Are Dolphins conceding 2009 as lost cause? (with poll)

     [Click on Twitter.com/gregcote to join the following. Looking for the Michael Vick poll? It's in the blogpost just below this one].

     Are the Dolphins acting like a confident, reigning division champion intent on getting better in the short term ... or like a team locked in rebuilding mode and conceding 2009? HEY I'M JUST ASKING!

     It seems to me the Dolphins are sort of waving a white flag and conceding '09 as a lost cause by some of their actions -- or inactions. I explain in a column (click here) that is newly online and shipping to Tuesday's newspaper.

     Miami is not behaving like an 11-5 team, a confident, reigning division titleist trying to take the next step to contention. Instead Miami behaves like a team conceding today for tomorrow, a team still in full rebuilding mode. Major examples include not taking aim at an available premier receiver such as Anquan Boldin and watching as a needed sacker like Jason Taylor is about the sign with the Patriots. 

     I propose the Dolphins should have been more aggressive and more in a win-now mode. I know there is a contrary opinion out there. I find it an interesting discussion in any case. Weigh in. Take a dip in our poll and expound.

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Comments

[FZB]

Cote, as usual your missing the point about the Dolphins, the Tuna and his helpers are on the right track, Dolphin fans know too well about quick fixes.
last year was surprising, but they played a very soft schedule and even then, almost every game was decided in the last quarter, which tells you they have a long way to go before they can become an elite team.
rebuilding takes a while, the talent on this team was non-existing after Wanny's , spielman's , saban's and cam-moron's drafts....thank god we have people in charge that know what to do....in Tuna I trust .

[Superfin72]

In the Marino era Shula signed high priced free agents resulting in, count them, ZERO championships! If we did it the way some fans would like we would be rebuilding every 3-4years.

BP&CO are looking for longterm stability not temporary satisfaction. We did it in the past and how did that work out for us? My point exactly!

The great teams dont rebuild every 3-4yrs they restock. Until we get that point Im very comfortable with sitting back, shutting up, and enjoying the ride. Which I highly suggest all Finfans do.

Its always better to do a thing right once and prosper than to re-do it many times and lament. You dont even have to be of the Asian persuation to understand the wisdom in that!

[Andy Stitzer]

Agreed FZB. Moves like trading for A.J. Feeley, Lamar Gordon(?!?!?!?), Daunte Culpepper, David Boston, and as much as I hate to say it, because he's one of my all time favorites, Ricky Williams, is what set this team back the past decade. Right now they're building a solid foundation to be great for many years to come, and we'll be contenders year after year like the Patriots, Colts, Steelers, Giants, and Panthers are...

[Andy]

And the Tuna is probably leaving after this season, so I rather surround our team with his type of players before he leaves and be set for the future than bringing old farts, and having to rebuild again in a couple of years with a Muller at GM.

[Noel]

I agree with all the posts above. In Tuna I trust.

[mike1]

Valid points above, but I'm weary whenever we send some of our best to a divsion rival. We already gave Welker to NE. The biggest player mistake of the last 15 years.

[mike1]

Since we are conceding this season, I'll enjoy our new team, the Miami Caliente. I won't even care if they lose. Watching will be all the fun.

[Caligula]

Bend over Greg and I am going to shove this ## right up your column.
Conceding the season because Trifecta didn't take local Media's advice and chase every has-been to improve team?
Your my Yo-Yo, I am going to roll you in Crisco.

[dcb]

This article was a waste. The goal is to win a Super Bowl. Who cares if we win the AFC East during the course of it. Right now the front office is doing an admirable job of developing talent and churning the bottom of the roster. It will be time to add a FA when we're one step away...we're not there yet.

Go Phins!

[JKF]

There's absolutely no way the Dolphins will repeat as Division champs. Last year, the Dolphins were the beneficiary of several events that allowed them to win. One... They played a patsey schedule, which isn't the case this year. Two... Tom Brady went down taking the "real" class of the division with him for one year. Three... The Jets decided that a rocking chair bound thrower could take them to the promised land (WRONG!).

For the Dolphins to become that "real" class of the division, they need to grow the young talent they have - even if it means not winning the division in '09.

I have to commend the administration for understanding this and growing the organization for a real future - not an illusion.

[Coach Rog]

I agree with most of what I have read but if we are truly buying into the whole rebuilding thing then why not go with Henne. I like Penne but by the time we get set we will be trying out a new starting QB. Also we will never find out how good Ted Gin can be until we get a QB that can put it down the feild. That way Pat White can grow as your backup QB/ like Cordell Stewart. But sooner or later we will have to get a big time receiver.

[Steve B]

Referring to the Patriots as as having class is absurd.This is a team with a cheating coach,and QB and an owner who goes right along with it.
They are an aging team and will be also rans when Brady goes down again.No Matt Cassell this time.

[James Williams]

Good point. If we are in a rebuilding year why do we still have pennington starting. Woudnt it be smart to start Henne and develop him instead of when were ready to become a contender having a Rookie as the man behind center.

[Dave in VA]

What this administation is doing is showing a disciplines approach to fixing the absolute mess of a roster they inherited. Signing players like Taylor and Bouldin at this point would be completely contrary to the philosophy they came in with and totally out of Parcells' character.

Another thing, Henne is exactly where he needs to be during this period of growth. Holding a clipboard and learning from one of the smartest (regardless of arm strength) QBs in the league. How soon we forget the Beck experience. He didn't flunk because he was a bad QB, he was failed by a staff that thought they could somehow compete "today."

[Jimbo]

Got that right Dave in VA. When Saban left and Cam came in I was on here preaching that Fins need is to rebuild. You build with youth and develope YOUR team, not wanting to be "Patriots Light".

Most of you guys get it. The process of rebuilding a 1-15 team takes discipline. They have been turning over every stone, looking anywhere and everywhere to upgrade.
Prime example: They trade away the late #7 pick because a few of the potential gems that didn't get drafted were available as college free agents. These nobodies were scouted by Ireland's crew.

Camerillo, Bess, Fasano and to a degree Ginn did a better than expected job last yr. Particularly on third down with a QB who isn't known to scare DB's past 15 yds. Earnest Wilford has been the sole free agent acquision that completely failed.

If you guys haven't noticed, OLB Wake has big time potential to compliment Porter and he is quite a bit younger than Taylor. JT didn't burn up the league in Wash either.
The O line should be set now.
Wild Cat is going to flourish with Ricky, Ronnie, Pat.
New WR Turner is going to be premiere 3rd down and red zone target. This compliments Fasano, Bess.

2 CB's and S drafted that may show 2 new rookie starters in the secondary this season. Very possible that those 3 guys will be the starters for the next 6-8 yrs.
Will Allen had the best season he possibly could and needs help. Plenty of it was drafted.

Miami Dolphins have a lot more YOUNG talent and are set in critical positions for a long time- relatively speaking in football yrs. You don't throw away the future for 30 yr old overpaid players.

Would Taylor and Bouldin upgrade the team? Probably so, particularly Bouldin, but at what cost???

[TheChampionUnderdog]

cote is a douche.

[OC Dolphin]

File this under "If you haven't gotten this by now."

Cote loves to float stuff out there to create controversy. His motivation seems obvious; state the obsurd, with a straight face, then reap the benefits of a large turnout.

To these eyes, it is not so much what he fundamentally believes in; rather, what's plausible. What kind of position can he offer and defend, while blatantly being ridiculous.

Cue Frasier theme song...

[the shadow knows]

fellas,

agreed that all the free agents moves have resulted in not much for the locals. winning this season will be that muchmore difficult as mike1 pointed out long ago when he told us who the opponents will be coming off a division winning season. building with home grown talent beats taking gus and giving them huge contracts and expecting them to produce-it hasn't happened yet.

[mike1]

But I don't think it would've hurt to get Taylor for a decent price for one season. I don't know the details of the discussions, so hard to say if it was a good decision. Still, I'd rather he play for someone outside the division.

[Mike]

Hey cote eat some fiber you are obviously constipated, the excess build up of crap in your system has moved into your brain or lack there of 1.

[Mike]

cote is a sloppy wet turd

[farringtons]

Sorry Cote...i don't see the "2009 is a lost cause" feeling you seem to have.

Taylor can't be your listmus test...34 injured last year and on his way down, he may be good next year and i hope he is. Either way it is not clear cut to sign him...had 2008 been injury free and 10 sacks i would agree with you.

Boldin is a better comparison, but lets face it our Defense is what holds us up and had a young probowler at CB or LB or even DL (taylor doesn't cout) and the Dolphins passed i would agree with you.

I would like to get Boldin, but for me this offseason didn't seem to offer any thing HUGE for the Phins, so building youth seems just as effective for 2009.

I don't think the Phins are folding I think they are building to improve on 2008.

Hope we win a playoff game!

[Dave in VA]

Also, I don't think they are throwing in the towel on the 2009 season, just being realistic and ensuring the long term health of the organization.

[duke]

Is it possible to back off of the schedule? Every team in the AFC has a comparable schedule, every year. 8-8 or 9-7 may win the division this year as apposed to 11-5 didnt even make the playoffs for New England last year. The Dolphins braintrust is in my opinion really putting together a young physical group.

[Tom]

Dave in VA

I agree with your post except the notion that Beck failed because of Cam. That's just not true. Beck failed for the same reason Cam failed, he sucks. Learning by doing has worked for a lot of QBs in the league including Matt Ryan just last year.

Hey I'm starting my own Obama budget. From this point forward I'll be borrowing 50 cents of every dollar I spend and I'll just leave the debt for my grandchildrens grandchildren to repay.

[LandShark]

I agree with most of the fans here. Laughable article and failed attempt to inspire doubt. Take your proposed quick fixes and shove them where the sun doesn't shine. We the fans have seen where those get us.....

[Tony Shoes]

I'd rather be dominant for 4-5 years than be above average for 1-2. Kudos to Mr. Parcells for looking at the big picture rather than being shortsighted and drunk off of last year's success. The Fins WILL WIN, I promise you Miami. Just be patient, we will have a title contending team in the very near future for years to come. Keep the faith my good sirs, you will see!

[r. duke]

Tuna knows exactly what he's freakin' doing don't you worry Cote. You need a talented, physical secondary to beat crap out of Moss and forgive me Welker too. Also provides D-Line with time to get to Brady and work on that gimpy knee.

[Jimbo]

this team is being built for the long haul, not just one season.

[Steve B]

Greg Cote is one of the reasons why the Miami Herald is going out of business. This is the best the Herald has to offer?
Give me Edwin Pope anyday. A once great paper is now just worthy enough to wrap fish in.

[California Dolphin Fan]

What an idiot. Go kiss Micheal Vick's A$$ you rat.

[Dave in VA]

Tom, how can you say that about Beck? He didn't even have an opportunity to be assessed in game situations. He had 2 0r 3 defenders in his face before he dropped two steps from center. He never once saw a pocket to stand in. The fact he is still physically intact says a lot about his toughness.

[California Dolphin Fan]

This clown Cote just doesn't like Parcells. He wants to see Parcells fail. Even at the expense of the Dolphins. Can you imagine the stupidity of such an acquisition? Why would the Dolphins do something like that? All the strides we've made to just totally break it down and destroy it by bringing on someone like Vick? Does he really think the Dolphins Superbowl dream is only a step away with someone like Vick? Go cover the Raiders or something. I've lost respect for you 4ever.

[Jimbo]

California..

The writers for the Herald don't offer much along the lines of knowlegable sports writing.
The bloggers have better opinions, so stick around.
Vick isn't coming to Miami. With Bill Parcells at the helm, Miami would resign Beck before Snoop Dawg Vick. This topic was created to spur argument.