Hate to burst your bubble, but the next two or three drafts will be the determining factor in what turns the Miami Dolphins into a Super Bowl champion; it will not be signing big names in free agency.
The future stars and difference-makers for the Dolphins will be drafted, not signed by free agency or acquired via trades. Take a look at a quote from one of the most respected GM/Presidents in the league just last week at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine. Bill Polian of the Indianapolis Colts said, “We are not going to be involved in free agency this year, we never are.”
For starters, look at the Super Bowl Champions the last five years: NY Giants, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and New England. These teams have many things in common.
- Exceptional quarterbacks acquired via the draft
- Excellent Front Office stability and general manager leadership
- Are more known for losing high-profile players in free agency than acquiring them. Never overpay to keep a star player.
- Can pressure the quarterback with effective defensive rush and protect the quarterback with equal aplomb.
- Have six or seven stars on each roster, all acquired by the draft. The remaining roster is built up of overachieving no-names that would excel at mediocrity in the wrong NFL system.
How many times have we seen a former NE Patriot leave for a bigger paycheck and make a big difference on their new team? Other examples include former-Steelers LB Porter and my prediction, the largest signing in free agency this year, former-Patriot CB Asante Samuel.
(Just how motivated do you think this cat is going to be for Philly? He already has three rings via New England is its obvious he is chasing a paycheck not a championship. If he wanted a championship, then why leave NE?)
I understand your position as a fan. You love football, and we have suffered a month now without any meaningful games. Then free agency begins, and you are excited about each transaction because this is all the football you are going to get till the draft.
So far I like the moves I have seen with Parcells. He has come in and whacked some significant aging, underachieving deadweight off this roster, and is beginning to replace these losses with bigger, younger, stronger, and faster mid-level-quality skilled “no name” players that represent the majority of space on any championship NFL caliber roster.
These players excel at special teams as well, which is another Parcells mantra to success. Better to bring in three above-average players that can contribute in multiple areas rather than paying the price of signing one superstar that will help with ticket sales.
I guess I am an idiot, not paying attention, but I did not even know who LB Torbor was till Miami picked him up this past Friday, and I have watched the Super Bowl and NFC championship game about three times apiece now.
8 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
SCOTT GOODWIN about 1 year ago
SORRY ABOUT THE LACK OF SPACING AND PARAGRAPHS, THIS WAS MY FIRST POST, AND I HAD SPACING AND PARAGRAPHS, BUT WHEN POSTED THEY ALL WENT AWAY. I WILL FIGURE IT OUT NEX TIME.
SORRY I KNOW ITS A HARDER TO READ
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beach shark about 1 year ago
Scott, I just saw this post while searching the internet about articles about my beloved team, the Colts (your mention of them added this article to the Google results), and I must say, your insight into how good teams build success - and how you suggest the Dolphins themselve should do so - is exactly correct. Well written and sharing smart insight, your first post was an excellent one!
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Matt Lee about 1 year ago
you do a great job with this article..but im a pats fan..nd fyi the dolphins wont be winning a super bowl over us any time soon. nice job though
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yo know about 1 year ago
the pats have the right idea, they don't buy expensive players. the dolphins have made some quick upgrades in free agency and I think if you look at them, they are getting quality players at a good price.
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Steve Yodz about 1 year ago
Really solid article. I love the simplicity of your theory for success in the NFL. Isn't it amazing how inept alot of front office guys are when it only takes a smart fan to make those realizations?
Oh, and thanks for the Chess tips.
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Michael Priebe about 1 year ago
The five similarities of recent Champs you mentioned at the beginning of your article sound exactly like Green Bay Packer philosophy. Over the years they have stubbornly refused high-priced free agency aquisitions. Now look at the different rising stars on the offense that bring together a collaboritive force. Too bad the Packers are back with the other high-potential teams lacking a quarterback. Another unknown, RB Ryan Grant, will now be counted on.
But anyway, with a good GM and front office a team can be solidly rebuilt after shitiness.
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Christian Kinlaw 5 months ago
mr. goodwin - as best i can tell you are a real sports moron. wouldn't you be better served spending your time getting that giant booger out of your noise or picking zits on your back? this is a mindless waste of time.
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Christian Kinlaw 5 months ago
by the way mr. goodwin. the booger is whistling. that is why i wrote noise.
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