Category: Opinion

5 bold predictions for the Dolphins 2013 Draft

Apr. 15 Opinion 8 comments

The NFL draft is about 1 week away and the Miami Dolphins are in the process of preparing their draft board.  Personally, the NFL Draft has always been one of my favorite events of the NFL season, comparable at times to an actual game (crazy, I know!).  I used to host Draft parties every season because the 1st-3rd rounds would take place on a Saturday afternoon.  The perfect time to assemble friends, talk sports, and possible engage in some beverage consumption (I’m being politically correct here).  Anyway, the NFL, in it’s infinite wisdom, decided to make the Draft into a Prime Time event.  That meant switching the first few rounds to Thursday and Friday nights.  Here’s the schedule for this year’s Draft:

Thursday, April 25th – 1st round

Friday, April 26th – 2nd & 3rd rounds

Saturday, April 27th – 4th-7th rounds

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Although the Dolphins one pick on Thursday has gotten the most attention, fans calling for everyone from Lane Johnson to Tavon Austin, the core of this Dolphins draft will take place on Friday in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.  The Dolphins first pick, whomever he might be, should be a starter from day 1. A top 12 pick that isn’t a QB, should be an immediate starter.  However, with 4 picks combined between rounds 2-3, the Dolphins have a chance to hit a home run in this draft.  Those picks will be what make or break this draft.  

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Jeff Ireland speaks & we translate his pre-draft press conference

Apr. 11 Opinion 10 comments

Earlier today, Miami Dolphins GM, Jeff Ireland held his final pre-draft press conference.  As you would expect, Ireland did not come out and tell the world exactly who he’s interested in the upcoming draft.  He did divulge that he may move up in the draft…. or could move down…or could stay right where he is and use all 11 picks.  He also said that he hasn’t completely decided which player he wants to select with the #12 pick, but he’s narrowed the field down to a few players. No, he didn’t give us anything breaking news worthy, but the key to this type of press conference is to read between the lines.  So, I’ve decided to take the line-reading out for you and translate Jeff Ireland’s comments from today’s presser.  For the full video of the press conference, go to Dolphins.com.

Ireland - Dolphins-com

Ireland: “I think going into the draft or coming out of free agency, at least this part of free agency has helped us from…to have a little bit more idea of just being able to do what we do in the draft.  And hopefully that’s just to pick the best player available that marries a need and not have to reach for anybody.”

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PhinNation’s 7 Round Dolphins Mock Draft

Apr. 09 AFC East Preview, News and Notes, Opinion, Uncategorized 17 comments

With the NFL draft 16 days away and free agency dying down it is time for my first 7-round mock. In order to properly understand the 12th overall pick you must understand how the first 11 picks play-out: The way I see the first 11 picks of the 2013 NFL draft:

1) Kansas City selects OT Luke Joeckel

2) Jacksonville selects DE Dion Jordan

3) Oakland selects DT Sharrif Floyd

4) Philadelphia selects OT Eric Fisher

5) Detroit selects CB Dee Miliner

6) Cleavland selects WR Tavon Austin

7) Arizona selects QB Geno Smith

8) Buffalo selects QB Matt Barkley

9) Jets select WR Cordarrelle Patterson

10) Tennessee selects OT Lane Johnson

11) San Diego selects DT Star Lotulelei

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

1) Xavier Rhodes CB, Florida State

Miami is in prime position to take BPA (best pick available). If the draft plays out this way the only true options are OG Chance Warmack, TE Tyler Eifert, DE Zeke Ansah, and CB Xavier Rhodes.  Now I understand Rhodes will not be the sexy pick for the following reasons; Rhodes is Sean Smith 2.0, Rhodes can’t tackle, Rhodes has durability issues, ect.  Xavier Rhodes is not a can’t miss prospect he does have flaws, but he also has loads of potential. Many scouts criticisms of Rhodes are far overblown.

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Dolphins Draft Contest officially opens today

Apr. 08 Opinion 5 comments

This has been an exciting (and busy) offseason for the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were extremely active early in Free Agency, signing Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Brandon Gibson, and Dustin Keller. Then news of the Dolphins new logo was leaked, with the grand unveiling still to come on April 25th. All the while, the Dolphins have been making a push for stadium renovations, in the hopes of winning Super Bowl 50! Now the Dolphins focus is on the NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday, April 25th.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

The people behind the scenes at PhinNation.com have noticed the fans excitement this offseason (though not everyone loves the logo, we’ve heard you too!). This blog has been growing at an incredible rate, and that is thanks to you, our loyal readers! In fact, March 2013 was our largest month in the history of PhinNation!

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How much have the Dolphins improved this offseason?

Apr. 06 Opinion 2 comments

The Miami Dolphins have had a very busy offseason.  The Dolphins have jettisoned a number of team leaders, while getting both younger and faster at a number of key positions.  The Dolphins lost Jake Long, Sean Smith, and Reggie Bush to free agency and cut ties with 2 starting linebackers, Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett.  In exchange, the Dolphins have added Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson, Dustin Keller, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Brent Grimes, Vaughn Martin and Lance Johnson to the roster.  The question everyone seems to be asking is whether or not the Dolphins improved their football team.  And if so, how much have they improved.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Let’s take a look at the players the Dolphins brought in and the positions the Dolphins have addressed and try to gauge where they have improved.  We’ll give each position a -3 to +3 rating.  Let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments section.

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Dolphins should be interested in RT Tyson Clabo

Apr. 05 Opinion 1 comment

The Miami Dolphins have addressed most of the glaring holes on their roster this offseason.  However, the one glaring hole that still remains is probably one of the most important.  The Dolphins are  in need of a tackle, be it a right tackle (moving Jonathan Martin to left tackle) or a left tackle (keeping Martin at right tackle).  The Dolphins aren’t saying whether or not they want to move Martin to left tackle, a position he played at the end of 2012 when Jake Long was injured.  The reason?  They’re patiently waiting to see how the draft and the remainder of free agency play out.

Photo Courtesy of Chris J Nelson via Wikipedia

Photo Courtesy of Chris J Nelson via Wikipedia

The Dolphins have been flirting with RT Eric Winston since free agency began.  However, it is thought that Winston is looking for a multi-year deal.  The Dolphins seem willing to give him a 1 year deal, but at this point, he is in no rush to sign on the dotted line.  In regards to the tackle position, the Dolphins appeared to be in a holding pattern until the draft.

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Is Tavon Austin a possibility for the Dolphins at #12?

Apr. 01 Opinion 5 comments

The Miami Dolphins have been adding pieces to their offense this offseason, to help accelerate Ryan Tannehill’s development.  The Dolphins brought in Mike Wallace, Dustin Keller, and Brandon Gibson, all of which add firepower to a Dolphins offense that had very little last season.  In fact, the Dolphins let their best playmaker from 2012 leave via free agency (Reggie Bush).  The Dolphins believe that Lamar Miller will be an upgrade over Bush, but that remains to be seen.  It’s impossible to deny that the Dolphins receiving corps has gotten better this offseason…..at least on paper.  So why then would we propose that the Dolphins select a wide receiver at #12 in the 1st round?  Watch this video….then read on:

After watching that, all I can say is: WOW!  Tavon Austin is viewed by experts as the most dynamic offensive playmaker in this draft.  He is considered a 1st round talent, but no one seems to know exactly how high he will go.  He’s only helped himself this offseason, posting a 4.34 40-yard dash and lighting it up in the Combine position drills and during his Pro Day.

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What’s next in the Dolphins offseason plan?

Mar. 26 Opinion 3 comments

The Miami Dolphins kept their offseason plan a secret until it was time to put it into action, earlier this month.  Then, once free agency opened, the Dolphins jumped into free agency by signing Mike Wallace, Dustin Keller, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Brandon Gibson and resigning Brian Hartline and Chris Clemons.  The Dolphins clearly identified wide receiver, linebacker, and tight end as areas they wanted to improve this offseason.  On paper, it appears they have done so.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

We won’t know just how effective the Dolphins offseason plan will be until we see the team on the field and in action in August and September.  Although the Dolphins have added firepower, speed, and youth to some positions, there are still holes on the roster that must be filled and/or upgraded.  That brings us to the question: What’s next in the Dolphins offseason plan?  Only the Dolphins decision makers know the answer, but we have to assume they have plans A-Z available.

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Eric Winston wants to play for Dolphins, why haven’t they signed him?

Mar. 25 Opinion 3 comments

The Miami Dolphins need to upgrade their offensive line.  If the season started today, Jonathan Martin would be their left tackle and Nate Garner would be their right tackle.  If that thought doesn’t scare you like a horror movie, then you might have drank too much this weekend.  The Dolphins obviously need to upgrade their offensive line.  There simply isn’t enough talent there to protect Ryan Tannehill right now.  The Dolphins obviously went out and got Tannehill a lot of shiny weapons this offseason.  Why then would they not address the big guys up front, who’s job is to protect Tannehill?  I think they will and I think there is a plan.

Photo Courtesy of Rick Kimpel (via Wikipedia)

Photo Courtesy of Rick Kimpel (via Wikipedia)

The biggest question out there right now is why the Dolphins have not signed Eric Winston.  Winston will be 30 years old in November, however he was ranked as the #9 right tackle in the NFL last season.  He’s also not going to be overly expensive.  Oh yeah, did I mentioned that he….ya know…..WANTS TO PLAY FOR THE DOLPHINS???  It’s a mystery why a team that needs a right tackle would not sign the best available right tackle on the market, who wants to play for them….. and for a reasonable price.  The Dolphins had money set aside for Jake Long and since he bolted for the Rams, they have that money available, although Winston would only take a portion of that.

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Why the dolphins should be afraid of Greg Jennings

Mar. 13 AFC East Preview, News and Notes, Opinion, Uncategorized 3 comments

As the 2013 Free Agency period has started with a ‘bang’ for the fish, arguably already singing the best LB and WR  available, there is one player still available that they must remain cautious of. However,  several glaring hole remain on the dolphins roster that still need to be address OT, CB, and TE, in that order.  Dustin Keller is rumored to be on his way into Miami, leaving the major holes at OT and CB. The cornerback market is currently a relatively frozen market, facing a surplus of adequate starters, such as; Derek Cox, Sean Smith, Aqib Talib,  Dominque Rogers-Cromartie, etc. Chris Houston inked a deal this morning for a modest 5 million per, perhaps setting the market value and ‘unfreezing’ the market.

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

Photo Courtesy of Dolphins.com

A position already addressed by the Dolphins, WR, is quickly drying up, with the exception of  what many considered two blue-chip players, Wes Welker and Greg Jennings. This is where the storm begins to form. News from the always busy, Adam Schefter is New England is drastically undervaluing Wes Welker. He believes Welker will search other options, and could very well leave. Meanwhile, the market for Greg Jennings isn’t exactly ‘hot.’ Jennings has been connected to only two teams thus far, Minnesota and Green Bay. Do not be shocked if a third team enters the fold later today.

New England has cleared some cap space leading some to believe they would make a run at the newly signed Dolphin’s WR Mike Wallace, which (thankfully) never came to fruition . New England has a history of picking up aging free agent WRs tha are believed to be past their prime, inevitably making the rest of the league look silly.  The stars are aligning for the Patriot’s to replace Wes Welker with Greg Jennings. All the while the Dolphins still have glaring holes at CB. Now this is all just personal observation to this point, I have no ‘insider information’ on this situation. But do not be surprised if the Dolphin fans will be grimacing 2 times a year when Greg Jennings suits up in that dreaded Patriot uniform.

Update 5:14 p.m.

Wes Welker has signed a two year, 12 million dollar deal with the Denver Broncos per Adam Shefter and John Elway.

According to Profootballtalk, Danny Amendola’s agent says slot WRs are, “getting screwed (on the market)…and that there is now a chance to return to the Rams.” Now the Pats are likely going to target Amendola as Welkers replacement, but if they were unwilling to give Welker 6 million what would they give Amendola per year? Amendola is reportedly looking in the 5-6 million per season range.

Greg Jennings market is still eerily quiet… More to come!

As always be sure to follow @Phinfanalyst on twitter for your latest Dolphin offseason news & thoughts.