Ireland given contract extension

[Diehard_Dolfan]

^^ In fact, we have leftover money!

I can't criticize a single thing so far that happened this past offseason.  If you want to nit-pick you can say they overpaid for Wallace.  But I think if you wanted to land him you had to pay the market value for a #1 WR.

The only thing I might take exception to was the Bess trade, but it sure seems like that was a Philbin move.

I agree with the over paid for Wallace part but I'm still glad we got Wallace.  My thinking all along was we should have drafted TY Hilton... we'd have the guy who could take the top off a defense and would have cost less.  I like Hilton and more money could have meant more for the offensive line plus we're keeping with the building through the draft plan.

[Landshark]

I agree with the over paid for Wallace part but I'm still glad we got Wallace.  My thinking all along was we should have drafted TY Hilton... we'd have the guy who could take the top off a defense and would have cost less.  I like Hilton and more money could have meant more for the offensive line plus we're keeping with the building through the draft plan.

For some reason, Jeff Ireland doesn't like spending early picks on receivers and tight ends. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

For some reason, Jeff Ireland doesn't like spending early picks on receivers and tight ends. 

I agree with him.  While there are from time to time great rookie WR, they are rare, WR typically don't hit their stride until year 3.

If I was a GM, WR would be a position I would use FA $$ on and use the draft picks on players that are more likely to have an impact during their first two years.   

[Spider-Dan]

Same reason they didn't want Dansby, Bush, and some others. They felt Bess was a bad locker-room guy especially how last year ended with the staff thinking he was healthy enough to play and Bess not wanting to suit up! Plus if you think Bess was going to be a #4 WR in a contract year and not make a stink and be a problem you are nuts. With him playing/fighting for a contract and getting limited playing time as a #4 WR he more than likely would have been a locker-room cancer all season.

Last year ended bad between Bess and the organization....and if he stayed it would have only gotten worse.

Did you make any posts commenting on the "bad blood" between Bess and the organization prior to him being traded?

That sounds like rationalization to me.

[CF DolFan]

Did you make any posts commenting on the "bad blood" between Bess and the organization prior to him being traded?

That sounds like rationalization to me.

Many people said that. Unless you are arguing "relationship with the Dolphins soured" vs "bad blood" ... even Bess said it.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000238553/article/davone-bess-broken-back-led-to-miami-dolphins-exit

Bess told The Miami Herald this week that his relationship with the Dolphins soured toward the end of last season because he couldn't get on the field. After playing in 77 consecutive games since 2008, Bess missed the Dolphins' final three contests last season because of what he called a fractured vertebrae in his lower back.


"Everybody's injury is different," Bess said Wednesday. "I couldn't go, and I didn't. That's the way it unfolded."

Bess said he holds no grudges against the Dolphins, but he told the newspaper the injury ultimately led to his exit from the team. Sources familiar with the situation denied that, telling The Herald that the trade hinged primarily on finances.

[MikeO]

Did you make any posts commenting on the "bad blood" between Bess and the organization prior to him being traded?

That sounds like rationalization to me.

I knew of the friction at the end of the year when he wasn't playing and the coaches wanted him to play. All the papers reported on it at the time. Was I "surprised" when they traded him at the draft...not in the least. Considering by that point they ran out every other person they didn't like (ie Bush, Dansby, Burnett...etc)

You can call it a "rationalization" if ya want....but it's what happened and what went down. Otherwise he would still be in Miami

[Spider-Dan]

I think it's just convenient that this kind of logic is applied after-the-fact.

I mean, you would think that if the Dolphins suspended a player for a game (twice!) for being out of shape, that he would be on the way out of town.  But instead, that player was assigned a franchise tag and ultimately given a two-year deal (the multi-year contract was under Philbin).  Another Dolphins player was convicted of assault a few months before being given a 4-year extension.

Wallace complained about not being thrown to during a win... does that mean he's out of town next offseason?
Starks was upset about the franchise tag... does that mean he definitely won't be re-signed?  That would be interesting, since Soliai is also unhappy with his contract.  Are both of them on their way out?

I think this "not a Philbin guy" nonsense is just a smokescreen so the front office can try to avoid explaining their decisions on football merits.

[Pappy13]

I'd rather have Bess than whoever our 4th WR is.

I wouldn't. Mathews is turning into a nice receiver that is gonna get better I believe he had 2 catches in "the drive". Bess has already seen his best years. He wouldn't have seen the field much this year if he was on the team unless someone else got hurt.

[Landshark]

I wouldn't. Mathews is turning into a nice receiver that is gonna get better. Bess has already seen his best years. He wouldn't have seen the field much this year if he was on the team unless someone else got hurt.

Bess is still a bit young.  But he's as good as he's going to get.  You can get the same productivity out of Mattews with much more upside. 

[Pappy13]

Bess is still a bit young.

He's 28. Get on the wrong side of 30 and you're typically out of job in the NFL unless you are elite.