Is Brandon Weeden the Dolphins target at QB?

Mar. 21 Opinion 22 comments ---Bill

The Miami Dolphins are running out of options at the quarterback position this offseason.  However, Brandon Weeden could be the new object of the Dolphins affections.  Early in the offseason, Dolphins fans were promised an upgrade at the QB position (comments Jeff Ireland probably regrets right now).  They missed out on Peyton Manning and didn’t want to overspend for Matt Flynn.  They’ve since sign David Garrard, who has been told he would compete with Matt Moore for the Dolphins starting quarterback job.

Jeff Ireland said on Tuesday that the Dolphins will not be signing another veteran QB.  The Dolphins currently have Matt Moore, David Garrard, and Pat Devlin on their roster.  Moore and Devlin are both veteran options, but not franchise quarterbacks.  Devlin does not possess an NFL arm or, quite frankly, the potential to become an NFL QB.  This would lead Dolphins fans, like myself, to believe that the Dolphins are going to draft a QB in the upcoming draft.  With 2 veterans set to compete for the starting job, it’s likely that the Dolphins would pick a QB that needs some time to develop.  That rookie QB could be Ryan Tannehill, Nick Foles, Brock Osweiler, or any other QB available in the draft.  Tannehill is the most likely because of Mike Sherman’s familiarity with him from Texas A&M.  Tannehill, most would agree, is not NFL ready and needs time to develop.  He’s a distinct possibility.

However, what if the Dolphins followed our suggested plan and traded down in the 1st round, picked up an additional 2nd round pick and select Brandon Weeden?  This would give the Dolphins 2 second round picks, 2 third round picks, and a young QB to grow in their new west coast offense.  I know, I know, how would Weeden see the field with 2 veterans?  I believe, if Weeden is drafted, Matt Moore would either be cut or traded.  This would allow Weeden to compete with David Garrard for the starting position.  Weeden would have to accelerate his learning curve, but he’s NFL ready.

Draft experts suggest that Weeden could last until the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft due to his age (he’ll be 29 in October).  But, lately we’ve heard that he could go at #22 to the Browns.  Weeden will be a 29 year old rookie because he took 5 years off of football to play minor league baseball (pitcher).  Age is obviously a concern, but his God-given skills are not.  If Weeden was 22, he would be a top 10 pick, according to many draft experts.  He has a GREAT arm and a quick release.  Watching limited film on him, he feels pressure in the pocket, while keeping his eyes down field.  He also throws well on the run.  He needs to work on his footwork in the pocket as he will sometime sail some throws.  For a full scouting report, you can check this out.  Overall, he’s a guy that is ready to step in, much like Andy Daulton did for the Bengals last year.

Weeden has been exposed to professional sports, so he comes across as a professional even though he’s only a rookie.  He has the intangibles you look for.  He beat RG3 and Tannehill during the regular season and defeated Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl (highlights above).  Look, I’d love drafting this kid if he was 22.  Since he’ll be 29, his time in the NFL is shorter than most.  However, good QBs play in the NFL until their late 30′s.  So if the Dolphins have a chance to draft a franchise QB, who will be with the franchise for the next 10 years, I’m all for it.  This is especially true if the Dolphins can trade down to get him.  They could use those 2nd and 3rd round picks on offensive weapons (WR, TE, even a RT).

For the latest Miami Dolphins news from PhinNation, you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook

  • rich9336

    It would never happen That’s over BUTT HEADS BRAIN LEVEL (Ireland) and BEVIS IS BUSY PLAYING WITH MOVIE STARS (ROSS)

    • Keith

      Right on !!!!!!!!!
      \

    • http://1 Chief891

      A Miami fans for 44 years and you can talk all you want about who should stay or be picked-up. But thefundamental problem is our teams upper management is being perceived as a joke since Marino retired. The only thing consistent is our team becomes more of a joke, each year that goes by. Who do you really think would want to come to Miami unless you have no other choice in the NFL? Until the senior management allows a coach to make fundamental decisions on selecting players and THEN rightfully hold them accountable if they don’t produce, its a lost cause. I will still drink beer and cheer when they win, but at this rate, I guess I will be more drunk that happy for the next few seasons like the last many seasons.

  • Otto

    As Dolphin fans we are all looking at the QB position and dismissing Matt Moore…why? True the QB position is the most visible however; we need to look at the weaponry surrounding that position. First, offensive line needs to do it’s job which it didn’t…tied a franchise record for most sacks given up in a season. There are very few QBs that can thrive in that circumstance. Secondly, let’s look ad the receiving corp…Brandon Marshall, Devon Bess and Brian Hartline with Brandon Marshall being the Dolphin’s major weapon. Brandon Marshall for how talented he is did drop 14 passes and correct me if I’m wrong at least 4 for of them that would have been TDs. He also gave several uninspiring lack luster performances including against the Jets where Chromartie gets a 99 yd pick 6. Devon Bess and Brian Hartline were very distant second and third receivers dropping several key passes themselves that would have extended drives. Let’s move on to the defensive , they gave up many late in the game scoring drives where the Dolphins were a head only to lose (Browns, Broncos, Giants, Cowboys, and Patriots). And the final piece to the failure of last year’s Dolphin…coaching. The over conservative play calling on 3rd and 1 or any down in the read zone led to FGs instead of TDs. Matt Moore won 6 games despite all the problems. Does he have issues…sure; holds the ball too long, misses some reads, and a little foot work problems. All can be solved with coaching. Read Matt Moore’s history and you will see he is a very tough player and can be the guy. The problem with the Dolphins stems from the fan base waiting for the next Marino…not going to happen. Build a sold team from the ground up, have consistency at coaching, remove Ireland, and stay completely away from anything Parcels has touched.

    • chuck

      WOW, right to the point love it. There will never be another DAN MARINO!!! Matt Moore has the talent to become a great QB we need to give him a chance. BMarshall is gone, we need WR, TE, RT, lets get them and build on what is here. The one thing that need to happen is FIRE, GET RIDE OF IRELAND (PLEASE) we don’t need Garrad. Brandon Weeden would be a great pick up, ya 29 but get 10y out of him would be good.

    • Slimm

      I agree . . . Matt Moore is not bad at all. Had very little time to learn the system we were running last year. Oline was no where to be found. Marshall and Bush were the only true weapons we had on the team. After Peyton and Flynn were no longer on the list of FA’s . . . I was okay with Moore being the starter for another Year. I do not want the Dolphins to get a qb just for the sake of having one. We need Wr’s . . . Right Tackle . . . Te and now . . . our saftey spot needs to be filled. Ireland needs to go for sure . . . but I will always be a Dolphins fan! Lets all hope they (upper management) have a game plan come draft day.

    • iam305jules

      Removing Ireland has my vote… I have been told by other fans to be calm, give the guy a chance, that he is working in cioncert with Philbin etc, but unless something to protect the QB from Buffallo’s predicted QB rush next season, it doesn’t much matter who the QB is, he’s ging to wish he would’ve taken up baseball instead I’m afraid. I will be patient and wait for the draft but my hope of ending the atatus quo are fading by the day.

  • r

    Wildcat doesnt work!

  • Jim

    Otto, you make a lot of good points. Matt Moore is not the franchise quarterback Dolphins fans have been waiting for since Marino, but he played pretty well last year. I also happen to like David Garrard, especially with a 1 year contract. I think either is capable of descent quarterback play while the team comes together with a new offense and coaching staff.
    Between the remaining free agents and the draft, we have a lot of holes to fill. I do think a quarterback will be selected, but who that is, I’ll leave to all of you who follow college football more closely than I do. Any suggestions?

  • phinfan86

    Matt Moore is not and never will be a franchise QB. while talented hes inconsistent and easily shaken. hes a great backup but you cant count on him for more then a couple games at a time and sometimes not even that much. Weeden is more nfl ready but hes almost 30 and i dont agree with building a franchise around a 30 year old QB. Tannehill has all the tools he just needs some development not only that his familiarity with sherman will make the transition to the nfl alot easier.

    • phinfan86

      i mean to say 30 year old rookie QB

  • Peter

    Matt Moore is a great QB. Just look what he did when given the chance over Chad Hennie. 6 wins in 9 starts not great good enough to get the job done. With a full off season to prepare with a new offensive coach and coordinator he will definitely shine with this offense. To get rid of Moore for a rookie college QB would be insane in my opinion. I do hope they let Moore compete for the starting QB position. Get rid of Gerrard if need be but keep Moore.

  • Phin Fan

    I could not see the Dolphins getting rid of Matt Moore. No, I am not touting Moore as the greatest ever, but at the moment he’s the best they’ve got. Although, Garrard having a better career than Moore,could prove himself. Still, Moore HAS proven himself. When Chad Henne had a season ending injury last year, Moore steppd out of the shadows of a backup and won most of the games he started. Who knows, the Phins may have made the playoffs if he was in all season (I’m not dissing Henne, he was a very deescent QB). If Moore could improve on one thing, I would say before he throws the ball he shouldn’t stare at his planned reciever. Not all of his passes were the best, but like Tim Tebow, he when he threw great passes(some in the endzone) the suppoesed star recievers(a.k.a. Brandon Marshall) dropped them! The Phins could be in great shape if they can snab recivers who can hold on to the ball and offensive linemen who can block. They already have a good QB,TEs, and RBs.

  • Pennsitter

    The problem with Moore is he is actually a very good QB from the 1st thru the 4th quarters, but when he needs a game winning score (ie. vs Pats or vs Cowboys) he cannot get it. The Dolphins problem is clearly at GM. The list of players that have visited and not been signed is growing by the day, Eric Winston, Matt Flynn, Mario Manningham, Mark Anderson, Alex Smith, of course (meeting in Indy with) Peyton Manning and who knows hiw many others. And all Ireland comes up with is an over the hill 33 yo over the hill O-lineman (Artis Hicks), a nickle corner (Marshall) and a special teams player Westerman??? Finding a franchise QB is the cornstone of winning and thru the draft is a better option than a free agent, but there needs to be an intelligant person making that pick, and unfortunately the guy doing that in Miami can’t even sign a mid-level free agent!

  • michael a. mcbride

    The Dolphins will be drafting quarterback next year also. Hopefully, the fins will have the brains to trade up and get the best qb there. Ireland should be gone by then otherwise the dolphin quarterback search will go on forever.

  • Manny

    What we need is a football mined person that knows the game like Coach Shula or Dan Marino and have the knowledge of players experience to fit the needs and we will be back like in 72.

  • frank hernandez

    We should all as DOLPHIN fans get behind Matt Moore and give him our full unwavering support be cause I believe 6 wins last year was only the tip of the iceberg so lets get him the help he needs and lets have a successful season

  • Jimmy

    The need to get Stanton from the Jets, he is not happy since they sign Tebow.

  • r

    We obviously need to loose EVERY game this year to pick #1 next year…Get MAtt Barkley! wooot

  • Finzone

    I like Brandon Weeden, he’d be a reall good pick!!! trade down acquire a couple of extra picks and snag Brandon.. He has the size @ 6’4 220 lbs, a rifle arm, great presence & foot work in the backfield. he also has good touch on the shorter routes. Besides he beat Luck & RG III. Go Get Em! Ross -Sonny-

  • Larry

    I honestly don’t see what’s so hot about Weeden…..I’ve seen the YouTube video highlights before and the first several throws are terrible. Interception, too high, too low, checkdown, …..what am I missing that’s so great about Weeden??

    • Ryan

      hes much better than tannehill and has beaten many of the great nfl prospects that will be drafted early this year. he is able to throw a deep ball unlike tannehill and is more accurate. he has better completion rating and touchdowns than ryan tannehill. Garrard and moore are scrubs that have played well in the past but cant anymore