Are the Dolphins close to Saints, Colts? No!

In the aftermath of Super Bowl XLIV, I cannot tell you how many times I've heard this phrase: The Dolphins aren't that far off from winning a Super Bowl. They played both New Orleans and Indianapolis well and should have beaten them. So they're close.

The logic apparently follows that since the Dolphins lost to Indianapolis 27-23 the second week of the season, then lost to New Orleans 46-34 on Oct. 25th, Miami is close to being pretty good because those two teams are obviously championship caliber.

And it's not just fans seeing the Dolphins through this prism.

"I think we're close," Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown said on his Ronnie Brown radio show on 560-WQAM this week. "I think we have a lot of the right pieces to the puzzle. I think we still have a few things we need to tweak and get better at. But as a team, we're pretty close.

"We played both those teams this year and, to our credit, we were in the games and had an opportunity to win both of those games. So that says, as a team, we're close. But there are a few pieces to the puzzle we've got left."

Now, you're not going to like this so if you're not in the mood for an honest dose of reality, simply stop reading now. That way you'll go on about the rest of your day thinking your team is close to being Super Bowl-caliber because it hung tough with the two Super Bowl teams.

The rest of you, read on.

The Dolphins are nowhere near close to the Saints or the Colts.

Some facts:

NFL teams are judged by what they do through an entire season, not by what they do in one game. And during the 2009 regular season, the Colts were 14-2 while the Saints were 13-3. The Dolphins were 7-9. So Indy won twice as many games as Miami while the Saints almost accomplished the feat.

Both the Saints and Colts won their respective divisions and were No. 1 seeds in the playoffs. The Dolphins finished third in the AFC East and didn't make the playoffs

The Dolphins aren't close.

Any logic that suggests one team is comparable to another based on the outcome of one game must be uniform. So anyone saying the Dolphins are close to the Saints because they almost beat the Saints, must then have to keep a straight face as they say the Washington Redskins are close to being as good as the Saints. The Redskins, after all, lost to New Orleans by a 33-30 score on Dec. 6th. And yes, the Saints played everyone in that game and did everything they could to win.

So do you think the Redskins are close to the Saints?

Taking the argument one step further, if you think the Dolphins are close to the Super Bowl champions based on playing them close in one game, you must also believe the Tampa Bay Bucs are better than the champs. Yes, Tampa Bay beat New Orleans 20-17 on Dec. 27th.

And you cannot argue the Saints gave up in that game because Drew Brees completed 32 of 37 passes for 258 yards with 1 TD. He completed 10 more passes against Tampa than he did against Miami. But the Bucs won.

So do you think Tampa Bay fans are foolish enough to believe they're close to being as good or better than New Orleans?

The Dolphins aren't close.

Finally, of course, there's the empirical argument against the Dolphins: The Saints have better players. And more of them. The Colts have better players. And more of them. That cannot be disputed by any right-thinking NFL fan or player.

Tell me ... what player on the Dolphins offense rises to the level of a Drew Brees or Peyton Manning? Let me answer -- none.

What receiver on the Dolphins could start for the Saints or Colts? Let me answer -- none.

What defender on the Dolphins makes as many game-changing plays as either Indy's Dwight Freeney or Who Dat's Darren Sharper? Let me answer -- none.

The Saints had seven Pro Bowl players in 2009. The Colts had seven Pro Bowl players in 2009. The Dolphins had three -- Yeremiah Bell, Dan Carpenter and Jake Long.

Long didn't play because of injury. Bell got on the team because Indy's Antoine Bethea was in the Super Bowl. And Carpenter played because Nate Kaeding injured himself the first day of practice.

So both Super Bowl teams have more than twice as many Pro Bowl players as Miami, even when we all know the reason the Dolphins had three was due to extenuating circumstances.

The Dolphins aren't close.

And it pains me to hear Dolfans saying they are close to the Saints and Colts because it suggests they're not being realistic. Or just don't know what they're talking about.

[I'm off the rest of the week but if anything happens, I'll update you on twitter. So follow me.] 

Comments

[Waterboy]

Id like to trade camarillo. Hartline has promise, bess is clutch. Camarillo can yield a 3rd or 4th and we can use to upgrade at Safety or LB.

Thoughts?

[cobra kai]

" maybe they are tryign to spark conversation..."

can westva please retype last post in perfect english so I can understand?

[WestVaFins]

oh wow you even used punctuation on that one... maybe that tutoring is finally paying off...

[mano]

what

[Waterboy]

How come Gebril hasnt been waived yet?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Indiana , you can't be that stupid could you ?? I said big cities " OR " nice weather cities. Last i heard SAN DIEGO IS IN CALI !!! my god !! bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha !

[Rob in OC]

Waterboy,

If Bolden may not be a 3rd round pick and has a chance to be had for a 4rth I doubt Camarillo is fetching a 3rd or 4rth. Camarillo did have major surgery on his knee already.

Just my opinion.

Cheers,

[WestVaFins]

NJ would you want Dansby???

[cobra kai]

Rob in Oc is right westva just drunk and no teeth with his favorite goat waterboy

[Waterboy]

@ Rob
your right camarillo maybe is a 5th. but still why have 2 clones on the team :cam and hartline

[Waterboy]

My fear with Dansby is that he becomes another Gebril or Clam Chowder = fat FA contract with no production.

[cobra kai]

westvadolphins of course Miami want Dansby but question is do they want pay what he asking for. think about it. its simple but much more hard than farm goats

[Mouth of the South]

Very long post.

Overwhelming Majority are RFA. We are not likely to be able to pick any up.
Like NJ said... Draft,Draft,Draft. I hate to admit it he is right. CBA crap screwed up FA.

Owners are already showing they will not spend through the roof unless they can get a 10 year franchise player (unlikely to be available).

Profootballfutures.com FA LB comments....

2010 NFL Free Agent Linebackers
By: Roshan Bhagat

Age as of 9/1/10. “(UFA-CBA)” represents a player that will become an unrestricted free agent if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is put into place. Otherwise, free agents will be considered with a more realistic outlook of a 2010 season without a CBA in place.

Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals (29)
Dansby has played pretty well for the Cardinals, but isn’t making the number of impact plays we’ve seen out of him in the past. Quite frankly, the linebackers as a unit have been a big problem for the defense this year. At the top of his game, Dansby is one of the better scheme-diverse linebackers in the league and will likely have a number of teams lined up ready to woo him this offseason if the Cardinals don’t make an early offer. After their exit from the postseason, Dansby said that no contract negotiations have begun and wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t playing in Arizona next season.

Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Locking the young middle linebacker up should be a priority for the Buccaneers and with all the cap room they have, it’s a little surprising they couldn’t get it done midseason. Ruud is one of the league’s best pure tacklers and has great instincts. Ruud’s new deal should be in the area of what Bart Scott received the past offseason (6 years, $48 million) from the Jets. He’s the leader of the defense now and will consistently be among league leaders in tackles for the next several years, as he is again this year. There hasn’t been much said about Ruud and a long-term extension over the last few weeks, unless it’s happening totally behind closed doors.
Click Here!

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Ryans has been a stalwart for the Texans, displaying consistency from game-to-game and year-to-year. With rookie sensation Brian Cushing next to him, the Texans have a number of good pieces in the front 7. Ryans would like a long-term contract with the Texans, and Houston will almost definitely re-sign Ryans to keep intact the foundation of Ryans-Cushing-Williams front 7. Though he’d like a long-term extension in Houston rewarding him for his consistency, he would be willing to play elsewhere if another team wows him with a better deal.

Kirk Morrison, Oakland Raiders (28) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Morrison has been a fixture for in the Raiders starting lineup for his entire five year career now. Morrison is as sure a tackler as any in the league, amassing 100 for his 5th straight year. He doesn’t make many big plays from MIKE linebacker, but is the most consistent down-to-down player the Raiders have. Of all their priorities this season, Seymour and Morrison should be 1-2 on the list, respectively. If they lose Morrison, the porous run defense will become that much worse.

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Merriman isn’t nearly the same player he was prior to his injury, which is to be somewhat expected. He lacks the explosiveness he had in the past, but some of that should return after this offseason as it continues to heal. Down the stretch of the season, Merriman also played with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. The last few years have been a series of unfortunate events for Merriman. Hopefully a full offseason will help him regain his health and increase his sack total from 4, back closer to the double digits. For the Chargers, they won’t have to offer Merriman nearly as much even if he is to become an unrestricted free agent. They’ll most likely have the option of re-signing him to a low-risk, high-reward type of deal. They also drafted pass rusher Larry English in the first round last year, who had a pair of sacks this year.

Thomas Davis, Carolina Panthers (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Davis started his career on a sour note at safety, but has since converted to become a superb outside linebacker. Next to Jon Beason, the Panthers have a very nice young corps that they should be able to maintain over the next decade. Prior to his injury, Davis continued his success from last season, giving the Panthers great production out of his position. His presence is most sorely missed in coverage where he had 2 picks and 5 deflected passes before the torn ACL in his right knee. The Panthers should still bring him back for next year, but probably on a shorter contract to make sure Davis hasn’t lost his agility in and out of cuts that made him great in coverage.

D’Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
If Jackson had held his pace, he would have been the league leader in tackles, averaging more than 9 per game. He is still one of the cornerstones of the Browns defense and could really help elevate a defense capable of putting together a fine performance, as they did several times in the season, including a big victory versus Pittsburgh. The Browns will continue to chart his progress, but will most likely sign him this offseason as he could be one of the best linebackers in the game if he returns to the field healthy.

Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Howard’s sideline-to-sideline range has helped him become the coverage backer he is today. Yet year after year, the Raiders finish near the bottom of the pack in run defense. Not to put the blame solely on Howard, but his play definitely reflects his inadequacies in playing through blockers. Howard is a nice blitzer and does a nice job of knifing through blocks to make plays in the backfield, but when he misses, he leaves a big void wide open behind him. Howard doesn’t have the bulk to go head on and stand up guards and that could be a big reason why Oakland pushes him down on their list of priorities.

Other Notable Free Agents:

James Anderson, Carolina Panthers (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Antwan Barnes, Baltimore Ravens (25) – Restricted FA
Bertrand Berry, Arizona Cardinals (35)
Chase Blackburn, New York Giants (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Gary Brackett, Indianapolis Colts (30)
Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco 49ers (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Tedy Bruschi, New England Patriots (37)
Keith Bulluck, Tennessee Titans (33)
Danny Clark, New York Giants (33)
Angelo Crowell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29)
Keith Ellison, Buffalo Bills (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Larry Foote, Detroit Lions (30)
Omar Gaither, Philadelphia Eagles (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Chris Gocong, Philadelphia Eagles (26) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Clint Ingram, Jacksonville Jaguars (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Rashad Jeanty, Cincinnati Bengals (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Brandon Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Akeem Jordan, Philadelphia Eagles (25) – Restricted FA
Cato June, Houston Texans (30)
Rocky McIntosh, Washington Redskins (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Matt Roth, Cleveland Browns (27) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Scott Fujita, New Orleans Saints (31)
Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins (36)
Zach Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs (37)
Pisa Tinoisamoa, Chicago Bears (29)
Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee Titans (25) – Restricted FA (UFA-CBA)
Mike Vrabel, Kansas City Chiefs (35)

[Rob in OC]

WVF,

I would take a shot at landing Dansby if I'm BP & Co. He has the ever popular "position flexibilty" and has some pop and playmaking ability to his game still. (see him scoring to end their playoff game)

He has the size to flop inside if need be and would probbaly step onto the Fins field as our best LB right away.

Cheers,

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Cobra kai is right. dansby is going to ask for to much money. he's not worth big time money.

[Indiana Dolfan]

NJ - If Dansby is released, he will not be a unrestricted FA. Word on the street is tha AZ wont offer him contract which would make available correct??

[WestVaFins]

I agree rob that he would be immediate help at the position. side note ...Cobra sucks his own nuts....

[Mouth of the South]

Indiana,

If a player is release he is free to make a deal with anyone

[cobra kai]

Thank you NJ. You are noble fan. I enjoy talk with smart football mind not farmhand.

[WestVaFins]

I also agree that dansby could potentially cost a lot. But he could also potentially be worth it.

[cobra kai]

westva resorting to his filthy mountain ways

[NJ PHIN FAN]

LMAO @ Indiana , . Dansby is a UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT. Meaning he's a free agent with NO retrictions . He's free to sign with anybody he wants including re-signing with the cards. How can he be released when he is already a free agent and can sign with anybody . LOL !! GEEZ/

[Indiana Dolfan]

He did single out SD out of all the cali teams is my point. He also singled out Jacksonville and Tampa Bay from the Florida teams.

Also, did Mouth of the South prove Dansby to be a FA?

[WestVaFins]

Yes your mother and sister love my dirty mountain ways... are they back yet btw i was awfully rough on them this weekend..

[cobra kai]

I also agree that dansby could potentially cost a lot. But he could also potentially be worth it.

Posted by: WestVaFins | February 12, 2010 at 03:52 PM

This is very stupid thing to say. Sound like a politician farmer

[WestVaFins]

sorry back to football i forgot i was too old to argue with children my apologies everyone... no more filthy mountain talk...

[cobra kai]

This my impression of wvfins The Dolphins could win the super bowl or then they couldn't. i could have mouth full of teeth but I could maybe only have 4 teeth and 5 moonshine

[cobra kai]

Westvafins more filthy mountain talk please tell everyone how you talking filthy to your goats

[HeatDolphans#1]

Porter has been released so much for trading him for a low pick.

[WestVaFins]

If someone is paid big money and then comes out and plays well enough then he has earned that money. What sounds stupid about that scenario. It might sound weird because when you talk you leave out many words in a sentence and to see it all together might be confusing you.. i shoudl say, i agree dansby be cost lot money also be good maybe??? did you get that???

[TNPhinFan]

cobra, I bet you would like a goat with combat boots.

[Indiana Dolfan]

Sorry NJ - I was thinking you wer implying he would cost us something to the Cardinals if we did in fact get him.

Here is another idea. You guys don't think Pierce would be a could sign and now you don't think Dansby would be a good sign. So, would you rather have our current LB's. We are not guaranteed to fill our void through the draft and it will be needed to be filled with both if possible. If you don't think Pierce or Dansby would be a good idea, who do you all like? (especially if you want Porter and Crowder cut as some of you have mentioned)!

[TNPhinFan]

Joey Porter is no longer the Dolphins' problem
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on February 12, 2010 3:55 PM ET
Joey Porter was a headache not worth keeping even before he went on his media tour disparaging the Dolphins organization. On Friday, the Dolphins released the linebacker, according to Fox's Jay Glazer. The Dolphins have confirmed the move.

Porter should be careful what he wishes for. He was due $4.6 million in 2010, and we'd bet a free year's subscription to PFT that he doesn't see that money this season as a free agent.

Porter's act on the way out in Miami won't help his case. He acted like a high schooler that knew he was getting dumped by his girlfriend, so started talking trash about her to all his friends.

His production was very up-and-down in Miami, but he's only a year removed from a monster season. He'll have to convince interested teams that he's willing to come off the field occasionally, which was a problem for him in Miami.

[WestVaFins]

say one intelligent thing about football in perfect English and you can call me farm boy all you want. Because when NJ said you were right it was a comment taht had been made on here for two days about dansby not your original idea soooo please enlighten us with some knowledge KAI??????

[Indiana Dolfan]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8165dba9&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Porter is gone!!

[Mark]

So you'd rather keep the much less productive Crowder than pay Dansby what he wants? Its a no brainer,sign Dansby cus he's alot better than what we've already got regardless of how much we pay the guy

[cobra kai]

Mouth of the South no boots maybe westva sister in a kimono and only if she have more teeth to westva

[TNPhinFan]

boots are good. combat boots better

[carlito from golfito]

Yes! No more Hoey Porter!!!!! Something finally happened! Please fire the gerbil!

[WestVaFins]

We should really hold english lessons on here some day so we dont have to stumble over the more ignorant of the posters.....

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Joey porter released. I told all of the idiots that PORTER HAD NO TRADE VALUE !!!. When will you listen and LEARN ?? WaterboY , indiana , bigafly , etc. You still think you can get something for Porter ? Bwawawawawawawawawawaawwa !!!

[WestVaFins]

lol i knew that was coming.... thats funny

[cobra kai]

Westva English not my first language any idiot can tell this. congratulation. how many language you speak?

[TNPhinFan]

Gibril is next. Ax men has a new team... the trifecta.

[Indiana Dolfan]

Mark - That is my point. Every player that is a FA or gotten released no one thinks should come to Miami. Well I believe Pierce (depending on his innjury status though) and Dansby are better than what we have.

[cobra kai]

Nj thank you for this great bwahahahahaha at the expense of madden football mind and farmers

[TNPhinFan]

Indiana...

better isn't always what is best. What do you think Dansby and Pierce brings to the table?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Cobra kai . your very welcome. you bring up good points. Keep up the good work. You're very funny too.

[WestVaFins]

English isn't your first language??? I had no idea. I could not tell at all. Do they play football in your country because you do not know sh** about that... NJ is only being nice to you because you complimented him earlier he likes that..

[Mark]

Indiana,

Dont think Miami goes anywhere near Pierce because he's one hit away from retiring. However,Dansby would be a brilliant signing. Imagine signing Dansby then drafting McClain. Now that would be awesome.

[TNPhinFan]

cobra kai...

what is wrong with farmers and donkeys?

have you ever learned to squeal like a pig?!?!

[Mark]

Indiana,

Dont think Miami goes anywhere near Pierce because he's one hit away from retiring. However,Dansby would be a brilliant signing. Imagine signing Dansby then drafting McClain. Now that would be awesome.

[cobra kai]

mouth of south I do not eat swine.

[TNPhinFan]

I guess you never saw Deliverance.

[cobra kai]

westva you jealousy of my football knowledge is embarrassing just give it up stick to goats and speak when spoken to

[cobra kai]

mouthofsouth was westvaphins in deliverance?

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Mark , dansny is a no brainer ?? Really ??. He 's not that great of a LB to being paying big money like what he will demand. He is a NO brainer if he wants a ton of money, NO is the key word. when will you people learn about giving big time money to free agents ?? Miami has gotten burned in the past to many times in the past.

[TNPhinFan]

cobra was the one squealing like a pig:) lol

[WestVaFins]

Do you know what he is asking for right now???

[WestVaFins]

Cobra is a child and we should treat him as such...