Ross "We have the Nucleus of a great team" WHAT!

Words never convince anyone Abbi, DTrain has to prove it on the field, my point is I'm confident he will do fine, Rb's have far easier jumps to make it in the pros then Qb's or even Safeties, the B Gap is the B Gap, no mystery there.

 

I didn't say we didn't have a nucleus, I said we had questions. More on the offensive side of the ball, certainly, but there are some legitimate concerns at spots.

 

I actually think we've got ourselves a decent team. That being said, i don't see us finishing higher than 8-8 considering the division we play in. Now, if we can add another 2 pieces than maybe we can finish 10-6 and steal a playoff spot. I don't think thats too unrealistic.

 

And the A hole is always the A hole...........lol


John Madden said something like that

 

It's not the roster talent that gets me, it's the way Ross seems to always have his expectations set that we are an inch from being a superbowl team THIS SEASON. Ross isn't pulling these expectations out of thin air.

Yes we have a LOT of talent, but we lack performance at the most critical position: QB. We also have a LOT of youth, so that talent is not performing to Pro Bowl level just yet, though the future is bright (BEYOND this season).

I get annoyed when I see the organization convincing ITSELF that we have a 'nucleus' that's ready to shake up the league. That is total b.s. until we have a QB who has PROVEN that his 'potential' actually shows up as production on the field on Sundays.

Until then we have a GREAT supporting cast, but not a great nucleus.

 

To me, that is the winner approach BPK, why not be confident?

Works great for Rexxy, why not us?

 

The way I look at it---- our defense has the potential for 7 probowl players over the next few years (Wake, Misi, Dansby, Langford, Soliai, Starks, Davis, and Smith. Adding to that is what likely we be the strongest Dline reserves (McDaniel & Odrick) rotating in.

We have the best LT in the game and likely one of the future top Centers in Pouncey. There's enough talent in the rest of them to form a solid unit while only worrying about finding Carey's eventual replacement.

We have one of the top slot receivers in the NFL who pairs with Henne to form arguably the best 3rd down conversion tandem in the NFL.
We have one of the premier playmaking WRs in the NFL who can catch 100 passes.
Gates could really blossom opposite Marshall while Hartline will be an outstanding #4 once Gates matures.

The ground game now has the potential to be solid, dependable, dynamic, and with some playmaking ability.
TE could use an upgrade over Fasano IMO; on the plus side, Clay's versatility should make him an asset in time.

Henne has not arrived obviously, but after watching every snap Matt Ryan took along with most of Flacco, Freeman, and Sanchez's, I don't think Chad is too far off from them. He does some things better than they do, and he does some things worse..... and IMO he's better than Sanchez. By watching these guys play, I was hoping to give myself some sort of idea on whether or not I should still believe in Henne. I didn't come away with any regrets about supporting Chad. What I did come away with------ was a little disappointment in Matt Ryan. I felt there was more hype about him than he deserved. I saw a guy who looked better in the stat & win column b/c he got away with many mistakes & poor passes that Henne didn't. Don't get me wrong--- I'm not saying he stinks by any means. I just didn't see a QB who looked leaps and bounds better than Chad; I saw a guy who was good at managing the offense of a solid team---- a team that played well, ran the ball well, was fairly healthy, and was coached well. When we're playing well, running well, less injured, and coached well, I fully expect Henne to manage our offense close to, if not, equally as well.

 

except when you're confusing it on purpose with the P hole.

 

Ross IMO just talks like a fan, albeit a very rich fan who also owns the team. A fan with no more than average knowledge of any aspect of the personnel or Xs and Os. Just that his position gives him a pulpit for which to spread forth his points of view.

 

I agree. You look at our front 7. I honestly don't know what more a fan could ask for. We have good to excellent at every LB position and a mass of versitile and effective bodies all along the d line.

All major areas on offense surrounding the qb have been improved. We have added speed, depth and fresh legs on offense.

Granted qb is a big deal, but it appears to be the only hole left to fill. The team is not facing a closing window the way it was in the earlier 2000s. This team can be a contender for years with a good qb

I don't see any high risk with the guys drafted, signed or drafted this year.

There will some frustrating moments, but the team is building nicely



Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

define surprise. win the divison surprise? make the playoffs surprise? what is this surprise you speak of?

 

I could go along with that.
I guess that's where you either believe in Henne turning the corner or you don't. If he does, then we definitely have a tremendous nucleus. If he doesn't, then IMO we still have a strong enough foundation with the potential to win a single SB w/o having a franchise QB at the helm IMO.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

IMO, the strength and depth of the DL, and their ability to stop the run, was one reason they felt that we could cut a one dimensional run stuffing ILB, for a more complete 3 down ILB, who can do everything reasonably well. Maybe as a pure run stuffer, Burnett is a notch or two below Crowder, but since he is far and away better at blitzing, and in coverage, as well as making impact plays, they we're willing to sacrifice a little with his ability to just stuff the run.

 

That's true, it is probably the easiest position to project from college to pro. The most likely one for a high draft pick to make an immediate impact. While it is true, there are guys like James Johnson, and John Avery we bomb, I think they are more the exception, not the rule.

I have a bet with my neighbor, made before the draft. He is a pretty knowledgeable guy and big Mark Ingram fan. That is who he wanted Miami to draft at 15. Give Henne a run game and he can win mindset. Anyway he bet me that no matter who drafts Ingram that he will rush for 1500 yds as a rookie and make the Pro Bowl. So in the spirit of good fanship, I bet him. I think our bet is for a case of San Miguel. Since Ingram went to NO, I think he has a good chance to win our bet. The only thing that will likely stop him is NO has good RB depth and if they do too much RBBC, then Ingram may lack the carries to get 1500.

 

Ross will say anything to get the fans to buy tickets. I don't mean to be a 'buzz kill' here but our expectations of this season needs to be realistic. With replacing the offensive coordinator, QB coach, both RB's, and two QB's we may need to curb our enthusiasm a bit. It takes a long time to build the dynasty variety offense that we older guys have grown accustomed to expecting. We have made solid moves for a team totally re-building their offense but lets be realistic with our expectations. Don't expect to shine the chrome before the car is running. It's good to start well, but it's better to finish well and we could have a loooong road ahead of us. . .

 

This was why I hated to see Amaya be part of the Bush deal. He was our best STer last season, so adding Trusnik so far, is a wash from a ST standpoint. Though, I like Ireland's eye for DBs and hope Jimmy Wilson can take Amaya's spot with no loss of effectiveness. The obsession with STs is one reason I'd like to see us sign Marion Barber as the 3rd RB. What? you may say, how would he help our STs? Well, Barber is well known as a very good blocker, and a common role for your #3 RB is up back on the punt team. We got killed with our blocking for our punter in 2010, and having a guy like Barber at up back would go a long ways toward protecting our punter. STs needs to be looked at more than just our return game and our kick coverage.

 

Barber signed with Chicago, dude.

 

You realize he's only a redshirt Junior right? He doesn't even have to come out next season, and there will be little monetary difference between the 2012 draft and the 2013 draft (unlike the 2010 draft and 2011).

Sucking for Luck is a terrible idea for more reasons than just the one I mentioned, but that is certainly one of the best reasons to not #SuckForLuck.

 

The nucleus is good, but it can all unravel very quickly.

 

I don't think you've watched jerry jones enough.

 

When I look at the active roster at the end of the 2007 season right before the Sparano regime walked into I can agree with Ross...

QB:
John Beck
Cleo Lemon
Casey Bramlet

RB:
Patrick Cobbs
Jesse Chatman
Lorenzo Booker
Reagan Mauia

WR:
Ted Ginn
Derek Hagan
Greg Camarillo
Marty Booker

TE:
David Martin
Justin Peelle
Aaron Halterman

G/C:
Samson Satele
Rex Hadnot Ike Ndukwe
Chris Liwienski
Gene Mruczkowski

OT:
Vernon Carey
Anthony Alabi
LJ Shelton
Julius Wilson
Cory Lekkerkerker

DT:
Vonnie Holliday
Paul Soliai
Keith Traylor
Rodrique Wright
Steve Fifita
Anthony Bryant

DE:
Jason Taylor
Quentin Moses
Matt Roth
Derreck Robinson
Rob Ninkovich

LB:
Joey Porter
Donnie Spragan
Kelvin Smith
Derrick Pope
Edmond Miles
Mark Washington

CB:
Will Allen
Travis Daniels
Jason Allen
Michael Lehan
Jereme Perry

S:
Renaldo Hill
Lance Schulters
Tuff Harris
Courney Bryan

ST:
Jay Feely
Brandon Fields
John Denney
Matt Prater

IR:
Andre Goodman
Channing Crowder
Comeron Worrell
Zach Thomas
Abraham Wright
Travares Tillman
Ricky Williams
Chase Page
Ronnie Brown
Trent Green
Yeremiah Bell
Drew Mormino
Mike Rosenthal

Some fans may not like this team...Hell some fans would still complain even if the team wins back-to-back Super Bowls...but I am grateful for the core group of players in place now. Especially compared to where we were just a few years ago.

 

Amongst the *****ing a Defense has been built.

 

Oh. Never mind then.

 

Abbi, were 2 days into camp bro, let me just say this, as far as the team goes besides the QB position, I think we have addressed the offseason weaknesses thru the draft and so far in free agency..I mean I can only speak for myself but my offseason weaknesses that I wanted to be addressed have been, so I'am happy with what Irish has done so far..Check it..

Lets go over why we lost gameslast year imo..lets just leave out the QB this one time, and get to that later, but besides that position what I felt lost games for this team were..

A poor running back unit with an unaggressive nature..Check.

The need for an explosive returner..check..

Scatback..check.

Interior line/center...check..

Inside linebacker...check

Speed receiver...check..

Diverse fullback/h-back/speed tight end..check.

Special team players...check.

I don't know what to tell ya Abbi, all the weaknesses that me and some others went on the record for, have at least been addressed on paper..For that I gotta think Irish and some of us are completely on the same page..hence me sticking up for his *** a lot..

Abbi, for me this has always been a 4 year plan...always, I understand the patience required when building from the absolute bottom {and it wasn't close}..Ive got to build a roster that has balance, and for the first time, I feel on paper, were right about there..Now, once preseason starts and we see these players flash, we'll have a better idea if he picked the right players, but as of now, he picked the right skillsets that addressed the right weaknesses.

For me, I see only 2 more positions that I may make another splash in, guard, and a Big time #2 receiver/tightend, not sure if I want to put any more resources into that receiver position, but the idea is to compete at the highest level, and we know what the Patriots have done, so I might make that move at receiver, or I might put that money at guard, I think we have room for one more splash, so lets let it play out here a bit and truly think about which direction we want to go. however, that being said, if we make a splash on a guard or really good receiver/tightend, then we are handicapping ourselves at QB, for myself, I'am ready to go with henne because of what I saw on tape, I'am not letting my emotions of what I saw the last quarter of the season reflect in my analysis of the big picture..I believe with a balanced team around him, Henne can be one hell of a distributor with that lethal arm..

So as of right now, I'am contemplating ya know, either all in with Henne, which means sign a Floyd/Edwards/Miller, one of those, or Sign the baddest guard available, or, hold on to some cash, and see how the team is responding to Henne, if I see a brotherhood that was created in the offseason, and the players want to play for him, and there is a real dynamic there, Iam gonna say fu%$ you to the fans, and I'am goin all in and signin one of those offensive players, if I don't, and I sense weakness from Henne, I will have the cash to make a move.

I really like our football team, I really do, and anyone who doesn't think were a young, athletic talented nucleus, I vehimently disagree with them..I think they got a problem with their evaluation skills.

 

I agree that our roster is talent-laden, but it's up to the coaches to get the most out of that. I don't think Daboll is that guy, but I hope he is. Truth is, we'll see how he calls games with a more flashy, spread offense being the goal compared to last year. Unpredictability is another goal this year, from what I have read and heard. Hopefully Daboll interprets unpredictable as 'tendency-busting' not as 'trick-play/formation'.

One under-discussed area that COULD provide a great lift for us is the STs performance, both in terms of coverage and returns. We had poor STs play last year, so any improvement there will help us win a game or two more.

Henne is the biggest question mark, clearly. The fact that we are not only changing OC's, but changing philosophy slightly (as Ross and Sparano have said, more open, more exciting, more spread concepts) means two things:

1) Henne is entering his third year on the field (fourth in the league), but won;t be in the same exact system with the same OC so he may not make the "Brees-leap' everyone talks about. He will have a lot of new stuff to acclimate to.

2) There is also a good chance that this OC and this system will be a BETTER fit for Henne's skillset than the previous OC and philosophy. Henning always had a 'don't let the QB hurt you' mentality. I'm hoping Daboll and henne Mesh well. Good start would be allowing Henne NOT to playaction as often on unlikely running downs. Also, the willingness to actually adapt the gameplan to suit the strengths of his player (QB especially) unlike Henning who insisted no matter whether Pennington or Henne were playing he would never change a single thing about his gameplan or how he'd call a game. Stubborn old fool was intent on winning staring contests with QBs. A QB must have stolen his fiancee in the 1920's. lol.

Bottom line, we have talent and maybe Henne improves this year, but just as probable is that he doesn't.

Just gotta wait and see. In the meantime lets discuss it ad nauseam.

 

his statement is 100% accurate, the nucleus of this young team is great, some will say the biggest position at QB ist still an issue, but for the rest of the team, maybe besides a dominating FS and a seam busting TE, is in good shape and Ireland deserves all the credit in the world for that build up

 

Well, as long as the HC takes ST seriously prior to the season kicking off, generally there is no problem they perform adequately, Sparano had been robbing ST performance in order to develop players for the D or O, remains to be seen if that continues.

Also, I expect Lexxy to win Cobbs old job on ST.

 

I'm with you DJ. I'm living and dying by this team in 2011.
Not a homer, don't care to be.
Most think we suck apparently.
Who is with us........

 

same here, i´m so pumed even for that 1st preseason game @ Atlanta 12 more days

 

Our nucleus is as strong as any team in the AFC, you have to be joking right? Here are the 2011 AFC playoff contenders:

1-New England Patriots- Tom Brady,Bill Bellichik, Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, and a very strong D that produces results
2-Pittsburgh Steelers- Big Ben, Troy P, James Harrison, Rashard Mendenhall, etc.. just an overall winning organization from top to bottom.
3-Indy Colts- one word Peyton Manning, but he also has tons of weapons Dallas Clark, Joesph Addai, Reggie Wayne Dwight Freeney, ..etc
4-Houston Texans- Matt Schaub,Andre Johnson, James Joesph, Arian Foster, Mario Williams, their offense is very potent.
5-Ny Jets man I really hate to even mention them because I hate them so much but it is what it is- Mark Sanchez , Darrell Revies,Bart Scott, Santnio Holmes, and an over all strong D
6- Baltimore Ravens- Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, Ed Redd, Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs
7- San Diego Chargers Phillip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, Ryan Mattews, Antonio Gates, this team always finds a way a to make the playoffs.

I agree with you we do have a strong nucleus, if you don't consider the QB position. However if you just look at the teams I mention the one constant variable is they all have is very solid QB play. Until we get a strong QB that knows how to win, we are going to continue to struggle and produce losing seasons. If you look at the list of teams I feel will be playoff contenders in 2011 , 71% of the teams I picked selected a QB in the first round. Granted not every QB selected in the 1st round is going to be a success, however if you have the strategy of selecting a QB with your first pick every year, then eventually you will find a winner and then you can build a team around. Yet this team just gave a muti million dollar contract to Matt Moore, you threw for 5 td and 10 interceptions last year.,, This organization is clueless at the moment. You build your team around your QB, how complicated is that?

I am not saying I know a lot about football, however during the season i spend at least 10 hours a week handicapping games, yea I like to bet on football, and have had some success and some failure to.. I just know one thing there is no way in hell I am betting on the Dolphins this year!

I also like to play fantasy football, and there is know way in hell I am picking anyone on this team, because very one is so inconsistent. I have won my league two years in row, and I want players on my team that produce strong results, and unfortunately there is no one in a dolphins uniform that qualifies which is really sad.

 

I think he's harmless ya know, He doesn't have great skills at the mic, but dammit, he loves our team, he's willing to spend, and he doesn't purposely get involved..

I don't blame the guy for givin Harbaugh a run, that dude is gonna be a star in this league, he gave him a shout out..

 

we happen to have one of the best kickers in the game, and one of the best punters in the game, and to me, that sh$$ is important, my rookies that I listed, I'am confident in their skillsets, I'am confident that I have identified our weaknesses, and I'am confident in my evaluation skills, I believe they will all make the 53 and that is part of our nucleus.

 

DJ man, ross said we never spoke to that guy you know.....

 

Iam gonna use your own phrase on ya...''come on man'', you think thats what he means?..I listened to the interview, he said nothing that made me think what you are implying.

 

I base it on what one of his coaches in college told me, followed up with the tape.. {if I knew how to find it quickly I would.}.

If it looks good on tape, and its confirmed by a coach,{he hasn't steered me wrong so far}, I'am gonna play that bet.

 

and people think thats a 3 year plan....fu^%in ridiculous...This fanbase better check itself, or else they just might never get a championship.

 

Fine.

#SuckForBarkley.

#SuckForJones.

#SuckForTangibleAndQuantifiableImprovementAtTheMostImportantPositionInTheNFLAndAllOfProSportsSufficientToMountMultipleConsecutivePlayoffRunsAndBringTheLombardiBackToSouthBeachWhereItCanHangOutWithBronBron.

 

"There's a point where you become a caricature and start leaking respectability", says the sand fly to no one in particular.

 

never made him an offer..lol..I really don't blame him, and I got love for Sparano, but that mother grabber, shoot, I'am completely enamored by him...and what does he go and do to make my obsession worse?, drafts my damn QB that I fell in love with while everyone else called me crazy,.smart man that Mr Harbaugh.