I got a bit of a chuckle recently when media outlets around the country reported Bill Parcells is no longer with the Dolphins. Um, he hasn't been with the Dolphins since late October.
I also had to smile when I read that Dolphins players began working out today. Um, that's been happening for a couple of weeks as well and, like the Parcells thing, it really isn't news, either.
To that point, check out the video below filmed by Herald reporter Jeff Darlington. It chronicles the work receivers Davone Bess and Roberto Wallace and other NFL and CFL hopefuls are doing to get bigger, stronger, faster, and ultimately, better.
Brandon Marshall has been training for six weeks. Six weeks!
No, none of the work is happening at the Dolphins training facility in Davie, FL. The players are locked out and so they are not welcome at the training facility. But they are working out at various gyms and workout facilities throughout South Florida.
He's been under the guidance of Fit Speed Sports Performance in Fort Lauderdale. He was recently joined for a workout by Mike Sims-Walker, which has led to rumors the free agenct receiver recently cut loose by the Jacksonville Jaguars, might be trying to make a pitch to Miami's top receiver for a good word with Miami's front office.
I get the feeling Marshall would gladly put in that good work for Sims-Walker.
As you check out the video, notice Bess. He's not the skinny undrafted free agent out of Hawaii any more. The kid has some serious bulk on him these days, moreso than he had even at the end of last season.
Follow me on twitter.
A great hint that there isnt a franchise qb in the 2011 draft is one most likely be selected until pick #4 of the first rd. Had Andrew Luck come out this year he would unquestionably been the first pick of the 2011 draft.
No matter who drafted first or what thier primary needs were. Even though Belichik has Brady, I almost guarantee he would have tried to unload most the wealth of early picks to move up and get him.
Luck is the prime example of a franchise calibre qb.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:01 PM
CraigM,
IMO, Bradford is a franchise calibre qb. Stafford not so much. He didnt even dominate in the SEC. Stafford is prime example of how over-hype steers some gm's wrong.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:03 PM
DB @ 3:51....
While none of this is scientific.....
The league and coaches are have made the move to play QBs earlier and earlier...and with the change in rules (friendly for the QB and WR)...we have seen more and more success from early rd drafted QBs who can be touted as Franchise QB's...as the rules continue to improve in favor of the offencen (the wussyfication of football) I beieve that you will continue to see QBs take the reins and be more and more successful early on...
some examples...
Ryan
Flacco
Sanchez
Freeman
Bradford
stafford
to a lesser degree....but the future looks good......
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:05 PM
CraigM,
With Bradford you also have to consider he was a day one starter, playing in a horrible offense, with average at best pass protection. I know they played in a really weak division, yet they were one game away from making the playoffs.
Even franchise qb's have it little rough thier first starting season. Yet they are usually day one starters none the less and seem to hold thier own.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Stafford successfully did this in my opinion.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Oops, Bradford!
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:08 PM
I would be very interested to go back and see what everyone's thoughts on Jake Locker was LAST YEAR...before the PUNDITS got in your ears.....
Wasn't he last years Andrew Luck....
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:09 PM
DC,
I'll spin things another way for you and see how this fits. I'm a very big fan of Aaron Rodgers. Top 5 QB, no question! But how did Matt Flynn do in his game, I think against the Pats, when Rodgers was hurt. Seems to me he looked really good and put up some great numbers and almost won the game for the Packers. So much so that he just increased the likelihood that he might great traded, as he increased his trade value. Now is he any good or does he have good players and a good system around him? I could say the same thing about Matt Cassell the year that Brady went down in the first game of the season. Is Cassell that good or are the parts and the coaching around him more the reason for his success. Probably more the second.
Two QBs that aren't exactly considered ELITE take their teams to the playoffs every year, as you mentioned above....Flacco and Sanchez. Now are they 'franchise' QBs? I don't they are? The team wins, despite the play they get from the QBs. Sanchez's numbers are worse than Henne's but he got the Ravens within one game of going to the Super Bowl the last two years. So why would it be a crazy idea that Henne could do that for us? Because 95 per cent of the guys on here say it?....I'm not buying it. The Jets win because they are well-coached, they plan well, they run the ball well and they play great defence. I don't see them blowing teams out every week and they seem to be doing just fine.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:09 PM
HENNE WILL BE THE DOLPHINS QB WHO WILL TAKE US TO THE PLAYOFFS .WE WILL SEE THOSE WHO HATES HIM COME FIRST TO ENDORSE HIM WHEN THAT DREAM OF BECOMING A PLAYOFF TEAM BECOMES TRUE .
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Craig M....I think we will always be on oppisite sides of the fence....the more I read the further apart I see we are....
but we have each learned and I know we can spar the right way......
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:11 PM
That should have said 'Sanchez got the Jets to within one win of the Super Bowl'.....got a little carried away...LOL.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Kris,
Even if very good young qb's can go to established winning teams they can be successful a lot earlier too. Still it doesnt mean they'll put up hof numbers.
Put a "true franchise" qb in the exact same situation and he's predominantly guarantee a 1st ballot hof nomination. That guy will put up the hof numbers to back it up! LOL.........
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:13 PM
Kris,
Even had Locker come out last season I still believe Sam Bradford would have been chosen #1.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:15 PM
Guys, I posted this morning on the other blog that NFL Films is getting to release their Top 100 Current Players in the NFL. The QB position is only the THIRD most popular position listed. We're told by many on here that 'there are first round QBs all over the league right now' and 'this has become a pass happy league' 'at the most important position on the team'. I'd like to know from the guys that sign this song why more of the QBs in the league aren't listed in the top 100 players. NFL Films is a pretty reputable source. What am I missing here?
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:16 PM
kris,
It's all good. Yeah, were never going to see it the same way and that's OK. We can agree to disagree. As long as we can stay away from the personal attacks we can live in harmony....LOL.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:18 PM
HARMONY IS A GOOD WORD .... I WISH THAT GUY KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS .
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 04:21 PM
fin4life,
Did you look at the Top Dolphins of All Time List from the link you posted earlier? I was very surprised there weren't more current Dolphins on that list. I think I only saw Ronnie and Ricky. They must have a criteria where you have to have played in the league a minimum number so years to be eligible. Hard to believe Jake Long wouldn't be on that list somewhere.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I think that is more my point DB.......
These very young/very good QBs become franchise QBs by development....but you have to have the intangibles in first to be successful....i'm not saying people...i'm talking about QB smarts.....decision making and BALLS....
A working knowledge of Defences....and the guts to let the ball fly when your m,ind tells yoiu too....
Say what you want about Sanchez.....he is as handcuffed as Henne....
But when they take the handcuffs off in close games in the 4th Quarter....he mad CLUTCH throw aftyer clutch throw.....
Flacco's number rival Matt Ryan's almost stat for stat.....even though he is crucified in the Baltimore public......
When it comes to a franchise QB.....the main stat will be winning....
the rest will just be chatter for us to debate on this blog....
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:23 PM
The 2000's Raven prooved a SB can be won without a franchise qb. But you must have a very solid offense and a really great defense.
The mid 80's-90's Dolphins prooved that you cant win a SB even with a franchise qb. If everything else isnt solid too(offense and defense).
Historyhas shown us you can get to and in a very few cases win a SB with a less than franchise qb if the offense and defense around him are solid. Its also shown us there are almost never more than 5 franchise calibre qb's in the league in any given decade.
Franchise qb's are of a very rare breed and dont come out each and every draft season. If it wasnt true there would be at least 20 of them in the league right now.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:29 PM
@ DB, DC, CraigM
I don`t think the point was as much about there being a franchise Q.B. in this draft, as the need to find one to buid around, easier said than done ! I for one and completely convinced that the way the game is evolving with some much turn over year after year your best served building 2 to 4 year windows around the Q.B. position if your one of the lucky ones to actually have one worth a damn.
I agree with CraigM that we have a few nice pieces to the puzzle but then again so did the 2001 team, which had the #1 ranked D in the league. If your point is in having nice pieces that groups pieces on D were supirior by far ! T. Armstrong, Bowens, Gardner, JT, Agunleye and that was just the DL on the back end Zach, Surtain, Madison, B.Marion, B.Walker ect...
That D squad had a top 5 ranking between 01 and 03, while adding the league`s leading rusher for 03, Ricky who put up 1,853 yds. that season and all it got us was an 8-8 finish. So DC isn`t that far off with his assesment, the problem is that there is no swing for the fences Q.B. in this draft like DB posted no Franchise guy in the lot and by the way I would also trade the house for a shot at Luck, CraigM those comments from Florio you put up are mind blowing ! To say the least.
Posted by: fin4life | March 28, 2011 at 04:34 PM
kris,
Believe it or not, I actually agree with a lot of what you said in your post at 4:23pm. It is about winning. That's why I have a hard time when people want to knock Jay Fiedler. Not the most talented QB around but he got the job done. Gritty and a winner. His W-L record speaks for itself. No he never won the big game for us and he looked ordinary in the playoffs but he wasn't nearly as bad as everybody says.
I have a funny feeling that if the Dolphins were winning but Henne was still putting up the kind of numbers he is in Miami right now, guys would still be knocking him. I don't remember people sayig too much good about him when the team started with two wins on the road last year.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:34 PM
kris,
IMO, the main stat you'll see with franchise qb's are HUGE PRODUCTION. The actual win total is dependant on how much is around him and how well his team defends the ball.
If he has the proper offensive talent around him and that team defends very well. Then will you see huge win total. But rarely will it impede his productional greatness.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:35 PM
WHY SOME BLOGGERS THINKING THEY ARE SAYING SOMETHING NEW AND SMART WHEN IT'S NORAML TO KNOW THAT FRANCHISE QB'S DON'T COME OUT IN EVERY DRAFT SEASON .........
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 04:36 PM
fin4life,
Problem is that you need both your offense and defense to perform well both during the season and the polayoffs. Funny thing about the playoff, if you have any weaknesses this is where they get exposed.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:38 PM
DB.....your examples are ancient by.....we haven't won a playoff game since 2000 either.....
Next time I dig this stuff i'm gonna save it on a WORD document...
If you want to be a one year wonder.....build a GREAT DEFENCE.....and watch the SB at home with me for the next 20 years....like the 85 Bears.....
Or....
Go out and get a GREAT QB....and play in the SB every couple of years like the Steelers of recent years.....
Or the Pats....
or the Colts.....
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:38 PM
HOW ANY OF US KNOWS IF THE QB'S OF THIS YEAR DRAFT WILL BE A GREAT ONES OR NOT ...YOU ALL MISSED M.VICK.ARRON ROGERS,SANCHEZ AND KOLB ...........YOU ALL JUST WRITING TO FILL THE SPACE .THAT'S ALL .......
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 04:39 PM
fin4life,
Yeah Florio's comments blew me away too. Typical media BS!! They used to say stuff like that about Jeff George too, when in reality the guy was a pretty ordinary QB. Great arm and great release but a five cent brain.
I just looked at Dolphin draft busts over the last 20 years. Some painful stuff!!.....John Avery, Eddie Moore, Jamar Fletcher, Yatil Green. Interesting that they had Patrick Turner, Pat White and Chad Henne on the list, all picked under this regime. I'm not there yet on Henne but I'll let the media continue to do their thing.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:41 PM
Craig M...Some common ground....and Feidler was on my mind as I was posting that....but in detriment to my own argument...I don't consider him a franchise QB.....but he is by far the most successful QB since Marino retired......
I think a few wins in the playoffs would have promoted him to the "franchise" status.....
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:45 PM
kris,
I still believe Roethlisberger gets too much credit for the Steelers success. How did they play with Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon playing? Didn't they go 4-0? How did the Pats play the year that Brady went down? Wasn't it 11-5?
Not saying these guys aren't good-great QBs but they can't do it all by themselves. Manning tried last year and it didn't work. Brady tried in the playoffs and got killed in New England by the Jets. That did not look like Tom Brady in that game. These guys can't do it by themselves. How did Brees' look last year or in the playoffs? I think he had 21 picks. Like I've been saying all along, you win and lose as a team. It obviously helps to have a great QB but it only takes you so far.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:46 PM
IMO, you have to build your team just like youre preparing to play in the playoffs. To that begins with the trenches.
It is mandatory in the playoff to have superior d-line and 0-line play. Without solid d-line play your lb's and db's wont be very effective. Without solid o-line play the rb's and qb cant be very effective.
That's another reason I like Mike Pouncey as our 1st rd pick in a trade down scenario. You have to fastforward your draft into the playoffs future.
If you first build a team based on how it will perform in the playoffs. Then winning games during the season are just a mere informality. LOL............
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:47 PM
I NEVER SEEN A POSTER COMES UP WITH A BOLD STATEMENT LIKE ENDORSING M.VICK OR ARRON ROGERS OR GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN AND ENDORSE SACHEZ .ALL I READ IS OVIOUS .
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 04:48 PM
kris,
Totally agree. I liked the guy but not a franchise QB.
Gotta run fellas....always enjoyable!!
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:48 PM
DB....your post @ 4:35 is a good one......
As I was posting to Craig M.....and thinking about your response......The Chicken and Egg sceneario came to mind.....
Do you get the oppertunity to be productive because you win (Tom Brady).......
or.....
Do you get to play because your productive (Jay Cutler)......
Something to Ponder......
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:49 PM
guys , lots of good points being made
qb class this year is full of guys with some big upsides but also big bust potential
no-ones saying ther isn't a chance that they might be a star of the future just that it's a big risk and they ain't a bradford calibre rd 1 guy (not saying that bradford is fracnchise just saying he was a good bet)
there are many qb needy teams so best guys will have gone by the time we pick at 15
not worth trading away picks to trade up this year
if a qb falls and the fo truly believe they got franchise written all over them then they should pick a qb, coz it's best for us in the longterm but thats braver than I expect them to be coz nothing is likely come of it next season(they're more likely to pick a qb at 15 to appease ross/fans or thinking short term for themselves- def the wrong reason)
some of u guys think hennes so bad we have to take a rd 1 qb and that taking a qb in rd 1 means he's more likely to be a franchise in the future (but if 14 qb's got picked before 15 this doesn't seem like good logic to me u would have a round 1 qb but the 15th best)
whichever qb starts next season (i'm for henne coz he needs more time to prove he either can't hack it with upgraded offensive teamates or he can, i agree he's got a long way to go, but i'm also for henne coz he's our only option without mortgaging our future and i want the fins to be successful for years to come not for 1 season)
pull in any vet who doesn't cost the future
alex smith, troy smith, the bears 3rd stringer, mcnabb, bulger etc
no 1 for me taht needs sorting is that we need an effective running game coz balanced offense is the best, folk have argued that u can't chase from behind with a running game and i'd agree but an effective running game can still help u attack vertically, games are over 4 quarters and running can still play a part in game chasing drives keeping defenses honest
ts has said this is how he's gonna play , so until he's gone we're gonna have to suck it up (and i only want him gone if he too proves himself a failure next season otherwise i'd give him another if we get to play-offs or real close next year )
so, i know we spent the weekend blogging about it but we need 1 ol and 2 rb's as a priority (1 rb and 1 ol from first 3 pics)
i thought we weren't that far away last offseason but that's because I thought the r+r show combined with henne and marshall were gonna do the biz, i still think we made progress in most areas apart from o-line and rushing
ok shoot me
Posted by: the wolf, icu | March 28, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Aloco....read my post @ 4:05.....then tell me about Sanchez getting no credit
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Sorry guys....just back for a second...
Just read that Mark Ingram worked out for the Dolphins today. Per a source, Ingram looked 'very fit and EXPLOSIVE'. The Dolphins were 'very impressed'. The talk is that the Giants and Pats are also interested.
There you go all you naysayers.....'looked explosive'.....
Cheers guys!
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Say what you want about Ryan. The guy flat out knows defense. He was well prepared for Brady and the Patsy offense during the playoffs.
He merely came up with solutions to disrupt Brady's time synchronized dependant offense. Once the timing was disrupted, Brady had to hold onto the ball a little longer, thereby allowing a little more time for the pass pressure to get there.
Franchise qb or not, sometimes the other guy can just be a little more prepared with a better counter. This does happen. Franchise qb's may give a greater chance to win but they arent guaranteed to win.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 04:56 PM
the wolf, icu,
A lot of really strong posts there bud. Great job!! I think guys should go back and re-read some of what you said.
Well done...
GTG!
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 04:57 PM
hunger maketh the wolf
(the bess comment was a bit sh*te though iwas in a rush)
Posted by: the wolf, icu | March 28, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Craig M, can you send a link?
Ingram doesn't have the 'measurables', we need a guy with the right 'measurables', like Ghoslton, he had awesome 'measurables'.
Posted by: 0x80 | March 28, 2011 at 05:00 PM
CraigM,
Funny about you saying talk is Giants and Pats are also interested.
I mentioned Belichik could possible be interested in Ingram and a poster here virtually reemed me about it. Forget who it was. LOL..............
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Just read a mock on PFT that has us taking CHRISTIAN PONDER at 15!!!.....God no!!....please don't let it be true. I may have to quit the team if that happens.
They guy didn't even have Ingram going in the first round. Crazy talk!! Figures Ponder would be an upgrade on Henne and would start year one. I don't see it.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:01 PM
0x80,
Good one!!.....too funny!!
Here's the link:
Gohttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/28/mark-ingram-worked-out-for-dolphins-on-monday/d one....too funny!
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:03 PM
From what I saw during FSU games in Ponder's career he may just only be a more athletic version of Chad Henne. Thats about it! LOL............
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 05:04 PM
MALLET COULD BE THAT QB THAT DOLPHINS LOOKING FOR WITH 32 TD'S AND 12 INTERCEPTIONS LAST YEAR .
KRIS... I SAW THAT POST....YOU R A FAIR GUY KRIS BY NATURE ,SO THAT HELPS YOU A LOT .
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Craig.....I won't even be happy if thats the case.......
But then again......Like I have said before......
this FO should pick the QB THEY WANT...and then stand behind him thu all the growing pains....and give him all the tools....
not what I want.....but I will respect it....@ 15....not 47...or whatever.....
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 05:05 PM
0x80,
Let's try that one again:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/28/mark-ingram-worked-out-for-dolphins-on-monday/
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Ponder strikes me as a guy with good leadership and smarts but I just don't see it from an athletic standpoint. He has limited upside, IMO, and he's had injuries which are always a concern.
I think this guys on crack. Would be a complete and total waste of our first round pick. Ponder would be available in a tradeback with someone. There are many QBs I like ahead of Ponder, including Dalton, Locker and Stanzi.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:09 PM
GRAIG,
I THINK YOU R A LITTLE HARSH ON PONDER .
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 05:11 PM
CraigM,
Funny thing you would bring up the Pats in the playoffs being made to look ordinary by the Jets. I got the feeling watching that game and the way they (NY) schemed Defensively to take away everything in the middle of the field to the T.E.`s and force Brady to beat them outside with Tate and Welker, that they studied and broke down that Monday night game between N.E. and Pitt. to perfection. I don`t think in that Monday nighter Brady had more than 3 comp. to his WR it was all over the middle to Gronk aand Hernanadez. There lack of deep threat was magnified for everybody to see that night, so yeah DB any weakness is exploited and forced fed to you in the post season.
Like I said earlier yesterday we were bouncing around the idea of what the Pats would do with all there picks in this draft and if Julio Jones or AJ Green falls to Wash. at the 10th. spot I wouldn`t be suprised to see Bellicheck swing a deal and Wash. with all there needs would probably be more than happy to oblidge them which absolutly sucks for us ! By the way Craig I don`t know who puts those lists together, I`m also left scratching my head with them.
Posted by: fin4life | March 28, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Sorry ALoco,
Not a fan. The kid hasn't shown me he'll be successful in the NFL. Maybe it was the injuries, I don't know....but not a fan.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:12 PM
fin4life,
Good post at 5:11pm. A lot of really good points.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Aloco....don't compliment me right now...your the BAD GUY of the blog.....you could damage my REP.....lol.....
Seriously...thanks for that....I do try to be fair and honest....even when its not popular....
I don't need an online personality......if any of us were to ever meet....you guys would say..."yup....thats kris"......
Posted by: Kris | March 28, 2011 at 05:15 PM
GRIG M,
SPARANO SAID (((( HENNE WILL FACE STIFF COMPETITION THIS YEAR ))).
WHERE THAT STIFF COMPETITION WILL COME FROM IF NOT FROM A DRAFT OF A QB AT 15 ?
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 05:15 PM
KRIS,
I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE HATED ONE LAST WEEK .
STILL ALL POSTERS WHO HATES ME ARE ONE PERSON SIGNED BY THAT GUY .
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Ponder is a guy I envision as a decent backup at best. Therefore anyone selecting him before 6th rd could be greatly screwing themselves.
He was never anything close to spectacular at FSU. Im beginning to think nfl gm's are falsely planting predraft misinformation on players to boost thier draft stock in hopes the clueless gm's will take the bait.
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 05:17 PM
IT STILL AMAZES THE HECK OUT OF ME THAT KNOWONE KNEW WHO THE HECK RONNIE BROWN WAS UNTIL 2-3WKS BEFORE THE DRAFT. THEN HE WENT 4TH OVERALL.
TO US! LOL............................
Posted by: DyingBreed | March 28, 2011 at 05:21 PM
You can't tell what GM's will do in the draft, only what they won't do. Anytime they praise a player or say they have interest, you can bet they have no intention of drafting that player.
Posted by: 0x80 | March 28, 2011 at 05:22 PM
DB,
Totall agree with you on Ponder. I don't see him ever being a good NFL starter. There's something wrong with that guy having Ponder going to the Dolphins at 15. Something smells there.
Posted by: Craig M | March 28, 2011 at 05:24 PM
WHAT IF WE GET OUR HANDS ON MALLET AT 15,WOULD YOU ACCEPT THAT PICK ?
Posted by: ALoco | March 28, 2011 at 05:25 PM