By: Randy Campbell (Old Dolfan)
GAME 3: OCTOBER 1, 1972 – MIAMI at MINNESOTA
The NFL schedule makers provided few favors for the Miami Dolphins during the early portion of The Perfect Season. Week #1 featured a date with the very powerful winners of Super Bowl IV, the Kansas City Chiefs, at brand new Arrowhead Stadium. After a week #2 game at the Orange Bowl against Houston. The schedule makers sent Miami back on the road to play one of the strongest teams in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings were a franchise on the cusp of greatness. In January 1970 they advanced to Super Bowl IV as double-digit favorites to defeat the Chiefs. But, for the second straight season, the AFL representative conquered the NFL’s best. Vikings Hall of Fame head coach Bud Grant said,”Now I know how Don Shula felt when he lost the Super Bowl to the Jets.” Like Shula, Grant vowed to get back to the Super Bowl.
Indeed, Bud Grant would return. But, unlike Shula, Grant would never win pro football’s ultimate game. Four times during the decade of the ’70’s Grant would get his Vikings to the Super Bowl. Four times he would suffer the agony of defeat. However, from the late ’60’s through the late ’70’s, the Vikings were among the very best franchises in the NFL. The 1972 Minnesota Vikings were loaded with Hall of Fame talent. The defense, known as the “Purple People Eaters” (after the Vikings bright purple jerseys) had Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and 
Alan Page, who would go on to be a Minnesota state supreme court justice after a stellar NFL career. The offensive line was anchored by huge rookie tackle Ron Yary (a future HOF inductee) and by Mick Tinglehoff, one of the leagues’s best centers for over a decade and a likely future Hall of Famer. Brute strong fullback Bill Brown was Minnesota’s featured running back. Receivers Gene Washington and speedy John Gilliam were legitimate deep threats. But the man who made Minnesota go, their prodigal son, Fran Tarkenton, had just returned to Minnesota after five solid years with the Giants. It was 
Tarkenton who had taken this franchise to prominence when he quarterbacked this team from 1961 to 1966. In 1972 he left the Giants toreturn home — to the absolute delight of hard core Viking fans. By the time he retired, Tarkenton would own many all-time NFL passing records, including most career yards passing (47,003) and most career touchdown passes (342). His records would stand for over 20 years until broken by Dan Marino. Simply put, these Vikings were a dominant football team, especially at home. The prior week, Minnesota crushed the Detroit Lions 34-10. Thus, it was little wonder the Vikings were a touchdown favorite over the visiting Dolphins.
The game started poorly for the undefeated Miami team. Just over four minutes into the game an amazed Tarkenton saw an unguarded John Gilliam wide open down the field. “Tarks” 56-yard bomb was right on target and the Vikings had an early 7-0 lead. This could have started the Dolphins downfall. But, it didn’t. Miami receiver Marlin Briscoe, traded to the Dolphins from Buffalo for a first round draft choice, said,”if this was Buffalo, the first thing we’d do is PANIC!! Then, we’d throw the bomb. Our quarterback would get sacked and the game would be over. But things are different here in Miami. We knew, deep in our hearts, we’d win!” Bob Griese’s calm deliberate approach failed to produce results. But Miami’s “No Name Defense” stood firm and the second quarter concluded with the score still stuck on 7-0.
The Dolphin’s offense began to show signs of life in the third quarter. Mixing passing and running plays, Griese twice got the Dolphins into Viking’s territory. The first drive produced a 38-yard Yepremian field goal. The next drive ended when the left-footed Cypriot connected on a 42-yard effort. Late in the third quarter Minnesota produced their first meaningful drive since scoring on a long bomb early in the game. But before the drive ended, the gun sounded ending the third quarter. Minnesota led 7-6 with one quarter to go. The Vikings concluded their drive with a 1 yard touchdown run by Bill Brown. Trailing 14-6 it appeared the Dolphins were going to lose their first game. Midway in the last quarter Miami took over on their own 20. An 18 yard pass, Griese to Morris, was followed by a double-reverse that culminated in Marlin 
Briscoe’s 22 yard pass to tight end Jim Mandich. A few plays later Garo Yepremian lined-up a 51 yard field goal attempt. If good, it would be the longest of his career! The ball just cleared the crossbar and the Dolphins now trailed by only 14-9. But it was late, very late.
Now, the “No Name Defense” had to stop the Vikings ONE MORE TIME! Two runs by Oscar Reed went nowhere! On third and long, Tarkenton’s pass was tipped away by Tim Foley! The Dolphins would have ONE FINAL CHANCE! The drive started on Miami’s 41. Morris’ run got only two yards. But on the next play the Vikes’ Bob Lurtsema hammered Griese with a late hit. The 15 yard penalty moved the ball to Minnesota’s 42. Expecting a pass, the Vikings dropped back into coverage. So Griese switched the call to an end sweep, resulting in a 14 yard scamper by Mercury Morris to the 28. In clutch situations, Griese liked to go to Howard Twilley, ashort, average speed receiver who NEVER seemed to drop a pass. Reliable Howard was true to form, catching two passes for 25 yards. The Dolphins were now 3 yards from victory. Everyone in Metropolitan Stadium was standing and screaming! Tight end Jim Mandich said “I thought we’d just pound the ball to Csonka with less than two minutes to go”…so did the Vikings. Instead, Griese faked a hand-off and threw a short pass to a totally wide open Jim Mandich for the winning touchdown! Fins Win 16-14! The Perfect Season was still alive!
Miami’s late drive for a touchdown grabbed the headlines. But, in truth, the “No Name Defense” was responsible for this upset victory. The “No Names” sacked the elusive Tarkenton five times. They intercepted Tarkenton three times, including a pick on Tarkenton’s desperate heave on the game’s last play. After giving up a 56 yard bomb on Tarkenton’s first pass, the “No Names” held Tarkenton to just 50 YARDS PASSING THE REST OF THE GAME!!! It was an awesome performance. In the post game locker room, Bud Grant told reporters, “There were no excuses, no breaks. They just beat us. At the end, they were stronger than we were.” In Miami’s locker, Shula said, “We take great pride in our conditioning. Today I believe it made a difference.”
The Dolphins were now all alone in first place in the AFC Eastern Division and they were now the ONLY undefeated team in the National Football League. Miami’s two upset road wins over Kansas City and Minnesota had put them squarely in the limelight. Everybody was following the Dolphins. Next up: the schedule makers had the Dolphins on the road versus the second place team in the AFC East, the HATED NEW YORK JETS, their rabid fans, and their all-world quarterback, Joe Namath! The 1972 Miami Dolphins were now 3-0.
Finsmob Unleashed 
Tim,
perhaps you’re right about Pouncey. It may have been part of the decision to shut him down this year and get “fully healed”. I’m sure the Phins knew we weren’t ready for a deep run in the playoffs this year… and perhaps had an eye to 2017 when they did shut Pouncey down. I think it is going to be a significant story when camp starts. A healthy Pouncey at center is definitely our best scenario, especially in the run game. Tunsil on the left made for a great gap for Ajayi. Perhaps Zietler on the right will do the same…. finding another top notch guard for the left could make Ajayi the rushing champ next year. 🙂
Agreed.
Pouncey really is the key. He makes that whole OL stronger, not only because you have a seasoned veteran with chemistry with out QB but also because without the strong center it disrupts the rest of the unit entirely, we can scheme away from some weakness on one side or the other, there is no scheming out if weakness at the center.
Also Pouncey as much as people here want to downplay his leadership and contribution to setting the OL blocking schemes up, it is really apparent to me what contribution he makes in those respects.
We do need to get him a reliable and capable backup, and not an OG who is stepping in as an OC, but Pouncey is vital to this offense.
As for BA, it’s a for sure loss to not have him, but it was a band aid waiting to be ripped off. It was going to happen and it’s probably better it happens at a time we are prepared for it and planning for it and not when we aren’t and are having to scramble to address it.
I would have rather done it once we had a solid addition to the OL, like after aquiried another starting OG, but assuming our plan is to do this in FA, and we had a chance to make this deal now, it makes sense we would move sooner than later. Again we need to look at this less like a net loss but more as a filling one spot, addressing something that would eventually be addressed anyways, while being prepared to do what was needed to fill the gap leftover.
Wagner would be a decent option for us in FA but I think he is going to be fairly expensive anyways.
With BA gone, and Tunsil being moved to LT, I would for sure look at both It’s in FA and draft, and now I’d look for that draftee to be a starting caliber guy vs a potential starter, unless we double dip in FA on the OL. Zeitler, and Pocic to me is the best pair we could hope for. You would have a strong RG in zeitler, built and trained to play in a system like ours and Pocic who has played all positions on the OL at a high level, could be the backup OC and starting LG, with Steen backing up the LG or RG, which is a more natural position for him
Both OG’s in Fan and draft I meant
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley 56s56 seconds ago
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Bit of housekeeping: Ex-Browns slot CB K’Waun Williams recently visited the Dolphins. The belief is an offer is “forthcoming.” Stay tuned.
Well looks like Lou might have been spot on here. I think that does not bode well for how they feel about McCain or at least for having a proper backup in Thomas
Just competition at this point.
so did we trade for a quality QB yet? because Gimpy McCheckdown ain’t gonna win us the Super Bowl
Peyton decided to come back and play for Gase so we cut Tanny for a more expensive checkdown option. His name is Checkdown McNoodlearmus though.
Ohhhh…..That’s why you were on the Debbie Downer list! you are not an innocent bystander in the drive by!
sb7mvp says:
February 21, 2017 at 1:14 pm (Edit)
so did we trade for a quality QB yet? because Gimpy McCheckdown ain’t gonna win us the Super Bowl
**********************
Trade with what? Do we have any f****** picks left to trade??????
old man Wake is still on the roster at an affordable price. Randy says he due for a down year anyway…
We just extended him
I think I read KC may be releasing Nick Foles
That guy’s plight in the NFL has been a head scratcher. I mean he isn’t great but he isn’t complete crap either, but he finds himself in such awkward places with teams that despite making an investment in him always find options, other than him to go with.
Piggy I could see Pocic going before we pick in the second. I could see the need to trade you in that round to get him for sure. He might even go late first if some teams without a lot of other needs finds an opportunity to get him there. NE for sure might be one of those teams.
D
Foles is somewhat of an enigma
So Albert deal is Albert for a 2018 late round pick. And Thomas deal is Thomas and a 2017 late rounder? Each as separate deals?
Yes
Wow, we Thomas and a pick, cool.
We get
I still have hopes that they are separate deals cause there is still a chance that Albert sticks at G for say three years, but when he visited the Jags he was at least like “here is where my future is.” We’ll see though. No blood on contract paper till March 9.
I don’t so Stanger.
Cool enough. Albert at G for three years at say $20 mil with the last year pure cut and back-ended up…..I could deal with that just fine.
D,
That’s why Wake is affordable.
I think K’Waun Williams is just competition like Steve said. He doesn’t have a great body of work.
Interesting thought from a Ravens fan worried about us. Imagine our line with Brandon Williams. Who would care who was at the other DE at that point? Guessing whoever was at LB and DB wouldn’t mind either.
——————————————-
Checking Spotrac and their ‘Market Value’ evaluator, Brandon Williams is due for a 5 year, $62 million contract. Miami can absolutely afford the price-tag, and with a decent general manager to balance the contract with the cap, the Dolphins could punish teams with the force of Ndamukong Suh, Cameron Wake and Williams.
While it looks overboard on one focused position, the reasoning to upgrade the defensive line further involves their division nemesis, the New England Patriots. With Tom Brady continuing to embarrass Father Time, the Dolphins plan could be simply attack relentlessly through the defensive line.
http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2017/2/21/14679414/brandon-williams-could-be-a-target-with-new-dolphins-cap-room-brandon-albert-trade-julius-thomas
I read another article about us targeting him. I just don’t see it happening as we have way too many other needs to fill.
Stanger, I meant I don’t think so as in Albert coming back to us at guard.
I doubt it as well now, even if was hoping for it before. And do like Albert. Still curious how the deal was split though. Could have been cause of either side, but had to be a reason……
Might have been just a matter of working out the details until all parties were on board.
In regards to Williams visiting, I do believe it’s to push McCain for a job or off the roster. You have to question his maturity & wether that’s holding him back. Seems like a player similar to Walt Aikens where he can help on STs, but something isn’t quite clicking for him on D.
I think the org wants competition at a lot of positions this year.
“You’d think after ten years I would know better than to trust when she said she didn’t feel the need to anything special for the day. ”
*
Oh Stanger, please tell me you didn’t fall for that one!
Oh yes I did . But she even seemed to buy into the reasoning the day before. Stupid man am I. Regrouped in a flurry though and it turned out OK. After left with the thought that the main point was more about power dynamics and finger on the button……but if that is what it was she knows she still has that. 🙂
We need Zeitler, Lang, or Leary. I doubt Lang leaves the Pack though.
That’s what I would prefer
I didn’t realize Zeitler was only 27. He may be worth the money.
He’s 26 now, he’ll be 27 in 2 weeks. 🙂
Steve
The pick we got is for Branden Albert, a 2018 7th RD pick
We gave up a 2017 7th RD pick to get Julius Thomas
You think anyone will give us a third and a fourth for Caroo?
Not now. What I don’t understand is how that kid couldn’t see the field. When you make that kind of trade, you have to be thinking that this kid is an impact player to give up 3rd and 4th RD picks. Maybe he was just immature, but I can say Parker better pick up his play, or Carroo (If he wakes up) can steal it.
I was kidding. I don’t either Mike. I thought it was a poor decision at the time, and I really hate the trade now. Giving up draft picks forces you to be more aggressive and take chances in FA, which doesn’t usually pan out too well.
I know Mike I was goofin on what he wrote.
Bri
Mike Tradey-Pants can’t help himself. He needs the action
Hey now….that’s Big Money to you!
No kidding.
We all know you have a degree from the Tannenbaum account’s school of team building strategy.
btw — How’s your buddy feeling about the Yets these days?
I’m pretty sure the potential trade for Thomas is heavily Gase influenced. He knows what he can do and wants that option in his passing game.
Timtradamus, way to go out on a limb.
It was basically a reply to Mike saying “Mike Tradey-Pants can’t help himself. He needs the action”
It’s a good trade – low cost, incentive driven contract. Gives them a potential seam threat TE that was absent last year without keeping them from signing other players. If he doesn’t work out they are no worse off than last year at TE (if they re-sign Sims).
So Miaimi is at $42M before Albert’s salary comes off the cap, $50M-ish after, and they can clear another $7M or so by moving Misi and Jordan. Plenty of cash to fill some holes.
Selective salary capping? What about Thomas’ cap?
Thomas re did his contract Steve.
Draft picks are just throw ins. I like it though simply because Gase knows Thomas to the tune of two Pro Bowls. No we don’t have Manning, but we do have Gase.
I don’t have the numbers on it so I left it out. I would guess about $5M before incentives. So subtract that from above.
Brain — Thomas may redo his contract…….but am thinking if he does it turns into like a two-three year guaranteed for a lot less money (and don’t worry about the back-end “fluffer” stuff even if the total is big.
It’s funny when fans value draft picks so highly but then there are times when they say if we wait too long like until the 3rd or 4th rd to address a position there may not be much quality left.
If you build a good roster it doesn’t matter how you did it. If you don’t build a good roster with all your moves than you did a bad job.
But it matters how you build it Tim. In today’s NFL, you need to hit on draft picks in that first contract to get something out of your lower priced players. Without those draft picks, you are unable to do that, forcing you to grab guys in FA and paying them more. If the draft picks don’t work out, it doesn’t hurt you too much. If the FA’s don’t work out, it can cripple a team.
Our team is made up of a ton of our own draft picks and some UDFAs though. If you have cap space and you want to be competitive you have to use it. I don’t understand the concern here. What have we done that’s so outrageous?
Anybody have thoughts on this Austin Pasztor, OG-CLE?
Tim
I was talking about Mike Tradey-Pants’s Carroo trade, not Julius Thomas.
But you think of him that way in general. I’m not even sure the Carroo trade was all him. I think it had to do with our board and where we had players graded. Carroo was likely our BPA and we went after him. We had already drafted Drake with our 3rd so we traded back into the 3rd. It was obvious we felt the talent dropped off by the 5th rd and that’s why we traded back and ended up with two 6s and two 7s.
It’s not just about picks, but what you deem the talent level to be. You could have 12 picks and hit on only 5 because most of them just weren’t that good. That doesn’t necessarily mean you drafted poorly, it might have been a weak class.
We’ll see how it all pans out in the next couple of years which I think is our window to go for it with many of the current players we have possibly moving on by then.
Top ten youngest FA OG and their 2016 salary
Chance Warmack G 25 TEN $3,041,663
Larry Warford G 25 DET $768,750
Hugh Thornton G 25 IND $683,845
Oday Aboushi G 25 HOU $589,750
Kevin Zeitler G 26 CIN $1,886,050
Austin Pasztor G 26 CLE $1,671,000
Ron Leary G 27 DAL $2,553,000
Tim Lelito G 27 NO $1,671,000
Tom Compton G 27 ATL $785,000
Patrick Omameh G 27 JAC $675,000
weren’t both Warmack and Warford high drfat picks?
Warmack was a 1st and Warford a 3rd
Warmack – 1st #10
Warford – 3rd
Phelon
I don’t know nuthin’ about Pasztor, but now I keep hearing Chrissie Hynde singing O-ma-meh, o-ma-meh, O-ma-mehhhhhh, Ev-er-y daaaaay, Uh-huh
As long as you’re not touching yourself when you hear it…..
LOL – Not for Chrissie’s Hynde.
I watched some video of Julius Thomas and he’s a weapon in a myriad of ways. He opens the field. He has scored inside the 10 on pitches that go down as forward passes. He beats DBs. It wasn’t just Peyton although it didn’t hurt that Peyton was right on the money on a lot it. LOL
Doesn’t hurt that it was a Gase designed offense either. Gase likes to use TE’s when he has the talent there. He used RB’s & WR’s to hold LB’s for a sec, and spread the defenses out. This is why Julius could thrive, not so much because Manning was some magician.
The offense in Jax has been run horribly, and with nothing to speak of in the Running game to help set up big gains by the TE’s.
Miami DolphinsVerified account
@MiamiDolphins
We have signed long snapper Winston Chapman to a free agent contract.
They keep bringing them in and John Denney keeps on ticking. Although Denney is a UFA at 38 years of age.
Tim Knight says:
February 21, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Our team is made up of a ton of our own draft picks and some UDFAs though. If you have cap space and you want to be competitive you have to use it. I don’t understand the concern here. What have we done that’s so outrageous?
*
Last year may be the start of Salary Cap hell for us Tim. You keep trading away draft picks, and you have to go to FA. Carol was not necessary, no matter where he was on the board. BPA doesn’t mean you trade draft picks for a pick you don’t have. BPA is the pick you currently have. Of course there is a significant talent drop off from the 3rd to the 5th, but if you keep trading up because of that, you deplete your future draft picks, and don’t give yourself a chance at the Lamar Miller’s, Reshad Jones, etc.
Caroo not Carol
I knew who you meant. 🙂
Well it worked out because I’ll take Ajayi over Miller at a much cheaper price, and Jones is still with us. We’re also in good shape with the cap. As new contracts go up others expire.
Also realize that Ross hired Tannenbaum to get us out of mediocre hell that we’ve been in since the 2008 season and we were bad before that one year. We’re trying to win. Do we just want to keep building for 3-4 years with the hope that we win a super bowl in 5 years? Why not now? A lot of players we invested in won’t be here in a few years.
Tim
I think that way about him because it’s what he does. You think it’s coincidence that all of all a sudden we’re trading away picks like he operated with the Jets? He may have changed the logo on his shirt, but he likely hasn’t changed his stripes.
I don’t see any craziness though. None of the trades “he” has made with us have been over the top.
Again it comes down to the comp picks this year. If they were wrong on that then they possibly made a mistake if Carroo isn’t anything more than average.
Doesn’t hurt that it was a Gase designed offense either. Gase likes to use TE’s when he has the talent there. He used RB’s & WR’s to hold LB’s for a sec, and spread the defenses out. This is why Julius could thrive, not so much because Manning was some magician.
The offense in Jax has been run horribly, and with nothing to speak of in the Running game to help set up big gains by the TE’s.
Julis is 6’5 250 and runs a upper 4.6-4.7 with a sweet 35 1/2″ vertical.
If he stays healthy he becomes a steal in Miami with Gse running the offense and Tanny also being able to roll out, something Peyton couldn’t do!!!
“Julis is 6’5 250….with a sweet 35 1/2″ vertical.” Sounds like we found our 2nd tower in the red zone. Parker is six-three and his vertical ain’t bad either.
Parker had a 36.5 vertical at the combine. 🙂
And last I checked dbs were getting smaller and faster.
One guy I would take a look at is Mike Harris at guard. It was really weird what happened to him this past year in Minnesota. He was supposedly hurt, but he talked like he could have played. He was starting to look like he was getting good by the end of 2015. If he can be gotten cheap, and I’d guess he can, I’d definitely kick his tires.
***
Lelito, from the Saints is a young kid I’d take a look at too. Not a top notch player, but a young guy who may be ready to take that next step into a solid starting role somewhere. Again, a kid you might get cheap and who can play C/G. We need starters and depth at guard now.
I’m ready wyoming and will be there. Had the moves down in college. And at least will get to meet the girls and hang out.
Williams is also really small, which was not the type of DBs we were looking for before, though there is more than size that makes a good press CB. I could see him at NCB, again at least in the mix at it. He has to be better than Thomas at nickle, and he may be as good as McCain. Neither were great at nickle last year. Thomas looked way better at safety than nickle CB
I think the team really wants to make the secondary really competitive this year and hopefully staying healthier. We got destroyed last year.
Wyoming,
I’m all over that cheerleader competition. All I do around here is cheerlead anyway! If I can kick my legs up over my head, I’m a no-brainer. Lol
Slipping on the ice doesn’t count! 😉
Stanger, if you watch highlights of Thomas and he has scored 33 TDs the last 4 seasons, his best work is in the red zone even though he scored a bunch of times from outside of it. He scored in a lot of ways. He opens the field and against most LBs he’s a mismatch. He even beats DBs. He needs to get healthier too.
I think this is all a red herring, and we’re gonna trade 3 draft picks to jump up to the top 10 and pick Howard. MikeE has a heart attack because of the stress between wanting to strangle Tbaum for yet another crazy trade and the excitement of drafting Howard.
LOL
Wyoming,
It was over 60 today. It’s been crazy around here lately.
Gase is an offensive coach. He wants his specialty to be special and then play defense off of it. Score often and force opposing offenses into mistakes. He’s not into 17-16 games even though it happens from time to time. That’s how we’re being built from what I see happening.
Last year was mostly defense in FA and offense in the draft. I see more of a mix this year but more heavy on defense in the draft.
I agree, but that’s just the way the chips fell last year, don’t force it.
They didn’t go into FA and the draft and say we’re going D heavy in FA…
Well even Gase said he thought we’d go more defense in the draft last year and the board didn’t flow that way. He cited Grier as doing a great job sticking to the board. No mention of TBaum. LOL
My point exactly, we all thought we’d go more D in the draft last year. We all expect D heavy in the draft this year, but you can’t count on it.
Brian in NY says:
February 21, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Thomas re did his contract Steve
——————————————
I understand that, but what I was saying is Thomas doesn’t count against the cap? We were at 42M, then BA leaving took us to about 50M, then Thomas will lower it to about 43M.
This is RT’s season to establish himself as a franchise QB. His dead cap hit in 2018 is easy to walk away from. Even easier in 2019 if we feel we’re close so give it one more year.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/ryan-tannehill-9818/
Anyone watch the NBA All Star Game? Matador D at it’s finest. It was like a Globe Trotters Game.
It always stinks
LMAO @ Randy! Wouldn’t that be sumpin’?
Not to mention that a stroke and a heart attack leaves me on borrowed time for sure!
Steve, I’m just going with the flow of what I’m seeing. Not trying to say anything is set in stone. It’s about acquiring talented players and trying to win. I don’t see us doing anything foolish thus far. I really don’t. It may not pan out but it’s not ludicrous speed. LOL
Tim
BTW – I wasn’t implying that Tannenbaum always makes stupid moves, just that he likes to trade and move around. I don’t even think it’s arguable, he likes to wheel and deal, some guys just do.
Fair enough. I just feel most fans hold him to his worst moves and nothing he has ever done well, waiting for the shoe to drop. I think that’s a bit unfair until it happens with us.
Could this finally be the end of the line?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-winston-chapman-20170221-story.html
It will be at some point. Denney has been rock solid for almost two decades. Great at what he does. 17 years as our LS. Crazy!
I think it’s just someone to push him. The guy is nearly flawless- no reason to get rid of him and ask for problems.
How is fat, dancing cheerleader guy still fat?
Well, Williams signed with the 49ers so either MIA didn’t care for him or he didn’t care for MIA.
LMAO!
Let me further explain what I was getting at with what I believe is a better way to go with the offensive line in bringing in Schwenke, Larsen and Wagner rather than signing one really high priced free agent offensive lineman.
1. If we sign someone like Zeitler to that huge contract I don’t want to see us rest on our laurels at that point. I’m not saying we won’t try and improve the offensive line by drafting another player but, to me, it’s still not enough and I’ll explain further what I mean.
Let’s say we go into the season with Tunsil, draft pick, Pouncey, Zeitler and James as the starters. It’s all good, right? Maybe it is. Maybe I’m wrong.
Thing is, it’s the NFL and INJURIES happen. The chances of all five offensive linemen being on the field every game together is probably slim and none. Bushrod and James played all 16 games last season. Started in every one. Tunsil played in 14 and started in 14. Also solid. But Albert missed games and so did Pouncey. Albert missed games for the 3rd year in a row and Pouncey’s missed games since 2013 and, while James played in and started all 16 games last year he missed games in ’15.
Plus, we have a major ?? at center going into this season. Will Pouncey return full speed. Will he be back day one and will he play a full 16 game season. Granted Albert is no longer with the team so we don’t need to worry about his injuries but injuries happen.
Wagner: comes with a price tag of around $27million. Can play LT, RT and G. Can challenge for a starting guard position on the offensive line. Plus, if James or Tunsil miss time due to injury we have a solid backup rather than relying on Sam Young, who is less than adequate.
Schwenke and Larsen: both are centers in the NFL. both are not full-time starters but from the point of view of backups compared to Urbik and Steen they are major upgrades. Plus, if Pouncey goes down again we have an actual, bona-fide 2nd string center who can step in and take his place. They also bring competition to the offensive line, stronger competition than what we’ve currently got and are much more solid backups to what we’ve got.
Steen can still compete for a roster spot. Great thing about Steen is if he doesn’t make the roster he’s still practice squad eligible.
But, here’s the thing I’m looking at. We sign Zeitler to a big free agent contract. He’s plug ‘n play. We name him the starter from day one. He’s not competing for a roster spot. Is that what we should be doing or do we take guys who are still good enough to get the job done who are going to work harder to make the roster instead of just handing them the job.
Let’s go out and draft our guard of the future this year like we got our LT of the future in Tunsil. Only difference is we don’t need to worry about the guard of the future dropping in our laps. As fare as free agency is concerned, let’s use it to solidify the offensive line from top to bottom with three guys who will compete for a starting spot, one of which has a great chance of winning one spot, and at the same time upgrading the depth and increasing the overall level of talent.
thank you for reading my rant.
You guys keep glossing over Larry Warford. I think he’ll make a solid OG for years to come w/o breaking the bank.
Warford is a good guard but the other guys, at this time, have more value to me and the reason for that is because the T and C positions are more valuable to the offensive line.
It’s not easy to find a LT, RT or C and we were stuck with two backups last season that never played a down of football at C. the line needs to get more solid from top to bottom.
If Tunsil, Pouncey and James can play an entire season that’s great. But, we saw last year what happened when we had to rely on what we had on the roster as backups at the C and T positions.
Sam Young isn’t going to get it done and neither will Urbik and Steen get it done at center. Bring in guys who actually played center and bring in a solid tackle who can be plugged in at either tackle position if needed. Wagner has played both LT and RT and can play guard.
I don’t know if Schwenke or Larsen have ever played guard but Urbik and Steen never played center and it’s a lot more difficult to learn to play center than it is to play guard.
okay, found some info. while at Cal, Schwenke played 16 games at LG, 12 at C, and 8 at RG. So, position flexibility.
Larsen played guard and center in the NFL while with the Bucs.
Wagner has played only LT and RT so far.
To further go into detail I’m also looking at it from the point of view that you sign a guard, maybe it’s Zeitler, maybe it’s Warford or maybe it’s someone else.
Okay, you signed a guard. But, let’s say it IS Zeitler. Lot of money for one guy and lot of money for a guard. yeah, it can solidify the offensive line but it’s one guy and it’s a guard. Yep, we need two guards and he fits the bill but it’s a guard.
The offensive line is probably the toughest place to play on the team. You’ve got guys getting rolled up on, stepped on and what not. Injuries are going to happen.
But, besides that, I’m also looking at it from the point of view of what the more valuable positions are on the line. Those are the tackles and center. Not guard; tackles and center.
So, you lose a guard and a lot of guys can play guard. It’s not a specialized position. Center is by far the most specialized position on the line. You need to make the offensive line calls and you pretty much always have a guy lined up right over the top of you so you’ve got to concentrate on getting the snap right and then you’ve got to be quick enough to get up out of your stance and take on that guy who’s bad breathe is in your face.
LT protects the QB’s blind side. RT, you’re facing another pass rusher. But, guard? Not as valuable.
Two guys who are actual centers and one guy who’s played both RT and LT, all 3 of which can play guard for us if a win as far as I’m concerned and it’s more of a win than signing one high priced guard who, if he goes down, we have Urbik or Steen to replace him with.
LOL…did this mock earlier & funny how it fell:
YOUR TEAM: MIAMI DOLPHINS
GAME OVER!
Your score is: 10385 (GRADE: B)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 32 (N.E.): Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple (B+)
Round 2 Pick 22: Pat Elflein, C/OG, Ohio State (B+)
Round 2 Pick 32 (N.E.): Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio (A)
Round 3 Pick 34 (COMP): Anthony Walker Jr., ILB, Northwestern (A)
Round 3 Pick 39 (N.E.): Elijah Lee, OLB, Kansas State (C+)
Round 4 Pick 22: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado (A-)
Round 5 Pick 22: Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo (C+)
Round 6 Pick 22: Eric Saubert, TE, Drake (C)
Round 7 Pick 22: Travin Dural, WR, LSU (C+)
Your Future Picks:
2018 Round 1 Pick
2019 Round 1 Pick
Lou….I’m not reading your 30 manifestos 😂
22
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/2017-nfl-draft-dolphins-eye-late-round-toledo-michael-roberts/aenqROkzzLbqhNllfV9YHL/?ecpm=pbp_social_twitter_sports_sfp
I’m at the point where I think he makes more sense than re-signing Sims.
Good thing dbolt grabbed him!
22: R1P22
S MALIK HOOKER
OHIO STATE
54: R2P22
G DION DAWKINS
TEMPLE
98: R3P34
C PAT ELFLEIN
OHIO STATE
167: R5P22
EDGE JOSH CARRAWAY
TCU
177: R5P32
EDGE GARRETT SICKELS
PENN STATE
185: R5P40
LB MARQUEL LEE
WAKE FOREST
207: R6P22
DL STEVIE TUIKOLOVATU
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Looking at FA for LB with that draft? I do like the players
Cunningham and Roddick went earlier, and Hooker fell ( not happening in April), and the rest of the draft just worked out well. That would take care of our OL!
Reddick
Lou
You gave up on Steen? I remember there was a point this year you thought Steen might be better than Pouncey, unless maybe you just meant hurt Pouncey. lol
No, I just thought Steen was a solid option as a backup guard. I didn’t give up on him but I don’t think he’s as good an option as a 2nd string center as either Schwenke or Larsen and I believe Urbik and Young are gone anyway.
I give Lou some credit; I’ve been checking out Forrest Lamp, and he looks really good.
During Sr. Bowl weekend he kept receiving Zach Martin Comps.
Lou
Young was signed to a 1YR contract this year. He’s at least here for this season
I believe Urbick was extended also.
Urbik’s dead money is even less than Young’s; $125,000. They can release both and not have to worry about it. Please don’t tell me you guys are bent on keeping both of these guys around. Together they wouldn’t make one good offensive lineman.
not necessarily. he’s only got a dead cap hit of $225,000. We can and will do better in free agency.
One would think the team is going to be more focused on the defensive side of the ball this year, especially in the draft, but something tells me that because Gase is an offensive coach that he’s going to go after more offensive talent. Some of it may be on the o-line, which is good, but I can see us taking two in the first two rounds instead of going defense.
It sucks but I just get that feeling that the offensive side of the ball is always going to be more important. Denver put up a lot of points with him there and the offense was great but they also had a great defense too and that helped a lot.
here’s my rant from above in an abridged version:
https://professorlousmiamidolphinsblog.org/2017/02/22/schwenke-larsen-wagner-why-they-make-sense/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true
“So, you bring in 3 players in Schwenke, Larsen and Wagner” — I could see that and it would come with a safety factor. What do you figure the total price tag would be?
And nice write btw. Know you got your own blog going, but pretty sure the admin gods here would love to turn the front page over to you for a post or three if you wanted.
NEW BLOG UP!
I don’t see one
OD,
Love this as usual. Good stuff! Hello, everyone!!How is everyone doing this offseason?
On to today’s team, I love our moves so far. BA always injured so we trade him off. We need a TE and get a great one. Now we can focus on OG and D in the draft. Small draft pool but the bonus selections should help some. LB, OG, DL, CB, what else is needed lol? Seems like half the defense sometimes.