It’s December 30^th and 2011 is coming to and end, the Dolphins finish 2011 with another losing season and maybe questions to be answered this off season. With that being said the Dolphins must have one New Year’s resolution to hopefully build a bright future for this team.

If I could choose one New Years resolution for this team it would be to draft the first 1^st round quarterback since Dan Marino. There is a little twist to my resolution as I do not want to settle for Landry Jones or Ryan Tannehil or even the impressive yet elderly Brandon Weeden.

The Folks in the head office for the Dolphins need to be bold for the first time in I cant even recall how many years and no matter what find a way to make sure Robert Griffin the third or Andrew Luck is a Miami Dolphin. While wishing for Andrew Luck might be a stretch, it is time for a bold move by this organization. If Luck is off the board Ireland must do whatever it takes to get a top 3 pick and select RG3.

Ireland a former Baylor Bear should know exactly the type of talent and upside RG3 has and should not blink twice to do everything within his means to make sure the Dolphins can find a franchise QB. The wait has gone on long enough.

Be bold in 2012, make it happen, there is no price you can overpay for a franchise QB.

Hopefully 2012 will be a great year for all you and a great year for our Phins. 

Jason Taylor was drafted out of Akron in the 3rd round with fellow longtime teammate and brother-in-law Zach Thomas out of Texas Tech.  Taylor and Thomas began the rebuilding efforts by Jimmy Johnson as he tried to put his stamp on the team.

Jason Taylor is a 6 time pro-bowler with a 3 time all pro 1st team selection on defense.  Taylor has endured the Jimmy Johnson era, three years of mediocre performances, the Wannstedt era (a time of boring football), and the Saban and Cam Cameron seasons with no playoff appearances.

So when the Dolphins had just finished the 2007 season at 1-15, brought in another new era with Bill Parcells, Tony Sparano, and Jeff Ireland; Taylor who had seen enough truly wanted to mull over his future given his knack for entrepreneurship and marketing himself. 

Taylor spent much of the Spring and Summer of 2008 working not with his teammates in the harsh and humid heat of Davie, but instead in an air conditioned dance studio in Los Angeles.  The new regime did not approve and thus shipped him for a 2nd round pick to Washington where Taylor worked for a rookie coach anyway and had an insufferable season. 

Taylor then returned to Miami only to be denied after a subpar 7-9 season for the Dolphins.  Same regime.  Same people in charge.

This year, with Parcells gone, but Tony Sparano given more control on personnel he brought in Taylor to provide in lockerroom leadership.

Taylor has recorded 7 sacks this year when the outside linebacker position sorely needed a boost to bring about the threat of a pass rush.  He will be missed if the Dolphins cannot find those sacks elsewhere in the draft.  I am not saying this, but Armando Salguero pointed this out in depth in his blog as of yesterday.

Jason Taylor based on numbers is an all-pro.  Based on leadership is a true professional. 

However, as much as I truly appreciated Taylor's hardwork on and off the field, I can't say that he made the difference when it counted.  I know there was a win here or there where he had an interception return for a touchdown or a sack to end a game. 

But, where was Taylor when it counted?  Jets-Dolphins Monday Night Football dubbed the "Miracle".  Where was Taylor?  Barking at Jets fans and not making plays on the field?  Why didn't he sack the heck out of Testaverde.  Stop the run.  Stall the Jets drive that decided the game?

Where was Taylor when the Patriots drove the length of the field in 2002 after Ricky Williams first season and a sure playoff contender backed by the play of Fiedler and company? 

Where was Taylor this year at 0-7? 

It is possible that Taylor made the Dolphins worse when it counted.  He played so hard that his feet were sore, his hands were mangled, his shoulder was battered and bruised that he had to check out on key plays either mentally or physically? 

I am sorry, but Jason Taylor as much as we want to crown his as the ultimate team guy did not help the Dolphins win when it counted.

Update:

The sheer significance of Marshall's season is that he is the only receiver since Irving Fryar to have posted a 1,000 yards receiving in back to back seasons.  That's a remarkable feat, but also very telling since Miami has lacked a true quarterback threat or any kind of air attack until this year. 

For a 5-10 team it is very surprising that the Miami Dolphins have players elected to the 2012 Pro Bowl.  It's amazing to me that the Dolphins have turned around the season to win 5 out of 8 games.  Too little too late and certainly not enough to see the organization known as the Miami Dolphins change course again in a 4 year span.

On Tuesday Brandon Marshall and Jake Long were selected to the 2012 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.  For Brandon Marshall this was his 3rd selection (2 as a Bronco) and for Jake Long, this was his 4th selection in 4 seasons. 

Marshall has his first selection since being traded from Denver in 2010. Marshall has had a Pro Bowl season with over 77 catches and 6 TD and 1177 yards. What's not to like about Marshall's year? His 12 dropped passes are the highest in the NFL.

If I remember correctly, at least 6 in the end zone. If you believe that Marshall's 6 drops in the endzone aren't critical then tell me if those 6 TDs create opportunities to win against the Jets, New England (twice), and San Diego. I would bet that those 6 drops in the endzone make the Dolphins chances of a 9 or 10 win season much greater.

Jake Long has been a stalwart Left Tackle this season blocking the blind side of both Chad Henne and then Matt Moore for 8 games.  He has surrendered only 5 sacks while the rest of the line has surrendered 46 sacks.

One might argue that Jake Long gave up 5 sacks this season and should not be worthy of a pro bowl. However, Jake Long has been the cornerstone and mainstay of this battered and beat up offensive line that is on the verge of giving up the most sacks in team history. Long deserves this honor for playing with shoulder, back, and knee pain all season. He gave over 100% and you didn't see him give up. Surely, as a 1st pick of the draft, pro bowls were to be expected, but he has certainly earned his reputation as a hard worker and it shows on game day with his ability to block some of the best defenses he has faced in his career. Kudos to Jake Long and his 4 Pro Bowls.

Brandon Marshall and Jake Long have proved their worth this season. Are they the best offensive players in Dolphin History? Not yet, but if they remain Dolphin players, I expect them to again make the pro bowl squad multiple times.

I am happy for both Marshall and Long, but I would be happier if the Dolphins were fighting with the Jets this weekend for the lone playoff spot.

The Dolphins got a pleasant surprise Tuesday night as they were informed offensive tackle Jake Long and wide receiver Brandon Marshall have been selected to the 2012 AFC Pro Bowl team, with Long earning a starter’s nod and Marshall chosen as a reserve.

Long, was put on the IR today and now will miss the game but it is still an honour for him to have been named to his 4rth straight pro bowl. Long struggled early this season particularly due to injury however has maintained the status of one of the best Left tackles in the game.

Marshall, who is a former Pro Bowler in two previous occasions while with the Denver Broncos, will be in the game for the first time as a Miami Dolphins. Marshall’s season has been up and down however despite his very noticeable drops he has put up some pretty impressive numbers. Marshall leads the Dolphins with 77 receptions, 1,177 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.

 

While some might say Marshall’s spot is undeserved due to the high volume of touchdown drops when looking around the AFC, there is no doubt that there are  few receivers that have had Marshall’s success.

“This selection is special, considering the struggles we had this season,” Marshall said. “I appreciate the fans who voted for me, and it means a great deal that I also was voted to the Pro Bowl by the people who know the most about the game — the players and the coaches. “I also want to thank my team-mates, because football is the ultimate team game and I couldn’t have performed at the level I did without their help.”

Marshall has gone through a lot this year with being very public about his condition of borderline personality disorder. This will come as a very nice reward to Marshall who certainly will look forward to the trip to Hawaii.

Rookie Center Mike Pouncey was added as an alternate! Off to a very nice start to his career ! 
 

Personally I knew Reggie Bush did not have a chance to make the first roster but I am hoping he might slide in if there is an injury or one of the running backs plays in the Super Bowl.

This article was written by me for This Given Sunday ( http://www.bloguin.com/thisgivensunday/2011-articles/december/miami-de-jason-taylor-ready-to-retire-will-he-dance-with-the-stars-at-the-hall-of-fame.html ) 

 

According to the Miami Herald, Jason Taylor plans on hanging up the cleats (or dancing shoes) after 15 seasons. Taylor is now 37 at the end of his career and currently sits 6^th on the all time sack list with 139.5

Taylor was named the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Taylor has been on several successful and not so successful Miami Dolphins team and will certainly be considered when discussing HOF candidates. In Taylor’s prime there were very few who could rush the QB as well as Taylor. JT always seemed to show up on the biggest of stages as some of his best games came against Tom Brady.

Despite his age Taylor has still been affective as a pass rusher as he has piled up 7 sacks this year. Taylor was a Pro Bowl player six times in his career and returned six fumbles for touchdowns, which is the most in NFL history as well as three interception returns for scores.

Taylor will be remembered mostly for his years in Miami where he and his brother in law Zach Thomas led very strong Dolphins defences to a couple of division championships. In his later years as a Jet, he reached the AFC championship game falling one game short of the Super Bowl.

While Taylor will not be a first ballot HOF he will certainly garner consideration. The fact that Taylor never won or went to a Super Bowl might be held against him despite being one of the most dominant defensive players of his time. rex Ryan on JT: "a no-brainer Hall of Fame player...we only had him one year, but he had such a positive effect on this football team"

With one game remaining in the season, the NFL credits Taylor with 139.5 sacks, 577 total tackles, eight interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.