Lets be realistic

[ethurst22]

I know that everyone is upset over the Texans game but I think that we all expected Miami to take two steps back and then become a force next season.

I think with all the key injuries, they have done a good job of not giving up. Even if they made the playoffs, they would have had to go on the road and it would have been a one and done deal.

At least they have a favorable draft position so maybe they will get a linebacker or a nose tackle. Miami needs linebackers who can run and hit the hole and of course, they need to get a receiver in free agency.

The strangest move of the year is the mystery behind Matt Roth and from what I've heard from a press source that I've known for years around the Dolphins,  Roth was promised a starting spot along with a new contract last year but what spoiled that was the return of Jason Taylor. The Dolphins went against their word on this one because Sparano initially said that he didn't want to hinder the growth of the young players that he had at the expense of a veteran. Then, they signed Taylor in the off season and that Roth's "mysterious" groin injury was a ploy to get out of Miami. Any way you look at it, he's playing quite well for Cleveland.

I'm still not impressed with Lex Hilliard. For some strange reason, I don't think that Patrick Cobbs is coming back and Ricky has seen his last days as a 20 carry back. Ronnie Brown will be 28 so running back is a must.

I still say that the passing game suffered with the release of David Martin who could get down the field between the hash marks. He was a former receiver. His blocking may have been suspect but he was a threat when he was on the field. Haven't heard much about him since he was released and maybe Miami knew that his knee was shot.

On defense, Chris Clemmons will probably start at free safety and Bell will be back at strong safety with Wilson being a backup. If I'm Miami, I'd keep Jason Allen and make him a free safety.

It is possible that ALL of the Dolphin linebackers who started this year could be cut with the exception of Anderson who would be a great outside linebacker. I expect the Dolphins to at least contend for the division again next year. The AFC East is getting tougher.

All in all, I would have to say that its a good job by the Dolphins. We clearly didn't expect the playoffs but they have two rookie corners that if they do get beat, its by a hair and they have learned on the job. It could have been worse. The Titans started two nobodies when they played the Patriots and got beat by 50 points.

[jtex316]

The Dolphins have some major cuts to do this offseason, and they need to do these for the future of the franchise:

Joey Porter
Jason Taylor
Ronnie Brown
Ricky Williams

These guys are old, expensive, and often injured. If they keep these guys on the field in 2010, it's going to be another 7-9 or 6-10 season next year, and then after that they will rebuild and then only after that they will think about the future.

In my opinion the Dolphins have some promising young guys but a LOT of old washed-up vets. They also have some bad WRs. The Dolphins need a lot of work.

[ethurst22]

The Dolphins have some major cuts to do this offseason, and they need to do these for the future of the franchise:

Joey Porter
Jason Taylor
Ronnie Brown
Ricky Williams

These guys are old, expensive, and often injured. If they keep these guys on the field in 2010, it's going to be another 7-9 or 6-10 season next year, and then after that they will rebuild and then only after that they will think about the future.

In my opinion the Dolphins have some promising young guys but a LOT of old washed-up vets. They also have some bad WRs. The Dolphins need a lot of work.

You're right Jtex, its a possibility that all those guys that you mentioned above can be gone. Who would want to pay Ricky for 10 carries a game?

[Brian Fein]

All 4 of those guys have value on the trading block.  Whether its a 6th round pick or what, its better than just letting them go for free.

I don't see the Dolphins cutting any of them this offseason, nor do I think they should.  Aging veterans are called "leadership" and have value to the team.

[jtex316]

All 4 of those guys have value on the trading block.  Whether its a 6th round pick or what, its better than just letting them go for free.

I don't see the Dolphins cutting any of them this offseason, nor do I think they should.  Aging veterans are called "leadership" and have value to the team.

Yeah - another team not the Miami Dolphins.

Jason Taylor is extremely overpaid. Extremely. And he's very old. He cuts into the future of the franchise. Joey Porter is in the same boat. The RBs of wildcat fame are also old, and Ronnie Brown is again injured for the season.

They have got to come up with a plan to restructure this team, or it will be 36 years and counting for the Dolphins in 2010.

[Brian Fein]

36 years of what?

Cutting Jason Taylor is not a ticket to a NFL title.   Just ask the Redskins...

[Spider-Dan]

Yeah - another team not the Miami Dolphins.

Jason Taylor is extremely overpaid. Extremely.

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read.

Taylor has a one-year contract for $1.1m with $400k in incentives.  The league minimum for a veteran with 10+ years of experience in 2009 was $845k.  He's produced 7 sacks this year (so far).

[dolphins4life]

Bring JT back.

BTW, it would help if we got a fair chance from the refs

[hordman]

I'm glad you started this topic.  Before the start of the season, I told my 10yr old son that if we went 9-7 or 8-8 it would be considered a good season, especially considering a 1st place schedule and the list of teams we had to play (most teams were playoff contenders).

The injuries took their toll, Ronnie going out in Wk 10, Ferguson against CAR, Will Allen early on and of course Pennington, though I think Henne has stepped up and proved he's ready to take over and lead this team.

The strangest move of the year is the mystery behind Matt Roth and from what I've heard from a press source that I've known for years around the Dolphins,  Roth was promised a starting spot along with a new contract last year but what spoiled that was the return of Jason Taylor. The Dolphins went against their word on this one because Sparano initially said that he didn't want to hinder the growth of the young players that he had at the expense of a veteran. Then, they signed Taylor in the off season and that Roth's "mysterious" groin injury was a ploy to get out of Miami. Any way you look at it, he's playing quite well for Cleveland.

This was truly strange, I would like to know the full details behind this, but we may never know.  All I know is, is that Roth has had a sack in every game he's played with CLE except the PIT game.....duh?  He pissed off the brass and they canned him, for whatever their reasons.

One of the most disappointing and glaring issues with this team is the WR position.  We've got great players in Bess, Camarillo & Hartline for the slot position and 2nd/3rd options, but we NEED a big time threat downfield.  This is so obvious I don't know what any more the fans, newspapers, websites, or radio talkshow hosts can do to get the top brass to address this ultimate need!!!!

The reason Henne has to "thread" a pass or throw into close coverage?!?!  it's because the opposing team is not afraid of a deep threat and they "sit down" and play flat on our pass plays!  Henne has to drop the ball sometimes over LBs and CBs to make plays downfield.  it's very frustrating to watch a team with a very good running threat, stifled with no deep pass threat.  Henne is the answer, I hate to hear all this talk about his INTs.  he's young, he's learning and he's got a cannon for an arm.

I would like to see a win to finish out the season at .500, but I'm afraid some of our weak links are really showing and we could be in  line for another quick strike attack against PIT.

Hopefully, Tuna and co. can right some things this off-season with some acquisitions and the 2010 draft. 

I am a Phins fan and will always be a Phins fan.  I know it's frustrating sometimes and you get on the boards and you bash them here and there, but at the of the day, the season, you're still a Dolphins fan and that's what counts.



Here's to a successful 2010 season!  Let's Go Phins!!!!

[dolphins4life]

I will always be a Dolphins fan.  Even if they go 0-16

[jtex316]

This is one of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read.

Taylor has a one-year contract for $1.1m with $400k in incentives.  The league minimum for a veteran with 10+ years of experience in 2009 was $845k.  He's produced 7 sacks this year (so far).

I've made lots of ridiculous statements and THIS is the one that is the most ridiculous?

7 sacks and lots of hands on the hips and heavy breaths is not worth of 1.5M. He should make the bare league minimum, hell less than that if possible. His time is up. The defense looks old. Get rid of asshole Taylor.

[ethurst22]

I've made lots of ridiculous statements and THIS is the one that is the most ridiculous?

7 sacks and lots of hands on the hips and heavy breaths is not worth of 1.5M. He should make the bare league minimum, hell less than that if possible. His time is up. The defense looks old. Get rid of asshole Taylor.

Hey Jtex, the Giants need a DE/LB. They look listless against Carolina. How much you willing to take JT for? (yuk!yuk!)

[jtex316]

Hey Jtex, the Giants need a DE/LB. They look listless against Carolina. How much you willing to take JT for? (yuk!yuk!)

$350k, not a penny more.

[bsmooth]

I've made lots of ridiculous statements and THIS is the one that is the most ridiculous?

7 sacks and lots of hands on the hips and heavy breaths is not worth of 1.5M. He should make the bare league minimum, hell less than that if possible. His time is up. The defense looks old. Get rid of asshole Taylor.

He is tied for 10th in the league for sacks and the closest guy to his age is Porter, so yeah he may be a little more winded than guy 10-12 years younger than him, but there are a hell of a lot of other younger lb's who are not near his level playing in this league.
Also those two old linebackers are the only two from the same team in the top 10 for sacks. Maybe you should worry about your team's choke job against the Panthers that cost them a shot at the playoffs, instead of other teams issues.

[Dave Gray]

I think that Taylor has been a real asset, and quite frankly, a surprise this season.

I think that Porter may have to go, only because Wake has been playing well, is younger and cheaper.

Ricky stays, but he's only got a year left.  I think that we can't depend on him to be an every down guy, though.  If he gets too many touches, he's going to fumble and drop the ball.

And I think that Ronnie is worth risking getting back. He's suffered injuries, but he opens up the offense so much.