Said this 2 days ago, it’s WAY easier to identify proven talent. Love your stuff Chris. You are one of the best Dolphins follows out there. Glad you’re on team #FireChrisGrier
Their most talented players have been pro acquisitions with pro tape, e.g. Tyreek Hill, Jonnu Smith, Alec Ingold, Raheem Mostert, Connor Williams, Aaron Brewer, Terron Armstead, Kendall Lamm, Calais Campbell, Bradley Chubb, Jordyn Brooks, Kendall Fuller, Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott. (2/)
But acquiring cast-offs has drawbacks. These players tend to be available for a reason.
How many were injury prone? How many weren't ideal culture fits? How many are being paid SO well their true value proposition is actually kind of murky? How many left as easily as they came? (3/)
Yes, it's definitely a lot easier to look at pro tape and project the pro talent, as opposed to looking at the college tapes of Cam Smith, Channing Tindall, Erik Ezukanma, Skylar Thompson, etc. and coming out with accurate projections. (4/)
But what good is talent if they're never on field, they're always playing at partial strength, wear out late in the year because they've seen too many winters, are being paid so well it's near impossible for their field production to match, or don't have a lot of investment in your culture? (5/)
At the end of the day, Chris Grier will be fired as General Manager because the players on his rosters have 1) lacked toughness, 2) been too injury prone, and 3) been too expensive. (/Fin)
Buying players only gets you so far. You can have the dreamlike Rams run but to me that is an outlier. The consistency is developing your young talent and letting non-culture fits go for a premium. This equation is far easier to solve with the 1 or 2 premier QBs on your roster.
Another frustrating things is how, when Grier *does* strike on a draft pick, he frequently lets them walk. Van Ginkel stands out this season, but there are plenty more examples as well. Obviously not everyone can get paid or stay, but does it seem like Grier often undervalues his own hits?
Comments
How many were injury prone? How many weren't ideal culture fits? How many are being paid SO well their true value proposition is actually kind of murky? How many left as easily as they came? (3/)