Rebuilding the Dolphins

[yankees028]

I searched some of the other threads but they where very unrealistic trades and such. I was wondering what some of you guys felt some moves that should be made.

• Possible trades "normally I keep them VERY small"
• Players being dumped for picks
• Possible experiments ex. Bush at WR

Two things I'm sure of I would really like to go through my first season with Billy Volek as my starter. Always have been a fan of him just seems w.e team he goes to they always tab him as the backup before even giving him a run.

Also I'm not a big fan of Marshall I know he is a big name player for him I have just never been highly on him.

What are some things you guys think? They have a very soild LB core and a pretty decent OL I think after a rocky first season and some soild drafting could be a very fun rebuild

[Weezer21]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

Volek would be interesting for sure. I've always brushed him aside and considered him merely a back up as well. After doing some research though, he isn't so bad stat-wise, his Pass TD-Int ratio is roughly 2:1, and has a solid QB rating of 85. He is getting up there age-wise though, 35 I believe, so he would not be a permanent solution for sure.

Depending on the direction you want to head with this team, trading Marshall for some picks and/or some help in your secondary could get you on the right foot, but leaves you with no playmaker on the offense really.

Although a divison rival, a possible trade with the Bills involving Marshall would make sense for both teams, and the Bills have a plethora of talented corners and safeties that could bolster your defense. May be able to squeeze a pick or two from them as well.

Perhaps this move dumping Marshall would open up the possibility for Bush to become a WR, and thus becoming your big play threat. This would also allow Daniel Thomas to flourish as the #1 back and would help his growth.

I'm interested to see how this works out for you

[Bolsen]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

When Reggie goes to WR i think he goes up to about an 80 something. I did it in my chise and he went up to about an 83 I think. Also, don't get rid of Langford, he turned into a sack machine for me after like 2 years, with cpu pass blocking at 75 he had 18 sacks after 9 games.

[yankees028]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

you think alot like I do. Ya I have really liked Volek since he started 10 games in 04 and did a good job just seems he is overlooked alot.


A trade I was thinking about was Marshall for a starting RB possible a Jackson or a Drew? Normally I wouldnt go this route for big name players. But in the case it would really improve both teams WR and help out a young QB. Mainly with Bradford it would really give the Rams a huge boost in WR Marshall + Loyd....

[Champion8877]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

here is what i did in my Phins Chise.

year 1 i started Henne the whole first year, but he didnt do great, 25 TDs, 24 INTs. i ran a three headed backfield, gave Thomas about 45% of the carries, Reggie 35%, and Slaton about 20% of carries a game. while playing Bush in a lot of WR sets. Marshall was my top WR, Bush was my second best then Bess.

in the offseason i drafted an 83 ovr, A potential QB in round 1 named Mike Wesley, he won the position battle in the preseason(well i only played 1 preseason game, and then some snaps in practice mode with each one and Wesley played better) i also drafted another QB in round 6 named Joe Spain, he is 77 ovr, B potential(i think, maybe A as well) he has 89 speed, 90 agility, 92 acc, pretty much a vince young type QB, i use him in wildcat and just to sub in a few times a game, much like the eagles used vick in his first year back. then i decided to trade henne, i think for a 3rd and a 5th, not exactly sure though. i traded him because in real life it would be a very awkward situation in the locker room if they drafted 2 young high potential players and benched him instead of letting him go. i gave him to the Skins i think who have Garrard starting now.

then with my RB and WRs i did this. i drafted a Darren Sproles like RB named Joeseph(cant remember first name right now), and i mean pretty much exactly darren sproles, fast, quick, good hands and short at 5'7. Thomas is my lead back, Thomas and Joeseph split time about 60/40 though, with Thomas getting the majority. then since Joeseph pretty much replaced Bush in the backfield(since Joeseph is almost as fast, good catching, and much less injury prone) i moved Bush to WR full time, he is an 84 ovr. i also signed Anquan Boldin in free agency, he just gives me a guy to line up opposite Marshall and some veteran experience at WR, which is nice. this puts my WRs like this: Marshall and Boldin on the outside, Bush in the slot, and Bess and Hartline for 4 and 5 WR sets. i think i may trade Bess and create a little make believe story line that he is acting out and complaining because going into this year he thought he would be the #2 WR, but got moved down to #4 and is angry.

other than that i drafted a nice DT who is a beast, but injury prone. other than that i just pretty much beefed up my O-line in the draft and FA, and got a little more depth at some positions.

i noticed you said you might wanna dump marshall. i say don't because he is a beast on this game(as is any WR above 6'3 with decent hands and jumping) but it wouldnt be completely out there to trade him. i mean in real life he acts out, gets in trouble, and is sorta a T.O type WR, i mean he casued some controversy and wanted to leave Denver, would make sense for him to do the same here.

anyway, idk if this helps at all, just maybe gives you some ideas of what i did in mine. i didnt make any blockbuster trades or too many unrealistic moves, just pretty much built off of what they had.

[yankees028]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

Nice read.

Similar to the approach I'm taking main difference is I'm going to have Volek be the QB for the season and Henne will be the backup.

As for the Marshall my focus was mainly to trade him for a RB. Then I thought of the two teams that would do that to help out there current situation. I thought of the Rams and with Marshall on there team we have another greatest show on turf possibly in 2-3 seasons with that core group.

Getting Jackson would then make the Dolphins a run first team the first season and also provide a young QB in the draft not to have to make big time throws and progress.

The rest I would fill in with underrated guys that are ranked lowly then I know produce whether its on special teams of if a injuries occurs

[Weezer21]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

I do like your idea of trading for S-Jackson , but I don't know if the rams would want to give him up for a receiver since he's the heart of their O and they don't have a run game without him.

What about Blount+pick from TB, they could still run without him and Marshall would be good for Freeman and that offense

Blount is good for you because he's younger than Jackson and could be an offensive weapon for years to come

[EccentricMeat]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

I searched some of the other threads but they where very unrealistic trades and such. I was wondering what some of you guys felt some moves that should be made.

• Possible trades "normally I keep them VERY small"
• Players being dumped for picks
• Possible experiments ex. Bush at WR

Two things I'm sure of I would really like to go through my first season with Billy Volek as my starter. Always have been a fan of him just seems w.e team he goes to they always tab him as the backup before even giving him a run.

Also I'm not a big fan of Marshall I know he is a big name player for him I have just never been highly on him.

What are some things you guys think? They have a very soild LB core and a pretty decent OL I think after a rocky first season and some soild drafting could be a very fun rebuild

Well if you want to get an elite RB in a REALISTIC trade, I've got one for you.

Before the trade deadline, I read somewhere that Matt Forte was available for trade, but the Bears did not get any calls for him. Well, maybe you should make the Dolphins dial that number!

Send the Bears Brandon Marshall, one of your RBs, and a draft pick (Probably about a 3rd rounder) to the Bears for Matt Forte. Everybody wins!

[yankees028]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

that is a pretty good trade and would give the Bears a go to WR they havent had. I like that still working my team up abit on paper will post my team on here though after see wat u guys think

[one5beast]

Well if you want to get an elite RB in a REALISTIC trade, I've got one for you.

Before the trade deadline, I read somewhere that Matt Forte was available for trade, but the Bears did not get any calls for him. Well, maybe you should make the Dolphins dial that number!

Send the Bears Brandon Marshall, one of your RBs, and a draft pick (Probably about a 3rd rounder) to the Bears for Matt Forte. Everybody wins!

and reunite Cutler and Marshall

[yankees028]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

def between Jackson and Forte liking both of those ideas.


Would send Marshall , Rookie RB Thomas and 3rd round pick for w.e player I decide on. I dont rush right into jumping into a franchise. Always feel like if you rush into it you arent going to stay in it. I make sure I know all my team and such

[EccentricMeat]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

def between Jackson and Forte liking both of those ideas.


Would send Marshall , Rookie RB Thomas and 3rd round pick for w.e player I decide on. I dont rush right into jumping into a franchise. Always feel like if you rush into it you arent going to stay in it. I make sure I know all my team and such

Yea, that sounds very even and fair. For the most realism, obviously, I'd trade for Forte. Jackson is still a fair trade, but the Rams I don't think would ever give him up. At least, not until Bradford has 3-4 years under his belt.

But, for Madden purposes, it's not too unrealistic. You'd be giving them a similar, but younger RB in Thomas, a 3rd round pick to help them build for the future, and one of the best WR tandems in NFL history.

[yankees028]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

if do the Jackson it would be a 2nd in 2011 and a 3rd in 2012.

But I'm liking forte so we shall see

[fran33s]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

If you are using the draft class, to be most realistic you would want to get Andrew Luck. I am a dolphins fan in real life, so let me tell you how I rebuilt them in my franchise, and how I think they should be rebuilt.

To make realistic trades, you make want to control all the teams, and in the offseason just make the dolphins moves.

Obviously, There are many areas that need addressing. I will give you my tips for the main addresses.

First off, you need a QB. To keep this realistic, Henne is injured and I wouldn't use him in the game. You need to trade or sign a QB. I personally would try for Bruce Gradkowski. He is a 75 overall but won't see the field in Cincinatti. He is also relatively cheap and can put up alright stats until you get to the draft and grab your future QB. My favorite who I usually get is Josh Skelton. He is a 69 overall but progresses to a 75-76 by year 2. This is a good route to go if you know you won't get the first pick in the draft, and won't get Luck. You can still take Barkley or Jones, however, But to me Skelton seems to be the most real in the game. To keep this as real as possible, keep Moore and draft Luck. Since it is madden, and I don't know how good you are, I would assume you will win a few games, therefore you most likely won't get Andrew Luck.

Running Back Scenario
Daniel Thomas to me, as a fan, seems to be a future back for the Phins. They He is slow and powerful so they need a fast speedy back that can run in the shotgun well. You have Slaton, and Bush for this. When you run your play book, take time in the game to push the "RB" button and sub in Bush for all the shotgun plays. He is tremendous out of the backfield and is catch rating is great.

WR Scenario.
Marshall is great. He is tall, physical, and tough. However, If you do not like him you can dump him to a few teams that can use a receiver like him. Try and get 2 picks, or even a pick and a WR around the 80 range? Keep Bess and Hartline, but try and get a WR, maybe Anthony Gonzalez who can play in the slot.

Bears for picks? They're number 1 is Roy Williams? Devin Hester? Who?
Carolina for picks? They have S.Smith, but sure would like a weapon for Cam.
Browns? Need a monster for McCoy.
Jacksonville? See Carolina, Swap Cam for Blaine.
Oakland - They have young WR but no one really standsout.

Here is a suggestion. Get a fast QB. FAST. Brad Smith does this for buffalo. Anything. And switch him to a WR/RB. And use him in the Wildcat. He can run, or audible and throw.

Another problem is the Right side of your offensive line. Colombo can't block a lego, and you need an upgrade. Also, the Secondary after Davis and Smith starts to fall. May want to upgrade this. As for Free agents, only take older people if they really fill a void you do not have or do not want to address in the draft.

Also, DE Starks is 88 ovr, and Odrick plays just as good for me, and hes a 78 overall so you may get value for him.

[VikeKing]

Re: Rebuilding the Dolphins

Yea, that sounds very even and fair. For the most realism, obviously, I'd trade for Forte. Jackson is still a fair trade, but the Rams I don't think would ever give him up. At least, not until Bradford has 3-4 years under his belt.

But, for Madden purposes, it's not too unrealistic. You'd be giving them a similar, but younger RB in Thomas, a 3rd round pick to help them build for the future, and one of the best WR tandems in NFL history.

Good info, but I don't understand this part. Lloyd and Marshall would be one of the best WR tandems in NFL history? Could be Henne and/or the system, but Marshall has looked very average since leaving Denver. 4 TD in 20 games.