NFL competition committee likely to look at Dolphins tanking

[BillsFan4]

https://theathletic.com/1217367/2019/09/19/nfl-biz-competition-committee-likely-to-look-at-dolphins-tanking-first-lawsuit-filed-in-40-yards-of-gold-fiasco/  (sub. required)

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By all accounts the Miami Dolphins are tanking, and to an extreme not seen before in previous iterations of clubs losing to gain cap space and draft picks. So much so that it has gotten the attention of the NFL competition committee.

 

“The committee will probably have the questions posed to it again, if not by the media, maybe by teams,” a league source said. “It’s likely the competition committee will have to address this issue.”

 

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It’s not hard to see why the committee might be concerned. The fabric of the NFL is built on the “Any Given Sunday” ethos that infuses fans with the belief that any NFL team can beat another NFL team. It’s not baseball where each team has 162 sometimes meaningless games spread across regional sports channels or the NBA with 82 regular season games. NFL teams have only 16 games and they are all national, with an inordinate amount of pressure and hype for each contest.

 

The Dolphins were outscored 102-10 in the first two weeks, and that’s before unloading star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for yet another first-round pick this week. They are favored to lose Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys by at least 22 points, a spread often seen when a collegiate powerhouse schedules a cupcake, and likely still too small in any event (this is most certainly not betting advice).

 

“It’s a bad look,” said one team source, who noted he is not allowed to publicly comment on other teams.

 

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If the NFL acts, what should it do?

The NBA instituted a draft lottery in 1985 precisely to disincentivize teams from tanking. The worst record does not guarantee the No. 1 pick (the New York Knicks appeared to tank last season and ended up with the third pick). The NFL should make clear it does not reward purposeful losing. Some ideas include the draft lottery, limiting the number of first-round picks a team can hold, and reducing draft status based on sustained poor performance.

 

 

Personally, I think it is disgraceful what the dolphins are doing. There is no need to tank in the NFL. It’s not like the NHL or NBA where you can only get the most elite, franchise changing players with the top 2 picks in the draft. NFL Teams have found their QBs in every round of the draft. Sure, tanking for a top pick may give you a better chance at landing that franchise guy, but it’s still disgraceful to do it by tanking so blatantly. 

 

[ClemsonBills]

They can keep tanking for the next 30 years for all I care.

[Dablitzkrieg]

This will be an impossible task to prove.  Waste of time

[PromoTheRobot]

That they care about. Patriots potential tampering? meh.

[Seven-N-Nine]

Just now, Dablitzkrieg said:

This will be an impossible task to prove.  Waste of time

 

Yep, just silly.

[bills11]

They aren't the first and won't be the last..it's only because it's somewhat blatant..the colts after Manning went down made no efforts to acquire a viable starter at qb they sucked for luck 

[Jasovon]

Its disgraceful, but we play them twice so....

[Rocket94]

2 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

This will be an impossible task to prove.  Waste of time

Why bother. There are other issues they should be worried about.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

I'd rather they look into Tom Brady and the NE Patriots nefarious deeds 

 

[GottaRun]

Part of me hates that my seasons include a full priced ticket against the Dolphins but the other part of me says 'SQUISH THE FISH' and is looking forward to the win.

[Nextmanup]

2 minutes ago, Seven-N-Nine said:

 

Yep, just silly.

This will be about trying to discourage teams from doing this in the future, I think, rather than taking punitive action against Miami.

 

They want to get the word out that if you tank, you're going to have to deal with a lot of investigative hassle and BS, hoping it discourages teams from going this route.

 

At least that's my theory.

 

 

[Xwnyer]

4 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

That they care about. Patriots potential tampering? meh.

If it was patriots doin it would be ignored that’s how the NFL works

[Lurker]

Threaten to take away one of their first's from the Tunsil or Fitzpatrick trades (i.e., create some kind of rule that a first round pick can not be traded within 1-2 years of their draft selection).   

 

That will kill this approach to tanking dead in its tracks...

[Nextmanup]

2 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

I'd rather they look into Tom Brady and the NE Patriots nefarious deeds 

 

Considering this is a board that, for the most part, can't distinguish between "their," "they're," and "there," I would like to congratulate you on your use of the word "nefarious."

 

Underused in my book.

 

 

[Eastcoastlegacy]

Anyone think the Pats organization sent Flores to Miami to tank so 1. Brady can get 2 EASIER wins per year  2.  Take any heat off their cheating ways which might need to increase in Brady's twilight years?  Yeah its ridiculous, but at this point its not beyond them in my opinion.  Plus Kraft like to spend time in south Florida I heard....

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, Nextmanup said:

This will be about trying to discourage teams from doing this in the future, I think, rather than taking punitive action against Miami.

 

They want to get the word out that if you tank, you're going to have to deal with a lot of investigative hassle and BS, hoping it discourages teams from going this route.

 

At least that's my theory.

 

 

It also sends out a bad vibe about giving up. Just not a good message.

[PromoTheRobot]

Just now, Eastcoastlegacy said:

Anyone think the Pats organization sent Flores to Miami to tank so 1. Brady can get 2 EASIER wins per year  2.  Take any heat off their cheating ways which might need to increase in Brady's twilight years?  Yeah its ridiculous, but at this point its not beyond them in my opinion.  Plus Kraft like to spend time in south Florida I heard....

 

I guess we'll know when Flores is hired back by the Patriots after he's fired by the Dolphins. #PatriotAsset

[dwight in philly]

8 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

This will be an impossible task to prove.  Waste of time

May be hard to prove.. but the fact is they are.. 

[BuffaninSarasota]

4 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Considering this is a board that, for the most part, can't distinguish between "their," "they're," and "there," I would like to congratulate you on your use of the word "nefarious."

 

Underused in my book.

 

 

Excellent observation - a Board also that does not know the proper usage of apostrophes, e.g., "will the Bill's win Sunday?" ...... drives me nuts

Edited September 19, 2019 by BuffaninSarasota
insert ?

[Rocket94]

1 minute ago, dwight in philly said:

May be hard to prove.. but the fact is they are.. 

They sure as heck have collected good draft picks.

[Golden Goat]

I don't care which QB Miami drafts. Who will he throw to? Who will protect him? Who's there to ensure he isn't carted off the field by Week 4?

[mannc]

This was inevitable.  I don't think there has ever been a tank-job like this in the NFL.  And unlike in basketball and baseball, people can really get hurt.  These guys are literally putting their bodies (and even their lives) on the line every single week and going out there against vastly superior opponents can be downright dangerous.  It's the wrong thing to do and I think this might be something the Dolphins franchise never recovers from.  

[Punching Bag]

They will say we will prove we are not tanking.  We got rid of the middle of road QB for a former 1st round pick, the right Josh.

[Happy]

10 minutes ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

I'd rather they look into Tom Brady and the NE Patriots nefarious deeds 

 

 

Not just look into, but legitimately investigate how that organization bypasses rules and procedures.  Past investigations with the Pats has been basically superficial; "inflate gate" was a joke.

Edited September 19, 2019 by Happy Gilmore

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1 minute ago, mannc said:

This was inevitable.  I don't think there has ever been a tank-job like this in the NFL.  And unlike in basketball and baseball, people can really get hurt.  These guys are literally putting their bodies (and even their lives) on the line every single week and going out there against vastly superior opponents can be downright dangerous.  It's the wrong thing to do and I think this might be something the Dolphins franchise never recovers from.  

 

Hyperbolize much?

[Just Joshin']

11 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

This will be an impossible task to prove.  Waste of time

I agree a waste of time.  Football is not like the NBA where 1 or 2 players can make you a play-off team.  Cleveland had many picks executed poorly until the the last few years.

 

I disagree on impossible to prove.  This is not a court of law.  Based on their conduct and stripping the roster of talent it can be shown they are tanking.  There may not be a memo but there is much evidence to demonstrate tanking.

[mannc]

Just now, Rocket94 said:

They sure as heck have collected good draft picks.

That's what makes it a tough case; it would be hard to argue that the Dolphins have been trading away their players without recouping fair value.  The problem is that the value won't be realized until the future and in the meantime, there are 53 guys who have to take the field every week for the next three months.  

[Albany,n.y.]

12 minutes ago, bills11 said:

They aren't the first and won't be the last..it's only because it's somewhat blatant..the colts after Manning went down made no efforts to acquire a viable starter at qb they sucked for luck 

Actually they did. They signed Kerry Collins, who started 3 games, sucked, then got hurt, went on IR in late October & never played again.  It's a myth they didn't try to get a viable NFL QB.  It just didn't work out with Collins & then they were screwed because it was too late to get another potential starting QB, so they went with who was left on their roster.  

Edited September 19, 2019 by Albany,n.y.

[Punching Bag]

1 minute ago, mannc said:

This was inevitable.  I don't think there has ever been a tank-job like this in the NFL.  And unlike in basketball and baseball, people can really get hurt.  These guys are literally putting their bodies (and even their lives) on the line every single week and going out there against vastly superior opponents can be downright dangerous.  It's the wrong thing to do and I think this might be something the Dolphins franchise never recovers from.  

 

Miami will always attract players for sun, state with no income tax or good schools, loose dumb women with sillycones and peroxide and easy to find drugs.

[mannc]

1 minute ago, Joe in Winslow said:

 

Hyperbolize much?

45,000 posts and we're still waiting for the first coherent take... 

[Gambit]

The only way to maybe stop ***** like this is to have a lottery for picks 1-5 or 1-10. And I hate the idea of that cause some teams just actually suck and aren't trying to tank.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Remember when buffalo was tanking? 

 

Traded Watkins and Darby for gaines/matthews and 2 picks

Traded Ragland for a pick

 

Everyone thought it'd be the worst team in the league, and they came out and won in week 1.  They even moved dareus midseason for pennies on the dollar.  

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Just now, mannc said:

45,000 posts and we're still waiting for the first coherent take... 

 

Laughable from a guy claiming that the dolphins tanking is DANGEROUS OMG SOMEONE MIGHT DIE OUT THERE.

 

 

[ColoradoBills]

9 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

Personally, I think it is disgraceful what the dolphins are doing. There is no need to tank in the NFL. It’s not like the NHL or NBA where you can only get the most elite, franchise changing players with the top 2 picks in the draft. NFL Teams have found their QBs in every round of the draft. Sure, tanking for a top pick may give you a better chance at landing that franchise guy, but it’s still disgraceful to do it by tanking so blatantly. 

 

 

Miami tanking is so blatant but I think nothing drastic should be done by the league.

Football is different than NBA NHL like you said.  This could easily turn out to be a long term detriment to the Fish.

The NFL QB is the most important player on any team BUT the QB needs a decent team and competent coaching too.

 

Cleveland has been doing this for a number of years (even buying a 1st round pick) and it hasn't proven to be effective.

I think some of the off season CLE "hype" may have influenced MIA but the Browns have not done anything yet.

 

I would however consider a rule that no team can have more than two 1st round picks or something along those lines.

[Nextmanup]

5 minutes ago, Golden Goat said:

I don't care which QB Miami drafts. Who will he throw to? Who will protect him? Who's there to ensure he isn't carted off the field by Week 4?

Typically those things are sorted out down the road.  The important bit is having the right QB.

 

 

[mannc]

Just now, Joe in Winslow said:

 

Laughable from a guy claiming that the dolphins tanking is DANGEROUS OMG SOMEONE MIGHT DIE OUT THERE.

 

 

The drought continues...

[Eastcoastlegacy]

2 minutes ago, mannc said:

This was inevitable.  I don't think there has ever been a tank-job like this in the NFL.  And unlike in basketball and baseball, people can really get hurt.  These guys are literally putting their bodies (and even their lives) on the line every single week and going out there against vastly superior opponents can be downright dangerous.  It's the wrong thing to do and I think this might be something the Dolphins franchise never recovers from.  

 

I've been thinking about this in a similar way.  Looking at, and partly understanding, the argument about pre-season games and their futility.  You on one side have guys going 110% then you have others just going through the motions.  Players have argued that the discrepancy between efforts can increase risk for injury.  Now you have one team really trying to win, and one more or less just sitting there with nothing to lose.  This is a terrible look for an organization.  Plus, the potential damage to a player's ability to sign lucrative contracts based on a 2019 performance is significantly impaired.  Overall, not good.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said:

Actually they did. They signed Kerry Collins, who started 3 games, sucked, then got hurt, went on IR in late October & never played again.  It's a myth they didn't try to get a viable NFL QB.  It just didn't work out with Collins & then they were screwed because it was too late to get another potential starting QB, so they went with who was left on their roster.  

 

And I don't even know if it was smart - They got more time out of Luck, but manning was a beast with denver and helped them win a super bowl (kind of... he wasn't particularly good the year they won)

[Nextmanup]

Just now, ColoradoBills said:

 

Miami tanking is so blatant but I think nothing drastic should be done by the league.

Football is different than NBA NHL like you said.  This could easily turn out to be a long term detriment to the Fish.

The NFL QB is the most important player on any team BUT the QB needs a decent team and competent coaching too.

 

Cleveland has been doing this for a number of years (even buying a 1st round pick) and it hasn't proven to be effective.

I think some of the off season CLE "hype" may have influenced MIA but the Browns have not done anything yet.

 

I would however consider a rule that no team can have more than two 1st round picks or something along those lines.

Yeah, but the league doesn't win if this backfires on the Miami organization and they remain lousy for a number of years due to the tank.  

 

They aren't concerned with preventing a successful Miami tank, they are concerned with the NFL's league wide image, and simply don't want this sort of thing to become the new norm around the league. 

 

[timekills17]

11 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

Considering this is a board that, for the most part, can't distinguish between "their," "they're," and "there," I would like to congratulate you on your use of the word "nefarious."

 

Underused in my book.

 

 

 

Sounds like a you problem. It's not underused in my books.