Rich wrote:
The Miami Dolphins have been on a quarterback search since Dan Marino retired (or was basically forced to retire). That search continues today.
In the 2012 NFL Draft, there will be the oppotunity to draft a dynamic athlete who is also a polished passer in Robert Griffin III. Miami should do everything possible to get him. But that will require moving up in the draft, possibly as high as pick #2. We're talking multiple draft picks, probably 2 first rounders (one this year, one next year), a second and a third or 2 second rounders (one this year, one next year).
Normally, I believe in the value of keeping draft picks or trading down to get more, but I think Miami is in the right situation to go for broke to address the quarterback position longterm.
The Dolphins have a relatively young nucleus. The defensive line (Starks, Odrick, Soliai, Langford) and linebackers (Burnett, Wake, Dansby) are either at or near their peak years. The cornerbacks (Smith, Davis, Wilson) are young, up and coming players. There are very young players at offensive line (Long, Pouncey), wide receiver (Marshall, Bess, Hartline), tight end (Clay) and running back (Thomas). There is even a quarterback in place who is in his late 20s and can hold down the fort while a rookie develops.
What does that mean? It means that Miami can afford to mortgage the future to address the quarterback position for years to come. There are needs on the roster but not so many that draft picks need to be stockpiled to address them. Needs include right tackle, right guard, tight end, and safety. All positions that can be address via free agency or in the later rounds of the draft.
Quarterback? There aren't too many sexy longterm options in free agency and we all know how difficult it is for quarterbacks taken in the later rounds to develop into franchise players.
Having a quarterback that can make all the throws and also make plays with his legs, read defenses and develop into a guy that can make it happen in crunch time is crucial for a team to turn it around. In fact, having that player can make up for a lot of deficiencies in other parts of the roster. See Brady leading the Patriots to the AFC Championship game with one of the worst defenses in the NFL as a prime example.
If the Dolphins scout RGIII and determine he has what it takes to become a franchise quarterback, this is the time to do what needs to be done to get him.
Rich...
1) Is RG3 really a 'can't miss' prospect. Yes, he's certainly head and shoulders above any QB this year not named Luck, but is he a can't miss prospect...I just don't know...
2) If this team was ONLY a QB away from being significant again, I wouldn't have a problem mortgaging the future for him. However, we need upgrades at (no specific order): FS, SS, OG, OT, WR, TE, OLB as well as QB...all of those, other than perhaps QB, have to be starters, not guys that will 'work their way into starting positions'.
Too much to use all our resources on QB, even tho it's QB driven league and we've been searching for one since the day the music died (Marino Retired), and RG3 at the very least represents a serious step in the direction of finding that guy...
JMHO, but fill in the other areas...then see about Qb...