Tag: Peyton Manning

What can the Dolphins expect from Garrard?

Mar. 23 Opinion 12 comments

When the Miami Dolphins sign David Garrard earlier this week, it was met with a lot of questions.  Since the signing, we heard from Garrard and from Jeff Ireland.  According to both men, the Dolphins will have an open QB competition in training camp between Garrard and Matt Moore.  Honestly, I feel like someone is messing with me.  Doesn’t it seem like the Dolphins are always entering camp with a QB competition for the starter’s job?  Last year, the Dolphins sign Matt Moore who was signed to backup Chad Henne.  Some suggest he didn’t have a legit shot in the competition with Henne, but we saw Moore’s value after he was forced to take over the starting role.  Moore guided the Dolphins to a 6-3 record.  Moore has dodged bullets this offseason, with the Dolphins missing on Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn.  Either would have been named the Dolphins new starter upon signing with the team.

Since the Dolphins were unable to bring in a clear upgrade to Matt Moore, they turned their attention to a guy who didn’t play in 2011 and is returning from an injured back.  Garrard’s contract will pay him just over $3 mil for 1 season.  He’s a low-risk, medium reward type signing.  I can’t say high reward, because Garrard does not have high reward potential.  This is not meant to diminish the value Garrard can bring.  He either beats out Matt Moore for the starting job, or he gives the Dolphins the best backup QB option in the division (except for maybe the Jets, I’M KIDDING!).

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Manning to be released Wednesday, Dolphins and others lining up

Mar. 06 Breaking News 12 comments

Bored without football?  The Miami Dolphins offseason is about to get interesting.  We’ve all speculated and given our thoughts on which QB the Dolphins should acquire this offseason.  Well, the first QB available to the Dolphins will become a free agent tomorrow.  According to ESPN, Peyton Manning will be released by the Colts tomorrow at a press conference.  Manning will be joined by Colts owner, Jim Irsay.  Manning being released should come as a surprise to no one…we were all just waiting for when it would actually happen.

Immediately after the news of Manning’s pending release became known, Twitter blew up with every ‘expert’ offering a suggestion as to where Manning would end up.  Some say the Cardinals….some say the Redskins…..I even heard the Seahawks and 49ers as possible destinations.  Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network thinks Peyton will end up on the Dolphins….as do Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen.  In reality, no one knows.   For the first time in Peyton’s career, he will be a free agent and will be able to choose the team he plays for next.  His suitors will not only have to offer him a sizeable contract, but will also have to prove to him that they are his best option to get his 2nd Super Bowl ring.

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Dolphins are favorites ‘right now’ for Manning, in Schefter’s opinion

Feb. 06 News and Notes 15 comments

Peyton Manning as QB of the Miami Dolphins?  It might not be as crazy as we once thought.  In fact, in Adam Schefter’s opinion, the Miami Dolphins are the favorites to land Peyton Manning.  Keep in mind, this is Schefter’s opinion and he is not reporting that the Dolphins are definitely going to get Manning.  However, in his ESPN insider article, Schefter is asked where Manning might end up.  In our opinion, guys like Schefter often share their opinions when they are based on something they know or have heard.  Not saying this is absolutely the case, but if you want Peyton Manning on the Dolphins, it’s a good sign that a true insider like Schefter, thinks they have the best shot.

Schefter says that Miami is the favorite right now because they can offer him warm weather and a favorable contract.  He does caution readers by saying that the ‘favorite’ status didn’t work out so well for the Patriots on Sunday.  This is all predicated on the belief that the Colts will decide to cut Peyton before his March 8th roster bonus of $28 mil is due.  Again, once released, Peyton Manning will be a free agent and free to sign with any team that he chooses.

We will keep you posted on Manning’s status, since it seems to change by the day.  If he’s released, it’s going to be a circus.  If you think the LeBron James free agency tour was crazy, just wait until the future Hall of Fame QB is released.

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Which QB plan do you like best for the Dolphins?

Feb. 03 Opinion 14 comments

This week, we’ve been breaking down the Miami Dolphins offseason and how it might play out.  As we’ve mentioned, the Dolphins offseason will largely depend on what happens within the next 4-6 weeks.  Just think that 6 weeks from now, we’ll probably know who the Dolphins are targeting as their upgrade at QB…..We will probably know where Peyton Manning is going to play in 2012 (or if he’ll retire)…..We will probably know which team is going to give Matt Flynn a long term contract.  There are a lot of possibilities and it sets up to be an exciting next few weeks….even after the NFL season is over!  Today, we want to know which direction you like best for the Dolphins.  We’ll recap our plans below and provide links for you to reference.  After that, please vote in our poll as we are very interested to know which direction Phin Nation wants the Dolphins to go.

The Peyton Manning Plan

Ah, the most talked about topic at the Super Bowl…Not the Giants…Not the Patriots…But Peyton Manning.  Maybe it’s just interesting to me because I’m delusional and think Peyton will be back to full strength and that the Dolphins will sign him.  BUT, I’m fascinated by the public relations war that has unfolded between Manning and Colts Owner, Jim Irsay.  Irsay has a lot to say on Twitter and is now disputing the report that not 1, but 2 doctors have cleared Peyton Manning to return to the NFL.  Make no mistake, Irsay is making the case that Peyton isn’t ready to play so that it softens the blow and makes it seem like a no brainer for him to release Manning.  It makes it easier for the fan base to understand (or, at least, it’s supposed to).  Manning and Irsay are supposed to talk next week to decide the fate of the QB.  The question doesn’t seem whether Peyton will officially be released by the Colts, but when. Then biggest question is whether or not Peyton can regain the arm strength needed to return to the 4 time MVP winner we all know.

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Peyton Manning medically cleared to return to NFL

Feb. 02 Breaking News 1 comment

The Miami Dolphins and other QB needy teams may have one other QB to choose from. Moments ago, Chris Mortensen of ESPN tweeted that Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to return to the NFL. According to a report 2 different doctors agreed that clearing Manning to return was a safe move. One doctor went so far as to say that if Manning were his son, he would have cleared him to return.

So what does being cleared mean? It means that Peyton Manning’s neck is healed to the point where he can return to the NFL. It does not, however, mean that the nerves have fully regenerated and his arm strength will return immediately (or ever).

Peyton seems determined to return to the NFL, however it probably won’t be with the Colts. We’d expect the Dolphins, Redskins, and Cardinals to make heavy pushes for Manning.

First, though, Manning and the Colts will need to officially part ways. Manning is expected to meet with Jim Irsay within the next week or so. As soon as the Colts release him, expect Stephen Ross and the Dolphins helicopter to make a landing on Manning’s lawn.

You can follow us on Twitter for the latest Peyton Manning and Miami Dolphins news

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The Robert Griffin III plan for the Dolphins

Feb. 02 Opinion 5 comments

Today,we conclude our 3 part series on potential Miami Dolphins QB Plans by looking at Robert Griffin III (RG3).  We’ve already looked at the Peyton Plan and the Flynn Plan, but today we want to look at the youngest QB option of them all.  The truth is that all 3 of these QB Plans have risks.  Peyton’s health is a big concern.  Matt Flynn’s inexperience at the NFL level is a concern.  And obviously a rookie QB like RG3 would be a concern for the Dolphins, especially considering what they would have to give up to get him.

Later this month, a coin flip will determine if the Dolphins select 8th or 9th in the April Draft.  The reason for this is because the Dolphins and Panthers finished with the same record and the same exact strength of schedule.  The consensus #1 pick in the draft will be Andrew Luck, no matter how much the Colts tell lobby that they are considering RG3 and Luck.  Don’t buy the hype.  That means that the St. Louis Rams are in the spot that all RG3 hungry teams will want to get to.  According to the Draft Value chart, the #2 pick in the draft is worth 2,600 points.  The Dolphins 8th or 9th pick will be worth 1,400 or 1,350 respectively.  To create a package that would equate to the 2,600 points needed, the Dolphins would need to surrender this year’s 1st and 2nd round picks and next years 1st rounder.  The wrench that could be thrown in here is that this might not simply be a value chart transaction.  There will probably be multiple teams bidding for RG3 (Cleveland, Washington, etc.).  Cleveland, by the way, has 2 first round picks this year and has the #4 pick in the draft.  So, this could turn into a bidding war.  But, before you think about how much the Dolphins would be giving up, watch RG3′s highlight reel:

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The Matt Flynn Plan for the Dolphins

Feb. 01 Opinion 14 comments

Today is day 2 of our Miami Dolphins Offseason QB Plan series.  Today, we’re going to look at a QB that the Dolphins new head coach is very familiar with, Matt Flynn.  The Dolphins hired their new coach, Joe Philbin, hoping he would bring an exciting offense to Miami.   Philbin has already said that he plans to use an up-tempo offense, even throwing in some no huddle looks.  What better guy to run his offense than a guy that he’s been working with since 2008.  Flynn is the most likely candidate of the 3 QB’s we’ll feature, to end up on the Dolphins.  Peyton Manning’s health and Robert Griffin 3rd’s cost (to trade up) will make them longer shots than Flynn.

Matt Flynn has been the backup in Green Bay for the last 4 years, so he has only had limited playing time.  For his career he’s completed 82 of 132 passes (62.1%) for 1,015 yards with 9 TDs and 5 INTs (92.8 QB Rating).  This is an extremely small sample size, but you can’t help but get excited about Flynn after seeing him throw for 480 yards, while completing over 70% of his passes and 6 TDs/1 INT against the Lions.  You might say that it was the last game of the season and it didn’t matter.  However, the Lions needed that game to keep their playoff hopes alive.   You could, however, say that the Lions had the 22nd best pass defense in the NFL this season.

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The Peyton Manning Plan for the Dolphins

Jan. 31 Opinion 1 comment

The Miami Dolphins have done a nice job finding a good head coach and have assembled a pretty good coaching staff.  However, now the hard work is about to begin.  The Dolphins have made it very clear that they intend on upgrading the quarterback position this offseason.  So, for the next 3 days, we’re going to give you 3 potential QBs and the plans that might involve them.  Peyton Manning is first up.  We’ll then take a look at Matt Flynn and Robert Griffin III.  As you can guess, depending on which quarterback the Dolphins chose to make a run at this offseason, it will alter the rest of their plan for the offseason.  On Friday, after we’ve laid out all 3 plans, we’ll ask you to vote on which plan you like best.

So Peyton Manning is first up….and truthfully, he’s probably the longest shot of the 3 QBs we’re looking at.  Today, we don’t even know if Peyton Manning will ever play football again.  In fact, Peyton Manning doesn’t even know if he’ll play again.  Gil Brandt who is a close friend of the Manning family has said recently that if he had to give an answer, he thinks we may have seen the last of Peyton Manning in the NFL.  Even today, reports indicate that Peyton is probably done…Peyton said in an interview with ESPN that he has no plans on retiring.  Go figure!   Having said all of that, there is still a chance that Peyton is healthy come September and if he is, he’ll be playing football in a city other than Indianapolis.  The early March deadline will come and the Colts will refuse to pay him the $28 mil bonus he’s due.  He’ll then be a free agent and if he feels he’s healthy enough, he’ll look for a new team.

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If the Dolphins don’t get Luck, other QB options will be available in the Draft

Nov. 03 Opinion 5 comments

We’re  just about halfway through the 2011 Miami Dolphins season, a season that has seen them start out 0-7.  So as fans, we naturally start to look forward to a new day for the Dolphins.  We start to look for a ray of hope…for when things will get better.  The Dolphins will have a new coach next year, likely a new GM, and almost certainly a new quarterback or 2.  The Dolphins are currently battling with the Colts, Rams, and Cardinals for the NFL’s worst record, a record that comes with an added bonus this year, Andrew Luck.  A majority of the Dolphins fan base is openly rooting for the Dolphins to lose every week, for a chance to draft the next Peyton Manning.  While Luck is far and away the best QB prospect to come out since Peyton, or even John Elway, what if the Dolphins don’t lose enough to earn the #1 pick?

We’re here to tell you today, that there are other, very attractive QB options that should be available for the Dolphins in the 2012 NFL Draft.  Whether its Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Matt Barkley (USC), or Robert Griffen III (Baylor).  Keep in mind that we are a little over halfway through the NCAA season and there is A LOT of time between now and the draft.  BUT, early indications are that these young men could bring their talents to the NFL next season…one of them likely ending up with the Dolphins.  A new coach/GM combo in Miami will likely want to get ‘their guy’ to play QB.  If the Dolphins get the #1 pick, it’s a no brainer for whoever is in charge.  But, if the Dolphins end up with, say the 3rd or 4th pick in the draft, who will the new brain trust select?  It almost certainly has to be a quarterback.  After all, the Dolphins haven’t used a first round pick on a QB since Dan Marino.

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