ABSOLUTE PERFECTION: THE 1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS

By: Randy Campbell (Old Dolfan)

 

GAME 4: OCTOBER 8, 1972 – MIAMI at NEW YORK JETS

The Miami Dolphins 3-0 start captured the attention of football fans everywhere. Upset road wins over Kansas City and Minnesota resulted in rampant speculation concerning Miami’s status as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Could a team in just their seventh year of existence, from the “inferior” American Football League, actually WIN the most prestigious trophy in American Sports?

No discussion of THE PERFECT SEASON is complete without a thorough understanding of the most important football game ever played — Super Bowl III in the historic Orange Bowl.  From 1960 through 1965 the NFL t_33894-150x150and the AFL were locked in a death struggle. Each league held its own separate draft of college football players. The top players could (and DID) play one league’s offer against the other league’s offer, escalating rookie player salaries to amazing levels.  In 1965, the New York Jets, owned by Sonny Werblin, offered Alabama’s All-American quarterback Joe Namath the unprecedented sum of $450,000 to sign a contract (the NFL’s Cardinals had offered less than $200,000 — an amount Namath was ready to sign for).  This one incident, more than any other factor, brought about a merger of the two leagues. It also led to a common draft and somewhat controlled salaries for pro football players.  The two leagues agreed that an AFL-NFL World Championship game would be played, beginning in January of 1967. By 1969, the name of this game had been changed to “The Super Bowl.”

Traditional old-guard football experts agreed that the NFL likely would destroy the champs of the younger AFL.  In the first two Super Bowls, Lombardi’s Packers blew-out the Kansas City Chiefs (35-10) and Al Davis’ Oakland Raiders (33-14), the latter game having been played in the Orange Bowl.  A year later, the Super Bowl returned to the Orange Bowl for what most believed would be another lopsided win by the NFL.  This time, young head coach Don Shula and his Baltimore Colts would represent the NFL. Shula had overcome the loss to injury of stellar quarterback John Unitas by replacing him with the man who was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player — Earl Morrall.

At the same time, young Joe Namath had finally lived up to his superstar image (and salary) by leading the upstart Jets to the Super Bowl in his fourth professional season.  No one outside of New York thought the Jets had a prayer in Super Bowl III.  Namath and his team mates watched as joe-namath-150x150the spread rose to 15, then 16, then 17 points in Las Vegas.  Jimmy the Greek Snyder said “It will be a 21-point spread by game time. The Jets have NO CHANCE!”  At a banquet in Miami a few days before the game, a reporter asked Namath, “What do you think about being almost a 3-touchdown underdog?”  Namath responded with perhaps the MOST FAMOUS QUOTE IN PRO FOOTBALL HISTORY; “We’re going to win this game, I GUARANTEE IT,” said the cocky Namath!  A hush fell over the banquet.  Colts players JoeNamath1-150x150who were at this banquet literally stood up and glared at Namath.  It was “Game On!”  The media frenzy that followed exceeded anything ever seen before in South Florida.  In fact, Super Bowl III became the most anticipated sporting event in Sunshine State history up to that time!  As we all know, Joe Namath delivered on his guarantee.  He talked the talk!  He walked the walk!  The 3-touchdown underdog Jets prevailed over the NFL’s Colts 16-7.  When the Kansas City Chiefs repeated the Jets’ success by crushing the favored Vikings in Super Bowl IV, the verdict was in.  The AFL had two Super Bowl wins; the NFL had two Super Bowl wins.  The following season, the two leagues totally merged, ending the separate league format.  By now, it was understood that the best teams in the AFL could “play with, and BEAT, the best teams in the NFL.”  This gave added importance to the Dolphins-Jets showdown in New York.

Joe Namath was still the ultimate sports icon the day the undefeated Dolphins arrived at Shea Stadium to play the Jets.  In week#1 of the season Namath led New York to a 41-24 win over Buffalo.  In week #2, Namath passed for 496 yards and SIX TOUCHDOWNS as the Jets outscored the highly regarded Colts 44-34.  Many in New York believed THIS would be the year Namath would get the Jets back to the Super Bowl!  (P.S.-Jets fans are STILL waiting 43 years later!)

Miami knew they would have to control the Jets’ high octane offense.  Shula developed a two pronged approach.  First, he planned to make more use of a back-up wide receiver in some three and four wide schemes.  His name was Howard Twilley.  Yes, this was the same Twilley who made two clutch receptions in Miami’s last gasp winning drive the week before in Minnesota.  Shula believed the Jets would focus on stopping Warfield and Briscoe.  He believed Twilley and the number four receiver, Otto Stowe, would have opportunities for big plays. If these plays worked, Namath’s offense would spend more time on the bench while Miami controlled the ball.  The second prong involved some wrinkles with the “No Name Defense.”  Defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger and Shula installed some new defensive coverages they believed would slow down Namath’s decision making process.  Dropping #53 Bob Matheson back into coverage was sure to disrupt some of New York’s medium-range pass patterns. And including Lloyd Mumphord as a fifth defensive back was added to the mix for a large number of defensive plays.

On the game’s first drive, Namath seemed unaffected by Miami’s defensive strategies.  Several Namath completions set up Cliff McClain’s apparent run for a touchdown.  But just before crossing the goal line, McClain fumbled.  Jets guard Randy Rasmussen fell on the ball in the end zone and the Jets had an early 7-0 lead.  The Dolphins offense sputtered in the opening quarter.  Jets fans celebrated as their defense stopped Miami cold.  But, in the second period, Griese hit Twilley with a 16 yard completion.  Then, Griese hit Warfield in stride for 24 more yards.  On third and 14 from the Jets 16, Griese was on target to a wide open Twilley and the game was tied. The three and four wide schemes were GrieseBob50-190x300giving New York problems.  Griese decided to stick with them.  On their next offensive series Griese threw an 8-yard completion to Warfield at Miami’s 46. Then he hit Marv Fleming for 12 yards and Otto Stowe for 18 yards.  From the 6, Jim Kiick burst through a small crease in the line for a touchdown!  The noisy Jets’ crowd became quiet as Miami tool a 14-7 halftime lead.  A Yepremian 27-yard field goal extended the Dolphins lead to 17-7.  Namath reportedly told fullback Matt Snell, “We’ve got to respond NOW!”  And respond they did.  From the Jets 47, Namath launched a high arching bomb right on the money to speedy Jerome Barkum.  Dick Anderson dragged Barkum to the turf about 6 inches short of Miami’s goal line!  Namath tried to sneak the ball across the goal line.  He was stopped for no gain.  Jets fans were roaring!  Next, Cliff McClain was STUFFED, inches short!  All-pro back Matt Snell then appeared to be stopped short, but the Jets were guilty of offsides and the ball was moved back just outside the 5.  So Namath tried a pass.  Jake Scott broke it up!  Incredibly, on fourth and goal, the Jets WENT FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!  This time, loud Jets’ fans seemed to cause their own team an illegal procedure penalty! The ball was moved back another 5 yards from where Bobby Howfield made a chip-shot field goal.  Instead of getting seven points, the Jets had to settle for three!  17-10, Miami.

On the ensuing kick-off, Mercury Morris returned the ball to Miami’s 40.  Big runs by Larry Csonka ate several minutes off the clock.  Then, a 23-yard completion to Warfield set-up a 3 yard TD run by Jim Kiick early in the fourth quarter.  It was now Dolphins-24, Jets-10.  Seemingly, Miami had the game won.  But Dolphins-Jets games almost NEVER go as planned.  Sure enough, Miami’s Charlie Leigh fumbled a Jets punt and gave them life!  Quickly, Joe Namath led New York down the field.  Emerson Boozer roared in from a yard away and the Jets trailed 24-17.  The noise from Jets’ fans was deafening!!  One fan held up a sign that said “3-1.”  But not to worry.  No miracles today.  A Garo Yepremian 43-yard field goal later in the fourth quarter sealed the deal. The “No Name Defense” stopped the Jets one more time and Miami secured a 27-17 victory at Shea Stadium.

Both sides agreed the key point in the game was Miami’s goal line stand.  f981fceddb3c3e73165746a987a1b7d608113e5c“Any time you’ve got first down with 6 inches to go and have to settle for a field goal, you’ve got a problem.  It takes something out of you,” said a somber Namath.  For the day, Namath was only 12 for 25 for 152 yards and NO touchdowns.  Once, again, Larry Csonka rushed for over 100 yards.  And Jim Kiick ran for two scores.  Bob Griese outplayed Namath in this battle of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.  His numbers, 15 for 27 for 220 yards were highlighted by four clutch receptions by Howard Twilley, including a 16 yard catch for the only passing touchdown of the game.  For his efforts, Twilley was awarded the game ball in this match-up of first and second place AFC East teams.  In the post game locker room, Shula said he was pleased to be undefeated with a two game lead in the division.  “We have a lot more winning to do,” said the Don of Miami.  Soon, very soon, the personnel Miami would use to win would change drastically.  A potentially catastrophic injury was just around the corner. The 1972 Miami Dolphins were now 4-0.

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336 Responses to ABSOLUTE PERFECTION: THE 1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS

  1. manitobafinfan says:

    The new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET March 10, when unrestricted free agents can sign with any team

  2. Silly Tim says:

    Wow the Wallace trade rumors are everywhere now.

  3. The Flying Pig says:

    Do you think it’s possible to get a 2nd round pick for a Wallace???

    I would love that

    Cleveland?
    Seattle?
    KC?

    Any other WR starved teams out there?

    • Silly Tim says:

      The team probably would like to get something, get some cap relief and lose his contract and move on.

      There is more to this than just him quitting in the Jets game. I think there is a pattern here and Gibson’s comments about not paying attention in WR meetings is another reason.

    • dbolt48 says:

      Sounds like no chance at hell for a 2nd. From how it’s being made out, it would be a miracle to get a 4th.

    • Ken says:

      As bad as Cleveland needs WRs I don’t see them doing that. They may be in the market for QBs and are unlikely to be unloading draft choices.

      Seattle is not going to have the cap room to carry Wallace especially with Wilson’s contract coming up.

      KC would seem to be a good possibility but if he thought Tannehill doesn’t throw deep he is going to hate playing with Alex Smith.

      2 other possibilities that make sense: The Raiders. Give Carr a weapon he needs. Also the Vikings. Both have young QBs that need WRs.

  4. Ken says:

    Try Pod says:
    February 25, 2015 at 9:24 pm (Edit)
    Somewhere there’s a guy who shits himself that’s very excited by this news:

    http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/after-release-from-detroit-lions–what-s-next-for-reggie-bush–223539293.html
    __________________________________________
    There I fixed it.

  5. Silly Tim says:

    Piggy, that Darlington post was from the day of the Jets game.

  6. dbolt48 says:

    The Flying Pig says:
    February 25, 2015 at 9:37 pm
    That’s not really worth it

    The cap relief is so minimal
    *

    Sounds like everyone in the org is of the mind Wallace is not worth the headaches anymore. We either take something in a trade or he’s cut. The writing is on the wall.

  7. manitobafinfan says:

    49 ers are not exactly stocked at the WR position either, i believe Crabtree is a ufa

  8. Try Pod says:

    Hawk is just another in a long line of overrated buckeye linebackers, that include katzenmoyer, gholston,Laurinaitis, Carpenter…

  9. manitobafinfan says:

    Silly Tim says:
    There is more to this than just him quitting in the Jets game. I think there is a pattern here and Gibson’s comments about not paying attention in WR meetings is another reason.

    I think there i sno chance Gibson is back with his “Puppet” speaking for Wallace either.. If we can’t get anything more than a second rd pick or a player in exchange then we have to suck it up and keep him, at least for this year.. Like Tim says: Subtraction of talent is not a good thing just for the sake of it.. (paraphrasing Sorry Tim)

  10. dbolt48 says:

    Ok, you folks have a good one

  11. Ken says:

    Manitoba:
    Thanks for the info on the start of FA.

  12. Ken says:

    PIggy:
    Straight up Wallace for Cordarelle Patterson? I know a certain blogger that would be very excited about that.

  13. The Flying Pig says:

    DBolt

    I don’t get that logic

    If it’s not a 3rd or better I don’t want to trade him

    I’m not saying he’s not a headache
    I’m not even saying he makes it out of camp

    But being in more talent
    Make him compete
    Move him down the depth chart
    If he can’t he’s fodder

    But additions by subtraction is a littler overused IMO

    We should be bringing in talent not letting it go

    The steelers let him go when he was a FA
    They didn’t cut him
    They didn’t trade him for crap
    They brought Antonio Brown along while they put up with Wallace antics
    We need to do the same unless we get decent trade value

    • manitobafinfan says:

      DING DING DING !!!! Thats kind what i was trying to say above.. unfortunately i am less eloquent than the Swine .. 🙂

  14. Silly Tim says:

    It’s not about Wallace being a ‘headache’, it’s that he goes to the beat of his own drum. He’s not a team guy.

    • manitobafinfan says:

      1/2 the WR in league history have been that way.. i believe the word is DIVA..
      don’t get me wrong , not a fan of “quitting” but cutting him and taking a 6M price tag for it is bad shit.. if we cant get anything decent for him, keep him, he keeps up the suck ass attitude Suspend him for Conduct detrimental to the team.. then we dont HAVE to pay him.. not that that would take his money off our cap .. but would keep some in the purse.. How does that work for suspension $$ ?? Does it still count towards the cap ?? Could we roll over the savings into the following years cap ??

      Seriously any one know ??

  15. Silly Tim says:

    Ken, Misi isn’t slow, he’s just not what you would call fast. He moves pretty well for a 6-3 250 guy.

    • Ken says:

      He is not fast enough to be a MLB and it showed last year.

      • Silly Tim says:

        He had a high ankle sprain in week one and it lingered all year. Misi runs faster than Zach did and he’s bigger. I’m not saying he’s as instinctive as Zach, not many LBs are, but pure physical speed isn’t an issue.

      • Ken says:

        I don’t know their 40 times but you can’t tell me that Misi runs better than Zach on the field in pads. No way.

  16. Silly Tim says:

    You know when teams says a player is a good fit or not, that’s the issue with Wallace. He’s not a good fit.

  17. Ken says:

    Tim:
    Patterson hasn’t busted just yet. He flashed as a rookie but took a step back last year. I wouldn’t give up on him. If we are going to ditch Wallace Patterson may not be a bad acquisition. He has freakish talent.

    • manitobafinfan says:

      The only Flashing he did was as a return man if memory serves right..

      • Ken says:

        He had some big catches as well and a couple of reverses. Everyone thought he would break out last year because he finished his rookie year strong but then he took a step back.

    • Silly Tim says:

      The book on him coming out of college was he wasn’t polished as a WR and he’s still not. From what I’ve read, he doesn’t understand concepts in an offense. His pure talent with the ball in his hands is awesome, but as a WR he’s not good enough to get the ball a lot. Right now, he’s a return man and a specialty player.

      • The Flying Pig says:

        Sometimes it’s not just understanding the route
        It’s selling the Db on biting on a different route

        Everyone says that Jerry Rice made every route look the same from the LOS and his first few steps

        I think that is why Patterson is struggling
        He’s not working the DB before the ball is in his hands

  18. Ken says:

    Manitoba:
    It’s not that easy to suspend someone and I don’t believe you can with hold their pay. If there is a suspension then the union will appeal and it will get ugly.

    • manitobafinfan says:

      We are used to ugly Union disputes LOL… kick off the 2015 season on a high note LMAO.. I’d rather Wallace just “played nice” and Balled this year.. Here’s hoping.. I dont wanna have to rebuild the whole WR corps again..

      • Ken says:

        If we had to rebuild it again it’s not a bad year to do it. Great WR draft, some good FA options too including Randall Cobb who I think would be a great fit in this offense.

  19. Silly Tim says:

    Ken, Zach’s instincts always had him ahead of the game, but he ran in the 4.8s and Misi ran in the 4.75 range. Misi isn’t slow, he’s just not what you call fast. I think people under estimate this guy all the time. How do you play on a high ankle sprain at a new position and look great doing it? He was still making a lot of tackles when he did get on the field.

    Misi was never 100% all season. Not fair to conclude what he is based on that.

    • Ken says:

      Misi hasn’t been 100% for his career. Time to move on.

    • jahndoh says:

      I thought he played pretty decently, but like so many other topics, the folks who doubted him before the season still doubt him, the folks who didn’t still don’t.

      I think he’s a borderline excellent SLB in a 4/3. Don’t know that MLB was his forte, but I still think he was the best MLB candidate we had, and I don’t know how not missing a game since week 4 this season is a strike against him, but then again, I wonder about late season games missed way more then early season. I guess I live in a make believe world where playoff availability for a player matters to me.

  20. jahndoh says:

    Thanks for the greetings guys (except you FFR, I’m thinking about turning you into a locust for the no friends comment :-P). Good to be seen.

    My buddy is safely aboard his flight to Honolulu an will be back in the first world very soon.

    Tim, I have a picture of the food. It’s dingy looking rice, a hotdog (no bun, condiments or anything else) and a bowl of miso soup. If he gets to it before the ants do (yes, ants invade his hospital room whenever they leave the tray) he can eat the miso. The rice is al-dente though, too crunchy.

    For breakfast they skip the hotdog and give him one hardboiled egg and some rice.

    When I get a chance I’ll post the picture to the web so you can see it. They might paint the room pink and call it a “hospital” but a prison cell is a prison cell. From the window you can see a WW2 era japanese tank…sitting right where they left it when they fled the island from their headquarters….which…was….the hospital. LOL…I don’t think anything in that building has been changed since.

  21. Silly Tim says:

    Toba, if the team wants to move on from Wallace they will. Team chemistry is more important than a cap hit. There are ways to work around it.

  22. Ken says:

    Tim:
    If Misi plays anywhere it should be at OLB. The one thing Misi does relatively well is set the edge. He does not have the quickness or it you want to call instincts to go sideline to sideline. That’s not his game,

  23. jahndoh says:

    Cap relief is Wallace is released. Have you guys kept propagating the notion that his release doesn’t save us cap space and money while I was gone? LOL..sheesh!

    • The Flying Pig says:

      2.5 million isn’t going to get us a starter

      • Silly Tim says:

        Not sure what that means?

      • jahndoh says:

        I bet I could list you 10 starters making less then that. This draft is rich at WR. If he’s not with us, he’s against us. When a guy has a career year and still pulls himself from the last game of the season what’s it going to be like when he doesn’t have a career year?

        I’m over malcontents. He’s been here 2 years, has he helped us make the playoffs yet? Then he’s expendable.

      • jahndoh says:

        Tim he’s saying the 2.7 Million of cap relief we get won’t buy a starter of his caliber. He’s only right if you don’t believe you can draft a starter. Keenan Allen, Odell Beckham, and many of his 7 samurais says he’s wrong.

  24. manitobafinfan says:

    Ken , yes i suppose with the depth and talent in the draft it IS a good year to hit reset , but then our Draft hand is really forced.. Unless one of the FA WR is more suitable.. i dunno scares me.. Seemed like we were finally fairly deep at the position before last year ended on the down note.. ..

  25. jahndoh says:

    “Ken says:
    February 25, 2015 at 10:05 pm
    I don’t know their 40 times but you can’t tell me that Misi runs better than Zach on the field in pads. No way.”

    Well, since that’s about as subjective as it gets, you can’t tell me the opposite either. No way. LOL…the clock doesn’t lie, Misi is much faster then zach ever was. Zach just read plays way better then Misi ever has. If he had Misi’s speed he woulda never been a 5th rounder, and would be a sure fire first ballot HOFer (though I think he’s an hof-er anyway).

  26. manitobafinfan says:

    jahndoh says:
    I live in a make believe world where playoff availability for a player matters to me.
    LOL Sorry, not something we need to worry about..

    THAT WAS BAD Manitoba Stop That !!!!!

    i’m sorry .. could not help my self… Forgive my momentary lapse …

  27. jahndoh says:

    Thanks Toba, good to see you. It was actually amazing. Got to surf with one of the best big wave surfers on earth out there. When he left we traded hats and he got on a plane repping my brewery. 🙂

    Kohl Christensen:

  28. Ken says:

    Jahn:
    Straight line speed in a 40 yard dash in your underwear is a lot different than wearing pads and gear and running in a game. I don’t care what the clock says Zach was much quicker than Misi will ever be on the field. Maybe Misi wins on the track but not on a football field.

  29. Silly Tim says:

    It’s funny, if a player on another team get criticized fans will say well he was hurt all year. But with our own guys it doesn’t seem to count.

    Misi was 3rd on the team in tackles playing in 11 games.

  30. manitobafinfan says:

    If they do decide to part ways with Wallace , i believe we need to 1)draft someone in Rd1, We already had the need to draft one , just not as high if we dump Wallace.. and 2) sign a cheaper vet in FA.. or aquire one in a trade for Wallace.. any of the below ring yer fancies ??

    • manitobafinfan says:

      Wide receivers

      Seyi Ajirotutu, San Diego Chargers
      Miles Austin, Cleveland Browns
      Jason Avant, Kansas City Chiefs
      Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams
      Vincent Brown, Oakland Raiders
      Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
      Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
      Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
      Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens
      Josh Cribbs, Indianapolis Colts
      Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills
      Derek Hagan, Tennessee Titans
      Leonard Hankerson, Washington Redskins
      Dwayne Harris, Dallas Cowboys
      Darrius Heyward-Bey, Pittsburgh Steelers
      Jerrel Jernigan, New York Giants
      Brandon Lloyd, San Francisco 49ers
      Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
      Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints
      Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders
      Josh Morgan, Chicago Bears
      Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
      Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis Colts
      Kevin Ogletree, New York Giants
      Kassim Osgood, San Francisco 49ers
      Eddie Royal, San Diego Chargers
      Dane Sanzenbacher, Cincinnati Bengals
      Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars
      Brad Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
      Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
      Brandon Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
      Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
      Deonte Thompson, Buffalo Bills
      Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans
      Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
      Wes Welker, Denver Broncos

  31. Silly Tim says:

    A healthy Misi (I know he has to prove it) along with Jenkins and a OLB to replace Wheeler is the way to go. Misi at MLB isn’t the issue, the other OLB is. Also more stout DT play changes everything.

    • Ken says:

      I would much prefer getting a better MLB and have Misi at OLB where he is better suited, especially in setting the edge in run defense.

      • Silly Tim says:

        Fair enough, that’s why I said target David Harris because ILB/MLB in this draft is not that good. I don’t think there is one worth a 1st rd pick. That doesn’t mean someone won’t emerge in other rounds, it’s just not that deep. There are a lot of smallish LBs being called ILBs in this draft that may be run of the mill.

  32. The Flying Pig says:

    Kahn

    The draft has nothing to do with Wallace

    I believe instant starters at WR are in thus draft and I would love that

    But it’s doesn’t change our financial situation
    2.7 is just not enough savings to cut a guy IMO

    It would affect me drafting a WR
    I’m all for it
    Move him down the depth chart
    Make him compete

    But without adequate trade comp I don’t see the point of parting ways with Wallace
    I need to see return besides the ambiguous addition by subtraction that every proposes when an athlete acts like a baby

  33. The Flying Pig says:

    Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaahnnnnn

    Oops
    I meant Jahn

  34. manitobafinfan says:

    Ken : I’d like Maclin too, but i dont think either are gonna be affordable to us.. just sayin..

    i dont know why but i have always kind of liked Avant.. never really does a whole lot , but something about him..

  35. Silly Tim says:

    Piggy, it’s Wallace’s attitude not his cap hit that has turned off the team. You have to get past the cap, it’s not about that. Quitting isn’t a good team trait.

    • jahndoh says:

      I don’t think the addition by subtraction is so ambiguous as Piggy does either (in this case).

      I stand by my earlier analysis, If he’s not good for the team, for Tannehill, I cut him and never ever look back. Just so over it when good guys like Landry can be found for much less and will be consummate professionals.

      • Silly Tim says:

        Yeah I agree. Not sure why Toba thought I said that about Wallace. In this instance, Wallace is a player the team seems to want to move on from.

        My point on addition by subtraction is about not trying to trade a guy like Wake and hope someone else can pick up the slack. Wake isn’t a problem. If you’re trying to win now, trading him makes no sense. I would personally value Wake at a much higher level than Wallace.

    • manitobafinfan says:

      i guess looking at Future savings would also get us past the initial Hurt.. If cut is this the only year he impacts us this heavily $$ wise ? or does it continue into future years ?

      • The Flying Pig says:

        The worst is actually in the rear view mirror

        But I do think we would save a little in 2016

        I would prefer if we made a move based in return now

      • jahndoh says:

        It’s a net savings on the cap from here on out. If kept he counts 12.1, 13.7 and 13.7 for the next 3 years. If he’s cut he counts 9.6, 4.4, and 2.2.

      • jahndoh says:

        Said another way, if cut he saves us 2.5, 9.3, and 11.5 million vs what’s currently on the books.

  36. The Flying Pig says:

    I having tech difficulties

  37. manitobafinfan says:

    And as for Hartline ?? Think we can get him to restructure ? can we get him back to previous usefulness ?

    • jahndoh says:

      I’m going with yes and yes. When we talk about money, even as one of my favorite players on the team, I have to admit Hartline didn’t perform to his contract last year. At least he’s not a bad guy though.

  38. Ken says:

    My feeling on Wallace is that if we are going to instill a winning attitude on a team you can’t have a player who takes himself out of a game because he is pissed that his team mate scored a TD instead of him. If his behavior does not get punished it’s sets the precedent that you can go out and there a quit and if your contract is high enough the team won’t do shit it about because it is afraid of a cap hit. F the cap hit and ditch the quitter.

  39. The Flying Pig says:

    Bad locker room presence is very subjective

    If you just look at in in terms of return, you can’t cut the guy to save such little money without at least day 2 draft compensation

    Some of my coworkers are brats
    I hate it
    But I do my job

    • Ken says:

      But wouldn’t work be better if they were fired?

      • The Flying Pig says:

        Yep

        But It doesn’t affect my performance

        If Wallace wants to be the team brat
        Let him sulk
        Maybe he contributes
        Maybe he doesn’t
        But I want to see the WR we draft first if that is the plan (which I like as a plan)
        And 2.7m is enough not to take that precaution

    • jahndoh says:

      I consider team sports a totally different thing then an office staff. I consider football the ULTIMATE team sport.

      • The Flying Pig says:

        Some of my legal assistants are built like LBs

        Bottom line is it’s still subject and not a very practical choice with so little return

    • Silly Tim says:

      Not the same type of environment as sports.

      If the top brass, the coaches and a lot of players are down on Wallace, you keep him because of money? Nah… that’s a chemistry issue.

  40. Ken says:

    Alright I need to turn in for the night. I am out. Peace to you all.

  41. manitobafinfan says:

    Tim: sorry i wasn’t meaning to say you meant it as directed toward Wallace.. just that i remembered reading that line and respecting it.. and in reading up yes it was kind of badly applied by me..

    • Silly Tim says:

      No worries. I do say addition by subtraction seems like an endless task. But in the case of Wallace, he seems to be another Marshall issue. Me first, the rest of you whatever.

      I’ve also changed my stance on Wallace because it seems like his stance with the team is not good and it’s getting stronger as we head towards FA.

  42. jahndoh says:

    Peace Ken.

    Piggy, I have to apologize, the 2.7 was a typo, you were right about the 2.5 number…

    • The Flying Pig says:

      I thought so

      If it was 5m+ I would fill completely different
      Or if we received a day 2 pick

      This a financial issue to me
      We can draft better team guys irrespective of what occurs with Wallace

      • jahndoh says:

        I get what you’re saying, but I’ve always argued, and still do, a savings of even .01 means it makes financial sense to rid a team of a bad attitude.

  43. manitobafinfan says:

    If he’s cut he counts 9.6, 4.4, and 2.2… Maybe i’m just a Cheap Prick LOL, but paying 9.6 M for someone who is not here , and nothing in return IRKS me.. I get the Cancer removal, i really do.. but OY.. next two years are not TOO bad.. But hey it also is not my money or my decision.. it will be what it is and i will remain a fan..

    • jahndoh says:

      This is something that frustrates me. Dead cap hit isn’t money that anyone pays. It reduces the available cap. Read the other post and the other way I said it, cutting him SAVES you 2.5m, 9.3m and 11.5m vs. what you’ll HAVE TO ACTUALLY PAY (and incur against the cap) with the current situation.

      • manitobafinfan says:

        I do get it, (i think) but in my feeble mind that is still 9.6 M we cannot use to add other players to replace him..

  44. Silly Tim says:

    Jahn, once the new NFL fiscal year starts (March 10-15?), does our cap situation change once all our FAs come off the books?

    • jahndoh says:

      all the numbers we discussed assumed that it’s already past that date. The current situation is what’s projected to be at the new cap year start. If we cut anyone who’s under contract for 2015, then it’ll change the cap situation.

      So I guess I’m answering no. LOL…

  45. jahndoh says:

    Gotta go BBQ guys. Cheers!

  46. Silly Tim says:

    Piggy, does it bother you that Wallace is known not to pay attention in meetings, work extra time with Tanny when others do, and then quit in a game? Like Dbolt has pointed out, there are other plays where Wallace half-assed an attempt for a ball throwing his hands up that it wasn’t perfect. That’s BS.

  47. The Flying Pig says:

  48. manitobafinfan says:

    Anywho… I am out now.. Stay Warm creatures…
    -8°F
    Clear

    Feels Like -25°

  49. Silly Tim says:

    The thing is, Wallace will be replaced regardless of money and is it insurmountable to replace 862 yards and 10 TDs? The year before he had 5 and everyone was like WTF is going on? LOL

    Let’s not treat him like he’s 1,500/15.

  50. Silly Tim says:

    Unfortunately I think the issue is, Hickey has been handed the task of fixing Ireland’s last stand in in 2013.
    1. Ireland’s 2012 WR class was so bad he went bonkers for it in FA 2013.
    2. Ireland did a bad job with the OL in 2013 and it exploded with Bullygate. Oy!
    3. In 2013 Ireland also went bonkers at LB with Ellerbe and Wheeler in FA and the production has fallen flat on its face. You could argue Misi and R. Jones’ extensions were premature too.
    4. In 2014 Hickey’s first season, he had to use major resources on the OL – Albert, James and Turner.

    He’s still fixing problems and Wallace seems like a big one for the team moving forward. Philbin has to win but at the same time we can’t ignore the way this team was built in recent years. We have some good pieces but some glaring voids as well.

    Ireland put Hickey in a tough spot and I think because it was such a large undertaking, Ross felt adding a veteran administrative guy and former GM like Mr. T would help him.

    The team doesn’t have to be rebuilt, but somewhat restructured. There seems to be more of a long-term vision here than a win now or else attitude. Philbin may not be under the gun as much as fans and media think he is. If everyone understands the issues they face, then it makes more sense.

    This team can go to 10-6 without major modifications. But big plays have to be made at crucial times. It’s not like every other team is a powerhouse with no flaws. But top teams make big plays in big spots to win games.

  51. Silly Tim says:

    What I feel is coming.

    Defense:
    1. Let Odrick walk and release Starks – sign a FA DT to join the rotation immediately with Mitchell and use Fede like Odrick and Shelby. We need more out of Jordan and McCain on the edge. A. Johnson and Francis etc. at DT? Gotta be good up front.

    2. Revamp the LB position, release both Ellerbe and Wheeler, look to Jenkins, Misi, Tripp and some hybrid stuff from Jordan and McCain, a FA and maybe a draft pick or two.

    3. We need more competition in the secondary and to fill FA and injury voids.

    Offense:
    1. OL, raise the bar with competition. Protect your franchise QB in Ryan Tannehill and improve the running game. Gotta be good up front.

    2. Add some size and speed at WR and don’t look back.

    3. Re-sign Clay.

    Special Teams:
    1. Competition at Kicker.

    2. Return game – Landry is pretty good and reliable outside of a few muffs, but more explosiveness would be welcomed.

    • Silly Tim says:

      Just remember, this means FA – 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier, the draft (7), UDFA and off the street types, along with draft picks and 2nd thru 4th year players taking the next step.

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