Before I get down to Ask Mike business, I just want to thank Piggy and Sonny for all of their hard work, and all the time and effort they have made to keep all of us entertained and educated about our team. I think we should all give them a big thanks, they have been pumping out article after article, day in and day out for quite some time now. Not many Miami Dolphins blogs can boast that. Thank you!
from Al
Q – Mike,
I might as well get this question out of the way for ya,
What do you
think about the Dolphins TE situation? LOL (queue the Lynch venom)
I’m not totally shocked that Lynch’s tenure has come to an end. Last year he was on IR, and this year, he didn’t really show anything that gave the coaches a reason to want him on our roster, while Jake Stoneburner and Tim Semisch have shown some promise. Stoneburner made a couple of nice catches in the preseason game against the Bears, and Semisch is an intriguing player with size, 6’8” 266 lbs. I think we all knew that Lynch’s stronger point was blocking as opposed to receiving, but with Sims here who fills that role, I think we needed some diversity.
The biggest issue for us this year at TE, is the health of Jordan Cameron. He’s an all-pro TE when he’s healthy. The problem is, he’s too often NOT healthy. In 2014 he played in 10 games starting 9. in 13, easily his best season, he played in 15 games starting 14. He finished that year with 80 receptions for 917 yards, and 7 TD’s. That’s what I’d love to see from him this year. He does that, anything else we get is gravy! Sims has come a long way from when he was first a Miami Dolphin, and I think he could start if he had to, but he doesn’t have the talent and athleticism of Jordan Cameron. Cameron is a stud TE. Stoneburner could be a decent 3rd TE, and I do believe they like the size and potential of Tim Semisch. We may carry as many as 4-5 TE’s, last year we carried 4. Considering the health risk of Cameron, we might take 5.
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from Lee (Uwantwat)
Q – Mike. E.
I have to ask you this as you have seemed to be OL fixated in recent years.
Have the Phins done enough to put together a solid OL?
Do you think we still need to sign and overpay for Evan Mathis or a non ZBS OG in Andy Levitre?
I won’t bother you with inane comments regarding the newest Yet TE. I’m sure another will ask you.
Thanks,
Lee (uwantwat)
Thanks for the question and for participating Lee. Glad to have you on the blog!
To answer your question, I’m not sure yet, but I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone who knows me that I don’t think we’ve properly addressed the O-line. Too many questions abound. Sure, everyone wants to take for granted that #71 will be the Branden Albert he’s been for his entire career. He had major knee reconstruction. He tore both his ACL and MCL joints, and that was November 9th. Consider the fact that we’re talking about a guy who needs to remain stable and endure tons of force in the trenches, and a guy that weighs about 320 lbs, that’s a lot to ask. He might be back at some point, maybe even game 1, but will he be the same guy he’s been? I’m not sure. So that leaves Jason Fox at LT. Jamil Douglas looked OK in a very short sample of play, against a team learning a new defense. I’m not sure he’s ready for prime time, but time will tell. Same goes for Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner. They didn’t have a full game of play yet, and they haven’t played a team yet with a stout DL.
I feel like this years team has “We’re going for it!” written all over it. They brought in Suh, gave Tannehill a huge contract, signed Greg Jennings and Kenny Stills. If we’re going for it, why not finish the sundae with a nice cherry on top, and bring in the solid OG Evan Mathis. We will be severely capstrung next season, I realize that, but what a a shame it would be to have everything working, except the O-line. This year I would have taken an OT/OG in the first RD because of the fact that Albert may not be 100%, and also because our OG’s were unimpressive. We waited until the 4th RD to take Jamil Douglas, and I think it was too little too late. Stay tuned!
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from Ken
Q – How many games will Brady actually serve if any for his suspension from deflate gate? And what will be the Pats record in those games?
I think he will serve 4 games. It disgusts me that the courts are involved in this nonsense, and frankly, his latest stance that he wants to be punished for non cooperation rather than cheating tells me how selfish he is. It’s all about him and his legacy. He doesn’t want it tarnished, well he should have thought of that before breaking the damn rules!
I think even if the courts get involved (and they are), they will find the NFL has enough evidence (by their own rules) to suspend Brady for as long as they have, and he will serve the entire 4 game suspension.
I think Garoppolo will be 0-1 facing the Steelers. I think Garoppolo gets Buffoppoloed against the Buffalo Bills defense, so 0-2. I think The Patriots, despite playing with a shellshocked Garoppolo, they manage to edge out the upstart Jags by a FG or less to go to 1-2. Then the Patriots go to Texas to face the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones gets the last laugh, as the Bradyless Patriots finish 1-3 without their cheating QB.
So there you have it Ken, 1-3, with a chance at 0-4 if the Jaguars are as improved as I think they could be.
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from Stanger
Q – We are all excited about what Suh can do for this defense. Just that one exceptional guy creates opportunities for the others on the D-Line and takes pressure off the LBs and DBs. Hopefully it will give them a chance to think more about making plays rather than just stopping them. Without even going into where else his money could have gone, are you concerned about the one hugely important egg in one very large basket factor? Just as much as he helps the D, if he goes down we’ll be left with a less talented D than the one that was at best average end of last season.
stanger
Definitely concerned Jon. You look around the NFL, and not one other team has as much money tied up into a defensive lineman. The Dolphins have approximately 17-18% of their salary dedicated to Suh, where the 2nd highest is Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy, who takes up 8% of their salary cap. His 6 YR/$95,200M contract is plenty, but the biggest cap hit McCoy has was last year at $21.3M, but through the next few years, his salary cap maxes out at $14.6M this year, and goes down from there. Suh on the other hand has a cap crushing $28.6M next season, and then $22.1 and $22.4M respectively in 2018 and 2019. Consider that Ryan Tannehill’s new contract gives us a hit of $11.6M next season, and goes up to whopping $20.3M in 2017, and stays right around there through to 2020, that’s 2 players eating a whole lot of cap space.
Suh really does change the face of our defense, and if his play, and demeanor become infectious with his teammates, and he exceeds his play with the Detroit Lions, it may be worth it. Of course an injury would be devastating, so I won’t even discuss that. It’s always a risk giving a huge contract to a player, but sometimes they make the difference. Look what LeBron did with the Heat!
Everyone on the defense will benefit from Suh being there, we just haven’t had a player like him. I’d be shocked if Wake, Vernon, Fede, Shelby and anyone else playing DT don’t have better numbers with Suh on the field. Most of all I want Suh here in December, where Joe gets _ _ _ _ _ y, and the rest of the team _ _ _ _ _ s. Suh won’t allow that!
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from UK
Q – Hey Mike,
Good to see you back in the chair as it means another season is right round the corner.
So, it looks like the Jets and Pats are going to start handicapped and the Bills are still the Bills. Does this mean we win the East for the first time in a very long time?
Cheers
UK
You know what UK, I really, and truly believe it does! I do think it’s our time, and I also believe that if our O-line really isn’t working, we’re going to cave in and sign Evan Mathis. I think we’ve come too far to stop now. The Bills still scare me, because they’ve beaten us without a QB before. They’re defense is ferocious, and as scary as our own is now. They also feel like they can beat us, because they have. We need to change that, and with the growth of Tannehill, and the addition of Suh, I think we will.
The Jets may not necessarily be handicapped by the loss of Geno. Fitzpatrick is also an inconsistent QB, but he’s consistently better than Geno. Geno may have had a higher ceiling, but I think Fitz gives them a better chance each week than Geno. Despite that, We have a better team than the Jets, so I do think this is the year for us to come out on top.
The Patriots losing Brady will be a huge hit, and hopefully he misses the 4 games he should miss, and his suspension isn’t reduced by the courts, who really have no business in the NFL’s business. That’s total bullsh!t. Garoppolo is not going to lead that team like Brady, and hearing at some point earlier this year that Garoppolo will still be the best QB in the AFC East really pissed me off! Sickened me actually. The lack of respect to Geno Smith (Just kidding!), the lack of respect shown to Ryan Tannehill in that statement, and I can’t even remember who said it, but it was replayed on NFL radio, is just absurd. Ryan Tannehill may finish as a better QB this year than Tom Brady, never mind his understudy Jimmy.
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from Pigsgerald Oinkustus Bacon
Q – Dear Mike E.
I heard John Clayton call our offense a Don Coryell style offense recently. He also said we are no longer a west coast offense. Do you think that is true? Did Philbin abandon his roots? Any idea what Clayton means? How would you describe our offense?
Also, can we agree that piggies are bound to rule the Earth one day?
– Pigsgerald
Is John Clayton still alive? Wow! No seriously, I think we can all understand this, especially watching last year, where we threw the ball far more than we ran it. However, I don’t believe for a second that that’s the formula for this years offense. I think Philbin would prefer to run more, but we have to be effective doing it, and have the horses to do it. I hope Ajayi gets healthy, and shows he’s ready for the NFL, because I like the tandem of MillerTime, Ajayi and Williams. I get the feeling after watching the game the other day that LaMike is gonna be LaGone. He didn’t show me a thing on returns, and he went down so easily running into the back of his own man, Jordan Kovacs, and Kovacs wasn’t pushed backwards either.
Keep in mind that Ajayi is a 2nd RD talent, and for a RB that’s a compliment. Yes, he was drafted in the 5th due to medical concerns, but those concerns aren’t immediate concerns, but long term concerns. I think if he can get healthy, he will flash and be part of the RB group that should put up some nice yardage totals. I don’t think we’re going to pass 35-40 times per game, and run 15-20 again. I think we might some games, but not as a general strategy. I think we’ll run when we can run, and pass when we can pass, whichever works best against whatever defense we play each week.
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And now for the babe of the week . . .
Finsmob Unleashed 
Google earth is so cool. I haven’t been to my rental property up in Rockledge in like two years. (no complaints from my renter and the rent has been on time, plus it is a 2.5 hour one way drive) but I looked it up on google earth and saw a trailer parked on the side of the house. (the steet view was updated this year) and the HOA strictly prohibits trailers or commercial vehicles being stored on the property. So I called him up and said “you know you aren’t aloud to have that trailor parked on the side of the house” LOL
He said “oh, I know I’m sorry I only had it there for a few days. I said “really, well I can tell you I know it has been parked there since at least June because it shows up on Google earth and the picture was updated in June. Get it off my property and don’t lie to me when I call you about something.” He was like DOH! Sorry, I’ll get it out of here.
Tyrant!
He probably only had it there a few days off and on.
LOL @ technology.
Stanger, Suh’s not a party type guy. He addressed something to that effect at one of the pressers. He’s goal oriented and more of a good student type.
And that is so good to know. All signs are he won’t go Haynesworth on us.
No totally different type of person. Nasty on the field though. I mean if you watch some of his highlights he sometimes just pushes guys down in a violent way. He makes some QBs and RBs look like HS kids when he just shoves them to the ground. LOL
I used to park a big trailer on side of house on weekends and after 4pm weekdays….code enforcement doesn’t work weekends or evenings. Plus you get several warnings before anything happens usually.
Where the hell did you keep it the other times?
When not out using it for work, I’d sometimes park it on the street in front of house, like work was going on, or at a general place down the street for the day.
Can’t keep a workin man down.
WOw, Dow down -530+ points, a 3.12% drop heading into the weekend.
Yeah — was not a good day. Guessing for a rebound on Monday though.
Yeah, well one of these days, that rebound will not come….the house of cards is about to totally collapse….it’s happening worldwide.
The dow almost always goes down on Fridays (profit taking) but 500+ points is a huge loss!
This may be a silly question, but when there is a “sell off” in the market like today, doesn’t that mean SOMEONE has to be buying? (albeit at a lower price) and if so WHY are people buying if they think the price of a stock will continue to drop?
Absolutely people are still buying, but on a day like today the price keeps dropping until the buyers see the price they want. And no one on a given day knows when the bottom or top is…..otherwise there would be no deals at all.
This shit is like a science, you probably had a bunch of people who accurately predicted this and how far it would drop. Its not like most of them are actually guessing on the low point, they have a good idea within a few points of what bottom is going to be. Also have the fact that once it hits a certain point people gradually start buying so it will likely correct itself as soon as it starts slow its fall.
I actually think the real pros just say….”I know people are going to sell on this or that news so that is what I will do……once the emotion subsides, I’ll buy it back cheaper.” But that is far beyond me. I just buy what I think solid and hope for the long-term.
Because things dont normally stay that way. Its a gamble but your betting that the market turn back to normal and its also the theory that likely isnt going to get much worse, since its already pretty damn bad lol.
getterdone says:
August 21, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Tyrant!
He probably only had it there a few days off and on.
Getterdone, Rules are rules man. He knows the rules. They are in his lease along with the rest of the association prohibitions. Your argument is akin to “I only fucked your wife once or twice, what’s the big deal?”
LOL
I couldn’t help it, I mean just look at her ass, err avie. 😉
Mays isn’t any good though.
Let’s go Deez Nuts!
Deez Nuts, a meme-turned independent presidential candidate polling at 8 percent in Iowa, aligns most closely with the Libertarian Party and has kind words for Gary Johnson and Bernie Sanders.
Mr. Nuts is actually a 15-year-old Iowan named Brady Olson who filled out an official filing statement and asked a polling firm to include his handle, “Deez Nuts,” in their research. The strength of his candidacy—he’s polling in high single-digits in several states—is a testament to the fact that early polling is meaningless.
Or is it a testament to the popularity of his libertarian-ish positions? He supports the Iran deal, gay marriage, and fiscal restraint, according to Rolling Stone:
If the candidate’s platform — for balanced budgets, against illegal immigration, for gay marriage, against oil subsidies — seems a little thin, well … cut the kid some slack, America.
Rolling Stone also interviewed him:
I’m assuming you take your political name from the Bofa meme?
Yeah
Is that some kind statement on our two-party political system?
Half trying to break the two-party system, half frustration with the front-runners
Why did you decide to run for president?
Because I really didn’t want to see Clinton, Bush, or Trump in the White House, so I guess I’m just trying to put up a fight.
How would you describe your political orientation? have you ever been a registered Democrat or Republican?
I’m fifteen, so I haven’t been registered yet. I side more with the Libertarian Party. …
If you had to back another presidential candidate, who would it be?
Either Bernie Sanders(D-VT) or Gary Johnson(L-NM)
How far are you willing to take this practical joke?
As far as America wants to take it.
A North Carolina poll that pitted Deez Nuts against Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton had the kid pulling in 9 percent of the vote to Trump’s 40 percent and Clinton’s 38 percent, with 12 percent undecided. My sense is that voters still need time to get a feel for Deez Nuts.
What’s not to like. At 15, I could barely put a sentence together (still debatable).
Personally, I haven’t endorsed “Deez Nuts,” but it’s not out of the question.
It’s funny and all but… LOL
D says:
August 21, 2015 at 7:40 am
Wasn’t very smart. Now how ya gonna get to the other pages?
The rest of the pages are stuck together…….
LINKEDIN
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CHARLOTTE, N.C.
There’s a story floating around Dolphins camp this week only in whispers, perhaps out of deference to their hosts, or perhaps because it’s so hard to believe.
The story goes like this: After one practice against the Dolphins’ fearsome defensive front, Carolina coach Ron Rivera and his staff were forced to call an audible.
The Panthers’ line was overmatched Wednesday, and the pounding made it virtually impossible for the rest of their offense to operate a hurry-up offense.
And so, the host team (quietly) asked the Dolphins to ramp down the intensity in a two-minute drill Thursday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
The story makes sense, based on how the practices went. On Wednesday, the Panthers could do little through the air; a day later, they found gaps in the secondary.
The Dolphins, as an organization, want no part of this story. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin clearly has respect for Rivera, and conversations between the two men will probably stay between them.
A Panthers source, meanwhile, told the Charlotte Observer both defenses throttled down the pass rush in the two-minute drill but added that the change was mutually agreed upon.
Of course, there’s no way either side takes it easy Saturday night. It’ll be full-speed ahead for Ndamukong Suh, Cam Wake, Earl Mitchell and Olivier Vernon when the teams cap their week together in preseason game No. 2.
“We were resetting the line of scrimmage in their backfield in a handful of plays,” Suh said Thursday. “I’m excited about it.”
He should be. As should Dolphins front-office executives Mike Tannenbaum and Dennis Hickey.
They have allocated more than a fifth of the Dolphins’ 2015 salary cap (and roughly a third of their 2016) to the defensive line.
That big investment has forced the organization to go cheap and young most everywhere else on the defense, with Brent Grimes, Reshad Jones and Koa Misi the exceptions.
So far, the formula has worked. The first-team defense forced a three-and-out against the Bears last week in its only full series on the field; we’ll likely see more from the starters Saturday.
Expectations for this defense have been high since the first day of spring weight lifting. After this week’s joint practices in Spartanburg, South Carolina, they’re somehow even higher.
“I talk to [the team] about sometimes when you’re at football practice, you should be able to close your eyes and hear a good practice,” Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. “I thought these couple of days it kind of sounded like football, and when you feel that way about your team, I think it’s a positive sign.”
Physicality will not be a problem. Having that physicality end with the whistle might be.
The Dolphins and Panthers had a vague familiarity of each other when the week began.
When the week ends with Saturday night’s exhibition game, they’ll be like in-laws cramped in the same house for a day too long.
Philbin and Rivera did a good job keeping the peace in Spartanburg, but any lingering hostility from small slights or late hits could bleed into the game.
It will be interesting to see how Michael Oher and Olivier Vernon interact, assuming both play. They traded blows during the lone fight at Wofford on Wednesday; the next day, Vernon sat out most of practice with an unspecified medical issue.
If Vernon is sidelined, he will have plenty of company. Misi hasn’t practiced in weeks with a calf injury. Greg Jennings is iffy with an elbow issue. Brice McCain sat out the end of Thursday’s practice, and it’s unclear why. Branden Albert has made incremental progress from ACL surgery, but his return is at least another week off.
And neither DeVante Parker nor Don Jones, each recently activated from the physically unable to perform list, is ready to return.
Of course, Louis Delmas won’t play; he’s out for the year after tearing his ACL Wednesday. Walt Aikens is expected to start and could potentially win the job going forward if he plays well.
But the top priority for the Dolphins entering the week was to figure out their guard situation. If they haven’t already, they probably will Saturday.
Free agent Evan Mathis is expected to sign with a team any day, so the Dolphins need to make a decision soon: Stick with Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas, or pay Mathis to solidify what most see as the roster’s weakest link.
“I think guys are getting better, I really do,” Philbin said. “Dallas was doing some good things. Billy was doing some good things in the one-on-ones. Sam Brenner did some good things. And again, they didn’t win every single one, but I could see progress with these guys.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article31839450.html#storylink=cpy
Oops. iPhone grabbed the whole thing
stangerx says:
August 21, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Relative was the key word there ffr.
aaahhhh no it isnt. it is a 6.5 mil 16000 sq foot mansion. what did you expect him to buy a 65 mill 160,000 sq foot mansion. now if he spent a 750K and a 4 or 5K house that would be relative. i seriously doubt he bought a house way much smaller then anyone in his situation. if he did great, i would say i am wrong. point is he didnt buy a shack
‘And so, the host team (quietly) asked the Dolphins to ramp down the intensity in a two-minute drill Thursday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.’
lmao, and after the practice the dolphins d line cured cancer, aids and figured out women. there is no limit since they added suh.
The Panthers OL was on their heels both days. Just like ours is every day in practice. 🙂
Tim Knight says:
August 21, 2015 at 7:58 pm
The Panthers OL was on their heels both days. Just like ours is every day in practice. 🙂
oh yeah, i forgot, along with figuring out women, the dolphins d line also made the oline that has given up 7000 sacks the last 3 seasons all world.
ok umps, i get you are not paid. but when the catcher starts out from not behind home plate before the pitcher starts his windup that is a balk. how about start calling it in the Japanese team. they have been doing it for years.
tim
dont get me wrong, i am sure adding someone like suh makes the d line better but i am not ready like most to go all rex ryan and say the fins are gonna win the sb. there are still 4 or 5 players on the d line that disappeared the last few games last year
I’m not saying that. Just saying that’s what the Panthers OL said and what our team has been saying since the beginning of TC.
These are the players I think are locks to make the team barring any injuries etc. The 2nd preseason game is going to start to determine who the next 14 are. The 3rd game (dress rehearsal) is the core for the most part. The 4th game is the last chance for the bubble guys.
OL Pouncey, Albert, James, Thomas, Turner, Fox and Douglas
TE Cameron, Sims
WR Landry, Stills, Jennings, Parker, Matthews
QB Tannehill, Moore
RB Miller, Williams, Ajayi
DL Suh, Mitchell, Phillips, Wake, Vernon, Shelby, Fede
LB Jenkins, Misi, McCain, Sheppard
DB Grimes, Taylor, Br. McCain, R. Jones, Aikens, Thomas
K Sturgis
P Fields
LS Denney
Yeah, if ya like drinking water. I rather drink Jahn’s craft brew. I know it’s got to be more flavorful. But got to admit, very cool bud can….
You drink these cold when you’re having more than 12. You’re not drinking more than 6 of Jahn’s brews without putting on a clown suit. LOL
LOL, I got one helluva tolerance.
But I know what ya mean….during the heat of summer, if I’m outside boating or in a pool, river, ocean, then I just pound something like Bud Lite Lime…..the foo foo drink….lol
Yeah, if ya like drinking water. I rather drink Jahn’s craft brew.
lol @ that. getter, i am sure you didnt mean it as such but saying you would rather drink jahns craft brew then water isnt really a compliment
Tom GarfinkelVerified account
@TomGarfinkel @ArmandoSalguero sold out today. No more 2015 season tix. Taking deposits for 2016. Single game tickets still available for 2015 games.
GD, exactly! There are beers/ales I’m not sure if you have it down by you from the Brooklyn Brewery? They are all potent and after 6 I’m wondering what’s next? LOL
Oh yeah, we got stuff in the stores here from 4% – 11.5%
I try to stay 8% ABV or under on the beer drinking.
I like 4-6 so I can have some. LOL
Tim Knight says:
August 21, 2015 at 8:28 pm
I’m not saying that. Just saying that’s what the Panthers OL said and what our team has been saying since the beginning of TC.
ok first never said you are saying that. didnt mean it that way. and second, i seriously doubt the panthers ol said that. they are professionals. hell even amateurs wouldn’t admit to that. i get the fins may have the best dl in the game, but doesnt mean they are just unstoppable now. Detroit wasnt. i looked it up a bit ago and suh and the loins had a losing record. i just am not buying into the hype. but in all fairness i wouldnt either if good ole roger was having parties with ross. i will just wait and see.
No reporters heard the Panthers OL saying shit that to the Dolphins OL after the joint practice day one. It’s not just Suh. We’re loaded on the DL and with young talent waiting in the wings. We’re good, bro, we’re good on the DL. 🙂
i get the fins may have the best dl in the game,
meant he best dl linemen in the game, not the best dl.
I see Home is in town working to get money for the Phins exhibition game.
Sorry Rock but the Mets just unloaded on the Rockies in the 2nd inning with Cespedes hitting a grand slam. 7-1 Mets. 🙂
Alright 7-4 after 3 innings in Colorado. This could be one of those barn burners. LOL
Cespedes another homer. 8-4. 🙂
8-8 in Colorado. Here we go! Yikes!
Typical game in that park…lol
Sorry Cespedes hit his 3rd HR of the game Mets 10-8. Grand Slam, HR2, HR1. 7 RBI, 4R and 4-4. 🙂
14h14 hours ago
Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero
Ryan Tannehill so far this preseason: 18 of 22 for 158 yards and 2 TDs. No Interceptions. QB rating of 126.9.
He’s ready …
One of the positives we can take from the preseason so fat so far