Phins making a statement to the over-payed and under-performing players. This is not the lame duck off season I was expecting. Damn, here comes my optimism again.
No one seems concerned about our linebacking corps, it seems. Wheeler sucked and Ellerbe was a disappointment, but the kids didn't seem to stand out much and Misi is made of glass. Suh would, and will, be nice. But who is playing behind him?
Boy I bet all the fools on here who supported keeping Ireland in 2013 so he could completely waste 5 picks in the first 3 rounds and 40 mil in cap space feel pretty stupid now.
What they have shown so far is that they have identified those who underperforms last year and are cutting them. While that is certainly a good sign. Now they need to prove that they can also identify the players in the draft and in free agency who can come in and make this a better team. Obviuosly if they can sign Suh that will be a definite upgrade but this teams has a lot of needs throughout the roster. They need to find at least 5-6 players in the draft and in free agency who can come in and start from day one.
I was one of the biggest anti-Ireland members on this forum over the last two years he was with the Dolphins. I was extremely happy when he was finally relieved of his duties and sent packing. While it would be great to have all those draft picks and cap money now, I can no longer worry about what happened two years ago. Ireland is gone and now we just have to hope that Tannebaum and Hickey have more success rebuilding this team than Ireland did.
While I agree Jenkins played well, the coaching staff didn't appear to have much confidence in McCain as the season progressed. Perhaps he will gain their confidence this coming season and become a more effective player on defense, but right now it is hard to project him as a starter based on his limited playing time last year. Misi was no upgrade at the MLB position and this position remains a huge need for the defense. In fact I would put the MLB position right up there with CB as the two biggest needs on defense at this time. A safety opposite Jones is only slightly behind these two positions in regards to needs on defense.
I agree. Moving Misi out of the middle and back to, let's say his natural position would be ideal. Wasn't McCain hurt, or had some issues when he didn't play as much in the second half of the season? Thought it was more a disciplinary thing...
Only linebacker I have any confidence as a starter next year is Jenkins. Maybe Tripp, Cain, and Jordan can give us something but that remains to be seen. They definitely need a linebacker from free agency and one from the draft. Or maybe just one and maybe Tripp, Jordan, or McCain can be that 3rd linebacker. If they land Suh then CB and FS need to be dealt with. And the team still needs a receiver and at least another guard. I'm thinking sign a CB and a G in free agency. Draft receiver in the 1st because even if Wallace isn't cut this year he will be cut next. Don't see him in the long term plans. 2nd round get a MLB. FS they may just have to settle with Aikens or bring back Delmas. So many holes in one offseason will be tough to fill.
Living here in Hawaii, it is difficult for me to know exactly why McCain seemed to fall out of favor with the coaching staff. I remember he was injured early in the season, but I'm not sure exactly why he didn't get more playing time after he returned from his injury. Perhaps some of those individuals on this forum who have more access to information than you and I do will be able to enlighten us on the situation with McCain. I think he seems to have the talent and skill set to be a great OLB in the NFL, but perhaps there are some flaws in his game or personality which prevented him from taking his game to a higher level last year.
Yeah I remember McCain having a great preseason and making plays on special teams. I think more of anything it is just the incompetent coaching staff not getting him out on the field and making use of him. Coaching staff needs to invest in this guy. He will be a good player.
We NEED to draft Stephone Anthony in the 2nd, he'll play MIKE for years to come and then can move Misi back outside. If we get Parker in in the first and maybe Derron Smith in the third, we'd sort out a few problem areas and then need a G
Hah, even you admitted you liked what was happening at that point and gave Ireland some props. He was never as terrible as you made him out to be, but In the end he swung for the fences and struck out big time. I supported him, sure, but that's being a fan, not a fool. Fools wear bags over their heads, make signs, and protest at every given opportunity !
