Have we, collectively as fans, been overvaluing some of our "better" players, especially along the O-line? Think about it for a minute. A good many here thought that the regime would be interested in bringing back Rex Hadnot last year - they had nothing to do with him. This year the team has another better player along our O-line in a contract year and the regime appears to be ready to let him walk, at least into FA. Do they value him less than we the fans do? Are they looking for the market to set itself? There are not a great many good players on the open market in their prime, and Carey is one of them at his position. Fans here have said for a while that Carey is just below a pro bowl level player. Is that really the case? Was the fact that he was the best player along the O-line - which was putrid looking back now even compared to the unfinished project we have now - making him appear better in comparison to what was around him? I just want to explore the issue a bit, as it seems there are two camps; the we can get one in the draft and we can't afford to lose him. I wonder if we truly have overvalued his level of play. I mean, is he respected by other teams fans, do they acknowledge a match up against him as a problem for them? I've never heard it that way, has anyone else? What do you think?
I think Rex was canned for quiting on the feild, and his mouth on the plane.. Vernon is our Man of the Year.
I think it would be foolish to get rid of him this year because it would just be opening yet another hole that we would need to fill. Is Carey worth the money? Not sure, I haven't seen a credible set of numbers from which to base my decision on. Carey is a good player, we need consistency along this OL, that's something that I think alot of people forget about. They think that you can just keep plugging new players into place and they will gel in a short time, but it doesn't work that way IMO. Now if Carey is looking to break the bank and we can get good compensation back, then that's something that you have to think long and hard about. I guess it all depends on what type of deal he's looking for.
The better question is who is going to be the Justin Smiley of 2009. We signed Smiley on the first day of free agency and he was a stud for us until he broke his leg. I never heard of the guy before in my life. I'm confident that the FO has a RT they've been eyeing who will end up just like Smiley. Oh, and Rex Hadnot kinda sucked.
I think they let him and his agent know what will work for them and what they feel is fair. I'm sure they don't want him to go, but I don't see this FO overpaying for guys. I could see them putting out a fair offer with Carey, he then will know where the FO stands, the rest will be up to him. If he leaves, they'll find a way to replace him. If he does go, the new player might not be as good but will it really wreck all your offensive plans? Probably not. So why overspend when you need that money to address a lot of areas. Just my guess on whats' up with Carey. I hope the offer is fair and I hope he takes it, I do think he's a good player, just not top 5 RT good at this point.
I fall inbetween the two camps. Carey can play both L and RT. He is good. I haven't heard anything about other teams fans saying that he's an issue as far as matchups are concerned but consistency with our own line is something I'm more concerned about. It seems to me that since he hasn't been tagged (and with 45 minutes to go until deadline and reports saying no one will be tagged) the FO believes that they'll be willing to take the shot to shake up the line a little bit in favor of letting Carey walk in FA and keeping a few bucks in their pocket. This brings up the issue and was mentioned elsewhere. Who will be RT and what is a greater need? RT or S? I think they are close to signing bell from things I have heard around here posted by several people (at the very least closer than signing Carey) and would want them to go RT over S. People will attack that side of the line with no mercy if there is a scrub there. Granted there are problems if we can't sign Bell; but I've got a feeling they are going to try and find something for both positions in the draft or free agency. The question is what is a first day priority and what is a second and beyond in the draft? And what can they fill in FA?
I initially felt this way about losing Carey, that it would be another hole to fill and we'd have to use our resources (draft or FA) to fill it instead of filling another need, however, upon further review...Con's point is very good. Carey - this regime has a figure in mind for what he's worth and he wants to see what else is out there. He's a good tackle, but not a great one. For example, on the question of acquiring Jason Brown, I'd take Brown over Carey because of how much better he makes the line versus how much better the line would be with us re-signing Carey and remaining status quo... A secured interior OL can allow for a lesser RT, thus Carey is the odd man out, IMHO. As to using the tag or not, as now it appears they won't they must have come to the conclusion that either Carey was way off base on his demands for salary or, and the more likely scenario to me, he simply makes the OL status quo, not better whereas he can be replaced with the next level down adequately and cost effective assuming they can land a Brown to shore the interior of the line up...I guess that's a big assumption, but we'll find out in a couple of weeks or less...
I wasn't really taking a side, or saying I didn't want Carey here. My point was how we as fans place values on players and that it appears the FO does not value the players we do in the same light. Hadnot last year was a guy we couldn't lose - I even asked whether he was worth it or not. It appears a similar thing is happening with Carey. We, the fans believe he is a good player we need, it doesn't appear the FO feels the same way. After that the comparison to Hadnot ends. I know why he was a goner, but the fact I am focussing on is that he was a goner. Carey looks to be that way too. Maybe we need to reevaluate what we see as a good player for this team?
Obviously we do. That is why they get paid the big bucks to make the decisions and we're all sitting around here not making the money to make wanna be decisions.
I think they are doing a pretty good job so far, I'll defer to Sparano, Ireland and Parcells as to what is better for the team. It sure would be nice to have a dominant offensive line again rather than looking at other teams offensive lines wishing our line was as good or thinking about the past Dolphin lines.
I've been seeing this kind of thing for a few years. I never understood why everyone why so high on Drew Mormino. The guy had absolutely no mass, and was years away from being able to hold his ground against solid NFL DTs. Yet I kept hearing from all angles about how big his role was going to be on our team. I wasn't too shocked when Hadnot was let go. Granted he was our 2nd best offensive lineman at the time. But 2nd best on an ineffective line does not guarantee you anything. Now look at where we are a year later. Hadnot would be our 4th or 5th best guard. With Carey as our best offensive lineman, our standards were much lower for Hadnot. Carey was overvalued in the same way. With Jake being the new standard for excellence on our oline, Carey is proving to be less than excellent. In our to improve our line, we need to have a RT who can consistentely beat top end opponents. Think about it. If we are plannning on going farther this year than last, then we need to be prepared to handle some outstanding defensive lines. If our RT can't hold his own, then that limits the play calling in crucial situations. There needs to be balance. I think Carey will be overpaid in FA. Mostly because he's near the top of a mediocre group of FA tackles. I think he ends up in Minnesota or Green Bay. They both have a the need. If the Packers can't solve their own 'Carey' situation with Mark Tauscher, then they could very well be in the mix.
It's kinda hard to put a value on him-he was the best lineman on past teams that did not perform well , has been moved around and not always looks in shape,he is good but i can't say he is one of the best,hope they can sign him though if not too costlly.
