In the interest of making this post brief, I'll list the areas where I think we've got keepers on offense. Wide Receiver, Tight End, Left Tackle That's it. That's not to say we are terrible everywhere else. But everything else is in play for an immediate upgrade. Even tight end isn't settled, as Fasano ideally serves as 1a or #2. We don't know what kind of offense we'll be running next season, but this offense was at its best when Fasano had a seam-busting David Martin opposite him. Marshall, Hartline, Bess are locked in at receiver. Those three are PLENTY good enough to get it done IMO. We're actually quite deep here. What we need is a speed specialist to add that extra dimension. Probably your #4 guy. Might be our kick returner. While it's a massive topic of debate on the forums and elsewhere, I think most of us would be surprised if the Dolphins aren't QB shopping next season. I believe Henne will still be here in 2010, but ideally he's competing to be the backup or is holding the seat warm for a youngin'. At any rate, the position is wide. freaking. open. It won't be easy, as top notch veteran QB's rarely if ever become available. And there are several teams looking to draft someone in what's not expected to be a deep QB draft class. Carson Palmer is a name being bandied about here. I think that's highly realistic. Donovan McNabb? No thank you. The RB position -- it's all in play. They're all free agents. Ricky was the best, most decisive back we had this year, but he'll be 34. Ronnie won't be back either. Neither was a dynamic player for us this season. Basically we'll be blowing that up and looking for an explosive player or two. Lou Polite is not the same guy he was last season. I suppose you only have so many of those hits in you. He was a slobber-knocker last year. He'll compete for his job next season. Beyond Jake, it just wasn't good enough this year up front. I think Vernon Carey will be here, but is he starting to break down? Or did the injuries just pile up this year? Will he kick inside? I think he's still a keeper, but his status is uncertain. Incognito is on a 1-year deal and is ideally a RG or a backup. John Jerry is an inconsistent rook, still an unknown at this point. Berger is serviceable, but you look to upgrade if you can. Does anyone not expect us to pursue Logan Mankins? And finally, this is clearly Dan Henning's last rodeo. So who knows what we'll be running next season. But from a player personnel standpoint, I think we all expect a heavy emphasis on offense this spring.
That'd be great. I'm guessing we'll be drafting around #15. I don't see a QB I'd want in that spot, but there's some RB's and OL. I think you have to go mostly offense. Our defense was good this year and is young.
I think....before we even think about players.... Ross has got to make a decision on Sparano. Whomever is the HC will really decide what types of players we got get, based on the type of offense we will run next season....
If we don't trade down or go with a QB, I think offensively WR would be the best value around that spot (Justin Blackmon preferably ).
Id rather see us trade out of round one...pick up another round two....I think we can get very good offensive players in the second rounds on....
I think it's truly rare that a team with a solid QB, event decent offensive personnel, and an excellent OL fail to put up points with good coaching. Don't go overboard with the tight end, don't go overboard with the RBs, just make sure you improve everything close to the ball.
If it's with this regime don't count on it.. the only offensive guy we've hit on in the early rounds is Jake Long.
I see TE as a need also. I think we have a LT and WR also. A bunch of backups everywhere else. We should have traded Ronnie when we had a chance.
I agree. Basically we need to start clean with our offense. New offensive coaching staff, remake our line, get some playmakers running and catching the ball. Its doable. Besides the coaches, it will be a work in progress for a couple seasons though. Hopefully we can hit on some of our FA's (Logan Mankins please) and draft picks. And then it will be up to the coaches to coach them up.
True. We don't have that though. We don't have a solid QB. We have a bottom of the list QB, that must be upgraded. We don't have an excellent OL. We have an average OL, with two very good Tackles. We have good players at the WR position. We have an average TE. We have average RBs. We can coach all we want, but the QB is what makes the train go and we don't have that. We don't have the proper offensive coaches in place either though.
Well said Muck. I think those would be great choices, Stitches. Will Ross be willing to spend the money though? We also have Paul Soliai and/or Tony McDaniel to retain. We can't overlook ILB either. Channing Crowder could be a guy we cut to clear some room. Is Tim Dobbins his replacement or do we seek that? Is A.J. Edds that?
Why a TE so badly though? Our best playmakers are Hartline, Marshall, Bess and Fasano with a RB in the backfield. They may not be ideal, but they're fine overall. Problem is the interior OL and the quarterback. If anything I'd say the personnel isn't too bad at all. A second TE only needs to be a decent guy, inexpensive. What Christian Fauria was to Daniel Graham. As far as RBs go. How about Micheal Bush, Jerome Harrison, and perhaps Noel Devine in the third round with maybe another veteran back like a Marion Barber? All four guys can carry the rock well enough with a solid offensive line. Mankins-Kalil, now that would be a place to start something special.
I agree. The Falcons and Chiefs were down at the bottom three years ago with the Dolphins. Both these teams are likely playoff bound this season. The Dolphins yet again are going nowhere and it looks like a new coach will come in and start all over again. The Dolphins have so many needs on offense that it is going to take them at least another 3 seasons to become a legitimate playoff contender. The number one need is QB. Until they find their Matt Ryan. This team is going to be nothing but a mediocre to bad team in the NFL. Most of us thought Parcells was the answer when he came to the Dolphins. Now it is quite apparent that he was not the answer and the Dolphins now have to go out and find the right people to get this team headed in the right direction. I love Jake long but Parcells screwed the organzation when he took Long and passed on Ryan.
They have to fix the OL and as much as I hate to say it... they need to get rid of Tony and his Wanny play it close to the vest philosophy.
BTW, IMO... the one thing they need most on offense is speed (besides fixing the OL). We are too slow at the skill positions.
When writing the post, I thought the same thing. But here's the beauty (ugly) part: the players I cited as keepers fit in any offense.
Dolphins need help at TE too. Their O-line is actually pretty damn good when healthy. RB's are not being utilized correctly so I don't see the personnel as the problem there. At receiver, Hartline is a #3. They need another legit threat opposite Marshall. Bess is perfect in the slot. They're in dire need of a QB and OC. They both suck terribly.
Why not? Is Marshall not an elite receiver? Is Bess not one of the very best slot receivers? Is it Hartline? I think that guy is better than a lot of folks know. He was in a slump early this season, but came back on later. We know he can get open and behind a defense. I think our trigger man has to do a better job getting him the ball. I feel like we need a true speed guy to insert when needed.
this team needs one thing, A QB, a guy who has a brain and can lead, how can this team truly believe in itself when the guy slinging the rock inspires no confidence, if we had a real QB we'd be 11-3 right now
Dolphins don't need a RB...the ones they have are good enough but they're just horribly misused. Look at the Pats...you gonna tell me Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis is better than those two? It's how they're used.
You obviously have been looking at a different offensive line than I have. Carey has been awful for much of the season. Perhaps it is his injuries but he has never been worth the money they are paying him. As far as the two staring guards and the the center. They couldn't open consistent holes against the worst defense against the run in the entire NFL. Your Bills. So I have no idea why you think they are,"pretty damn good". As a Dolphins fan. I think they are ,"pretty damn bad". As far as the running backs go. Again they need to be replaced. They lack speed and explosion. They are both old a their best days are behind them. Quarterback is obviously the major problem with the offense. Until Henne is replaced and a quality QB is on this team. The Dolphins will continue to be nothing more than a mediocre team. An upgrade at TE is definely a need. But the offensive line , QB, and running back positions are a much greater need than TE for the Dolphins at this point in time.
We need guys on the offensive line who can run block. We need speed at running back and speed at WR. And we need a new offensive coordinator as well as a QB to compete with Henne next summer.
Ronnie looked pretty damn quick and fast when he turned the corner on that one TD...that was vintage Ronnie imo
I don't think Ronnie and Ricky are the problems. They rarely have opportunities to get into any kind of a rhythm in a game. I'm not saying we should sit tight at RB but I still think they're pretty decent backs.
We're going to disagree here. As a whole, our receiving corps is not great and not explosive. It would take a seasoned veteran to succeed here compounded with play calling. Part of being a good receiver is scaring people. No one but Marshall does that. And Bess to an extent. Brian Hartline is not consistently good. We don't "know" he can get open and behind a defense. Until he can consistently do it I won't give him that. Until we have a QB who can make receivers look good, this corp won't cut it. There is no way someone can make the case that we are set at WR. Hartline is sort of like a Jordie Nelson or Patrick Crayton receiver. He's a number four on a solid team. He can contribute but he hasn't showed that he can be relied on.
Tough to tell what we have and do not have on offense as no one knows who can play, who are role players, how much playcalling or Qb play is helping or hurting them.
Jaj said :"I would argue that Chad Pennington in 2008 is no better than Carson Palmer now. Same with McNabb and Orton. These guys are decent QBs, at least mid-level. It's a start." did you not. those retreads cant even win with their own teams....We need a Ryan, a Flacco, or a Sanchez. those guys you pay for. The Jets had the 17th pick and they traded 3 roster players and picks to move up.... you think we couldnt move a 1st and 2nd and Wake and not get to number 1? I love wake but id move him for a real franchise QB a real franchise QB wins games that no defensive lineman can win, our problems are mostly due to a lack of leadership at the signal caller spot period. we could have Bill Walsh or Sid Gillman as OC and still be lousy with Henne
Agree to disagree on Newton...I just don't see it at all. If I end up being wrong about it then so be it, but I'm not gonna go crazy over somebody flourishing in a spread offense. Btw his mechanics aren't very good...yes, better than VY's, but still not good. He'll be wearing a Raiders jersey next year anyways
I think with a new OC who knows how to play call youll see a very good receiving group. Oh and a competent quarterback. Let's face it we can't fill all of our needs at offense but the two most important needs are at QB and RB.
Ronnie may be alot of things...but afraid of contact is not one of them. Ask Ray Lewis. Ricky is not done..he is just a backup at this stage. His YPC is still damn good. But Ingram..of course I would take him.
We need a LARGE $$$$ investment on offense. Starting with a pro bowl caliber interior lineman. (You know who) Then moving onto another premier pass catcher at TE. (Zach Miller)
How so? Do you think he lasts till the mid 2nd round? Really? If yo do , you are wrong . Now he may not become all world but he will be picked in the first round , that I have zero hesitancy in saying. I think Buffalo will seriously consider selecting Newton , and if he gets to Minnesota , I believe they also will weigh that possibility very heavily.
I didn't say he wouldn't be picked in the first round...Hell, if Tebow and JP Losman get picked in the first round then Cam's a shoe-in as a 1st-rounder. I hope to god Buffalo doesn't pick him...Belichick would be salivating to see him in the division.