The Phinsider

Finhead's Ramblings: A new year with the same old optimism, but this time something is different.

2012-02-14T22:00:17Z

It's a new year and optimisim, for the most part, is in the air. Every year we are filled with optimism because we convince ourselves with ideas like "if we sign this guy or draft so-and-so, we'll be set." Yet, the optimism has failed to translate to success.

In 2009, we were riding high on the magic of the 2008 season. We ended in a disappointing 7-9 record. In 2010, we were optimistic because of flashes Chad Henne showed the previous year. With a year of experience and a new WR in Brandon Marshall, we'd be set. We were again disappointed, this time with Henne's play and our lackluster running game. The optimism may not have been as high in 2011, partly because of the lockout, but there was still hope that with improvement from Henne and a new flashy toy with Reggie Bush, our offense would get back on track. We had a new Offensive Coordinator in Brian Daboll and our defense was pretty darn good. We all know the story of last year.

This year, we're optimistic again. Predictions of 11-5 or 12-4 will be rolling out in the next few months. Now before you go and get all Debbie Downer on yourself when I look back at our past optimism and think it's just false hope, you have to think of why you're excited for this year. So what reasons do you have to be excited about?

1) A new coach. Of course, this has to be the biggest of them all. If I were to list a scape goat for this franchise for the past two years, I would say that Tony Sparano would finish 1A and Chad Henne would finish 1B. There is always hope when you get rid of your largest problem, especially when he's the Head Coach. Besides, our offense was our weakness and we replaced Mr. Field Goal with an established Offensive Coordinator. Hope reigns, even if Joe Philbin isn't guaranteed to work.

2) A new QB. The Henne supporters who think he's still the answer, spare me and give in to reality. Disco is not coming back and neither is Henne. Hope rules for now because of the hope for Robert Griffin III, Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn, and a few straggling Matt Moore supporters who may very well be former Henne supporters. Just kidding with the last part. We may drop a little in optimism depending on QB we end up with, but come May, we'll still be convincing ourselves that in the worst case scenario Moore can lead us to the postseason.

3) Marc Colombo has no reason to return. How could I forget scape goat 1C? We can get a labrador, chimpanzee, or even place Jeff Ireland himself at RT and consider it an upgrade. They may not even need to be breathing. Still, it's easy to be happy when a position can be upgraded so easily.

4) Talk of a new offense. Philbin speaks of opening up the offense and using the no huddle. This gets many people excited and rightfully so. This kind of fits with reason 1, but many fans feel we already have talent on offense and can be even more dangerous with only a few additions. Again, when many feel our defense and special teams are fine, it's easy to be excited when we talk about improving only one aspect of our team.

5) No lockout this year. It was harder to be optimistic last year when people weren't sure if there would even be a NFL season.

6) An owner that expresses his desire to win. Some may think this is a given, but it is a reason to be optimistic when you have an owner that will do what he can to win. If you think that they all do, try asking Arizona or Cincy fans how they feel about Bidwell and Brown.

7) Miami is arguably entering 2012 with less needs than they did in previous years. While Miami disappointed last year, there is definitely a pretty good core of players on the team.

8) Miami has decent cap space and will go big in free agency. While this is the belief in most years, it is always a big reason may are optimistic this time of year. There are some assumptions Miami will sign a QB like Flynn or Manning, fill the holes at RG and RT, and then sign a standout DE or FS. While it normally does not happen, there is always hopes that it could.

9) We just have to be optimistic. You'd go nuts thinking that this year we can be a 5-11 or a 6-10 team in March. We're a franchise with a winning history. We don't think of ourselves as perennial bottom dwellers like many other teams have been.

10) Because no matter what, you'll have a season in which you enjoy Bacon and Alpha here at The Phinsider. After all, Bacon and Alpha are like peanut butter and jelly. You just can't picture The Phinsider with out them.

So why are you optimistic for 2012?

Poll

Why are you optimistic for the Dolphins in 2012?

Miami Dolphins News You May Have Missed - 2/14/12

2012-02-14T17:00:52Z

Here are the Miami Dolphins news stories from around the web you may have missed over the last 24 hours:

Dolphins Staff:

Examining the Miami Dolphins' ownership, front office and new-look coaching staff - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Photos of the whole entire Phins staff.

Dolphins Quarterbacks:

Peyton Manning Tracker: Where could he end up? - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
A look at the NFL teams that would be a good fit for Peyton Manning

Dolphins Wide Receivers:

Could Randy Moss find work with Miami Dolphins? – Miami Dolphins – Sun-Sentinel
The very last time we saw Randy Moss on a football field in South Florida Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis had the future Hall of Famer in a sleeper hold.

Dolphins 2011 Season:

Miami Dolphins 2011 - 12 Highlights - YouTube
Awesome highlight video made by MrSPOTLIGHT27

Dolphins 2012 Offseason:

Roster Analysis: A look at the Miami Dolphins’ free agents and whether they will return in 2012 | The Daily Dolphin
Today, we take a look at the Dolphins’ own free agents, and whether or not they will be returning to Miami next year.

Free agents could bring right age, salary to Miami
So the Dolphins did some things in free agency that were beyond the parameters of the approach they themselves had set down in previous years. That makes predicting what they do going forward more difficult.

Former Dolphins:

Former Dolphins WR Freddie Solomon Passes Away
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Freddie Solomon passed away Monday following a nine-month battle with colon and liver cancer.

Miami Dolphins All-Time Top 100 Players: 92. Marco Coleman

2012-02-14T13:00:13Z

Coleman attended Georgia Tech in college. Even though he only played three years, he left the school with a record 28 sacks. He earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors his junior year. In 1990, Coleman was named to the Sporting News All-American second team.

The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft with the 12th overall pick. In his rookie season, Coleman split time between left outside linebacker and right defensive end. He recorded a total of six sacks along with 84 tackles and a forced fumble on his way to being named the Sports Ilustrated Rookie of the Year and also the Sporting News Defensive Rookie of the Year.

So, according to the last defensive end poll, Jason Taylor is definitely the number one choice, who would be your next choice for Miami's best ever defensive end.

Free Agent Wide Receiver Randy Moss Wants to Comeback; Could Miami Make Sense?

2012-02-14T10:00:10Z

Yesterday, Finhead83 posted a Fan Shot discussing free agent wide receiver Randy Moss attempting to make a come back in the NFL next year. With the Dolphins looking to improve after three straight losing seasons, could Moss make sense for the Dolphins?

The most common answer is going to be no. A very emphatic no, even. But, I think there's one reason why Moss could make sense in Miami next season.

Peyton Manning.

Normally I would not be interested in looking at a 35-year old wide receiver who had sat out an entire season. A wide receiver who could not find a job in the NFL. A wide receiver who burned through three teams in his final season. But, the Miami Dolphins signing Peyton Manning is not normal.

So, rewind on the dismissal of Randy Moss. Think about it for just a second.

Moss was simply a decoy the last time we saw him on a field. He was no where near the wide receiver that Randy Moss was. He was normal. But, after a year of rest, maybe, just maybe, there's something left.

And, if there is anything at all left, maybe, just maybe, the Dolphins need to investigate.

Manning is not going to come to Miami looking to develop the team around him. Jeff Ireland and Stephen Ross aren't going to go get Manning expecting to build the Dolphins for three years before making a run. If Manning comes to Miami, it's win time. And, they have to win now.

Moss could assist in that. If there's any gas left in the tank, Moss could be an asset. If he can stretch the field at all, he can at least serve to free up Brandon Marshall some.

When you take into account the state of the Dolphins' wide receiver corps, maybe Moss has a chance to make the team. Behind Marshall, there is Davone Bess and Brian Hartline. After those three, the Dolphins have Clyde Gates, Marlon Moore, and Roberto Wallace. Assuming the Dolphins are not going to give up on Gates after just one season, Moss would be competing against Moore and Wallace for a roster position.

If there is any bit of the old Moss left, could be replace one of those two on the roster, and help Miami win now?

Moss will not be commanding the type of money he once was. There's not going to be much of a market for Moss. Miami could get in cheap, with little to no guaranteed money, and see what happens during training camp. If he does not make the roster, the team will cut him and move on. If he makes the roster, then you have a once great wide receiver, who could be playing to prove himself, as your fourth, fifth, or sixth wide out.

And, if the Dolphins are looking to use Manning's competitive nature, and need to prove something, to make a run at their first Super Bowl championship since 1973, could a wide receiver trying to prove something be that far out of the realm of the possible?

Former Miami Dolphins Receiver Freddie Solomon Dies of Cancer

2012-02-14T02:31:11Z

Multiple media sources are reporting former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Freddie Solomon has passed away after a nine-month battle with cancer. Solomon spent three seasons with the Dolphins, from 1975 to 1977.

Following the 1977 season, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he won Super Bowl XI and XIX.

"There was no one who gave more on and off the field than Freddie,'' Hall of Fame 49ers quarterback Joe Montana said. "The warmth of his smile will be forever imbedded in my mind and heart.''

Solomon's 11-year NFL career ended in 1985. He amassed 5,846 yards receiving and 48 touchdowns over his career, along with 519 yards rushing, and another 4 touchdowns. He also had 4 punt return touchdowns and 1 kickoff return for a touchdown. Since his retirement, Solomon has worked in the Hillsborough County Sheiff's Office, serving as a youth mentor.

"Fabulous Freddie" had been hospitalized since February 4, after his battle with colon and live cancer took a turn for the worse. He died this afternoon at South Florida Bapitist Hospital, in Plant City, Florida. He was 59-years-old. Solomon is survived by his wife of 33-years, Delilah, his mother, Bessie Ruth Solomon , brothers, Richard, Oneal and Roger, mother-in-law Mae Jeffers, and brother-in-law Lanness and sister-in-law Patricia Robinson.

Monday Night Random Thread:Sports Movies Edition

2012-02-14T01:00:16Z

So we all love a good movie and with many of us being sports fans of one ilk or another we also love our sports movies. In fact many sports movies rank among Americas all time favorite movies. Many of them are true stories that inspire us in some way or move us emotionally. Others are nothing short of slapstick comedy but for some reason we still love them no matter how stupid the humor might seem. Others are just drama's wrapped around sports or a sporting event of some sort.

I have one simple question for you tonight. Whats your all time favorite sports themed movie and why?

Oh and don't forget to vote in our poll.

Follow @Texascowpunk

In WRs news, the Eagles are expected to place the franchise tag on DeSean Jackson if they can't...

2012-02-13T18:18:42Z

In WRs news, the Eagles are expected to place the franchise tag on DeSean Jackson if they can't work out an extension. That would take arguably the top WR, one many Dolphin fans wanted, off the market.

Randy Moss, now 35, has also stated he wants to return to the NFL in 2012. While one WR goes off the market, one enters it. Though I wouldn't be for signing Moss.

Finhead83

Miami Dolphins News You May Have Missed - 2/13/12

2012-02-13T17:01:03Z

Here are the Miami Dolphins news stories from around the web you may have missed over the last 24 hours:

Dolphins Quarterbacks:

Matt Moore Highlights: 2011 Year In Review « The Finsiders – Miami Dolphins
John Congemi takes a look back at the 2011 season of Matt Moore, as the quarterback took over the starting QB spot from Chad Henne when Henne was injured in early October against the Chargers.

Dolphins Coaching Staff:

A look at the Miami Dolphins coaching staff – Miami Dolphins – Sun-Sentinel
Last season taught us a head coach is only as good as the staff he assembles. Tony Sparano’s Miami Dolphins struggled early, losing the season’s first seven games, and lackluster coaching shoulders most of the blame for the team’s poor start. Coincidentally, Joe Philbin’s staff features eight holdovers from Sparano’s 2011 staff of assistants. But most of what remains are keepers.

Dolphins Offseason:

Report: Miami Dolphins to sign RB Jerome Messam of CFL - Miami Dolphins - MiamiHerald.com
The Dolphins plan to sign Edmonton Eskimos running back Jerome Messam, who last season became the CFL’s first 1,000-yard rusher in 12 years, according to the Edmonton (Alberta) Journal.

Free agency only one month away
Today is February 13th. One month from now, on March 13th, the NFL's second season begins when free agency kicks off in earnest. Offseason? What freakin' offseason!? This is the NFL and it's a wonderful ever-expanding snowball rolling downhill in...

The Phinsider

Finhead's Ramblings: A new year with the same old optimism, but this time something is different.

Why are you optimistic for the Dolphins in 2012?

Miami Dolphins News You May Have Missed - 2/14/12

Dolphins Staff:

Dolphins Quarterbacks:

Dolphins Wide Receivers:

Dolphins 2011 Season:

Dolphins 2012 Offseason:

Former Dolphins:

Miami Dolphins All-Time Top 100 Players: 92. Marco Coleman

So, according to the last defensive end poll, Jason Taylor is definitely the number one choice, who would be your next choice for Miami's best ever defensive end.

Free Agent Wide Receiver Randy Moss Wants to Comeback; Could Miami Make Sense?

Former Miami Dolphins Receiver Freddie Solomon Dies of Cancer

Monday Night Random Thread:Sports Movies Edition

Whats your favorite sports themed movie of all time?

In WRs news, the Eagles are expected to place the franchise tag on DeSean Jackson if they can't...

Miami Dolphins News You May Have Missed - 2/13/12

Dolphins Quarterbacks:

Dolphins Coaching Staff:

Dolphins Offseason: