NFL Draft 2011: The Dolphins Are Not Desperate for a Quarterback

I absolutely agree with Mike Pouncey as the 15th pick. I was hoping that the Dolphins would trade down, but Pouncey was their guy. Just as the comparison exists between Jake Long and Matt Ryan, there will be a comparison between Mike Pouncey and Mark Ingram. 

The reality is, the Miami Dolphins needed offensive linemen—everyone knew. We all knew that when Jeff Ireland declared Mike Pouncey as the safe pick.

Daniel Thomas, however, was not the safest pick.

Ireland and Sparano transitioned from safe to wading in piranha-infested murky waters in a matter of hours. So to argue that the Dolphins wanted a safe draft is not a completely viable perspective. 

How many of you thought that the Dolphins would trade up to take Ryan Mallett? Yeah, me too, even though I wasn't the biggest fan. 

However, I side with Jim Harbaugh. Colin Kaepernick was worth trading up for. Even more so than Daniel Thomas. The fact that Thomas has fumble-itis and a hamstring on the mend makes me worry.

What's the difference between having an injury-prone Ronnie Brown and/or Daniel Thomas? If they're both on the bench with an injury, it doesn't matter what the difference is. 

Nevertheless, the Miami Dolphins are not "desperate" for a quarterback. They absolutely need competition at quarterback. That's what makes a quarterback better. Henne needs to be threatened by a legitimate quarterback. The only people Henne was challenged by were Tony Sparano and Dan Henning.

If the Dolphins were desperate, you would've seen Ireland pull the trigger for Ryan Mallett in the first round. Like Tennessee with Jake Locker or Minnesota with Christian Ponder. They were desperate for a quarterback and could not wait until the second round to see if their guy was there.

Plus, desperation shows signs of inappropriate emotional reaction at times. Desperation can lead to a change in philosophy which changes the direction of a team. Minnesota is a playoff ready team, I would argue the same for Tennessee. They both were desperate for quarterbacks and reacted (towards the lockout or the crop of veteran free agents or the overall pace of the draft). I think Minnesota reacted when Tennessee pick Jake Locker.  

So, then, if the Dolphins aren't desperate, what do they need? 

Chad Henne needs his job threatened by Vince Young or Kyle Orton. That's what creates a consistent, mature quarterback. Chad Henne doesn't need another mentor in Chad Pennington.

Henne needs to be pushed. We all knew that Tyler Thigpen was never a legitimate competitor...the Dolphins still want to sign him as a backup. Thigpen wants an opportunity to start. 

I once wrote that Miami would be the best place for Vince Young to land. I still believe that. The feedback I've received says fans would love that, except many don't want another prima donna to manage.

I believe a guy like Vince Young can grow up. I'm tired of safe guys with high football IQ and decent arms throwing games away. I know that's a swipe at both Henne and Pennington, but I'm tired to two years of 7-9. I'm tired of losing to anyone in the AFC East.

That the Dolphins did not take a quarterback simply means there is no crisis. I concur. If Chad Henne were the starter this season, I believe he would be better than last season.

But I sincerely hope they bring a legitimate competitor.