I think a lot of us got a bit too hyped over the 2 big wins over NE and SD. While this team is much improved, it looks more like an 8-8 team than a playoff contender. This past offseason was about shoring up the lines, and it looks like we accomplished that. With the most important positions in football set for the future, its time to shore up our receiving corps and secondary. Right now, we have three players at those spots. Greg Camarillo, Will Allen, and Yeremiah Bell. Everyone else needs to be upgraded imo. I am really starting to believe that Ginn is a bust. It seems like he lacks confidence in himself. I actually think that we SHOULD trade a 2nd for Roy Williams now. It gives him time to learn the system, and we would have a relatively young elite receiver for the future once we sign him up long term. Then we could focus almost exclusively on the secondary through the draft... If we take care of those things in the offseason, we will be a team to be reckoned with in 2009. Plus, with old man Favre likely out of the league and Brady recovering from a serious injury, the AFC East would be wide open again.
Ginn is not a bust, he is a deep threat, it just so happens Pennington can't throw it accurately past 30 yards. Ginn is still a project because he didn't run many routes other than Streak, Curl, or slant route at Ohio St. They ran plays to his strengths. If Henne was in perhaps you see Henne taking chances deep to Ginn. I don't think we will pull the trigger on a trade, we are keeping the draft picks. Maybe we will try our luck in FA. I don't think were serious contenders next year because we still have to many holes on the team. The Wildcat is the only thing thats keeping the offense running, granted Pennington played great on that last drive only because we were playing with a sense of urgency I did not see that timing all game until that final drive. We need to get a Corner in the draft, perhaps Malcolm Jenkins if were picking out of the top 10.
The WildCat really only contributed to one touchdown this game.. I dont know why people continue to say its the only thing that keeps our offense going.. We got a lot of offense out of traditional formations this week.
I think the wildcat is nothing more than to kick start the offense I think now we might only run a few times a game perhaps we can use more trickery to it.
I'm still looking at this team as a six win team. That was my prediction prior to the pre-season and I'm still standing by it. With the overhauled roster, anything more than six wins is just icing on the cake in my opinion. I think if anyone was thinking playoffs for this team this year then they may have been fooling themselves. I know about teams in the past that turned it around in one season but we're not them. Not following you on the Ted Ginn bust talk. 20 games into his career, 5th game of his second season and your talking bust? Give him the rest of this year and see how much he progresses by mid-season next year. If he doesn't progress any by middle of next season then I think you can start talking bust but right now, imo, its too early. The holes on this team I think are very clear. We have a lack of depth on this team. We do have some starters that need to be replaced. We need to replace Goodman as our second Corner g, we need to get a number one receiver on this team. I think Camarillo is a good number two and no more than that. Ginn can also be a good number two option. Bess is third at best and shouldn't be any higher. We may need an Outside Linebacker and another Inside Linebacker because I'm not high on Ayodele. Crowder has shut me up but I want to see him be consistent. In reference to trading for Williams, I think that certainly has to be looked into. We can go out and draft another WR like Derrius Heyward-Bey, Michael Crabtree or David Gettis but that'll take another two years to develop. We need a legitimate number one target on the outsides to not only stretch the field but open up the rest of the players on this team. I think we should first look to see Anquan Boldin's availability in Arizona. Boldin is a better player than Roy Williams in my opinion. Better hands, stronger wrists, exceptional blocker, great character, very difficult to bring down and does everything just very well. Boldin is my number one target. If you can't get him, then you look to Williams. However, it will be very difficult to imagine this front office trading for a WR. I'm looking at possibly Amani Toomer in next years free agency. The front office seems to like to bring in veterans like they did in Dallas with Terry Glenn. Owens was also brought in but who knows if Parcells/Ireland wanted him or not. Next years divisional race will certainly be a competitive one, I agree with you there. I don't see Favre retiring but I am not sure I see him in a New York Jet uniform either. He has a player option at the end of each regular season where he can leave to go sign elsewhere and he doesn't have to pay back New York the money he was given. We all know his desired destination was Minnesota a few months ago and with their uncertain QB situation, I can see Favre going there. If the Jets do keep Favre, they'll be improved. The Patriots are still there and continue to be until Belicheck leaves them. The Bills are an up and coming team. This division could turn into the AFC South in a couple years. It will be a difficult one to get out of assuming the teams continue to improve.
A few more losses like this, and we'll get to see Henne. But who knows.....maybe tomorrow I'll feel better but right now maybe I shouldn't even be posting I am sooooooooooo depressed. I can't find a single silver lining in this one.
My main issue with Ginn is that it doesnt seem like he has any confidence in his ability, and neither, does it seem, do the coaches. Of course, something could click with him, but I do not think he will ever develop into a number 1 receiver ala Steve Smith. This team needs a true number 1, and I think that is Roy Williams... Right now, we have the following positions set in terms of starters and depth imo.. QB RB TE DE We need depth at the O-Line, DT, LB, but the starters are solid. We dont have depth, nor starter talent at secondary nor wr... Thats where we need to focus. I think all of these could be filled in one offseason. As long as the trenches remain strong, we will always have a chance in every game.
I disagree I think Ginn is "looking" like a bust and our only real weakness is our secondary. Also Pennington can throw the long ball when needed as he even showed today with the bombs to Cobbs and Brown. I am thrilled that he can start for us for say 2 years and then give it over to Henne. Also the O-Line looks like it will be good for years to come especially when Murphy comes back. Ronnie is still young and Ricky probably has a 2-3 year window left. Add that to our front 7 on defense and we have a great base. Add Williams or another legitimate #1 WR and we have a solid receiving crew. So if in Free Agency and the Draft the Fins focus on the secondary there is no reason to think this team can't contend next season. The secondary is the only big problem left. We will be up and down this season and I see us at around 7-9 or 8-8 now which is a lot better then I thought after the AZ game. Who knows if the Pats lose we will still only be 2 games out of first in the division. So I'm keeping hope alive.
We'e not going to trade for Williams. tbh, I don't even know if I would want to do it. This team has holes to fill up and down the roster. We should just wait till free agency. There's a few guys there... I would love to see Housh come to Miami. And no, you will not see Henne at any point this year unless there's an injury. Parcells is stuborn/smart about QB. Penny is the guy.
Dude I could have through it to Cobbs on that play are you kidding me? Jesus if Pennington doesn't make that throw I say bench his *** despite what he has done. How is Ginn looking like a bust? He showed he could get open last year with Beck throwing the ball, he showed promise of playmaker in the return game returning what 2-3 for TD's and having numerous returns called back. No see the problem is their not drawing up plays that play into Ginns strengths. They love to throw the quick pass in the flats and let him make a move but thats hardly one of his strengths. That play should be Bess because he has more explosion, Ginn should be running the curl route and streaking over the middle.
I hate to bring it up, but do you think your devotion to Ohio State and their alumni might be clouding your opinion of Ginn just a bit?? He hasn't really contributed at all this season, and when he has, like last week, he ran to the sidelines in some critical situations.. Like I said, he doesnt play with confidence, and that is a problem for a wide receiver... I agree, he could always turn it on, but I think the chances of him emerging as an elite number 1 receiver in this league are pretty slim
No not at all, Ginn was a project coming out of Ohio ST Cam brought him mainly as a Returner which was a dumb move IMO. Ginn is a impact player in the return game and thats all there is to it. Typically it takes 3-4 seasons for WR's to really develop fully I'll give up on Ginn as a WR if he doesn't show anything next year but this year really? Were not even playing to his strengths. He got open with Beck. I think the issue is Pennington not being patient enough with his route running.
Pennington played very well as usual. He is the last to blame for this one. First is the defense and special teams. Second, past the 1st quarter the play calling became too conservative. With Ronnie they should never put on 4th and short near midfield when they are ahead.
The funny thing is people were saying before the that CP couldn't toss a football over 40 yards with zip, yet he did it once again. Cp did a'lot of good things in this game to win it, if we had one CB that could man up and play a big WR then we win this game and it would not even had been that much of a game.
Ginn is softer than a pillow. I gave up on the guy last week when he was running out of bounds to avoid contact. He had 1 catch today for -1 yards on a WR corps that is seriously lacking in talent. If he doesn't begin making more of an impact as we move throughout the season, he won't be around these parts in year 3.
I am not giving up on Ginn but he has done nothing to warrant not calling him a bust thus far. Name one thing Maj that he's done thus far that has warranted him being the #9 pick?
It is true that he avoids hits. That's why I love seeing guys like Camarillo and Welker on the field.
I don't believe we should have selected him at 9th. Thats way to high for a WR. You people misunderstand completely.
I hear you bro but its still THIS season. I dont care about what can happen in 2009 because (god forbid) I may have a heart attack or get into a fatal car accident by then and it wont matter to me what we do in 2009. So I take it one season at a time and fully expect to win this season no matter what. Some might argue I am setting myself up for disappointment that way....whatever. I remember back in the days of my youth it was always next year next year ...yeah next year Dan will get his ring...and look what happened. I came to the conclusion that I am no longer looking ahead...just live in this moment and take care of business now because next year might never come (or be any better for that matter).
good post, and furthermore...even when your an awesome team, and a contender, you STILL will lose, and you STILL will need all the right breaks and bounces, because it takes so much more to contend and win it all. the football gods must smile upon you as well.
When Henne came into the AZ game,he immediately went to Ginn twice. I seriously think Pennington is scared to pass it to Ginn. really. That's his dangerous pass. Bad things happen. He knows this. he stays away from it. he went to him once early in the 2nd and I don't think he looked that way again. Why throw it deep when you can hit Cam or one of the TE's closer to home?
Ginn is a joke, nothing more than a wasted pick at this point of his career. The wind from my farts will knock him over, so he is fast, so what? Remember Randell Hill? Fast as hell, but one awefull player.
My stance on Ted Ginn remains. I refuse to call him a bust or a waste until he gets some playing time with a QB who can get the ball down field with some velocity. And that's not a knock on Pennington, but it's just not his game as a QB.
Alen you miss one more area that needs improvement, and it would start with a new ST coach. That has been one area where money was spent, new players brought in (mostly "Parcells type guys") and its looked worse, and they refuse to use Ginn there, the one place he actully looked like he could play. I don't think anyone else has mentioned the fact that Ginn was back there for the last kickoff, not Bess, but Ginn.....because you needed him there. Note to Sparano and Bonamego : YOU NEED HIM THERE EVERY KICKOFF AND PUNT !
We're serious contender for another top 10 pick this year,and that's the cold hard truth, no matter how you look at it.
Ginn depresses me. He's getting outplayed every week by Camarillo a guy who was an undrafted free agent. As for Ginn not getting passes from Pennington why should he? Would you toss to Camarillo and Cobbs guys who give it their all and play hard every play or give it Ginn who plays scared of being hit. When Pennington tossed Ginn that ball at the line of scrimmage and instead of taking off with it and using his speed he tried juking behind the line to look for an opening that wasn't there. I was disgusted. If he had taken it up field he makes 3 or 4 yards maybe breaks it wide open. He was too scared to try. If I was Pennington I would never toss the ball his way again. We know who the real receivers on this team are. Camarillo, Cobbs, Ronnie Brown, Martin and Fasano. Those are our playakers with receiving skills. We have one decent wideout, some decent catching TE's and some running backs with really good hands. We need to purge our receiving corps come the offseason. We probably can't ford to get rid of Ginn at this point I would package Ginn, most our receivers and Beck together and beg someone to give us a bucket of warm spit for us. We need guys who are winners and make the most of their opportunities. Camarillo has nothing like Ginn's natural talent but he outplays him every time he gets the ball. I wish we could clone the little bastard.
Great post. I could not agree more. Ginn fits the mold of a typical player in this organization over the last few years. The Miami Dolphins have been a soft football team in recent memory and that's the image the Trifecta is trying to change.
No I wasn't listening this morning. But if he did say it, good for him. At least he sees what I am seeing too. The Special Teams are a joke. From not using your best player on every return, to poor tackling on returns, the only improvement seems to be less penalties....but that is a marginal improvement in the grand scheme of things. This is one area that the new management have effed up worse than Cam Cameron, which is a very very very hard thing to do.
You have a good point there. And speaking of points -- we lost by one. There are a lot of things you could point to about this loss, but if we were just average on special teams, instead of awful, we probably would have won.