Another Fine Piece Thanks To Tony Nicoletti!
All this talk of mediocrity. About how the Dolphins are doomed, and not going anywhere. That they don't have the cap space to buy what they need in free agency. (Much less the draft positioning to get the impact players that will help them reach the playoffs). To all the naysayers out there I say....nonsense!
These Dolphins are in better position to make a push for the playoffs than they have been in 6 years. Yes, they need to recoup cap space by eliminating some of the dead weight. (But doesn't every team have that problem each year)? Dennis Hickey has done a good job with some of his free agency and draft picks. A second year will only get this franchise closer to building a team that will fit what Joe Philbin and company, are trying to field in Miami.
Bringing Mike Tannenbaum on board, (who some claim was instrumental in the Jets having back to back playoff seasons) should benefit this club as he will be able to offer his insight and expertise. Dawn Apointe has been shrewdly and successfully handling the contract negotiations for a number of years in Miami. With their help, Hickey should be able to procure the right personnel to guarantee this Dolphins team is playoff bound. It's a make or break season so everyone is going to have to work in concert to that end.
Miami has a 1,000 yard running back, (Lamar Miller) who's average yardage per attempt helped Miami become the second highest in the league. with a 4.7 yards per running attempt. Not bad when you consider Miami was predominantly a passing team. Miller was also running solo, without a lot of help from a, "change of pace" running back to spell him. And while the offensive line started to go downhill in week 9 when Branden Albert sustained a season ending injury, (allowing 46 sacks) they still managed to do enough to open up some running lanes.
The Dolphins had 3 players in the Pro Bowl. Cameron Wake, Brent Grimes and Mike Pouncey. All of which are healthy and will be back for 2015. There are a host of other players on this roster that could easily be starters for any team in the NFL. There were also some surprise first and second year players that showed considerable promise and upside for the coming year.
Unlike the beginning of the 2014 season Miami will not have to devote most of their resources to the entire offensive line. A starting guard or two and depth is all that is needed. Albert is ahead of schedule with his recovery and barring any unforeseen setbacks, could be available by the start of the first regular season game. The Dolphin offensive line was trending upward before Albert's injury. If Miami finds a serviceable guard and allows everyone to shuffle back to their regular positions, there is no telling how good their running and passing game will be.
This Dolphin team had a top 5 defense for three quarters of the season, before injuries and fatigue set in. Getting a few players healthy and a couple of key acquisitions will help shore up that side of the ball and make this team stingier in 2015. A run stuffing Linebacker, ball hawking Corner Back and Safety will certainly further their cause. The Dolphins could also use a big bodied Nose Tackle to draw double teams so the pass rushing duo of Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon can do their thing. And would someone please find a way to successfully integrate Dion Jordan's unique skill set into the lineup.
The Dolphins have the highest price group of receivers in the NFL with a diverse mix of talent. If Miami trims the fat and brings in a big red zone target and/or a speedy receiver, our success inside the 20 and on third down conversions will improve. With better pass protection Ryan Tannehill might have enough time to let plays develop down field so he can finally start connecting on his deep passes. It showed signs of coming around near the end of the season. (Though he fell victim to several dropped balls that should have been caught).
Speaking of which, the biggest reason Miami will fare better in 2015 comes from the fact that they have resolved a problem that has plagued them for more than 15 years. They finally have a quarterback they can build an offense around. I know plenty of you will scoff at the idea that Ryan Tannehill could be a franchise quarterback. Many of you think he is at best, average and that there are other quarterbacks, (especially from his 2012 draft class) that are better. I'll admit, there are other young quarterbacks that have actually brought their teams to the playoffs and have won more games. But all of them are with teams that have had more tools and talent than Ryan has had to work with.
I won't bore you will all the statistics that show just how much Tannehill has progressed in his third year. He was only 64 yards away from breaking into the top ten quarterbacks last season. And who was just ahead of him in total passing yards? The quarterback that won the Super Bowl, Tom Brady. The only signal caller that came from the 2012 quarterback draft bonanza that made the top 10 list was Andrew Luck, and (the last time Miami played the Indianapolis Colts, they beat them). Only the Detroit Lion's Mathew Stafford has been sack nearly as many times as Ryan Tannehill. (45 Sacks versus 46). All the other top 10 quarterbacks were sacked at least, 10 fewer times than Tannehill.
The fact is, I don't think you will find another quarterback that has been sacked more than Ryan Tannehill over the last two seasons. Yet, he managed to throw for more than 4,000 yards, with a completion percentage that only 3 quarterbacks in the top 10 list surpassed. That is one tough, accurate passer that performs well under pressure. He also happened to be the 5th best rushing quarterback, too. This makes him a dual threat with athletic skills that few field generals can match.
And when you think about it, Tannehill's total passing yardage were a bit skewed as he didn't really start to show much improvement until the fourth game of the season against the Oakland Raiders. (A game where he was well on his way to 300 yards passing, were it not for Joe Philbin wisely pulling him out when the win was secured). There were also a couple of other contests where he wound up coasting late in the game because they had built up an insurmountable lead. (A Miami Dolphin team that runs the score up on it's opponent)?
After being with the same Offensive Coordinator/Coach for 5 years, it only took the preseason, and 3 regular season games for Ryan to start getting comfortable with the new offensive that Bill Lazor installed. That tells you how intelligent he is and how willing he was to work harder to make this new system productive. You have to believe that a second year under Lazor's tutelage is where Ryan Tannehill is really going to make the biggest strides in all facets of his game.
2014 was a, "getting acquainted" season for Bill Lazor and the Miami Dolphin players. Now that he has a better idea of what talents and abilities he has to work with, he will be able to utilize these skill sets to put this offense in a position to score and win games. This offense has already impressed under his reign. (Tannehill threw more pass completions than any quarterback in franchise history, last season). Rookie Jarvis Landry has made a huge contribution as a slot receiver in his first year, which is unheard of for a rookie. And Miami hasn't had a 1,000 yard Running Back since Ricky Williams. The last time the Dolphins scored 392 points in a single season was in 1995.
I believe this Miami Dolphins team is only a few players shy of reaching the playoffs in 2015. If they have a free agency and draft similar to last years, there is no reason not to think that they can reach the post season for the first time in 7 years.
Go Dolphins!
Showing posts with label Dawn Aponte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dawn Aponte. Show all posts
Ninety Six Miami Dolphin Hours
"ALLLLLLL-RIGHTTTT M I A M I"...over a pitcher of eggnog is what Mad Dog Mandich and riverdoGary are howling from The Pearly Gates Sports Bar & Grill!
The Miami Dolphins have signed a total of FOUR NFL All Star Pro Bowlers in the first four days of 2014's Free Agency Period!
One day prior to Tuesday's 4pm March 11th opening of the new NFL season. Owner Stephen Ross' new General Manager Dennis Hickey and previous staff members (Dawn Aponte, Joe Philbin) secured their number one defensive free agent priority in Pro Bowl corner back Brent Grimes who was scheduled to hit Tuesdays free for all. The Dolphin's 2013 defensive standout and team leader Grimes will account for only four million dollars against the 2014 cap and will be in Miami for the next four years.
In another beat the Open House Tuesday deadline move. Miami swooped on an enforcer type Safety with the acquisition of Louis Delmas (27) who will upgrade the pre-planned free agency loss of former safety Chris Clemons. Delmas signed a one year 3.5 million dollar deal similar to that of Grimes' 2013 prove it to us contract, and we'll reward you down the road.
Once upon Tuesdays 4pm first minute, the actual beginning of the 2014 Free Agency Period and NFL Season. THE MIAMI DOLPHINS addressed their number one offensive priority with the signing of the top rated free agent Left Tackle and Kansas City Pro Bowl All Star Branden Albert (29). He will be quarterback Ryan Tannehill's blindside blocker (a specialty of his) for at least the next three years at approximately 8.333 million per year. Miami inked the extremely athletic Albert to a five year 25 million dollar guaranteed contract. The fourth and fifth years are no guarantee and Miami can get out without compensating Albert if he no longer fits.
On Wednesday, a well rounded yet young run stopper and quarterback chaser in Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell (26) was reeled in at four million per year times four. Mitchell will fill the staffs foreseen through a crystal ball loss of Dolphin free agent defensive tackle Paul Soliai. The studly yet one dimensional 340 pound run stopping specialist Soliai (30) signed at a later time with Atlanta for 6 plus million per year.
Mitchell has been playing productively for the last three years while out of position in a 3-4 Houston defense as a 300 pound Nose Tackle. His versatility of both run stopping and interior pass rush skills are likely to explode in Miami's most prominent 4-3 defensive scheme, the same scheme he played collegiately at Arizona. The Dolphins new Offensive Line Coach John Benton has first hand knowledge of Mitchell's skills while his OLine faced him everyday in practice for the last three years.
Earl Mitchell's self description. “I’m extremely passionate . I love this game. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to work and I’m coming to produce and I’m definitely trying to help this team reach new heights. That’s really my reason for being here and I want to work. I want to play and at the end of the day I’m trying to get us to a Super Bowl. That’s all my focus and that’s my objective and that’s the only reason why I play this game.”
Thursday the sun came up so the Dolphins decided that they would re-sign another of their own All Stars, and did so with the extraordinarily versatile, Mr does everything Defensive Tackle and End Randy Starks. The long time Dolphin stud who has never missed a game during his six Dolphin seasons signed a multi-year deal for just over 6 million per year, and less than what Soliai signed for with the Falcons.
After Thursday is Friday. Approximately Ninety Six hours after the re-signing of the leagues third most proficient coverage corner since 2010 in Dolphins Pro Bowl Corner Back Brent Grimes. Hickey's Hell Raisers signed 2011's second highest ranked corner back Courtland Finnegan (30). He has had a tough couple of years since his 2011 top ranking, including a facial orbital injury that forced him to miss half of the 2013 season which should not hamper his in your face style. Finnegan is a play making intimidator, a guy that gets in the oppositions head and takes him out of his game. The Pro Bowl All Star signed a new beginning two year contract that is suggested to be in the vicinity of 10 to 11 million. Finnegan will start opposite of Grimes while being a huge upgrade to the pre-determined free agent loss of Nolan Carroll.
But wait. Friday is a 24 hour day so the Dolphins sign a much needed guard too by the 4pm Ninety Six hour mark. Shelly Smith (26)is a three year veteran that spent his first year for the Texans (under current Dolphins offensive line coach John Benton). The following two years he was in St.Louis where he started 8 of 11 games played in 2012, he started two of 14 games played last year. Smith is an explosive and very physical run blocker that signed with Miami for two years at 5.5 million total.
Ninety Six hours ago (as of Friday March 14th at 4pm). The Miami Dolphins were about to become extremely thin at defensive tackle and corner back with the potential loss of all four 2013 starters. They re-signed their two Pro Bowlers (Grimes & Starks), and addressed the other two free agent losses even before they became losses! They upgraded one of those losses with a nasty former Pro Bowl corner back (Finnegan), and replaced the other specialist with a well rounded youngster in defensive tackle (Mitchell)!
Miami entered the process with one legitimate starting offensive lineman on the roster in Elite NFL Center Mike Pouncey. At one minute into the process they signed the prominent left tackle that they have been chasing for several years (Albert).
In the ninety sixth hour they signed a young three year veteran guard that Miami's offensive line coach helped develop. They now have three more than capable guards with Shelly Smith, Nate Garner, and Sam Brenner while second year left side guard/potential tackle Dallas Thomas also waits in the wings. A standout veteran is still in the cards that are being dealt.
Miami has only one absolutely glaring empty spot remaining, and that is at the right tackle position! The Dolphins still have plenty of money and time to land a right tackle while a few good tackle options still remain. Miami's 2013 left and right side starting tackles Bryant McKinnie (who wants to come back), and Tyson Clabo are two of those few remaining on the market. Though they both struggled horribly early on in 2013, both Bryant and Tyson are very good players who are more than worthy right tackle Dolphin candidates! Both can also play left tackle in a pinch, and a team has to have a reliable backup to their left tackle, the signing of one of them will fill two needs!
Should Miami sign one of those two? They will find themselves in great position to seek early round skill players in the upcoming 2014 draft! If not? A couple more early round offensive lineman will remain a necessity! A couple offensive lineman will be drafted anyway at some point, but it would be almost too sweet for them to not be early round priorities!
What do you think of Dennis Hickey and his Staff's first 96 hours on the clock?
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view!!
GOFINS!!
The Miami Dolphins Off-Season of Transformation
RiverdoG is a big fan of Dawn Aponte for her work as the Miami Dolphin's Capologist. The Voodoo Science of the NFL has some interesting features in the latest version of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). These changes drove the Dolphins to make a splash in free agency after a self-proclaimed desire to build through the draft. Many experts quote the minimum or cap floor figure as 89% of the cap value. This is true in a sense, but there is a little more behind it that drove the Dolphins and other teams to make sure they spent now or face penalties later.The language of the CBA states, for each four-year period from 2013-16, and from 2017-2020, the minimum guaranteed team cash spending for each team is 89% of Salary Cap. Over the two four year periods, each team must spend a minimum of 89% of the aggregate total Cap for those four years. For example, if the Salary Caps for the 2013-16 periods are $100, $120, $130, $150 million respectively, each team must spend a minimum of 89% ($445 Million) of that $500 million total. To be clear, the minimum spending is over a four-year period for each team, not each season.
The 2011 and 2012 seasons had no salary floor and some teams took advantage of those years by cleaning house so to speak. Miami came into the 2013 season with over $40 million available cap space. The Dolphins had an announced agenda to build through the draft, but it is impossible to build exclusively through the draft in today’s NFL because of the rookie Salary Cap. The NFL Salary Cap is a “Hard Cap” meaning each team must remain under the Cap. The Salary Cap is the same amount for each team. The rookie cap fluctuates with the number and round of the picks a team has in any give year.
A team can “carry over” room from one League Year to the next by having the owner submit notice to the NFL within 14 days prior to the beginning of the next League Year. The owner must indicate
By following the money, the new TV contract begins in 2013 and extends to 2022. The contract will increase revenues for NFL teams incrementally and teams falling below 89% this year will find it increasingly difficult to reach the 89% figure over the four-year aggregate. It is possible a team could find itself unable to reach the aggregate 89% in the fourth-year because doing so would take them over the hard cap number for that year. The penalty is unknown but the NFL usually takes these opportunities to come down hard on the perpetrator.
The CBA and the facts associated with the agreement are the real reasons behind Miami abandoning its stated objective to build through the draft. The Dolphins have used the second season under Joe Philbin to align the locker room with players more fit for his schemes and to adhere with the complexities of the CBA. From this point on the Dolphins will need to make fewer moves in free agency to remain in compliance with the CBA. Miami fans must hope the Dolphins bought the right players to fit the mold during the mandatory shopping spree.The future of the team is now riding on the decisions made during this crucial off-season. Miami will not get the opportunity to make this type of sweeping change again without gutting the team of quality players. Many fantasy football fans will point out Mike Wallace is not a ranking player in their leagues and other Pittsburgh receivers had better numbers. It has become easy to miss the value of players by following a stats sheet in the fantasy league.
Wallace demanded the salary for more than fantasy numbers; he opens the offense and creates opportunities for other players. Safeties cannot sneak into the box as readily when they know Wallace can beat them over the top. They cannot cheat up and the running game benefits by not having an extra defender in the box. If a corner needs deep help to protect from the long ball, other receivers find less coverage and get more opportunities. The Steelers know the value of a deep receiver even if the fantasy geeks don’t understand the true value of football players.
Miami allowed Jake Long to seek greener pastures (Benjamin Green) even though they needed to spend on premium positions for the reasons documented above. It is a telling sign when the Dolphins held the line on Long. Two motives seem obvious, his injury history and the devaluing of the left tackle position. With the need to spend for cap purposes Miami passed on Long and then shocked the league by not drafting his replacement after trading up for Dion Jordan and not Lane Johnson. The Dolphins then left Brandon Albert and others waiting at the altar before signing Clabo, clearly, the position has lost its luster.
Kevin Coyle and Joe Philbin as football coaches could not allow this to continue. Dansby could easily have remained on the Dolphins if he understood his place in the locker room or matched his real performance with his illusion. It was not going to happen and perhaps Karlos got the message by waiting until May to sign a contract. His words brought hope, "It was frustrating with the release and a humbling situation, but I knew God had a plan for me," Dansby said.
With any luck, God has bigger troubles to worry about than his plan for Karlos, but lessons come to different people in different ways. The leadership council of players wanting to police themselves with Long-Dansby-Bush in the forefront made it clear; Philbin was not onboard with the self-proclaimed team leaders. The opportunity to make a complete change in culture coincided with the need to spend cap dollars or face fines later.
A new era in Miami begins at the Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio with the enshrinement of Bill Parcells. Parcells is the man many feel responsible for the Dolphins continued downfall. Perhaps facing the blighted past is the only way to burst into a new future. One thing is certain, not many Miami fans will be cheering for Parcells as a team he will not recognize takes the field in Canton. The irony of Parcells' enshrinement and the Dolphins playing in the Hall of Fame game is not lost on Miami Dolphin fans...
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