Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and the Future of the Miami Dolphins

Since LeBron James made taking your talents to South Beach an overused phrase, another athlete of his caliber is on the free agent market and was fully expected—and naturally, prematurely—to bring his considerable skills to the Kings new home.

But Peyton's Place will be located somewhere else.

Where that is, is anyone's guess, and I won't bore everyone with mindless speculation except that it won't be in the same locale as his condo. For me, that isn't a devastating loss.

I have been wanting to unleash about the debacle that is the Miami Dolphins for quite some time, venting the frustrations shared by the few that attend their games or still care about this floundering franchise. Despite anemic attendance, anyone that has read a publication that covers the Dolphins will quickly notice the plethora of comments from "Dolphans" as they are known in Miami, longing for a real owner, general manager, head coach and a long-term answer at quarterback.

These people haven't given up on the team, as evidenced by the immense amount of pride everyone felt when Miami somehow mustered up the heart to win six of their last nine games.

With all the "Suck for Luck" garbage, there are few fans that didn't enjoy that run. Now that the euphoria has ended, it is time to focus on the mess that has been their off-season and why the excitement has truly died down.

It's tough to decide where to start but Miami has been in dire need of a long-term solution at quarterback for ages. That is obvious. Peyton Manning would have defeated that purpose. I am not convinced that Peyton would have led Miami to a Super Bowl, let alone a Super Bowl victory. I don't think he can do it with whichever team he decides to sign with.

Peyton Manning's career playoff record is 9-10. 

Let's repeat that: 9-10. Four of those wins were in 2006 when they beat Chicago for his lone Super Bowl victory. There is nothing wrong with winning just one Super Bowl. Wilt Chamberlain was dogged until his dying day for only winning two NBA Championships.

How many Hall of Fame ball players tried in vein just to win one? Peyton took his team to two Super Bowl appearances overall. Look at the same stats link above, he won 10 or more games 11 times. That is a staggering number.

He had eight seasons where he won over 10 games, and seven straight where he won 12 or more. That is a remarkable record, and a true testament to what an extraordinary regular season player he was.

Peyton Manning was not a very good post-season player, so why would anyone think he would automatically make Miami a Super Bowl contender and winner? The greater question is: What would happen if he did come South, play a couple of seasons, didn't win a Super Bowl and retired? Or, what if he got re-injured? Where would Miami's future be? Would it have been worth it? No, it wouldn't have been.

Now, Miami is focusing all of its attention on another free agent quarterback, the two-hit wonder, Matt Flynn, backup to league MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Flynn's claim to fame are two games: New England (his first start) and Detroit. Flynn made his first start in a December game back in 2010 against the Patriots and threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He threw a pick that was run back for a touchdown, and fumbled at the end of the game that New England recovered to seal the win.

Then, this past season, he set Packer records by tossing for 480 yards and six tds against the Lions in a win.

Kevin Kolb was the first player in NFL history to throw for over 300 yards in his first two starts and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his second outing against the Chiefs. Arizona believed him to be their future. The quarterback that would reignite the once potent Cardinals passing attack with "All-World" Wide Receiver, Larry Fitzgerald. Now, Arizona is believed to be one of the potential finalists for Peyton Manning. Any wonder why AZ would be pursuing Manning one year after signing Kolb to a monster deal?

Kolb is just one of several examples I could use to compare to Flynn, but since Kolb made a name for himself with just two starts under his belt and snatched a fat contract because of it, he is the logical choice for comparison. The Cardinals had nothing else to base their decision on, no other evidence than two games.

At least with Matt Cassel, the Chiefs had an entire season to view him. 

Miami is staring at the exact same thing. And knowing the prowess of atrocious owner Stephen Ross and General Manager Jeff Ireland, I could easily see them going overboard and bringing Flynn to the team and not even having him compete for the position with Matt Moore—who has more than earned the right to—because if Flynn didn't start, ownership looks like a joke.

But that's already the perception, and reality.

If they don't get Flynn, god help the team, fans and anyone else associated with the team if they panic and draft Ryan Tannehill with the eighth overall pick. I won't even delve into that apocalyptic scenario.

What Miami has needed for an eternity is as close to a sure thing as possible at quarterback, and while Peyton of course is just that, they need someone who can carry the team for 10 plus years. They must put an end to this stop-gap thinking that has plagued this team for eons. They didn't move up to take Griffin III but if I had any say, I would already be thinking towards next year and making a Redskins or Falcons type of move in the draft to get Matt Barkley—barring any injury or drastic drop in performance. I would much rather take a shot at him than Flynn.

Let Matt Moore, who played incredibly inspiring ball, play out the year with his depleted receiving corps and look towards making the much needed and long overdue gamble in that draft.   

Now, the trade of Brandon Marshall—for two, third round picks. I still can't put my mind around that. It has opened the flood gates for this April's pick. Most draft pundits had Miami drafting either an offensive lineman or pass rusher. The dark horse was Mark Barron, Safety from Alabama. A defensive player would have been the preference because an offensive lineman three out of four years might have been a bit much. What once wasn't a primary need in wide receiver, has now become the number one priority for them at eight.

Justin Blackmon would be great, but what a waste.

Their entire draft has just changed drastically for the worse. They could have gone defense first, tight end or offensive linemen second and third. The main needs for Miami going in were pass rusher, right guard or tackle, tight end and help in the secondary.

Now however, they will have to draft a wide receiver and ultimately will neglect one of the positions of actual need.

Brandon was not an exemplary individual off-the-field, and he has more drops over the past four years than any other receiver. That being said, he was still by far-and-away the best offensive player they had, and a player that teams had to respect, and did. When you have a receiving threat, it opens up the running game.

How do you think Reggie feels right now? He is going to be looking across the line at teams gearing up just to stop him because they fear no one else on the outside. With Reggie Wayne re-signed with the Colts, Dwayne Bowe with Kansas City, Marques Colston with the Saints and DeSean Jackson with Philly, who else is left?

What kind of help is this to whomever is starting at quarterback for Miami.

I don't have a problem with Miami stockpiling draft picks, but good lord, they gave up two second round picks for Marshall and they traded him for two third round choices. Why couldn't they have asked Chicago for a second and third round pick at the very least.

Perception is sometimes reality, and in the case of Miami ownership, no one is viewing them through rose colored glasses. It isn't missing out on Manning, it is the fact that Ross and Ireland have botched everything, and no one of importance wants to be a part of the organization.

Their embarrassing pursuit of Jim Harbaugh while Tony Sparano was still coach. Their failed attempts to court Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden. Jeff Fisher. Trading away Marshall for a rack of yard tools at Sears. Drafting Pat White strictly to run the abysmal Wildcat, then seemed surprised when he didn't pan out.

These types of continual mishaps scare off players and coaches. No one wants to play or coach for an organization they view as dysfunctional and incompetent. That is exactly what Ross and Ireland have done. I liked the hiring of Joe Philbin and want to see how he fits in before I make any judgments, although I am hoping he isn't Cam Cameron, the other former offensive guru hired to spark the flames of Miami's offense.

What I am typing about the ownership is not original thinking or anything that hasn't been known and expressed by anyone who follows the team, but it must be noted in the context of the column.  

If Ross and Ireland want to prove themselves, look towards the future, not right now.

I realize the fan base is antsy, very antsy, for this team to restore its former glory, get back to the playoffs and compete for championships, and heavens know, they deserve it. But signing Peyton wouldn't have done that, and neither will Flynn or Tannehill.

Ross and Ireland need to make what might be an unpopular decision and use this draft and free agency period to shore up other positions of need. Unfortunately, they must draft a wide receiver first, but after that, go with the other needs: pass rusher, tight end, offensive line, secondary.

Next year is when they should make the aforementioned Washington and Atlanta gamble and move up for Matt Barkley—again, barring an injury or severe drop in play. This year is a wash at quarterback so why pursue a massive risk just for the sake of doing it?

Think forward, think long-term, then you would be bringing your quarterback into a better scenario hopefully and start building the team up like normal, functioning, stable, successful organizations do, and for once, people might start taking you more seriously and fans may want you to stick around. 

Dolphans, let your voices be heard, let me know what you think.