"It's hard to make predictioins.."

More rabble about the Dolphins looking to add C.J. Mosley.

Linebacker buyer's remorse. You know there is some deep disappointment with spending $27 million for free agent acquisitions, Ellerbe and Wheeler, when there is this volume of talk about Mosley.

                                                     (AP Photo by Jeff Robertson)

On Saturday, Adam Beasley with the Miami Herald gave more credence to the rumors:

http://hrld.us/RVmUt0

Picking Mosely would show that Hickey is focused on leaner, faster linebackers against Wheeler and Ellerbe who are both over 240 pounds.

“I think I’m one of the best,” Mosley told reporters at his Pro Day and draft pundits seem to agree. Frank Cooney with NFLDraftScout.com called him "a must-draft, mobile mass of natural football genius who has no negatives and works full speed, full time,”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/26/4081105/cj-mosley-could-cure-miami-dolphins.html#storylink=cpy

The Ravens, who pick two spots above the Fins are also interested in Mosley who has visited Baltimore.

But beyond the Ravens, there is a real problem trying to pick up Mosley with the 19th pick: Dolphins are still in desperate need of a prime time Right Tackle-- a position in big demand in the NFL.

What will happen on draft day? I'm thinking the best laid plans and NFL swamis will fall short.

Why? I'll quote Yogi Berra, the source for universal knowledge:

"It's hard to make prediction," he famously said, "especially about the future."

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/04/26/4081105/cj-mosley-could-cure-miami-dolphins.html#storylink=cpy

Ireland Friend or Foe

There are only three things that are hated in Miami; snowbirds, cold weather, and of course Jeff Ireland. To my utter shock the website fire-ireland.com had nothing to do with Jeff Ireland vs Fans of Miami domestic dispute that has been going on a little over six years. With the resent departure of Ireland many fans of Miami could take a sigh of relief, but they will still be feeling the radiation of Ireland internal explosion for a couple more years. To Seattle’s fans horror they ended up with Ireland as many of them are looking to a higher authority to ask “Why us. Why now. What did we ever do”? Seattle claims they will use him as a draft advisor which will work as well as Burger King sponsoring weight watchers, but who are we to judge. When Ireland first got to Miami they went from 1-15 to winning the AFC east title. Could be worse for Miami, they could have the Raider's front office.

Remembering Earl Morrall

The Dolphins' Perfect Season in 1972 was saved by an unsung quarterback with a flat-top crew cut who stepped in for Bob Griese when he was injured:

Earl Edwin Morrall

                                                                  (Miami Herald)

Morrall, who started seven games in the perfect season, passed away on Friday at 79.

Morrall, a sensation with Michigan State from 1954-56, played for more than 20 years on the professional grid-iron throwing  for 21,000 yards and 161 touchdowns. First drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1956, Morrall played for five teams before being picked up by the Dolphins. Morrall had played for Don Shula with the Baltmore Colts. Later eclipsed by Johnny Unitas, Morrall remained a journeyman quarterback, deeply talented if beyond his physical peak.

On April 25, 1972, Morrall was claimed on waivers for $100 by the Dolphins reuniting him Shula who had been the Baltimore coach. His teammates were at first puzzled by the choice. Morrall was 38 at the time and several called him "the old man." Never one for flowery speech, Don Shula simply described Morrall as "an intelligent quarterback who's won a lot of ball games for me."  That choice turned out to be pivotal to the perfect season when Bob Griese was injured in battle with the San Diego Chargers on October 15th. Morrall started-- and won the next 11 of the 17 victories in the perfect season.

Morrall remain with the Dolphins for another four years until his retirement in 1977. In 1979 Morrall became the quarterback coach at the University of Miami where he mentored the likes of Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinnie Testeverde.

Who was the most valuable player on the Dolphin's roster in 1972? Morrall had a ready answer. "Bob Griese," he wryly recalled, "for breaking his ankle so I could play."

Not unnoticed, Morrall's passing came on the 42nd anniversary of the day the Dolphins signed him.

Dennis Hickey: With Great Hair Comes Great Responsibility

For a long time I have been of the opinion that Dennis Hickey's hair is fake.  I mean just look at this...

What is not fake is his seemingly smooth ability to turn free agent visits into free agent signings.  In the coming months we will see if all of his hard work and good looks will pay off.

Regardless I think he and his hair have to be an improvement on this mess...

Offenses With Consistent Skill Players Win.

The Miami Dolphins are a passing offense, that much is apparent.  With both Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline signed to long term deals worth piles of money and an offense that by percentages threw the ball more than any other team in the league last year, it should be clear to Dennis Hickey how this team must be built.

Super Bowl winning teams don't always have prolific offenses, but they do have consistent offensive pieces.  Below is a list of Super Bowl winners since 2006, included is some players who they most relied on the offensive side of the ball and how long they had been with the team.

2006
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Hines Ward-8 years
Jerome Bettis-10 years
Alan Faneca-8 years

2007
Indianapolis Colts:
Peyton Manning-9 years
Jeff Saturday-8 years
Marvin Harrison-11 years

2008
New York Giants:
Eli Manning-4 years
Plaxico Burress-2 years
Shaun O'Hara-4 years

2009
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Ben Roethlisberger-5 years
Hines Ward-11 years
Alan Faneca-11 years

2010
New Orleans Saints:
Drew Brees-2 years
Marques Colston-2 years
Jon Stitchcomb-7 years

2011
Green Bay Packers:
Aaron Rogers-6 years
Donald Driver-12 years
Greg Jennings-5 years

2012
New York Giants:
Eli Manning-8 years
Brandon Jacobs-7 years
Hakeem Nicks-3 years

2013
Baltimore Ravens:
Joe Flacco-5 years
Ray Rice-5 years
Anquan Boldin-3 years

2014
Seattle Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch-4 years
Russell Wilson-2 years
Golden Tate-4 years

The stats show it all.

There are a few exceptions such as the 2010 Saints and 2014 Seahawks, which a generally both young rising franchises led by solid Quarterback play.  The Dolphins on the other hand have been anything but consistent.  In those years 2005-2014 the most consistent player that drove the offense was Ronnie Brown, and even he struggled to stay on the field.

With the Dolphins switching to a pass happy offense it would be highly advised to not only improve Ryan Tannehill's protection, but also to keep his targets in house and end 9 years of roster turmoil.

Has the Dolphins Draft Strategy Been Leaked?

Is Dennis Hickey being scooped?

According to Andrew Abramson with the Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins draft strategy has been somehow leaked ("a knowledgeable source") with lots of specifics.

http://bit.ly/1lDC9DY

Yes, they want to draft a Right Tackle and they highly rate Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, and Taylor Lewan and even appear to have Cyrus Kouandjio rated above Zack Martin!

Of course is all this true, or a carefully laid out deception?

Good question. If it is true, then the leak needs to be identified.  As Wade had correctly observed in an earlier post, we are already broadcasting enough to be in clear need of a right tackle in the first place.  That sets Miami up to be manipulated by other teams, well aware of their needs and plans.

If it is a deception, then so be it. If not, what might be the real plan?

We'll know in just a few weeks.

Predictable Drafting?

I like what Dennis Hickey has done so far in free agency, I really do.

The one major issue that I'm sure he is well aware of is that he has made his draft strategy VERY predictable.  It is clear that Miami needs linemen, and as history shows the best place to get quality linemen is sadly at the top of the draft.

While Hickey has publicly said that he intends to take the BPA (best player available) this is an unlikely scenario.  The player that the Dolphins have most closely been associated with has been Zack Martin the Tackle out of Notre Dame.(Pictured above)

When Miami picks at 19 (assuming that they don't trade up or down) Martin will not be the BPA.   If he is available, he will be the pick.

Endless Rebuilding?

Endless rebuilding?

 So will the Dolphins take power linebacker C.J. Mosley with the 19th overall pick?

Of course everyone is considering the Right Tackle spot with Zack Martin, but a lot of the pundits are saying the Fins are secretly wanting to replace Philip Wheeler!

Wait a second!  Wasn't Ellerbe/Wheeler brought in as a potential improvement on the Burnett/Dansby duo?  And how many dollars were spent?  Hmmm, could have been an expensive experiment...

Anyway, Mel Kiper with ESPN as reported by Salguero thinks there may be something to that:

http://bit.ly/1tmuye4

If so, we're still on the endless rebuilding merry go round.

Please, let's do a little better....

Before we continue with anything further, we might as well have a vision of
the Miami Dolphins Football God.

That is, of course, Don Shula.

Shula arrived on the scene in 1966 while I was getting adjusted to the infernal heat of Miami.  The new coach of the otherwise terrible "expansion team" arrived after a mini-controversy with the Colts. Professing to have no idea of what was necessary for a successful football team, he instituted the idea of four workouts per day in a place where the mid-day temperatures hover around ninety with the humidity not far behind....Any surprise they became competitive in just a few years?

As Winston Churchill famously said, "If you're going through hell, keep going..."

Welcome To The Blog

This blog is a designated area for the infinite ramblings of a father and son on a topic near and dear to both of their hearts, The Miami Dolphins.

-W