Mike Miller

Poll: which first round draft scenario do you NOT want to happen?

Published April 22, 2013 | By Michael Miller

The Dolfans have spoken in our recent poll on who to draft in the first round:

TE Tyler Eifert received the most votes with 33%
- OT Lane Johnson was 2nd with 23%
- WR Tavon Austin was 3rd with 12%

Now we want to know which first round draft scenario you do not want to happen by participating in our poll on the right side of our site. What will make you curse at the top of you lungs if it is announced Thursday night? I’m having flashbacks to when the Dolphins drafted Ted Ginn.

Trade up? Trade down? Draft OL? Draft a raw player like DE Ansah (who also is older at 24)?

I will be one unhappy camper if the Dolphins trade up and draft an offensive lineman. First, I believe the Dolphins can find quality OL starters in the second through fourth rounds if needed; you don’t need a top ten offensive lineman to make the team successful. Second, the Dolphin’s general lack of talent and depth means every early draft pick are needed to help the team besuccessful. Continue reading →

Rating: 5.0/5 (4 votes cast)

Posted in Dolphins News, Mike Miller | Leave a comment

Three wishes for the 2013 NFL Draft

Published April 18, 2013 | By Michael Miller

Ahhhh, spring is in the air. While my fellow Floridians would argue it feels more like summer (because it does), one very important thing has to happen for Dolfans before we can mentally concede that summer is truly approaching: the NFL Draft.

Every die hard NFL fan has Thursday April 25th, 2013 circled on their calendar, and will be hitting their TV/computer/tablet/smart phone/all of the above no later than 8 PM sharp. The NFL Draft brings out Armchair GMs in droves, gleefully postulating “Mock Drafts” by the dozens.

Our very own FinNation.com Message Board forum has an annual contest that is scored and open to all. The predictions are not only entertaining, but informative and occasionally clairvoyant. Unlike some devout fans, I don’t have the time to truly research the droves of draftees. So rather than hobble together an unworthy mock draft, I’ll content myself with being a mere Armchair QB, apply elbow grease to the genie bottle, and offer up three general wishes for the upcoming draft that is still one oh-so-long week away.

Am I the only one who hateshowthe Draft starts Continue reading →

Rating: 5.0/5 (3 votes cast)

Posted in Mike Miller | Tagged Branden Albert, Brandon Gibson, Dustin Keller, Jeff Ireland, Jonathan Martin, miami dolphins, Mike Wallace, NFL Draft, Ryan Tannehill, Tyler Eifert | 3 Comments

Cap hits: will Miami be in salary cap hell in 2014?

Published March 18, 2013 | By Michael Miller

Miami is seemingly set with salary cap next year.

So, last week Jeff Ireland dramatically changed the Dolphins roster with a handful of key moves. Gone are veteran leaders Jake Long, Reggie Bush, Sean Smith, Karlos Dansby, and Kevin Burnett. In comes Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Dustin Keller, and crown jewel Mike Wallace.

Most noted in the additions is the very low 2013 cap hits they have, very quickly followed with how large of a 2014 cap hit they have (such as Wallace’s $15 mil base salary).

I’ve seen numerous fans worrying that Miami will be in salary cap hell as a result of these deals. Rather than wonder and worry, I decided to look into it for all you die hard Phin fans who are just as worried about the future of this franchise as you are 2013.

First, we have to take into account that the 2013 cap is $123 million before carry over (teams are allowed to carry over unused cap space if they choose to). 2014 should be at least that much if not more.

Second, who isMiami Continue reading →

Rating: 4.5/5 (8 votes cast)

Posted in Dolphins News, Mike Miller | Tagged Brandon Gibson, Chris Clemons, Dannell Ellerbe, Jeff Ireland, Mike Wallace | Leave a comment

Cap hits: how much money do the Dolphins have left to spend?

Published March 14, 2013 | By Michael Miller

So, the Dolphins have made a number of free agency moves and continue to remain in the market by pursuing former Jets TE Dustin Keller and former Chiefs RT Eric Winston. The Dolphins could also potentially use a CB. With all the moves Miami has made, how much cap space do they continue to have to sign additional players?

Earlier reports estimated that the Dolphins had as much as $46 mil in cap space. Lets estimate how much 2013 cap space remains:

DT Randy Starks franchise tagged $8.45 mil ($37.55 space)
WR Mike Wallace estimated $7 mil ($30.55 mil space)
S Chris Clemons $2.75 mil (27.8)
QB Matt Moore $2.5 mil ($25.3)
LB Dannell Ellerbe $2.4 mil ($22.9)
LB Philip Wheeler $2.4 mil (20.5)
WR Brian Hartline: $2.115 mil ($18.385)
LB Austin Spitler RFA tender $1.323 mil ($17.062 space)
CB R.J. Stanford RFA tender $630k (16.432 space)
QB Pat Devlin RFA tender $480k ($15.952 space)

Miami released LB Karlos Dansby and LB Kevin Burnett but designated them as “June 1st cuts”, meaning Miami won’t realize any cap savings until June 1. Read my article http://finnation.com/cap-implications-dansby-burnett-classified-june-1st-cuts/ for the particulars. Ben Volin has a great Continue reading →

Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)

Posted in Dolphins News, Mike Miller | Tagged Brian Hartline, Chris Clemons, Dannell Ellerbe, Matt Moore, Mike Wallace, Phillip Wheeler, Randy Starks | Leave a comment

Evaluation time: start building for 2013

Published November 20, 2012 | By Michael Miller

Running back Lamar Miller has shown some big play capabilities in limited playing time. With the playoffs out of reach, it’s time to play the young players more. Photo via Jim Rassol at Sun Sentinel.

The Dolphins are 10 games in and under .500. If you had asked me before the season if I would be shocked or disappointed with this record I certainly would have told you “no”.

After free agency and the draft it was clear this team continues to have a lack of talent across the roster, then combine that with implementing new offensive and defensive schemes under the new coaching staff. Then the preseason games did nothing to inspire confidence. My expectations were fairly low.

But once the regular season started, Miami did something few of us expected: they played well and after 7 games they were above .500, Tannehill was playing well, and the team thoroughly dismantled the hated NY Jets.

Everyone was talking about how surprising the Dolphins were and that the playoffs were a possibility, in no small part becauseeveryone Continue reading →

Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)

Posted in Mike Miller | Tagged Daniel Thomas, Jake Long, Lamar Miller, Reggie Bush | 1 Comment

Poll: which first round draft scenario do you NOT want to happen?

Three wishes for the 2013 NFL Draft

Cap hits: will Miami be in salary cap hell in 2014?

Cap hits: how much money do the Dolphins have left to spend?

Evaluation time: start building for 2013

Mailbag FA Part II

Fins 2013 Draft Final Thoughts Part II

Mailbag – Free Agent Addition

Fins 2013 Draft Final Thoughts Part I

Miami Dolphins – Signed UDFA WR Terrell Sinkfield

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