The Dolphins receiving might be one of most lackluster grouping of average receivers in the league but Joe Philbin and Jeff Ireland seem to believe otherwise.  While it’s hard to argue that the Phins receiving core is any better than the leagues 25^th best, it doesn’t appear likely that they will be adding another free agent receiver.

NFL.com recently put out an article saying that free agent WR Plaxico Burress would love to work out for the Dolphins but that the team has not shown any interest in the veteran.  The Dolphins also have not reached out to other bigger names left like Braylon Edwards or TO.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82947a0a/article/dolphins-audition-for-plaxico-burress-reportedly-a-nogo?module=HP11_headline_stack

 

The free agent wide out they did sign Legedu Nanee has impressed so far in camp however is not the alpha receiver fans are looking for. While Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are both expected raise their game this year with the added playing time, the big question is whether the Dolphins will chose not to go with a traditional #1 WR.

The Dolphins most likely won’t please their fans in this department and go with receivers currently on the roster. I wouldn’t expect much from last year’s rookie Clyde Gates, and if you’re looking for a dark horse the name Roberto Wallace seems the most likely.

The battle for the number 3 receiving job is maybe the most compelling one this offseason. It will be interesting to see where the Dolphins production will come from this season. Whether it’s the QB’s or the front office, all fronts seem comfortable with the this year’s receiving core, so maybe it’s the fans who don’t know better but I can defiantly see where the fans are coming being one with the same thoughts.

While we all know Jeff Ireland can be very stubborn I would caution him not to ignore kicking any tires on veteran receivers who can potentially contribute on a one to two year basis.

It should be an interesting training camp. If Tannehill should start at one point this season, the Phins are not making it easy on him by  surrounding with a sub par WR's core. 

Despite Steven Ross' willingess to insert foot and mouth about Matt Moore being the starter and wishing him well, there is good news in Davie.

The Miami Dolphins have signed Rishard Matthews, wide receiver from Nevada.  Matthews provides some deep threat capability and with his speed can stretch the field.

The Dolphins also signed DT Kheeston Randle out of Texas, drafted by Miami in the 7th round.  He should rotate with Paul Soliai if he does make the team. 

So with two 7th round picks locked up, there seems to be great optimism that all draft picks should be signed by training camp...

Should it really take this long?  Multiple teams have all of their picks signed.  For one, the Green Bay Packers signed all of their picks more than two weeks ago. 

This isn't a criticism of the front office per se, but why did the Packers sign their picks so quickly? 

For a regime that claims to get down to business and not let the media spin the current situation out of control, the Dolphins have a lot to learn despite making strides to change the image of Miami synonymous with South Beach into Green Bay.

Here's to Steve Ross not being spokesperson for this team any longer and letting the coach speak for the team.

As a Dolfan, I get tired of hearing and seeing more negativity in Miami, which can only mean one thing...things are still bad until proven otherwise!

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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