Wouldn't shock me in the least if they brought in Ryan Grant for a little Thomas insurance.

 

Daniel Thomas played terribly this past year. I'm NOT calling him terrible or a bust. But he sucked in 2011. Hopefully, he'll figure it out. But I'm not holding my breath......

 

I'am hoping the thought process behind this coaching staff when you hear the phrase ''power run game'' is more of a run game out of a power spread formation..Philosophy being if you can get a couple more guys out of the box and into coverage, then Bush's skillset should be more effective..

Mike Bush at louisville had a very nice college career running out of that formation.

 

I wouldn't say "******ed", but I agree, QB is NOT our biggest hole, and I further agree RG/RT IS the biggest hole on Offense.

However, if the opportunity to pick up a healthy Manning is available, you have to take it. As to Flynn, who knows what the guy can do. For a few games, even AJ Feely and Scott Mitchell looked good.

As far as selling the farm to move up and grab someone, well, that's too risky for anything but gamblers and showboaters. That said, Ross appears enamored with glitz and trying to put people in seats so, although it would !@#$ me off, it wouldn't surprise me. In fact, it sounds exactly like something he'd do, and have it blow up in his face.

 

How can someone have a DAMN FINE season when he didn't
beat any team that ended the season with a winning record.

Beating crappy teams does not make you "a DAMN FINE SEASON"

Lets not crown him our franchise QB till he can beat a good team

 

That didn't stop people from heaping the usual praise on Tom Brady. How many winning teams did the Pats beat this season? Not a whole lot. Some people will latch onto any reason they can find to discredit the good things Matt Moore did.

 

Notice they did not comment on his performance, they commented on GM's public statements or lack thereof, which is PFF delving into reporting over analysis.

Marc Colombo sucked, hold the phone, someone stuck him out there, and kept him out there even when the whole world knew...he was just bad, stick John Jerry in at LT and he played well, they also did not mention it, which is once again, projecting opinion over strict analysis.

Jerry could play RT..nah, let's talk about the draft!

 

BS, Brady beat how many teams with a winning record this yr?

How many teams did Moore start against who had winning records? How many 4th qtr leads did the defense blow?

Weak tea, but expected nonetheless.

 

Yeah people aren't going to discredit Brady for not beating teams with winning records because of his past accomplishments. Being one of the top 2 QBs in the NFL gives you a little more breathing room than lets say Matt Moore who's been cut numerous times and has yet to prove anything in the NFL.

 

However....12th rated passer, 7.2 YPA, 16 TD - 9 INT behind an offensive line of an injured pro-bowler LT, a good RG playing LG, a rookie Center, an overweight, out of shape, slow RT payhing RG, and a turnstile on roller skates at RT should warrant him more than just immediate dismissal from some folks based solely on where he came from and who he played under. Throw in a defense who seemed to find ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on at least 4 occasions... and since it's a team sport .. still have folks who are thinking with their tukkis trying to heap those losses on his resume is just plain unwarranted.

 

Whatever if he was that good Dallas probably would of kept him around, and do I need to comment on how he played in Carolina? I mean I'm not saying that Matt Moore can't get over the hump, but to compare him with Brady when it comes to the teams he's beat is pretty ridiculous. Yeah he didn't have the best supporting cast but what would the Pat's be without Brady. Do you really think he is going to be our franchise guy? Watching the way he handled himself when the pressure collapsed on him in the pocket wasn't very promising, I know QB isn't our number 1 priority but we do need an upgrade that's for sure.

 

I think it is absolutely ridiculous to say Thomas had a poor season. He was managed terribly by our former coaching staff. Early in the season he showed what he could do when he was allowed to touch the ball more than once every few drives. Not to mention as the season went on the blocking by the inside of our line was terrible. Often I saw defensive lineman moving our offensive line back towards Thomas as he was just receiving the hand off. Also as I briefly touched on before, Thomas is a one cut rookie back who never got a chance to develop his vision or feel comfortable with it as the game went on. How can a rookie improve his vision as a runner when he gets one handoff every few drives on a power play where his line is being pushed back.

Im not saying he is or will be a superstar back by any means. I just think to call him a bust or disappointing is premature based on circumstance.

 

Dallas tried to keep him around and he was poached

 

You're right, of course, but there were about 10 other guys that stunk the joint up to begin with. After that, he got knicked up. I think that with a full offseason and if we convert this O to zone-blocking run scheme, Thomas is the perfect one-cut and go back... I don't like that he runs a bit upright, but that's what they said about Roger Craig in a variation of this offense (or at least what I believe Philbin will bring...)

On another note, don't forget about Steve Slaton. He's very familiar with that offense. He could become a great complement with Thomas and Bush in this offense....It could be fun to watch if they can fix the OL... The only thing I don't know about him is his health...is he back to where he once was ?? He was fine in a sporadic role for us...

 

Nor is Matt Flynn the answer at Quarterback. Please GOD >>>>>NO!!!!!

 

Thomas was never going to make an impact in his rookie year. 2011 was only the third year he had ever played running back. He was a very, very raw prospect and will need more time than the average rookie RB to figure the position out. The target year for him to show something should be 2013. Reggie Bush's contract will expire after 2012, and Thomas may be handed the reins.

Of course, if we don't get a quarterback, it won't matter who's running the ball.

 

Tell that to Marino.

A solid RB makes a lot of shotty QBs look good.

 

Why let facts get in the way of a good story.

 

Sorry, seen way too much crappy football as a Dolfan to be happy with Matt Moore as the starter. He had a good run against questionable competition with nothing to lose. But that's probably it, a good run. He's a fine backup, qb remains a prime need.

 

Cmon, Brady has a track record of winning big games against good teams, its hard to even grasp comparing Moore and Brady, even if it is just one seasons stats. Moore did some good things this year, he doesn't suck and we can probably be a 9 win team if improve in other areas but don't add a Qb but we still don't have a franchise Qb and it should always be the top priority when you don't have one.

 

And Fiedler beat several teams, with winning records, over several yrs, so whattaya saying?

This inconsistency is what is mildly funny to me, Moore plays great, he's not the answer..why?

Never beat a team with a "winning record".

Okay

Fiedler was mediocre, won several games at Qb vs great teams, and he was hated as well.

 

Fiedler and Moore are similar, maybe not in physical talent or play but in potential. I think with a good team Moore can do what Fiedler did, win 9-10 games and make early playoff exits against good defenses. We stood pat with Fiedler thinking we could add that piece on offense or defense and take the next step but the reality of not having a Qb that can make game changing plays hits you when you get to the elite teams. At some point your Qb is going to have to carry a team or make a game changing play to win a big game and sticking with the guy that pads his rating against crappy teams and fails against good teams (Fiedler) is going to have you at home watching the Superbowl every year. I like Moore, we should stick with him while we develop Qb(s) behind him but I would be shocked if we made it out of the first round in the playoffs with him.

 

Yeah in 2004 and earlier. Moore performed as well as many QBs in the league that are considered 'franchise QBs'. People love to throw that name around as if it is anything more than just guys in the front office dubbing a man our 'franchise QB'. Forget it, let's just throw a boatload of money and a five or six year contract at the next Matt Cassell in Green Bay and see where that gets us. If we can land one of the good guys in the draft I completely get that. I don't buy into this idea that we are desperate at QB.

 

Cmon man I hate Brady as much as any Phin fan but he set a record for pass completions in a row in the Superbowl and there were some terrible drops late in that game or we might be putting him up there with Montana. I hate the guy but lets not get crazy, he played pretty damn well in that Superbowl loss. I'm glad he lost so don't get me wrong.

I agree that we are not desperate at Qb, but we have the ex-Greenbay OC, if he thinks Flynn is a franchise Qb we simply have to get him. People seem to forget that Moore will have to fit into Philibin's system, if he doesn't then its time to move on. Moore isn't a high draft pick or a guy that we have a lot invested in, if this new coaching staff wants to move on I have no issue with that.

 

IMO that's why the article talked about the GM's and Philbin's quest for a QB. QB is not your biggest hole if your goal is to win some games and make the playoffs. However, if your goal is to be a perennial SB contender then your primary need is a better QB. The Fiedler analogy is spot on. Fiedler had a couple of "damn fine seasons" as well. Back then an 80 - 85 rating was certainly considered good and we won a ton of regular season games. But he wasn't a guy that could carry the team against the better competition. Wanny made the mistake of just trying to improve the team around Fiedler. He passed on opportunities to get Hasselbeck and draft Brees. That's the exact thinking that some here are proposing we should employ again. They want to pass on Flynn (what can Flynn do that Moore can't? LOL) and add pieces like OL, RB, or D rather than take a first round QB. They spout phrases like "a running game is a QB's best friend" or "defense wins championships". Or they blame the OL for why Moore wasn't able to carry the team. All of those areas are factors and certainly would help a QB, but they're all secondary to getting that franchise QB. That's the priority Wanny had screwed up. IIRC Wanny's top picks in the draft were Todd Wade (OL), Jamar Fletcher (CB), two #1s for RW (RB) and Vernon Carey (OL). I find it shocking how people want to replicate that failed strategy. I like Moore and I liked Fiedler. They were tough and smart and were good leaders. They made some plays, but ultimately not enough to carry the team. Maybe Moore will surprise and develop. He shouldn't be cast aside. At a minimum he is a great back-up and a passable starter. But he's not a good bet to beat the odds and become that franchise guy. We have to get that QB who is a better bet to reach that level or odds are we'll never be better than we were in the Wanny years.

 

The Pats would be 10-6 with a guy playing QB who can't win in the AFC West. To act like Brady doesn't benefit from the system and personnel as much as they benefit from him is asinine at best.

If we do get Flynn, we better be damn sure he's not a system QB like Cassell and Kolb.

 

Sounds about right. Matt Moore is no franchise QB. He's not even a starter. He's a quality backup. That's what he was brought in to be, and that's what he'll continue to be. RT needs to be addressed, just please dear god not in the 1st round. Or the 2nd round for that matter. You can find solid linemen in FA and later in the draft. This franchise is going nowhere if it doesn't address its biggest need after Quarterback... Playmakers. On both sides of the ball. We have 3 possible playmakers on the entire roster, and they are all inconsistent. Great teams have great players. We have no great players, aside from Long who was far from great this year with his injuries. Nobody we can consistently rely on to make game changing plays.

 

holy crap....are you REALLY comparing Tom Brady and Matt Moore? you people have lost your minds...

 

I have been saying all along that I think Thomas will turn out to be a bust. Bush played well this past season, but with his history of injuries and the fact he will be a year older next season, he is not the RB the Dolphins can rely on in the future. If the Dolphins sign Manning or Flynn and retain their first round selection, I feel that their best pick would be Trent Richardson with this pick. They can always use their second and third round selections and free agency to take offensive linemen.

 

Still hated.

 

how was thomas bad? he was hurt and when he came back they didnt play him. plus the o line is garbage. cant judge him yet imo.

 

and on the same note, how is moore good? did you guys watch him play at all? he's inaccurate and his big plays were mostly toss up to marshell and one or two games he hit fasono deep because frankly, nobody covers him because he sucks. prob the best team he played in the regular season was dallas and he lost that game almost single handed.moore needs to go. if hes the starter i dont watch games from week one because our best case is wild card and one and done and that would be a ****ing miracle.

 

Wooo there muscle...

I can agree that the Pats did not beat a WINNING TEAM THIS SEASON...

But what about winning teams since 2001??? How many did Brady's led Pats loose???

Le us be realistic here, they won a fare share more than loose...

 

How was he bad? Are you joking? Did you watch the games??!?! Reggie Bush sure ran well behind our garbage o-line. Daniel Thomas STUNK in 2011. You can't deny that. I stated that I'm not ready to give up on him, but to claim he wasn't bad in 2011 is just being a homer.

 

Aqua,

Matt Moore isn't the worst player at his position on our team, I agree. But QB makes all the difference on a team. When you improve that position you dramatically improve the entire team. It's the position where you get the most ROI (Return on Investment). Good quarterbacking makes the pass catchers better, makes the running game better, and even makes the defense better if the team can put more points on the board.

In that respect, QB is the biggest need on our team. It's the biggest need on any NFL team without a franchise QB. I'd argue it's the biggest need for 2/3 of NFL teams.

 

Any team that doesn't have a franchise QB, QB is the biggest need of their team. That applies here.

 

Didn't we see that last year with Matt Moore?

 

Problem with this is that seems to be the line of thinking past GMs have taken since Marino retired. There's no sure fire guy so let's not even try. Let's stick with the average - mediocre option and hope for the best. And how many QBs that were passed over in that time frame turned out to be franchise guys? Ireland took this approach last year and we had to watch Andy Dalton turn in a pro bowl campaign in his first season.

Sticking to the way things have been done for the past decade + will yield the same results. Sticking with Matt Moore is equivalent to sticking with Fiedler or more recently, Chad Henne in 2011. You can show me stats that demonstrate Moore is better than those guys, and he very well might be. But he's not good enough, IMHO.