-by
Erick Coleman
Step
one - recognize where the real strength of this team lies, the youth
of the team, and the painful areas of change.
First and foremost,
the cap situation is out of control and needs to be reigned in prior
to any real issues being addressed. This is how I would deal with
those.
Ogunleye
Let him go.
As a RFA, any
team that signs Ogunleye must compensate Miami with a first and third
round pick. And, with the scale high on Ogunleye right now - someone
is willing to do that. As much as I adore the play of Ogunleye, I
also see glaring areas of weakness that did not improve in 2003. He
is suspect against the run, and he doesn't recognize play action well
at all. You'll be hard pressed to find someone better at rushing the
passer, but I also say this - a lot of his success is the Moulds -
Peerless Price issue. He's that good because of JT on the other side.
Take the picks, let Ogunleye go. He won't be as good anywhere else.
Olindo Mare
Mare has been ordinary, at best, the past couple of years. He certainly
has not been the kicker that warrants one of the top two kicker contracts
in the NFL. Mare still has value, his kickoffs are deep and he is
capable of hitting long field goals. That said, he also troubles me
as all his kicks in the past two years have pushed left, even the
ones that are successful. One critical loss can be pinned on Mare
this year. With one less playoff spot to go around with the breakout
of the North and South divisions, you can't risk spending as much
money on a kicker as Miami does - and have him lose a game for you
that was the deciding factor on Miami making the playoffs or missing
them. I would cut Mare, and rebuild his contract using incentives
that would get him close to his salary now, based on performance.
If Mare performs like a top tier kicker, he'll be paid like one. When
he misses critical kicks, he loses in the pocketbook. If Mare won't
take this deal, he's gone.
Sam Madison
Madison is not a premier cover corner in this league any longer, however
the perception in the league is that he is. There is a team, such
as an Oakland or Seattle, that would take Madison, and his outlandish
salary, and ship Miami as high as a second and a third, or perhaps
a first. This needs to be done now, one more season and Madison's
faults will be highlighted with a big spot light. This year's college
crop of cover corners has never been better, and 2004's junior year
looks outstanding as well. Corner is a position to value in the NFL,
but one that a fine line is drawn to not over pay. When New England
is thinking about cutting Ty Law for the same reasons following this
season, other teams need to stand up and see the value in doing the
same.
Tim Bowens
Timbo is on the down side of his career. He's a warrior, and jams
the middle, but he is no longer the player that he once was. One can
argue that he hasn't been the same since Gardner took leave of Miami.
I look around the league and see guys coming into their own from the
practice squad to super star status at DT, and then I see the cap
hit we'll take on TB. Like Mare, this would be a cut and restructure
deal, one that he wouldn't take. Again, like Madison, there will always
be a team like the 'Skins willing to gamble and overpay for someone
like Bowens, it's time to let him go.
Brock Marion
and Sammy Knight
Sammy Knight has had nice seasons in New Orleans, however a lot of
his stats were very over inflated. He played on a poor defense, and
in a weak division. He's not a very hard hitter for that position,
and he's slow. Miami needs more speed at the safety position, and
I would like to keep Marion. Dangle Knight to the NFL and take what
you can get, anyone willing to take the contract that Miami signed
Knight to...would be a Godsend. I suspect, like Derrick Rodgers, no
one will. Knight would then be cut, and Marion signed to one more
one year deal.
Junior Seau
It's hard to say many bad things about this man, because he is one
of the greatest to ever suit up. He is a complete liability in two
ways: in the passing game and on the spreadsheets. Junior is a one
and done in Miami. When Miami plays teams like the Jets and Pats twice
a year, teams that love to exploit that part of the field with short
passes, Seau is not an asset that I want on the field. Miami over
spent for Seau, and it's time to start the forward motion of not doing
this anymore. If Junior wants to stay for a lower salary based on
incentives, I'll talk. Otherwise, he should end his career as a Charger.
Jay Fiedler
and Brian Griese
Brian is gone, not any chance of bringing him back. I feel under the
right circumstances, Brian can be productive in this league, however
he doesn't fit in Miami. Miami, again, spent too much money on this
player.
Speaking of over spending, Jay Fiedler is a poster child for this.
A 3.7 million cap hit for 2004, along with a 2 million dollar roster
bonus, is simply unreal for a QB that has never logged a QB rating
above 80 in his career. While I admire parts of Jay's game, he is
a career backup QB and way too much time, effort, and money, has been
spent on him already. I would like to have Jay around as my backup.
If he were to accept that role, and a pay cut, we'll talk. If not,
he's a cut as well.
Offensive line
I think Wade Smith, in a year or two, is going to be a good player.
Todd Wade is decent, however not for the money he wants. He's gone.
Jamie Nails will rebound next year, it always takes a full season
after an injury like he sustained to recover. That said, I'm not banking
on him for next year, but I'd like to have him around. I need to make
a choice here - do I invest in an offensive line, or groom one. If
I groom one, is there really any point holding on to Ricky, other
than the one of putting people in the seats? I think Miami can win
now, even with the changes I'm making. The moves above afforded me
draft picks, and salary cap space. I'm finding a couple monsters for
the left side, I'm grooming Wade, and keeping Jamie.
QB position
This one is tough. Due to the previous moves, I'm sitting pretty in
the draft. I have two #1's, two #2's. Problem is, I also have needs.
I need a corner, O line, OLB. I'm going to roll the dice on Eddie
Moore next year and only go after LB's in the latter parts of the
draft. Same with corner. I'm thinking if Manning slips to the second
round, grab him there. And then I'm going to sign Mark Brunnell. I
won't get into a money war with the man, but I think he wants to stay
in Florida, and prove he can win. I'd feel very good going into next
year with Brunnell, Manning, and Sage (or possibly Jay if he agrees
to stay).
Wide Receiver
I want OG back. He'll sign cheap, he knows there aren't any takers
out there. I will cut McKnight and Thompson. I'm addressing WR in
the first or second round of the draft. I'll feel okay with that,
Chambers, Gadsden, and Simmons. Remember, Chambers was a late second
rounder. You don't need to get lucky to find a diamond in the rough
at WR in the draft.
Hear this:
Wanny and Norv are on a short string
I will make moves that will infuse Miami with young talent, the key
word is talent. I will keep pieces of each area intact so that Miami
can still win without rebuilding. Our defense still has Zach, Surtain,
JT, Chester, Marion. The offense will have a stud O line, Mark Brunnell,
and Ricky Williams.
If Norv continues to call dogs, and Miami doesn't show heart from
the jump, I'll pulling the trigger and in a hurry. I want the coaching
staff to be well aware of this. As late rounders in the draft are
fighting to make the team, so is the coaching staff. I want the players
to play hard, and knowing that the "powers that be"won't
accept less might motivate.
Draft
Let's say everything above comes to. I have two 1st rounders, three
2nd rounders with the Madison trade, someone game me a fourth and
fifth for Knight. On top of the picks I have now, my focus:
1: Offensive line.
2: QB
3: WR
4: CB
5: LB
6: Next year's draft. If I'm sitting on my second round two pick,
and my immediate needs are not there, I'll trade out. I'll send this
year's #2 to a team that really wants a guy for a #2 next year and
additional 3 or 4 this year.
What you won't
see me do is a lot of smoke and mirrors with the salary cap. It always
comes back to bite you. I won't hide money, or hold on to someone
just because he is a name. There are very few untouchables on my team:
Pat Surtain, Ricky Williams, Jason Taylor, Randy McMichael, and Chris
Chambers.
That's my blue
print. Tear down to build up.
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