Miami Dolphins Have Tough Decisions Coming Up

The news broke late today that Peyton Manning is medically cleared to play.  His neck will not keep him from playing moving forward.  Though his arm has yet to fully recover and is not up to NFL caliber yet, it should only be a matter of time before it is.  With this news, the Dolphins are likely awaiting the next announcement, whether or not Manning will be retained by the Indianapolis Colts.  Should he be released before free agency begins, the Miami Dolphins are said to be major players for his services.

We have no idea what is going through the minds of owner Stephen Ross, GM Jeff Ireland, and head coach Joe Philbin, but we do know that they have some very tough decisions to make in the near future.  Finding a quarterback to get the team over the 'hump' has been claimed as priority #1, Ross has said it, Ireland has said it, and fans know that needs to happen.  Nothing against Matt Moore, he played well when given the opportunity, but he lacked the 'it' factor that winning quarterbacks have.  Many believe, including myself, that the Dolphins are a quarterback away from being a playoff contender, and what happens over the next couple months will give us a better idea of how close the team will be heading into the 2012 season. 

The Dolphins will have to decide whether or not they are willing to draft a quarterback, sign one through free agency, or both.  We have no idea which direction they will go, and we probably won't know until it happens.  Jeff Ireland has done a good job of keeping his intentions close to the vest, and I like that about him, don't look for that to change.  The options in free agency seem to center on 2 players, Matt Flynn and Peyton Manning, though neither are free agents yet, as Flynn still has a slim chance to be tagged, and Manning has yet to be released.  In the draft, the top two prospects, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffen III, seem to be a reach for Miami to land.  Both will likely be gone by the time Miami drafts in the 8 or 9 slot, and trading up for them will cost the team dearly.  Ryan Tannehill is considered the 3rd best option in the draft, but it would be a reach to take him that early in the first round.

I look for Miami to try their best to land either Manning or Flynn first, in that order.  Depending on which one they get, if either, will determine how they will execute their draft.  Should they land Manning, I can still see them taking a quarterback early in the draft, to sit for a couple years and learn as much as possible.  Should they get Flynn, I don't see them taking a quarterback at all, opting for a pass rusher and TE in the early rounds. 

Should they miss on both Flynn or Manning, the Dolphins would likely be forced to trade up for RGIII, or reach for Tannehill, Andrew Luck is almost out of the question.  The Dolphins have ties to both RGIII and Tannehill, as Ireland is a Baylor Alum, and Tannehill has been coached by new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman while at Texas A&M.  With the recent success of rookie quarterbacks the past few seasons either one of those could earn the starting position from day 1. 

Free agency doesn't begin until early March, the draft is in late April.  Which direction will the Dolphins go?  Only Ross, Ireland, and Philbin know for sure, all we can do is wait and see.

Phins Up!

BEL