Miami Dolphin Talk

"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky.

MOBILE, Ala. – Identifying talented players isn't Jeff Ireland's issue.

The Miami Dolphins' General Manager knows what dynamic football players look like. He can tell you about their footwork, their catching radius, their instincts, the aura that permeates from their presence.

He's able to single them out privately, before the draft, raving about talents like Joe Flacco, Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Graham and Jon Beason.

That's not the problem. The problem the Dolphins have had for the past five seasons is this Ireland-led front office hasn't always been willing to do whatever it took to secure those dynamic playmakers.

With the exception of winning a 2009 bidding war for former CFL standout Cameron Wake, trading for Brandon Marshall and signing Karlos Dansby as a free agent in the 2010 offseason, the Dolphins haven't been able to pull the trigger on elite talents.

They've typically gone the safe route and fell short because they've landed average players, and the proof of that is the bulk of Miami's roster, which might possess four present Pro Bowlers, but only one (Wake) plays a premier position.

With $46 million in cap space and nine draft picks - five picks in the first three rounds – Ireland knows he's got "ammunition" and that it is time to make some bold moves.

It is time for Ireland to take some calculated risks that can produce big returns because this could be his last season running the Dolphins front office.

He's one of South Florida's least popular sports figures, and owner Steve Ross' patience has been worn thin by four straight losing seasons.

Based on Ireland's tone on Tuesday it is clear he realizes this could be his final shot.

"This is the year that you got to do something," Ireland said about the offseason, which the Dolphins set up by being frugal last offseason and trading away talents like Marshall and cornerback Vontae Davis. "We're in a very good position to utilize some of our cap space to bring in some veteran players on our football team, and we're in a very good position to bring in some young players from a draft standpoint."

"It's got to be a good mix, and we plan to mix it."

The way I see it, Ireland's under pressure to take and make a game-winning shot in free agency and the draft because this team can't wait on the Michael Egnew's and Olivier Vernon's of the world to blossom.

Ireland needs a proven, polished, dynamic receiver and seam threat tight end now, and even though coach Joe Philbin would prefer to build the team through the draft he better get with the program too because history tells us a new general manager likely means a new head coach isn't far behind. Just ask Lovie Smith, Hue Jackson, Mike Mularkey and Pat Shurmur about that.

Either way South Florida and Dolphins fan base win because the franchise will either improve by luring and drafting the type of dynamic players that help change an organization, close the colossal gap on the New England Patriots, the reigning AFC East power. Or those demanding change will likely get their wish in 2014 if the Dolphins produce yet another losing season.

"I feel like I've been aggressive where I need to be aggressive," said Ireland, who hasn't drafted a receiver before the third round. "Conservative? I think there have been some decisions that have been smart."

Calculated is a bit more accurate, fitting, but risk is in the eye of the shot taker.

"We've got to do what we've got to do this year," Ireland said before warning Dolphins fans they'll be excited by the moves made this offseason if Miami's plans come together. "The decisions that we made up to this point to get us to where we're at with our cap space and draft picks, that's all by design. We have a clear vision of how we're going to help this football team."

Unfortunately, seeing the shot, and then taking it doesn't guarantee you'll make it.

Dan Marino doesn’t think it would be a bad idea for the Dolphins to draft a quarterback this year.

 Marino, speaking Saturday at the Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism at Sun Life Stadium, didn't endorse the idea. But he said depth is important at every position, especially quarterback.

 “I don’t know if the Dolphins are going do that,” Marino said of drafting a quarterback. “But you do have to look at the way the league is now, there’s injuries and you do have to have solid players and solid people at each position, especially at quarterback, if something happens to your starter.”

 Rookie starter Ryan Tannehill had mixed results last season in his first year as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback. He finished with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 58.3 percent of his passes (tied for 22nd). His passer rating of 76.1 ranked 27th in the NFL. It should be noted Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck ranked 26th with a passer rating of 76.5.

 Still, there’s a feeling in some circles that the Dolphins need an insurance policy at quarterback, in case Tannehill starts wandering down the Chad Henne path of malaise/regression.

 Last year’s backup, Matt Moore, is an unrestricted free agent and will likely look to become a starter somewhere. Behind him is third-teamer Pat Devlin. He’s been OK, but no one seems to think he’s a future playmaker at quarterback. That’s what the Dolphins need.

 Washington ensured itself by drafting two quarterbacks last year – Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick in the first round and Kirk Cousins in the fourth round – and it paid off when Griffin III sat out the Cleveland game with a knee injury late in the season. Cousins won in relief. Now the Redskins have reason to believe they have two young quarterbacks with lots of upside, something that might come in handy next season depending on how Griffin III recovers from knee surgery.

 Miami has nine picks in the April draft, including one in the first round, two in the second and two in the third.

 Considering the importance of the position, Marino said Tannehill shouldn’t feel threatened if the Dolphins happen to draft a quarterback.

 “I wouldn’t think so,” Marino said. “I think if you’re quarterback and you have to play at a high level and you’re playing in the NFL, you don’t mind competition, no matter what it is.

 “If I was there, and when I was a rookie, if there was another quarterback and you want to bring him in, that’s fine. I think you have to have that mental attitude if you’re playing that position, and that’s ‘I’m going to work hard; I don’t mind competition.’ That’s part of it.”

By Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel February 1, 2013


The Miami Dolphins have holes to fill at every unit on the team, but that is mostly by design.

An NFL team doesn't get $46-47 million under the projected salary cap without making sacrifices, and the Dolphins (7-9) will likely allow eight starters to become unrestricted free agents in an attempt to rebuild the entire roster.

General Manager Jeff Ireland hopes to add the pieces that can make Joe Philbin's offense more dynamic, more explosive, and the defense more of a force. The hope is that stripping the roster down won't require too many sacrifices.

"In terms of fire power, look, we had two guys that were over 60 catches," Ireland said, referring to starting receivers Brian Hartline and Davone Bess, who collectively scored two touchdown last season. "We've got to find guys that are scoring touchdowns and getting the ball in the end zone.

"We've got to find guys that are disrupting the passer on defense, disrupting the receiver getting into the route on defense as well," Ireland continued. "We're looking to upgrade in a lot of different areas."

Here is a look at the players under contract for 2013 and the free agents at each position with their status designated. The free agent section also includes each player's salary in 2012.

OFFENSE (23 players presently under contract)

Quarterbacks (1): Ryan Tannehill

Free agents: Matt Moore ($2.5M) is unrestricted. Pat Devlin ($390K) is an exclusive rights free agent.

Breakdown: Tannehill had a respectable season as a rookie starter, but still has a long journey ahead to catch some of his peers. Moore wants an opportunity to compete for a starting spot so remaining in Miami isn't his first choice. The Dolphins will likely add a young quarterback to groom behind Tannehill if that's the case. Devlin is a decent backup, but he lacks an NFL arm.

 Running backs: (5): Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Marcus Thigpen, Jonas Gray, FB Jorvorskie Lane

Free agents: Starter Reggie Bush ($4.5M) is unrestricted.

Breakdown: Bush is looking for his final big payday. The Dolphins could re-sign him, at the right price. But the Dolphins are comfortable with Miller, Thomas, Thigpen and Gray competing for playing time. One of the coaching staff's biggest regrets in 2012 was not giving Miller (4.9 yards per carry) more opportunities. Lane was solid earlier in the year, but physically wore down. He needs to participate in a full offseason training program.

Receivers (5): Davone Bess, Armon Binns, Rishard Matthews, Brian Tyms, Jeff Fuller

Free agents: Starter Brian Hartline ($1.3M) is unrestricted. Marlon Moore ($490K) is restricted.

Breakdown: The Dolphins are searching for receivers who produce touchdowns and dynamic run-after-catch plays. Bess and Hartline are solid options, but fall short in the 'wow' factor. Expect the Dolphins to spend big money ($40-50 million over a number of years) adding a veteran receiver like Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace or Dwayne Bowe. Re-signing Hartline, who caught 74 passes for 1,083 yards, is an option, but at the right price. The Dolphins will probably address the position in the draft too.

Tight ends (3): Charles Clay, Michael Egnew, Kyle Miller

Free agent: Starter Anthony Fasano ($3.6M) is unrestricted. Jeron Mastrud ($540K) is restricted.

Breakdown: Fasano has scored 23 touchdowns in his five seasons as a starter in Miami, but he's not the type of tight end who threatens a seam and that is what the Dolphins will be searching for this offseason via free agency or the draft. Re-signing Fasano as the No. 2 tight end could work since there is concern Clay is more fullback than tight end, and questions about the toughness of Egnew, Miami's third-round pick in 2012.

Offensive linemen (9): Jonathan Martin (OT), John Jerry (OG), Mike Pouncey (C), Richie Incognito (OG), Josh Samuda (C, OG), Will Yeatman (OT), Jeff Adams (OT), Chandler Burden (OG), Andrew McDonald (OT).

Free agents: Starting left tackle Jake Long ($11.2M) and OT/OG Nate Garner ($1.4M) are unrestricted. OT Patrick Brown ($540K) is an exclusive rights free agent.

Breakdown: Martin replaced Long for the final five games of the season and played left tackle better than he did right tackle. It is likely that's where Martin will reside in his future if Long's asking price doesn't drop. Miami won't spend $15 million putting the franchise tag on Long, so the team's first-round pick in 2008 will likely sign with the highest bidder. The Dolphins need to get more athletic at guard so moving John Jerry to right tackle is an option. Re-signing Garner, who was solid as a starter till the season finale, is also an option.

DEFENSE (21 under contract)

Defensive ends (4): Cameron Wake, Jared Odrick, Olivier Vernon, Derrick Shelby

Breakdown: Dolphins were wise to lock up Wake, signing the Pro Bowler to an extension last offseason. But they still need to find him more pass rushing help via free agency or the draft. If Odrick moves inside to defensive tackle then Vernon, a former UM standout who contributed 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a rookie, would be elevated into a starting role.

Defensive tackles (3): Paul Soliai, Kheeston Randall, Chas Alecxih

Free agents: Starter Randy Starks ($3.725M) and Tony McDaniel ($3M) are unrestricted.

Breakdown: Starks, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has been a solid starter for Miami since 2009. He's worth nearly twice the salary he's earned the past four seasons and could land a $6 million per year contract on the open market. If Starks leaves Odrick, who is already 300 pounds, would be moved inside. But the Dolphins would still need more bodies to fortify the team's strongest unit the past three seasons. Re-signing McDaniel for less is an option.

Linebackers: (6): Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, Koa Misi, Jason Trusnik, Jonathan Freeny, Josh Kaddu

Free agents: Inside linebacker Austin Spitler ($540K) is restricted.

Breakdown: Dansby and Burnett produced their second-straight 100-plus tackles season together. Misi blossomed in a 4-3 scheme, contributing 65 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. But Dansby and Burnett are aging, and Misi is entering the final year of his contract, so a forward-thinking approach would be beneficial.

Cornerbacks (7): Nolan Carroll, Richard Marshall, Jimmy Wilson, Dimitri Patterson, Julian Posey, De'Andre Presley, Dion Turner

Free agents: Starter Sean Smith ($565K) is unrestricted. Bryan McCann (540K) is restricted. R.J. Stanford ($540K) is an exclusive rights free agent.

Breakdown: Despite his inconsistent play, Smith was the biggest bargain on the roster the past four seasons. Considering starting cornerbacks generally earn $5-7 million a year on the free agent market he's looking to cash out. Miami is looking for a more versatile cornerback, and there are a few decent options in free agency and the draft. Getting a healthy Richard Marshall back should be beneficial, especially if Patterson is retained at his $4.5 million per season salary.

Safeties (2): Reshad Jones, Kelcie McCray

Free agents: Starter Chris Clemons ($1.3M) and Tyrone Culver ($700K) are unrestricted. FS Jonathon Amaya (540K) is restricted.

Breakdown: The Dolphins have had eight different safety duos the past seven years. The best chance of developing some continuity in the backend is to re-sign Clemons and continue to pair him with Jones. However, Miami will have some options to upgrade the position in free agency and the draft. Depth is also a concern moving forward if Wilson doesn't return to safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3 under contract)

Kicker Dan Carpenter; Punter Brandon Fields; Long snapper John Denney

Free agent: Kicker Nate Kaeding is unrestricted.

Breakdown: Considering Carpenter is slated to earn $2.7 million in 2013, the final year of his contract, expect Miami to add competition this offseason, making this fifth-year veteran earn his roster spot. Ironically, that's how Carpenter actually got his job, beating out veteran Jay Feely in 2008. Cutting Carpenter and replacing him with a rookie would create an additional $2 million-plus in cap space. Restructuring Carpenter's contract is also an option

Something I didn't know is that Minnesota is fed up with their #1 round WR Percy Harvin out of UFag. Now the talk in the Nawtheast is that with Wes Walker being a FA and possibly, I say possibly on the way out...... that Bellicheat might be thinking of trading for old Pursey Harvin. Harvin apparently disrespected Minnesotas HC Lesslie Fraser and well YOU JUST CANT HAVE THAT Can YOU?

I say that in jest you know. A link to another article about how Bellichek has taken on problem chillins before and aboot how there are three of Harvins FLorida Gator team mates on the current Pats team who might be able to keep him in line. Spikes(Brandon) is one of em. Aaron Hernandez is another ......Jeff Demps RB, Jermaine Cunningham LB, The Pats have some good players on their team. I was just perusing their roster.

Or Jeff Ireland could perhaps be interested in kicking his(Harvins) tires and maybe ask him if his mammy is a hoe. You Know? Play on werds. Tee hee............. I cant wait until the draft. Gawd this tooth hurts!