‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. ‘
Okay, what’s all this ‘hoity-toity ‘ bookworm stuff have to do with the Dolphins?
Over the last twenty years, Miami has built like most teams: Sacrifice the future to ‘win now’ with a heavy diet of expensive Free Agents.
Why not? Aren’t blue-chip draft picks, expensive Free Agents, and adding dead money to your future Cap for wiggle room today the only way to build a successful franchise?
Right!?
Most teams would agree. The Dolphins did with double-thumbs up.
In fact, Miami mastered the ‘art’ of spending the most in Free Agency and restructuring their player’s contracts. Owner Steven Ross had open pockets and not even the lint was spared. The Phins were declared offseason champs year after year… after year. But big splash move after big splash move ended in ugly belly flops.
These big purchases felt so good at the onset, and fans mostly loved it. The media sure loved the pump and dump.
Hope is eternal in the offseason with blue-chip picks and a ton of money spent.
Ultimately, the Regular Season dispelled this ‘success’ as nothing more than a mirage driving the Dolphins further and further with each game played into a desert bone-dry of hope.
Thin Phin teams always crumbled like a Saltine Cracker hit by a wrecking ball. But oddly, the one constant over these years is Miami found their best players in the back-end of the draft or as Undrafted Free Agents.
Thinking caps on and heart in lockup, please.
Delayed gratification isn’t in vogue with fans because it’s a tough and uncompromising road that demands brilliance.
Meanwhile, throughout this two-decade march into obscurity, the Patriots took the road less traveled and spent little in Free Agency, moved back in the draft, and cut or traded stars. But the most fundamental philosophy was the Pats built a winning franchise on a foundation of obscure and unwanted players.
Most Miami Dolphins fans say the Wes Welker ‘deal’ is the prime example of the Pats outsmarting the Phins. There’s no doubt it was a brilliant move. The Pats won that deal by turning the 2nd rounder sent into a star, while Miami squandered their extra draft choice.
The tale of the tape for the last twenty years is the Patriots have a plan and the Dolphins run blind.
Miami could have turned this situation into a win-win scenario. They picked up a 2nd Rounder for an undrafted player. That’s excellent value, but the problem was Miami did little with the pick by drafting Center Samson Satele. Missing out on Ryan Kalil by one spot added insult to injury.
They were desperate for a center and ‘figured’ one would fall to them in the draft. Almost. Phins didn’t do their homework on the Panthers. In their ‘Uhh-oohh‘ moment, Phins were ‘forced’ to fill a bare cupboard with an incomplete player in Satele. They even drafted Drew Mormino in the 6th, but both players flopped. Satele was cut and replaced with expensive Jake Grove. Mormino was out of the league ‘Tout de suite‘.
Miami was back in a hole at Center with dead money on a player not playing.
A forced hand, lack of preparation, and thin depth exasperated Miami’s search for a center. If Miami was ‘hell-bent’ on finding one in 2007, they should’ve moved up a few spots to get Kalil… or signed a cheap vet as insurance. Even a placeholder at center for the 2007 Season would have offered them options. A trade back for more picks when the Panthers drafted Kalil or drafting a player they liked at another position instead of taking a ‘need’ would have been the right move.
Desperation is a dangerous trap that gets you every time, but the Phins had to win now. To hell with the future and value.
On the flip side, when the Patriots ‘needed’ a center to replace Bryan Stork they found undrafted David Andrews. They had a plan for Andrews and groomed him into a star.
Smarts team know it’s not all about a player’s pedigree or what they can’t do
No, the real ‘job’ done on Miami by the Patriots was with Rob Ninkovich. Not only did the Pats pick up a diamond in the ruff Miami tossed, but it revealed the fundamental flaws in the Phins team building philosophy.
Wide is the road of failure and narrow is the path of the champion.
Phins picked up Ninkovich after the Texans disposed of him. He sat on the Dolphins roster for two seasons before his release. The same inflexible regime that traded up for OLB Dion Jordan and made him pack on 20 lbs with a bum shoulder to play defensive end.
Sound sorta’ similar to what we did with Charles Harris?
Lack of vision has been ingrained in this Franchise for generations.
The Pats picked up Ninkovich off the scrap heap, and over the next 8 seasons, he was a pillar to their defense racking up 274 Tackles, 46 sacks, 23 Pass Def., and 5 interceptions. The Pats system is built on flexibility, and it allowed this ‘no talent’ to focus on what he did best. Contrary to what many believed, his skill set was much bigger than realized.
In gratitude and desire to be part of a winner, Ninkovich took home discount after home discount.
Ninkovich just was one of many such cases… and it’s not that the Pats are great elevators. They aren’t. They miss a lot in the draft. But, the overall philosophy and their scheme flexibility allow them to get the best from the players they keep. Other teams think, scheme, and rigidly plan.
As Bruce Lee once said, “Be like water, my friend.”
Over the last ten years, the Patriots have leaned more and more on trading back in the draft and reliance of later round picks and Undrafted Free Agents. In fact, over this time no team had a larger portion of their roster composed of UDFAs than New England.
This is THE best template for success in the NFL, but hacks need not apply because they will be devoured.
Plan and simple: What is this road less traveled Miami is on… if it matches New England?
No player or coach is above the team.
All players have strengths and can be effective if they are smart, disciplined, and give everything to the team.
Team values can’t be compromised for talent.
Move on a year early rather than a year late.
Discipline in Cap, valuation of players, and on the field and in the locker room is paramount.
Everyone competes, and they will award no player anything unearned.
Never trade the future for the present in an uneven deal.
Depth of a team is more valuable than a few stars with a few holes.
Never break any of the above tenants.
For a fan base and ownership starved for success, this isn’t an easy pill to swallow. There’s no way to slice it, the path the Dolphins have set will take patience, will probably fail, and certainly will appear cringe-worthy at times, even if it works.
Winning takes willpower to stick with the plan… no matter what
You can bet with the pay per head software like AcePerHead.com, that a talented player will be traded and cut if they don’t take home discounts. A la this year, Free Agency will be ‘ho-hum’ and ‘nobodies’ will be the backbone of this team. Needs won’t be chased at all costs and in the early stages, there will be bumps… lots of bumps.
Like it or not, this is the formula, and it’s the only road to take for lasting success. There’s no doubt that this isn’t the path for a squeamish regime ( or fans) because only brilliance will create success from this philosophy. But we’ve been on the wrong path for years and what has it won us? Nothing. This is without a doubt the best path. I find comfort in that because I wondered back in December if Steven Ross had the stones to do what is right. He does…
… Unfortunately, nothing but the best will make this path work. Go Phins!!!
I, like the author, like this poem. It gives us an insight into Frost’s personality. But it’s not hard to believe that a poet would select to walk a path less traveled. Building a football team is rarely like the whimsical selection of a route for a morning’s walk. The Dolphins have walked neither path. I would argue that they have been lost in the woods between the paths. While others have enjoyed both paths, the Dolphins tried to hack their way through the “Black Forest.” Like Hansel and Gretel, the Fins met a witch, Bill Belichick, the Wizard of Win! In an otherwise weak conference, the Dolphins have contributed to the label we call “Mediocre.” As the article illustrates, the big portion of the fins poor record is bad drafting, horrible coaching and an owner that likes to write checks to over-the-hill, injured and overpaid free agents. To make this problem worse, the owner has had just as poor judgement in selecting GM’s and coaches. The Dolphins have been a carousel for administrative and operational staff. I can’t count the number f 5-year plans we have had.
Each new regime tries to select players that fit their recipe. They take the roster and tweak it to accommodate their football philosophy. The result is a tossed salad created from what was left in the refrigerator regardless of it’s age or freshness. Fans are tired of eating the bitter salad the Dolphins have been serving. Most longtime fans are going to opt out of purchasing a season ticket. There is no reason to attend a preseason game because it is a practice session better watched on TV with commentary. The eight regular season games can be attended by purchasing a ticket via the internet with no worry that it will be sold out. The Dolphins can’t sell out a playoff game.
Currently, Ross has walked that path less traveled by hiring a linebacker coach as his head coach purely because he was a gopher for the Wizard of Win. Flores was not even the sorcerers apprentice, Flores was a gopher installing the defense that Belichick devised. Name me one of his coaches that has become a success in the NFL. (NO! Vrabel was never a Patriots coach.) Flores’s rules are cliche ridden and frankly commonplace. In reality, we have too many tight ends and too few linebackers. Our interior offensive line is weak and they let their right tackle escape the zoo. If he wasn’t worth all that money, why did we pay him like he was? I could go on but why?
The upcoming draft may leave us with a choice between remaining quarterbacks or Defensive linemen. Most fans will want a QB and I would want a DL, if available. I think a stud DL and a solid OLB would win us more games this season than a rookie quarterback. As of now, Fitzpatrick can score 28 points in a game, our opponents will score 31. We can’t win without defense. We will probably have a higher draft pick next year, so lets look for QB in the future. I say, we draft into the depth of the draft, which is DL. We acquire help at OLB and move dumb old Kiko Alanzo back to ILB. We play our current DT and DE and stay in a 4-3 for now because that is the personnel we have. With good special teams, we might win 6 or 7 games this year. 7 & 9 would preserve hope for the fans if they see that the team is improving. A tanked season (6&9 or less) sends the fans to some other team. Everyone in South Florida is from some other city with an NFL team identity.
… As for the poem, I see the poem as the nature of a poet is go against the easy path. The conformist path is tried and true… most don’t have the guts or nature to pursue it. NFL is a copy cat league because most just want to keep their job and don’t have the gut to do what’s right… or like Gase they start out on the path of the right way and then get scared or bound by expectations and turn around and pursue the easy path. Belichick has mastered the hard path. Cut or trading stars, moving on from players despite status and pedigree, relying on coaching a scheme rather than stars, ect. Everyone wants to do this but they don’t have the will to choose the hard path. Some are forced into by GMs and owners, but they shouldn’t take the job… but they do because it’s the easy path.
Flores from every drop of his history is a man of will… will his intellect match Belichick’s? Certainly not now, not enough experience, but it might be enough to buy him some years to grow into a Beli lite. That would be stellar. Flores wasn’t desperate for this job, but he was given a 5-year guaranteed contract and the philosophy to build from the ground up. Most teams come in, bring in players for their scheme and shoehorn in what they have to from the previous regime. This won’t be the case here.
” In reality, we have too many tight ends and too few linebackers. Our interior offensive line is weak and they let their right tackle escape the zoo. If he wasn’t worth all that money, why did we pay him like he was? ” Gase and Tannebaum were desperate.
Flores’ bullet points are cliche for a reason, but they are rarely ever held to. All coaches agree these are axioms for a reason, but the reality of pressure forces them to be compromised—often for most regimes.
This team will be built in the draft post draft UDFA and the 2nd Rd of FA. We can’t make any judgments on the totality, pro or con, until we seen a few games. Maybe it’s all hot air… we’ll see.
Raekwon was a disappointment… maybe this year he can step forward. This would be a defining season though. I need to study Lamar… I don’t watch many colleges games till after the NFL season. Thanks.
(Example At picked 13th the best QB’s are off the board. So the Fins waste a draft picked just to settle for a QB who should not be in the 1st round? But having some patience and just wait to the 4th round.
Admin we Fans have to understand than many of these players will need some time for development as you mentioned before the correct way to build.
I think they are looking at him, but 6’7” makes those knees big targets. BUT, his potential and personality and smarts are VERY intriguing. Watched the tape you recommended… added some others in… do like him as an option. Still high on Grier and Finley… but don’t see them using anything but a 4th or later on a QB.
The best Article’s yet! Simply because we are identifying the problem.
The biggest problem was not taking the QB position serious.(The QB must earned the trust and belief of team). Not doing their home work. Drafting the best players over draft need. (Example T.J. Hockenson Iowa Noan Fant are both Tight Ends (We are top heavy in TE’s on the team right?) Both of these Guys just might make the pro bowl and further? No I am not trying to sell TE as first picked.
I would like to see us trade back twice in the 1st round and used that first round picked for the best player left in the 1st round it could be an Edge Rusher, Corner Back, Defensive Tackle, Offensive Tackle or Guard or Center or TE/ WR etc. The bottom line we walked out of the 1st round with multiple draft picks and trades.
Secondly our players development program has not increased the value of our players. But as you pointed out another team will increased that same players value?
I, like the author, like this poem. It gives us an insight into Frost’s personality. But it’s not hard to believe that a poet would select to walk a path less traveled. Building a football team is rarely like the whimsical selection of a route for a morning’s walk. The Dolphins have walked neither path. I would argue that they have been lost in the woods between the paths. While others have enjoyed both paths, the Dolphins tried to hack their way through the “Black Forest.” Like Hansel and Gretel, the Fins met a witch, Bill Belichick, the Wizard of Win! In an otherwise weak conference, the Dolphins have contributed to the label we call “Mediocre.” As the article illustrates, the big portion of the fins poor record is bad drafting, horrible coaching and an owner that likes to write checks to over-the-hill, injured and overpaid free agents. To make this problem worse, the owner has had just as poor judgement in selecting GM’s and coaches. The Dolphins have been a carousel for administrative and operational staff. I can’t count the number f 5-year plans we have had.
Each new regime tries to select players that fit their recipe. They take the roster and tweak it to accommodate their football philosophy. The result is a tossed salad created from what was left in the refrigerator regardless of it’s age or freshness. Fans are tired of eating the bitter salad the Dolphins have been serving. Most longtime fans are going to opt out of purchasing a season ticket. There is no reason to attend a preseason game because it is a practice session better watched on TV with commentary. The eight regular season games can be attended by purchasing a ticket via the internet with no worry that it will be sold out. The Dolphins can’t sell out a playoff game.
Currently, Ross has walked that path less traveled by hiring a linebacker coach as his head coach purely because he was a gopher for the Wizard of Win. Flores was not even the sorcerers apprentice, Flores was a gopher installing the defense that Belichick devised. Name me one of his coaches that has become a success in the NFL. (NO! Vrabel was never a Patriots coach.) Flores’s rules are cliche ridden and frankly commonplace. In reality, we have too many tight ends and too few linebackers. Our interior offensive line is weak and they let their right tackle escape the zoo. If he wasn’t worth all that money, why did we pay him like he was? I could go on but why?
The upcoming draft may leave us with a choice between remaining quarterbacks or Defensive linemen. Most fans will want a QB and I would want a DL, if available. I think a stud DL and a solid OLB would win us more games this season than a rookie quarterback. As of now, Fitzpatrick can score 28 points in a game, our opponents will score 31. We can’t win without defense. We will probably have a higher draft pick next year, so lets look for QB in the future. I say, we draft into the depth of the draft, which is DL. We acquire help at OLB and move dumb old Kiko Alanzo back to ILB. We play our current DT and DE and stay in a 4-3 for now because that is the personnel we have. With good special teams, we might win 6 or 7 games this year. 7 & 9 would preserve hope for the fans if they see that the team is improving. A tanked season (6&9 or less) sends the fans to some other team. Everyone in South Florida is from some other city with an NFL team identity.
I will be rooting for the Bears this year!
First, great post:
… As for the poem, I see the poem as the nature of a poet is go against the easy path. The conformist path is tried and true… most don’t have the guts or nature to pursue it. NFL is a copy cat league because most just want to keep their job and don’t have the gut to do what’s right… or like Gase they start out on the path of the right way and then get scared or bound by expectations and turn around and pursue the easy path. Belichick has mastered the hard path. Cut or trading stars, moving on from players despite status and pedigree, relying on coaching a scheme rather than stars, ect. Everyone wants to do this but they don’t have the will to choose the hard path. Some are forced into by GMs and owners, but they shouldn’t take the job… but they do because it’s the easy path.
Flores from every drop of his history is a man of will… will his intellect match Belichick’s? Certainly not now, not enough experience, but it might be enough to buy him some years to grow into a Beli lite. That would be stellar. Flores wasn’t desperate for this job, but he was given a 5-year guaranteed contract and the philosophy to build from the ground up. Most teams come in, bring in players for their scheme and shoehorn in what they have to from the previous regime. This won’t be the case here.
” In reality, we have too many tight ends and too few linebackers. Our interior offensive line is weak and they let their right tackle escape the zoo. If he wasn’t worth all that money, why did we pay him like he was? ”
Gase and Tannebaum were desperate.
Flores’ bullet points are cliche for a reason, but they are rarely ever held to. All coaches agree these are axioms for a reason, but the reality of pressure forces them to be compromised—often for most regimes.
This team will be built in the draft post draft UDFA and the 2nd Rd of FA. We can’t make any judgments on the totality, pro or con, until we seen a few games. Maybe it’s all hot air… we’ll see.
Then maybe you should stick with the Bears permanently because you are not a real fan.
Early 4th Round has some very interesting players!
Benny Snell RB Kentucky
Miles Boykin WR Notre Dame
Nate Davis OL Charlotte
Beau Benzschamuel OL Wisconsin
Jalen Jelks Edge Oregon
Austin Bryant Edge Clemson
Renell Wren DL Arizona State
Tre Lamar LB Clemson
Te’von Coney LB Notre Dame
Kris Boyd Corner Back Texas
Haven’t dug that far back… getting into the 2nd RD now… behind a bit…
Tre Lamar would be a huge upgrade at MLB over Raekwon probably be there in the 3rd but don’t count on it.
Raekwon was a disappointment… maybe this year he can step forward. This would be a defining season though. I need to study Lamar… I don’t watch many colleges games till after the NFL season. Thanks.
(Example At picked 13th the best QB’s are off the board. So the Fins waste a draft picked just to settle for a QB who should not be in the 1st round? But having some patience and just wait to the 4th round.
Admin we Fans have to understand than many of these players will need some time for development as you mentioned before the correct way to build.
For Tyree Jackson–Buffalo-Jr–QB
4th rounder:
Film Study https://youtu.be/3egTzimdof0
https://youtu.be/12YFyVwVgW4–Highlights
https://youtu.be/PKxNAyvQEvg–Highlights
A lossed against Army https://youtu.be/bSnG40Mh2PM
I think they are looking at him, but 6’7” makes those knees big targets. BUT, his potential and personality and smarts are VERY intriguing. Watched the tape you recommended… added some others in… do like him as an option. Still high on Grier and Finley… but don’t see them using anything but a 4th or later on a QB.
Brady was a 6th rounder so you saying the best qbs are gone at 13 is uneducated at best.
Knowing, Steve, who is all about value and players late in the draft, he meant to put quotes on either side of best.
Admin
The best Article’s yet! Simply because we are identifying the problem.
The biggest problem was not taking the QB position serious.(The QB must earned the trust and belief of team).
Not doing their home work.
Drafting the best players over draft need.
(Example T.J. Hockenson Iowa Noan Fant are both Tight Ends (We are top heavy in TE’s on the team right?) Both of these Guys just might make the pro bowl and further? No I am not trying to sell TE as first picked.
I would like to see us trade back twice in the 1st round and used that first round picked for the best player left in the 1st round it could be an Edge Rusher, Corner Back, Defensive Tackle, Offensive Tackle or Guard or Center or TE/ WR etc. The bottom line we walked out of the 1st round with multiple draft picks and trades.
Secondly our players development program has not increased the value of our players. But as you pointed out another team will increased that same players value?
THANKS, sir. Was a long and worked on in a day… wasn’t sure if it would come out right… hoped it wasn’t rambly…
Twice in RD would be some serious honey on the draft for me… if only.
Drafting and development are key… good players are wasted a lot in the NFL by regimes with limited vision.