Adam Gase opened his tenure in Miami making a move for CJ Anderson. The Broncos matched, Anderson got hurt after a hot start, and Jay Ajayi made Dolphins fans forget.
What we shouldn't forget heading into this off season is that Gase made Julius Thomas a far bigger star than he was ever able to make Anderson. And Thomas is going to be available (Jacksonville is looking to shed his contract and label him a "bust"- an easy title to earn when Blake Bortles is throwing you into coverage.)
The Dolphins must, should, and will pounce. For the first time since Keith Jackson, we will have a dominant red zone target at Tight End, and for the first time since Charles Clay left we will have a seam busting zone-killer. A few years ago, when Dustin Keller went down, Miami's offensive blueprint changed irrevocably: consider the inverse of that possibility?
Imagine getting Thomas a free release since teams have to respect Landry over the middle? Now think Parker (and potentially Stills) running free release on the outside? Ajayi will see seven in the box routinely. Tannehill will have time to operate, as opposing defenses are forced to keep safeties and linebackers honest.
The Dolphins will sign Julius Thomas. Big name linebackers and corners will draw more ink this off-season, but make no mistake: Thomas will be the lynchpin signing for the Dolphins this spring.
Jay Lopez
Thursday, January 19, 2017
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21 comments
One can only hope.
The ink is drying, Gary. This is 100 percent.
In my view, what better place for Julius and his agent than with Gase? And for Miami's front office it's a no brainer. Think about how often tight end picks bust? Use that draft pick for a defensive player... Let's get a proven playmaker and trust he'll stay healthy.
Please don't just draft one
This has been on my mind for months, agree 100%
Upgrading the linebackers and defensive backs is a must over offense by far but a dominant TE would be nice also. If the Phins can put 2 good drafts and a few very good FA signings together we would be a very dangerous team. Fins up!!
Well, we have to resign Stills. That's a must.
Most of the top OLB prospects in the draft are good for 3-4 defenses. Food for thought on drafting one.
Alabama's TE OJ Howard would be a good pick for us if he falls to 22 in the 2nd round.
We still need confirmation on which rounds we will be getting compensatory picks for losing Vernon and Miller in free agency last year. Projected to be between rounds 3-5.
There's quite a bit to think about as we try to resign our guys and rework a couple current contracts.
Julius Thomas would be a great pick up. Phins can keep M.Gray and keep developing Duarte too if Sims wants too much coin. The entire draft, less one G, needs to be on Defense. Pathetic stats this year and they were totally exposed by the good teams (see Ravens, Pats, Steelers). LB, LB, DE, CB, S, and one Guard. That's how the draft should fall. Vance Joseph ? Good bye dude. For all his accolades, the defense still stunk ! Injuries, well, all teams have injuries.
How this team won 10 games is a miracle with that Defense.
Carl,
If you can throw to Thomas, Landry , Parker & Ajai out of the backfield why sign stills ( We have Caroo ). Stretching the field is not Tanny's strength anyhow. Put Kenny's money on extending Landry , Jones and another proven safety. Use the draft for LB depth and an edge rusher to rest Wake. We will also need one more proven lineman when Bushrod hit's the road.
Farley,
I'm in a strange juxtaposition regarding this situation. Yes, we have Caroo, but Stills is PROVEN to be effective after rebounding from his GOAT catch/drop against Seattle, a win that would have given us a 5th seed...its a tough call...I'm leaning more towards paying Stills, but yeah, what about Caroo? What if he can be just as good or better while spending that money elsewhere? it's a tough call...
???
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2017TE.php
He isn't on there because the Jaguars are going to terminate his contract this year.
1a) linebackers, no doubt with our DL and good linebackers we could finally end our horrid rush defense
1b) OL- yes we have 5 good offensive linemen but when the starters come out, more often than not we LOSE
2) Defensive back- yea our DBs need depth, more work, experience but we wont solve all our problems in one year
3) TE- either by the very deep draft class or free agency- easily correctable
Stills is key. Keeps defense honest and opens up the stuff underneath. He led team in TDs for reason. He is in the system. I like the kid a lot.
Tannehill hit deep balls too.
I like Caroo but Stills is better. Not everyone will be healthy all year. Keep what you got first, then add if you can.
Jones coming off injury brings down his value. I am not worried about resigning him.
Landry will take what we give him. He ain't going anywhere.
Not as fast as Stills.
Yep on all accounts. We are still building up depth.
Canam- Exactly as Brown Dawg has it. Read reports coming out of Jville- clear that Thomas is perceived as a waste of cap space and they are moving on. I am beyond pleased at this development. Time for a dysfunctional franchise to shed players that a better franchise can revitalize (haven't we been on the opposite side of that spectrum for a few too many years?)
Yes we have. More than a few
Carl, You are spot on. Stills is key. He is the only one that can take the top off the defense. He and Carroo are uncomparable. Anyone that say's Tannehill doesn't throw a good deep ball is an uneducated fan. He ranked in the top half of the league in ypa and deep ball Accuracy.
So true John, so true.
Carroo is a very good possession receiver. Great size and phenomenal hands. He has some giddy up but he is not a speedster like Stills.
The league has changed. Majority of teams now pass first to set up the run. Most passes don't get thrown more than 7 yards downfield. Quick hits with 5 men wide.
Howeveryou still throw deep and Stills is that guy for us