If he is indeed innocent, I think this may inspire change in the rules. I can't imagine what it would feel like to be an innocent person robbed of the money and opportunity that would've been awarded a top-15 pick. I don't think there's really anything that can happen to a team by signing him if it's only public perception we're worried about. Rae Carruth didn't hurt the Panthers nor did Aaron Hernandez hurt the Patriots. OJ Simpson ruined his reputation, not that of the Buffalo Bills, yet people are using that kind of logic to argue against La'el Collins. Public perception is one thing but I don't think it equates to any sort of meaningful loss in revenue for the NFL. I think the NFL probably knows something about this case that we don't. That would be the only logical reason as to why he didn't go in the later rounds.
apparently his meeting with the police went well, he fully cooperated with the police and still isnt considered a suspect. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...e-police-lael-collins-is-still-not-a-suspect/
I think the proper procedure is to get as much clarification from the police as you can as far as him being a suspect or even a subject of investigation (which he clearly is at the moment), and once that has reached some refrigerated level then you (along with half the rest of the NFL) just present your case for him to be signed by you. It's just the prudent way to go about this. Tannenbaum's connection with his agency could come into play though. Miami's huge gaping hole at left guard absolutely comes into play. As does the usual, no state taxes, weather, etc.
If he'd have been smart, he'd have come right out proclaiming his innocence (assuming he is), gone directly to the police and given his statement. Heck it's possible the issue of his involvement would have been resolved before the draft... Alas, it's cost him millions, again assuming he's innocent to begin with...he and his agents 'added' to the fuel that he may have been involved in some way with this in the way they handled it...
Tannenbaum was quite creative with Jets' players. One player's contract was structure so he could make immediate monthly payments. Others were quickly extended. In other words, the advantage the Dolphins have is that agent's are likely to view Dolphins as more likely to cut a favorable deal or other teams may have a reputation of not deviating from their standard contract terms.
That's not unique to Miami though. Every team could make their draft look a lot better by signing La'el Collins as an UDFA. And no, Miami is not going to be the odds on favorite. I'm a Dolphins fan too, okay, and someone who posts a lot but I'll be the first to admit Miami wouldn't be his first choice. Don't think that playing time is a factor either. He could start for half the league and be an upgrade so he'll be appreciated wherever he goes.
bologna, we certainly have a lot of things in place to stake the claim. and if you don't think need plays a role in his decision you'd be wrong again.
Well, it's not like there's a standard procedure for what you do when your client is randomly tied to a murder a week before the draft. I think they did what anyone would do. I'm really damn surprised he didn't get drafted at all. That blows my mind. This guy could be 100% innocent and he's sitting there in the late-rounds of the draft. I like Jay Ajayi and all, but Christ, I'd have taken La'el Collins 10x faster if I had 4 picks in the 5th round!
Playing time will absolutly be a factor. The man probably has no intention of playing more than one season on the udfa contract he'll be forced to sign. I have no doubt he fully intends to make it clear no matter where he goes that he wants starter money by year 2. Can't do that if you don't start immediately.
Sorry bro, there's like 2-dozen threads right now dealing with this La'el Collins situation, lol. I'm not saying there's not a chance but I would've just drafted the kid if I was Miami. That way, you're not in this position trying to fight off other teams. Miami had 5 picks on day-3 and they're telling me it wasn't worth a risk to sign this kid?! Are you kidding me?! The kid's a 1st round talent at a huge position of need and you're not willing to grab him in the late rounds?! Dude, I want La'el Collins. I just think that if we're both reasonable and put ourselves in his shoes, there's several options that will appear better for him. By better I mean: (1) teams with highly-respected ownership, (2) teams with great HCs, (3) teams with great QBs, (4) teams that play in big markets with great support from the fans and (5) teams that have had success getting into the Play-offs. When you consider that Miami doesn't have #1, #2, #4 or #5 and that there are better options out there than Miami in regards to #3 (namely Indy and Seattle), you can appreciate my point. People throw stuff out there like "no state tax." For one, that's nominal. There are a lot of ways that gets made up for in reality--just ask anyone that's lived in Florida for a long time. For one, real estate is simply more expensive. You don't automatically become rich by moving to Florida and the difference you're talking about isn't going to be the thing that makes this kids decision--it's going to be about long term stability and a chance of on-field success. What I'm saying is that Miami probably has the same chance that a team like San Fran has or San Diego has. I could see Collins going there but it wouldn't be his ideal fit and neither would Miami. Don't get mad at me or think I'm personally attacking you just because I disagree. I'm just pointing out that when you say "Miami is the odds on favorite" you're going to sound like a huge homer because everyone knows that isn't true. Say it as much as you want and it's not true. Miami has some chance but they dang sure aren't the "odds on favorite."
Haha, no offense but that's very optimistic. You're bordering on being a homer with that kind of thing. "He's the final piece of the puzzle." Uh, no. He would be a very valuable addition to this team but your words describe our perspective, not his. That's the vision that Miami would sell to the kid. That's not what the kid would come in the door thinking. "Oh, I hope Miami wants me. I could make them so successful." No, this is a situation in which he'll have his pick, he'll have the leverage and he'll be looking for the teams that will do the most for him. He's not going to look at the horrible O-line in Miami and think it's a good situation. Say Pouncey. Say Albert. Say James. The fact is, Miami's O-line has been terrible for a long time and that'll be his perspective. I'm sorry. I'm just saying what most Dolphins fans will tell you.
your post had a few assumptions that were off.. we also are a team that brought him in for a personal visit. I like our position on this.
So you claim to know what Collins will be thinking and you assume most Dolphins fans agree with you, and if not their homers? I disagree with pretty much all your opinions on this like the other 2 posters.
miami and all the teams did the right thing by not signing him..now the shoe goes on the other foot, he controls his destiny, so the destination and what it offers is important.
he will be able to renogotiate his free agent contract after 2 years says the rules. sure would like to know how his visit went... off to the club.
what I don't understand is why he doesn't claim his innocence, make a fuc*in statement, be a man, why be so silent, why even get a lawyer.
what I don't understand is why he doesn't claim his innocence, make a fuc*in statement, be a man, why be so silent, why even get a lawyer.
The line you're describing is not the line that's been terrible. Not sure what games you watched last year, but when Albert was in, the line was far from terrible.
It doesn't matter. Even if you did nothing wrong, saying anything can be used against you in the future, no matter how insignificant it may be at the time.
The OG concerns are popular and way overblown OTOH if fans are complaining about OG it means the rest of the offense is in good shape.
We don't have a true number 1 WR, a borderline top 10 QB and a top 12-15 RB at best. Ofcourse I mean YET...but we certainly can't fault our fans for being a tad gun shy as many times as we have been scorned. I mean, you thought Tijuan Walker was the next King Felix 6 weeks ago....homer.
