Dolphins lingering issues

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/06/lingering-issue.html

Dolphins lingering issues

You know what they say about distance and how it makes the heart grow fonder.

Boy you must be missing some good Dolphins news right about now? How about some talk about a position battle, or what the depth chart looks like, or maybe how the Dolphins will stack up against the rest of the AFC.

This is vacation time in Dolphins-land so right now you're in the middle of the desert thirsting for a drop of water. Hopefully this entry about lingering issues that need addressing will quench some of your thirst.

I'm a big believer that the start is important in every situation, especially in sports. I'm confident that if the Dolphins wouldn't have lost to Washington in overtime of last year's season opener, 2007 might have been different. Of course it was still a horrible assembly of talent, but last year wouldn't have been the absolute train wreck it was.

With that point made, I hope, I'd like to point out there are lingering issues that need to be addressed before training camp starts next month to ensure that the team is able to start the season without initially stumbling out of the block. Some of these issues are of sensitive nature, so they need to be handled with care.

1. Jason Taylor, the sensitive one. I meant the situation, not the person. REALLY! Will he, or won't he report to training camp? I personally lean on the "he will" side, but I'm usually in the minority on this. But remember, I never said he'd show up to the start of training camp.

Since it doesn't look like anyone's interested in giving up a second or third round pick for the perennial Pro Bowler NOW, I say play nice. Agree to allow his agent to shop him to a contender of his choice that's willing to give into your REASONABLE asking price by the trading deadline, and move Taylor if you are offered a desirable trade. I'm confident that if the Trifecta let his agent work behind the scenes to get him moved Taylor will be the "good soldier" and mentor the young defensive ends, and school Jake Long for a few weeks, or months. In my mind that's a win-win, but if Taylor skips camp everyone is a loser.

2. Make sure the short list of injured or rehabbing players don't suffer setbacks, and are able to take the field come the REGULAR SEASON opener. Ronnie Brown, Channing Crowder, Michael Lehan, Renaldo Hill, and Anthony Fasano are key ingredients to any level of success the Dolphins will have in 2008. All could be starters, and most don't have suitable replacement options. Some, like Fasano and Crowder, need to be given a test run by this coaching staff so the organization gets a clear picture of where they are at in those spots.

3. Address limited QUALITY depth at receiver and cornerback. Those are usually the two positions that are generally the most over drafted, therefore in abundance. They do the most running in training camp, so they suffer the most injuries. The Dolphins presently don't have the quality depth to cushion any injuries here, and as nice of a person as John Dunlap and Will Billingsley are, more than likely they won't be the answer to: who is going to cushion the roster from a serious injury at WR or CB. There are still rocks left to be lifted up, so Jeff Ireland should be doing that right now with CB and WR workouts. Don't wait till the first wave of cuts. Do you really need a fifth tight end?

4. Come up with a plan for how all four quarterbacks are going to begin camp getting equal reps, and equal opportunities, and then have a contingency for when SOMEONE begins to separate themselves. A quarterback's timing with his receiver is important, and continuing this carousel for too long could set the offense back for the early portion of the regular season. More than likely Josh McCown, John Beck and Chad Henne will each get an opportunity to start this year in the regular season (unless the Dolphins are world beaters), but don't punish the receivers by constantly churning them in and out.

5. Find a better way to sell the team. While the Trifecta is an important hire, UNLOCK THE CODE or whatever these ads are isn't exactly a smart way to sell a sports team. Do you see Apple trying to sell you a computer, or an IPod, or the IPhone by pitching to consumers how good it's CEO has been in the past? But I guess that's the best marketing one can come up with when face of the franchise No. 1 (Jason Taylor) is off dancing and acting, and won't commit to being on the team; face of the franchise No. 2 (Zach Thomas) got dumped, cut because of salary, size and concussions, and is presently the front-runner to start for a title contender in his hometown.

Making matters worse, all other possible sells: like Ronnie Brown (injury), Ricky Williams (quitting habit and role model issues), Ted Ginn Jr. (minimal contributions and possible sophomore slump?), Jake Long (he's an offensive lineman, you can't sell a tackle), Joey Porter (fairly limited 2007 season), quarterback (which one, how do you pick) all have drawbacks to being the focus of a marketing campaign.

Come to think of it, outside of loyalty, what argument can you make to continue to watch and attend games in 2008 with sooooooooo mannnnnnny unknowns? Maybe all the Dolphins have is this code, but does it sell tickets?

It's good to be back in your company. As I said earlier, distance makes the heart grow founder. You know the routine, post questions and comments here and I'll do my best to get to them?

Also, let me know if there are other lingering issues that need to be addressed in the month (that's it people, almost out of the desert) before training camp gets going?

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 9:24:19 AM

[simeon]

Great article

[fyo]

Jake Long (he's an offensive lineman, you can't sell a tackle)

I disagree, Jake Long is exactly what you need to sell the franchise at this point. Fans want to know that their team is going to be TOUGH and not fall apart like a bunch of wimps.

If I were making a spot for the Dolphins, I'd focus on the trenches. Toughness, raw power, never-quit-attitude.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I disagree, Jake Long is exactly what you need to sell the franchise at this point. Fans want to know that their team is going to be TOUGH and not fall apart like a bunch of wimps.

If I were making a spot for the Dolphins, I'd focus on the trenches. Toughness, raw power, never-quit-attitude.

Agreed there.  Considering the 2008 slogan for the Dolphins is "No excuses, just hard work,"  Jake Long would be perfect for this.  He's a no bullshit guy who works very hard.

[DolFan619]

  How is this guy, "not marketable?"

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d807f3c34

[Defense54]

  How is this guy, "not marketable?"

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d807f3c34

I agree it was a sore spot that Miami needed to fill desperately. But as far as Marketable goes........its just not a sexy Position. Blocking never is.........  :|Should be, but its not. Receivers, RB's and QB's get all the glory.

[DolFan619]

I agree it was a sore spot that Miami needed to fill desperately. But as far as Marketable goes........its just not a sexy Position. Blocking never is.........  :|Should be, but its not. Receivers, RB's and QB's get all the glory.

  No, it's not sexy.  But with the premium that's being put on offensive lineman nowadays, maybe their exposure as "maketable players" grows.  Until either Chad Henne or John Beck steps up, and Ronnie Brown shows that he can survive a sixteen game season, Jake Long is all we've got.  Plus, from a marketing standpoint, Jake makes sense.  You have a team that in all likelihood will be a "blue-collar, smashmouth, no BS, groud and pound type of team.  That's what Jake Long is.