Subscriber Services
Weather

Thursday, March 06, 2008

How does free agency look to you now that it is over?

Excited about Tab Perry? Maybe the addition of special teams ace Boomer "Don't call me Otis" Grigsby has you aflutter.

If not, too bad. That because free agency has pretty much come and gone for much of the NFL, including the Dolphins.

Sure there was that initial, hopeful surge that first weekend when the Dolphins signed eight players in two days and traded for Jason Ferguson. But if you thought that was going to be the start of something big, you were a little off.

It was pretty much the start ... and the finish.

The Dolphins may add a player or two more before June 1 and might even look at a guy cut after June 1 (assuming he's young). But if you're waiting for guys that will significantly improve the team, you had better look toward the draft.

Because those guys aren't coming in what remains of free agency. Fact is, it could be argued, those guys may not have come in what the Dolphins got at the start of free agency.

Yes, Justin Smiley should be a starter -- if he's healthy, which he wasn't last year. Yes, Josh McCown looks the part of a starting quarterback and will get a chance to compete for the job, but he's failed with three other teams.

And Randy Starks shows a lot of promise for the future ... but we were told the same thing about Manny Wright and Fred Evans and Matt Roth once upon a time.

The point is free agency for the Dolphins has, at best, filled in around the margins of the roster. For the impressive narrative, you will have to wait until the 2008 draft. And the 2009 draft. And the 2010 draft.

It's going to be a while, folks. It's going to be a while.

116 Comments:

Blogger James Ashcroft said...

I wonder how this year's season tickets reorders are going? i know of two parties, one 8 seat crew, and another 2 seat crew that declined to buy back in.

11:49 AM  
Blogger Steve said...

I don't know about the season tickets. I'd be happy to just go to a home game; but I live in DE.

I realize it's going to be a while for us to be serious contenders for the big game, but I think watching them build up is just as fun. I think you can learn more games by losing then you can by winning - and we've been losing for a while.

I look forward to the draft & to the season.

Go fins!

11:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah I'm pissed. I would much rather of had them overpay for a bunch of old vets or young question marks. It's been working so well for the last decade that I can't think of any reason why they would want to change their philosophy and build through the draft. When they said this was going to be a project and that we were rebuilding I figured they meant they were going to rebuild in one year and get us to the superbowl now. NYScott

11:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think this FA period was not sexy, but smart. First, we haven't mortgaged the future a la Wannstedt and Saban (who said he wouldn't but did anyway).

It appears to me that the special teams nucleus just got rebuilt (thank god) after years of languishing since we lost coach Westhoff.

Looks like the O-line got an infusion of new blood, and while its true they may not be GREAT, how much worse could it be when 3 or four we had last year that are now free agents (Hadnot,etc) are still unsigned?

And it looks like the D line got upgraded and stop-gapped a bit without breaking the bank.

And in the QB- Trent vs. Luke? I think its a wash. One expensive man on the severe downside of a career and a cheap youngster with some potential.

All in all. Smart. Not sexy. Kinda like the Tuna himself.

12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm just glad they didn't go out and do what the Jets did this year. I'm looking forward to this rebuilding project over the next couple of years because it looks like we're finally going about it the right way. More competitive this year, in the playoff hunt next year, then maybe a strong playoff run in 2010 sounds good plan to me.

12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey 'Mando, what's the over/under on JColes' return to the MH? Did he get thrown under a bus by Yahoo or what? I say four months, right around the start of preseason.

12:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks, Armando. We didn't know it was going to take a while and it's really great to hear all the negatives about these additions. You must know a lot considering the DEARTH of hardware you're displaying on those finely, manicured fingers of yours.

Just report the news; not your opinions.

12:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've got to admit, this is the most optimistic I've felt about an off-season in like five years. Ernest Wilford is the only player just signed that I had even heard of, but the entire group was obviously part of a well-designed plan, by a group of guys whose opinion I value more than I ever did Cameron, Mueller or Saban's. I'm glad we didn't overpay for anybody, and I'm looking forward to seeing what these guys can do.

12:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And just look at the Jets. Why wouldn't Ireland follow in the footsteps of that genius Tannenbaum? We could of signed a declining Damien Woody from a bad Detroit offensive line for more money than he is worth and then change the position he has been playing for near a decade. Or we could have made a guy who had one good season the highest paid linebacker in NFL history while trading Vilma (for a bag of peanuts) who was making less and already proven. Armando weren't you telling us last year that we should give Cameron and Mueller a chance? Why aren't you extending the same courtesy to Parcells and Ireland? I could have taken your blog wrong but it seems like you have a lot of issues with the new regime that have nothing to do with football. Their is an underlining sarcastic tone. But it is only a blog and not an article so I know your just blowing off steam. The issue I want to get to the bottom of is why you SEEM to have it out for these guys. NYScott

12:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Free agency is not over. Not by along shot. More players will be cut in June and some players are cut by teams during training camps. Plus, there are still lots of mid- and low-tier guys out there.

Frankly, I don't care about the names of the players. I just want to win. If Parcells, Ireland, etc. believe these players are going to help the big picture, then that's fine with me. I don't need Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Pace, Alan Faneca, Randy Moss. If they were here, great, I'd root for them. But I'm just as happy with these other players, as long as the team builds towards a more consistent winner.

12:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's another example of stupidity. The RAIDERS while trying to prove they are a smart team have further proved they haven't got a clue. They have killed their leverage in negotiations by letting it be known that they will overpay for mediocre players. They are (or have) signed Javon Walker to a 6 year contract worth 55 million with 16 million guaranteed. Walker will earn 27 million over the first three years. This is a guy who tore an ACL in 2005 was traded in April 2006 to Denver who promptly dumped him in 2007 following a subpar year that was plagued by problems with the same knee he injured more than two years ago. Then they gave 18 million guranteed to Tommy Kelly who tore an acl last season. And the icing on top was signing Kwame Harris to a 3 year 16 million dollar contract when no one else was even talking to him. Look around the league and see how the bottom teams are screwing their futures and tell me you're not happy we have Parcells calling the shots. Tuna is not building a one shot wonder. He is building a team that will eventually be able to compete for the superbowl on a consistent basis. It's the same thing that the Patriots did. Find young inexpensive players that have potential to blossom. Get a lot of high draft picks for a couple of years and restock the roster with talented young guys. AND THEN (In a couple of years) sprinkle in some high quality veterans to round the roster out. It's a recipe for success and it has already been proven to work. Go Fins!!!!! NYScott

12:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it's ok, like you guys said not sexy but smart, we have a lot of holes and they should be filled mainly trough 2 or 3 good drafts, the free agency is for depth and 1 or 2 starters in the long time.

I expect 4 or 5 more hirings from the free agency (at least 2 more OL) and about 12 draft picks to make the team.

Probably JT will be traded even the Tuna is denying it, probably for a 2nd and 3rd or a 2nd and 4th, wich give us 5 to 6 picks in the first 3 roundas and if we trade the 1st we could end with 7 picks in the first 3 and 9 to 10 in the first 4.

12:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is not making a lot of noise in free agency necessarily a bad thing? Sure we have a ton of money under the cap, but does that mean we should go out and spend it, even in bad transactions? I suggest that the answer to the two aforementioned questions is a resounding NO. We have been down the free agency road before, even in Shula's final years, which I think was a desparation attempt to match the Bills who built their team largely through shrewd drafting. Same thing now with the Pats. Forget free agents like Moss, Welker Harrison Seau etc... The core of their team - (O and D lines, linebackers and QB )was built through the draft.

We aren't even close so why not sit tight sack up for a year and roll that money over until next year. All of the good teams in the league were substanially built through the draft. Steelers, Colts, Pats, Eagles Packers, Giants, Cowboys, Chargers, and the Pack do it largely with home grown guys and dont let sentimentality get in the way when a guys contract gets too big in the second half of his career. The team is always more important than the player. We need a makeover in attitude and I am guessing Parcells doesn't want big name egos in the locker room so that he can change the culture of this team. I like it. Free agency? Been there - done that.
"Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results".
- Albert Einstein

12:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is a mess that took us 10 years to get into and will not be solved in 1 off season... we need to stay focused on youth, and must DRAFT RIGHT... over the past 10 years NO team has drafted worse as noted by the lack of drafted players still on our roster...

given the pitifull state of this organization all we have left is hope for 3 years from now...

12:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stupid of Armando to compare Starks to Wright, Roth and Evans. All three of those guys were "developed" with the Dolphins, so maybe the problem might have been with the coaching and not with the players. Starks played decently in Tennessee, which is more that I can say about any of the three Dolphins mentioned.

Sure, no huge pickup, but isn't that a good thing? Why break the bank on one player when what we need is a core of young players. At this point in the rebuilding stage, Tuna had to go young, cheap and filled with potential. Other than Ferguson, I think he did just that.

12:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

they should gone out and spent another 25 million guaranteed on an aging line backer to keep you happy. They got younger they are going to build this team from the draft with some solid foundation vets that are coming off of their rookie contracts. Last time i heard that;s how most teams become contenders. it doesn't happen over night by just doing patch fixes have gotten us no where. How did you get this job armando?

12:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well the dolphins did a fine job this free agency period. I know that last year I was screaming for the old regime to not just get Porter but to sign some people from the drafts that we were missing on the roster. They sat with what they had and then added Porter(a good pick up when healthy) but that was it. Im really excited that we put together some pieces this last week or so.

1:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No big deal on FA... As NYScott mentioned, we need youth and not big name players who will be unhappy on a losing team. It's going to take a couple more years to build this team and there is no hurry to fill a gap because at this point there are to many gaps to fill.

I'm really looking forward to the draft. We might do a lot of trading down this year just to acquire as much talent in the later rounds as possible. As Tuna said, this is a talent acquisition business. He will want the team to grow into itself in 3 years and older big named FAs don't fit that mold.

1:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not such a great free agency crop, and actually a step back considering they gave away Zach Thomas for nothing. I mean, dropping Thomas for nada? That's just stupid. It sounded like the guy was willing to re-negotiate his contract and take less to stay in Dolphinville. Now, they are letting Rex Hadnot go, not even attempting to negotiate with the guy. The Dolphins could use a guy like Hadnot.

All that said, the free agent class this year was slim to begin with -- considering what was available the Dolphins did ok. But only ok.

The draft should help. But they need a few more solid veterans to sign up as well to make sure we don't repeat 1-15.

1:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

When did we get tab perry? thats awesome, hes a very young and promising WR

1:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

AND BTW...... people you need to realize. When the free agency class is weak, players tend to be overpayed

1:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

you don't build a team through free agency. so going through free agency without huge signings is okay.

just can't go through the draft without picking up guys who can contribute right away.

1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So did we get tab perry, or is he just on our radar?

1:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mando, what's your beef with Parcells? You've been overly negative on every move since Parcells took over. Isn't because he doesn't talk to the press? Enough with the "gloom and doom" already. The way I see it, it can't get any worse that it's been around here for ten years or so.

1:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the only thing I would like to see them still accomplish is to try to get WR Bryant Johnson. We added a sizable possession guy at WR, but not speed.
Last I heard, Johnson was still visiting the Bills.

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/
story?id=3278105

'nuff said....

1:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The smartest freeagency period in years. They filled some holes added some depth and GREATLY improved special teams which just killed them last year. They have a trade in place for Hall which will be the last key pickup for the defense. If that comes about they get the corner they so desperately need. Ferguson is a huge upgrade over Traylor anyway you cut it and a lockeroom leader. Josh McCown is an upgrade over Green. Their biggest loss is at middle backer obviosuly. I hope they bring Hadnot back and maybe Fabini if they can't find another T worth persuing.

1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Kiper's cousin..so what did u think we should do Mando break the bank for players who never will pan out and that we paid to much money for...look at the Pats and the Colts...u build a good if not great football team via the draft and no way else...give it time gents give it time..overspending on has been or not will bes ...that day has come and gone!!!

2:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

'Mando---I generally appreciate your work but sometimes you appear to feel the need to emulate LeBatard by engaging in "contrived controversy." According to you, the Fins' "failure" to sign Faneca & Pace dooms this free-agency period to failure. Do you honestly believe that those two signings, with their sky-high guarantees (& remember, a la Joey Porter, that the Steelers are pretty good judges of when a player has outlived his $$) should have taken place. Also, have you forgotten how poor our special teams were last year? Most of our signings will bear fruit on the special teams. So keep up the good work, but stop the insanity of condemning Parcells for "losing" Faneca & Pace.

2:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanfully mando is not in charge ,and a real football guy is in charge like BILL PARCELLS !
You dont seem very sure of a human being mando....one day praising and the other dissing...you sound like an un-informed fan with your opinion changes like a fart in the wind !

2:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous above said "..... but stop the insanity of condemning Parcells for "losing" Faneca & Pace."

I sincerely agree with that statement. "The Tuna" is notorious for taking teams that struggled and building them into strong contenders. The Dallas Cowboys are a prime example. Why are his methods being questioned? For god sake "Mando," can u pleeez give us something positive to read about? I find almost every article u post as nauseating as watching the FAKEtriots go 16-0. I, along with hundreds of thousands of phin fans, understand that its going to be a few yrs before we are contenders again. Good things come to those who wait. But please, PLEASE stop stating the obvious and being so negative. I like what my phins are doing. Parcells and co. have taken an aggressive/proactive approach to building a good team. U cant fault them for that. So y do u? Who cares if we didnt get Faneca or Pace. We have better things to do than spend 15 million a yr on one guy. Ok, i think im gonna get off my soapbox now. GO PHINS!!!!

Kyle Jr in Montana

2:57 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I know that I walked into this offseason already thinking that there were not going to be any crazy signings or big-name free-agents coming to the Dolphins. My biggest thing to get over is losing Zach since they don't seem to have a replacement for him. I'm happy to see him go to a contender but selfishly wish he was still here since he proved time and time again that size was overrated when it came to him. I look forward to this rebuild and have some optimism for the future for the first time in a long time. I don't know if Parcells will finish off the whole 4 years but think that Ireland and Sparano are in this for the long haul unless they fail miserably and I think Parcells is out to make sure that doesn't happen.

3:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tuna did not build his success on spending tons of money on marginal talent. He built it on depth, smart draft choises, and not breaking the bank.

I am thrilled to see them not over-pay on Asante Samuel, Justin Smith, Jerry Porter, etc.

Alana Faneca would of been nice, but then again, he was part of a terrible Steelers line last year, played 7 years on a team that ran ran ran so you have to question how many Pro-Bowl years he has left.

Overall, we added depth, nothing sexy, nothing that will make us a 10 win team, but that is exactly what Tuna wants.

If you expected us to spend every penny we had on marginal talent, you were nuts.

Tuna knows what the hell he is doing.

3:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"They have a trade in place for Hall which will be the last key pickup for the defense." where did you hear this from

3:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gotta go with all of the positive comments made so far--not the negatives. Love the Tuna and the people he has around him. Love his ability/knowledge. It is fun watching the "re-building" of a team that this native South Floridian, like many others, has been waiting to see come out of it's shell for along, long, time. Let's give it a chance. Can ONLY get better than 1-15.

3:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your team needs to make more 'sexy' moves. Something that makes a big splash if you know what I mean. If you have the cash go out and give some nice signing bonuses.

It doesn't matter if you win or lose... 85 cents of every dollar earned by NFL owners is shared revenue. What IS exempt is luxury boxes which is why it is so critical to have flashy big name exciting players to atract the 'beautiful people' and corporate sponsors that love luxury suites. Oh, and having a high profile winning opponent (Pats?) come into your stadium and beat the dickens out of you is profitable, because you pocket 60 % of the gate.
When you are partying like me and flashing bling with the girls, no one cares about who wins, its just a diversion until, say halftime, when you are three sheets to the wind and the limo driver is stocking the ice bucket for the ride back to the palacial retreat.
You might also line your pockets like my nemesis, Jerry Jones, does by creating your own merchandise license and selling that. But all of this talk of draft and developing players is balderdash and poor business sense.
What are you going to do with that extra money - put it under your matress or worse yet in a 'bank' which, my caddie chauffeur informs me, is a place where people put money that isn't properly invested. Anyway I am off to a polo match... tata

3:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Moron,

I heard Armando on his radio show Saturday and he didn't want the Dolphins to overpay for Pace, either.

He did want them to sign Faneca and I have to tell you, I would agree that guy is a stud.

3:35 PM  
Blogger Armando Salguero said...

Guys, a couple of housekeeping things:

This is a blog and, as it so happens, it is my blog. So I'm going to give my opinion. If you don't want my opinion, you are free not to come here.

Secondly, I encourage you to post your opinion. Again, it is a blog. But when your opinion includes cursing and just childish insults, I'm going to delete them.

So those are the rules. All opinions are inbounds, but make your arguments without sinking to name-calling, especially of me because I'm a sensitive type of guy.

And one more thing: There seems to be a common misperception that the Dolphins have been a big-spending team in Free Agency. That was true of Don Shula's final years, but I would say to you it wasn't the case through 10 years of Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt. They underspent to a fault.

Saban, I thought, made the best use of free agency, I thought. He neither underspent nor overspent. He brought in good players that helped the team. Kevin Carter worked out well for a couple of years. Vonnie Holliday was good. Andre' Goodman and Mike Lehan were good FA pickups and even Justin Peelle was a good FA acquisition.

As for Cameron-Mueller, somebody on here pointed to Porter as a bad pickup. Well, he didn't live up to the $20 million guaranteed he got but he also wasn't used as he had been in Pittsburgh. Despite this he had 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and 65 tackles -- which is about what the now famous Calvin Pace, who is getting $22 million guaranteed from the Jets, did last year. And I don't know anyone who would knock the Jesse Chatman as a free agent pickup.

The point is the Dolphins have not overspent for the most part the past 10 years as someone wrote. Arguing otherwise argues against the facts.

3:59 PM  
Blogger Milty said...

I don't understand how you can say the free agency season is over. The market has been open for less than a week and there are lots of good players still out there. Did anybody think that grabbing the guys they wanted early and then sitting back and letting the market settle, before grabbing the second set of free agents, might have Dolphins' management's strategy?

4:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

youre a MORON ARMANDO. youre still sad that you lost your source with idiot Mueller, so any move the fins make, you rip. how can you favor the signing of fenaca? an old guy and you overpay him. can you spell joey porter? i wish u would leave this maarket armando, you suck

4:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

May I just add to your column Armando ........ DUH!!!!

Who is expecting this to turn all around in one offseason? I get the impression from your columns that you expect them to turn this team into a SuperBowl contender in one year. Obviously, you can't be thinking that way, but I get that impression from you every time I ready your blog! We were 1-15 last season. I'll be silly happy if we were to even finish .500 next year. Rome wasn't built in one offseson!

4:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Falcons and Dolphins started negotiating on Hall a few weeks ago. The Falcons are holding him as a chip to use draft day. To either trade into the late first / early second or possibly trade up to get Ryan. He wants a contract and is miserable in Atlanta. That being said he is a lockerroom cancer and something similar to Tim McKyer. Owns pedestrian receivers and can get lit up by the great ones.....

4:22 PM  
Blogger Solomon said...

Armando just gave us all the reasons why Jason Taylor is going to be traded before the draft.
He's of no use, other than trade bait, to a team in the middle of a multi-year rebuilding process.

4:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just wanted to remind most of you that Armando is a reporter, not a freaking cheer leader. You all need to stop getting your feelings hurt just because Mando doesn't shake his pom-poms over the FA class or even over the new administration......so what...get over it.

4:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to thank "MANDO" for deleting by last blog, its very ovious to me, when someone flat out speaks the truth, he will delete you!! Mando dont take it to the heart home boy, I just think you have no clue how to run a organization. Just give us, the latest news on the fins, but when it comes to your opinion on the fins, "YOU HAVE NO CLUE" zero at all. Armando, when you make a movie, you have the extras and the stars, well in free angency you get the extras and come April 26 2008 in the draft, you get the " FUTURE" stars. Learn MANDO!!!!

4:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Common Armando, it isn't personal atacks to you, but we all feel that you have something (or a lot) against Parcell, you don't have to like the guy (I don't like him neither) but you have to respect his track of succesfull rebuilding and give the benefit of the doubt for a season or 2 before tearing his moves.

It will be an interesting article to write why you don't like the Tuna in Miami

4:39 PM  
Blogger Armando Salguero said...

Finsfan, that's ONLY your opinion. And you are free to give it here. And I won't delete it, unless you insult people as you did in your previous post which I swatted like a weak layup.

4:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We're drafting Ryan either to keep or to trade w/Atlanta. This would be the best time since it is early in rebuilding to start grooming him, should we keep him. If he's traded to Atlanta or Baltimore(?)we would certainly reap benefits.

4:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ok ok i just want to know where you read about this "Deangelo hall deal"?

4:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think Mando is fair. But I wish he would get on that loser Bryan Wiedmermier and call him out for all the years of screwed up managment. Why don't you do that Mando?

4:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hopefully the Dolphins learned a lesson when they overpaid for Jerry Porter. Speaking of money, how much cap room do the Dolphins have after facoring in how much they will have to pay their draft picks? That #1 pick will take away a lot of cap $$$.

5:06 PM  
Blogger James Ashcroft said...

If i were a pats or jets fan i would come to this blog and just laugh at all of you insulting each other, the blog's owner. Come on guys. let's clean up this place and talk football like adults instead.

5:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I disagree that it will take 3 draft classes to improve. That might have been true in the past but not the way free agency & the draft are structured now. 2 solid drafts & some smart moves in free agency should turn this ship around in 2 yrs. Also, it took 7-8 yrs of personnel mismanagement by Wanny\Speilman\Saban\Mueller\Cameron to get us into this mess. It will not take that long to turn it around w/Parcells\Irelant|Sparano.

5:14 PM  
Blogger JinVA said...

Hey NYScott...the more I read your posts the more I see we think alike. I agree with all of what you've said.

I defense of Mando...don't some of you realize he will often write things to get your goats? He will play both sides of the fence on purpose! Come on some of you...keep up.

Personally...I like the offseason we've had so far. I do wish we'd signed Pace and off'd Porter. As Mando said...almost identical stats, but Pace is younger and could still improve. Oh well...Joey will work fine, and hopefully Abraham Wright will turn it on this year and blossom.

I like all the other signings, and as I've said before...I HOPE we bring back Hadnot. He can play center and guard, and I think he still has room to improve.

Aside from that...I would like to see us do one more thing in FA. I'd love to see us go after Fitzgerald. Only because he's young, and would be the perfect compliment to Ginn and Mr. Redzone Wilford. Fitzgerald has incredible hands, and is great after the catch. They would make a great trio for Beck to grow with. Fitz is an elite receiver and deserves to be paid like one.

Other than that...I'm very pleased with what the Tuna and Ireland have done.

Now it's time to draft a LT, NT, CB, S, and ILB.

5:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will you Hadnot lovers get over it and him..go back and look at some film please the guy did not perform up to the standards of asking for 5mill a season (which is what he is lookin for) in case u didnt know..he is an average player at best ..im sick of hearing about Hadnot and never will...let it go...GEESH!!!!

5:38 PM  
Blogger Wil M said...

I just want to jump in here and defend Armando. It is a blog, which (as most folks know) makes it an appropriate place for his opinions as well as his analysis. I think he does a great job on it, and I don't find him negative at all

6:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando Saguero is an idiot, and so is his gimp, Will Madearis.

JinVa is right, AS writes this BS just to stir up the blog, but that doesn't make it right.

Sorry AS, but your tired, whining, nit-picking, negativity should have a more appropriate home than the venerable pages of the Miami Herald.

It's a wonder that real sports writers like Edwin Pope allow you to continue besmirching the good reputation of the paper.

Oh right, my bad, Lebatard still works there. Nevermind.

Mitch in NC (currently in Cairo).

6:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Takeo Spikes. Any takers? Also, that Hall trade is a guessing game. As posted before by someone else "he is a cancer in the locker room". Quinn will not be coming to Miami. He might be traded, but not to Miami. Miami will be doing some trading either close to draft day or on draft day.
Trade bait: Jason Taylor, Joey Porter, Ricky Williams. Not to mention a trade down from the #1 spot.

6:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For once, we agree!

The Fins will not get back to the playoffs earlier than 2010 assuming they have outstanding drafts in 08 and 09. They must complete a rebuilding of both the offensive and defensive lines, hope Beck develops into an above average QB, Brown comes back from knee surgery, and get some lucky selections in the later rounds to help out at WR, linebacker, and defensive secondary. Free agency will provide the final pieces only after they fill in some of the major holes. Based on next year's schedule, they will finish in the bottom five in the NFL.

6:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Dulphuns R turrble.

Charles Barkley

6:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando, Can you tell my why the dolphins haven't looked to pick up D.J. Hackett? He seems like a great receiver, I think he may be able to be what Colston is in New Orleans.

7:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Free Agency is over?
Does your husband watch football too?

7:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He was offerred up at the combine, and Parcells did not squash the deal. It's either the 32nd pick or to move up in the draft for Ryan. At least the two most discussed options

7:57 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JinVa, which Fitzgerald are you talking about? Armando, very good point about Porter. He was hurt for all of preseason and allthough I disagreed with you (I was wrong), you were dead on about it effecting his play in the early part of the regular season. He did come up big in the last quarter eventhough he was being misused by Capers. I'm really hoping that Porter is using last year as motivation to show up hungry this year. Go shut those doubters up Joey, lets go! NYScott

8:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

haha i think this guy is full of shit hes talking out of his A-- "lack of information", he hasnt came up with one logical source yet...... and if "Mel kiper's cousin" told you that hes also full of it

8:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And notice i put "mel kiper's cousin" n quotes, kinda like "Easter Bunny"

8:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Larry Fitzgerald? He is still on Arizona's roster and they are NOT giving him up!

I like the fact that we have taken a conservative approach to free agency. I DO believe that Bryant Johnson would be a good pick up.

I hope that DeAngelo Hall is traded to Miami and we trade back to #3. That would ensure we get one of the Long's. Both would be an instant upgrade to this organization.

8:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are an idiot...it's not about signing a bunch of big namess...this team needs many role players.

8:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Geez Armando, I didn't think someone could be as big an idiot as John-Jerk Failure (or Jean-Jacques Taylor, aka "The Pretentious-Hyphenate" aka "The French Mistaken") of the "Dallas Morning News", but you are. That's definitely not a compliment. Parcells has't even been with the team two months, & you're already showing his level of shrieking hysteria over nothing--doing your best to create an uproar over nothing.

Let's see, show me all those Super Bowl winning teams of past years who were big spenders in free agency. The Washington Redskins since the Boy Blunder bought the team? Um, no--& they're still paying off dead cap money. Any others?

No, because the teams that have won Super Bowls--Giants, Colts, Steelers, Patriots (maybe you've heard of them?)--have built thru the draft & then signed FAs to fill in the gaps. Cheap, serviceable FAs who will work hard & play various positions. Ironically, the one year the Pats splurge in FA is the year they don't win the Super Bowl.

But please, continue to give us more breathtaking insight like "it's going to take a long time folks." And also--tell us which FAs YOU would have signed that would magically vault the Dolphins into the playoffs?

Geez, with "reporters" like you & John-Jerk, no wonder the DMN & the "Herald" are dying newspapers.

9:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

honestly, its not only about having the right players either, it also falls on coaching. for ex: one year we had 11 players goin to the pro bowl, we had the elite in every position, we made it to afc conference but we should of been sb champs that year, the thing that worries me (correct me if im wrong) is our coaches...i beleive in tony its the defense coordinator which is fairly new to the coachin thing n he was a linebackers coach, n offensive coordinator dan henning...am i the only one conserned about our coaching...i can honestly say our coachin staff was the best...houdson houck, dom capers, terry shea, even our secondary coach n linebackers coach...jus these coaches didnt have the talent to succeed...we definetly to a step down in the coaching deparment...n e one else feel this way

9:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I should clarify--by "his level of shrieking hysteria" I mean John-Jerk Taylor's, not Parcells. John-Jerk had a history of bashing Parcells for everything but bad breath & global warming. He still keeps shrieking about the guy. You're already doing it.

9:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This was just reported from Cleveland: "Agent Tom Condon is talking to the Cleveland front office of a possible trade of Brady Quinn to Miami. Condon said he isnt thrilled about Quinn not getting a chance to compete for a starting job. Brady doesnt receive contract incentives if he doesnt get on the field to play. These are the incentives he held out for. Condon said Brady wants an opportunity to compete and he would love to play for Miami. He said he likes what is going on there in Miami."
I dont know what hes seeing that makes him want to come down here but it makes sense because Miami is in need of a QB and he would have a great opportunity with the Dolphins.
Crazy.

9:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Saban, I thought, made the best use of free agency, I thought. He neither underspent nor overspent. He brought in good players that helped the team. Kevin Carter worked out well for a couple of years. Vonnie Holliday was good. Andre' Goodman and Mike Lehan were good FA pickups and even Justin Peelle was a good FA acquisition"

Dude, your a joke. Your own comments don't even wash or make sence. Lehan was picked up after he was cut in training camp, that doesn't count as a FA pickup. Signing Carter and Holiday slowed the development of the young guys who we never got to see if they could play at that next level because of them. And you don't even have the go-nads to make the most OBVIOUS point about Saban and how truly horrible he was in FA with player personel. HE PASSED ON DREW BRESS AND TRADED FOR A QB WITH A BLOWN OUT KNEE!!! He also traded away 2 more picks for Harrington's sorry excuse for a football player, and Wilkinson, who did nothing that year. He dug the Dolphins deeper into the hole they are in now because of how he ran FA and got aging vets instead of younger guys with potential and room for growth. If you can't see that and you honestly think Saban used FA the best out of all the Dolphins past coaches, you seriously shouldn't be covering the Dolphins because you don't have a clue. IMO in reading your blogs and hearing your comments, you should simply be a Talking head like Cote and Lebatard. That way, fans won't slam you as hard because you claim to be in the know with the phins and football.

Also, you slam people on here for 'being childish', but then in the same paragraph you taunt people by saying you slapped their comment away 'like a weak layup'. Not only childish but hypocritical. Your playing with this blog like a kid with a magnifying glass over an ant pile. Grow Up!

9:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This was just reported from Cleveland: "Agent Tom Condon is talking to the Cleveland front office of a possible trade of Brady Quinn to Miami. Condon said he isnt thrilled about Quinn not getting a chance to compete for a starting job. Brady doesnt receive contract incentives if he doesnt get on the field to play. These are the incentives he held out for. Condon said Brady wants an opportunity to compete and he would love to play for Miami. He said he likes what is going on there in Miami."
I dont know what hes seeing that makes him want to come down here but it makes sense because Miami is in need of a QB and he would have a great opportunity with the Dolphins.
Crazy.


Is this for real??

9:45 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Come on Salguero, be a little more positive. I liked what the team has done so far, it has not broken the bank for 1 or 2 players, but has filled a lot of holes with decent players, you never know if some of them will bust out as good players. Let's give Parcells, Ireland and Sparano, the benefit of the doubt, like you did or were willing to do with Cam Cameron and Mueller, even after a 1-15 season. Now let them work the draft, they have a good chunk of picks. I feel we'll be OK. What I would like them to do is trade the 1st pick to Atlanta for DeAngelo Hall, their first and 2nd picks, so they can have their new franchise QB in Mat Ryan. Why don't you give us scenarios on the draft pick, trade for other draft picks and players, etc.

9:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

honestly, its not only about having the right players either, it also falls on coaching. for ex: one year we had 11 players goin to the pro bowl, we had the elite in every position, we made it to afc conference but we should of been sb champs that year, the thing that worries me (correct me if im wrong) is our coaches...i beleive in tony its the defense coordinator which is fairly new to the coachin thing n he was a linebackers coach, n offensive coordinator dan henning...am i the only one conserned about our coaching...i can honestly say our coachin staff was the best...houdson houck, dom capers, terry shea, even our secondary coach n linebackers coach...jus these coaches didnt have the talent to succeed...we definetly to a step down in the coaching deparment...n e one else feel this way

9:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In regards to the comment about Quinn's agent asking for a trade to Miami, I actually at first thought you were full of it. However, now Im seeing on PFT.com that the D. Anderson deal is only a ONE year deal, it then went on saying
"the quarterback situation might be only a one-year proposition for the team, with the Browns then moving Anderson and keeping Quinn, or moving Quinn and keeping Anderson."

Yes i know blah blah blah cry cry cry, you are all tired of hearing about Quinn, especially jinva. I get it. Im just throwing whats being said out there around. Stay cool jinva.

10:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

With all due respect Jon, Carter Holiday, and Wilkinson were huge factors in producing a #4 ranked defense. Not too shabby. I don't know where you are going with the young guys not being able to develop theory. That is the whole point behind having vets. The young guys develop and learn behind them until they are ready to start. But I will agree with you on the offensive side of the ball because that is where Saban fell way short. The Culpepper over Brees thing haunts me to this day. Every time I see that guy throw a touchdown I cringe and curse Sabans name.

10:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Last post was me Jon. NYScott

10:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

so does n e 1 feel we're in trouble with our defense n offensive coordinators this year...or is every 1 happy with them?

10:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am fine with the coordinators. Henning I don't know much about but I hear good things about him coming from UCLA.

As for Pasqualoni, he was a defensive-minded coach at Syracuse and learned under Parcells for a couple years in Dallas. I am friends with his sister-in-law and she raves about his work ethic. (Probably one of the reasons why he is a "Parcells Guy"!)

10:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude, they haven't even been to mini camps yet. Lets hold off on our judgements of the coaching staff until we can see what they can do. I know you are trying to say that they are inexperienced and you're not happy with that. So if that's the case who would you have gone with instead? Shottenheimer and Cowher do not want to coach and other than those two there was really no one to grab. It's the new trend in the NFL to go with younger coordinators as first time head coaches. With that being said I do really like Sporano (spelling?). Everything that I've read about him (from players who were coached by him) has been good. He is a no nonsense tough coach who knows how to get the best from different individuals and personalities. He is a lot like Parcells which is why Bill picked him. The rest of the staff, who knows. But can it really be worse? Capers is now an assistant towel boy somewhere and our special teams was an absolute horror last year. I would like to think that the new guys are going to be better. NYScott

10:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok, I rarely agree with 'Mando's take or his perceived attitude or dislike toward some of the 'Fins current mgmt. BUT, I always want him to give an opinion and I always want him to speculate. There are countless other websites to find what occurred after it happened. I come here to find out "the word on the street." I love that people think Wilford is a redzone machine. He had 3 TD's last year! Freakin David Martin had 2, so was he our redzone machine? Joey Porter has more playmaking ability than Crowder. The other BS that Porter brings is obviously a PIA, but he makes plays. Look at the 2nd half of the year, when he was healthy. Crowder is servicable, but nowhere near above-average. This FA period (as most have said) is about bringing in solid players that can contribute in some way. The draft is where you should find the special players. People will credit Parcells when we win 6 or 7 games this year - and that will be fair, to a degree. Our 1-15 record is a reflection of prior failures catching up to us, lots of injuries and bad luck. We lost to Washington in OT, lost to Houston on a 50+ yard field goal after they drove the field from inside their 5 with about 1 minute left, lost 3-0 to the Steelers on that joke of field, etc. It isn't too far fetched for our record to have been 4-12 or so. Parcells has us on the right path. Oh, thank God people don't have to debate the Marino-Favre thing anymore. Marino and LT were the best coke-headed football players ever. Favre was only man enough to take pain killers. Case closed.

10:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i like sparano...no better canadate...but henning is been an assistant for quite some time, he was an offensive coordinator under shula in the 60's or 70's for 1 year. but he's conservative...he's a run the ball downs 1 through 3, control n time possession, which miami ranked 3rd as a team with most ball possession...our d coordinator is a linebackers coach...he's new so he'll be hungry but is he creative enough to run our d...

10:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

with that being said i rather have another oc n i guess we have to wait n see on our dc...n e 1 with n e insight n thoughts on our defensive coordinator

10:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

what do u guys think of our new coaches...specifically offense n defense coordinators...i dont think henning is it, he's too conservative n he wont b able to utilize booker, ginn, n brown in every aspect possible...last year u not only had to worry about ronnie in the run game but also in the pass game as well...i dont think henning is goin to use him to that extent...as for our d coordinator...he's only been coachin a few years n he was only a lb's coach, i dont think that was a smart hire either...

10:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does anyone have know how many draft picks beyond 1 & 32 the 'Phins currently have?

PAP

10:47 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

People it is "should have" or "should've" not should of and also it is "would have" or "would've" not would of, and English is not even my maternal language.

10:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TUNA WILL MAKE IT SOONER!

11:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TUNA WILL MAKE IT SOONER!

11:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SO here I am in the middle of the night lookin at this stuff, tryin to get a feel for what you guys think and this fuggin guy keeps askin about the coaches. Google them or something will you. Every single one of them has plenty of experience in coaching and player development. Pasquiloni was a pretty decent head coach at Syracuse. Henning is a former HC. He was a QB coach under Shula not a OC. He's just here to set a tone and install a system he's not long term. Our QB coach is highly regarded.

1:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Let's not forget to credit Saban w/ LJ Shelton.
Speaking of OL, what about Jake Scott G for Indy? 6-5 295 from a winning club with only 4 yrs in. I believe we had a Jake Scott that worked out pretty well in the past.

1:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Parcells is a genius. All of his off-season moves are designed to improve the team and most importantly: to maximize the cost/benefit of having the first-overall pick in the draft. If you dont know that LT Jake Long will be our pick by examining the free agency/off-season moves, I think you have brain damage.

We finally have some brains in the back office - the only good move Huizenga has made since he bought the team.

5:37 AM  
Blogger Belchos said...

Armando. It is "That is because ... ," or "That's because ... ," not "That because ... ." That was just paragraph two. I moved on. Paragraphs three through five were clumsy, and paragraph six was a disaster not capable of being commented upon because it would take too long. You are right - English is not your mother tongue. People who live in glass houses should do it in the basement.

7:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great NFL teams are not built by free agency, they are built with intelligent drafting. Free agency is a way to fill gaps.

7:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I did want to see Miami make an attempt at WR Bryant Johnson and OT Max Starks with Pitt. Move Carey to a guard position and draft Jake Long. This would give them a very solid front. If JT really wants out work a 3 team trade where Miami gets Chad Johnson and Cincy get the picks from the contender.

8:32 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

There was an item in the Herald about it, the New York papers etc. Miami and the Giants had interest.....the Giants have bailed out. They were going to have to give up their first rd pick (one pick ahead of Miami). He is not off their radar whatsoever. Mando ask the Tuna! But he won't tell u even if he knows what he will do yet! He wants to field offers on the first pick. It's quiet because the Tuna wants to wait until draft day.....

8:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HOW ABOUT THIS TRADE SCENARIO : WE PACKAGE UP JOE PORTER, RICKY WILLIAMS AND JASON TAYLOR ( WHO IS PROBABLY GOING TO GET TRADED ANYAY)AND OUR LOW 2ND ROUND PICK ( THE ONE SD OWES FOR CHAMBERS)TO THE CLEVELAND BROWNS FOR BRADY QUINN. QUINN HAS TO AN IDIOT TO WANT TO STAY IN CLEVELAND AFTER THEY SIGNED ANDERSON !!

9:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

9:53 AM  
Blogger mia2det said...

Hey anonymous

Nice thoughts on todays topic!!

10:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know what's worse. Actually posting something that long and off topic, or thinking people will read it and that it will make any kind of difference.

10:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

10:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think you guys are really giving this dude a hard time for really no reason......wow.

10:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To anonymous political nut; You just wasted valuable time that you will never get back. Posting a contrived 83 paragraph political message in a sports forum and expecting people to read it is incredibly ignorant on your part. Think about your audience and find an appropriate site that will embrace your message. Perhaps a site titled, "I spend way too much time worrying about politics when I could be getting laid" will be a good place for you to let loose. NYScott

11:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just read that the Cardinals and Eagles were talking about a trade for Fitzgerald but the Cards were asking too much in return. He would be a great addition but if he is going to cost an arm and a leg I would stay away. The article also said he is being selfish by not restructuring his contract to help the team win. NYScott

11:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do like the free agent pick-ups to this point. Seems to be an effort to add the Special Team help the need so badly. Torbor LB has alot of upside. LB K. Mitchell from the Giants could have been had relatively cheap. They do need the inside stable; Spikes? I love the idea of moving down with Atlanta to #3 and letting them grab Ryan, the Rams grab the one Long and Miami picking JAKE LONG. MAX STARKS and BRYANT JOHNSON are the moves I'd like to see prior to free agency closing. Carvey needs to move to the inside. I even would like an attempt at Ben Utecht TE from Indy. I'd hate to see JT go to GB for their 2 & 4. Mainly because GB picks are so late in those Rounds, it's like a 3 & 5. Not enough for JT. AND....I'm tired of all the Brady Quinn talk. He will never be an All-Pro; he's a 3 picks / game guy. John Beck has a great head & arm for the game. Put a line in front of him and some wideouts. He will get it done!! FYI- I cheered when they picked Ted Ginn and John Beck. I had Patrick Willis or Ted Ginn in that 9 spot to Miami. Beck to Ginn this year!

5:48 PM  
Blogger Spawn_7 said...

I like the free agents that We got. I would of like it better if we would of got Pace. But the price was to high with all the needs we have. I still would like to see Bryant Johnson sign. I like how he preformed when he was able to start for the Cardinals. I also like getting two defense tackles. With my son being a Titan fan I got to see a lot of Titans games. I really like Randy Starks. When he got to play he played will but being behind Haynesworth. Like Johnson being behind others. I really want the Dolphins to draft Chris Long. My ideal draft would be able to trade down a few postions. Get more draft picks and Chris Long. Go Dolphins!

6:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is everyone talking about picking up free agents? Cant you read? Mando says "How does free agency look to you now that it is over?"

Free Agency is OVER!
BTW Mando, does your husband watch football too/

8:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sign Max Starks OT & Bryant Johnson WR. Why not add the old vet Larry Allen to work with the young O-Line when we draft JAKE LONG? whoo yaaah

11:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Armando: I sincerely hope you read these blog comments and accept the criticism constructively. It is absolutely correct to eliminate mean-spirited, childish and vulgar commentary. But don't respond in kind (the swatting the layup comment, really Armando, when was the last time you played basketball?), show your maturity and your stature in the community. Be a role model, someone who commands respect and grants it when it is earned. As a religious man, you must live your life in this fashion. Don't have a personal life which respects God and humanity, than have a professional life which is sophomoric, crude, and unintelligent. Use your position, hone your intellect and make the most cogent comments and analysis which your position entitles you to make. Don't argue that because it is your blog, you get to make the rules. Of course you make the rules, but what should win the day are the best intellectual arguments and opinions. Be smart, Armando, and live your life the right way, respect God, country and the people who come to your blog to feel informed. You have a tremendous responsibility, I hope you take it seriously.

Good luck, and God bless.

G. Restrepo III
Coral Gables

9:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about signing Ben Utecht TE from Indy? He's got good size...just like Bill likes um. Bryant Johnson WR would be a nice pick up as well.

11:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jake Long is the PICK!

11:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey G. Restrepo III,
I hope you and Armando get into heaven, and the two of you can have a three way with Jesus. You two can enjoy that divine cock.

11:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i know that was an attempt at being funny, but sometimes humor is a dangerous thing...lets not go into disrespecting religous figures, lets keep it on topic.

1:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To above anonymous poster: Please refrain from comments about other people's religious ideology. My religious salutation to Armando is made out of respect for his beliefs, I know he is a spiritual person and I am trying to appeal to his personal nature. Refrain, please, from profanity, it is beneath us as civilized human beings. Also remember, that children may be reading this blog to learn about their favorite team, the Miami Dolphins. I forgive your trespass, please be mindful, though, your words lead to actions that betray all of humanity.

Armando, God bless and keep fighting the good fight, I know you have strength to persevere.

G. Restrepo III
Coral Gables

9:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

G. Restrepo III
Please explain to me how the use of the word "c**k" leads "to actions that betray all of humanity," and exactly what this phrase means.

11:21 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home