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Title: Polian, Simms, and Williamson on Fins Post by: MikeO on December 15, 2013, 11:02:21 am Good article from today with lots of "national views" on the Fins from Bill Polian, Phil Simms, and Matt Williamson
In sports, what happened most recently often carries disproportionate weight over everything before it. So the result Sunday against a New England team that has dominated the Dolphins assuredly will skew perception. And it should to an extent, because at some point the Dolphins will need to get past Brady & Belichick to get where they want to go. But know this: From talking to people around the league, there’s clearly more optimism about this team’s long-term potential than we're accustomed to in recent Decembers. No, we’re not talking Super Bowl-optimism, not with this offensive line, the unknown variable of Ryan Tannehill’s ceiling and other issues. But when you combine the talent assembled, the improvement of Tannehill and several other key young players, the portent of at least $38 million in cap space this offseason and other factors, “I see no reason why the future isn’t bright,” ESPN analyst and former Colts general manager Bill Polian said last week. “They have a good defense already. If you’re going to go far, you need pass rushers and they have that. The running game is good now and will get better as the offensive line gets better. It’s a good group of talent in the passing game. Tannehill is right on schedule. Fixing the offensive line is not as hard as you think. If you get the tackle situation squared away, you can manufacture guards.” Another former GM, Charley Casserly, also told me the Dolphins now look like long-term playoff contenders: “I would be optimistic. I like the moves they made, and they have a nucleus to work with. Tannehill is an above average quarterback. I like their long-term prospects better than the Jets and Bills because it starts with the quarterback, and I have a lot more confidence in Tannehill than Geno Smith or E.J. Manuel.” Said CBS analyst Phil Simms, by phone: “I would be encouraged about their future. But the difference between making the playoffs and going to the Super Bowl is dramatic. There is a long way to go. But at least it’s a start. They are a fast team. They have some great elements that do well in the NFL.” More reason for hope: The Dolphins have just $106 million in cap commitments (including dead money) for 2014, well under the projected cap of $126 million. They also have about $18 million in unused 2013 cap space that can be carried over. That adds up to $38 million in space for this upcoming offseason, and they can clear even more space if they cut Dimitri Patterson (which would be a $5.4 million saving) or ask him to take a pay cut after he played in only five games. (I'm not endorsing that, because Patterson was very good when he played, but his inability to recover from a groin injury raises questions about whether Miami will want to pay him that much.) They also could clear space by restructuring Mike Wallace’s contract to reduce his 2014 cap number from $17.2 million. They should have enough to re-sign Brent Grimes and either Randy Starks or Paul Soliai; re-sign Nolan Carroll and either Chris Clemons or another safety; add an offensive tackle and guard that aren’t obscenely expensive; maybe sign Dustin Keller to a low-money deal if he’s healthy, add some depth and pay draft picks. Miami then could use early-round draft picks, hypothetically, on two offensive linemen and to replenish defensive tackle depth if Soliai or Starks leaves. Using the franchise tag on either Grimes (the cornerback tag cost next season is projected to be $11.2 million) or Soliai ($8.8 million range) or Starks (comparable range) are also decent possibilities. Astute former Browns scout Matt Williamson, of ESPN’s Scouts Inc., also sees Miami now in position to be a playoff contender for years. “I am more encouraged by their future than before the preseason,” he said. “They have three good edge pass rushers. Grimes is a top five to 10 corner. I don’t see a ton of needs except offensive line. “Can you rebuild your offensive line in one offseason, where you need three or four starters? That’s going to be difficult, but you can dedicate a draft to that. John Jerry is fine as your fifth guy. Tannehill will be in the franchise quarterback group of guys.... that you can win a Super Bowl with. There’s a lot more bust potential with Robert Griffin than Tannehill.” Tannehill has thrown 20 touchdowns (tied for 11th in the NFL) compared with 14 picks, has a decent 84 rating (still in the bottom half but just narrowly behind Andrew Luck and seven points better than Joe Flacco) and is ninth in completions, 10th in yards and 15th in completion percentage. “There’s no doubt Tannehill is improving right before our eyes,” said Simms, who works Sunday’s game for CBS. “There is a different presence with him, a little bit of an aura. You can tell he’s the man. He’s throwing with more confidence.” Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy] |