Dolphins weigh QB options as rumors swirl

Feb. 28 News and Notes 19 comments ---Bill

Have patience Dolphins fans, the time for talk and speculation is about to come to an end.  For almost 2 months we’ve heard ‘expert’ after ‘expert’ give their opinion on which quarterback the Dolphins will chase this offseason.   First, when Joe Philbin was named Dolphins head coach, the immediate reaction was that the Dolphins would target Matt Flynn, the Green Bay backup.  Then, the Manning to Miami movement started and fans started to warm up to the thought of Peyton Manning wearing aqua and orange.  Most recently, Dolphins fans have fallen in love with Robert Griffin III.  These are certainly not the only 3 QB options for the Dolphins, but they are the 3 that are most likely.

Each of the 3 quarterbacks mentioned above come at a cost and with a risk.  Matt Flynn could cost his next team a sizeable contract and possibly draft pick compensation (2nd rounder?) if the Packers apply the Franchise Tag to him.  Flynn has started only 2 NFL games and has looked good, but the sample size is small and he is inexperienced.  Peyton Manning will only cost money, but he’s not 100% healthy and may never be again.  Reports indicate that he’s further along in his recovery than some have let on, but if the Dolphins want to sign him, they’ll have to do it before they know for sure that he’ll be the Peyton of old.  RG3 would cost the Dolphins as much as 2 first round picks, a second round pick, and possibly more.   RG3 has amazing talents, but is unproven and inexperienced at the NFL level.

So Jeff Ireland has some tough decisions to make.  Complicating matters is the fact that each of the QBs will become available at different times.  Peyton Manning will likely be cut before March 8th by the Colts, allowing the Dolphins or any team to immediately bid for his services.  Matt Flynn will become a free agent (if no franchise tag is applied) on March 13th at 4pm.  RG3′s timeline is a bit more tricky.  His rights will be awarded to the team that trades with the Rams for the #2 pick in the draft.  That could happen tomorrow, or it could happen the night of the Draft.  Many believe that the Rams will trade the pick before March 13th so that the maximum number of suitors for RG3 are still in play.  Why?  Because after March 13th, QB-needy teams will be signing QBs (Flynn, Manning, etc.) and will reduce the number of trade partners for the Rams.

The Latest:  Whether it’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter of ESPN, Peter King of SI.com, or Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, is that the Dolphins are the favorites to land Peyton Manning.  John Clayton of ESPN said yesterday that he believes the only 2 teams ‘seriously’ in the running for RG3 are the Browns and Redskins.  Clayton also said the Dolphins will end up with either Flynn or Manning, noting Flynn would not receive the Franchise Tag from the Packers.  Albert Breer of the NFL Network suggested that if the Dolphins were to sign Peyton Manning, they could also look to draft a QB (Tannehill).

Our Take: We think Albert Breer has the right idea, suggesting that if the Dolphins sign Manning, they should draft a QB as well.  However, we disagree with Breer that the Dolphins should use the #8 pick on Ryan Tannehill.  If the Dolphins sign Peyton, they should improve the team and draft an impact player at #8, whether it’s Courtney Upshaw, Quinton Coples, or another beastly pass rushing DE.  What about right tackle you ask?  That hole can be filled through free agency, freeing up the Dolphins to pick that impact player at #8.  THEN, you can look at drafting a QB of the future in rounds 2-4.  Whether it’s Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, Nick Foles, etc.  That young QB would have the benefit of sitting behind and learning from a Hall of Fame player.  If the Dolphins chose to go the Manning route, they’d be well served by backing up their investment by drafting a young QB.

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  • KillerFin

    NO MANNING!!! It is risky pick up!!! WAIT FOR FLYNN he’s ready for Philbin’s offense right now!!!

    • Paul

      are you dumb? i remember passing on Drew Brees a couple years ago because of his shoulder, and instead we picked up dante culpepper. look where that landed, give peyton a chance, let him mentor a young qb, i say bring both peyton and flynn in

  • http://www.phinnation.com Bill

    KillerFin- I’ve heard rumblings that the Dolphins are making it be known that they want Manning or RG3 so the Packers won’t franchise Flynn (expecting to get stuck paying him $15 mil in 2012). Flynn could very well be their guy all along

  • michael mcbride

    Jeff you said you were the best GM in the busniess…PROVE IT!!! NO MANNING!!!

  • iam305jules

    I tell you what, if Manning is willing to play for just incentives as it has been said or rumored, then I just can’t see the harm in getting him. He’s been called the general for a reason. Now, as far as Flyn, the way I see it is, if Philbin wants him, the Dolphins will try to get him. I saw a compillation of RG3 videos on another site, and I can’t say I liked what I saw, but I really liked that other kid Weeden.

  • rich9336

    Did I just read that Ireland said he was the best GM in football? What now he and Rex are sleeping together.It must be rubbing off.

  • newengfinfan

    Well one is for sure, I can’t wait until this mess is over and we have a QB in place. Living up here in New England we are always in the dark when it comes to the Dolphins. As far as which way to go with the 3 choices, I’m torn. Pick up Manning and we run the risk of another Culpepper and we would continue to be the laughing stock outside of Miami. Take a shot a Flynn and hope they don’t tag him and hope that these 2 games he played are not fluke games and he’s for real. Or go after another Tebow style QB who has a better arm but at what cost? If you ask me the Browns seem to be in a better shot at getting the 2nd pick because they have 2 first rounders (4th and 22nd) so leverage wise it would be smart of the Rams to take both 1st round picks from them which would only drop them down 2 spots and maybe even get the 2013 1st round from Browns would make it difficult for the Dolphins the grab #2. Unless we’re up for giving up a Marshall or Bess.

  • Bob

    The 28 million dollar QB coach Peyton Manning

  • DonFinFan

    Been a Fin fan for over 40 years. Here is my opinion on what is going to happen. S Ross wants fans in the seats, he will sign P Manning if he can. He would then keep M Moore(who played pretty damn good). Ross wants to win but he wants the bucks more

  • Bob

    Trade 1st pick to New Orleans for Drew Breese

  • Bob P.

    Ross wants to win now. Ross wants to see the ball thrown way down the field. No one knows what Peyton is able to do. Don’t you think if he was throwing better than reported he would have shown the media some footage. The last thing I would do in Ross’s position is to risk money on player that hasn’t proven he can still play or may be one play from a career ending sack. Older players with injuries are just prone to more of the same. I’m sure Ross saw all those touchdown passes Flynn made coming off the bench. His old coach has Ross’s ear and I truly believe the die is already cast for a Philbin Flynn reunion.

  • Bob P.

    PS Drew Breese are serious? You have a better chance of Marino making a come back.

  • Joe the bartender

    Make a wish and take the Fish… to the superbowl!!

  • Jason R

    The only way Manning is a smart pick up is if they do use there first round pick on QB also. Im sick and tired of this QB roullet we’ve been playing since Marino. Even if Manning is back to 100%, do we have the rest of the pieces? Go young and develop.

  • SgtFlex

    Why does everyone think that Manning is a mentor, can anyone tell me whoat Jim Sorgi got from learning from Manning? How well did Curtis Painter do after sitting behind Manning. Peyton Manning is not going to teach anyone behind him to do his job, he is a great QB and may be perfect for many teams if he is healthy, he might be great for Miami. Just do not expect that he is going to come in here and help someone along and work with a rookie, that is not the Manning way, hince why Sorgi was picked up to back up Eli. That is just how I see it, I dont expect anyone ot agree. I really dont know what Miami should do for a QB but i would hate to see them sell off everything just to get a QB and I do not believe that Matt Moore is the answer he did fine this year but we saw that from him before.

  • Doug

    Even if P. Manning is only 80% of what he was before the neck issues, he will still be a top ten QB, and the best QB we have had since Dan Marino. Most reports said Manning is throwing pretty well. I was listening to his Center (Jeff Saturday) talking about Manning and very few guys work as hard in the weight room as Peyton, and we all know his film study work and knowledge of the game. I think Manning has a good three years left in him. I would sign Manning early so we can then look at adding other pieces through free agency. I also think we can wait until round two to draft another QB (like Weeden or Osweiller). Get Ingram, Coples, or trade down for an extra pick.

  • LOVEMYFINS

    WELL IM NOT INPRESSED WITH EITHER MANNING OR FLYNN AND RG3 TO MUCH TO GIVE UP FOR…WHY NOT JUST KEEP MOORE AND GET MORE..GET BOTH LINE HELP A TE AND MOST OF ALL ANOTHER BIG SPEED REC.

  • robert beets

    culpper. pennington and manning. Can anybody tell me waht these 3 have in common? Used up injured losers. The fins would be better to pass on manning. Doesn’t anybody remember his college career or that he has only won one super bowl.

  • URIDOLP2012

    I really believe that for Miami the priority should be a QB for the future. And any rookie QB will not be in any better position than be behind the greatest QB Payton Manning. Even at 80% he will remain as maybe the most intelligent, competitive, and skillful QB in the NFL. Flynn did very well in couple games but he had not shown the same tempo for one entire season. With Payton as a QB there will be a lot risks if Miami cannot protect him adequately. If Payton return even at 80%, he cannot afford any damage from any defense. And that will be a very significant issue for Miami. Even if Payton comeback 70 – 90% from his injuries, he will need from Miami offensive line a solid and reliable protection all season. Otherwise, the chance for Miami taking on Payton will became catastrophic. If Miami decided to grip Payton, Miami need to commit deeply to protect him. If Miami can accomplish that, Miami will go far into the play-offs next year. If Miami get Flynn, there will be a big gamble. He may be good and accustom to his old coach here in Miami, but he doesn’t have any solid experienced that he can passed to rookie QB3 for Miami future. With Payton as QB Miami coaches must find ways for QB3 to get all the learning behind Manning. Just because it did not work for Sorgi and Painter at Indy, that does not mean it will be the same for QB3 here in Miami. There is a lot of elements involved in the process for the preparation of a QB for the future of the team, and Miami coaches’ are responsible to get the most on such huge investment (Payton =$$$ =experience/knowledge=shape QB3=Miami future.