How Losing Clay could be just what the Dolphins need
How Losing Clay could be just what the Dolphins need
When Miami placed the transition tag on Charles Clay, they made two incorrect assumptions: One was that they would be able to retain Charles Clay, and the second was that he would count around $7 million against the 2015 cap. However, the Bills were extremely aggressive and made him an offer he could not refuse, and an offer that Miami financially had difficulty matching. In hindsight Miami maybe should have slapped the regular franchise tag on him to lock him up for 2015, however, at least they were wise enough to secure his replacement in Jordan Cameron. Moving forward, the phins now have an extra $7 million to play with, and they’ve wasted no time by announcing that they signed J.D. Walton to a one year contract.
J.D. Walton has been in the league since 2010, and he has started a total of 52 games. He was severely injured in 2012 and was not able to play in the 2013 season, however, he did start all 16 games last season for the New York Giants at the Center position. He is a versatile lineman who has experience playing guard and center, and Hickey stated that he was brought in to provide depth for the offensive line. Last season Pro Football Focus ranked him as the NFL’s 38th best center out of 41 centers (not an encouraging statistic.)
Last year the Dolphins decided to experiment and put Mike Pouncey at Guard instead of Center where he had previously earned Pro Bowl honors. Most pay per head review sites would say that was a failed experiment because even though Pouncey did make the Pro Bowl last season, it was clearly evident that he was not as good at Guard as he was at Center. I hope that the coaches are not thinking that Walton can play Center and Pouncey can play Guard again because I am not interested in that experiment again. The better idea is letting Walton, Turner, and Thomas compete for one of the two guard positions.
Regardless of what the Dolphins’ plans are for Walton, one thing is for certain, they still need to find a starting-caliber guard. There are still some viable options available on the market, such as Justin Blalock (played every snap of every game from 2008 to 2013, and never finished a season with a negative grade since 2009), Daryn Colledge (he played last year for Miami and missed time due to a back injury, however, he would still be considered better than any other guard the Dolphins have on the current roster), and Dan Connolly (he is a very good pulling guard and has been a stable for the Patriots on the line for the last 5 years, and he is the best of the remaining free-agent guards.)
Miami still has some holes to fill on the roster, so by declining to match the Bills offer for Clay, the Phins now have some extra money to hopefully fill at least two of their position needs, which in the long is better than just adding another tight end. The Dolphins are obviously interested in Michael Crabtree and back up QB Tarvaris Jackson since they had both players come in for a visit, so there is a chance they may sign one or both of those players. Also as mentioned above there are still some viable guards on the market, and also a few inside linebackers such as Rolando McClain, and Brandon Spikes still without teams. What players do the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans what Miami to sign?
I too believe that Hickey will be trading back to get a third round pick back or another second round pick. I really hope that they do not do so if one of the top 3 WRs (Cooper, White, Parker) are there and they take the one that is there. Possibly if they do trade back in the later part of the the first round, hopefully they take one of the next 3 WRs (Strong, Green-Beckham, Perriman) and get another second round pick or get a third round pick. Notice what all 6 of these WRs have in common,,,,, Size, we need to be a bigger (literally) threat in the red zone area. That was one positive with the addition of Cameron and subtraction of Clay.
I think even if they sign crabtree they should go wr first if any of the top four are available. Miller is a good enough back but they could use a power guy to help late in games but could get that in the middle rounds. Sign a guard or trade for Mathis so it would be easier to go best player available. The best teams draft BPA and that keeps them on top. See patriots
We most certainly can put that extra 7 million to good use If we sign Crabtree I don’t see us getting a receiver on the first round We would still need one but later in the draft We can get a LB in later rounds 2 or 3 We could also get a good corner in the second round we cannot get a starting safety in second round or later this draft is weak on safety’s But given hickeys history last year I would bet that he trades pick 14 pick to The Eagles for Mathis plus 20th pick in the first round and an additional third round pick Then we get best corner or RB available at 20 and get the other needs with the other picks Gurley is a beast at RB him and miller would make it the best tandem of running backs in the league and would make defenses crowd the box thus giving our receivers lots of opportunities Am I just thinking wishfully here ?? I guess it’s possible ???? Best RB in the draft should still be there at 20 Gurley It’s all predicated on signing Crabtree otherwise we must draft a receiver at 14
I too believe that Hickey will be trading back to get a third round pick back or another second round pick. I really hope that they do not do so if one of the top 3 WRs (Cooper, White, Parker) are there and they take the one that is there.
Possibly if they do trade back in the later part of the the first round, hopefully they take one of the next 3 WRs (Strong, Green-Beckham, Perriman) and get another second round pick or get a third round pick.
Notice what all 6 of these WRs have in common,,,,, Size, we need to be a bigger (literally) threat in the red zone area. That was one positive with the addition of Cameron and subtraction of Clay.
I think even if they sign crabtree they should go wr first if any of the top four are available. Miller is a good enough back but they could use a power guy to help late in games but could get that in the middle rounds. Sign a guard or trade for Mathis so it would be easier to go best player available. The best teams draft BPA and that keeps them on top. See patriots
Im not a fan of going for Crabtree, that would be replacing one diva with another. Just draft a wide out and yes we need a compliment to Miller
We most certainly can put that extra 7 million to good use
If we sign Crabtree I don’t see us getting a receiver on the first round We would still need one but later in the draft
We can get a LB in later rounds 2 or 3
We could also get a good corner in the second round we cannot get a starting safety in second round or later this draft is weak on safety’s
But given hickeys history last year I would bet that he trades pick 14 pick to The Eagles for Mathis plus 20th pick in the first round and an additional third round pick
Then we get best corner or RB available at 20 and get the other needs with the other picks
Gurley is a beast at RB him and miller would make it the best tandem of running backs in the league and would make defenses crowd the box thus giving our receivers lots of opportunities
Am I just thinking wishfully here ??
I guess it’s possible ????
Best RB in the draft should still be there at 20 Gurley
It’s all predicated on signing Crabtree otherwise we must draft a receiver at 14