Philosophy difference with Miami, N.E. [Update]

[Update: The Dolphins announced they had no unrestricted free agents visit the team Wednesday.]

The accepted myth around some NFL circles is that Bill Parcells long-ago planted a philosophy in former assistant Bill Belichick that the New England coach has harvested religiously in bringing great success to the Patriots.

Well, that is not exactly true and watching the Dolphins and Patriots play defense highlights that difference as one 3-4 (New England's) is a hybrid of the other, more traditional (Miami's) 3-4. More evidence of the difference can be found in the approach to the offseason -- this one specifically.

The Patriots had a great need in their secondary and pass-rush last season as they were failed by both on third down. New England was the worst NFL defense in the third-and-10-or-more situations last season, which only means they lost on the game's most important plays, the get-off-the-field plays, more than any other team. Terrible.

With the 23rd pick in the first round and three picks in the second round, one would assume the Patriots would address this problem by picking up some pass-rush help and a cornerback or two. And they still might do that.

But in searching for cornerbacks the Patriots won't necessarily be banking on them being starters right away. The rookies might become starters, but if they aren't ready, Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs are already on the roster to serve as a transition to the younger players.

The Dolphins are also going to address the cornerback spot in the draft. That is clear because they need bodies, they need depth, and either Nate Jones or Jason Allen as your starting cornerback opposite Will Allen is like hanging a neon sign in the secondary flashing, "BURN ME, BURN ME."

The Dolphins have also tried to sign a veteran cornerback to fill their need. They tried to re-sign Andre' Goodman. They talked to Bodden's agent. They talked with Bryant McFadden's agent. They hosted a visit by Arizona's Eric Green, who remains unsigned and is still a possibility.

The difference is even if Miami signs Green, he hadly brings to the job the credentials Springs or Bodden take to New England. Green might be starting-caliber. And he might not. That has been his career history. Sometimes good. Sometimes not so good.

So where is the big disconnect between Miami's offseason philosophy and New England's? Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post sizes up New England's philosophy very well:

"The Patriots have a complete team ready to compete in the NFL before the draft. I always felt that you had to attempt to cover your team needs before the draft so that you could enter the draft with the intention of taking the best player. Having the ability to be flexible in the draft allows you to just pick players and not have to worry about waiting for a certain player. The best drafts normally come from having the best offseasons. You enter the draft room with a sense of peace and know that if the chips don’t fall your way, your team can still go out and compete."

Lombardi, a former NFL personnel man and general manager, says not all teams do this and, frankly, I can see the Dolphins as a team that doesn't, or hasn't so far. Last year, everyone knew the Dolphins had enormous holes at offensive tackle and defensive end.

The Dolphins had to fill those holes in the draft. It worked out well with Jake Long, Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford, but it was also an unusual year in that Miami had the first pick of the draft, and multiple high picks in the second round.

This year Miami is picking 25th in the first round. And although it has multiple picks in the second round, the picks are later this year -- 32nd and 57th overall last year compared to 44th and 56th overall this year.

Despite being sealed up like a (Big) Tuna can as an organization, everyone pretty much knows the Dolphins must draft a cornerback, must draft receiver help, and probably will add pass-rush help. We know this.

So this raises two questions:

Will the Dolphins use the latter part of free agency when bargains can be found, to augment positions of need with veterans so they are not forced draft for that need?

Or do the Dolphins decide they have no problem drafting for need and refuse to sign veterans that are good, but not that good. If that is the approach they will save cap space and not add bargain vets, but they also won't enjoy, as Lombardi said, the peace to select the best player at any position they want during the draft.

I find it fascinating. Let's see how it plays out.

[By the way, let's bring the level of comments up a couple of notches today. Spare us the, "I believe in Tuna under all circumstances," comments because everyone trusts in what the guy is doing, and that comment requires no thought, OK? The point is what do you think of the approach? Do you like it compared to New England's? Give me the holes in each approach. Tell me if you find it interesting Belichick and Parcells seem so different in their approach? And which approach would you prefer and why?] 

Comments

[oaktree]

The thing with the way the Patriots are doing things this year is that signing those old high-priced vets can come back to bite you. It leaves you less versatile in the money department. For instance, if one of them gets hurt, there's a good chance they won't have the cap space to go out and sign a replacement. Which means you may have to trade a good player to get an adequate replacement. In addition, once the Pats sign their draft picks they're not really players in the post draft cuts. However, at the same time they have added really good players with track records which, tell you what you are going to get. Eventhough you overpay, it's less of a gamble, in terms of performance.

When it comes to the draft, that allows them to get the best players on the board regardless of postion. Which in turn offers some good ammunition for those trades I was talking about earlier. So, this aspect of their offseason is more versatile.

The Fins way of doing things leaves them much more flexible in the money department. Since They are signing younger players without the established track records, the players are cheaper. The bad thing is you do not necessarily know what you are getting. The good thing is, since you are signing cheaper players, you can sign more players, allowing you to find that good young player. For instance, last year we discovered Bess, Camarillo, and Fasano. The guys that don't really pan out can be cut without any real consequences to the salary cap.

When in comes to the draft we are limited. Since those guys we are signing early on are gambles, we still have to draft to our perceived areas of weakness because we do not know if we have truly addressed them. However, if the young players don't work out or if the team has injuries we still have cap space to go out and sign a guy without having to wheel and deal.

Personally, I like the Bill Parcells way of doing things. There is no replacement for having space under the salary cap. It sets you up to have long-term success. To me both methods send you to the start of the season with question marks. I would rather have money to deal with those question marks.

I seem to remember the Patriots subscribing to the Bill Parcells way of doing things when they built this dynasty. There was a time that all the Pats players we think about from the past were young. This seems like the first year they have gone out and gotten exclusively old talent. I wonder what changed. Interestingly, they used to draft the best players they could back in the day aswell, eventhough, they were signing young talent in free agency.

[Carlos Matanzo]

Mando,

Why don´t we go and grab Ken Lucas, he was fired from Carolina today

[nj phin fan]

Cavalierkong That's nothing . Try getting into brawls at giants stadium with drunken jets fan. LOL . I go every year . MY business partner has season tickets so he brings me to the dolphins game every year . I had a really good laugh this year . Jets fan were quiet after that loss. They knew it was coming. No brawls. actually some were rooting for phins at the end. I have direct TV , So I stay away from sports bars . I have some dolphin fans over the house. Less trouble i might get into LOL . Well I'm out , Til later.

[cavalierkong]

nj phin fan-It's the same thing here with raider stadium. I won't even mess with that. Direct TV is the way to go. Pause the game when you need to finish the food on the grill and watch the dolphins in comfort. That's the way to go (unless you live in Miami of course)

[john]

don't compare the two teams, thats just dumb at this point.
the pats did not become great over night, they built their team through the draft and drafted very well and got lucky also(brady).
but it all starts with great ownership then trickles down to the front office,and so on. now you have a system which you fill with players through the draft and keep doing so. the pats never spend big money on free agents and when its time to replace a player like a curtis martin,lawyer miloy or ashanti samuel they go out and sign a vet.
you do not get to that point in year one or year 2 or 3. it take time to put a system together and we are going into year two now.
all this talk about our db's is kinda premature( it's march)
besides needing db's we also need to stop the run better and also put more pressure on the qb. we also need to run the ball better with out the wildcat and could use a big physical receiver, i guess adding a db will cure all of this? speaking of the free agents they are only average players and shawn springs is 34 so why not draft some corners and maybe we get lucky and find a stud? or worse case they become average like the free agents who are getting over paid like andre goodman give me a break 5 mil a year for a average corner, sorry but he was only average. one more thing, how does that trade look now a 2nd rounder for jason taylor?

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

MANDO WHAT'S UP DOL-FAN FINEST HERE HERE'S A THOUGHT. GIVE UP JOEY AND SWAP 1ST ROUNDERS TO THE RAMS. GET CURRY AND GET BRITT IN WITH THE 44TH NOW FOUNDED OUT KEN LUCAS IS FREE AND SIGN HIM TO A 2 YEAR DEAL!!!!!!! I LIKE JOEY BUT He's A STEELER AND I KNOW HE WILL BE MISSED BUT CURRY AND WAKE DON'T LOOK BAD. LOOK UP WAKES #'s THEY'RE GREAT I NEVER EVEN SEEN HIS FACE BUT NUMBERS DON'T LIE. IF HE'S HALF THAT IN THE NFL IT'S WORTH IT. BRITT BIG WR WHO FIGHTS FOR YARDS GOOD GAME SPEED SOME PEOPLE RUN FASTER WHEN GETING CHASED. BOLDEN TYPE OR ROBISKI (IF SPELLED WRONG WHAT EVER). THEN WAIT FOR THINGS TO HAPPEN BEFORE ADDING MORE DEPTH

[Eli]

Mando, I just saw that Ken Lucas got released, I'm not sure how old he is but do you know or have you heard if the Dolphins are interested? He's been a good starter over the years and can contribute right away as opposed to a rookie. Let us know if you hear anything.

[LarryC.]

Lucas is 30

[zack attack]

Sign Ken Lucas right now he was just cut by the panthers!!!!!!!!!!!!

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

SOMBODY CALL BILL AND TELL HIM WE WANT LUCAS !!!!! GET LUCAS NOW WHAT THE HELL THEY'RE WAITING FOR!!!!

[Randal Hill Fanclub]

Goodman got big money from Denver on account of a strong second half of the season

Before that he'd been the weak link in the secondary

If the Dolphins had stumped up big money for a 30-year old corner on the strength of a handful of good performances the second-guessing would have already begun

Better to keep the money to re-sign Will Allen nexy year than blow it now

[THE AFC EAST CHAMPS]

and draft that corner from utah sounds like a great secondary

[Mr Hyde]

I think the fins are going after one of the linebackers from USC then a cb or widereciever for the 2nd pick

[Tony]

Mondo,

I haven't seen any posts on this so I will make the comment that I don't think has been said and that is how will Belichick do in the draft without Pioli? I clearly don't have all or any of the facts but I do know Belichick was fired from Cleveland and it wasn't like he left the cupboard stocked for the next guy. So how did he all of a sudden become such a personnel guru? Could the missing ingredient have been Pioli? Which then raises doubts, perhaps, on how well the Pats might draft moving forward? I'd appreciate your insight.

[SS]

I'm sure both methods can succeed, as both coaches have succeeded. I also think it's hard to compare Parcells and Belichick because Belichick is obviously the superior football mind. Their track records are very clear ... Parcells has never won anything big without Belichick coaching his defense. Belichick has now won three Super Bowls without help from Parcells. Parcells seems to be doing right for the Dolphins ... but I'd trade him for Belichick in a second.

[Avgmanbrian]

Armando - Ken Lucas (30 years old) is now a free agent CB from Carolina....what kind of $ would he command. He might be a good pick up as long as nobody beats him up in camp. Phins could use him and draft one later. I still think DT or LB in first round.......

[jon]

FYI -- NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" is focusing on the Dolphins tonight at ten o'clock EST. Show runs half an hour.

Sure most folks on this board will find no new info, but it will be interesting to see what they choose to focus on.

[BeSelfish]

Has anyone pointed out the glaring double-talk in Armando's post? Armando just stated in his post that the Pats had the worst TD passes against in the league. So, how did their offseason strategy work out for them? Adding even more confusion to the issue is that as bad as that stat was, the Pats almost made the playoffs AND they finished higher in pass defense than the dolphins!

Speaking of the Dolphins, with all the talk of questionable offseason strategy in Armandos latest hand-wringing excercise, the 'phins did win the East last year and they had a hell of a lot more spots to fill than this year. And making it more difficult to find the silver-bullet answer to 'mando's ongoing rant, the 'phins pass defense was 25th NFL and losing in the first round of the playoffs had more to do with interior line problems than with poor pass defense!

What we learned last year is that there appears to be enough expertise in coaching and talent acquisition that no ONE problem area will result in desimating the team's chances for significant achievement. It's a team game and these guys know how to make the best of that!

[NY-NC Phins]

The difference I see is that the Pats have a core of players that they know they can win with, and have been winning with. I may be wrong but I don't think this has been their philosophy from the beginning of Belichick's tenure.

I think that in the beginning they were more of a build thru the draft organization. Though now that they have a core of players at key positions (like quarterback) that they can win with year in and year out, whatever players they lose in the offseason they can replace with quality FAs, and take whatever they want in the draft.

It would do the Dolphins no good at this point, in my opinion, to do as the Patriots do in free agency. The Dolphins just had an outstanding season, that goes without saying, but they don't have a core of players on par with that of the Pats. The Dolphins still had holes with the players they had, and they now have lost some players at one of the biggest holes.

The Dolphins should continue to draft, in the next few years, quality players that they can develop in their own system. Then 3-4 years from now, they'll have all the young players they drafted that, if not quality starters, will be quality depth as opposed to having quality depth that averages 35 yrs in age and ready to retire.

[Luis]

It seems the players that New England gets from free agency are players that want to go to a great team especially with brady coming back so they have a shot at the super bowl... Hey mando do you think we should sign Orlando Pace and move Carey to right guard

[morphin]

I think the trifecta are going to do what they did last yr. Instead of drafting three DE's , this yr it will be three CB's

[James (Ireland)]

If we were all honest we'd admit the Pats have done a better job with their coaching and drafting then we have for 8 years and it should be no surprise we need what we need.

However without a CB and replacement for Allen plus cover in ILB which nobody wants to admit we are cooked as we are every year.

Ryan will make the Girls in green and white look strong but with aging players however can we match him?

Parcels does not have a lot of fans in Clubs he's been too outside the stands so how will he broker? Ireland takes his orders and the other guy coaches. For me it's time to stop all the BS get Henne in pre-season get a deep threat or threaten the WR core with contract breaks if the don't run deep routes after the QB breaks the pocket and force the team to understand we are a winning club and failure to make the playoffs this year should mean jobs. We are not building correctly if we fail to make the playoffs this year we are just doing what Parcels did in the Pats Jets and Cowboys get there but no substance.

[Matt]

Building thru the draft is the best long term solution. Teams like NE are playing with fire by building their team to "win now" and eventually it will haunt them just like it did when we were adding every single big name FA. Due to that philosophy, we paid dearly for a long time.

Stick to the draft, plug a couple of holes in Free Agency, and as you get closer to having a SUPER BOWL team, then you "buy" players to win immediately.

Until then, sit back and enjoy the ride. Despite our success, we are still a couple of years away from being REAL good.

[Jason]

Cuban, Why do you hate Ginn so much dude? You need to get off of him until he has a QB that can take advantage of his game. Ginn has talent and if he was able to be used as a deep threat our offense would be pretty dynamic. As long as Pennington is the QB however, he cant be used. I cant fathom why the coaches arent using him in the return game, Bess did absolutely nothing in that role. Remember Gin had multiple TDs called back which hurt his numbers, but the guy is dynamic. Nobody is going to take it to the house everytime but Ginn is a good returned and can be a good WR for us.

[cuban menace]

5 Bucks says the tuna will draft a 5 dollar foot long from subway some time tonite...

[David in ATL]

I think both approaches have merits, but it depends on where the team currently stands. The Patriots have a more complete team already. They can afford to sign aging veterans as stopgaps and transitional players while their draft picks develop. The Dolphins don't have the luxury of doing that because their team isn't as deep and I think they'd be wasting their money on players who won't be with the team in two years anyway.

I think if you're the Dolphins you stick with younger guys, maybe take your lumps for a year or two while they develop, and in two years you've got a complete team ready to compete. THEN, you can sign some veteran for a year at the league minimum if you still need a quick fix.

Of course, I want the Parcells regime to succeed mightily (don't we all?) and so I'm hoping their approach pays off. Honestly, I think the Dolphins will be BETTER this year than last year but still may only finish 8-8 or even 7-9. I hope not, but that's a distinct possibility.

[y-not]

Mando,

This is what my reference to was about -

"Lombardi, a former NFL personnel man and general manager, says not all teams do this and, frankly, I can see the Dolphins as a team that doesn't, or hasn't so far. Last year, everyone knew the Dolphins had enormous holes at offensive tackle and defensive end."

I know belicheat was not a GM. I was giving you a hard time about what Lombardi said.

[fsudolphins13]

cuban,

ill take u up on that b/c billy will want something more than a foot long... maybe they'll make him a $25 5 footer

[Marc]

NE has won 3 Super Bowls and appeared in another in the last 10 years. Parcells won Super Bowls eons ago. I like NE's approach.

[BeSelfish]

I'm thinking the stage is set for the 'phins to sign Lucas. He's older but his stats are solid his size is good and most important, he never gets injured! He's as good as signed.

[carlito from golfito]

I like to fill holes, maybe I should be a gm

[DeWayne]

I know we won the division but we are not an elite team and we can't approach it like we are.
New England is closer to being an Elite team, they are not in year two of a total rebuild.
We have to find the corner stones for tomorrow, New England is looking for the pieces to win this year. We are looking for pieces that will ensure a healthy and very competitive team for years to come.
Apples to Oranges people Apples to Oranges

[cavemanna]

there is still chris mccallister, ken lucas and others not to mention a trade like the one for fasano and akin so relax were gonna do someting we just show patience and when u do that you dont over pay. Now how bout a new topic besides the secondary??

[Flipper]

At this point of free agency with the majority of the decent cb's taken and the trifecta not making any type of movement like signing someone, I believe they have a plan and it will be revealed when the trifecta is ready to disclose this to the public.

[Finnatic]

I look at it like this. Who do we have to keep pace with to have a chance to make the playoffs? That is N.E., Jets, Bills. If we see our division is improving their teams (on the field( through FA, we have to do the same. Why? Asking a rookie to bottle up T.O. or Lee Evans is a daunting task, one to likely fail. Asking a rookie to cover Moss or Welker is just as fatal. We have to add proven veterans to entrust those tasks to. Why? Our playoff chances depend on it. Asking a rookie WR to get open against Springs or Bodden is also a daunting task. We added a proven vet in a position of need last year...Penny. Why? to make us competitive. How did that turn out? We won our division and kept the Pats out! We have to keep pace and add proven vets to compete now. Draft for tomorrow, build for today. Why? To repeat as AFC East Champions.

[jaksin]

IN REGARDS TO EARLIER COMENT BY FINSUPREMO ON BODDEN, BEING FROM CLEVE AREA, SEEN MANY MISERABLE SUNDAY AFTER NOONS OF BALL. AND BELIEVE ME BODDEN GETS SMOKED PLENTY. NOT THE ANSWER. BRING THE YOUTH. DOLPHINS RULE. OH YEA, F JIM KELLY

[Finnatic]

Cavemanna, our secondary is the hot topic. The T.O. signing by Buffalo concerns me. Why? true the locker room may implode, but you can not deny the dynamics he brings to the field. What dynamics? the attention he will warrant from our secondary. The Bodden/Springs signing concerns me. Why? We have WR issues already...no need to say more about that. Plus, what else would we talk about?? QB-good, RB-good for now, OL-looks promising, DL-yes please (DT), LB-we can get by, Secondary-Another YES please, WR-yet again Yes please.

[Mel Martinez]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEpRuIdvKFqStgE9OPbUYDedBdFA

Bye bye Armandoe !!!

[takeafterme]

Ja is partially right although I dont agree with him in picking another center when we invested so much in that position already, Mark Parson, Ohio is a great cover corner. There is practically no film on this guy because they never even threw it in his direction.Jason Allen is a lost cause. Type Jason Allen in you tube and the first thing that pops up is a whole bunch of film of Ronnie bulldozing him time and time again in college. He's a waste of cap room and the only reason he is still on the team is because he costs too much to take the cap hit of letting him go. We have to be patient. I want to go to the playoffs again next year but the truth is we had a lot of holes to fill and there is no way we can do it all in two years. Great defenses and running games win championships. The o line should be set and Ronnie has hit his stride.I think we should sure up the front seven on defense with our first two picks and draft Mark Parsons with our second pick in the second round. If I remember correctly the Giants beat the Pats in the superbowl two years ago and it wasn't because they had great corners, it was because Brady spent most of that game on his back. We are getting better and I know this year may be a tuff one to swallow but quick fixes are disasters waiting to happen. This is the beginning of the next Dolphins dynasty but it won't happen in two years sorry Mando.

[Marioelloco]

how could you even compare the big tuna with Bill-d-chick? they guy is a cheater and probably has cameras and spies all over the league.

He already knows at what time Jake Long goes to bed and many times he goes to poop.

[Finnatic]

David in ATL, True we do not have the luxury the Pats have. However, we must compete now (this year). Without signing a proven vet, we most likely won't be able to. We have Andre Johnson-Beast, Moss-HOF, Welker-us letting him go still makes me cringe, Evans-kills us, T.O.-will allow Evans to have a career game against us, Wayne-must I continue?? We have to face all those guys this year. We don't have the luxury the Pats have, so we must bring in players to make us competitive now. Read my previous post about trusting rookies. Draft for tomorrow, build for today.

[Germany speaking]

I think even with the holes last year they drafted the best player available and did not draft for need.
They really needed a QB but did take Merling instead of Henne even though QB was a bigger need - JT was still there and Pennington not!

And compare the Fins to the Patriots is a little bit outrages - those guys won how many Superbowls in the last few years? How many games did we win the last couple of years?

If they do not have a complete team - who has - we definetly don't. If every team in the NFL would have a complete team there would be no need for the draft. So obviously we need to take another approach then they.

Would we go for Fred Taylor to squeeze one or two more years out of him - no because the rest is missing. They can take the risk because they have the pieces in place.

Did we try to upgrade the WR position before the draft last year - yes we did - did we draft another WR then - no - did it work - no.

=> there is no way in the world you know before the draft that youy have addressed all the holes and your team is complete!!!

[Dalton625]

I don't think that Parcells and Belichick have much different outlooks on how to build a team, they just have different outlooks on their current teams. Belichick has had 8 years to mold the team into what he wants, Parcells has had one.

The first couple years with the Pats, Belichick did the same thing that is being done with our Dolphins. Drew Bledsoe, not a Belichick type of player, was traded. Lawyer Miloy, a bit old and declining, released on the eve of the season. Tebuckey Jones, once considered a rising star at safety, wanted too much money, and was traded. Deion Branch, gone. His Philosophy was to get rid of players that do not fit his mold, pick up draft picks, and groom his type of players. Once the team was set up with a core group of players, he could go out and be active in free agency, picking up players that he could envision in a definite role, ala players like... ummm... Larry izzo, Heath evans, Wes Welker, Sammy Morris... I will now go hang myself, but you get my point. I think the only free agent that has been relied upon heavily for the Pats is Rodney Harrison, and Brandon Merriweather is poised to take up his slack. (Don't quote me on that. I'll have to go back and look at the rosters, but I'm pretty sure.)

We are still one year removed from, until this year, being the worst team I have ever seen. Holes we have are still vast from years of bad drafting, and they are not holes that can be filled in free agency without mortgaging our future. The point I am trying to make is that in 4, 5 or 6 years, you will see us do the same type of roster management the patriots are doing. The holes we will have to fill will be small, well defined roles, and quite frankly, as teams get better managing the cap, that type of player will be all that is out there. Occasionally there will be an Albert Haynesworth, but not too often.

[Blaze]

Dalton,
You said it all and very well too :)

[Drew]

I'm pretty sure they will sign somebody before the draft. Ken Lucas just became available and would be a decent starter. Other players are likely to be released or, though unlikely, they may use a middle round pick to trade. Remember when Chad Pennington arrived. They will draft a cornerback, but I doubt in the first round. I wouldn't underestimate backups though. I mean who the heck was Andre Goodman before last year? The system seemed to help him and they probably believe that will be the case for the next guy.

[lee]

I agree that we should build via the draft and of course we need CB help immediately and it would have been nice to get a blue chipper in Free agency but I think we are losing a little focus here. Although I'd like the Dolphins to compete for the SB this year I think its still a little unrealistic, we must remember that last season was a bonus and Miami has long term plans. To compare our strategy with NE's is a little off the mark, they are a SB team right now and with the addition of more draft depth and the odd FA they can continue this trend. We on the other hand must be looking for our shot at the big prize in 2-3 years time when our excellent crop of draftees from last year together with the next couple of years will bring us to the point NE are at now. Patience is the key so I would rather sign a less able but more focused CB that can pass on his knowledge to hopefully the young CB's we draft in an attempt to make them the best they can be when we are ready to take our shot.

[klndry]

The excitement of free agency, is made up by the media and the agents. Like a new trinket that comes on the market. Everyone wants a pet rock and is willing to pay 5 bucks for a rock covered in dog turds. It is best, most of the time to wait and be patient. I like the current Miami brain trust for that.
If the qb is on his butt then it is over. Any cb can play that system and look good.
If we can run the ball and hold on to the ball for 40 of the 60 minutes of a ball game, then we also don't have to rely on a cb. Our oline is solid.
Signing players from teams that are perrenial losers is not brilliant. You might get a good player at best. Poor work ethic, bad decision making and learning to lose are just as easy to learn as is learning to win. You can tell me that this attitude did not rub off on all of the players on the Detroit team.
And most important of all, Dan Marino was the best qb to ever play the game. Dan was tough, smart and had the best arm ever. Lady Brady is made of glass and will go down again this season as you will see NE's line crumble.

[Phintastic89]

Fins draft hakeem nicks with first pick not the fastest guy but physical and can be described with two words "play maker" Big and physical good complement to ginn, camarillo, and bess. No way alfonso smith is still there at 44 so we get ron brace out of Boston College 330 pounds of future nose tackle a year under ferguson and who knows
With 56 Sean Smith out of Utah fast, 6-4, maybe not the most physical guy but that can be taught. also the dolphins were at his pro day and have shown a lot of interest in the kid

Also, Ken Lucas was released by the panthers most likely to make room for a peppers signing the dolphins could certainly scoop him up

[eddie from new england]

the diffrence between new england and miami is tom brady. The patriots have this window to win now. Brady is getting older not old just older and once he leaves they wont be half they team they are now. So they cant wait for a player to maybe develop where in miami we dont win be cause we have a GREAT Qb they win because of all around good play. There buidling there home the patriots have a mansion and they arejust adding some mouldings.

O ya and i just trust parcells!!!

[Steve]

Everyone needs to go back & look at the patriots last 3 drafts. They have got like 4 players out of 3 straight drafts, only one of them, Mayo is any good. We should feel good that bilacheat isn't drafting for us. These drafts will catch up to the patriots. If they didn't have Brady, they wouldn't make the playoffs. Let's hope they continue the streak and have another horrible draft.

[Jersey Fins]

Who is available now...why would we bring in crumbs? Armando, do you think there is any chance of Beck actually getting an opportunity to shine?? If not, why arent they shopping him?? This kid is so smart, he has the abilities to be better then most! Anyway...what are your thoughts on Vontae Davis?

[tampa mark]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEpRuIdvKFqStgE9OPbUYDedBdFA

Bye bye Armandoe !!!

Posted by: Mel Martinez | March 11, 2009 at 11:52 PM

i'll say what I said about this at the sentinel, too. it's really low class to celebrate people in our communities losing their jobs. i doubt armando is going anywhere, but even if he was, it is pretty cruel to raise a toast to this kind of misfortune. you, sir, in my opinion, are a lowlife jerk. armando, this is someone i hope we can remove from the blog in the future.

[6bucks7games]

If you are a playoff calibre team with a draft philosophy of take the best player available regardless of need and plug any holes with mediocre free agents you are taking the safe approach.You are less likely to hit a home run and significantly improove your area of need but on the other hand you have a safety net to keep you from falling off the cliff if your draft doesnt pan out. If you are a team with a draft philosophy with a heavier emphasis on need and your draft pans out well it can help to instantly turn you into a playoff calibre team.The Dolphins have put themselves into a position where one more excellent draft can help turn them into an elite team. By the way I think you were a little unfair to Jason Allen.He has made more than his share of big plays for us given his short time on the field.Having him start at safety wouldnt scare me that much.

[Pinheadnc]

The Panthers just cut Ken Lucas. Phins need to go get him for depth and so we do not need to start a rookie CB...

[far]

sign pacman

[joe]

Different tactics for different goals.
Belichick feels his team is close to the SB. Tuna doesn't. He's still building for the future.

[indy_voter]

Very simple....The Dolphins will the best available in their area of need (WR, LB, CB, NT). I really don't see the Patriots approach as being different they just have less needs. I do expect the Dolphins will wait until after the draft, assess what they have, and then sign a few veterans in their area of need (particularly CB).

[ColoradoPhinsFan]

Parcells is all about finding guys (BIG guys) that can control the line on both sides of the ball. The better defensive line you have the worse your CB's can be. We don't need the best corners on the market just some guys that can be physical and disrupt the route long enough for line to force the QB to make bad throws or eat grass. The Tuna will be able to find guys in the draft that can do out of the gate.

Our biggest problems in WR that should be the first pick unless we we find a good (inexpensive) fit late in free agancy.

Also, bring back Taylor (one year deal, majority paid by signing bonus) so everyone can see once and for all who the more dominant player is, Joey or Taylor. Plus this way not only will taylor get his ring, but he will get it in Dolphin Stadium

[hande]

I think that we have the right people in place to make the right decisions. We have not been this strong in the non-player part of the organization since the "God Bless Don Shula" years.

We need to draft our own players, late rund schmlate round... how many pro bowlers and hall of famers have been drafted on the last day even... once in a while you get a veteran that is still young enough and not too expenseive to give you 3-4 good years... but there are a few gems in the draft.

[Ricky CT]

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