[First off, thank you for a record day on the blog yesterday. Incredible how a little actual football news turns this blog into a monster. GRRRRR! Anyway, continue to stay here or return here often throughout the day as the Dolphins continue to operate in stealthy fashion while folks like me chase what's going on from other less-than-perfect, agenda-driven angles. What can I say? You get shut out, you do what you have to do.]
Now to the news and analysis:
Tyler Thigpen is a Buffalo Bill. He has agreed to join that team in return for a three-year contract that gives him a chance to compete for a starting job against Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick will win that competition. The deal sends Thigpen packing after a year and a half in Miami and reunites him with Buffalo coach Chan Gailey, who was Thigpen's offensive coordinator in Kansas City in 2008 when Thigpen enjoyed his best NFL season.
Even though the Dolphins showed casual interest in keeping Thigpen, I do not see this as a big loss, folks.
I know many of you thought Thigpen had potential to chase a starting job. Me? I shared that thinking until he got on the field in 2009 against Pittsburgh and last year against Chicago and was ineffective both times. Thigpen has the gift of adding spark. You see it when he enters a game and the pace picks up.
But Thigpen also is cursed with inconsistency. He'll lead an energy-lifting touchdown drive on one possession. And throw an interception and go three-and-out on the next two possessions.
Thigpen lovers will say that inconsistency in Miami was a result of his little opportunity to work with the first-team offense. Great, so explain his similar inconsistency in Kansas City when he was the starter for 11 games.
So the Dolphins will have a new backup quarterback for 2011.
They're also trying to add a new starting quarterback for 2011.
Hear that, Chad Henne? Hear that Henne supporters?
I have confirmed that Miami is heavily involved in trying to add Kyle Orton while various reports which I've not been able to independently confirm have linked the Dolphins to Matt Hasselbeck. I can see the Orton thing. I don't understand the Hasselbeck fling one bit.
[7:45 AM update: The Hasselbeck fling is not a thing in Miami after all. He is going to the Tennesse Titans. That obviously limits the Dolphins to a focus on Orton with a possible fallback being Marc Bulger or Vince Young.]
Orton is better than Chad Henne, or at least has been the past two years. Is he the man? Is he a franchise quarterback? No. Does he have a superstar arm? Can he escape the rush and turn disaster into dynamics? No.
But he's better than Chad Henne.
And right now, that seems to be good enough for the Dolphins who at last check were hopeful of adding Orton in trade from the Denver Broncos. Problem right now is the Broncos apparently have at least one other team on their line and are trying to reel in the highest draft pick compensation possible.
I do not know the specifics of what the Dolphins have offered (if anything, officially) but I understand the Broncos were asking for a first-round pick initially and are seeded in the second-round asking price of late. Really, Denver? A second for Kyle Orton?
The Dolphins aren't quite ready to do that, apparently. I hope they don't have to at that price. I would more comfortably understand yielding a conditional pick in which Miami gives up a fourth-rounder that could be a third if Orton takes the team to the playoffs, and maybe a second if he advances them to the AFC title game perhaps. (Yes, improbable, but I'm a dreamer.)
Bottom line: Be it either Orton or Hasselbeck, the point is clear the Dolphins are trying to add a veteran quarterback whose resume is superior to Chad Henne's because, well, they are trying to replace Chad Henne even if it's on a short-term basis.
Good for Miami.
Henne is young. He is talented. He has potential. But he has not earned the right to go into training camp unchallenged. He was benched in the 2010 season-finale, if you remember, the second time in the season he suffered that fate. That does not translate to, as some of you have suggested, "sticking with Henne to see if he develops."
The Dolphins are not afforded the luxury of seeing if Henne develops. Both Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland want to, have to, win now to secure the footing underneath themselves. Banking on Henne to either develop or flop for a third consecutive season is not the most certain way to secure one's footing.
Henne should be watching this and understanding. He must realize he still has a chance to win the job if he, well, wins the job. But he must realize this isn't 2010 when the job was simply handed to him without a competition.
The hope here is this itself makes Henne better. Nothing like a realistic view of the situation to sober the spirit and steel the mind. Would be nice if it improves the decision-making and long-range accuracy, also.
By the way, regardless of whom the Dolphins add -- and it will not be Donovan McNabb as some of you lobbied for -- the idea is not simply to hand over the job. Sure, Orton or Hasselbeck come with reputations. But the Dolphins can still sell the competition idea to the public and Henne.
That can only make everyone better.
Follow me on twitta, as they say in Boston.
DM, VY hasn't been released yet.
Posted by: jrljr2 | July 27, 2011 at 01:05 PM
DOLPHINS SIGN VINCE YOUNG!!!!!!
YOU HEARD IT HEAR FIRST!!!!!!!!
Posted by: psyche !!! | July 27, 2011 at 01:06 PM
vy sucks. if we need one then get a good one. but u dont see brees,brady,manning,rodgers acting like a fool and running around carelessly. find a real qb, not young
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:06 PM
we have to make a move
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Of course I mean when he does. Orton doesnt scare any teams. If VY can come in here motivated and earn respect of the players, we'll instantley be better.
Posted by: DM | July 27, 2011 at 01:07 PM
jrljr2,
I just believe because of Bud Adams medling and forcing VY on Jeff Fisher. VY was in an uneviable position not of his own making where he was set up to fail from the very beginning.
VY has every excuse in the world why he could have been a complete 1st rd bust. However he isnt. Still its been one helluva bumpy ride that wasnt completely of his own making.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 01:08 PM
lol dm vy, respect hilariousssssssss
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:08 PM
I hate Bill Parcells for brining in a OL guy for a head coaching position. Mr Fist Pump will be fired by the end of the year I predict.
Posted by: DM | July 27, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Sounds like trade compensation may have been worked out for Orton, now just down to contract renegotiation.
Posted by: UtDolfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:10 PM
DB........ PLEASE PROVIDE US YOUR ANALYSIS USING SAME POINTS @ 1;08 PM TO HENNE
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Where a link to that story?
Posted by: DM | July 27, 2011 at 01:11 PM
dusty bottoms,
Not sure you've saw a whole lot of VY. He isnt a run around like a chicken with hishead chopped off in the pocket qb. VY is a true pocket qb that has ability to make plays with his legs when things begin to break down.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 01:11 PM
we got orton...............oh yes
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:12 PM
Kyle Orton, No, not for a 2nd or 3rd Round Pick, a 4th Round Pick maybe, but has to restructure deal
Marion Barber, please No, need Bradshaw, Sproles or Bush
Dahl, OG Atlanta Falcons, Yes, sign him
TE, some good ones out there, Boss, Scaife, Miller
Looks like they are trying to solve QB issue first, then the rest might come quickly?, without Orton, they could use that $$ for a few big FA. If they get Orton then they can mabye get one big FA
Posted by: craig | July 27, 2011 at 01:12 PM
ORTON TRADED TO RAMS,,,SAN LOIUS
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:13 PM
On a personal note, I am more than happy to continue to enjoy the playing of my favourite Sport.
Posted by: oscar canosa | July 27, 2011 at 01:13 PM
The indications that Kyle Orton will soon be traded are getting stronger.
Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel reports that the Dolphins are among a handful of teams engaged in contract negotiations with Orton. That would indicate that the Broncos are fairly far along in trade talks with teams, to the point where the biggest issue may not be the compensation the Broncos would get. It may be whether Orton can agree to a new contract.
Orton apparently wants to go to a team that views him as a long-term starter, and not as a placeholder to hold onto the job just long enough to get a young quarterback ready. So the dynamic with Orton is looking like the dynamic with Donovan McNabb, where the Redskins and Vikings are willing to deal and now the question is whether McNabb is willing to sign on the dotted line.
per pft
Posted by: UtDolfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Give it up Dying Breed this regime isn't going for VY. Were predictable and boring and want to run the ball 80 times a game.
Posted by: DM | July 27, 2011 at 01:14 PM
ORTON TO....... SAN LOIUS
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:14 PM
"Orton apparently wants to go to a team that views him as a long-term starter, and not as a placeholder to hold onto the job just long enough to get a young quarterback ready. "
I'll bet Orton doesn't want to come to Miami and warm the bench for Henne and then the fins draft a QB #1 in 2012. I think Jeffy is waiting for VY to be released tomorrow. That will scare Beli and Rex far more than any other player we could get.
Posted by: Simon Says | July 27, 2011 at 01:15 PM
kyle orton is listed on wikipedia as a qb for the dolphins
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:16 PM
FAKE ALoco last 2 posts.............
ORTON WAS PUT ON THE TRADING BLOCK TODAY AND HOURS FROM NOW ,WE WILL NOW IF HE'S A FIN..........
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:17 PM
The Miami Dolphins have re-signed DE Tony McDaniel for 2 years...Now that's great news..McDaniel is VERY underrated, he's a big dude who played very well last year...Happy to have him back...
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | July 27, 2011 at 01:17 PM
I could be mistaken, but didn't Orton to Marshall put fear into defenses while both were at Denver?
Posted by: UtDolfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:19 PM
DOLPHINS TALKING MONEY W/ ORTON......
KOLB TO CARDNALS........
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:19 PM
wish list= bulger,miller,b.smith
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:20 PM
wow hes right. miami did pick up orton. just another awful move by miami. but i will say this, least henne is finished. told u so!
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Nice breaking news Montreal! McDaniels is very good d-line depth for us.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 01:21 PM
kyle orton is listed on wikipedia as a qb for the dolphins
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:16 PM
This is true. Thats weird!!
Posted by: DM | July 27, 2011 at 01:21 PM
I thought thigpen was terriable in his back up roles. I glad he is gone. Now its time to sign Orton.
Posted by: Mike Gentile | July 27, 2011 at 01:22 PM
they just got orton mike, probaly gave up our entire draft for him. hes a decent qb but stupid move. but we are better with anyone instead of garbage henne
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Just heard on 610 that Orton to Miami - no details discussed in terms of compensation. As long as we don't over pay I'm okay with it although don't see as huge upgrade over Henne
Posted by: PAFan | July 27, 2011 at 01:24 PM
ORTON LAND.......
NOW LET'S WATCH HOW DB WILL RIDE THE ORTON WAGON AND LEARN THE ART OF GETTING IN THE WAGON .
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:24 PM
DOLPHIN NATION:
Orton is a solid qb now we have sured up the dline all we need is rb and ol stability and we are there..cant wait for the detail on the orton deal
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:25 PM
ORTON WILL MAKE 7 MILLION A YEAR FOR 3 YEARS .
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Orton was the wise pick. He is exactly what we need right now, someone that can start right away. Nice work Ireland!
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 01:26 PM
I have a feeling that again we'll be passing on a qb(VY) we'll be kicking ourselves in the a*ss over. But the only bright side I see to Orton is that he already knows how to get the ball to Marshall.
Its reported Orton's seeking north of $6 million to sign. In a prior posted I guesses $6.5 million to sign him. However it could be as high as $8 million. If it costs this much to sign him him, not only is this the end of the Ricky and Ronnie era. But it could also lead to it being the end of the Chad Henne era too. No way will both Henne and Orton be signed to big bucks.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 01:26 PM
dont care about contract, what picks did we give up
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:27 PM
thank you for the update montreal.....its coming together
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Tony McDaniel signs a 2-yr. deal to stay in Miami, rumor has it that Jason Trusnik, OLB, Browns tells his cousin that he's going to Miami, and Tony Sparano drools over the Cowboy's Marion Barber!
Don't ya just love this stuff? Lol!
Posted by: Tracy474 | July 27, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Please tell me we didn't give up a 2nd and a 3rd for him...Or I'll go kick Ireland's butt myself!
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | July 27, 2011 at 01:28 PM
DB......... LEFT VY WAGON AND NOW HE'S ON THE ORTON WAGON .......
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:29 PM
aloco,the gang of orton.lol yippee cayeah mo fo.lol
Posted by: 2 watt | July 27, 2011 at 01:30 PM
what dusty said
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Yeah, yeah, UtDolfan, I had forgotten that the combination Orton to Marshall is lethal. Yeah.
Posted by: oscar canosa | July 27, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Hoping Arizona had a deal in the works for Kolb which may have brought compensation down for Orton. We shall see.
Posted by: UtDolfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:32 PM
kyle orton = jim kelly- watch.
Posted by: 2 watt | July 27, 2011 at 01:32 PM
I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED ARMANDO'S FAVORITE QB...... PALMER..MY FOOT .........
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:33 PM
If we cut crowder tomorrow how much cash does that free up? anyboby know? cause we still gotta get the tailback pos solidified
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:33 PM
Adam Schefter is tweeting that the Fins are in talks with Denver for Orton. Also Fins are interested in Marion Barber.
Posted by: FINS ARMAGEDDON | July 27, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I NOTICED I AM ALWAYS RIGHT WHEN IT COMES OF GOOD PLAYERS I PICK AND DB KEEPS JUMPING ON DIFFERENT WAGONS ALL THE TIME .
Posted by: ALoco | July 27, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Don't see the Orton story anywhere.
Posted by: Dalton | July 27, 2011 at 01:34 PM
what draft picks?? and course ricky and ronnie are gone. we knew that months ago.
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:35 PM
UH oh........i must have spilled the beans according to wikipedia kyle orton is a bronco again
Posted by: jamesthefinfan | July 27, 2011 at 01:35 PM
course it was lethal. they had a real offense and ocord
Posted by: dusty bottoms | July 27, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Dalton, neither do I...Some people post all kinds on stupidities here...
Posted by: #1 Dolphin Fan in Montreal | July 27, 2011 at 01:36 PM
jamethefinffan,
Crowder's going nowhere. $2.5 million in 2011 is a bargain even for Crowder. No credible ilb's going to come in and play for that paltry sum. Best thing about Crowder is he's still real cheap.
Posted by: DyingBreed | July 27, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Dalton,
Go to twitter/ adam schefter.
Posted by: FINS ARMAGEDDON | July 27, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Please no Marion Barber, we don't need another RB like that, we just drafted our power back, now we need our speed back
Bradshaw, Sproles or Bush, that's it....
If Orton rumors are true we need to free up some space to go after a few more key pieces, cause one of the top RB's is going ot cost big dollars
I would like to see a starting OG signed as well
Posted by: craig | July 27, 2011 at 01:37 PM
#1 Dolpin fan in Montreal. It not stupidities. Google Adam Schefter and click his twitter page.
Posted by: FINS ARMAGEDDON | July 27, 2011 at 01:38 PM