Miami Dolphins Miss the Boat by Not Trading for Greg Olsen

Who's a quarterback's best friend?

Is it a top-flight receiver? Yes, he's good to have, but how often is he open?

What about a running game? You always want a good one, for it takes pressure off the quarterback and keeps defenses honest. But to have a good running game, you need good blocking up front.

A good offensive line? Crucial. But if nobody is open, then no matter how much time an offensive line gives you, your options are still limited.

Then there's the position of tight end, a QB's true best friend.

Gone are the days of the tight end being just an offensive lineman that can catch a pass every once in a while. The trends in tight ends have changed ever since Tony Gonzalez broke onto the scene for the Chiefs back in 1997. 

Since then, we've seen the likes of Antonio Gates and Jeremy Shockey, along with the never-realized potential of Kellen Winslow Jr. 

The prototype has been big tight ends that don't just act like offensive lineman who could make a catch every once in a while, but a jack of all trades that can block well on a running play, then gain 15 yards on a pass the next play. These guys have the size and strength of offensive linemen with the footwork and agility of a wide receiver. No longer is an agile but tough tight end a nice option, it's become a necessity.

Sorry to say this, but Anthony Fasano just doesn't cut it. If it were the 1980's, he'd be perfect for that role.

But it's 2011. A tight end like Fasano is obsolete. Yes, he compares very favorably to Mark Bavaro, one of the best tight ends in his era, but that's the problem. Bavaro wouldn't fit into this era.

But hey, Miami had no choice. I mean, great tight ends just don't fall out of the sky, right?

Well they do when an offensive coordinator in, let's say Chicago, firmly doesn't believe in using tight ends even though his tight end was a significant part of an offense that went to the NFC Championship game last year.

That's how Greg Olsen, a former first-rounder whose numbers in four years are very good (189 receptions, 1952 yards, 20 touchdowns) becomes available for only a third round pick.

Olsen quickly developed a rapport when Jay Cutler was traded to Chicago in 2009. He was Cutler's main option that season, but after Mike Martz came in last year, Olsen's touches declined, as did his numbers.

The Dolphins would be elated to have these numbers from their tight end: 41 receptions, 404 yards, five touchdowns. With a quarterback like Chad Henne who loves checking down, those numbers would probably go up to something like 52 receptions, 450 yards and eight touchdowns. And I think I'm being conservative with those projections.

Yet it will never be. Carolina offered Chicago their third-rounder in exchange for Olsen. This will be a bargain as their No. 1 pick Cam Newton will now have a sure-handed security blanket (actually two, Jeremy Shockey is also a Panther this season).

Sadly, the Dolphins had the chance to make such a trade, but they decided that courting another quarterback for competition for Henne was more important. The Dolphins still have their third-round pick for next season.

It's a shame. Last Friday we saw Fasano give John Abraham a Henne interception.

This Friday we'll most likely see Olsen give Newton more confidence.

Big mistake Miami. I can already see it, and as the preseason and regular season drag on, you will see it too.

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