So Who Are The Fools?

Once the Free Agency period kicked in, so did the talk about how stupid the Dolphins Management and owner is. We heard past and present day players bash Ireland. We saw a small group of fans picketing at the Davie complex. While most of us listened, watched, and read what the sports media reported. They reported half truths and did there usual sensationalized stories about things they knew little of.

When Warren Sapp reported that Joey Porter, Channing Crowder and Ryan Clark felt that no players wanted to deal or play for the Dolphins. Did the NFL Network check into why those players would say that after 2 of them were cut from the team and the other player (Clark) was turned away, because the Dolphins felt he was using them to get a larger contract with the Steelers.

Then we had the dealings with Peyton Manning where he never met with the Dolphins at the Davie complex. At the end of last year Ross said he would pursue a Franchise QB. Shortly there after Mannings Camp let it out that he would be willing to play for less money, so Ross and Ireland went after him because he was after all willing pay for less, and the Dolphins only had about 15 million dollars in cap space to get him. When it was clear that Manning wanted to be the highest paid QB in the league, Manning looked at the cap space Miami had and ruled the Dolphins out of the picture. The media was right there at that time to once again bash Ireland and Ross over something they had no control over.

None of this excuses Ross for the way he handled the search to replace Tony Sparano after the 2010 season. That made the team look like we were under the Big Top of a PT Barnum Circus. Well let me tell you, Ross and Ireland are not alone.

After years of success Robert Irsay and his cronies has turned the Colts into the new Circus Masters. In one year they went from winning 10 games to winning 2. Their owner has taken to twitter and made a fool of himself. He insulted his QB that led his team to a Super Bowl win and countless playoff wins. RG3 will not give him a private workout because he doesn't want to play for the Colts and Irsay.

Then we have the Jets. Who have a QB problem and are trying to make it go away. Just like Ross did with TS the Jets are doing to Sanchez. They extend his contract and then trade for Tebow. Their clubhouse is a mess. The locker room as taken the lead from its HC. Making bold claims that they can't backup. That has led to players not only taking shots at each other in the locker room but on the field as well.

We will know take a look at the Cardinals another team that needed Peyton Manning. If you want to look at a team that is mismanaged they could take the cake. They went after Manning when they were millions of dollars over the cap limit. They signed Kevin Kolb earlier to a huge contract for a player with hardly any experience for the contract he signed. Not unlike what the Dolphin fans wanted Miami to do with Matt Flynn. How did that turn out for the Cardinals?

Seattle signed Matt Flynn for 3 years and $28 million and they are still looking to grab a QB. As their HC raves about having Flynn under contract, why are they looking for a QB early in the draft ? They can pick up someone later in the draft to develop.

I won't even touch the New Orleans Saints and the Bounty. Nor will talk about Spygate that helped the Patriots to 3 SB wins.

Now if you think the Miami Dolphins are alone on the train of stupidity I can assure you the Cabose is full of mistakes that have been made by the Owners and General Managers in the NFL.

Miami Dolphin Trade Down Draft Scenarios

Hey Miami Dolphin Fans...

With the 2012 NFL Draft coming on April 26th, and seeing that we've already touched on which prospects at what positions we fans as individuals would most like for our team to select at 8 I thought we might like to consider a potential trade down scenario or two, and who our alternate choices might be in such a case. Just an attempt to cover all the bases!!

So, for the sake of ALL possibilities lets pretend for a moment that every prospect we fans and/or the Dolphins wanted at number EIGHT IS GONE!! Those favorites would include of course the untouchables, along with Kalil, Reiff, Ingram, Tannehill, Blackmon, DeCastro, Coples, Richardson, Claiborne, and any others that are potentially worthy of number eight for the Dolphins.. Yes.. I realize that is more than eight prospects, but again we're hypothetically pretending, while for all we know the Dolphins might only like four or so of those eleven if forced to pick at eight.. (From the teams point of view) the preferred prospects could possibly be 20th on the fans lists, Therefore, a "Trade Down" scenario is quite the possibility !!

Boom, it happens, and they've found an alternative route.. Our team is potentially able to come to terms with a team near the mid-teens for our number eight pick, (a guy that we might not really want or need anyway), while in turn we're able to trade down in gathering a much needed additional 2012 second round draft pick, and still being able to land (in the mid teens) one of the top prospects at numerous positions of need beyond the guys we really want..

Okay here we go, according to the (included) Draft Value Chart the Dolphins number EIGHT pick is worth 1400 points.. Since the Jets (who we don't want to drop below) pick at 16.. Lets Say that were able to trade down to 15 with Philadelphia (who's always a big mover in the draft), while the value of the number FIFTEEN pick is worth 1050 points.. The minimum compensation of that 8 to 15 move is an additional draft pick that holds the worth of 350 points which would be a second round pick at overall number 55..

Philadelphia at pick number 15 holds two second round, and overall picks at Forty Six (440), and Fifty One (390), so they'd be forced to offer us even more than the 350 suggested value to make it a move of worth to us, and we'd accept nothing less!! Also, with Philly having two second rounders to begin with, they'll likely be more willing to sacrifice one for an opportunity to move up to eight, and they just lost their starting OT Jason Peters to an Achilles tear in an off season workout.. So, they might be willing to offer the farm for a shot at OT Riley Reiff, or others ?? (An additional player of need, potentially a starter for the simple task of moving down seven spots), because the guys we actually wanted are potentially already gone..

2012 Draft Value Chart;
http://drafttek.com/tradechart.html

If such a scenario were to take place?? Here's a few of the Prospects at positions of need we fans might like in the mid-teens, and into the twenties while the second round thoughts will be considered next week with a possible option of two second round selections..

RT Jonathan Martin, Stanford Jr, 6-5, 312, GRADE 87.0 .. Above-average football smarts and general intelligence. Plays with a nasty streak. Solid character and work ethic. http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jonathan-martin?id=2533041

WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, 22 years old, 6-3, 220, 4.47 forty, GRADE 89.5 .. Floyd certainly helped his cause by running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds (unofficially) at 6-3, 220 pounds and showing excellent hands, flexibility, and surprisingly precise routes. Whether it was drifting across the middle during the gauntlet drill, dropping his hips on quick comeback routes, or showing the ability to track the ball over either shoulder deep, Floyd consistently plucked the ball out of air, quickly secured it and got upfield in one fluid motion. - NFLDraftScout.com http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/michael-floyd?id=2532841

WR Kendall Wright, Baylor, 22 years old, 5-10, 196, 4.61 forty, GRADE 88.5 .. "Wright has good playing strength for his frame and takes pride in his blocking. Very physical and aggressive. Fearless over the middle and does a lot of his damage between the hashmarks. Wants the ball more than anyone else on the field. Confident and tough, playing through several injuries over his career. There is a lot to love about his effort and drive, a top competitor who gives full effort on every snap. A fiery leader who plays with football intensity and determination, the type of player who will run through a wall for his team. Smart and shows elite feel and focus for the position." http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kendall-wright?id=2532977

WR Reuben Randle, LSU Jr, 6-3, 210, 4.55 forty, GRADE 83.0 .. "Randle took his game to another level in 2011. He earned All-SEC accolades in catching 50 passes for 908 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging a gaudy 18.1 yards per reception. He showed improved concentration as a route-runner and receiver and developed into a more reliable blocker, as well. Considering that he stood out immediately in the SEC, improved each year while at LSU and enters the draft just three years removed from high school, there should be plenty of interest in Randle as early as the bottom half of the first round." http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/rueben-randle?id=2533533

OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6-2, 272, GRADE 88.0 .. "Essentially asked to pin his ears back and rush the passer as a weak-side defensive end in the Tide's scheme, though he shows enough play recognition to project as a linebacker. Feels screens coming and locates the running back." http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/courtney-upshaw?id=2532964

DE Nick Perry, USC Jr, 22 years old, 6-3, 271, Pressed 225 Pounds 35 times, 4.64 forty, GRADE 87.5 .. Considered a 'tweener who could be an outside linebacker or defensive end, Perry wants to play the latter. http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/nick-perry?id=2533048

G Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin, 6-4, 314, 79.5 .. "Dependable, no-nonsense mauler who works hard in the weight room and on the field. Did not start the first four games of 2010 due to a high ankle sprain suffered during the summer." http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kevin-zeitler?id=2532980

CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina Jr, 6-0, 190, 4.40 forty, GRADE 84.0 .. "Several NFL scouts were enamored with the mental and physical abilities of this athletic corner. Gilmore plays with an astute awareness that makes him a dangerous defender to test. Gilmore started at cornerback all 40 games the last three years and in 2011 made 46 tackles and led the team with four interceptions, giving him eight for his career. He was selected first-team All-SEC." http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/stephon-gilmore?id=2533062

Grade Title Draft (Round) Description
96-100 Future Hall of Famer Top Pick A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played
85-95 Immediate Starter 1st An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter).
70-84 Eventual Starter 2nd-3rd A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position.
50-69 Draftable Player 4th-7th A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential.
20-49 Free Agent UDFA A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body.

For the sake of this article's prospects, I'm saving the Quarterbacks for Round Two, (though under this "trade down scenario"), you know what I'd do with 83.5 and 84.0 GRADES :) !!

THANKS for an Open-Minded Read, as we look forward to your angle of view!! (If Our DOLPHINS trade down from eight into the Mid-Teens to early Twenties) !!
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE from the above listed, or beyond??
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings

GOFINS :)!!

The Dolphins will Pass on Tannehill

Many teams profess to follow the “best player available” (BPA) theory when drafting, but the truth is, player evaluation is an inexact science and even the word science can only be loosely associated with evaluating players.

In science, the thought is to create a vacuum for an experiment so the data is not biased by preconceived conclusions that invalidate the outcome. This may work when dealing with chemicals or inanimate objects, but people cannot be evaluated in a vacuum. Hawthorn said, “subjects improve or modify an aspect of their behavior being experimentally measured simply in response to the fact that they know they are being studied.”

Pre-combine draft camps designed specifically to coach players in the proper answers to questions regarding personality traits, lead to higher scores on draft personality and intelligence tests. In light of these camps, a low Wonderlic is perhaps more detrimental to player than when Dan Marino scored a 16 on the test.

The pre-draft game is simple, figure out the test and then coach players in the correct responses. Teams continually change the tests to outpace the coaching, but over time the nature of the tests are the same and the answers become obvious. The camps now coach players on how to take the tests, more than the specific answers.

Even forty times no longer have the meaning they did in the past. Players spend months training in how to increase straight-line speed, without pads. Players never line-up in a sprinter’s stance on the football field and football is not a straight-line sport. Lifting weights rarely determine how a player uses leverage on the football field and never defines how a player responds to contact.

All this leads to pointless testing that does more to deceive than to predict. The combine is nothing more than a media event used to keep the league in the spotlight during the off-season and fuel millions dollars for the league as a showcase that does nothing for true player evaluation. The combine is simply a media event that has spawned thousands of websites and so called experts that have no clue what real football people are thinking.

The internet infused experts look at a pro-day and see Ryan Tannehill completed 65 of 68 passes, which included two dropped balls. He also ran a 4.62 time in the 40-yard dash. The true measure of a QB is on the field, whether that player leads his team to victory. The bottom line is, Tannehill led Texas A&M to a 7-6 record in a season when the team was predicted to contend for the Big Twelve title.

The season included 5 loses by a total of 17 points and led to the firing of Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman, who is now the Miami Dolphin’s offensive coordinator. Five losses by an average of 2.5 points could be perceived as a good thing because A&M was in each of these games and defense or unfortunate turns of fate led to many of the losses, but football is not measured in what could have been, it is measured in wins and losses.

The Miami Dolphins understand this all too well, what if Brandon Marshall had not dropped a pass, what if Sean Smith had not dropped an interception, What if Ted Ginn turned out to be a football player and not a straight-line runner. In 2009 Marshall scored 10 TDs, in his other five seasons, he averaged less than 5. The body of work does not equate to a player who wins games by scoring TDs in critical situations. The 2009 season deceived the Dolphins into thinking Marshall had matured into a game winning WR.

The Dolphins made a mistake on Ginn by thinking straight-line speed would equate to a game changing player. Ginn was a colossal mistake that led to Cam Cameron being run out of town. Ginn had 135 Receptions for 1943 Yds, a 14.4 Avg, with 15 TDs in 3 seasons at Ohio State. A look at the numbers coupled with 4.3 forty time and a respectable family led the Dolphins away from what was evident on tape, Ginn shied away from contact. Ginn was not a football player, but a sprinter in a football uniform.

Sean Smith, in contrast was picked number 61 in the draft and the reason was that Utah did not play a major college schedule in the Mountain West Conference. His unique size and speed did not overcome the fact that he did not play in a major program. As a second round pick, Smith was perfectly slotted and a great pick.

This leads back to Tannehill and the reality that he is not worthy of the number 8 pick in the draft. It presents a huge problem for the Dolphins, a team that has not drafted a QB in the first round in 28 years. By not landing Peyton Manning and not offering Matt Flynn a starters contract, then signing aging free agent David Garrard the Dolphins have led the fans to believe Ryan Tannehill has been the objective all along.

Jeff Ireland and Stephen Ross are the object of scorn as a once admired franchise descends to the bottom of the NFL. Not picking Tannehill could lead to a mutiny among fans, even if Tannehill is not worthy of the pick. Miami is in a bad place, but it may be time to abandon the normal misinformation associated with the draft process and begin feeding the press with the reality that Tannehill will not be the pick.

It could not be a bad thing even if the true intent is to pick Tannehill, by feeding the information the Dolphins do two things, they lower fan expectations and throw other teams off if Tannehill is truly the pick. With this in mind, expect information to shortly hit the media knocking Tannehill down the draft ladder.

In the end, the Dolphins will trade down with the eighth pick to the Browns at number 22 and select, you guessed it… The best player available!