While some players tout the opportunity to win a Super Bowl, some players make predictions in the offseason.

On Tuesday, Reggie Bush shared exactly what was on his mind, he wants to win the Rushing Title. 

There are many questions not if Reggie can be the NFL season leading rusher:

Is Reggie Bush durable enough for a 16 game season?  He played 15 games last season and missed one due to a sprained knee.

Does Reggie Bush fit into this new blocking scheme?  Reggie Bush played in a Pro-Style offense at USC and the numbers speak for themselves.

Can Reggie Bush handle the amount of carries it can take to get at least 1,800 yards next season?

First, Reggie trains in the offseason and if the Miami Dolphins workout videos prove anything, 80 pound dumbells on a chest press is not a leisurely exercise.  Reggie trains hard.  He works hard.  

Next, Reggie will have to get spacing on sweeps right or left.  However, last year when the guards did pull, Reggie made the highlight reel with a nice 200 yard game up in Buffalo in the snow.  

There is a downside to this prediction: Injury.  Injury that lingers.  Hamstrings, ankles, and any other leg related injury.

Bottom line, Reggie has to be healthy all year long.  It will be a very difficult task for Reggie Bush because  teams in the division have loaded up to stop the run: Buffalo-Mario Williams, NY Jets: Quintin Coples, and New England front 4 and draft picks expected to all have tough defenses. 

However, Reggie has one huge incentive...it's a contract year! 

Reggie wants to run well, so maybe if he runs well enough, the clock will tick off faster and the Dolphins can win more games!

What does the Cam Wake re-signing mean exactly for the Miami Dolphins?

Some experts such as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, have offered that the Dolphins can now move on to other important signings such as Sean Smith and Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long.

First, Cam Wake deserves his due.  He came to the NFL after dominating the CFL in Canada for two seasons.  He’s been a high-motor and high-intensity guy and has shown up in games when it has counted.

However, the Dolphins simply made an error in judgment.  In fact, no matter what a lot of people say that Cam Wake needed to get his deal, they are simply ignoring that the Dolphins had their chance in the draft to get a pass rusher in case Cameron Wake did not return for the 2013 season.  The Dolphins whiffed on getting Melvin Ingram, Quinton Coples, or even Fletcher Cox who were all strong possibilities. 

See the Dolphins took Tannehill and in a risk reward scenario they bet the farm that Tannehill will be the franchise QB.  He could be or he could be a QB that needs weapons around him to succeed.

Looking at this same signing another way, the Dolphins put themselves in a great position to address their need for a pass-rusher, but Cam Wake was already signed this season.  It’s just that he so happened to out-perform his current deal and earn double digit sack numbers and he chose not to show up for work. 

I am not through on poking holes at this signing.  As a fan, I am either excited or disappointed. 

This time disappointed.  This signing begs the question that the Dolphins in fact had some money to sign Kendall Langford.  Yes, I know that the Dolphins didn’t see a huge jump in productivity like Wake, but he played every game for 4 seasons and didn’t even get a chance to see where he stood with Miami. 

Quite simply, Langford moved on.  He went to St. Louis and earned starter money. 

Lastly, Cam Wake is no spring chicken.  Not every player can play into their late thirties.  It’s a 4 year deal worth 49 million, but the deal could have gotten done with Langford right?

Here’s another point: The Dolphins are simply covering up their errors in the offseason.

 First Langford leaving town and then Matt Flynn not getting a deal done with Miami. 

Both the Tannehill pick and the Wake deal are simply a way of establishing what the priorities are. 

The priorities are about the defense…not the offense because if it was about offense then the Dolphins would land Flynn who has some experience and fits this offense.

 It is evident that the Dolphins will paint a pretty picture behind the numbers that Wake has. 

Let’s not be too optimistic…Jason Taylor had great numbers before he was discarded initially by Bill Parcells.

Here’s to Cam Wake being the sacking and tackling machine that he is and that he’s making big plays and helping the Dolphins close-out the 4th quarter. 

From the CFL to 20 million dollars guaranteed.



We wrote a blog on PhinsPhocus a couple of weeks ago telling the Dolphins to pay Cam Wake, and that's exactly what they did !  

The Cam Wake another story of what we love about sports. Cam Wake’s path like many other NFL stars wasn’t so easy. Despite now being an elite pass rusher in the NFL, there was a point in his career where he couldn’t even land on an NFL roster.

After dominating in the CFL 2 years being the defensive player of the year both seasons he played in Canada, Cam Wake was given a shot by the Dolphins. On a very modest contract, Wake proved he could play with the leagues best becoming one of the best pass rushers in the game today.

2 years later in the NFL, Cameron Wake signed a 4 year contract extension for 49 millions dollars, 20 of which are guaranteed. The deal keeps him in Aqua and Orange until 2017.

The deal not only locks up Wake but also allows the Dolphins to switch their focus to Jake Long. If the Dolphins fail to sign Long to the extension they are now left with the options of slapping a franchise tag on him, giving the team more flexibility.

In Wake’s first year he gathered up 14 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Trent Cole and Peppers got 12 million a year, Mario just got 16 million per with 50 million guaranteed. With that being said the Dolphins got pretty fair value for Wake.

Last year Wake ranked as one of the top pass rushers in the league per Pro Football Focus. The Dolphins are certainly happy to have their sack master back.



- Note this blog is also on ThisGivenSunday.com

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As rookie camp got underway all the talk as expected was surrounding 1^st round draft pick Ryan Tannehill.

The big question with Tannehill is, will be ready to start game 1.

Per Rotoworld.com Coach Philbin has previously said he'd let the "best man win," and he's sticking to that approach. "The difference is going to be the decision-making, the accuracy, the playmaking ability," Philbin insisted.

While Tannehill is obviously the rookie with the least experience compared to Moore and Garrard, he also is the QB who knows this offense the best. Tannehill has been quoted as saying as much as 80-85 % of the playbook is familiar to him and similar to his offense at Texas A&M.

Tannehill also has the advantage of having a relationship with offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. Tannehill also has an advantage being the most athletic of the group. Not to mention the front office and coaching staff will most likely be getting fan pressure for Tannehill to start, however that will obviously not effect their decision.

Flacco, Dalton and other young rookie QB started from day one, so why not Tannehill.

Tannehill will have opportunity to fight for the starting job, the question is will he win it.

The Miami Dolphins took a step in 2012 with the openning of minicamp. 

Those in attendence saw Ryan Tannehill throw his first passes as a Miami Dolphin. 

Both Omar Kelly and Armando Salguero were impressed by Tannehill's ability and command of the offense.

In fact, Tannehill wowed even Jeff Darlington, former beat writer for the Miami Herald who now covers the NFL for NFL.com.

As the rest of the Dolphins took the field, no one could help but notice Tannehill leading the team during today's session.

Before we all get ahead of ourselves though, Tannehill has a lot to learn and throwing against a defense in a camp setting is not exactly a glowing endorsement, but it is a sign of optimism and intrigue that as Dolfans we want the league to notice that we uncovered a gem of the two other quarterbacks taken in the top 10.

Other question marks after today's session are the additions by Jeff Ireland in Jonathan Martin and Michael Egnew. 

Clearly, Jonathan Martin at right tackle could serve the Dolphins quite well.

With Egnew, the Dolphins get a very athletic and sure-handed tight end. 

On the defensive side of the ball, fans are wondering what kind of impact Olivier Vernon will have on the defense and what position he'll play. 

The Dolphins have a long way to go. 

Both Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman are responsible for getting this team going in a positive direction.

As Dolfans, the more reps we see Tannehill take this spring, the more we will wonder if it is all part of the master plan to make Tannehill the starter as soon as possible.

Afterall, Tannehill is running the same offense and believes he knows 80% of the new playbook.

Only time will tell.

Go Dolphins!

When I was just a young lad, my parents taught me a very important lesson, which is “patience is a virtue”.

That saying is something that Dolphins fans should get very familiar with.  While I believe this year’s draft was a successful, it must be reflected on in two different ways. In terms of immediate benefit to the 2012 NFL season I wouldn’t bank on much.

The Dolphins are hoping that Tannehill will mature and grow into their franchise QB that but that could take time and mean spending this upcoming season with a clipboard in hand. The Dolphins 2^nd round draft pick was a 1^st round talent in offensive tackle from Standford John Martin.

Martin hopefully will provide stability to the offensive line and offer a contingency plan should any complications arise with the Jake Long contract negotiations.

The Dolphins however failed to find playmakers at the Wide receiver early on in the draft leaving the possibility of an anemic offense in 2012/2013. The TE Egnew is a raw player who has a nice skill set meshed with good size however is not seen at the moment as a complete player. I think comparisons on JerMichael Finely are a little bit premature and it will take work from this coaching staff to help develop Egnew into a solid starter. Egnew also lacks strong blocking skills which will need to be developed.

The Dolphins got a pass rusher in a Oliver in the 3^rd round however I do not believe Oliver is a 3 down rusher and will be primarily used as a role player in the Dolphins hybrid defense. He fits a need, but I wouldn’t expect him to make a huge impact in 2012. Mike Mayock however loved the pick and saw Oliver as a potential 2^nd round talent.

The 4^th round selection of Lamar Miller might be the most interesting one. The local Miami boy was seen as a second round talent and maybe even the second best back coming into the draft and slid all the way to the Dolphins in the 4^th. While I love the pick because of Miller’s ability to run the ball and due to the scary feeling I had when watching Daniel Thomas last year. Reggie Bush also does have prior injury history as well as will probably be used as a WR throughout the year this year. The Miller pick leaves the Dolphins with a lot of depth at the position and hopefully a strong running game which will help when Ryan Tannehill hits the field.

While this wasn’t necessarily a sexy draft, I believe in 2013/2014 the Dolphins could see serious benefits. This draft will come down to one thing: Ryan Tannehill. Any draft where you find a franchise QB is a pretty dam good one.

Another note is that I like the Dolphins bringing in undrafted free agent WR Jeff Fuller from Texas A&M , it can’t hurt for Tannehill to have the familiarity of one of his former wide receivers in camp.

I think it is a little premature to give draft grades and we don’t know what will be of these players however I will say that this draft was very encouraging to me as a fan because finally after 13 years I can say we might have found ourselves a QB.  The obvious only major concern from this draft being that the Dolphins might have the weakest wide receiving core in the NFL. But hey, maybe there is something the Dolphins brass knows about Roberto Wallace that we don’t.

That being said have patience Dolphins fans, 2012/2013 might be a difficult season but it’s a process, Rome wasn’t built over night and neither will the Miami Dolphins been.

For those wondering, Mel Kiper gives the #Dolphins draft an overall C grade: B on needs, D+ on value.

Here’s to Ryan and Lauren Tannehill and here’s to the future of Miami Dolphins football, Fins Up !

While yesterday was a tad quiet with the exception of the Dolphins landing a QB in the first round with the selection of Ryan Tannehill; today marked some improvements to bolster the offensive line, initiate the ability to stretch the field with a pass-catching tight end and a pass rusher.

Tonight, GM Jeff Ireland added some pieces to help the Dolphins in 2012.

First the Dolphins selected 6'5", 310 pound Tackle Jonathan Martin.  Martin can play either Right Tackle or Left Tackle.  Martin is a perfect fit in a zone-blocking scheme and was Andrew Luck's RT in passing situations.  In all, Martin is a welcome addition to the Dolphins who do not have anyone ready to play RT other than Lydon Murtha and Artis Hicks.  Dolfans should be happy with this move since Columbo made a swinging gate out of the right side of the line giving up a high number of sacks.  Martin can start right away and should with guidance from Coach Joe Philbin, an o-line guru.  Some insiders believe that Martin could serve as a long-term insurance policy should Jake Long leave the team in 2013.

Next witht he 72nd pick, the Dolphins selected 6'2" , 260 Defensive End/Linebacker, Olivier Vernon from the University of Miami.  Vernon contributed to 89 tackles and 9 sacks in college having his career cut short due to suspensions resulting from NCAA violations.  Vernon projects out to be a 3-4 LB or a 4-3 End as a pass rusher.  Vernon undoubtedly could work as a linebacker and a pass rusher in the Dolphins hybrid 3-4/4-3.  Vernon being selected was somewhat of a surprise since the Dolphins still had other guys on their board based on various mock drafts and draft experts.  Vernon could fill the void of Jason Taylor or take over for Koa Misi should he continue to fall short in his career as a Dolphin. 

Finally ,in a trade down scenario gaining a 6th round pick from the Chargers, the Dolphins selected at #78 in the 3rd round: 6'3" 236 pound Tight End Michael Egnew of the University of Missouri, Columbia.  In reality, this is a good pick for the Dolphins brass.  Egnew is known as a seam threat and with his body control can stretch the field and make tough catches.  In all, he should push both Charles Clay and Anthony Fasano.

So, what's left tomorrow, the Dolphins have a 4th, 5th, 2 6th rounders, and a 7th rounder.  I can see Ireland moving the 7th and 6th rounders if there is a guy he really likes. 

The Dolphins should  get at least two WRs tomorrow.  I'd also be curious if the Dolphins were to go after another developmental QB to push out Moore or Garrard.  It is all possible.  Case Keenum anyone???

Please keep visiting PhinsPhocus.com for the latest on the 2012 draft and the 2012 undrafted free-agent frenzy starting on Monday

Hooray!  Most of Dolphin Nation is praising the utter joy of drafting a QB in round 1. 

Somewhere off in the distance, a certain teacher and Miami Dolphin fan was praising his students about the Dolphins pick as they walzed into the classroom before taking a nearly impossible vocabulary quiz.  The name Ryan Tannehill sprang off of his tongue as the students prepared for their quiz seeing their teacher in the best mood in awhile after a Dolphins draft.

"Who did they take?" They inquired...Ryan Tannehill! 

 Ryan Tannehill.  From Henne to Tanny…that is what is going on.

Let’s be frank, Dan Marino sounds like ages ago and were getting to the point where most of the guys playing in college now, never saw him play.  So are we really trying to fill his shoes?

In addition, I can see where the comparison might be with Marino, his throwing motion from his ear, but it ends with Ryan Tannehill's sheer ability to run out of the pocket and make plays!  As he said yesterday, he is his own player.  That’s it.  The comparison stops at him being a first round QB joining Marino and Griese. 

So, as a Dolfan my take is this…we don’t have another QB on the roster that has won a Super Bowl.  We don’t have a QB on the roster that has ever beat the New England Patriots.  Ryan Tannehill is really the move that the Dolphins brass had to make in order to move this team into the 21st century. 

The Dolphins got better today, but why do some media members like seeing the Dolphins flounder or criticize the regime?

Because the Dolphins need to win.  Winning with Tanny will look and feel better!

If you look at the Dolphins drafts of year’s past the common denominator has been Defense.  The Dolphins have rarely sprang for an offensive skills guy until the Ireland era. 

Ireland has now picked a stellar LT in Jake Long, a shut-down corner in Vontae Davis, a staunch Defensive end in Jared Odrick, a nasty center in Pouncey, and now a golden-boy QB with an arm in Ryan Tannehill.

The Miami Dolphins are going somewhere with this pick and optimism and joy reign true in the halls of that school where “said teacher” works at and throughout the world where Dolfans are representing everywhere!

It’s all about #17 baby!

Hope!

 

This year after a 13 year long wait for Dolphins fans, the Phins finally used a first round pick on a QB. The Dolphins drafted Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, reuniting him with his former head coach Mike Sherman.

The waiting is over, the Dolphins now have a guy they can help grow and mold into a franchise QB.  

While Tannehill has his upside, he also has his issues, he is not a perfect prospect but he has a chance to really shine. Tannehill offers a potential solution to a 13 year QB search.  Tannehill is most known for his strong athletic skill set and ability to throw on the run.

Tannehill brings excitement to Miami as him and his super hot girlfriend now can call South Florida home.

Dolphins HOF QB Dan Marion wasted no time welcoming Tannehill with a tweet,

RT @DanMarino: Congrats to @ryantannehill1! Welcome to Miami.#Dolphins

Tannehill met with the media after being drafted indicating his excitement to be a Dolphin and his desire to compete for the starting job. Tannehill also mentioned he wants to wear his college number 17.

Douche bag GM Jeff Ireland, had this to say on his new QB, “I didn’t take him with the eighth pick in the draft to be a backup quarterback. I picked him to be a starting quarterback in this league at some point, to have an impact in this league, to help us win games and championships.”

Jeff Ireland said on @MikeAndMike wouldn't make any expectations or predictions on Ryan Tannehill #Dolphins then later said Tannehill checks out A+ in the tangible area. Jeff Ireland noted that Stephen Ross put no pressure on him to take Tannehill but was very excited about Ryan.

There is still great value on the board for the 2^nd round for the Dolphins. A list of available players include, WR’s Randle, Hill..TE Colby Fleener…OLB Upshaw…OT Cordy Glenn as well as many others.

Yesterday, I posted that Merling would be replaced, but that was a lucky guess and at least not until after the draft.

Jeff Ireland has solidified that he is going to take a DE somewhere in the draft.  Could it be round 1?  It's possible with Fletcher Cox and Melvin Ingram on the board at 8. 

I certainly don't discount the contribution of Phillip Merling during the 2008 season when the Dolphins needed a play and Merling took one on defense for 6 against the Jets in a playoff and division deciding game. 

However, Merling has been a bust and now Ireland must rectify that he made a mistake in picking him and not a QB, TE, or any other critical position of need. 

It's quite easy for Jeff Ireland to use Parcells as the scapegoat here...was it Parcell's choice or Jeff Ireland's?

Merling has been injured often and recently after signing his tender, he did not do his part and participate in non-mandatory OTAs to be with his teammates. 

At least the Dolphins can rest easy that they will not have to wait for Merling to turn on that switch from 2008 and be ready to go for the 2012 season.

Some serious questions come to mind garnering answers. 

Does this change the draft plans of Ireland who many media members and draft gurus believe he is taking Ryan Tannehill on the request of owner Stephen Ross?

Do the Dolphins tip their hand slightly and go after DEs in the first and second round? 

Do the Dolphins make any other moves such as looking if Sean Smith or Vontae Davis is the better corner and put either of them on the trade block to get more picks?

There are a lot of possibilities at 8, so the Dolphins look to continue their rebuilding mode if more moves are made to rectify past mistakes.

What will Ireland's countermove be after the release of Merling? 

As a Dolfan, you can only hope that the Dolphins take a QB somewhere and in a year we are proudly wearing the jersey of the new QB!