Finsmob Unleashed

I can’t explain properly the happiness and optimism I finally feel as a fan of the Miami Dolphins. Despite the fact that we’ve yet to complete the process of hiring a new GM, we are IN the process, and I’d be happy with 3 of the 4 GM candidates that remain. One of them is GB Vice President of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan. Second, and in no particular order is LA Chargers Assistant General Manager Chad Alexander, who most notably has ties to Free Agent HC John Harbaugh with Baltimore. Finally, there is Josh Williams who is SF 49ers Director of Scouting and Football Operations Josh Williams. The remaining candidate that I’d rather not see win the job is current Interim GM of the Miami Dolphins Champ Kelly. From all reports he’s a great guy and well liked, but I’d like someone with a more successful resume from a better organization and not someone who struggled with previously at two other stops with the Chicago Bears and LV Raiders.

So, let’s recap all of the things that give me hope, shall we? The first move that I had been just aching for was sitting then starting QB Tua Tagovailoa on the bench, or handing him a clip board, whichever one makes you happier. In the NFL, there is no room for selfish, and when you have a QB who puts his well being over the success of the team, you end up with what we had, and unsuccessful team with a QB that leads the way to that. I can empathize with Tua at wanting to play the game he loves, but where he loses me is he chooses to suit up on his terms, and I can’t, and really no team should accept those terms. We’ve seen it so many times, running backwards and losing big chunks of yardage and not even throwing the ball away. Scrambling for a first down while sliding to protect himself and sliding a yard or two SHORT of the first down. Seeing pressure come from the defense and curling up in the fetal position and taking a sack. No one can convince me that this is winning football and his record against better teams shows that out. That doesn’t mean his career is over, and if he wants to come here next season and compete for a starting job and be willing to represent this franchise properly, and put his body on the line and put his team first and his well being second, and pull all the stops out, then I’m all for it!

Let me backtrack a bit. You can only imagine how excited I am! The first domino to fall was not Tua, but the firing of GM Chris Grier. Chris Grier has left this roster in dumpster fire state. No starting QB, no cornerbacks, no LG, or RG, and a RT (Austin Jackson) who can’t stay on the field and you’re not sure if you want him to when he is. We have 1 legit pass rusher in OLB Bradley Chubb that we really can’t afford because did I mention to you that we’re over the cap and have to shed salary? So not only are we bereft of talent, but we have no cap space or means to acquire talent. Chris Grier, probably much like Tua Tagovailoa, is supposed to a great guy, but football, particularly the NFL is a business, and if you can’t get get your business done right, you’re DONE! So far we have two of three things that I really hoped happen. Chris Grier, here since 2016 was fired.

The next domino fell much more recently, and most unexpectedly I might add. Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel who spoke of being part of the GM search just a few days ago was relieved of his Head Coach duties and fired just yesterday. We’ll probably never know thew truth, these things somehow stay buried and even if they come out they’re never confirmed by any parties involved, but the fact that Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh was fired by the Ravens and now available, this most certainly may have hastened the thought process of giving the Dolphins a chance to acquire him, as we all know here Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross’s love for the Harbaugh brothers. Yes, we all know the embarrassing pursuit of Jim Harbaugh, after he was fired be the SF 49ers while HC Tony Sparano was still HC. BTW, Mike McDaniel is also supposed to be a very likable caring guy, but again, football is a results business, and the last 2 seasons have been dreadful for Mike. Could being outscored 130-27 in the 3rd quarter for the season, or 86-0 over the last 8 weeks be the final nail? This was year 4 for Mike, and that’s nothing other than not being able to see what might be coming, and as innovative as he’s supposed to be, just getting out coached week after week in the 2nd half to unsustainable degree.

So, the next step is to hire the right GM and in turn, let that GM hire his new Head Coach. There can be an exception to this rule if ends up being somewhat of a tandem hire, and that only applies to one of the GM candidates, that’s Chad Alexander who worked in the Baltimore Ravens organization for a long time with John Harbaugh. Getting John Harbaugh here in Miami was previous unthinkable. No NFL fan could have seen that coming that the Ravens would tire of Head Coach John Harbaugh, much like no NFL fan could have foreseen Andy Reid being let go in Philadelphia. The important thing here is to keep some perspective though. Harbaugh will be so sought after, and there are NFL teams that can offer John Harbaugh much more from organizational standpoint, team roster, more specifically having a QB in place, and also having an abundant amount of cap space available to spend. The Dolphins can offer in reality none of those things. We can offer the warm weather of Miami, no state taxes, and probably lots of $$$$ from owner Stephen Ross. Will that be enough? Time will tell, but a very crucial thing to realize is that even if we don’t get John Harbaugh, we still made all the necessary moves and will be approaching building a franchise the correct way by hiring a new GM and giving that person full autonomy and responsibility to identify the head coach they want and then to get to work immediately on fixing this cap mess, and working on the draft.

We will likely be hearing as soon as this weekends end as to who the Miami Dolphins GM will be. It will be pretty wild to see the pursuit of John Harbaugh play out, and as of this writing, all the NFL insiders insist that the Miami Dolphins have not contacted John Harbaugh. Maybe they’re actually waiting until they hire their new GM which makes sense. After that time, said GM would contact Harbaugh and gauge his interest and propose an interview. To me, while I’d love to have Harbaugh here for the simple reason he’s a plug and play Head Coach who won’t need time to find himself and what he wants to accomplish. He will come here with a very high standard of performance and an excellent .614 winning percentage. He will be respected by all, and he may be the only Head Coach in which there could be a type of Co-GM situation, where they might have equal power so to speak. This would be the exception and I’d be fine with that, but really there isn’t another Head Coach available that this type of synergy will happen. It’s so important (in my belief) that there is one person accountable for everything. For far too long, that has been the problem here in Miami, half measures of firing coaches but leaving the GM, or vice versa, leaving a Head Coach and then hiring a GM and forcing that Head Coach on the GM. None of that works, but it appears as if we finally got the structure right.

I’ll probably pump out another article when the news breaks on the GM, and at that time, we may have more clarity on whether we will be in heavy pursuit of John Harbaugh. I suppose a telltale sign fairly or unfairly would be if we hire Chad Alexander, who was recently added to the GM search. Due to his long time familiarity with John Harbaugh, it wouldn’t take a super sleuth to put everything together. So we will wait, and I have a hunch after we actually let Mike McDaniel go, it won’t be Interim GM Champ Kelly. No offense to Kelly, but I’d feel more comfortable with any of the other candidates. We’ll see what happens soon enough and I hope not to be disappointed. The Dolphins have managed to hit on everything I’ve asked for, what’s two more things, right?

OK – It appears as if the Dolphins have made their choice, and I’m pleased to say it’s former Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan. Like I mentioned, this doesn’t mean that we won’t pursue John Harbaugh, but maybe less likely that we get him. You would think that connection would have likely helped us bring him in, but who knows? Stay tuned Dolphins fans, and rejoice, we have what seems to be a legit GM!!

GO DOLPHINS!!!