The failure of Porter's termination a concern

Every NFL team has a salary cap specialist. These people are highly educated, highly specialized sorts that normally have many degrees and many hours of training in all things NFL salary cap.

So how the heck could the Dolphins so royally screw up the termination of Joey Porter on Friday?

I mean, seriously, talk about adding stink to a pile of trash.

The club announced Friday afternoon it had terminated Porter's contract, ending three interesting years with the enigmatic linebacker.

Routine. After all, a handful of teams cut a handful of players last week with zero problems or issues.

But two hours after announcing Porter's termination, the Dolphins had to basically eat their press announcement because the NFL determined the termination to be invalid. Seems the Porter termination would have violated the 2009 salary cap as it would have cost more than Miami has the ability to handle in cap space.

Problem.

And this one arose out of one of several possibilities:

A. Somebody in Dolphins management messed up when figuring Porter's cap acceleration as it pertains to 2009. This is hard to do because it really is a simple math issue. The responsible party here would have to be the team's capologist.

B. Somebody in Dolphins management didn't know or fully understand the league salary cap rules as they currently stand. The responsible party here would have to be the team's capologist.

C. Somebody wasn't fully up to speed on the Dolphins salary cap situation. Again, the responsible party here would have to be the team's capologist who is supposed to be able to recite the team's cap situation from memory if need be

D. Somebody in Dolphins management took it upon themselves to release Porter without consulting the team's capologist. The responsible party here would be whomever didn't work with the capologist.

Although it is possible, it is hard to fathom D. Somebody doesn't just get a hankerin' to cut Joey Porter one Friday afternoon and simply do it without consulting anyone. The Dolphins pore over decisions such as these (I hope) and plan the steps to carrying them out. One of those steps is typically to check with the capologist to see what salary cap ramifications the move has.

I'm more inclined to think A, B or C betrayed the Dolphins on this matter. And that points directly to new senior vice president of football operations Dawn Aponte.

Aponte is Miami's new capologist. She started only three weeks ago after Matt Thomas, Miami's capologist the past dozen seasons, left to go to Cleveland. Thomas was hired in Cleveland by former Dolphins president Bryan Wiedmeier, who left to go to Cleveland in January.

Aponte, incidently, came from the Browns.

Call it a capologist trade of sorts.

[Quick aside: When Thomas was hired 12 years ago, I quizzed Wiedmeier about the hiring because I had gotten wind of it through league circles. He couldn't understand why I would be curious because, as he put it, "Your readers care about players and coaches, not administrators." I mostly agreed with him and still do today, which is the reason I only reported Aponte's hiring on my twitter page which you should follow. But when the work of administrators drifts into the lane of competitive advantage, I become interested.]

So now I'm interested.

Friday's error -- and don't be fooled, it was an embarrassing one noted around the NFL -- will be glossed over by the fact Porter will eventually be released or traded as I've been reporting for weeks.

But it nonetheless calls into question not only how much Miami will miss Thomas, but also to what degree Aponte is reliable. I don't want to sound harsh here, but if she can't get the routine termination of a veteran right, how can we be confident she can maneuver the coming maze of capped-uncapped-possible lockout issues facing the Dolphins, and every team, the next two years?

The NFL's horizon is littered with uncertainty about labor issues. We don't know what the new rules will look like in 2011, but every team wants people in place that will gain an expertise on the new issues virtually on the fly.

How can the Dolphins have confidence they will successfully navigate and, indeed, master those new issues in the future when they couldn't successfully cut a player under the old system on Friday?   

Comments

[TNPhinFan]

soiled,

maybe Parcells could get the scouts to look to the lingerie league to replace aponte. they did a good job finding wake in canada

[PriceMaster]

Parcells signed a deep threat receiver (Wilford) that either can or cannot catch anymore (we'll find out next season just by checking the Jags boxscore).
Then he paid $10mil for a QB that can't throw deep anymore (Pennington)meaning that the $6 mil spent on Wilford was squandered.
Now he hired a capologist that can't add?
And you're surprised?

[Mule Train]

With all the screw-ups going on around, it might be good to do as Goodle wants and get rid of the 3-point stance.

[Mule Train]

With all the screw-ups going on around Miami, it might be good to do as Goodle wants and get rid of the 3-point stance.

[PriceMaster]

Then again...Wilford vocally criticized Pennington's arm strength and was deactivated to make him look like an a s s h o l e...
Roth vocally criticized Soprano and his his whole system so they made Roth look like an a s s h o l e...
We all criticized Pennington's arm strength (noodle arm) and so they broke out the wildcat to make us all look like h0m0s...
Maybe they did release Porter improperly on purpose just to make him look like an a s s h o l e.

[TRICKY]

yeah who really cares if this locker room cancer has 20-50 sacks next year on a differant team at least hes not here tring to interupt the teams progress. if you look at this a differant way it kind of a blow to jp. HE WANTS OUT OF MIAMI AND KNOW HES STUCK HERE. HAHAHAHAAHA WILL BUNK HIM UP WITH PAT WHITE, TED GINN, CLAM CROWDWER AND LET AMANDO HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH THESE BUMS IN THE MEDIA UNTIL THEY ARE OFFICIALLY REPLACED. as far as the cleveland girl cut here some slack shes from cleveland enough said DID I MENTION CLEVELAND.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Where's cobra kai ???

[Mr. Miyagi]

cobra kai finally die

[NJ PHIN FAN]

NOOOO , don't say this MR MIYAGI. We love cobra kai. He speaks the truth and is very smart,

[Mr. Miyagi]

Daniel Son use very good cran technique

[Mr. Miyagi]

NJ... what is truth?

[Mr. Miyagi]

must meet this cobra kai.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Yes you must , maybe he can teach you a thing or two.

[TnFinFan]

Thanks for the info Mouth. It is also correct about the good prognosis of LisFranc Fx. They heal well most of the time.

[Mr. Miyagi]

I understand this cobra kai is smart business man

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Yes he is and knows his football.

[Mr. Miyagi]

maybe cobra kai could use some of my baby trees for restaurant decorations.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Baby Trees grow good in South.

We have much to talk about.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Yes , you guys do . good luck and say hi to cobra kai for me.

[concerned]

all this porter stuff is a joke this teams been in dissaray for over a decade and everyone wants to get rid of a guy that has actually made some plays around here im more pissed that this overrated trifecta keep slugs like ayodele and crowder and signs garbage like grove etc instead of getting some great players cause their afraid theyll rock the boat unbelievable

[perspective]

I wonder who replaced Wiedmeier? It would seem he or she should be responsible for hiring Aponte. I'm not defending Aponte, merely thinking through the chain of command. Also, who ever actually cut Porter should have gone through the rule with Aponte. I mean it's not like they didn't have time to do this.
It's also possible this was done on purpose. Picture it. Porter gets notified, goes out to celebrate, phone rings, it's Parcells calling to apologize. Man, I'd love to see the look on Porters face at that moment.

[concerned for you , jackazzzz]

Concerned . get a clue will ya !!

[THUNDERBOLT]

I read somewhere a few months back that Aponte WAS the reason Cribbs could not get a better contract.

[BoulderFinFan]

maybe it was part of their plan. I bet they might pay him the million and try and trade him later. Hey he had 27 sacks the last 2 years. He's worth something and some team might be desparate later.

[SoiledBottom]

"I read somewhere a few months back that Aponte WAS the reason Cribbs could not get a better contract."

I heard she destroyed the tapes from spygate for Roger Goodell and Bill Belicheat.

Soiled :)

[Dolphins4life]

Armando

So let me get this straight, so you came out of your vacation on Valentines weekend to create a thread to say the Dolphins "royally scred up"...when it came to the firing of Porter? WOW!

Talk about journalistic integrity, and you beleive that it was Aponte's fault? How about waiting for the facts to be relvealed. Quiet frankly who really cares, Porter will be gone soon enough just a minor glich IMO.

I seriously doubt this will hinder Aponte's abiltiy to stay ontop of the issue of uncapped 2010 football season. It's too easy to follow and managment will be on top of it. In terms of the maze of uncertainty over the next two years, maybe that's where her mind was when and if she pulled the plug on Porter? Who knows?

But the only thing this article lends is more stink on top of more stink atop of trash.

IMO...Should have stayed on vacation instead of getting your panties in a bunch and decide to write some garbalogy.

[THUNDERBOLT]

Aponte... Another italian?

[TNPhinFan]

4life,

This is news.. new front office personnel screw up royally. what does this say about future ability to make critical decisions?

Unless this was purposely done it lends itself to be reasonably questioned.

[Dan]

I can see the liberal apologists are out today bashing Armando because god forbid he called out a woman. Bottom line is that I didn't even know who Matt Thomas was and for the position of capologist that is the way it should be. I am so tired of liberals pushing their affirmative action/equal rights BS down our throats and then when we are forced to go along with this nonsense it results in crap like this. Bottom line the most qualified person should get the job. It's survival of the fittest and those who can't hack it well too bad. They should fire this Aponte woman as she is obviously in over her head. Bad move by Ross getting rid of Wiedmeier to bring in his own people. Weidmeier took some of the really good behind the scenes guys like Matt Thomas with him and we brought in this kind of garbage. Time to fix the problem gentlemen. Fire Aponte!!!!!

[THUNDERBOLT]

Found it. Cribbs is makin 600K a year. Aponte offered him 1.2 mil a year and said " take it or leave it". cribbs stormed out of the locker vowing never to put in a browns uniform. Holmgren gets hired, Aponte gets let go and now Cribbs is happily working out a new deal. Uhm... she dont sound too bright. And we hired her why??

[THUNDERBOLT]

Hey Dan. Whats up with the right wing rant. Do i get tea bag street cred if i side with you?

[TNPhinFan]

who actually makes salary offers? The capologist only gives direction concerning the cap? Was Aponte the Browns GM? I am confused.

[john]

To me its means nothing....if we lost some draft picks or cap space then it would be an issue for all we know they did it on purpose to shut that big mouth up.....i loved it lol.

[TNPhinFan]

thunderbolt. your grandchildren will thank the tea party people one day.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

The more I think about this Aponte situation the more I think Dark Sith Lord Joey Porter used the dark side of the force to persuade Aponte to release him early.

Once the Jedi Master Yoda/Tuna found out Dark Sith Lord Joey Porter was recaptured.

Put in a holding cell-(probly some local script
club)till the proper time to dispose of this evil cancer that infected our fair team.

Currently quarentined - Channing Crowder has spent alot of time with the Dark Overlord and my have turned to the Dark Side.
Be careful with him around the Younglings(rookies)

Fair warning

Soiled :)

[Mark]

THUNDERBOLT is an azzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[bobbyd12]

Thunderbolt cmon bro, Cribbs is a one dimensional player good at one thing running back kicks...U know it gets tiresome hearing about NFL players signing these contracts and wanting to renegotiate half way thru...do ur deal and live with it

[Dan Fouts]

aponte? shes prolly a jew. that explains it

[THUNDERBOLT]

Bobby i normally agree they should stick to the contract but in this case when the teams star player is making less than the bench warmers behind him you gotta bump up the salary.

[cobra kai]

Please no have fear my friends and pupils and have no died. I am very busy at dojo today. In short Rob in OC is now head azzzz in charge with what he think about Rolando McClain Brandon Graham and Tayor May. I will return more late in day to talk more

[NJ PHIN FAN]

THANK GOD !!!!!! cobra kai is alive and well. this is great news. Cobra kai , good to have you back.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

cobra kai i agree with you on rob in oc and what he thinks of those players.

[MartinK]

Option E - Pis Off Porter by cutting him, knowing that we can't cut him yet. Option F - Make it known that we will be cutting Porter, so if anybody wants him without bidding against another team, they'll have to send us a 7th round draft pick.

[mcrunner34]

Oh brother...I think there are bigger things to be concerned about. I wouldn't be too concerned about such a silly mistake.
C.J. Spiller to the Dolphins in April!
C.J. Spiller to the Dolphins in April!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Thunderbolt , aponte is a capologist , which is sort of like an accountant. She crunches the 3's to fit the salary cap. She wasn't the one offering contracts to players. That's the the vp of football operations and the gm 's( to a degree) job with approval from the owner of course. I'm out til later.

[Gerardo]

Fire Aponte now. Clearly, she is an idiot. Why would you hire anyone from the Cleveland Browns organization? They're not exactly the model NFL franchise when it comes to winning. I'm starting to have serious doubts about Parcells and Co.

[Mr. Miyagi]

cobra kai. I see you are a fast healer. good.

I thought you much like NJ would have a comment for rob in oc.

Miyagi thinks McClain would be a fine 3-4 ILB.

But Cobra, Graham would, also, look good in a Dolphins Uniform. He plays good on the edge and a good rusher. Not quite sure about coverage.

Mays may be ok, but, not great. I have not formed an opinion yet and think our system would not suit his strengths.

[Mikegut]

I don't ever remember this ever happening to anyone else. Seriously. That's bad. Not a commomn mistake it seems.

[Mark]

Option E - The old capologist and the Parfecta knew Joey would be gone before 3 weeks ago. The old capologist said it was fine release when ready. They try to see if Joey is tradable. Joey sinks that thought with bad behavior because he wants to write his own ticket. New capologist comes along and is told the old capologist has crunched the numbers and it is ok. She signs off on it because she is new and is told it is ok. We are glad old capologist is gone because he cant crunch the numbers right or maybe was distracted by thought of new job.

[Bill]

Armando:

Why do you start romors about someone doing a bad job without having any facts (other than speculation) to spupport yout statement? You are loosing credibility, at least with me, by doing this. Report facts please.

[bobbyd12]

Pretty amazing when some idiot wants to fire someone from their job when they have noclue who was responsible or if this was intentional done...
Aybe ur boss should fire you cause ursuch a dumbas"

[Mr. Miyagi]

Mark may have caught fly with chopsticks. Old capologist helped to create this.

In fairness to decision makers, they thought Joey would be an asset not a liability going into 2009 season.

Aponte need forgiveness if she make mistake. Others in front office have made equal bad decisions with this player and others.

No more mistakes like this going forward is the concern.

Honor is at stake.

[Rob in OC]

mcrunner34,

Prolly right...much tizzy over what may have been a calculated move. Those without all the facts and not being privy to all inside info should not jump on the 1st option laid out.

It may have been an error and it maybe not.

Let's let time dictate if we are a front office in a tailspin or not.

I sure as hell would react more crazily if teams start beating us to the podium with their draft cards ala Minn.

Sprano prides himself on details and numbers, Parcells is a psychological warfare ace and Ireland has been a competant if not hermitized talent guy... I give these 3 the benefit of the doubt that there is a hidden agenda for the move.

Gotta love the Spiller in April mantra!

[Mr. Miyagi]

Rob. no spiller in draft for Dolphins. Defense, Defense, Defense.

Rule #1. Defense wins Championships.

Rule #2. First learn Rule #1.

[jim]

She's not even hot

[cocoajoe]

This smells like a Stephan Ross move. This twit is obviously incompetent and a bad trade. This was or should have been a simple add/subtract problem. What is she going to do when it gets more complicated? And it will.

[Rob in OC]

Mr Miyagi,

Whoever you are (so many dual/triple posters on this blog) you seem to have a pretty even take on most players.

I realize that going against the popular opinion and calling out McClain as an average player or less ruffles many feathers. I can't go against what I see...

I ASK ANY TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE! Go to youtube.com. Type in: Universal Draft and watch McClains two long game film clips. Please point out the myriad of different, totally awe inspiring and athletically gifted plays by letting me know the time numbers and which vid its from. I see a few time where McClain gets to the QB but only when the hole parts and he can run through it unopposed. In many of the tackles he is not the 1st defender making contact. That is what I mean when I told NJ PHIN that his fellow defenders were funneling him plays. NOT that he was in a scheme like a 4-3 where the LB's get the ballcarrier channeled to them moreso.

Please, someone, anyone give me some insane clips of McClain that a #12 overall choice is suppose to bring to the table.

If you want give me links and I will watch them to try and change my own mind... as of right now I am solid in my opinion of McClain.

As for Mays... TOTAL mistake to include him on any of my posts. I think some people see a long post and start to skim and miss points. Somehow a few posters think I want Mays for the Fins...never have said that even one time. If a guy like Mays fell far enough he would be worth a shot but, some team will grab him based on upside alone...it happens every year.

Cheers,

[Rob in OC]

NJ PHIN,

I answered ya back.

Cheers,

[Mr. Miyagi]

Rob in OC, I watched McClain his entire career. He dominates the middle as is his job in a 3-4. He can cover the backs and the TE. Mcclain could be special.

[cocoajoe]

Mr. Miyagi, you speak the Kings English when you want to. Are you VC? We have ways to make you talk.