He's still the same guy as a year ago... Clabo is a FA but could be back on the cheap as he fits the scheme and didn't do anything to erase the 2nd/3rd tier OT stigma that he garnered when we got him last offseason. Thomas hasn't done anything to date. Garner is a capable backup. McKinnie is a FA and is just about done...there's no guarantee that he'll last another NFL season... Yeatman ?? Watkins ?? They did re-sign Lance Louis to a futures contract, but he has two years of injuries to overcome...

    What in any of those guys (sans Pouncey) says "retain" ??
     
  23. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    My bad on Lance Louis...seems he signed with the Colts during the season...NFL.com has it wrong, I guess...
     
  24. cdz12250

    cdz12250 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Especially in a zone blocking scheme, where players in a double team block need to have a feel for which one should release and go to the secondary assignment while the other stays engaged. But you have to think that just about anything has to be better than what we ended up with last season.
     

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