Miami Dolphins Stand Pat at Trade-Deadline

follow me on twitter @craigballard77

It is likely no surprise that the Miami Dolphins did not pull the trigger on any trades at the NFL trade-deadline. In the entire NFL there was really only 2 trades as the Detroit Lions acquired WR Mike Thomas and the New England Patriots acquired CB Aqib Talib.

The only return asset in those trades that we know of was the Pats sending a 4th round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Talib. It would seem that Miami has the assets (which in these trades were just draft picks) to acquire either player, and it would seem like the ‘Phins could use another WR and another CB, but GM Jeff Ireland decided to stand pat.

Miami has 5 draft picks in the first 3 rounds of next years draft, so parting with a 4th rounder or lower would seem doable. I would think the fact that ‘Phins CB Sean Smith is due a re-up, plus the 3-year deal that Richard Marshall inked this off-season, and the fact that Talib is an impending free-agent with a history of off-field issues all contributed to Miami shying away from Talib (or any potentially available CB).

As for Thomas, the ‘Phins just added Jabar Gaffney and they have been getting more and more from Anthony Fasano to go along with the strong play of Davone Bess and Brian Hartline.

There were rumors that Miami may be interested in WR Dwayne Bowe, but he is a free agent at seasons-end so they can perhaps sign him without losing any assets in return.

The fact that the Dolphins were not sellers is a tribute to their improved (and improving weekly) team play. Ireland has his critics, but he landed a 2nd round draft pick before the season started from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for CB Vontae Davis. In 2012 Davis has as many INTs, forced fumbles, and sacks as you or I have…which is to say zero.

The NFL trade-deadline is always slow, but this season it just does not seem like there was anything available that would have tempted Ireland to make a move. Dolphins are currently the #5 seed in the AFC and thus in a playoff position so we knew Ireland would not be a seller.

I hope you like the 2012 Dolphins roster as-is because it is officially what they will finish the season with.

www.rantsports.com/nfl/author/craigballard/ for all of my Miami Dolphins articles