read somwhere today that Jones and Clemons are both in the top 6 of safeties in the league. Doesn't seem like we need to spend big $$ on a safety. I'd rather spend the money on CB.

________________________________________________________
The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Clemons had a +4.5 rating by PFF. He was solid all year but he is just not a play maker and FS is a position where you need one....ala Ed Reid, etc

By comparison Jairus Byrd had a +23.7 rating. According to PFF JB is the only player really worth signing for Miami because most of the other players have a similar ranking to Clemons. The 2nd place FA FS is Ronde Barber with +8.9. Dashon Goldson +6.5.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

dolfanmark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Soliai made $4M last year, and is due $8M this
> year. He plays way fewer snaps than Starks. Do you
> think Starks is settling for 25% less than
> Soliai?


Any way you slice it. The deal is 2 years 12 million. How is that 25% less than Soliai?

>
> A top WR is going to cost us at least $8M, if it's
> Jennings. Bowe is going to be $10M. Wallace is
> going to be $11M.
>
> Nate Garner made over $1M last year. Artis Hicks
> made over $2M. Ryan Cook made over $1M. When you
> start adding veterans to fill out the roster, cap
> money gets eaten up fast. I think we are looking
> at potentially two major signings, and one
> mid-level signing (think Marshall last season),
> and that's really that. Quite honestly, it'd be
> stupid to try to do more than that. Spending big
> money on free agents isn't the way to go, and it
> needs to be limited.

I won't argue with that. That is about the same number I was thinking... two major signings....maybe 3....after we resign Hartline, Starks and Clemons or Fasano. We have 10 starters to replace.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

eesti Wrote:
>
> Any way you slice it. The deal is 2 years 12
> million. How is that 25% less than Soliai?
>

Starks made over $5M last season. Soliai made $4M. Soliai comes out in passing situations, Soliai doesn't. Starks made the Pro Bowl this year, Soliai didn't. Starks should make more than Soliai. Soliai is making $8M this year. It's hard to ask Starks to settle for 25% less than that.

In reality, I would not be surprised to see them try to extend Soliai another year or two, add some more guaranteed money down the road, and lower his cap number for this year.

At age 29, with a couple of Pro Bowls under his belt, Starks is still in position to command a pretty big payday.

You are picking one years cap hit and ignoring the full contract. It's 2 years 12 mil. That is what I suggested for Starks. You think he is worth more. That's fine. I don't value him as much when comparing the other available FA's.

Starks was a PB replacement as Solia was last year.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

dolfanmark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eesti Wrote:
> >
> > Any way you slice it. The deal is 2 years 12
> > million. How is that 25% less than Soliai?
> >
>
> Starks made over $5M last season. Soliai made $4M.
> Soliai comes out in passing situations, Soliai
> doesn't. Starks made the Pro Bowl this year,
> Soliai didn't. Starks should make more than
> Soliai. Soliai is making $8M this year. It's hard
> to ask Starks to settle for 25% less than that.
>
> In reality, I would not be surprised to see them
> try to extend Soliai another year or two, add some
> more guaranteed money down the road, and lower his
> cap number for this year.
>
> At age 29, with a couple of Pro Bowls under his
> belt, Starks is still in position to command a
> pretty big payday.

*****************************************

I don't know. Starks is a good player, one who I would like to resign with Miami, however....

Soliai is the run stopper; he plugs the middle. Starks is good, but I don't think has the size or strength to replace Soliai, as far as a starter goes, unless Soliai gets hurt.

captkoi Wrote:
>
> I don't know. Starks is a good player, one who I
> would like to resign with Miami, however....
>
> Soliai is the run stopper; he plugs the middle.
> Starks is good, but I don't think has the size or
> strength to replace Soliai, as far as a starter
> goes, unless Soliai gets hurt.


Soliai is not a typical 4-3 DT. He is much more of a 3-4 NT. The thing that makes Soliai unique is that he has very good athleticism for his size, so fit better in the 4-3 than people thought he would.

Honestly, I don't think Starks will be back. I think the plan is to move Odrick inside, and add a big time pass rusher at DE.

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> For whatever it's worth Ireland just said he likes
> Odrick in the position(s) he is in...DE in base
> and DT in passing situations.


Ireland can't tip his hand. The truth will be in their actions.

Even if we draft Allen at 12...they can get Patterson or Williams or Hunter later.....so we can't stop them from getting 1 of these guys that are all around the same level.

BUT


we can draft a starting Corner to cover the guy they take...and get one of the WR's in the 2nd round.

So we take a guy who can start and strengthen us against their strength...take away an opportunity for them to strengthen their weakness in the secondary and still strengthen our WR need without using a higher pick than we should by futily trying to prevent them from getting a WR.

I think you are right about Odrick. He was drafted as a 3-4 DE which is more like an undersized 4-3DT...but with Soliai being and oversized 4-3DT...the pairing works well. Gotta double PS leaving the athletic DT playing a Guard 1 on 1.

I like Starks...but he may benefit from PS taking on the doubles.

No. 16: Paul Soliai, DT, Miami Dolphins

2012 stats: 29 tackles, one sack

Analysis: There will be plenty of debate on who is better between Soliai and teammate Randy Starks, who came in at No. 17 of "Walker’s Fab 40." Starks has the numbers and made the Pro Bowl. However, Soliai is the true engine behind Miami's stout run defense. Soliai's job is to take on constant double teams. His ability to consistently occupy two defenders allows other players like Starks and linebackers Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett to flourish. Despite only registering 29 tackles, Soliai led the Dolphins with eight tackles for losses this past season. - James Walker ESPN

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ireland will have to produce impact players THIS
> SPRING....by training camp if he hasn't managed to
> bring in playmakers they will begin the process of
> looking for his replacement.
>
> Philbin is NOT on that short leash. Barring a
> regression, Philbin will be given 2 more seasons.
>
> That is what makes me think he has the luxury of
> time. In the NFL 2 years is a luxury.


If they fire Ireland AFTER training camp, then that doesn't bode well long term for the team. It will mean that our best draft opportunity and the FA with the most cash on hand in a long time has been squandered. It would mean that what could have potentially been our best offseason in decades turen out to be another bust.

If they fire Ireland, I'm not sure it will matter for Philbin, because in two years the personell would still be lousy, the team wouldn't be doing well, and Philbin will get blamed regardless.

------------------------------------------------------------

Miami Dolphins. Always Perfect.

DolfanKing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> realist Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Ireland will have to produce impact players
> THIS
> > SPRING....by training camp if he hasn't managed
> to
> > bring in playmakers they will begin the process
> of
> > looking for his replacement.
> >
> > Philbin is NOT on that short leash. Barring a
> > regression, Philbin will be given 2 more
> seasons.
> >
> > That is what makes me think he has the luxury
> of
> > time. In the NFL 2 years is a luxury.
>
>
> If they fire Ireland AFTER training camp, then
> that doesn't bode well long term for the team. It
> will mean that our best draft opportunity and the
> FA with the most cash on hand in a long time has
> been squandered. It would mean that what could
> have potentially been our best offseason in
> decades turen out to be another bust.
>
> If they fire Ireland, I'm not sure it will matter
> for Philbin, because in two years the personell
> would still be lousy, the team wouldn't be doing
> well, and Philbin will get blamed regardless.

*****************************************************

Why would they fire Ireland after the draft?

captkoi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> DolfanKing Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > realist Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Ireland will have to produce impact players
> > THIS
> > > SPRING....by training camp if he hasn't
> managed
> > to
> > > bring in playmakers they will begin the
> process
> > of
> > > looking for his replacement.
> > >
> > > Philbin is NOT on that short leash. Barring a
> > > regression, Philbin will be given 2 more
> > seasons.
> > >
> > > That is what makes me think he has the luxury
> > of
> > > time. In the NFL 2 years is a luxury.
> >
> >
> > If they fire Ireland AFTER training camp, then
> > that doesn't bode well long term for the team.
> It
> > will mean that our best draft opportunity and
> the
> > FA with the most cash on hand in a long time
> has
> > been squandered. It would mean that what could
> > have potentially been our best offseason in
> > decades turen out to be another bust.
> >
> > If they fire Ireland, I'm not sure it will
> matter
> > for Philbin, because in two years the personell
> > would still be lousy, the team wouldn't be
> doing
> > well, and Philbin will get blamed regardless.
>
> **************************************************
> ***
>
> Why would they fire Ireland after the draft?



That's right Cap. Why?

The idea that Ireland will get fired BEFORE this year is pure fantasy.

He is tied to Philbin and Tannehill.

We aren't firing Philbin after two seasons because that projects utter incompetence and instability in ownership, and despite the fact that Ross didn't fire Cameron after one year, the franchise will have a reputation as unstable.

I've got news for all the Ireland haters out there: If we aren't firing Philbin after two years, we aren't firing Ireland either.

Any new GM is going to be looking to bring in his guy asap so its just not going to happen.

Barring utter incompetence...I.E.... Ireland doesn't sign ANY free agents and drafts nothing but Punters and Kickers, he and Philbin are going to get this year and next to see what Ireland puts around Tannehill and what Philbin can do developing them.

After the 2014 season this team will either be well on its way to being a legit contender with a legit franchise QB or we'll have missed the playoffs the last two years and both Philbin and Ireland will be let go.

True enough....but my point is more that Ireland is the one who is under pressure and in an effort to secure HIS OWN job, he may make some decsions that Philbin would not.

realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> True enough....but my point is more that Ireland
> is the one who is under pressure and in an effort
> to secure HIS OWN job, he may make some decsions
> that Philbin would not.


Being in sync with Philbin, and getting him players who will be successful in his system, is the safest way Ireland can keep job security.

realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> True enough....but my point is more that Ireland
> is the one who is under pressure and in an effort
> to secure HIS OWN job, he may make some decsions
> that Philbin would not.


I think Ireland is smart enough to realize that he has no job here if Philbin fails.

It's Ireland's coach, It's Ireland's QB...what moves could he possibly make that would secure his own job while Philbin was in the process of losing his?

The biggest issue that scares me about Ireland is the inability to tell a stud WR (or play maker) from a terrible one. He has failed to find any although Tannehill and Miller may turn out to be big ones.

I was an advocate for drafting Kaepernick in 2011 but in all fairness, CK couldn't get on the field as a rookie. I saw him in limited action and in the preseason and he was just simply not ready. The fact that he evolved so much in a year and a half time bodes well for the progress of Tannehill, who I still believe in.

2011: Chose Daniel Thomas over Randall Cobb. While I think Thomas is a lot better than he gets credit for, Ireland still moved up to draft him over other offensive players that have been productive like Steven Ridley, Leonard Hankerson, DeMarco Murray the best one IMO is Cobb. I think Thomas may still turn out better than th e others mentioned.
He also chose Edmund Gates over Cecil Shorts, Kendall Hunter, Denarius Moore and Jeremy Kerley. You could also add Richard Sherman (C in there as well.

I hope Martin turns into a quality LT after an entire off season to get stronger but if he doesn't, Ireland will be living with the fact that he took Martin over DROY candidate, Bobby Wagner (L. Same goes for Oliviere Vernon over OROY candidate, Russell Wison and Michael Egnew over TY Hilton.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

So far, Ireland has not brought in PLAYMAKERS....he has brought in solid...safe bet....building the foundation guys.

This season he MUST bring playmakers.

Of course the goal is to win now...but Philbin might be thinking...'draft a Tackle with the first pick' or spend money on a lock down corner.....which are valid smart decisions....ireland will try to do that too...but his priority will be by necessity...to bring in guys who put the ball in the endzone or cause turnovers.

Same over-all goal....different timeline for measuring.

Hopefully Ireland is the waiter but Philbin is the restaurant customer.

Hopefully, Philbin tells Ireland what to get and Ireland simply goes out and gets it.

I don't want things the other way around where it's Ireland dictating what the team's needs are.