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 
OD
I’m all for spending big bucks on at least one OG. I’d love to have Zeitler here. I’m not sure that’s in the cards, but as long as they bring in an OG that we put in there and he does his job well for all 16 games, I’m happy.
OD
The first line of the last paragraph of this article, minus the undefeated part, because that’s too over the top, but that’s what I want to read at the end of this season!
AS YOU READ this article, remember this: Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and Alan Page WERE ALL ELECTED TO THE NFL HALL OF FAME, as were center Mick Tinglehoff and, of course, Fran Tarkenton. This was a team LOADED with superior talent at most positions! No wonder they were an elite team for over a decade!
I think we should go after Brian Schwenke, Ted Larsen and Ricky Wagner in FA for our o-line. Signing all three won’t take that much. Wagner’s going to be the most costly at about $27M total and the other two would be relatively cheap to sign.
The three of them would help solidify our o-line with depth and starting capability.
Are there any new reports today about the team?
If you take a look of the current crop of FA wr’s is there a guy you look at that we can have either for the same thing as what Stills may command or cheaper than Stills that you would like better?
I can’t see one.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/wide-receiver/
and, according to Spotrac, Robert Woods’ market value is greater than Stills. I don’t think that’s correct but take it for what it’s worth.
TIM ASKS “Are there any new reports today about the team?”
Here are a couple of new reports, TIM.
#1) FinFanRob has just been hired as the “O-FISH-AL” team escort
for the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders!!
#2) Tannenbaum has just traded Tannehill and our #1 draft choice to the Jaguars for Chad Henne! —Somewhere Markayh is saying “I told you so!”
LOL
so, according to Omar, the team is working today to finalize the trade of Albert to the Jags for Thomas.
Source?
uh, Omar?
I have the link now, I was asking for the intel you were referring to.
Sounds like Albert is on board and a deal is imminent and it sounds like Julius Thomas is the player we get.
This article tells me it’s happening. Could be Julius Thomas or a draft pick, not sure. But it seems legit.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-branden-albert-20170219-story.html
Comp pick speculation.
http://overthecap.com/projecting-2017-compensatory-draft-picks/
Albert is a classy dude.
^
I am thrilled that Miami was able to unload Branden Albert’s contract while getting a player that helps them plug a significant need. NOT SURE how much cap space will be cleared by this move, but I’m guessing a few million. SO I’d cross off TE as a major area of need. This will allow Miami to focus on the 3 areas of greatest need, namely O-Line, LB and DE. If the comp speculation proves true, Miami will have a first, second and third round pick to fill these 3 weakest areas. And we’ll still have 5th, 6th & 7th round picks to build depth and/or “take a shot.”
NICE position to be in.
PS:HERD, thanks for your usually excellent work on game 3 of The Perfect Season.
OD I’d look at it as a trade of big contracts with us getting a player who is in a better place career wise to be a long standing contributor. Only negative I’d have to say about it is this is the deepest tight end draft I have seen in a very long time. We likely could get a draft pick with potential to be as good as Thomas, but it would cost us an early pick. Maybe we still draft a guy in the middle round.
Tim only new thing he I’m seeing is that the Albert to Thomas thing looks really solid now, a D according to the I terview Omar had with Albert, from Albert’s own mouth, dolphins s fans should be surprised by the details. Not sure if that’s a good or bad surprise but that’s what he said. That’s said, I kinda will miss BA, seemed like a good guy, good pro, with the right attitude about playing and the business side of things. Wish him the best in Jax.
And not a D
Branden Albert is most definitely a top notch classy guy. I wish him the best.
Albert for Thomas in a straight up deal isn’t a great deal. I think there will be either a pick this year, a conditional pick next year, or another player involved.
I think they’re gonna throw in Telvin Smith, just to make Sonny happy.
Well that is of critical importance…..
It’s good if they can re-work Thomas’ deal. We need a real threat offensively at TE; hopefully we would still re-sign Sims.
I think they would definitely have to sign Sims, or replace him with someone else that can block, because Julius Thomas is NOT that guy.
If we do get Thomas, all those people that just hated the idea of drafting O.J. Howard should be dancing right about now
Who hated the idea? I would prefer a defensive playmaker, but I wouldn’t complain about Howard.
Shall we dance? Drafting a TE in round 1 when our needs at O-Line, LB and DE are far greater would have been very Irelandesque, especially if this Howard turns out to be Jordan II.
What if we shore up some of those positions in FA, OD? If Howard was the next Gronk, then it would be a good move.
It’s about release vs. we like the player you have. Maybe Gase really likes Thomas. 12/12 24 TDs under Gase as OC in 13/14. Route tree guy.
It’s happening. Go Google it.
OD
You’re just not paying attention. I’ve never ignored the O-line, I said we should sign one of the top OG’s in FA, and then draft another G/C. That being said, we don’t have to draft an OL in the 1st RD
Bri
There are a few people here that only wanted to go defense early in the draft. Maybe hate was too strong a word.
well, I said I wouldn’t get excited about the Thomas trade but I was wrong because now I don’t have to hear about the dumbass OJ Howard in the first round shit anymore.
LOL @ bummed out Lou.
Route tree. I expect to see a lot of Sims and Thomas on the field with Ajayi. You keep teams out of nickel and prey on LBs as you have a hat on hat against the front 7. Landry and Parker on the outside regardless of Stills.
thank God Tim’s got it all figured out. why do we even worry about it?
I don’t have an issue with Gray on the field. He was a significant part of our success running the ball
Lou, come on just having some fun and going by what’s being reported. It’s everywhere. It has nothing to do with me. I’m commenting on what appears to be happening. If it changes, okay. I’m going with the flow of what we’re doing, not the world according to Timmy Knight. LOL
Like I said, best thing about it is no TE in the first round. couldn’t be happier.
Sims – we likely re-sign him to a fair deal.
Thomas – restructure contract early on and earn your elite status once again.
Gray – solid depth TE in all phases.
Duarte – a potential depth weapon.
Jones – we might want him back too in the run game.
Thomas – not tight end in the first rd.
there, I fixed it. lol
“no tight end in the first rd”.
there. I finally fixed it
Okay Lou, the trade happens so it’s Tunsil at LT and Thomas will be our main target TE. Now what, from right now?
I don’t know. That’s why I’m home on the couch.
well, I guess the first thing would be with Thomas coming to MIA you’ll have some Phins fans in the bathroom smacking their meat around.
Alrighty then! So what say you about the lineup, and not weird fantasies? LOL
Offense:
LT Tunsil
LG?
C Pouncey
RG?
RT James
TE Thomas
TE Sims
WR Landry
WR Parker
QB Tannehill
RB Ajayi
Defense:
LDE Wake
LDT Suh
RDT Phillips
RDE?
SOLB?
MLB Alonso (for now)
WOLB?
CB Maxwell/Lippett
CB Howard/Lippett
NB McCain/?
S Jones
S IAQ
I want Branch and Stills back.
I’m cool with that too. They both played well, Stills more of a big play guy. Branch plays hard and gives great effort. He’s just not a finisher as in sacks and game changing plays. Both players have value for us on different levels.
I would agree with anyone who says there’s room for improvement with both but I also think both can still improve and will improve. I think Stills is capable of putting up double digit td’s and definitely is capable of more catches.
Gase had the offense going in the right direction this past season but it stuttered a bit too often for us to really see what everyone was capable of doing. Consider that Stills had 9 td’s in an offense that was worst in the league in 3 and out’s, time of possession per offensive possession and # of plays per offensive possession and that’s pretty darn good.
But, there’s always room for improvement and that goes for everyone; especially when you look at statistics like that.
But, I would imagine both Branch and Stills would want to blow away their 2016 performances this year.
So we are getting Thomas but not sure what else…if anything…yet?
Seems like it.
check out St. Mary LB KyRandall Smith:
http://www.hudl.com/profile/606635/kyrandall-smith
Lou
Damn! You were just warming up to getting Howard in the 1st RD too. lol
yeah, like a diaper rash. I don’t think so. lol
professorloumiamidolphinsblog says:
February 19, 2017 at 9:22 pm
I would agree with anyone who says there’s room for improvement with both but I also think both can still improve and will improve. I think Stills is capable of putting up double digit td’s and definitely is capable of more catches.
I drive by american heritage HS several times a week and I see several dolphin players practicing against one another. Wake does his off season work outs there also in stead of Western HS where I would see him always during his first few years as a dolphin. The coach of AH last year was Pat Surtain and yes they won state for 3 or fourth time in 5 years. I see Wake along with Surtain’s HS teams players practicing covering the dolphins WR’s.
They work on setting legal picks with each other. It’s very interesting how well they run full spread and cross each other which creates open space for the qb to throw to a momentary open wr because of the precision of the route running.I have watched the teams games last season again and I noticed most of their plays in the 3-4 player wr sets involve legal picks. It seems teams are doing this more and with better precision than any time I can remember in the history of watching the NFL .
Improvement for the Offense will be with them learning how to set picks better and QB throwing ball at the time of a perfectly executed pick. It shoud be fun watching them next year knowing they can only get better practicing these picks. The wr position may become the harder position to make a immediate impact considering the have to learn these picks and they have to execute them with the other wr’s to perfection. Good news this can be learned very easily during the off-season workouts without pads and during training camp.
This Albert trade to Ajax may not be what has been reported.
@ArmandoSalguero: It’s not. I’ll clear it up for folks tomorrow. https://t.co/g9R8uWc6Xf
Mike E. says:
February 19, 2017 at 8:17 am
OD
I’m all for spending big bucks on at least one OG. I’d love to have Zeitler here. I’m not sure that’s in the cards, but as long as they bring in an OG that we put in there and he does his job well for all 16 games, I’m happy.
*
Mike,
Maybe they are clearing cap space at LT so they can spend big bucks on a G.
GOTTA AGREE with your analysis, Brian. I think THAT’S EXACTLY what the front office is going to do. Getting Zeitler in FA would send a message that Miami is going to try to get the best man available for one of the two starting guard positions!! – – The other might be snagged in round 2 (Elflein?) And then we will have addressed our glaring shortcomings in the offensive line.
BTW, Mike E, I don’t believe I accused you of ignoring our O-Line issues at all. But I DO BELIEVE you are right in your belief the ZEITLER is the best available option at guard, based on what I’ve read and seen. Hell, we all (I HOPE) want to see Tanny and Ajayi benefit from a REALLY GOOD offensive line. Unfortunately, that has seldom been the case during the last 7-8 seasons, due to injuries and poor personnel decisions.
Give the 2016 team a SOLID, top tier, offensive line FOR EVERY GAME and we would have been legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Give them 2 more good LB’s and a much needed edge player AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONS!! This franchise is CLOSER to being a Top 4 franchise than you might think. THE KEY, now, is getting Tannehill healthy and ready to go.
FINALLY, after what seems to have been AN ETERNITY, the Dolphins are approaching greatness again. ARE YOU READY, DOL-FANS????
We will be able to address our LT position by sliding Tunsil over, and saving a ton of money while also upgrading the position. We could also sign Leary, who will probably cost 3-4 million less than Zeitler, and address the other G position in the draft. If Pouncey stays healthy (and the rest of the line as well) and we will have a very good OL. Hopefully we can build some depth there as well.
maybe they are freeing space and are gonna move last yrs 1st rounder out to tackle and draft best center in 2nd or third round and move pouncey out to right guard where he can excel at, as he has proven he can do at the pro level. Less wear and tear on hips plus he can help new center with line calls.
Cheap OL contracts in the future is good for the team and teams that have done this usually succeed like dallas,sf,seattle and several other through the years. Get 5-6 OL playing on rookie contracts and replace them when their contracts expire like we are set up now or draft another 1st rounder.
That’s definitely a possibility as well.
they have bitten really bad with injuries and other things through the last 10-12 yrs and things can finally be corrected to help this team the most. The foundation is built within the trenches and our OL has been snake bitten the last 10-12 yrs. I truly believe the team can correct the black cloud hanging over this franchise this offseason if they address the OL and it doesn’t have to be in the first round of the draft.
I still like the idea of addressing the offensive line with three players rather than one big name, big money guy. I like Zeitler, was one of my guys in the draft, but I’d rather pay Schwenke, Wagner and Larsen less for all three.
Toomuch unbridled optimism here…where are Randy, SB, FFR et al?
Because we haven’t talked about the Jags trade enough….since Jax already paid Thomas his $3M roster bonus, maybe the deal is they eat that, Miami picks up his current contract while Jax renegotiates Albert’s. Miami gets Thomas for $4M the first year which is a good deal.
unfortunately, they can’t make JAX eat the guarantee. The guaranteed money goes to the acquiring team. MIA would need to get Thomas to eat it.
Only thing JAX would eat would be a pro-rated bonus remaining of $3.6M
Dang, I was hoping that since it was already paid they could.
contract terms like that are passed on to the acquiring team. nothing that can be done about it. the bonus is already paid so the pro-ration is eaten by JAX but the acquiring team is on the hook for the guaranteed money .
$3M is guaranteed this year, but his contract numbers are too high at $7M, 8.5 and 9, that’s why they want to renegotiate. I doubt the deal goes through unless it’s reworked. So the $3M only means they must pay him at least that in a renegotiated contract.
What we’re trying to do is lower the future years, but give him more than the $3M in guarantees. Something like $12M guaranteed, with $6M in bonus this year. The contracts would be $1M 2017, then 7 in 2018, and 2019. More years might also be added.
and you know this how? I don’t see the extra years. doesn’t make sense. why are you going to lock up a guy who may shit the bed in his first year?
There’s no extra years, his current contract runs through 2019. You only lock him up for 2 years, the 3rd year would only have $2M in dead money. Logic states this, and it’s a far less gamble than we took with Maxwell, since Thomas has excelled in Gases O.
Thomas may balk at the $7M in 18 and 19, but that’s what the team will try to do.
And we have leverage. Gase makes him better, giving him more guarantees, and telling him he can go somewhere else and underperform or stick to the scheme that made him great.
Would love to know if they asked Albert if he was willing to switch to G, but since they were going to cut him anyhow only real Q is If they want to sign Thomas for $7 mil for one year.
The next two years on his contract would be there if you wanted to hold him, but there would be zero cap effect in cutting him after a trade.
Getting anything more than that would be a bonus, but would also indicate that at least the Jags don’t think he is worth the $7 mil.
True. It wouldn’t surprise me if they were trying to get him to take a 2 yr prove it deal instead of what he’s got now
Main thing I come out of this with is that Gase knows Thomas. However it turns out figure he knows far more than me. If turns out that Tomas redos into a more long-term contract, then back to Gase knows him. And yeah — Gase has my trust at this point.
They would only move BA to guard on a reduced contract. Why even acquire Thomas for 1 year? They want him for at least 3, or take draft comp.
I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if, when all is said and done, Thomas is on a 2 yr prove it deal.
Go look at Maxwell’s contract, they kind of did that with him, but left future years base too high, which means he either reduces his contract in 2018, when the guarantees are gone or he’s gone. Unless of course he kills it this year.
Agree Lou, and they do that by giving him more guarantees. Thomas is a great fit in Gase’s offense, so let’s hope we can get him to reduce future years base, essentially getting a bargain. Thomas would do that, because he most likely won’t be as good in another offense.
lol. Maxwell’s contract pretty much assures he’s a FA in ’18
Maxwell an FA in 2018 is why you try to reduce Thomas’ 18 and 19 base.
I would hope they sign him to a 2 yr prove it deal with incentives for td’s, playoffs, etc rather than play around with extending him and pushing higher salary to later yrs.
Sorry guys wedge took a break
Lazy alien!
Hey — maybe it is best for us that some other planet deserved destroying more than ours. 🙂
I’d be thrilled, if we can get Thomas at say $7M per year for 3 years. I’m with Lou on not taking a TE in the first. It better be a DE or LB, unless Tunsil the second falls into our lap. Also since it’s a trade it doesn’t count against lost FAs, if we should lose any.
Albert said in the SS article that he was willing to play guard only if compensated fairly. I guess the number was not what Miami wanted to pay him.
Also indicates that they offered him maybe what I was thinking of……”the play out your career at G and Tunsil mentor for less money” and it was turned down. Or who knows? Maybe before March 9 that is what it ends up as.
5 minutes ago
More
Ok, Branden Albert’s agent says the situation is NOT completed in Jacksonville. #Jaguars think it is. The plot thickens.
Didn’t Armando say he would clear it up today?
like a bad cold
I have a “What about Telvin” sign with a Dolphin logo and I’m standing outside of the Jags offices. I’ll keep you updated.
that’s what we like to hear!!! lol
we better be getting something extra for Albert; like David Putney.
Chad Henne just walked by and threw something at me and of course he missed.
probably didn’t reach you either
Lucky Bastard!
yeah. look at that hair cut. he ain’t getting any
he wants any of that he’s gonna need to make it rain
Okay so it’s just a ho hum get something for Albert and move on from his contract.
Question, being that we’re trading Albert, do we still eat the dead cap or do we now get his entire value in cap space?
Don’t ask me!
I’m just the dick who posts the Cheerleader pics! 😉
Can’t trade away the pro-rated bonus, but that goes for Thomas too. Only Thomas has guaranteed money left though, so that would be part of the trade. If anything, they might be doing Albert a favor……or maybe doing a prelim check out the market before FA starts thing.
I wasn’t thrilled with Julius Thomas, but I would have trusted that Gase thought he could make him work here. Alright, back to O.J. Howard!!!
LOL, Lou just yelled oh fuck me!
I also think we should squeeze more out of JAX if they want to negotiate with Albert exclusively. Make it a 5th RD pick, and you got a deal.
Remember Albert was going to be released. To get anything is fine. He was a cap casualty.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 1m1 minute ago
More
Ian Rapoport Retweeted Armando Salguero
This is true. #Dolphins doing the Albert part of the deal now. The Julius Thomas part, if it happens, will take more time. Still in the mixIan Rapoport added,
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero
Branden Albert to Jacksonville in the works — but not for Julius Thomas http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article133827814.html …
Oh so now Thomas is still possibly in the mix?
Tim
I know he was going to be released, so from our standpoint, whatever we get is good. On the other hand, he wasn’t released, and if the Jaguars are really worried about a bidding war with other teams, let them pay for it. We’re going to release him anyway, no skin off our backs, but if they want exclusive rights to talk to him, pay up with a 5th RD pick. The stakes have changed, because we didn’t release him.
Yeah to get something instead of nothing. I’m also wondering being that Albert hasn’t been paid in the new year yet if maybe we get all of his cap back and no dead cap because of the trade.
What do you mean get all of his cap back? Once you’ve paid a bonus you eat it, that’s the dead money. We still owe BA 3.4M.
He has no guaranteed money left on his deal and the new year hasn’t started yet so he has not been paid as far as I know.
He doesn’t have guaranteed money left, but he still has dead money from the bonus paid to him when he signed. We’re on the hook for that, we can’t get it back.
With the Albert and Thomas talk, will note that today marks the tenth year since the contract was signed in the greatest deal of all the world’s draft history.
Not talking Brady or Zach…….this contract was signed on a cruise ship in Nassau by the w
And who would ever thought that I would find a “w” who bought into my system?
I have no idea what you’re referring to.
Today is my tenth wedding anniversary. Take a special kinda of person to put up with me.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 5m5 minutes ago
More
My understanding is the Julius Thomas part of #Dolphins-#Jags deal broke down (for now) over what his new MIA contract would be. Lot of time
Before you hit something like the March 9 deadline when the deal going to be done……lots of smoke and mirror stuff involved.
Oh congrats Stanger!
Hope you get the chance to meet her someday (and yeah that means get you assss down to a Fest). Have a feeling you two would get along quite well……
Stanger, Congrats to you and the lovely Mrs.
(now that I know you – She IS a saint)
Like yours isn’t? Might be why they get along so well. Niche market for sure, but for some reason they bought into what we were selling. Sometimes you luck into finding that piece of the puzzle that fits yours.
pheloniusphish says:
February 20, 2017 at 9:36 am
Toomuch unbridled optimism here…where are Randy, SB, FFR et al?
___
how’d I get lumped in with these two? lol
You must have been the last post that I read or something….an innocent bystander in a drive by!
Stanger,
Congrats to you and your Lovely Wife.. Happy Anniversary !!
Thanks P-Dog. Know you have similar too. Some times even the stupidest mutt finds a bone.
The team floats the idea we’re cutting him, so fans will buy whatever happens as a bonus. Nicely played Front Office.
Randy — still thinking this was a way to let Albert get a reality check out what life would be like if he wants to stay at LT and see how they run on the numbers. He might get a one-year a year rental from a contender…..but then he has to come back and explain the situation to his family.
it does reek of PR
but some would argue that the idea of waiving albert was put out there to find a buyer for him
either or pound for pound, I’m not sure this move is worthy of criticism by the FO
I’m kinda lukewarm about it – maninly bc I don’t love Thomas
How is it not? We’re moving on from him and his contract. So released vs. any compensation is a little bit of a bonus, not a big deal for a 2018 late rd pick. LOL
stanger,
It never made sense they wouldn’t try to trade him first. Now it does. Albert was gonna get picked up one way or another. He’s talented and experienced. Minnesota would snatch him up in a heartbeat! Lol
***
We just happen to have a guy available to take his spot….making him expendable to us. If not for Tunsil, he’d be going nowhere.
Maybe someone would take Albert on with his contract, but then he also knows that he is cut baitable on it after this season. Who knows the exact dynamics on it, but my guess the interplay is he wants a career-ending contract with more guaranteed bucks to make that happen no matter where it is while the Phins are saying you can play G with that here but we got Tunsil.
stanger,
Yeah…nobody really knows as a fan. As long as we end up a better team in the end, I’m fine with it. Lol
Never underestimate the factor of a guy (especially one with tens of millions earned) telling his wife that they have to move and how bad it comes over when he has to admit after that if it don’t hit “we’ll find the next place for more.”
Part of why players call it a business and the guys running the teams have more leverage than any one player on his own future.
Albert’s family doesn’t have to move being that he’ll still be playing in the same state. Players don’t spend much time at home during football anyway.
Stanger
Happy Anniversary to you guys! Tell MA i wish you both the best!
Thanks Mike. Won’t go into how I just got into trouble that had to with choice of eating spot in terms how long fake-UK Phin (+1) drive time it…..but part of why we are still together.
Pretty both sure you and MA’s bff on your side are friends on facebook though. If you want to help with the day, just let her know I was talking her up (even if comes with he still can’t figure out how he made it to ten years.) And heck — you can tell her that is exactly what I asked for. 🙂
2018 late round pick and now I have to hear about Howard again????!!!!!! Put me out of my misery!
LOL
Randy, I agree that after FA and the draft all that matters is our 53 is better than it was and does it set us up to make the playoffs again. It doesn’t really matter how we get there.
Just an FYI. There’s no additional cap savings in trading Albert over cutting him. The dead money is still applicable to the Phins.
So for now as long as the Albert trade goes through, we’re back at about $50M in cap space. What to do?
Punt
We’re likely to see a lot of doubling up on some positions thru FA and the draft.
DE – one from each
DT – one from each
LB – one from each
DB – not sure, maybe one premium or multiple lower tier for competition
C/G – one from each
TE – one from either or thru trade
Sweet Baby Jesus…Now the they’re trading a late round draft pick for Thomas who has agreed to redo his contract..
That’s a late round pick this year. Then they trade Albert for a late round pick, not sure what year. Two separate deals.
Ian Rapoport tweeted this could be the case.
Ian RapoportVerified account @RapSheet 52m52 minutes ago
TE Julius Thomas had his best stint under #Broncos OC Adam Gase. Now, Thomas will be back with Gase with the #Dolphins. Mutually beneficial
Now Lou can sleep tonight . . . 🙂
LOL
How are you doing, we’re trading another one of those glorious draft picks? 🙂
Man some of the comments I read on Twitter are so ignorant and uniformed. By the way I’m not on Twitter myself, I just go to some of them for reports. But geez the comments are really dumb!
We’ll see.
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/dolphins-reportedly-agree-to-acquire-tight-end-julius-thomas-from-jaguars-022017
Wow, that’s great news. IDGF about getting a 7th for BA in 2018 vs giving a 6th for JT, or whatever the compensation is, the main thing is JTs contract being significantly reduced. JT had a healthy Peyton throwing him the ball when he had the 24 TDs in 2 years, but he can do the same with us, or he won’t get his incentives.
Albert is only being reported as a 2018 late round pick, could be 6-7 based on performance. Doesn’t mean much to me, it’s something for a guy we would have released anyway.
Thomas is reportedly for a 2017 7th. Again, these deals were more about positional cap moves than anything else. Let’s hope Thomas is a great fit for us and good luck Brandon, you’re a good dude, a warrior and a team first guy.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 23m23 minutes ago
#Dolphins expected deal for Julius Thomas is for a 7th in ’17. #Jaguars expected deal for Branden Albert if completed is for a ’18 late pick
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 25m25 minutes ago
#Jaguars TE Julius Thomas will be in Miami tomorrow for a visit and physical in contemplation of a trade. He’s agreed to re-do his contract
I think the compensation difference has to do with Albert being 33 in November vs. Thomas 29 in June. Is it a 2018 6th or 7th for Albert? It might be conditional based on performance.
If this all goes through we know Tunsil is our LT and Thomas is our main pass catching TE. Go! LOL
Tim
I’m fine, it’s a 7th RD pick, it’s worth it. I still feel like we should re-sign Sims though
Me too.
Yes on Sims. This regime since Gase has come on board has made smart deals, both of these are good business deals. With that said, why sign the big FA contract? We got Maxwell without breaking the bank. No more Suh type of deals. Pay your own, Stills, Sims, and Branch, then spend money wisely.
Also if Maxwell fades on us this year no cap hit next year releasing him and we move on saving $10M in cap. There will always be relief in the next few years. Suh’s deal will be done before we know it. It’s always revolving. Try to get the best players you can together and win a championship when you can. That’s the goal.
Is Gase the the voice of reason, that neutralizes Tannenbaum’s loose cannon? I was trying to chill, so far this offseason, but with these 2 smart deals it’s getting hard to stay that way. Mega cap space, with only a few key FAs to sign, but Jones and Landry to extend. We could be contenders.
I read an article from Armando back during the season where he stated Ross gave Gase control over the team. Maybe not all the personnel for the 90 man TC roster, he doesn’t know enough about all of that, at least not yet, but definitely about how he wants to build his team. He’s responsible at the end of the day for wins and losses. The final 53 and game day 46 is Gase’s call.
Ross hired Tannenbaum to change the mediocre phase the team was in. TBaum along with Ross looked for a new direction with Grier and Gase. Here we are on year 2 coming off of a 10-6 playoff season not seen since 2008.
Okay, let’s see what the 2017 team looks like.
HOw many 7th rounders have made our team over the years. Few and far between. Compared to a guy who has at least done it at this level before…. Thomas for 7th rounder is a no brainer.
Nobody to write home about. Fede at the moment is the best.
Tim Knight says:
February 20, 2017 at 6:25 pm (Edit)
Man some of the comments I read on Twitter are so ignorant and uniformed. By the way I’m not on Twitter myself, I just go to some of them for reports. But geez the comments are really dumb!
Tim, I’d say the vast majority of twitter is ridiculous. But it is entertaining.
And i know you are talking about Dolphins news. Just joking.
After hearing the news on the Albert Trade from before and the possibility of drafting a TE in the 1st rd I had to leave for awhile and go and straighten some shit out.
That’s better.
Hey, Jax cut Odrick….we could get him back….
Reply
YOUNG STANGER: Congrats on your 10th ANNIVERSARY!! — I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know both of you over the last few years and what a joy it’s been!! You’re both terrific!!
—————
Yesterday my oldest Grand Daughter turned 31. Mrs. OD and I called her to wish her an ultra happy b’day. We went to the hospital the evening she was born in West Palm Beach. What a thrill to see your first grand kid!! – – Hard to believe 31 years have passed since then! We’ll get to see her in about 2 months when we travel to the Chattanooga area for another convention. She, her husband, and their 3 kids will be waiting for us at their home about an hour west of Chattanooga.
————–
Quite happy with tonight’s Dolphin developments. Now if we can just get those 3 major holes filled!! Good night to all of you.
hey, you stockpile those 7th rd picks. just ask Ireland.
Still don’t get the need to trade Albert
We decided to pay Tunsil $2.8+M at LT rather than Albert at $10.6M. I was all about them sticking together one more year. Not the case, so off we go to the next season.
Thomas is a nice TE but those numbers were mostly because of Manning more so than his ability. He was no where near the same level of production in Jax and he didn’t really help Bortles development
That’s one way to look at it.
That’s why they restructured him to an incentive laden contract.
Does he even like Snickers?
Exactly- trading for Thomas with the way we restructured his contract was a no-brainer. Very low risk, extremely high reward.
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article133945014.html
Ken says:
February 20, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Still don’t get the need to trade Albert
*
My best guess is this:
Tunsil at LT is an upgrade , and a far more cost effective option. Albert is declining, and can’t stay healthy. Instead of paying a premium at the LT position for someone inferior to Tunsil, they can focus on the G spots in FA or the draft. I tend to agree with this, and said as much when the talk of cutting him surfaced. Let’s get the best guy in at LT and figure out the rest.
Julius Thomas is probably not going to catch 12 TD’s next season for us, but that’s okay. We upgraded the TE spot (I still want to re-sign Sims if it doesn’t cost too much) and have threat there we haven’t seen in years, maybe since Keith Jackson. If we can re-sign Stills, we will have a formidable set of skill players on offense. If we shore up the G spots somehow, our offense should be lethal.
BRIAN: TOTALLY AGREE with your answer to Ken. Albert was an expensive option at LT. And his performance was declining noticeably (RE: the hit by Calais Campbell that ended Tannehill’s season, and, effectively killed Miami’s playoff hopes). Tunsil, on the other hand, is an All-Pro candidate who’ll cost the Dolphins FAR LESS. SIGN ZEITLER, or some F/A of comparable talent, and draft Elflein in round 2 and we’ll have our O-Line in pretty good shape. Use rounds 1 & 3 (comp pick projected) to address needs at LB and DE and we’ll be on our way. Freeing up millions of dollars that would have been used on Albert is just one of the factors that give Miami a reasonable chance to dramatically improve this team for the coming season. I congratulate the front office on these moves. But there are still many more moves that need to be made.
And, of course, there’s the issue of Tannehill’s health. If he returns to his 2016 form, the Dolphins will be a force to be reckoned with in the 2017 season (assuming the above moves work out).
I am still pretty concerned about his knee. I don’t like the fact that they were still considering knee surgery 7 weeks after the injury.
Albert would have been costly but we have significant cap space. Now we are back in the market for OL when we could have been looking to invest more on the defensive side of the ball
I think it’s a good move Ken. Albert has declined, and will likely continue to do so. Tunsil will be better than him, and you have to think that we will grab at least one solid FA guard.
And you and I typically have the same point of view!
It just seems we got weaker at a position we were finally starting to get stronger in. I am tired of 2 steps back for every step forward. When healthy Albert is still an excellent OT
Ken
I think they’re looking for stability. The handwriting was on the wall when they spoke about the Atlanta Falcons O-line, and how each and every player started ALL 16 games. I think after seeing that Ken, that’s what they’re looking to do here. They want to find 5 guys that they count on being there every game, as well as doing their jobs well. Albert could only give you the latter.
The Atlanta OL this year was an anomaly. I am not saying it wouldn’t be great to have all 5 start all 16 games but that is not realistic
Not really an anomaly. It’s something to strive for though, consistency, With Albert and Pouncey both being counted on, you know it wasn’t going to happen. The Cowboys had 3 of 5 play all 16, and the other 2 missed 3 and 4 games.
I think when you’re talking about Atlanta the thing they’re looking to duplicate, if anything, is their defense. I think they’re looking to get smaller and quicker at both DE and LB and we’re most likely going to see that with what they do in both FA and the draft.
Ken
I think we are stronger at LT with Tunsil
Our OL migh be better with less shuffling too
I think we were already in the market for 2 OGs anyway
I would have expected Albert to help give us a cushion so we can bring an OG along slowly
The need for 2 OGs was inevitable
I think the difference with the trade is that it happens this offseason rather than over the course of 2 offseasons
But I’m glad Tunsil will be a LT now rather than later
I was calling for Albert at OG anyway
And that was just sort of a play out your contract move…
give me Schwenke, Larsen and Wagner in FA and Moton in rd 2 and I’ll be extremely happy. we don’t need to pay a G huge money. Bring in talent that upgrades the o-line and those 4 do just that.
Lou, neither Schwenke or Larsen ever started and played a full 16 game season, and I’m not sure who Wagner is. What makes you think they can do it here? Like I said to Ken, I think they want a line that that they can set and forget, and both Larsen and Schwenke are C’s. How does that really help us?
right, and Larsen and Schwenke both being C’s helps a lot because both can play G and they can also move to C if needed. Face it, guys like Sam Young and Urbik aren’t good at what they do and having three guys like this that we can move around on the line will help us a lot.
Wagner was a LT in college, plays RT in the NFL and can also play G. So, you have 3 guys that are a huge upgrade to what we’ve got right now that give you position flexibility.
I know you may not agree with this but these are three players I’ve watched since college and they’re good players.
We get all three for less than what it costs to bring in a guy like Zeitler and it significantly upgrades the talent on our offensive line.
professorloumiamidolphinsblog says:
February 21, 2017 at 10:20 am (Edit)
I think when you’re talking about Atlanta the thing they’re looking to duplicate, if anything, is their defense. I think they’re looking to get smaller and quicker at both DE and LB and we’re most likely going to see that with what they do in both FA and the draft.
***************************
I’m not sure if it was Tannenbaum or Gase who actually spoke about the Falcons O-line, and how every guy played the entire season, and that’s the consistency he’d like to have here in MIA.
I think every team would like that, but the entire OL playing every game isn’t realistic; injuries are inevitable. That said, I would like our OL to be a lot healthier than they were last season. Albert was a big part of that, as was Pouncey. Hopefully Pouncey can stay healthy this season.
22: R1P22
EDGE HAASON REDDICK
TEMPLE
54: R2P22
S BUDDA BAKER
WASHINGTON
98: R3P34
C PAT ELFLEIN
OHIO STATE
167: R5P22
WR RYAN SWITZER
NORTH CAROLINA
177: R5P32
OT STORM NORTON
TOLEDO
185: R5P40
DL CHARLES WALKER
OKLAHOMA
207: R6P22
LB BRANDON BELL
PENN STATE
243: R7P22
CB EZRA ROBINSON
TENNESSEE STATE
Read my comment below. lol Elflein at 98 is a solid pick.
Yeah, although I doubt he lasts that long in the real draft!
Julius Thomas restructuring his contract is a huge part of this entire ‘trade’ that adds value to Miami’s side.
Someone a few days ago discussed moving Pouncey to G and signing/drafting a center. Late 2nd rd is where top centers are showing up. Maybe a solid reclamation of Tretter from GB.
Throw the best contract at Zietler and we got a starting 5.
Ultimately, I think Fins are trying to work their way towards finding “iron men” for the OL. Injuries have derailed our OL significantly the last couple years.
Absolutely. My only concern with Pouncey at RG is he struggled when we had him there a few years ago. Maybe with a full training camp he can do better.
I agree. I remembered Pouncey at RG as I was typing it, but with all of his hip problems he might embrace it more emphatically. What about LG next to Tunsil… Zietler has the RG spot 😉
In our zone system is our LG still the pulling one? Pouncey’s great strength is getting to the 2nd level and bouncing LBs around.
Mike’s idea of an OL.
Exactly! 😎
then again, maybe Fins draft an OT to play one of the G positions like Dallas did with Zack Martin.
Mike E — thanks for throwing out to the Mrs on Facebook. You did me a solid. Had to do it on the fly, but worked out real well….including with your help.
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. 🙂
any chance the Fins in 2nd round have contingency plans to “trade up” if necessary for Pocic. Seems like a guy who along with Pouncey could be interchangeable at C/G based on what ends up working out the best.
Not sure we will need to trade up for Pocic
His ranking puts him in the vicinity of our 2nd pick, but with so few legit Centers I’m wondering who ahead of us would ‘reach’ to ensure getting the top rated center.
it looks like Cincy is the biggest threat to reach for him in the 2nd… if he gets past them then it looks like we’d be in a good spot to wait for him.
Stanger, Pouncey is at his best at center where he gets out into the 2nd level. I understand being concerned about his durability, but I don’t understand moving him to guard.
Unlike others, I don’t even remember him playing guard. So what do I know? Have to think the pulling opps are greater at G than C though.
In the ZBS the center gets out into the 2nd level quite often. Pouncey is one of the best at it.
Mike E,
right, and Larsen and Schwenke both being C’s helps a lot because both can play G and they can also move to C if needed. Face it, guys like Sam Young and Urbik aren’t good at what they do and having three guys like this that we can move around on the line will help us a lot.
Wagner was a LT in college, plays RT in the NFL and can also play G. So, you have 3 guys that are a huge upgrade to what we’ve got right now that give you position flexibility.
I know you may not agree with this but these are three players I’ve watched since college and they’re good players.
We get all three for less than what it costs to bring in a guy like Zeitler and it significantly upgrades the talent on our offensive line.
In addition, you bring in one guy like Zeitler, paying him all that money, and if he goes down who are you putting in his place? Urbik? Nah. Give me those three. One goes down and it’s plug ‘n play.
I agree you’re getting some talent for less $$$, but you know where that gets you sometimes. I’d feel more comfortable getting Zeitler and then drafting one of the top OG/C in this draft, and there are a few. I wouldn’t mind picking up one or two of those guys for depth, but in my head, I can’t just run with those guys as my starters. Just how I feel Lou, not saying you’re wrong.