The price of mediocrity? It's going up for the Dolphins

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.

Comments

[We Have Draft Picks]

"Jake Long is back on the sideline after being out with a triceps injury. He had been in the locker room."

Mando,

Never want to see ANY player injured but hopefully this made Ireland's decision about re-signing Long easier. He's just not a top LT any longer.

[Catharsis]

Pist fump!!!!!!!!!

[nyfinfan]

One overthrow and one bs call on a return TD hmm

[TanneSupporter]

if this team could finish and the refs actually didnt screw us over we could be up right now

[Are you kidding me]

That should sum it up. Pic 6 called, refs miss offside and face mask, and jake long breaking down again

[Ziggy]

Sweep the leg!!!! You have a problem with that

[We Have Draft Picks]

Great chance to see if we need Long or not now!!! As for Tannehill, yes he looks a little off so far but that long ball was a shade too long, a true burner like we need would have it easy, plus Brady missed an even wider open Edelman by much more earlier, does Brady suck too????? Morons bashing the kid again, I hope people in your life arent as critical on you idiots!!!

Husketeer,

Well said.

[g]

Well another pick would be nice. D has to win this for us

[Omelet]

Pats playing harder, running harder, hitting harder. We are playing like a bunch of daisy flowers.

[austin]

yes, on martin's hold, there was a CLEAR offsides.

[DC Dolfan]

Craig, he's a HOF'er, I think that gives him pretty good credibility on the game. And no, I say that gives Ireland the leverage to make his terms and not overpay (like you said about Hartline). Are you now saying Long is WORTH overpaying? What's HE done to improve a mediocre team? Also gives Philbin a chance to see if Martin can play LT (thus making Long dispensable). I'd rather pay a PLAYMAKER money than a LT who can't last 16 games.

[Armando Salguero]

SECOND QUARTER BLOG POST IS UP. GO THERE NOW.

[guppies]

Hey Omlet.... what do you have against daisys

[reg]

poor decision by the miamim player who did the low block on jones int return, esp as the player was never going to catch him. As for that non facemask call - are they kidding?????? t-hills head turns and he has his hand there for a good second +

[Armando Salguero]

LIVE BLOG CONTINUES AT THE SECOND QUARTER POST. GO THERE, PLEASE.

[IMAWriter]

No call...is this going too happen all game.? That face mask was in the clear, easy to see.
I hope Philbin doesn't bench Thomas. Takeaways are what the Pats do.
I wish someone with nothing to play for...maybe us next time, play smash mouth and tear those guys up. Just beat them up, hit Brady late if necessary, if only to send a message that the officials can only protect you so much. It's all because tof Goodell's relationship with Kraft.

[Craig M]

DC,

Again, I'll ask, what teams has Cris Carter built. He PLAYED the game. Big difference! When he's got a track record for building teams then I'll be interested in what he has to say. Otherwise he's just noise.

[David]

Carpenter-Tanny-Hartline-Miller-Bess-Incognito-Fields-the rest-who cares-draft-trade-don't re sign no talent like we have!

How many miss tackles in this game?

[jpao]

Man this team is really trying to give it to the Pats.

Bess drops the first pass of the game.
Fields fumbles inside the 10.
THILL Misses a wide open Hartline.
2 holding calls (Incognito and Jerry) kill drives
Fumble by Thomas (again!) almost kills the drive.
3-10 and Carroll lets up an easy 12 yard stop route.
Burnett can't cover a newborn.
Great Pick Six by Jones but another penalty leads to a loss of 4 points.

Happy to be 7-3 at this point.

[Finfaneurope]

Can someone explain to me how offsetting penalties takes away a touchdown?

[Catharsis]

Sweep the leg. Epic karate kid moment. Makes me want to wax off.

[Ignignokt]

Awwwwwwwwwwwww poooor Welker . LOL

[Craig M]

DC,

We'll agree to disagree. If your plan includes letting Long walk for nothing, I'm not interested.

[jpao]

Another penalty!!!

Nice job Wilson....You Suck!!!!

[Craig M]

Dumb penalty!

[Ziggy]

We are so bad!!!! Why why why go for the block?

[jtlawson5]

What an idiot this kid is...

[fbd2707748]

Fuuuukkkkkiiiinnnn moron!!!

[jpao]

That kid is an absolute JOKE and WASTE OF TIME!!!

Yet another CUT to be made this offseason.

[fbd2707748]

Specials have destroyed us already... This will turn into a TD ... Mark my words morons

[Are you kidding me]

Another mistake/gift

[Craig M]

Chad Henne on fire today, 3-13 for 50 yards so far. I guess his recivers aren't getting those 80 yard after the catch plays today.

[jpao]

Don't help Wilson get healthy today.

He is best on the bench!!!

[jpao]

Who the hell is McGann????

[Orlando Dolphan]

We can't afford to make these bone head penalties against the Pats.

[jpao]

So the refs call that on Jones but THILL's face mask doesn't get called?

C'MON MAN!!

[fbd2707748]

MORONS MAKE UP YOUR MIND YOU DON'T WANT MCANN BUT DON'T WANT WILSON BACK IN... MORONS

[Are you kidding me]

Toast

[fbd2707748]

BASICALLY HAVE TWO MAJOR TURNOVERS ON SPECIALS

[fbd2707748]

DANSBY KEEP LOSING WEIGHT... YOU STILL CAN'T TACKLE

[jpao]

MCANN, Wilson, #25 (whoever he is).....I don't want any of them on this NFL Team.

They are all jokes.

You mean to tell me these are the best CB's Ireland can find?

Really?

[Orlando Dolphan]

Brady is a suregeon out there.

[Are you kidding me]

Dansby is good

[fbd2707748]

TOM BRADY SNEAK... MARK MU WORDS

[jpao]

Dansby plays with a torn bicep for weeks.

Long hurts his triceps and he is out.

But his hair sure looks nice today.

[jpao]

Nice coverage Smith

[fbd2707748]

JOKE... WILSON SHOULD BE CUT TOMORROW...

[Are you kidding me]

Toast

[Orlando Dolphan]

The Pats always go for the jugular. Patriots are thinking TD on 2nd and goal from the 7. We would be thinking hey we are in position for a FG try now, lets not mess it up.

[jpao]

Another game lost by our terrific CB's.

I know Craig....the losing is due to our pass rush!!

[fbd2707748]

NO MORE LONG TALK... HE IS GOING TO BE FRANCHISED NEXT YEAR AND THE. LET GO... ANOTWR GREAT PARCELLS DRAFT PICK!!

[superPHIN]

Miami has done everything STUPID within their power of losing this game and not even competing against a superior team.....

[krickster]

This just in...the patriots are a pretty good team.

[jpao]

Glad the kick went through the end zone.

At least we start at the 20 for once.

[jpao]

Perfect

[Are you kidding me]

Toast

[Ireland's Republican Army]

Can we all agree that this ineptitude is not the fault of Jeff Ireland?

[dolphin 77]

Dulphns offense is pathetic!

[Orlando Dolphan]

Don't look now but Chad Henne has brought the Jags back.

[Are you kidding me]

Have you measured them yet