Open Rant To Mr. Ross

Turns out a check down weapon doesn't make a team. I am trying to not overreact and want to stay loyal, notice the optimism in the pre-season post, but I cannot stand these Dolphins anymore. This is less a reaction to the 0-2 start, more a culmination of many things being boiled over by the signing of Nate Jones and Igor Olshansky to try and complete the Miami Cowboys. This is where my dismay starts, at the top.

Our GM and Coach have no accolades other than they worked for Bill Parcels and both do an amazing job of showing that Bill ran the show. They are both average to pathetic dealing with the media which is minor to me, but still a good starting point. Jeff Ireland probably hasn't had a second round pick make the team yet, meaning his drafting is let's get one good player and grab gimmick guys after that. Our skill positions are devoid of talent because of weak drafting and weak free agency signings. Going with what you know (former Cowboys) hasn't made the 'Fins any better. Part of this is on Tony Sparano as well, our offensive line guru coach had one of the most underrated lines in the game and ruined it by mixing and matching bullshit players and jamming square pegs in round holes. It was a joke going after another coach and then signing Tony to an extension, yet it will be a bigger joke if these guys stay after this year. Flip flopping quarterbacks and not giving your week one starter any confidence is usually bad. Making trades public, like the Orton fiasco, is bad. Cutting Benny Sapp, who you handpicked for the team over Will Allen, and then cutting him after week one and resigning Allen does nothing but show how impotent you really are. To make matters worse you go and sign Nate Jones after cutting him a year or two ago and talking up your young corners all preseason. That shows what exactly? That you shouldn't coach and/or GM in this league ever again. And why bother toying with Larry Johnson not once but twice. That's disrespectful, he may have been able to catch on somewhere else instead of being Tony's little plaything.

I have yet to mention making Brain fucking Daboll your offensive coordinator. I have the task of watching every Browns game every year since I live in Cleveland and he is a trick play guy who runs a basic offense and rode Peyton Hillis' battered, bloody and bruised body to this new gig. If the trick plays or "mismatches" aren't working then he has nothing to move the ball. Glad to see his woeful red zone habits were brought to South Beach as well. I don't hate Mike Nolan and I actually like most of this defense, however, our strongest area is the defensive line so why run a 3-4? Our back end coverage is bad so why not run a system that helps that problem and also plays to our deepest position? Also to get back to Jeff Ireland, how many years in a row does our defense need to be eaten alive in the middle of the field before he addresses the issue? Yeah our free safety play is horrid, we could have gone with say Reggie Nelson via a trade and at least he tackles and tries to make plays while staying at home. But the real issue is a nickel corner, we play Brady twice a year and if we make it deep in to the post season that brings usually Brady, Manning or Rivers to us anyway. So why not go out and get three deep at this critical position? I liked Brandon Harris out of the U in the draft this year and he seemed quite obtainable and can play inside and outside which is exactly the type of nickel we need. At the least get a proven second inside 'backer. Free agency this year had an abundance of guys and we looked at none of them except the second or third tier guys.

My suggestion is to continue sucking, and suck harder than the Chiefs, Colts and Seahawks. Get Andrew Luck and just start anew. I am talking bye coaching staff and front office. Bring back the 4-3, sign some good free agents, or at least ones that weren't former Cowboys, then finally make the draft picks count. This is football, players from later rounds can contribute. Find ones that fit the new system and get this team back on track and moving forward. I have to say that right now I am hardly a Dolphins fan, I've been loyal but I've had it with this team. They could go 14-2 and I still wouldn't like them. This era is over, end it, move on. I don't think it would need to be a huge process to get competitive, maybe a year or two. Our best players would likely still be in their primes when the young guns can contribute, if they get the right young guns in the right system. I openly root for teams that are bad, so that doesn't scare me away, I just need to know that my higher ups can handle their shit. The players will fall in line as will the success on the field once the front office is an office not a wilderness where primal instincts take over and they tear apart what once was a promising team. Bottom line Tony Sparano is 2-5 against the Pats and that will not cut it.

-Jason

P.S. College Football Fans I have been watching a bit more college ball lately and here are my current favorite players to watch go HAM: Sammy Watkins (Clemson WR) Marcus Lattimore
(S. Carolina RB) Chris Rainey (Florida Do-It All) and Robert Griffin III (Baylor QB)

Quick Prediction

Let me start by saying this is a hastily posted post and I've been drinking but it's football season damnit. After reading this article from the Grantland Network and knowing what I do about the 'Phins I've finally decided that I truly believe in Miami having a respectable, playoff team this year.

Here is a key excerpt: If there's any obvious comparison to be made for Henne's early career path, it's Drew Brees. I know. Hear me out on this one. They're both undersized second-round picks from the Big Ten. They both sat out for most of their rookie season and then came in to play for most of their second year. Brees completed 60.8 percent of his passes. Henne completed 60.8 percent of his passes. Brees threw an interception on 3.0 percent of his passes and averaged 6.2 yards per attempt. Henne threw an interception on 3.1 percent of his passes and averaged 6.4 yards per attempt. In his third season, Brees tanked; in fact, to a much worse extent than Henne did. All of his numbers fell off, but what was particularly noticeable was his interception rate, which hit 4.2 percent

I have been looking for numbers to see if Chad can make a leap, any leap, and this may confirm that hope. The ending sounds very downer, but we all know that Drew Brees is fucking Drew Brees. I will concur and put some of that on Sean Payton and that team. But here is what i notice more than his audibles and the new burner in Mr. Gates, Checkdown Chad has the absolute best checkdown back in the league! Reggie Bush is gonna take those little nothing passes and make plays and probably score on an uncanny amount of them. Maybe I'm drinking the yearly pre-season Kool-Aid, but I'm in on the Dolphins and the wagon has plenty of room.

P.S. I want to love Clyde Gates, and hes been doing alright and seems like he'll get chances, but I'm absolutely envious or Denarious Moore on the Raiders. He's like silk on the field. I dont know if you can go with two little, silky speedsters with good hands, but the Raiders got two good looking ones in Moore and Jacoby Ford. Maybe I should call up Tony Sparano and tell him "Suck for Luck" and hope we lose enough for Andrew from Stanford. Sorry Bill Barnwell for stealing all your good shit.

-Jason

The Monta Ellis Runaround

You read the headline now here's the fucking article.

Monta Ellis: 24.1 ppg 5.6 apg 2.1 spg .451 fg% 18.69 per
Derrick Rose: 25 ppg 7.7 apg 1 spg .445 fg% 23.62 per
Dwyane Wade: 25.5 ppg 4.6 apg 1.5 spg .500 fg% 25.65 per

I bet it's somewhat shocking to see Monta Ellis with comparable stats to top 5 PG and league MVP Derrick Rose and superstar SG and future 2010-11 Finals MVP Dwyane Wade. Admittedly he's a notch below those two highly popular players, but they are also better crafted teams and schemes and defensive help than the Golden State Warriors have been since their heyday. The current rumor purposes a trade of Monta mono y mono with Andre Iguodala.

The main idea being Stephen Curry becomes the team leader and gets some size and defense beside him. The problems arising from that probably include: lack of a go to scorer, not to mention Steph realistically having a lower assist total giving Iggy's knock of being somewhat lackluster off the ball in any half court offense. Or what about the multiple rumors that Steph was going to be nothing more than a pawn to give to Suns for Amare on draft night? Not to hate on Curry, I like him and think he'll be a great player in the league, but there are questions. Health may be another concern given he missed several games this year with a nagging ankle injury. One thing we now about Monta is his consistent output each game and his toughness. More shots fall when you play around the rim rather than outside the three line. Also take in consideration the unknown fact that Curry will develop. As it stands he is very comparable to the stats of Jason Terry, who was a sixth man this year. Terry isn't an awful player but has been considered a disappointment by many. Could Curry be nothing more than an undersized two, who can't defend most opposing guards and relies on the long ball?

To be quite frank, the Warriors brass has never given Monta his due respect. One incident on a moped is the only time he rustled some feathers, He has finally grown from all of that in spite of the seemingly distrust ownership has with him. I think it's time he got the back support from the team he's carried on his back so many nights. His stats are honestly comparable with the MVP of the regular season Derrick Rose. What if Monta had defense like that around him so even if he played the same ridiculous minutes most nights he wouldn't have to work as hard as he does on defense. Throw him some better fitting players and a scheme that is designed for him as the primary option on every possession and I guarantee his points, assists and PER will all increase along with the W's. This league is being drawn to more explosive, penetrate, drive and kick point guards and he fits that mold so well. The league and the Warriors included are suffering from a lack of paint cloggers, so these players are more effective and seemingly more prominent than ever. His vision is most definitely poised to find himself a scoring option then his teammates, however let me try and get a better scheme and some players suited for his game.

Houston sure does like Kyle Lowry but I think they'd still take a point guard of the future if it came around. So Golden State offers up Steph and contracts for Kevin Martin and Patrick Peterson and next years pick lottery protected. This allows you to add size at the other guard position but you get to keep the long range dead eye shooting. Plus Patrick Peterson is a good prospect, as the first big off the bench he'll give a good rebound effort and offensive production, even some from the low post, which is silently a need for Golden State. If the Rockets demand Andris Biendris then go ahead and ship him out. Go after Deandre Jordan in free agency, if not then there a some other mediocre options and you draft probably one of the foreigners in this draft. If you get to keep him and we are talking draft then I'm aiming towards Malcom Lee and Chris Singleton. Singleton says he can be the next Scottie Pippen in this league and that's at least what I want to hear him say. If he can actually produce that, then you get more size and a stud perimeter defender and it's not like Dorrell Wright is a certain or sure thing at the forward spot. Malcom Lee is not too shabby a defender himself and as a guard who can handle the ball as well as play off the ball he fits in seemingly perfect with Monta or Kevin. The other option would be one of the foreign bigs who, let's face it, are question marks as to what they'll be in the league. Big guys from other countries are the most mis-scouted group of players I have ever seen. You just can't predict someone else's human nature especially when they are uprooted from their homes and have such a culture shock coming to the USA.

Now you have Monta as the point allowing him to guard players more his size, let him keep a shooter but gain size by adding Kevin Martin, and pair that with a healthy David Lee who we have to train to just follow Monta and the ball to rim and clean up any messes, as your core. While none of the aforementioned are outstanding defenders each are gamblers who come up with consistent steals or deflections and could all pretty outstanding in half court or up temp offenses. Throw in Ekpe Udoh and Chris Singleton as defenders with that core and a better, or actually any, scheme on defense where our shortcomings are better hidden. The bench is also stronger you've got what sounds like a playoff player. Assuming they retain Reggie Williams and add a second round prospect that can contribute (which would likely be a project big man maybe Jon Leuer or a guard able to play both spots like a Nolan Smith) you also now have Patrick Peterson and Andris Biendris who would either start still or be Ekpe Udoh, both are good as a bench big. Add in assuming one free agent, maybe they go after Aaron Affalo, Deandre Jordan, Samuel Dalembert or even Tayshaun Prince (who may or may not be washed up) could come back to Cali. Also you always have to be aware of this years hidden gem shooters, Gary Neal and Shawne Williams always having potential to be tempted by the fast paced, volume shooting team the Warriors always are at heart.

All of that and maybe an extra pick next year, which could easily be used to get an actual center and you have a very deadly regular season and playoff team. I would agree that anyone else could very easily make an equally or even more compelling argument for Curry. Also a lot of my thesis, if you will, is based in unknown qualities of fictional teams and best case scenario endings. One would have to be quite stubborn though to not realize that these opinions come mostly from facts and knowledge of the game, especially its players. Of course that same person, no matter how naive and bitter that I considered Steph Curry nothing more than a trade chip, would have to try damn hard to not see Ellis as one the most excitingly, explosive guards in the entire league.

posted by Jason

lamarcus aldridge is a fucking video game. so good.

jimmer sucks

He's a short slow shooter who needs the ball and pulls up early in the shot clock with 35 footers and shoots 10 3's a night if he's making them or not. He's alright in the paint with his shot and fakes but that won't happen in the pros with those tall trees and when he has to go against NBA speed at guard he won't be able to do anything more than shoot open jumpers from kick outs. Plus he's turnover prone 3.8 to 4.5 assists on the year and it's gotten worst throughout his career as he got more mins