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We got a TON of work to do........A look at the salary Cap

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by 2socks, Jan 11, 2015.

  1. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    I recognize many people on this board have different knowledge of different aspects of the team. I think collectively we could help each other understand where we really stand and weather these coaches have a prayer of putting a competitive team on the field.

    I personally do not see how all of this can be accomplished in one season. It seems as if we year after year try to fix this little piece and that little piece hoping it translates into a much better on field product. We don't ever seem to go all in and once and for all address an area of the team that needs fixing.

    For example, if last season we would have went all in on the Offensive line and built depth we most likely would have still made the playoffs when Albert went down. Now we go into this off season and we still have glaring holes on the offensive line. I want to fix this team once and for all. We will once again live and die by the OL next year so we need to fix it and move on.

    The deeper I look the more I discover we need and it is not going to get easier it is only going to get harder. The next is from the article. I don't necessarily agree with the article but it does give a general over view of what we need:

    For the 2015 version of the Miami Dolphins to improve upon a mediocre 2014 campaign, changes need to be made throughout the roster. Since the coaching staff is likely to remain intact, that means players will be churned and upgraded wherever possible.

    The Dolphins’ salary-cap situation isn’t conducive to such changes right now, however. According to Over the Cap, the Dolphins have $143 million in cap obligations, and the cap ceiling is expected to be between $140 and $145 million in 2015. Luckily, Miami can create a solid amount of cap space, which we will dig into.

    One way the Dolphins can begin free agency with some room to work with is by carrying over $8 million from 2014. Since Miami kept that $8 million difference last season, it will benefit this free agency.

    Don’t forget, the rookie draft class will likely require around $5 million to sign seven picks. So that’s more room to account for.

    Let’s jump in and see the five areas that Miami’s lack of cap space will affect this offseason.



    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-agency-exploring-impact-of-miamis-salary-cap
     
  2. Aquafin

    Aquafin New Member

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    the poor house
    we will improve when we stop drafting offensive linemen in the first two rounds year after year.
     
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  3. VanDolPhan

    VanDolPhan Club member Club Member

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    We are not in bad cap shape. Just ditching the players we should due to poor performance will get us to around $38 million in cap room with the rollover without getting into more brutal cuts. It's just a lot of positions that need to be filled. Might even pick up a pick or 2 for them. Probably see a few one year deals though to help fill out the roster.
     
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  4. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

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    I guess. Only if it means that by that point, we'd already shored up the OL and can take a flyer on play makers.
     
  5. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    They will have good cap space once they cut some players. Assuming the Dolphins are smart enough to do so. Crap....
     
  6. 13Machine8385

    13Machine8385 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The answer to fixing the OL does not lie within drafting OL early over the next couple of years. We need to get a collection of playmakers on both sides of the ball. The OL is easier to fix through FA and mid/late draft picks.

    How many other Offensive lines have 3 first rounder? Of those very very few, how many would draft another one early regardless?

    Most of the league is ahead of us in terms of skill player talent. Its time to tip the scales instead of just getting by with mediocrity.
     
  7. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    I think Albert, guard in free agency, Pouncy, Turner, and James will be a good offensive line. Everyone back in their best position and hopefully an elite guard in free agency should do it. I would like to see a WR in the 1st round and a MLB in the 2nd round. They really need linebacker help and a redzone threat. Or a DT in the 1st round.
     
  8. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    Watching CJ Mosley and Kueckley yesterday makes me want a beast middle linebacker so bad. Oh I miss the days of Zach Thomas.
     
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  9. FinSane

    FinSane Cynical Dolphins Fan

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    Me too. The Koa Misi's of the world don't come close. Heck I'd settle for Dansby but that ship sailed when Philbin didn't want anyone with an opinion on this team.
     
  10. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    and our depth? we need depth as injuries happen and in fact derailed our season this year. I agree that we can try to get the fix through free agency. But if we dont, we have to draft at least two offensive linemen who are not projects, but plug and play types. that usually means earlier rounds
     
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  11. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    4th or 5th round for back ups. Don't need an OL in the 1st or 2nd in that case. Or maybe even get a veteran back up in free agency.
     
  12. Phins Up Wins Up

    Phins Up Wins Up Banned

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    Philbin has destroyed this team in more ways than one. Hopefully some free agents will want to come here despite him being here.
     
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  13. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    Ok but every guy you get rid of you now have to pay their replacement out of the 38 million. And you have to do it by getting better players so the team doesn't regress.......
     
  14. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    And your plan to replace those players with better player's for equal or less money is what????
     
  15. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    What am I missing here. Several of you are saying the same thing, but have no answer in how to accomplish cutting the players we have, replacing them with better talant all the while freeing up cap space to add a play maker or two so we can improve the team

    It's easy to state the obvious, but the obvious cost's money which we don't have
     
  16. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    Thank you, someone had to say it

    So can we as fans come up with a plan? Because GOD knows Philbin and company most likely won't.

    Instead we are now saddled with another Jets guy to "supervise". This obviously has been the answer of the owner:

    1. Retain a guy who has really ****ed up the roster and cap

    2. Retain a new Jets reject to supervise in the way of Mike Tannenbaum
     
  17. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    And now another hole will be filled be opened when they cut or trade Wallace. Instant offensive reduction.

    This one I'm afraid is going to hurt more then the others
     
  18. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    Draft picks and solid FAs. Brian hartline and gibson production is replaceable by Rishard mathews and a rookie. Kevin white would be cheaper and more productive than both imo. I see good lbs get drafted every year...just not by us. Hopefully tripp actually steps up cause we need him too. Wheeler And ellerbe should be gone, tripp, mccain, misi l, jordan (?), need to fill in. Our big questions are really at dt and og.
     
  19. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    Releasing Wheeler before June 1 only saves the Dolphins $200,000. He'll be back because it will cost more to replace him. $5.65 million on Ellerbe so he is probably history. Question is how much can we save replacing him and can we get a better LB for less. We will have to see how that one plays out.

    With Jelani Jenkins on the weak-side and Misi on the strong side we are good for another season. We still need to add linebackers, and that cost money. Money that we save from Ellerbe will most likely get eaten up and we may need more. This money will have to come from elsewhere because we are tight everywhere.

    So where do we get it from???? Wallace?
     
  20. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    I don't think that is that big of a deal.

    Ellerbe, Hartline, Gibson are all easily replaceable. Ellerbe is replaceable for nothing. Gibson and Hartline both can be replaced by players who cost way less. Especially Gibson who is useless with Landry on the team. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if Hazel replaces him. If you use June 1st on Ellerbe and Hartline, that is $16 million in cap room for all three of them.

    Then Starks and Finnegan need to be upgraded anyway. That is $10 million in cap space. That is $26 million in cap space where Starks and Finnegan need relatively paid free agents to replace them.

    Should also lower Field's cap hit by giving him an extension, however you probably need to determine if he is worth keeping around.

    Then there are many ways to work the cap.

    Miami's cap space is in a fine position.
     
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  21. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

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    It might save $200,000 this year, however it saves $3 million the season after.
     
  22. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    What and ignore a hole that's just as big as ANY other we have ??
     
  23. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    I think there are a few moves, most all of which we've talked about ad nauseum, that will give us some room to make a few moves that are needed...
     
  24. 13Machine8385

    13Machine8385 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Draft picks cost less money. Build through the draft. I felt that last year we absolutely had to draft 2 WR in the first 3 rounds. At some point we need to stock pile playmakers. The draft is the best way to do this.

    Cut Hartline and Gibson. We don't need them.
    Keep Wallace and draft a big bodied #1 WR at pick 14. Wallace has value. Hes not earning his contract but is still worth the 2.5M we would save if we cut him.
    After that take BPA in round 2 and round 3. Wouldn't be a bad thing to find a Borland type player at LB like SF did last year in these rounds.
     
  25. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    Wheeler was barely playing by the end of the season, saving any amount of money with him is good, cause we won't notice him being gone
     
  26. HogsHDFinsfan

    HogsHDFinsfan New Member

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    It's obvious that Dallas has really tanked since drafting 2 OL in the first round...lol.
     
  27. 13Machine8385

    13Machine8385 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Dallas already had the offensive weapons in place before adding their final OL piece with Martin this season. That's much different than to continue to spend high picks on OL when your playmakers are average at best. Who cares how good your line is if your skill players can't get open, fight for balls, break tackles, or make people miss in open space.

    The true problem with this franchise is lack of athletic playmakers. Its not the OL. 15 years of garbage offense has not been the OL. If we could for ONCE really go balls to the wall on drafting playmakers instead of plugging holes and drafting linemen early, I really think that would be the beginning of turning the corner. Then again we can continue drafting lineman early every year and watch all of the best playmakers continue to go to other teams. How many playmakers were playing in the playoffs this weekend that we passed on in previous drafts? The #1 WR on all 4 teams today just to name a few. (Dez, Nelson, Thomas, Hilton)

    Playoff teams understand the importance of having playmakers. The Colts, Broncos, Packers, and Cowboys are absolutely loaded.
     
  28. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    You're kind of underestimating how bad our oline is. Playmakers can't do **** when the qb is sacked in 2.5 seconds
     
  29. VanDolPhan

    VanDolPhan Club member Club Member

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    Amazing short term memory on this forum. Lets not forget that Dansby had become a lazy player 25lbs overweight during his final season here. That it took being cut to get him to take getting back into shape physically.

    $38 million is a lot when you factor in that most first years in contracts are structured to be lower cap hits. I've previously outlined how I would like to see things filled in FA and the draft (http://bit.ly/14KIiaV). Note: That was just one way to go about it. I could have also gone more emphasis on WR and less on DT etc. Outside of a Suh none of those would cost more then $6 million a year with probably a $3 million first year cap hit. The only way it would have to played tightly is if they were somehow able to go all in and get Suh. Then yes the cap would be a little more interesting...but manageable.

    You should really play our GM League game that is starting very very soon on this forum.
     
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  30. 13Machine8385

    13Machine8385 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Whatever the problem with the OL, its not best to fix it in the first 2 rounds when we don't even have a true #1 WR. The OL has been a scapegoat for our real problem. Some of the sacks were coverage sacks or 17 simply standing in one spot like a statue.

    The OL absolutely needs fixing but lets do it a different way. We draft like crap year after year and wonder why we suddenly have so many holes. If there was a report done somewhere on all of the best offensive lines and when the individual linemen were drafted or how obtained, I think it would show some surprising results. Many lines are built in middle rounds except for a franchise LT and possibly a center, in which we already have both.
     
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  31. BigNastyDB13

    BigNastyDB13 Well-Known Member

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    We already have our tackles so I don't see this great need to go out and spend big money and use high picks on the interior of the oline. We really only need 1 good, starting guard and then some decent depth, all which can be acquired in the middle rounds or on cheaper fa, at least more so than our other glaring holes like a competent wr to go with wallace and some secondary help. We have 1 good cb, who is getting old and 1 good safety. You can't tell me a guard is more important than a cb or safety in this league. Pouncey is overrated and got exposed when he had to pass block 1 on 1, so he will eventually need replacing but S.Smith, Turner or a mid round pick can adequately start at one of the spots. Smith was better than Pouncey and who knows what Turner will do. You can't assume he sucks just because our ****** of a HC didn't play him. The point is we can get by without 2 star guards this offseason but we desperately need playmakers on both sides. Our only playmaker on offense, currently under contract is Wallace. This team despises playmakers it seems.
     
  32. BigNastyDB13

    BigNastyDB13 Well-Known Member

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    Fans seriously want to take a G with a top 20 pick when we have holes at premier positions like dt, lb, cb, s, wr and currently te? And when we struggle next year it'll be because thill doesn't have any weapons right? I could understand if we needed a LT but we already used our main resources to fix that last offseason. It's high time we stop passing on the Dez bryants and earl Thomas of the world for pouncey and misi and odricks. It's gotten us nowhere.
     
  33. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    Fair statement except you forget one thing. We can have all the play makers in the world if you can't get them the ball because your laying on your back ............well

    Let s not forget a running attack with lineman that can actually block opens up the passing game for the non #1 receivers everyone claims we have

    I hate to say it but there are so many holes on this team that the ship is filling up quick. We can only take on so much water before the ship sinks.

    Maybe we will get lucky and Captain Queasy will go down with the ship!!!
     
  34. CitizenSnips

    CitizenSnips hmm.

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    We don't have that many holes, you guys are Debbie downers. We have mediocre talent at places but we aren't so thin across the board that we will start bring terrible.

    I want a wr at #14, a FA DT, possibly a safety in round 2, and then lineman after that. The key is weather or not our draft picks this year and last contribute. We need them to.
     
  35. 77FinFan

    77FinFan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    What is the budget (for lack of a better term) for this years rookie class? Less than ten million, right?
     
  36. 2socks

    2socks Rebuilding Since 1973

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    I looked up our cap and we are at 141 right now.

    Cap for 2015 was set at 133 and we have 8 mill roll over

    It looks like we are break even best I can tell

    http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/cap/
     
  37. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Look. Stop with the Bleacher Report junk, please. This cap info is so myopic.

    A. Miami Does have cap rollover (I think it's $8-15 M actually).

    B. It doesn't recognize that there are sure to be a slew of cap savings.

    C. This was discussed rather extensively on here not 2 months ago. Is our memory that short? :)

    D. Here's the Cap situation (not including the rollover savings):

    http://overthecap.com/calculator/miami-dolphins/

    Note the potential savings with realistic cuts:

    Ellerbe: $5.6 M
    Hartline: $3.1 M
    Finnegan: $5.5 M
    Starks: $5 M
    Gibson: $3.2 M
    Shelley Smith: $2.75 M

    That's $25 M off the books. Add the rollover money and we could be somewhere around $35-40 M under.

    And those players are all players that really need to be gone or, if brought back, at seriously reduced numbers.

    Plus, we could get into some renegotiations for savings with the likes of Wake and Reshad Jones. I don't think Miami will jettison Pouncey. That would really hurt the OL too severely. But if they did that would be another $7.5 M in savings.

    And, if they went after a FA WR, they could (though I don't think they will given they are going to surely dump Hartline and Gibson) also dump Wallace and save $2.5 M. But, I don't think that savings in the cap is worthwhile.
     
  38. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Given the draft and cap savings, Miami's needs are:

    1) OL (both OGs and a legit backup OT). I think they can sign a quality OG in the off-season who will be significantly better than the present group, draft an OG (I would want one in round 1-2). And sign a decent backup OT in free agency. There are always several stop-gap types that could work while we wait for Albert.

    2) WR - We'll need at least 2 if not 3 new ones. I'd also look at this in free agency (that's where I'd go for a "big fish" type to go with Wallace and Landry; and then add another in the draft (in the top 2-3 rounds).

    3) DT - I think this could also be a decent splash free agent. We could go for Odrick in a "this year cap friendly" deal; or move on and go for a good run stuffer. I also think this is a draft need but it could be filled later as a backup.

    4) CB/S - we should be able to land a Finnegan type (who played quite well while he was healthy) at a decent price. And, we will need a S. If we are looking at the draft - I'm looking OG, S, WR in the first 3 rounds. If we sign a good WR then I am looking at round 3-4 four WR and we can look OL, DT, S in the first 3 rounds.

    We should be able to do some roster-fill-ins with reasonably priced free agents.
     
  39. VanDolPhan

    VanDolPhan Club member Club Member

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    That's overkill. I could go for 2 of the 3 and that's signing an OG (Boling/Franklin) and finding a reliable swing tackle. But drafting a high guard on top of that is overkill. We have a player in Turner who is a bulldozer of a man. He should be able to man that RG spot and provide an excellent push in the run blocking. Don't let Dallas Thomas (Ireland) pick sour you. Turner was a consensus beast that was just raw and ended up with turf toe in his rookie year for a coach who hates playing rookies unless they are 1st/2nd rounders. At best you add some mid round/late guys/vet depth signings and UDFA's to compete with them.

    I do love Kevin White at 14 to replace Hartline. Try to make it work with Wallace for one more year. Hard to score on 2 WR's in one offseason. We will need 2 DT's in FA. I could see a splash guy...but then keep your eye out for an Earl Mitchell type signing for the 2nd guy. If we were going to blow a wad here ....I'd be all for Suh...very unlikely though. Most likely we sign a $6 million guy here and a $4 million guy. Odrick had a really crap year so I'd only bring him back if he was in the $4 to $5 million a year range on a 3-4 year deal.

    I'd create more cap space after the draft if we can land Kendricks in round 2 that would allow us to ditch Misi. (Jenkins/Kendricks/Dion Jordan LB trio?).

    Might be wise to double dip on the CB's. There are only Finnegan type corners on the market so based on the suggestions I just made I would grab a corner in FA and add one in the 3rd or 4th.

    FS I am fine with a 1 year deal guy again. Let Aikens compete and bring in a late rounder and UDFA's to compete. If we get no development there we can always hit that next year when Philbin is canned.
     

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