Jackson's Buzz on 2016

[So Be]

EDNESDAY BUZZ COLUMN

• 
  Since this Dolphins’ season is on its death bed, it’s never too early for a CliffsNotes peek-ahead to what awaits in 2016:
  
  ### Draft: If the draft were held today, Miami would pick sixth. And as long as the Dolphins stay in the top 15 (likely), they should be in good position to add a linebacker or cornerback --- two areas of need – or perhaps a defensive end, with Cameron Wakecoming off an Achilles’ injury and Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby impending unrestricted free agents.
  
  Here are the draft-eligible players that ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks, in order, as his top 10: Mississippi defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa, California quarterback Jared Goff, Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, FSU cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey, Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, Notre Dame outside linebacker Jaylon Smith, Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner, Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson and UCLA defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
  
  Here are Kiper's 11th through 16th prospects: Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller, Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin, Southern California linebacker Su’a Cravens and LSU cornerback Tre’Davious White.
  From a Dolphins perspective, that’s two defensive ends, three linebackers and four cornerbacks. Kiper believes FSU’s Ramsey, who had been a safety before this season, is well equipped for corner.
  
  ESPN’s Todd McShay has 12 of Kiper’s top 16 in his own top 16. The four that McShay lists that Kiper doesn’t: Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed (seventh), Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell (12th), Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee (14th) and Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas (16th).
  But the Dolphins doesn’t need a receiver and they cannot justify taking a defensive tackle in the first round, even if they part ways with Earl Mitchell.
  
  Incidentally, all of the 20 aforementioned top prospects are undeclared draft-eligible underclassmen except Reed, Stanley and Buckner.
  
  ### 2016 schedule: Besides AFC East opponents, the Dolphins will play host to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Arizona, San Francisco and the comparable finisher in the AFC South (perhaps Tennessee).
  
  The Dolphins’ out-of-division road schedule will feature Baltimore, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Seattle and the comparable finisher in the AFC West (San Diego if the Dolphins and Chargers finish last in their divisions).
  
  That schedule doesn’t look overwhelmingly difficult, aside from visits to Seattle and Cincinnati, but it’s moot if the Dolphins are again as dismal in AFC East play as they’ve been this season.
  
  ### Free agency: The Dolphins have six starters who will be unrestricted free agents: Vernon, Shelby (became a starter after Wake’s injury), Lamar Miller, Rishard Matthews, Kelvin Sheppard, plus injured starter Louis Delmas. The Dolphins are expected to try to keep Vernon and Miller, at least.
  Also impending unrestricted free agents: Matt Moore, Spencer Paysinger, Jeff Linkenbach. Jordan Kovacs is restricted, and five are exclusive rights free agents (making it simple to keep these players): Michael Thomas, Mike Hull, Ulrick John, Matt Hazel and Jake Stoneburner.
  
  The Dolphins can clear out $45 million in space if they restructure Ndamukong Suhand Ryan Tannehill, cut Greg Jennings and restructure Jordan Cameron. Space would top $50 million if they cut Earl Mitchell and Koa Misi, and they can clear out nearly $60 million if they cut Mitchell and Misi and restructure Brent Grimes and Cam Wake.
  
  If all four of those players are cut, as well as Jennings and Cameron, and if Suh and Tannehill are restructured, then cap space would top $70 million. (Not that we're advocating that, but merely presenting the possibilities.)
  ### Coach: The Dolphins have interest in Saints coach Sean Payton and will consider Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, UCLA coach Jim Mora and others.
  
  ### Quick note: The Dolphins say lineup changes are in the works, and they quietly made one on Sunday: benching safety Walt Aikens (no snaps) and instead playing Shamiel Gary (15) as Thomas’ backup.... Please see the last post for four Dolphins roster move

[Driven_Phinsane!]

Well, personally i don't think we win but maybe one more game, if that..So we should be picking in the top 10, maybe even top 5...Still, we have to have someone in place who won't screw up a top 5 or so pick!

[So Be]

I would rather see losses in all the remaining games. I'm not gonna cheer for them but, want them none the less.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

I would rather see losses in all the remaining games. I'm not gonna cheer for them but, want them none the less.

I don't think you have to cheer for them to lose, the Fins are plenty competent in the 'losing all by themselves' department! Pretty much got it down to a science..Sadly it's about the only area they're competent in...

[So Be]

This has been an annual debate for way too many years. Hoping for a loss makes you a bad fan. Then label me a bad fan because that is what I want to see,

I don't know that it will matter much, as it has not in FOREVER but, logic dictates that higher draft picks "should" give a team a better shot at getting better players

Many think the draft will solve problems but, look at recent, as well as past. Landry is the only really good pick, and some actually still believe we are gonna fill 4 holes in a single draft.

[Dolfan1]

This has been an annual debate for way too many years. Hoping for a loss makes you a bad fan. Then label me a bad fan because that is what I want to see,

I don't know that it will matter much, as it has not in FOREVER but, logic dictates that higher draft picks "should" give a team a better shot at getting better players

Many think the draft will solve problems but, look at recent, as well as past. Landry is the only really good pick, and some actually still believe we are gonna fill 4 holes in a single draft.

Higher pick "Should" make a difference yes but like DP said, you need someone in the FO who won't screw up a high pick.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

I guess we were both typing at the same time! ;-)

[Dolfan1]

LOL, that seems to happen a lot.

[Driven_Phinsane!]

This has been an annual debate for way too many years. Hoping for a loss makes you a bad fan. Then label me a bad fan because that is what I want to see,

I don't know that it will matter much, as it has not in FOREVER but, logic dictates that higher draft picks "should" give a team a better shot at getting better players

Many think the draft will solve problems but, look at recent, as well as past. Landry is the only really good pick, and some actually still believe we are gonna fill 4 holes in a single draft.

That's what i mean when i say we better make sure we have someone in place who won't screw the draft up, otherwise what difference does it make where we're picking..Also, never try to read logic into anything as it relates to the Dolphins!

[gulfcoast74]

I don't think we as fans have to hope for our team to loose because I honestly don't see how they can win another game.

[So Be]

I have to believe that the draft is a lot of luck. Say what you will on our picks but, it was not like we were picking someone early who other teams and the millions of experts thought would not be a first round pick or second, etc.

[Idahomer]

Completely agree. James was a stretch, but he looks to be a decent pick, especially seeing the team play without him. Other than that and a few stretches in later rounds the past few years we've picked players ranked close to where the so called "experts" ranked them. In fact Parker "fell" to us last year. Look at all the top picks that bust out. I think if we were a fan of any of the other shitty teams in the NFL we'd see a similar pattern. You have to get somewhat lucky to get that stud pro bowler.

[HndRkyaBong34]

It all depends on your coaching when it comes to drafting...Great coaches can get away with giving away their top picks and get later round picks to start day one.. Then you have good coaches that can get their top picks to perform day one.. Then you have shitty coaches that can't get anybody to perform. Then combined with a shitty FO they can't even get on the field.... Ouch!

[So Be]

It all depends on your coaching when it comes to drafting...Great coaches can get away with giving away their top picks and get later round picks to start day one.. Then you have good coaches that can get their top picks to perform day one.. Then you have shitty coaches that can't get anybody to perform. Then combined with a shitty FO they can't even get on the field.... Ouch!

Great coaches are mostly a product of their system and having it in place for years. The FO drafts to that system year after year and knows what is very likely to work. When a rookie comes in, all the other players around him have the scheme down pat, and can help him fit in as well as covering weakness.

Miami is the opposite. I remember 4 years ago when we drafted OV. Our draft guys did not know we were going to a 4-3 until like a month before the draft. Other examples are endless. Philbin wants Albert, Ireland says no, and we get rid of Ireland and add Albert the next year.

How many other examples can the forum come up with?

[Idahomer]

While I agree to some extent I also would say the greatest coaches will change their system to match the players talent. A great example is the great Don Shula. He was a 3 yards and a cloud of dust coach who threw the ball under 15 times a game on average when the phins were dominating the NFL. He drafts Dan Marino and he changes the entire system to throw the ball 40 times a game, to spread it out and fling it around instead of pounding it. Bellicheat changes his system game to game. Some days it's 50 passes, and some games he runs 75% of the time. I think in today's NFL you need to identify the strengths of your players and build the system around those players strengths.