OK, so you already know the Dolphins are plummeting toward the NFL cellar without a parachute and there is nothing that can save them. They aren't in need of a few
The Dolphins need to make some bold moves ASAP to turn this franchise in the right direction. Here are a few ideas to get this fire sale underway.
5. Cut Arian Foster.
What are the Dolphins really accomplishing by dragging Arian Foster's body to the finish line of his career? Every carry Foster gets is one fewer carry the Dolphins get to give one of their younger backs like Kenyan Drake or Jay Ajayi. Wringing out the last bits of Foster's abilities might make a lot of sense for a contender right now, but for the Dolphins, he's a progress blocker.
If the Dolphins are going to stink this season, they need to at least accomplish a few things, including figuring out if they have a starting running back on their roster heading into 2017 or if they need to go out and find one in the draft or free agency.
4. Shop Ryan Tannehill and take whatever you can get.
At this point, the team should accept whatever it can get for its quarterback. Backup Matt Moore isn't the answer, but neither is Ryan Tannehill; it's time for the Dolphins to get a jump-start on the reset button they will be hitting eventually at the QB spot. Tannehill's contract allows the team to walk away from continued guaranteed trigger points before next season, but walking away would mean getting nothing in return for Tannehill. It's just smart business to make the decision now so they can check the market on a bottom-tier QB who has shown some signs of life in his career.
The Dolphins should shop Tannehill to anyone for anything, including to the Cleveland Browns for Josh Gordon in return. Yes, the same Josh Gordon who is in rehab. Yes, the same Josh Gordon who might never play another snap of football in the NFL. Yes, the same Josh Gordon who has just a year left on his contract for just under $1 million. Unloading Tannehill's contract in return for a lottery-ticket wide receiver would be better than nothing.
3. Fire general manager Mike Tannenbaum.
This is perhaps the
The Dolphins are one of the worst teams in the NFL in 2016. In the
2. Bench Byron Maxwell for good.
In fact, the Dolphins should consider cutting the cornerback, depending upon the salary-cap implications. Yet another Mike Tannenbaum mistake needs to be given money to go away, further driving home why the general manager needs to be let go by Stephen Ross this offseason. Byron Maxwell is in no way a part of the Dolphins' future. Hell, he's not even a part of their present.
It's time to play Tony Lippett and Xavien Howard as much as possible. Howard has a banged-up knee, but even if he is unable to play as the season finishes out, the Fins need to find someone to replace Maxwell in 2017.
1. Try to trade Mike Pouncey.
The last thing a team in the middle of a complete rebuild needs is one of the most expensive offensive linemen in the game, especially if that lineman is pushing 30 and has not completed a full season of football in years. Pouncey is once again recovering from a hip injury, and now that he is healthy, the Dolphins should be finding out if they can dump his salary for a midround pick.
Most teams find their centers in the midrounds, and few pay top dollar for them. The Dolphins need to be asking around to see if anyone wants their valuable players. No one is taking Ndamukong Suh off the
The Dolphins shouldn't be negotiating prices with other teams. They should be begging the other teams to take whatever they have for free in exchange for assets that will help build the Fins' future. The team is a mess, and it's time to take a real wrecking ball to it.