The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

As PFF shows below while Long has slipped, he's still head and shoulders ahead of Martin. I don't see Martin just sliding over to the left Tackle spot and playing as well as Long if he's gone. Long is at #21, Martin is at 55.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/11/28/sig-stat-snapshot-pass-blocking-efficiency/

Completely agree. All season, I've heard how Long and Bush shouldn't be resigned because thier replacements are already on the roster and cheaper. There's a reason these guys are paid more- they're better players. You start getting rid of all your talent to save money, what does it get you? A receiving corp with no wideouts (ie, what they currently have), an O line that gets your QB killed, and a running game that can't move the ball. Yeah, that's what a team ranked 23rd in the league in scoring needs. Even with the defense ranked 9th in points allowed, the offense is STILL scoring less than what the team gives up- not a time to downgrade at ANY positions on that side of the ball. The idea that you're going to get equal performance for less money with Long is silly. Of the 20 guys ahead of him, who is going to be available for less money? -EK

The question is if Jake would be willing to take #21 money. Right now he is top 3 or 4.

Also, hard to see Martin at 55. He is better than that. JMO

Martin has certainly given up his share of sacks and pressures this season (not unusual for a rookie, though) and he's been HORRIBLE in run blocking, with Miami league worst in runs behind him -- and it's not even close. Basically, runs ANYWHERE but behind Martin gain at least an extra yard. That's HUGE and is truly part of the reason Miami have struggled to run at times.

exactly!

Keep in mind Jake will be looking for a long term contract, most likely 4 yrs. with a high gaurentee. Tough decision. It will come down to money and what they think they can do with his health and the extra money that they could do with the picks and FA's.

I look for Ireland to put a value on him and stick to it.   

What has Martin done to make you think he's better than 55th? The actual numbers might surprise you. According to Pro Football Focus, the Dolphins have had their most success running directly behind Incognito (5.1 yards per carry) and Pouncey (4.5 to his left, 4.3 to his right). Conversely, the Dolphins are averaging 3.3 yards per rush behind Jerry, 2.7 behind Martin and 2.2 to the right edge on Martin’s side.  By far, the worst run-blocking on the team.

He's also allowed four sacks and 28 quarterback hurries, among the highest totals among tackles. I think he's lucky to be at 55. -EK

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/24/3110909/miami-dolphins-offensive-line.html#storylink=cpy

They will probably Franchise Tag Long. Pay him big for 1 year (they have the cap space). If his play declines you let him walk. If it doesn't you can then offer him a shorter term deal come 2014 or let him walk and you just bought yourself another offseason to work on replacing him.

The problem with using the franchise tag on Long is that his cap hit this year is so large making the franchise number for him just over $15 million (while the "left tackle" franchise tag is expected to be just shy of $10 million).

The organization has already stated if forced they will use the franchise tag on Long before they use it on Sean Smith

Sean Smith?? Are we that desperate we franchise an average player?

If I used the tag, it would probably be on Starks. Surprised?

To EK. I suppose you are right on Martin. The times I have watched him he looked like he was having a decent year, although I have seen some blunders. Let's hope for improvement.

It will be hard enough to find 1 decent CB next offseason to put opposite Smith, you want to be in the market for 2 CB's and let Smith go? Smith on the open market will demand (and get) big money. Some of you really don't watch much NFL outside the Fins games. Smith while not elite or great is a very good CB these days and would get a huge deal. He's Miami's #1 offseason priority and the organization has even stated such (if you listen to the Finsiders)

Smith is surprisingly better than people think. According to PFF, Sean Smith had allowed four touchdowns through 8 games. Opposing QBs have a 76.9 rating when throwing to his receiver, and he's 17th among CB's. Maybe not great, but better than anyone they can get to replace him. -EK

^^^ That's just what it boils down to though.  Smith is a #2 corner at best, can you get a #2 corner in the draft.  If they can, then Smith's days in Miami are numbered.  They'll need that money to resign Starks and Long, unless you let Long go and get another LT in the draft which I don't see how they can let Jake Long go, and come out on the winning end.

Surprising? How about shocking. I have watched every game and Smith has not looked good and made very few plays. Still, Mike O is correct. Re-signing Smith should be a priority, but a franchise tag? WOW!

From this mornings Miami Herald

Despite his up-and-down play, the Dolphins have told people that keeping impending free agent Jake Long remains a high priority.... Though the Dolphins have made offers to some impending free agents (including Brian Hartline), they oddly have not made one to Randy Starks, a key piece of their defensive line. "Still waiting," he said. "I would like to stay."

If this injury is serious and he is out the rest of the year, today might have been is last game as a Dolphin. I don't know how you give this guy big money. Declining play and is always injured

It's a good chance for Martin to audition for the job at least.  This injury, IMO, may end up being a good thing if we can figure out if Martin can play the left side in the NFL.

Yep. If Long is out and Martin can prove he can do the job then we may have seen the end of Jake Long. He just can't stay healthy

Long is Done! Torn Triceps it looks like

NFL Network's Jeff Darlington reports that the Dolphins fear LT Jake Long tore his triceps in Sunday's loss to the Patriots.

A Monday MRI will determine the injury's extent, but team doctors have seen countless injuries like this and typically have a pretty good feel for what happened after a short examination on the sideline. "It doesn't look good," one source told Darlington when asked about Long's injury. Long, 27, has become increasingly injury prone and at the same time ineffective in recent seasons. He's scheduled for unrestricted free agency in 2013.

Martin moves to his natural position.  He looked much more comfortable out there today at left tackle.  He gave up one sack, but other than that, he did a pretty good job.  This could very well mean that Jake Long is done in Miami.

Lets hope! He isn't worth what he will demand

Adam Schefter saying Miami WON'T use franchise tag on Jake.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/51685/dolphins-may-have-to-let-jake-long-walk

yep just heard at work that he's done for the season

So here's a question.  If Martin plays reasonably well the rest of the way at left tackle, his college position I might add, do you jettison Jake Long?  And if you do, do you leave Martin at left tackle and go looking for a right tackle or go shopping for a left tackle and move Martin back to the right side?

YES! No question about it. Ireland will have egg on his face for only having a #1 overall draft pick for 5 years but you can't let 1 mistake lead to another mistake. Write it off and move on!

You only answered half my question

The second half of your question depends on what Martin does the next 4 games.

I don't want him back period. Unless he takes a huge pay cut. I don't care what Martin does honestly

Ok, let me restate the second half of my question.  Assuming Long is allowed to walk, do you leave Martin on the left side or move him back to the right?

Play Martin at whatever position he is better at. Then backfill the other position

Or wait and see who you can bring in/draft to fill either side and play Martin in the other position.

Fact of the matter I don't think anyone on this team is not replaceable, especially after watching what Ryan Tannehill did this week versus what Andrew Luck and RGII did. Still to me boils down to the coaches, and I just don't see where these Coaches are worth a crap. Doesn't matter what players you have on the team if the Coaches do not know how to utilize the talent they have. Best guy on the team is Reggie Bush and they have no idea how to use him.

In addition, you can debate how good Jake Long is exactly and what he's worth, but he's still one of the better Left Tackles in the League. You let him go, you better replace him. And replacing talent has been a particular weak spot of this Front Office. They dumped Brandon Marshall and Vontae Davis, and we can all argue why and for what, but the Fins were still losing talent and they did absolutely nothing to replace the holes these moves made in the roster.

So basically we have a Front Office dumping talent and not replacing it, and a Coaching staff who can't use the talent they've got. Seems to me until we start seeing some Football Brains from Miami we're all just pissing in the wind.

Dolphins just put Long on IR. He is done for the year.