The Dolphins call this a measuring stick game.
And I would tell you that most observers who measure the Dolphins see them as a mediocre team -- at best. So what does a mediocre team do with starters that aren't quite stars but are good enough to threaten significant attention in free agency?
Whatever the Dolphins do it means the price of doing business with these players is going waaaay up after this season.
Whatever you think of Brian Hartline or Sean Smith or Randy Starks, all of them are going to get significant pay raises after their contract expire this year and heading into free agency. All of them. I tell you here the contract neighborhood those players expect to be after 2012.
I tell you where the contract talks are with those players. I also tell you here which player has had no contract negotiations with the Dolphins and is likely to be done playing for Miami after this season. (Hint: He plays running back).
Back to the measuring stick issue, today will offer comparison between the Dolphins and a team with championship aspirations. The Patriots, as you may know, are 18-0 in the second half of seasons since 2010, including 2-0 this year.
They're good.
So if the players we discuss above have a great game against New England or help the Dolphins beat the Patriots today, they will argue they're worth their high asking price. Fair.
But what if Miami loses? Does that mean those guys aren't worth it? I don't think so. The truth is the Dolphins can't really lose ground this offseason. They lost ground before this season in dealing away Brandon Marshall and Vontae Davis and now wide receiver and cornerback are team needs.
So they're going to lose Sean Smith or Brian Hartline -- a cornerback and wide receiver -- and make a hole a bigger hole? It's an interesting situation.
By the way, there's a live blog today. Starts in the comment section. I'll be there around kickoff.
Hmmm...I wonder if the Pats notice we only throw 4 yds on every play...I don't think they've noticed so far....
Posted by: Joey | December 02, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Still early. Don't loose hope.
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Remember what I said Craig. Every 3 and out. Just more points for NE. Not sure why they can't go UP THE FIELD. So sick of these sideline passes. Get Clay in the seam &$%*!!!!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | December 02, 2012 at 01:17 PM
NE 14 - 0 in 3 min and counting!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
Posted by: guppies | December 02, 2012 at 01:17 PM
They need to get Thohmas in the game. Reggie dances around too much. This is a total mismatch today, Ryan Tannehill against Tom Brady.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | December 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
What in the world is tannehill doing out there with those throws to nowhere? He looks more nervous than a white guy in Liberty City.
Posted by: Eric55 | December 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
Lets Hope The Defense Isn't Tired ALREADY!!
FOR U GUYS MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE DEFENSE!!
LETS GET A EARLY STOP!!
Posted by: Dashi | December 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
Were in trouble if we don't stop them here.
Posted by: nyphinfan | December 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
At least we hit the punt off this time
Posted by: dengell | December 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
game is already over
you cant botch a punt and give a team that can score at will free points.
Posted by: TanneSupporter | December 02, 2012 at 01:18 PM
does anyone think the suckfish can keep NE under 30 points in the 1st half??
Posted by: guppies | December 02, 2012 at 01:19 PM
The Patriots are huddling. Not like them.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 02, 2012 at 01:19 PM
Just hoping for the best. We are outmatched but stranger things have happened
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:19 PM
I have a feeling we won't be crossing the 50 yard line much today.
Posted by: Dan | December 02, 2012 at 01:19 PM
We just might see Moore today. Not sure what that proves but the kid looks panicky and jittery today. Not impressed so far.
Meanwhile, Henne is 'flourishing' in Buffalo, 1-3 for 9 yards, so far....LOL.
Posted by: Craig M | December 02, 2012 at 01:20 PM
3rd and long... Our kryptonite in defense ... Fucki. N. joke
Posted by: fbd2707748 | December 02, 2012 at 01:20 PM
suck fish are the best at 3rd and long coversion... NOT!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
Posted by: guppies | December 02, 2012 at 01:20 PM
3rd Down Completion!!!
Posted by: Dashi | December 02, 2012 at 01:20 PM
Pats aren't afraid to throw deep against us. Then Again, no one is.
Posted by: Catharsis | December 02, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Beautiful screen set up by Pats.Wish the Dolphins would run more screens.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 02, 2012 at 01:21 PM
NE 14 - 0 in 2 min!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
Posted by: guppies | December 02, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Brady seems off
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:21 PM
Wouldn't be a bad idea to get our lb off of welker
Posted by: fbd2707748 | December 02, 2012 at 01:22 PM
Maybe not
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:22 PM
Just hit Brady every single chance you get. Knock him out, take a penalty it's worth it. Screw Belichek Brady and all Boston New England fagg0ts
Posted by: Ziggy | December 02, 2012 at 01:22 PM
What was Clemons looking at on that long bomb? He's the DEEP GUY. You CAN'T get let a guy get BEHIND YOU IDIOT!
Posted by: DC Dolfan | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
yea just sit there and watch him run by you jones jesus
Posted by: TanneSupporter | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Brady is a surgeon. What a difference. He surveys the field and finds the open man. Look at what he does compared to our QB.
Posted by: Orlando Dolphan | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
The Patriots are a better football team than the Dolphins football team
Posted by: The Local Seth | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Do the pats just need 9 yards for a first down?? What are these ball spots
Posted by: nydolfan19 | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Pats dropping passes, making stupid penalties. If we can't stop them here, good grief.
Posted by: Dan | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Pats using Danny Woodhead a lot so far. He's already played 10 snaps. Had only 13 snaps last game.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Mando The Guards Need To Move For Us To Throw Screens.
WE HAVE 2 SLOW GUARDS. IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. Difficult to Throw Screens With Guards That Can't Pull.
Posted by: Dashi | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Thank god for penalties. They're our best defense.
Posted by: Catharsis | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Jimmy Wilson vs. Wes Welker is a bad idea.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
NE 14 - 0 in 1 min!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
BLOWFISH SUCK!!!!
Posted by: guppies | December 02, 2012 at 01:24 PM
Weilker looks good
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:24 PM
At least we are getting them to third down
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:24 PM
Be bold, be brave, be vigilant, take the ball away + score
Posted by: David | December 02, 2012 at 01:25 PM
Clemmons looks lost.
Posted by: Jive | December 02, 2012 at 01:25 PM
Intentional Grounding!
FINALLY A STOP ON 3rd DOWN!!
Posted by: Dashi | December 02, 2012 at 01:25 PM
We seem to be getting to Brady. We can win this
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:25 PM
Life.... Not much but some!!!!
Posted by: fbd2707748 | December 02, 2012 at 01:25 PM
YES!! good stop
Posted by: dolfanSF | December 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
Wow we held them. Might only be 24-0 instead of 54-0
Posted by: Catharsis | December 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
Doing better than Jets did so far.
Posted by: Mike D | December 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
Need points on this drive. The Pats are making mistakes left and right. Lets get it together.
Posted by: Dan | December 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
At least the pass rush has shown up today.
Posted by: We Have Draft Picks | December 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
Carpenters Curse Strikes Again!
ANOTHER KICKER THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN JINXED BY BEING ON THE SAME FIELD AS CARP!
Posted by: Dashi | December 02, 2012 at 01:26 PM
need to kill some time
Posted by: Mark | December 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Armando.... you are there,,, can you talk with sprinkle guy, we paid $100.00 if he turn the sprinkles now.
Posted by: Tony in Miami | December 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Good point on the guards,Dashi.
So what's the excuse for bubble screens?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Can we get a 1st down?
Posted by: Earl | December 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM
The Dolphins have to re-sign Hartline & Starks.
Posted by: We Have Draft Picks | December 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM
This is going to be closer than u guys think.defense getting to brady
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:27 PM
WHDP,
Yeah the D/L is getting a little pressure early. But I want to see them sack him or see them when NE runs the no huddle.
Posted by: nyfinfan | December 02, 2012 at 01:28 PM
1ST DOWN!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Earl | December 02, 2012 at 01:28 PM
There we go
Posted by: g | December 02, 2012 at 01:29 PM
Damn....Great play call.
Posted by: We Have Draft Picks | December 02, 2012 at 01:29 PM
Let's settle the argument on Hartline now. He's a good player. Period.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | December 02, 2012 at 01:29 PM