Miami's future at running back is very uncertain right now. We could go into free agency/draft preparations needing to pick up 2 or 3 backs. We may end up not needing to pick up any.
Here is my list of backs that could be on the Dolphins' radar.
I don't think we will or need to draft a RB. Ronnie, Ricky, Hilliard, Cobbs (if rehab went well), Sheets, Davis and Polite at FB. I don't see a need for another RB this year.
Unless like you've said before, the trifecta thinks Spiller is a game changer and they use him at RB, Wildcat, WR and returns. I doubt it though. Spiller would be a good fit for Seattle. They have two 1st round picks at #6 and #14 so they could possibly get him at either spot. They need some explosiveness on their offense.
Yes I agree Seattle is most likely to take Spiller. However, there's a small chance that Cobbs, Brown and Williams won't be around in 2010. If the CBA is reached, I think Brown will be gone. Cobbs' injury could really slow him down, and Williams is getting old and let's face it, is prone to changing his mind about football. He doesn't want to be the number one guy either, so a Brown departure could scare Ricky out of town. Still, it's just a small chance. Still, I don't think Miami would go into a season with Hilliard, Davis and Sheets as the roster RBs, do you?
By the time of the draft we already know for sure if a new CBA is reached but at the moment, with all signs are pointing to no new CBA being reached, there's no need for the Dolphins to draft a RB. Spending a high pick on a position of (nearly) no need would be a luxury pick (which this team can't afford yet) and spending a lower pick on a RB would probably only bring another version of either Sheets or Hilliard.
That said, I wouldn't even draft Spiller if he were available at #12, but I understand that this depends on how you value the player (and the RB position). If someone is seeing another Chris Johnson in Spiller, he might be gone quite early. If he's valued more like a change of pace back (e.g. Reggie Bush), he'll likely last until mid/end 1st round...
Apart from that (and opposing to your TE position rankings), I completely agree with your evaluation of the prospects and their respective possible draft positions.
Ultimately it all comes down to draft picks. If we had another on or two in the middle rounds, we'd be able to afford to pick up a potential upgrade. But as it is, we really do have to draft for need with limited picks in the first 3 rounds. Cornerbacks are next.
Knight, the last year only comes into effect if the CBA is not reached. If the CBA is reached, he automatically becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent. Like I said, the scenario I mentioned is unlikely but there is a small chance it could go down that way and you have to plan for all possibilities. For example, your starting QB could get injured....your best CB could go on IR....your injury prone star RB could become an unrestricted free agent, your aging reluctant backup could quit at any moment, and your 3rd stringer suddenly becomes your lead guy. Besides, I have to make some excuse for posting a top ten list for every category because if I skipped one, finfanrob would give me a hard time for not posting that position....
Why does the 5th year only come into play if the CBA is reached? Ronnie signed a 5 year deal and there is an option. Are you saying it would make no sense for him to accept the final year which he has the right to do? I think it's $5+M not exactly chump change.
No, it comes into play if the CBA *isn't* reached. If it isn't reached, then he's under contract for $5M and is Dolphins' property. If a CBA *is*reached, then he automatically becomes an UFA and is NOT Dolphins property. It has nothing to do with the option year it has to do with the fact that without a CBA, it would require 6 years of service to become an unrestricted free agent as opposed to 4. Thus, if no CBA is reached, with 4 years of experience, he doesn't qualify to be a free agent. Brown has no choice in the matter.
You guys and this option thing...he does NOT have the option without the CBA. Without a CBA in place, he needs 6 years of service to qualify for free agency, not 4 as it is with a CBA in place.
Wow I just googled Ronnie Brown to find the report and an article popped up saying Ronnie Brown was arrested for suspicion of double murder....this is why I named my kid with a serial number instead of a traditional name...
Tin, I agree with you 100% about the possibility that we start the season with Hilliard as the featured back! Ronnie coming back sub-Ronnie, Ricky has already planned his exit strategy and Cobbs coming back sub-Cobbs. Not entirely beyond the realm of possibilities, as I'm sure the Tri has considered it, also.
Knight, that's not the way I read it, but I haven't seen the actual contract, so I can't say for sure. My understanding is that the option is not in effect if there is no CBA, therefore he can't opt out of it. And that's where we stand right now, because there is no CBA, so technically any reports of him 'opting' to stay are premature, because at the moment he doesn't have the option. If the CBA is signed before the end of February when free agency starts, then according to all the sources I've read, he becomes a free agent. None of them say he can choose to be a FA, simply that he becomes one.
I was going to ask can anyone confirm other than saying we hired Nolan with a link? NJ PHIN FAN also reported it on the SS but the sources he gave (Miami Herald, NFL.com and Pro Football Talk) I can't seem to find.
Nolan is a proven 3-4 guy, proven coordinator, and proven head coach even if it was the 49ers. No matter what your feelings are, you can't deny he's an upgrade over Pasqualoni, and just like the Pennington event, he just dropped into our laps when we were running out of time and getting desperate. But he was probably still in our top 3 choices anyway.
Is he known to make adjustments? That is one of the things that killed me about Pasq. He never seemed to, or at least to me. He did do quite a lot with some people that the trifecta thought were not usuable and shipped to Denver. So when Denvers season started declining was it more of an offensive, defensive or team slide? Just curious....
This is freakin AWSOME!! I couldn't stomach Groh and didn't want to take a shot on an unproven position coach. This guy has all the credentials! Now lets get some stud ILB /OLB in the draft (oh, and while I'm wishing an under-the-radar Rookie-breakout-stud NT) LOL
They're made from cloth? I was hoping for something a little more durable!
I don't know anything about him either, except for what I've been reading, which sounds like a good fit here. How exciting! Now only have to wait for the season to start!!! lol Seriously, I suppose these hirings mean they Dolphins are coaching at the Senior Bowl? It just seems like such a great way to get to evaluate so many players without anyone really knowing who you are interested in.
that is good to know! Thanks Tin! And even though I have been a chicken sheet lately, I still have been reading all your posts and learning..so as usual, thanks for the blog!
I don't think we will or need to draft a RB. Ronnie, Ricky, Hilliard, Cobbs (if rehab went well), Sheets, Davis and Polite at FB. I don't see a need for another RB this year.
ReplyDeleteUnless like you've said before, the trifecta thinks Spiller is a game changer and they use him at RB, Wildcat, WR and returns. I doubt it though. Spiller would be a good fit for Seattle. They have two 1st round picks at #6 and #14 so they could possibly get him at either spot. They need some explosiveness on their offense.
Yes I agree Seattle is most likely to take Spiller.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there's a small chance that Cobbs, Brown and Williams won't be
around in 2010. If the CBA is reached, I think Brown will be gone. Cobbs'
injury could really slow him down, and Williams is getting old and let's
face it, is prone to changing his mind about football. He doesn't want to
be the number one guy either, so a Brown departure could scare Ricky out of
town.
Still, it's just a small chance. Still, I don't think Miami would go into a
season with Hilliard, Davis and Sheets as the roster RBs, do you?
By the time of the draft we already know for sure if a new CBA is reached but at the moment, with all signs are pointing to no new CBA being reached, there's no need for the Dolphins to draft a RB. Spending a high pick on a position of (nearly) no need would be a luxury pick (which this team can't afford yet) and spending a lower pick on a RB would probably only bring another version of either Sheets or Hilliard.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I wouldn't even draft Spiller if he were available at #12, but I understand that this depends on how you value the player (and the RB position). If someone is seeing another Chris Johnson in Spiller, he might be gone quite early. If he's valued more like a change of pace back (e.g. Reggie Bush), he'll likely last until mid/end 1st round...
Apart from that (and opposing to your TE position rankings), I completely agree with your evaluation of the prospects and their respective possible draft positions.
I thought Ronnie already decided to take the last year on his deal?
ReplyDeleteI doubt Ronnie, Ricky and Cobbs are all gone in 2010. I think Ronnie and Ricky will be back for at least one more year.
Ultimately it all comes down to draft picks. If we had another on or two in
ReplyDeletethe middle rounds, we'd be able to afford to pick up a potential upgrade.
But as it is, we really do have to draft for need with limited picks in the
first 3 rounds.
Cornerbacks are next.
Knight, the last year only comes into effect if the CBA is not reached. If
ReplyDeletethe CBA is reached, he automatically becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent.
Like I said, the scenario I mentioned is unlikely but there is a small
chance it could go down that way and you have to plan for all
possibilities. For example, your starting QB could get injured....your best
CB could go on IR....your injury prone star RB could become an unrestricted
free agent, your aging reluctant backup could quit at any moment, and your
3rd stringer suddenly becomes your lead guy.
Besides, I have to make some excuse for posting a top ten list for every
category because if I skipped one, finfanrob would give me a hard time for
not posting that position....
Why does the 5th year only come into play if the CBA is reached? Ronnie signed a 5 year deal and there is an option. Are you saying it would make no sense for him to accept the final year which he has the right to do? I think it's $5+M not exactly chump change.
ReplyDeleteWe have enough needs to draft BPA. WR, TE, depth on the OL, NT, OLB, ILB and S.
ReplyDeleteAbout 2 weeks ago, I've read somewhere that Ronnie already decided to take this option and return for the 2010 season.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought.
ReplyDeleteNo, it comes into play if the CBA *isn't* reached. If it isn't reached,
ReplyDeletethen he's under contract for $5M and is Dolphins' property. If a CBA
*is*reached, then he automatically becomes an UFA and is NOT Dolphins
property.
It has nothing to do with the option year it has to do with the fact that
without a CBA, it would require 6 years of service to become an unrestricted
free agent as opposed to 4. Thus, if no CBA is reached, with 4 years of
experience, he doesn't qualify to be a free agent. Brown has no choice in
the matter.
You guys and this option thing...he does NOT have the option without the
ReplyDeleteCBA. Without a CBA in place, he needs 6 years of service to qualify for
free agency, not 4 as it is with a CBA in place.
Then why was there a report that Ronnie decided to accept the final year of his contract and waive free agency?
ReplyDeleteWow I just googled Ronnie Brown to find the report and an article popped up
ReplyDeletesaying Ronnie Brown was arrested for suspicion of double murder....this is
why I named my kid with a serial number instead of a traditional name...
Tin, I agree with you 100% about the possibility that we start the season with Hilliard as the featured back! Ronnie coming back sub-Ronnie, Ricky has already planned his exit strategy and Cobbs coming back sub-Cobbs. Not entirely beyond the realm of possibilities, as I'm sure the Tri has considered it, also.
ReplyDeleteThat's creepy. LOL
ReplyDeleteSub-Ronnie?
ReplyDeleteTin, if a CBA is reached and Ronnie is a free agent, doesn't he have the right to honor the 5th year of his deal?
ReplyDeleteKnight, that's not the way I read it, but I haven't seen the actual
ReplyDeletecontract, so I can't say for sure. My understanding is that the option is
not in effect if there is no CBA, therefore he can't opt out of it. And
that's where we stand right now, because there is no CBA, so technically any
reports of him 'opting' to stay are premature, because at the moment he
doesn't have the option.
If the CBA is signed before the end of February when free agency starts,
then according to all the sources I've read, he becomes a free agent. None
of them say he can choose to be a FA, simply that he becomes one.
Well, Jay Glazer is reporting it is official!!! Nolan is the Dolphins new DC!!!! OHHH YEAH!
ReplyDeletehttp://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/glazer-dolphins-hire-nolan-011910
ReplyDeleteIs Nolan a good thing guys? Not being sarcastic, just don't know much about him? Its gotta be better than Pasawhochi that I could never spell. ;)
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask can anyone confirm other than saying we hired Nolan with a link? NJ PHIN FAN also reported it on the SS but the sources he gave (Miami Herald, NFL.com and Pro Football Talk) I can't seem to find.
ReplyDeleteWhen did you become the Kool-Aid pitcher?
ReplyDeleteI saw it here and then on Armando's blog at the Herald.
ReplyDeletehere is a link from Jeff Darlington at the herald.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1433901.html
Nolan is a proven 3-4 guy, proven coordinator, and proven head coach even if
ReplyDeleteit was the 49ers. No matter what your feelings are, you can't deny he's an
upgrade over Pasqualoni, and just like the Pennington event, he just dropped
into our laps when we were running out of time and getting desperate. But
he was probably still in our top 3 choices anyway.
knight, jay Glazer reported it on fox sports
ReplyDeleteAnything to the report that Nolan being hired as our DC has been retracted?
ReplyDeleteI posted the link above at 2:37
ReplyDeleteNever mind I think it was a false alarm.
ReplyDeleteIs he known to make adjustments? That is one of the things that killed me about Pasq. He never seemed to, or at least to me. He did do quite a lot with some people that the trifecta thought were not usuable and shipped to Denver. So when Denvers season started declining was it more of an offensive, defensive or team slide? Just curious....
ReplyDeleteThis is freakin AWSOME!! I couldn't stomach Groh and didn't want to take a shot on an unproven position coach. This guy has all the credentials! Now lets get some stud ILB /OLB in the draft (oh, and while I'm wishing an under-the-radar Rookie-breakout-stud NT) LOL
ReplyDeletelike the way you think Rock! LOL
ReplyDeleteNolan and Groh are cut from the same cloth.
ReplyDeleteSlush, didn't you used to have an avatar of a woman with nice cans?
ReplyDeleteSlush, their offense collapsed. they were averaging 2.2 yards a carry
ReplyDeleterushing in the last 4 games.
ummmm no, I AM a woman and errrrrr ummmm I like "dick" hence the man photo. So no jugs from me...sorry Knight. LOL
ReplyDeleteThey're made from cloth? I was hoping for something a little more durable!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about him either, except for what I've been reading, which sounds like a good fit here. How exciting! Now only have to wait for the season to start!!! lol Seriously, I suppose these hirings mean they Dolphins are coaching at the Senior Bowl? It just seems like such a great way to get to evaluate so many players without anyone really knowing who you are interested in.
that is good to know! Thanks Tin! And even though I have been a chicken sheet lately, I still have been reading all your posts and learning..so as usual, thanks for the blog!
ReplyDeleteOh shit! Sorry Slush. Who the hell am I thinking of. Is that dick as in penis or as in Richard? :-E
ReplyDeleteThat was such a HOT comment....LOL!
ReplyDeleteherdfan, they are coaching, but all the other teams will be there as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Trifecta were there all week last year.
I realize that, but I still think you have an advantage from it. You can stay on the side of it is of no benefit at all. I don't mind! lol
ReplyDeleteThey also have meetings with players and luncheon/dinners with them as well,
ReplyDeleteso all of the teams do get personal access to the players.
Agreed. I like it when a girl says what she likes. :-D
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of durable cloth.
ReplyDelete