Shame of the year - 2012 Season

[masterfins]

Regardless of his name, if Hartline were making $16million a year, and scored 1 TD, people would still be hammering him.  He's a $3million receiver, and plays as such.  For that, you get a solid #2 with great hands and 1000+ yards.

Besides, Tannehill only threw 12 TD's, 5 of which went to Fasano.

I'm not cutting Hartline any slack because he ONLY makes $1.5 million.  Hartline didn't get the job done as the #1 receiver on the team.

Did you ever think maybe the reason Tannehill only threw 12 TD's was because Hartline couldn't get open???

At best Hartline is a #3 receiver, and Bess fills that role much better, I hope Hartline does not return to the Dolphins next year.

You bring up another peeve of mine, Fasano gets knocked left and right on these boards, yet he led all receivers in TD's, but everyone loves Hartline.  I don't get it.

[EKnight]

Didn't Fasano lead the team last year too? -EK

[Jim Gray]

I'm not cutting Hartline any slack because he ONLY makes $1.5 million.  Hartline didn't get the job done as the #1 receiver on the team.

Did you ever think maybe the reason Tannehill only threw 12 TD's was because Hartline couldn't get open???

At best Hartline is a #3 receiver, and Bess fills that role much better, I hope Hartline does not return to the Dolphins next year.

You bring up another peeve of mine, Fasano gets knocked left and right on these boards, yet he led all receivers in TD's, but everyone loves Hartline.  I don't get it.

I'm not questioning your choice, and I agree Hartline shouldn't be number 2, let alone a 1.  I was attempting to explain why others may not be so critical of his sub-par performance as a number 1 receiver. 

I see it as a role he has by default, since we are so embarrassingly thin at the position.  Clearly the Dolphins don't see him as a true number 1, since they pay him at the bottom of the scale.  Personally, I would criticize the front office for their inability to find a better alternative at the position.   I do agree that it wouldn't be a huge loss if he doesn't come back, although I think he's a very good fit in a 4 WR set where you have some speed on the outside and the good route running of 2 possession guys like Bess and Hartline.

[Spider-Dan]

I considered Hartline; this was his opportunity to step up and prove he could be a star.  He couldn't do that, but he was still the leading receiver on the team, so I won't give it to him.

Two more on my list were Clay and Thomas.  Both are incredible disappointments; Thomas has had slightly better production, but was a higher pick (that we traded up to get).  However, both of those guys take a back seat to my pick for 2012:

Jake Long.

He was supposed to be the best player on the team; an elite left tackle that's a pillar of the franchise.  He has been, at best, mediocre.  Before this year, I could argue for Long over Matt Ryan with a straight face and a boldly jutting chin... now, that pick is a failure.

[BigDaddyFin]

Kevin Coyle.  The defense collapsed at some of the worst possible times this year. 

Torched by Sanchez for over 300 yards in an overtime loss.

Ran out of gas in the 4th quarter and allowed Arizona to tie the game and go into overtime.

Gave up a rookie record 430+ yards to Andrew Luck.

Couldn't get off the field against New England in the first game.

That's 4 losses right there that could have easily been wins with a simple stop or two.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Egnew. Sounded vaguely promising on draft day, but has been a total bust right from the start. Can't believe he didn't get the message when Sherman said during hard knocks he'd cut him if he had the authority - zero stats and minimal game time for the rest of the year is nothing short of pathetic, can't say I'm too surprised to hear of the latest murmurs that he won't make the 2013 roster. Could be Ireland's worst ever pick, and that's saying something!