What's there to complain about?
Maybe I'm missing something, but I simply LOVE what the Dolphins are doing these days.
Sign Joey Porter to a five-year contract? Yippie! Now the team has a threat opposite and alongside Jason Taylor to attack the quarterback.
Quick, you are an offensive coordinator and your choice is to either double-team Porter or Taylor while single-blocking the other. What do you do? And what do you do when the Dolphins bring both Porter and Taylor from the same side?
Your quarterback is about to have a bad day.
Next move: Get a second- and seventh-round pick for Wes Welker? Are you kidding me, in a heartbeat! Welker came to Miami as an afterthought three years ago and worked his way into mattering. Last year he led the Dolphins with 67 catches.
But is there anyone out there that thinks Welker is a game-changer? There were only two 2006 games in which opposing teams decided to pay special attention to Welker and that was toward the end of the season against the Jets and Patriots.
In those games, Welker had overages rolled to him and the strategy showed his inability to be get open in those situations. He caught one pass in each of those games.
So he is a good No. 3, a reliable return guy and a tough-as-nails competitor. But he's not going to be a talent that will change the outcome of games. Give me two draft picks for him and I'll take my chances.
Next move: Cutting Randy McMichael. This one hurts because the Dolphins simply do not have anyone readily on hand to replace him today. Tim Massaquoi ain't that guy, near as I've seen and David Martin has done nothing to suggest he is either.
But in losing McMichael, the Dolphins also rid themselves of at least 10 dropped passes per year. He had more than that last year and slightly less than that in 2005. Those drive-killing, momentum-killing moments simply weren't worth the $3 million bonus McMichael was due on Wednesday.
I wish the Dolphins and McMichael could have massaged the situation by changing his salary. But agent Drew Rosenhaus was never offered a chance to negotiate a pay-cut and McMichael wouldn't have gone for it if it had been offered anyway. So this one isn't as brilliant as the other two moves, but at least it makes some sense.
One thing I must tell you: The Dolphins are not done.
They will continue to search for a receiver and some OL help in free agency. And they haven't finished trimming fat off the roster. Having seen what just happened to Joey Harrington, Jeno James, Kevin Carter and Randy McMichael, I'd be worried about my future in Miami if my name were Chris Chambers, Olindo Mare, and yes, Daunte Culpepper.
All three have high cap numbers scheduled for 2007 and none really justified those numbers with their performances in 2006.
Sign Joey Porter to a five-year contract? Yippie! Now the team has a threat opposite and alongside Jason Taylor to attack the quarterback.
Quick, you are an offensive coordinator and your choice is to either double-team Porter or Taylor while single-blocking the other. What do you do? And what do you do when the Dolphins bring both Porter and Taylor from the same side?
Your quarterback is about to have a bad day.
Next move: Get a second- and seventh-round pick for Wes Welker? Are you kidding me, in a heartbeat! Welker came to Miami as an afterthought three years ago and worked his way into mattering. Last year he led the Dolphins with 67 catches.
But is there anyone out there that thinks Welker is a game-changer? There were only two 2006 games in which opposing teams decided to pay special attention to Welker and that was toward the end of the season against the Jets and Patriots.
In those games, Welker had overages rolled to him and the strategy showed his inability to be get open in those situations. He caught one pass in each of those games.
So he is a good No. 3, a reliable return guy and a tough-as-nails competitor. But he's not going to be a talent that will change the outcome of games. Give me two draft picks for him and I'll take my chances.
Next move: Cutting Randy McMichael. This one hurts because the Dolphins simply do not have anyone readily on hand to replace him today. Tim Massaquoi ain't that guy, near as I've seen and David Martin has done nothing to suggest he is either.
But in losing McMichael, the Dolphins also rid themselves of at least 10 dropped passes per year. He had more than that last year and slightly less than that in 2005. Those drive-killing, momentum-killing moments simply weren't worth the $3 million bonus McMichael was due on Wednesday.
I wish the Dolphins and McMichael could have massaged the situation by changing his salary. But agent Drew Rosenhaus was never offered a chance to negotiate a pay-cut and McMichael wouldn't have gone for it if it had been offered anyway. So this one isn't as brilliant as the other two moves, but at least it makes some sense.
One thing I must tell you: The Dolphins are not done.
They will continue to search for a receiver and some OL help in free agency. And they haven't finished trimming fat off the roster. Having seen what just happened to Joey Harrington, Jeno James, Kevin Carter and Randy McMichael, I'd be worried about my future in Miami if my name were Chris Chambers, Olindo Mare, and yes, Daunte Culpepper.
All three have high cap numbers scheduled for 2007 and none really justified those numbers with their performances in 2006.
posted by Armando Salguero at 12:23 PM
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What do you think of this on for a Pick up - no draft picks lost for this restricted FA. We need a fill in on Special Teams for Sammie Morris loss.
WR Terrance Copper, New Orleans (compensation: none): A do-it-all player who excels on special teams and is a better wide receiver than people think. Coach Sean Payton demonstrated a lot of faith in him last season, especially when Joe Horn was injured. Copper made a lot of big plays for the Saints, catching 23 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns. He can also return kicks and will play on the coverage units. The kind of solid, serviceable role player that every team needs to have around.
I have read that Miami is close to signing Kelley Washington, the WR from Cincy. He has a ton of potential and hopefully with the chance he may get with Miami he will take advantage of it. Great move in signing Joey Porter.
Out of the 3 guys you named I think Mare has the most to worry about. Chambers certainly did nothing to justify his contract last year though. It getting interesting and I love what I see so far.
Olindo Mare, Chris Chambers yes. Culpepper? Nah, I don't think so. If they were purely rebuilding then yea, but seeing as they are trying to get better and be competitive this season, I don't think you do that with Cleo Lemon or a rookie QB. He's worth whatever he's making this year to see if he truly has anything left. Now if I was Marty Booker, I'd be calling a real estate agent. Cam likes speedy receivers, obviously Booker doesn't fit into that
Speaking of releasing players, why is LJ Shelton still on the roster? He couldn't play tackle and had to be moved to guard.
I agree that Booker and Chambers may be in trouble. Unless Donte Stallworth signs, one of them will be back next year.
I agree with everyone on the site here. Porter A++: I hope he continues to be the type of linebacker he was in PA. Of all the people the fins just cut, Welker really is the only one in the last 3 years that has been consistent. Not good mind you, but consistent. The others have faded in and out of being great one game to non-existent in the next. This purge has been needed for several years now and will only help the dolphins mindset and roster in the future.
I am sure someone will prove me wrong with stats, but I watched every game last year and rarely saw Chambers being used as a deep threat.
He needs to stay.
If we bring Ricky back, improve the O-line, improve the secondary, and find a QB, we may just go 8-8.
Wishful thinking.
(I will say I am happy they have have not fallen into the trap of signing complete garbage free agents to obscene contracts. They are making very smart moves)
I like what the Fins are doing. It really looks like they finally really have a plan that they are following.
Defense will be very solid, Special teams needs to improve and if we trust Cam, maybe he can make a silk purse out of a sows ear namely the offense.
BTW - can anyone tell me how comp draft picks work and if it will give the Fins more picks in this draft? Thanks!
why is everybody saying chambers and mare didn't play up to their contract, but make it sound like culpepper did? why did we trade welker to the pats for a 2nd rounder and a 7th instead of just letting them make their underhanded offer of 39 mil through 7 years and all guranteed if he plays more than 4 games in florida. now he's signed there for 18 mil over 5 years. we saved them a shit load of money in order to gain an extra 7th rounder who we won't even sign when we draft someone with it. and does anybody else think it's bullshit that the bears traded thomas jones and a 2nd rounder to the jets for their 2nd rounder when they could've traded him to the packers for their 2nd rounder straight up? i understand not wanting to trade him to a division rival, but why give him away to one of our division rivals. everybodys seemingly helping out the jets and pats. we need to solve our offensive line before we can contend. our offense is horrible on paper. our recievers are fine with chambers booker and hagan and hopefully kelley washington. so i say we draft levi brown in the first round. yea i know it's still over a month away and that's early in the draft but who else is available to play left tackle for us next year. we still need a lot of help especially in the secondary. it's gonna be a long season.
Mando:
Well said and I couldn't agree more right up to the Chambers and Culpepper part. They need to see these guys on the field together and in spite of his faults, Chambers is still a better option than no Chambers it would appear. Let's see C-Pepp healthy with a Williams and Brown backfield.
The fact people are surprised that McMike is gone shocks me. Folks, they couldn't even get a pick for him. That says a lot. I think he's actually regressed the last couple of years. The drops are just the tip of the iceberg on his inconsistency. Strong move by the organization.
I think Cam and Mueller have made one thing known...play your "A" game every game or your gone. He wont't stand for at team that leads the universe in dropped passes so I see Chambers at home packing as well. C=Pep I'm not sure. They might keep him and restructure or cut him but QB is most important so you have to have experience there. Not Lemon and a rookie.
It's good to see we aren't throwing money at just anybody that is available and I think 2 draft picks is good for a short, slow, though consistent, reciever. but like Armando said he isn't a game changer. He isn't prone to the drops of McMichael but he doesn't get down field and take it to the house either.
I've been watching the Phins since '66 and the last coach that threw away the froth and started over did pretty well...2 SB and all
I like a lot of the moves, but I will miss Welker. You just watch...that guy is going to start kicking some ass with Tom Brady throwing to him...He may not have performed awesome last year..but he has done nothing but improve every year...and he's 25.
To a bit confused, it is absolutely absurd to say teams are trying to help the Pats and Jets. I did not hear about a poison pill in Welker's offer (Armando, please shed some light) but 4 games in Florida would make no sense because the Pats could do that in a year (post-season included and why take that chance).
On another note, I would like to see Chambers and Culpepper back next year. I think Culpepper needs time to prove himself while healthy and he has not had that chance yet. Realistically, who are the Fins going to get that is going to give them a better chance to win now that they could not get as a backup anyway? If you do not specifically need his cap money there is no reason to cut him.
As for Chambers, he is a very good #2 receiver but a mediocre #1. Getting more good receivers in would help him a lot, although he does drop too many easy passes. Randy Moss for that #2 from the Pats anyone? Take a shot at him an Culpepper back together.
Mare is the in a whole different class. He used to be trusted with any field goal and now when he lines up, you worry as a fan. It would be nice to get a kicker in that did not make you worry any time he is kicking. I know his contract is fairly large compared to his performance and there is no potential worth keeping like Chambers and Culpepper.
good,good, good i agree!but i also agree with the blogger who asked what lj shelton is still doing on the roster?as well as tillman,spragan,and all three of the stiffs that played corner last year!hopefully they can find a left tackle(shelton is not him),and upgrade the corner position in a serious way(your dreaming if u think they're good enough armando!)a quality nose tackle is also a priority,but honestly this is the brightest it's looked around phinville in a long time!
I'm really liking what coach Cameron and Mueller are doing. It's sad to see Wes go, but getting an extra 2nd rounder sure is going to be nice.
And I can already imagine Joey Porter and JT causing havoc for opposing offenses.
They sum it up pretty nicely over here
armandito,
you need 11 players on both sides of the ball, preferably good players. and you also need servicable backups. have you noticed how many players are missing from the depth chart right now? sunnuvagun? dozens. the dolphins are decimated with your "house cleaning" and all they have to show for it is joey porter. he is a great player, but dolphins need more than one player they need to find dozens now just to field a team.
lets see, armandito. half the offensive line is gone, no tight end, a gimpy qb, no fullback, no defensive end backup, no defenisive tackle, a shoddy secondary, no kick returners. and, have you heard, most credibile experts think this year's free agent class is crap. all that work to clear cap space, and for what? players of lesser value?
some plan.
dolfans should organize a sack armando movement for his encouraging this plunge into loserville.
I will miss Welker, but I agree that it was a good move. Glad to see McMichael gone, and Mare can follow right behind him.
Overall, I agree with your premise that the Fins finally seem to be on the right track.
Okay, eventhough I'm always a fan of the fins upgrading their talent pool, the Porter move doesn't make any sense to me with all the other moves the team is making. The Porter move is made if you think you can make a run for a championship in the next couple years. Porter won't be the same player 3 years from now, so what good does he do the team other than eat up cap space for a couple years? Are they hoping to sign him and then trade him next year to get even more draft picks? Do Cam and Randy really believe we have a shot at a championship in the next two years? If not...why make this move? And, if they do, why are they making all the other moves they've made so far this offseason? Anybody got Mueller's cell phone number handy b/c i need some answers.
and please...if you're an idiot (and you all know who you are) go find something else to do and leave our forums alone.
Armando, I agree with your assessment in theory. However, having a ton of cap space is nice, if they're going to use it. There's not a lot of quality available, so just getting rid of decent players without upgrading is not winning now (what Wayne had said they'll strive to do). The Welker, Holliday and Porter moves were great. Still not sold on cutting Carter or James, without having a better alternative then either (and I don't see any that are available that are better), as our lines right now are a little scary (no left side of the OL, no proven nose tackle or LDE). My assumption is that they'll sign a free agent OL and some DB's (Hamilin and / or Harper). If this is what the money freed up (plus the difference in McMichael's-Martin cap $) is used for then I'm fine with it. As for Stallworth, he may have more speed than Booker, but is he really a better WR when you add up all the pieces?
love what there doing!!!!!! keep it up. when you say randy mcmicael you say drop so good riddens!!!!!! chris chambers next??????? hope so.(drop). wes the only one we will miss, he will come back to bite us write it down.
Let me get this straight. Cam Cameron "spent substantial time analyzing" McWifebeater - decided his hands and his blocking were not really that good. OK agreed. Clearly the entire Offense was pretty lame under Saban/ Mularkey.
So why are we losing our top QB on the Roster - as BAD as the system was, didn't Joey Harrington spark this Offense over Culpepper? Sure everybody wants to see IF Daunte can still play. But that's a big question mark for $5 Mil salary and we cut Joey to save a piddly $1 Mil? Leaving us with - what?
And everyone says the QB Position was of major importance. So we're saving $1 Mil on Harrington - but Mueller may turn around and pay concussion prone Trent Green? Surely more than $1 Mil signing bonus for Green or any FA.
We should have kept Harrington one more year. Oh I forgot some of the media idiots like Greg Cote didn't like him...
A couple of points.
1. For the guy who said,
"dolfans should organize a sack armando movement for his encouraging this plunge into loserville."
Plunge? We're already there. We haven't made the playoffs in five years. Losing record in 2 of the last 3 years. Let's try another something new because the formula over the past few years hasn't exactly worked well.
2. To the guy who said in 3 years Joey Porter won't be the same player. Possibly. But then again in 3 years Joey Porter will be the same age as Jason Taylor was the year he had his best season and was defensive MVP.
3. To all the people who say we won't get anyone good with the 7th rounder we got from New England.
Welker went undrafted. That means he could have been had for a late 7th rounder that year.
But the biggest part of the Welker trade is that now Chambers can play in the slot more. The position he was in a lot the year he made the Pro Bowl.
4. Finally, yes there are still gaps in the roster. But the draft is still upcoming. We have 4 first day picks. That should fill at least a few holes.
Do I think we're destined to be turned around by Cam Cameron? No.
Do I think we should give him at least a year of trying it his and Mueller's way before we judge him? Yes.
brian, i'm the guy who said Porter won't be the same player in 3 years. Obviously you can say the same about any player. But, I think Porter has been on the decline for the past couple of years, and he'll be an average player in 3 years. Plus, my main point was that the move doesn't make sense from a rebuilding standpoint...not to mention the sort of money we guaranteed him. I just don't understand the thought behind it unless they're just trying to keep JT and Zach happy. The only thing this does is help us win a couple more games next year which means we'll have another middle-of-the-road draft pick again instead of a high one. I think they're hoping Porter will come in here and register about 10 sacks next year, so they can trade him for more picks. Still, guaranteeing him $20? i just don't get it. I would've rather had Adalius but maybe that wasn't possible.
I think getting a 2 and 7 from NE for Welker is a steal, although he will definitely make the Pats better and I'm sure will make a few big plays against Miami. Not sure I'm crazy about the Joey Porter signing. I would've rather used that money on Offense. I hope they keep Chambers but would like to see Culpepper and Mare cut. They can get Trent Green to be a starter, have Cleo as the backup, and draft a kid. I'm sure they can get Trent for a 6th round pick.
I don't get this Adelius Thomas vs Joey Porter argument. A. Thomas is only 5 months younger but had his breakout season only a year or so ago. He wasn't even starting. I guess you could say he has less wear and tear but age is age and he still played special teams (maybe even more debilitating) and practiced in the league.
For the same money and for guys basically the same age, I'd rather have the more proven and experienced Porter. He's not even 30 yet.
In my humble opinion I think Porter was brought in strictly for his leadership and attitude. You are going to see from a player stand point a more vocal group. Cam wants Porter to just fire up the defense. To many times even with there 4 ranking they played way too controlled. Cam and Capers both want it turned loose so to speak. Just like last year remember when Pep came in and Crowder played a little trash talk with he threw the ball so hard that the receivers hurt their hands. Remember that Sabin put a muzzle on it?? Well I think Cam likes that and you will start to hear a lot more talk from player just having fun. Porter was brought in because he does play very well but will help with turning the attitude on both sides of the ball. You are going to see a whole lot more trash talking with this group. You will also see a lot more interaction between the vocal players and the media. Hey look in the last 2 years under Sabin we was 15-17. That’s a whole lot of bad loosing attitude. Cam has a plan and realizes that it’s not just about the X and O it’s also the mental aspect as well. Porter and Pep are here strictly for that.
As to the QB I think with Pep we will be fine. In cams offence he does not need the QB with that strong riffle arm. He needs a QB who follows a plan precisely and accurately. And is a leader who the team does what the QB tells them all the way to a score. That is exactly the system that Pep excelled in back in the early days of Min. It was when they made a change in the offence that started his decline. I feel he really likes Pep. Look he says the QB has to be the hardest worker on the team. One that goes to all the meeting and runs a precise plan. Right now for good or worse Pep is doing exactly that.
Thanks
Alan from Miami
ROFL! I cant even comment on the article because I am laughing too hard about the fact that anonymous is pissed off that we let Joey freakin Harrington go. How anyone could think this was a bad move obviously knows little to nothing about football. Joey Harrington! LOL,LOL,LOL.
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I think the Welker deal was good for the Dolphins, but also I think he IS a game changer especially as a speacial teamer. He kept the Dolphins in a couple games last year they had no business being in.
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