Vance Joseph
“Both win,” Joseph told me. “And I’ve been a 3-4 guy most of my career. But when you come to a place like this and see the defensive personnel you’ve got, and, in my opinion, it’s not broken, you can’t all of a sudden go to 34 where you have to re-draft to a defense. That takes time. That takes too much time.
“And I don’t want to be a guy who as a coordinator, I’m a 34 guy with 43 personnel driven team. I’m not going to say, ‘Well, let’s change it,’ and set us back two or three years. That’s not smart in my opinion. That’s not coordinating. If this team had 34 personnel, we’d be a 34 defense. I can do both. For me, it’s not a big deal to be a 34 or 43 defense, it’s just numbers. It would be a shame to come to a place that’s close to being good on defense and then flip it, then you’re three years away again. I didn’t want to do that.”
Then there’s this from VJ
“Absolutely,” he said. “Because in spurts last year, you could see they put up good stats against good people. But in spurts they also didn’t look very good. But it wasn’t because of effort or I wouldn’t say even scheme. I don’t know what it was. You watch the film and they did some really good things last year. A couple of games it got out of whack. But between Cam and those guys, you have good, solid NFL players here. So we’re capable of playing good defense. And I expect we’ll play good defense.”
OK, so I’m going to get the 800 LB gorilla in the room out of the way right now, because you know my feelings on one Mr. Suh, but heading into free agency and the draft, besides having your defensive centerpiece who happens to be a 4-3 DT, what else about our defense mandated that we’re a 4-3 defense? I’ll tell you, nothing. We began to fill in our roster before the draft with a bunch of 4-3 DE’s, adding to what we already had in Cam Wake, who we obviously believe is going to be a force with the contract extension.
Dolphins building blocks DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Cam Wake
Let’s look at the timeline . . .
We cut DE Quinton Coples 2/16. Not that Coples is a franchise player, but at 6’5″ 290, ideal for playing 3-4 DE. Coples, still on his rookie contract was due $1.75M this season, and was a $3M cap hit. We signed on 3/8, DE Mario Williams, who last year was miscast as an OLB in the 3-4 defense, and is better suited as a 4-3 DE. We then on 3/9 make the trade for CB Byron Maxwell, and LB Kiko Alonso, for the price of moving back just 5 spots in the 1st RD, from #8 to #13. A very good trade if the 2 aforementioned players play well and start for the Dolphins this season. VJ got his big CB, but Alonso is clearly a 4-3 MLB or OLB, not a 3-4. The reason I point this out, is because VJ determined what kind of personnel we acquired, so in essence, him saying we had 4-3 personnel was really saying Suh is a 4-3 DT, and we’re going to build around that. I’m not going to hide my feelings on that, you know where I stand, and hopefully, it works out.
After the trade for Maxwell and Alonso, we continued to sign 4-3 DE’s, starting on 3/17 with DE Andre Branch (6’5″ 265). We then re-signed LB Spencer Paysinger, who is a special teams and depth player. On 4/5, we signed the just waived by the Browns CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (5’9″ 195). On 4/18, we signed DT Chris Jones (6’1″ 295), waived by the New England Patriots. Ekpre-Olomu not the prototypical CB VJ likes, but Chris Jones, fits the smaller, quicker, penetrating type of 4-3 DT he prefers.
Then came the draft, and despite the fact many of us, not of all of us expected some help for the defense, the only major defensive pick was 2nd RD CB Xavien Howard (6’0″ 201). In the 6th RD, we picked up hybrid (CB/S) Jordan Lucas (6’0″ 201), again, prototypical size for what VJ is looking for, bigger cornerbacks. The rest of the draft, 6 picks in total, went towards the offense. I’ll talk about that next week, but for now, let’s stay focused on the defense.
So, pre-draft free agency came and went, and the actual draft is over too, so the only thing left now is post-draft free agency, where any player signed does NOT count against next years compensatory pick entitlement. It appears that our first target is DE Jason Jones (6’5″ 272). Once again, adding veterans to our D-line. We will not be relying on younger players in our d-line rotation, that much is clear. On the back end of the defense, that’s a different story, but it’s clear our D-line rotation will be veteran, sprinkled in with some youth. There is no official depth chart right now, but this is how I see it.
Base 4-3 defense
RE – Andre Branch 6’5″ 265
DT – Earl Mitchell 6’3″ 310
DT – Ndamukong Suh 6’4″ 320
LE – Mario Williams 6’6″ 292
WLB – Jelani Jenkins 6’0″ 243
MLB – Kiko Alonso 6’3″ 238
SLB – Koa Misi 6’3″ 255
LCB – Byron Maxwell 6’1″ 207
RCB – Xavien Howard 6’0″ 201
RS – Reshad Jones 6’1″ 218
LS – Isa Abdul-Quddus 6’1″ 201
Nickel Defense
RE – Mario Williams
DT – Jordan Phillips/Chris Jones
DT – Ndamukong Suh
LE – Cam Wake
LB – Jelani Jenkins
LB – Kiko Alonso
LCB – Byron Maxwell
RCB – Xavien Howard
NB – Bobby McCain
S – Reshad Jones
S – Isa Abdul-Quddus
I could see Chris Jones in the nickel package as a DT, but for now, I’m going to give the edge to Phillips. I could also see Neville Hewitt being a nickel LB, so that’s possible too.
I know it sounds like I don’t approve of the way we went about creating our defense, mostly because we built it around a DT who will earn over $100M when his contract is finished. While I didn’t agree with the move, he’s here, and he’s one of the best players in the NFL, but I think he can be better than he was for us last season, and I think he’ll need to be if we’re going to contend for the playoffs. As I mentioned, we have a strong veteran presence on our defense, but there is a young man who none of us are counting on, but if he comes in with the right attitude, continues to work hard, and then the kicker, actually gets reinstated by Goodell and the NFL, Dion Jordan be a factor for us. We all hope that’s the case
As far as the linebackers and secondary, it’s going to be very interesting to see if the gambles paid off with the trade for Maxwell and the draft choice of Xavien Howard, or possibly the emergence of Tony Lippett. Will Isa be the safety we’ve been looking for to complement Reshad Jones? Was Kiko Alonso the missing cog that takes our LB corps to a higher level? If the answers to both of those questions is yes, the Dolphins should be an exciting team to watch this year, especially with what we’ve done with the offense. Stay tuned next week when I discuss the offense.
Finsmob Unleashed 
My hands look a little like that, but my body looks nothing like his. I must be doing something wrong . . .
I know you don’t get that from work, you got thorns on your… 😉
Toba
Best wishes to you and your family, especially your mom. Hope things improve in that regard, and would love to meet you at the Fest if it’s possible for you. Positive thoughts your way bud!
They’re doing a lot to fix the run D. The more I see from this year’s regime the more I realize how clueless the last group was, and since Tannenbaum was there last year I’m going to give the credit to Gase and Grier and there staffs.
VJ has said LB coach Matt Burke’s specialty is run defense and he’ll play a big role in how they go about it.
Hal Habib @gunnerhal 22m22 minutes ago
South Florida Bid Committee, Dolphins come up with inspired idea on who will present Miami’s Super Bowl pitch. http://pbpo.st/1rRpKRB
I was hoping for Gilbert Gottfried
Steve
Not from working, from work-ing out with weights, and the chin up/pull up bar. Got some nasty callouses.
I’m just busting you balls Mike 😛
These national guys have nothing to write about and are lazy, obviously they haven’t done much research, except read a few articles from Walker and Omar.
In a follow up to the PFF offseason grade which did not include the analysis of Jason Jones:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/05/16/pro-daily-focus-what-to-expect-from-washington-rookie-sua-cravens/
Have to scroll down past the Sua Cravens talk to get to the Jason Jones stuff.
Al
Who did that article? Pfffffft? lol
WELCOME DE Jason Jones!
The best game of Jones’ NFL career came in Week 16 of his rookie season when he had 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in a 31-14 Tennessee victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Amazingly, Jones didn’t earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for that performance because that same day Cincinnati cornerback Leon Hall had three interceptions, including one he returned 50 yards for a touchdown, in a 14-0 victory against Cleveland.
(Phins could also end up with Leon Hall too)
Jones began his collegiate career as a tight end before switching to the defensive line midway through his freshman season.
Jones was selected by Tennessee in the second round in 2008 between Dolphins selections of defensive ends Phillip Merling (32nd overall) and Kendall Langford (66th overall).
Go buy an NFL preview mag in August, and you’ll find one little paragraph for each team from a beat writer, info that each teams fans have known about for months.
wow, look at Shane Hallam’s 2nd rd of Fantasy picks:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CiqgLUwWgAIc_pv.jpg:large
sorry, they weren’t actually HIS picks but look at picks 5 & 6 in the 2nd rd.
No wonder your head is so screwed up….look at Phillip Rivers in the 5th Rd…WTH kinda fantasy league is that??? LOL
It’s probably a keeper or a dynasty
you are correct. it’s a dynasty league
Nuts are the shellfish of the land.
Lou
That’s pretty cool, but didn’t Lasco end up going in the 7th?
Ah, never mind, I thought that was a mock draft, not a fantasy draft
FEST is in the air.
It’s the Bills game on Oct 23 at one.
We’ll get together the Sat night before and Chef Warren will be showing off his stuff at the tailgate as usghe.
All you fly guys make your reservations. Earlier you do the cheaper the flight will be with all the snow birds and cruise folks coming to South Florida that time of year (they plan ahead).
Have reserved a three-row block in Sec 315 on the aisle towards the 50. That’s on the 15 on the visitors side. They are just like last year’s ‘cept other end of the field.
Already in
The Flying Pig
Hulk
Brian NY
OD (plus his lucky Penny?)
stanger
Chef Warren
Son (plus how many?)
Rock
Mike E (+1)
markeyh
Herd
Pushing hard for it
getterdone
Al in MIA
You can pay me for your tix at the Fest, but need final numbers for the group by Memorial Day.
+++++++ vibes to Manitoba
Toba, sorry you’re going through a tough time with your Mom. I wish her the best and for you and your wife as well.
Dion Jordan has his work cut out for him. If he wants to see the field, he’s going to have to really earn it this season. We have pretty decent depth at DE, unless the plan is to try him at OLB.
makes me wonder if he IS reinstated if he ever leaves San Fran.
only thing you can think where Jordan is concerned is if he’s reinstated he’s more representative of the future of the team on defense than what we’ve got due to the age of a lot of the guys we have. Wake and Williams represent the here and now and give us a chance to at least not lose any ground vs last yr and maybe even gain a little. If Jordan can make a comeback he’s the heir apparent to one of those positions. Unless they decide to use him at OLB from the outset; which would be my hope.
That’s right Lou, he’s young enough, and talented enough that he can be a player here for another 5 years at least, so if he can get himself on track, and he wants to stay, that’s good for the team
The thing is, Dion FF is in his last year of his rookie draft deal…so Mike, if he’s to stay here another 5 years & be the heir apparent, then he needs to show it NOW, this season, and be able to convince the FO & HC that he’ll remain clean too…cause he’ll need to be RESIGNED to a vet contract for anything beyond 2016!
guy will never get any guaranteed money in next contract. So I guess he will be stuck with us since no team will want to take chance since he’s on final strike from substance abuse program. Does he owe the fins any money from first contract?
absolutely! Best case scenario would be Jordan comes in and shows he’s the future at one of those positions on D. he definitely needs to prove he can be the guy they need him to be. If Jordan doesn’t show up at all this year he’s most likely finished with football b/c I doubt anyone will give him the time of day. It’s all on him. However, you have to wonder what anyone is going to give him in terms of a contract unless he lights it up somehow and they can’t keep him off the field. His next contract could be low in actually salary and huge in incentives no matter where he signs. Any team would probably be looking at keeping any cap hit to a minimum.
Wow – Where is everyone?
new blog up
Mike still trying to justify the Dion Jordan jersey. JKLOL
Lou, I figure about the same thing….the ball is kinda in Miami’s court….resign him to a prove it incentive laced deal…but again, depends on what he shows on the field & what other eyes it may catch…like Chip Kelly for example.
For now, I’m not going to worry about it and take Jordan on a day by day, week by week basis as the 2016 NFL year winds along.
agreed, but I’m also intrigued by the fact that he’s training in San Fran. probably making too much of it but it’s interesting.
Since he went to Oregon, it must be close to home.
you are correct. the big duh on my part. born in San Fran.
I don’t get why you guys keep using the FF in Dion’s name. Don’t you guys want him back? You may think it’s funny, but this is a smaller world now with the Internet, and if he gets wind of this and feels unappreciated, he may just bolt to SF.
Players better have thicker skin than that
correct. part of proving he’s mature enough to make it back.
I’ve stopped using the FF but he can’t go anywhere, he’s Dolphins property unless they cut him.
Maybe we should choose to be the Marlins Mob instead……sure would make more money sense. Just ordered tix for the Pirates v. Miami at Marlins stadium. Bleacher seats started at $15.
Ended up spending $20 more than what we are paying for the Fest tickets to be able to put my beer on the roof of the Pirates bench…..and it is on Memorial Day.
What do you pay for that at Fenway or Yankee stadium that day?……gotta be like a grand plus.
probably be to much for the older guys of the group since they would to be on the old orange bowl grounds.Lot’s of things to do in area also.
Didn’t even know that was the was where the old Orange Bowl was…….my learn of the day. Nice stadium even if a bit sterile but man isn’t it always empty.
boston and NY teams are usually big draws.
There is also a 5th year option on Jordan if he does get reinstated and plays well. We can get another year before having to re-sign him to see if he’s really committed to football.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/dion-jordan/
Steve, seriously? LMAO @ offending Dion FF! Call the PC police, he’s be violated after getting millions to spend partying…SMH!
Dion didn’t care about getting kicked out of the NFL, why is he going to care what a bunch of schlubs on the internet call him?
u guys know oregun was bombed during ww2 not once but twice
that explains everything now.
stangerx says:
May 17, 2016 at 1:11 pm
how about them cubbies. they r playing lights out so far.
Pretty sure I didn’t say that, but least if they are going to spend all that money they are doing it smart. Best bought team in the league.
Dion Jordan giving us even a legitimate rotation/situational player this year would be great. At this point, you squeeze every ounce of whatever he’s got before you cut him loose. He’s an elite athlete. The upside is good, and there’s very little downside. We’ll see what they think of him once they start making cuts. I really hope he steps up.
If Doughty WERE to beat out Tannehill, Terry Crews would show up at Phins camp and start singing, “you suck, you have no skills, you got beat by a rookie”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9RiQCnMxw
LOL @ internet schlubs
Lou
Tannehill will be starting. I hope the young fella steps up and takes his opportunity by the throat. He can be a positive part of the puzzle. Our whole offense needs to get their shit in gear. We have not had a really competitive scoring offense in awhile.
It sets a team back big time having to find a new QB. Look at what the 2 teams had to do this year to get a QB. Insane!
I was just making a joke about Terry Crews showing up. that’s all
DT3rd time is a charm . . .
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Thomas-Feeling-Like-A-Rookie-Again/8e1a8b0c-756d-47a2-917b-fc595ee2408b
MikeE,
I am trying to be positive about our young signal caller, so I will just say: No, I don’t want to start over, but I think this team is still a couple years away, at least, from being a legitimate playoff team. We were not a good team last year in many areas. I can’t buy into a big turn around at this point. We need a QB who is playing well in 3 years to start a nice playoff run, so a young QB would have time to grow up a bit. It would be better if Tannehill turns out to be that guy. I hope he is!
I think we’ll find out one way or the other this season. He should have enough protection, and enough weapons to improve and keep us competitive.
Lou,
Yeah, I figured. I just wanted to see what it’s like to be on the other side of the Tannehill debate. Lol
LOL! How did it feel?
Lou
Just curious – What is it about Ryan Mathews that you like so much?
The day the Fest Curse Died.
—————————-
– At one point in the 2nd quarter, the Dolphins had 35 points while the Texans had 0 yards….. 35 POINTS to 0 YARDS!
– The Dolphins were the first team in at least 75 years to score 4 TDs of 50 or more yards in a single game.
– Lamar Miller had 14 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown in one half.
– Tannehill set a franchise record for most consecutive passes completed (25 – carried over from the Titans game)
– Tannehill was the first QB since 1998 (Randall Cunningham) to throw 3 or more TD passes of 50 yards or more.
– Tannehill was nearly perfect going 18-19, 282 yards, and 4 TDs with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 in this game.
Want to re-live more with pics?
http://www.thephinsider.com/2016/5/17/11688028/miami-dolphins-season-in-review-week-7-houston
I want to see a game like that against the Bills. Now that would be sweet if we lit them up like that.
Oddly enough…..I’d like a closer game. Was all exhibition after five minutes left in the 2nd Q. Got sorta boring. Not the crew, the game.
…and I was there with my good new buddies soaking it all in….Ahhh!
Was also soaking UP some brewskies as well, along with Chef Warren’s great tailgate grub!
Old buddies……just ones with faces instead of avatars. ……lol
Stanger
I’ll take a close game too, as long as we win!
Only thing about a close game is then you get Drill Sargeant Rock in your face like you didn’t clean the toilet right with the toothbrush he handed you. 🙂
LOL – I’m looking forward to meeting Sgt. Rock
Has the fest ever been against a division rival?
We had a couple of NE Fests against the Jets, but not in FLA
Nope. Jets and Pats are a no go from the start cause of tix prices. Turned out as it fell that Bills made sense this year. They still ain’t the very cheapest, but at least their fans don’t show up like the other two…..will add they are nicer and more humble though.
Mike E. says:
May 17, 2016 at 1:58 pm
It sets a team back big time having to find a new QB. Look at what the 2 teams had to do this year to get a QB. Insane!
it is more. it sets a team back who is willing to do really stupid thing to take a shot at some hopeful guy coming out of college. there is no guarantee these guys are gonna make it. seems there was a guy who had even more upside that washington took and look how that worked out.
like i have said over and over, the qb thing is so overrated. there are only 3 or 4 teams who have great qb’s and even they dont get to the playoffs all the time. all we have to look at is marino to know a great qb doesnt win you playoff games
Randy says:
May 17, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Dion Jordan giving us even a legitimate rotation/situational player this year would be great. At this point, you squeeze every ounce of whatever he’s got before you cut him loose. He’s an elite athlete. The upside is good, and there’s very little downside. We’ll see what they think of him once they start making cuts. I really hope he steps up.
Reply
LMAO @ Dion FF being referred to you as “legitimate”, “elite athlete”, “upside is good, and there’s very little downside”, etc etc.
Yet when it comes to Tannehill…he’s a bum, he can’t throw the ball deep, he’s not accurate, his pocket awareness sucks, he holds the ball too long, he takes to many sacks, he’s not a leader, we’re losing games because of him….
😯
MikeE,
It felt oddly strange and comforting at the same time. Lol
stangerx says:
May 17, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Nope. Jets and Pats are a no go from the start cause of tix prices. Turned out as it fell that Bills made sense this year. They still ain’t the very cheapest, but at least their fans don’t show up like the other two…..will add they are nicer and more humble though.
Reply
Fuggetaboutit, that’s cause their fans are from the good side of NY, where its less hectic, less smog and pollution cloggin their brains, etc.
Hey now! I happen to be from the “bad” side, according to you anyway . . .
We know where you are from……least back in the day.
LOL, well, youse guys here make up the .001 % of good New Yankers that still live around the Big Titty!
gdp
Tanny-bating me again, huh? Lol
***
I didn’t say Jordan is a legitimate anything…only that it would be nice if he turned out to be. He is an elite athlete. He’s been a shitty teammate and done little on the field. I didn’t say anything you’re suggesting I said but go on with your hate…it’s all good. 🙂
I’m just playfully slap fighting with ya dude….like when we was kids…all good. 🙂
stangerx says:
May 17, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Only thing about a close game is then you get Drill Sargeant Rock in your face like you didn’t clean the toilet right with the toothbrush he handed you. 🙂
Reply
If you remember, or maybe didn’t see….but Rock was at his lowest point with being down on the Phins when he came to the Fest. He didn’t even wear any Phins garb….said he lost his fandom & didn’t care anymore.
So I was the one on the other side of him in his face & screaming at him every time the Phins scored that day…Yelling, Get your ass back on the Dolphins wagon…COME back to your Phins DAMNIT!!!
At first he said, I can’t, it’s an illusion, they’ll let me down this game still.
The Phins kept scoring & I kept YELLING at him after every TD. I got to do this 7 times before Halftime…lol
He finally started going, Yes, YEs, YEs, I love these guys, they are making me proud, as the rain began to fall & the TEARS of JOY began to flow!
Rock was back….our Kool Aid kid had returned…was a great bonding moment! 🙂
LMAO — but not to self…..do not sit btwn Rock and GDP at the fest. Least we will be in the shade this year thanks to Mr. Ross. Maybe I will have the energy to handle it.
We were loud n PROUD that day! I think I ran Piggy off as I kept hollering. Toba and his wife moved to the inside seats as I sat on the steps in the aisle jumping around like a caged silverback that was just released from captivity!
Stanger–You know it brother!
There are so many good people from the city. So many. Just like every FLA native isn’t an asshole, you just can’t generalize like that.
HEY! I resemble that remark.
I still feel that Leon Hall will be in a Phins uni before too much longer….the holdout is on both sides agreeing to a fair offer after his back surgery is showing signs of a full recovery. Still 2+ months before TC, and he already knows VJ & VJ knows him.
Mike E. says:
May 17, 2016 at 3:30 pm
There are so many good people from the city. So many. Just like every FLA native isn’t an asshole, you just can’t generalize like that.
HEY FU. some of us natives work hard for that title. stop trying to take it away from me
Sometimes we forget that Tannehill is an elite athlete at his position. There is nothing he can’t do physically that you’d ask a QB to do. He needs to get the offense rolling and be more consistent in everything he does. But it’s not from a lack of ability. I do think he has a higher ceiling. But like all of you I want to see it.
I agree with this
LOL Rob – even if you’re not really doing a good job of it, you got it.
Solomon Wilcots from NFL.com thinks Tunsil will beat out Albert for the LT job.
That would be ideal, and then you can move Albert to LG.
If that’s the case I wouldn’t be against it. Not totally buying that though either. I want them both on the left side together. I think it strengthens the blindside quite a bit and allows us to look for the best RG.
I found my thrill
Bashing Ryan Tanehill
Chargers claimed QB Zach Mettenberger off waivers from the Titans.
“Mett Show” will be reuniting with Chargers OC Ken Whisenhunt, who was the Titans’ coach the first 1.5 years of Mettenberger’s career. Aside from Whiz, the Chargers are a sensible destination, as they lack anything resembling depth behind aging (but durable) starter Philip Rivers. Mettenberger should have a good shot at cracking the 53-man roster, likely as Rivers’ backup. Kellen Clemens will be his primary competition.
If I remember correctly, Ken really liked Mettenberger
You’ll always find someone that likes the big armed QB.
Jordan Phillips could be a player who makes that 2nd year jump. At his size with his power and quickness for a big man, he could be really disruptive this year. He could win more reps from Mitchell. He has shown he can anchor, pass rush and gets his long arms up and blocks shit. LOL
This guy can help change a defense. He has all the talent. Does he want it?
Saints released K Josh Scobee. He’s 31….he used to have a high FG %, but it really fell off the past 2 yrs, plus he had some injury issues too…..maybe he can get healthy and back to his 2011-2013 years with Jax, where over those 3 yrs he avg’d 90% & was 5/6, 1/2, & 4/5 over 50 yards during that same span recently.
maybe they should have drafted the fsu kicker in 1st round
maybe it was a great thing they didn’t.
tampa fans are in for a treat when winston and him get going with their competitive horse game. They used to play it before practices and games. Arm or leg competition. I heard kicker won more than arm and winston never denied it.
Are you suggesting a kicker in the 1st over Tunsil?
no. saints maybe.Think about it they score more points on top of their high scoring machine. 15-20 less yards to score instead of punting. Precision kick offs where you can dictate field position. It’s a whole new league similar to how the league changed to passing league.
Which means they’ll change the rule back, because the cheats won’t have an unfair advantage.
Tim,
I agree with you on Phillips. Another guy who has great physical tools who could be really good if he can put it all together. And, he has Suh to watch and learn from. They could really feed off each other.
5 things to watch for in the Toronto vs Cleveland series – Clev. winning game 1, 2, 3, 4, then going to the finals.
6 and 7
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to impersonate bullfighters on defense
OLAY!
2 of the worst defensive players in the league
But the East is so weak, so I think the Cavs win in 5 or less games too
hat did u think of thunder and billy donovan is a very good adjustment coach.
Randy — if you are done with the QBs…..what you think about the 2016 O-line. Seems you should be happy.
– Tannehill was the first QB since 1998 (Randall Cunningham) to throw 3 or more TD passes of 50 yards or more.
_________________________________
I love THIS. It was a Matt Flynn kind of day. A slant to Matthews that he took all the way, a pass to Landry that he made a spectacular run on to take it to the house and a screen to Miller that he ran the remainder of the way for a score.
It’s exactly what I’m talking about when I say Gase needs to find way to get the ball in the hands of the playmakers and let them do their thing and the offense isn’t going to be about Tannehill, it’s going to be about the people around him.
Yeah, like what that Brady guy does in NE.
yeah, compare Brady to Tannehill. See how far that gets ya
Whether the future or just that day…..was nice to watch. Hoping for a two-peat on Oct 23 at least. Maybe you can be there too.
So how many people have said he puts the ball where the players don’t have a chance to make YAC but that is exactly what he did that day. Tom Brady does the same shit and everybody fawns all over him.
Matthews pass is the only one where ball placement mattered.
Just catching up to some comments….
Regarding Dion Jordan’s contract and any future ones …
Seems teams don’t have to worry about losing money persay on guys like Dion Jordan
From an article last year :
“Every NFL contract I’ve seen since the new CBA took effect in 2011 contains language voiding contract guarantees for an exhaustive list of defaults by the player.
PED usage, substance abuse, conduct detrimental and personal conduct suspensions are usually among the numerous defaults. Typically, any guarantees in current and future contract years immediately void with a default. The player will still have the opportunity to earn to the salary that is no longer guaranteed on a non-guaranteed basis.”
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25296326/agents-take-the-real-costs-behind-the-nfls-suspended-stars
Im out for the night, take care peeps 🙂
Mike E:
You are correct. I do like Mettenberg. He had some moments when he was playing for Tennessee but not enough for them to pass on Mariotta. Good landing spot for him. Rivers is a similar style QB – drop back vertical thrower. Good spot for him to learn and grow.
I owe GDP another beer. He better come to the fest so I can pay up.
Mike E. says:
May 17, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Lou
Just curious – What is it about Ryan Mathews that you like so much?
___________________________________________
Mainly, he’s still young enough as a vet to be a guy we can carry on the roster more than one season and he’s still productive. He can split reps with Ajayi and doesn’t need to be an every down rb for us so you can minimize his carries and minimize the chance of injuries with him. He only carried the ball 8x a game in Philly last season but still had 539 yds, averaging 5.1 ypc and 41.5 yards per game. Plus, he had 6 td’s, one of which was on a 63 yd run. So, he still has it.
He had 6 runs of 20+ and 1 of 40+ last season, which is only 1 less run of 20+ than what Miller had last yr.
The Eagles wanted to trade him earlier. IDK if he’s still on the trade block or not but I don’t think they wanted a ton for him and his cap hit is only $3M this yr. So, he’s a fit in the offense, gives us a vet presence who can still be productive and he’s relatively cheap.
I’d pick him up in a heartbeat, but he’s a little injury prone. I saw him play his Sr against NV, Kaep was still playing for NV, and he got thumped by an LB in the 1st qtr and was done for the game. He’s had lots of issues at SD too. When healthy he’s a very good back though, if we did trade for him, we’d have enough depth that, if he sat out a couple of weeks it wouldn’t be a big deal, which is why we don’t need him.
And, if we traded for him, Mike will be pissed (losing another gold errrr draft pick) 😉
I see it as a huge plus. We’ve got 2 young rb’s, one of which is a rookie, so we could develop Drake for a year with a vet on the roster and also give Ajayi some help with a veteran in the backfield; a veteran who can still get it done. Thomas and Pead are definitely not the answer. We’ve been down that road twice with Thomas and Pead can’t hang onto the ball.
It’s not something that has a high probability of happening anyway but it is a trade I’d love to see happen and if we traded away our other 4th from next yr for him I’d be kay with it.
Now Daniel Thomas might be able to get us those yds but he’d need to carry the ball 14x a game. However, he’d never get us 6 td’s.
But he would be able to provide the types of carries that the backs we have now can’t. DT3 wasn’t brought to the team to score lots of TDs or have a high YPC, he’s depth and a tough yardage runner. The last time we played in Az, Bush couldn’t do shit, nor could Miller, it was DT3 that got our O going, that’s the type of back we need. Last yr in second halves we could’ve used him to keep the D honest, something Miller struggled with. Miller was too feast or famine.
I don’t get why you guys are so enamored by stats. Seems you’d rather have a 2nd string back that had some nice stats, but meaningless carries.
So, what you’re saying is Daniel Thomas, who’s never done anything in a MIA uniform in the four useless years he was with the team and hasn’t done anything since leaving MIA is a better option. Interesting.
we need to get our rush yardage upwards of 120 yds per game on the average in order for our offense to be successful. I’m looking at ways that would make it easier for us to get to that point by adding someone who’s productive enough to help us reach that goal. Daniel Thomas hasn’t a chance in hell of helping us reach that goal and we don’t need him as a short yardage back because Ajayi runs harder than he does.
You’re talking about it doing the same ole, yet you want too many of the same kind of RBs on the team, that’s how you end up with 20 yrds rushing for the game. You need to be able to change it up when they stop your main back.
and who do you have in mind?
Ajayi, Drake, DT3 and Pead will get it done, we don’t need to trade for another. You want another bring in an FA like Foster.
stanger,
I think we have better depth, but an OL takes time to gel. They have better talent than last year. We’ll see if they can put it all together. I still don’t know how Gase is going to run his protections.
When things are going good for an O no one talks about the OL gelling, but when it’s not going so good, that’s one of the excuses that always seems to come up. Sure an OL needs time to gel, but it’s overrated. It’s not like we are replacing 3 or 4 guys.
Steve
Furious!!!! It’s not happening, so I’m not going to worry about. 🙂
Lol
Lol.
Ken says:
May 17, 2016 at 7:35 pm
I owe GDP another beer. He better come to the fest so I can pay up.
Reply
BooYah! …at this rate I won’t have to bring any beer. 🙂
Ken, BTW, besides learning from Rivers, Mettenberger is reunited with Whisenhunt, who probably went to bat to get SD to sign him.
You don’t really get many carries from your 3rd and 4th string backs on a regular basis, those guys are for depth and as a changeup, if the top 2 are struggling. DT3 could have 150 yrds on the season and still be affective in the changeup role.
in my scenario, the top two would be Ajayi and Matthews with Drake being used as well. The only other back on the roster would be Williams and I’ll take him over Thomas any day.
Thomas and Pead are going to have a difficult time making this roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both are cut before camp even starts.
Pead’s been hurt, but he’s looked good when healthy. He didn’t do much in Pitt last yr, because he was hurt and deep on their depth chart. Williams skills are a subset of what Drake can do, and Drake does them better, so I see him as a goner. Pead/DT3 one is gone, if we sign someone else. DT3 was hurt last yr, that’s why he didn’t make the Bears team, and Gase thought enough of him to bring him to camp.
gimme some of what you’re smoking, will ya? You’re either messing with me or messing with the weed because Pead has carried the ball a total of 19 times in the four yrs he’s been in the NFL including the 2x he carried it for the Rams last season, fumbling one of them. You’re right about one thing; he’s been hurt and he’s been hurt a lot. What they were thinking when they picked this guy up, I don’t know, but they must have had Tunsil’s gas mask on when they made that decision.
Same thing goes for Thomas. Another guy who’s proven nothing since he’s been in the league and keep him around for what? Just to torture the fans?
Williams had 142 yds receiving last season and the majority of it was YAC. He can do more and he’s good, solid depth unlike the other two posers that are on the roster. They should have kept Edwards and never signed Pead.
Williams is also one of our best players on special teams on kick and punt coverage.
I don’t see him being replaced by either Pead or Thomas because neither of them will be that valuable on special teams. Both can barely run.
In fact, Williams is only 83 yds short of what Thomas did receiving in his 4 yrs with the Phins and Williams has never started a game.
Williams lack of running skills killed us last year, and he sucks as a KR. The combination of Miller and Williams was just bad. The number one job of an RB is to keep the D honest by being able to run it. Miller was too hot and cold.
okay, stay with me here. So Pead, who’s run the ball a whole 19x in the four years he’s been in the league is a viable option in our offense but Williams isn’t. “Williams lack of running skills killed us last year”. Williams ran the ball 16x the entire season. So, what you’re saying is those 16 runs he had, basically one per game, were of such importance that he was responsible for a significant portion of failure on offense. That’s pretty interesting.
No, I’m saying that his inability to run the ball put us in a bad position. Get off of the stats, everything isn’t decided by stats. He would’ve had plenty more rushes, if he could actually run the ball. When you have an RB that can’t run it, it makes your RB depth thin, unless of course you carry an extra back, which hurts you some place else.
he’s 3rd on the depth chart behind Miller and Ajayi and it was HIM and his inability to run the ball that killed us. reality.
Randy, be careful who you invite over to your bucket.
22 Percent of Resettled Refugees in Minnesota Test Positive for Tuberculosis
getterdone says:
May 17, 2016 at 12:28 pm
The thing is, Dion FF is in his last year of his rookie draft deal…so Mike, if he’s to stay here another 5 years & be the heir apparent, then he needs to show it NOW, this season, and be able to convince the FO & HC that he’ll remain clean too…cause he’ll need to be RESIGNED to a vet contract for anything beyond 2016!
*
From what I have read, one of his contract years doesn’t count due to his suspension, so he is essentially in the 4th year of his deal.
They all counted, but you’re right he’s in his 4yr, with one more team option yr for 2017. His cap will only be 3+M for 2017, so talk of him having to show it now is just speculation.
He does meed to show it NOW! You think Gase & Tbomb are going to pussyfoot around with him all season & paying him for this year if he doesn’t seem committed & flashing in practice as well as on the field?
He better come strong with 150% desire & show everyone as much…or else there’ll be no 5th option, his ass will be GONE!
No matter what he does this year, if they feel he can help them next year he’ll be on the team. Don’t think there’s only one way to skin a cat.
Every time my screen refreshes Ken is buying someone a beer. Ken, you better quit while you’re behind 😉
Steve,
Ok, you’re entitled to your opinion.
Someone once said an OL needs to be together for a while to gel, and everyone runs with it like that’s the only way an OL can be good. I’ve seen plenty of OL play good without being together for long.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/buttonwood/2016/05/economic-policy?zid=297&ah=3ae0fe266c7447d8a0c7ade5547d62ca
This guy is going to win a emmy. Is it any wonder that he can only get 1 economist to endorse him.Is it career suicide to agree with his economic plans?
Here are some nuggets from last year’s Fest game. The reason why I was crying and why this was the best game experience I’ve ever had in person. Let’s hope this year’s Fest game against the bills is just as good!
t one point in the 2nd quarter, the Dolphins had 35 points while the Texans had 0 yards. Let me repeat that: 35 POINTS to 0 YARDS!
– The Dolphins were the first team in at least 75 years to score 4 TDs of 50 or more yards in a single game.
– Ryan Tannehill set a franchise record for most consecutive passes completed (25 – carried over from the Titans game)
– Ryan Tannehill was the first QB since 1998 (Randall Cunningham) to throw 3 or more TD passes of 50 yards or more.
The Dolphins offense clicked in this game. Tannehill was nearly perfect going 18-19, 282 yards, and 4 TDs. He earned a perfect passer rating of 158.3 in this game. Matt Moore pitched in going 1-1, 14 yards. Lamar Miller had 14 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown, which came on an 85 yard run. He also caught 3 passes for 61 yards and a TD in which he took a screen pass 54 yards untouched. He did all of that in the first half and sat the second half. Amazingly, he once again did not crumble into dust after the end of the game. Jarvis Landry had the play of the game, and perhaps the season, when he caught a 13 yard out, and somehow weaved his way across the field for a 50 yard catch-and-run TD
Damnit I just saw that Stanger posted the same stats earlier I owe you a beer Jon
Getterdone is absolutely correct when I arrived at the Fest game late I was at my lowest point of fandom of my life. And I kept refusing to buy in. Nope they are still going to give up 28 points to lose. Nope they are still going to give up 35 points for the end of the game and lose. Nope they are going to break my heart again. AHHHHHH fuckit I’m back wooooo hooooooo!
Side note they did break my heart again just not in that game. The one win was enough to keep me engaged. LOL
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Five-Questions-With-Brandon-Doughty/216fd29e-d4c9-486e-a45c-406fb59fd428
I like this kid. Hopefully he’s got a pro game.
marino’s kids went to same HS as him, marino didn’t help him because he was a great HS player he helped him because his kids went to same school. Shenandoah community is right down the street from me and where Piggy went to HS Western High. Across street from Western high school is St. bonaventure church which Marino used to go to before he moved from weston. Lots of pro players go to St.Bonaventure church. Father Leo’s birthday was the 12th and me and wife took him to bonefish 10th where we were interrupted 10-12 times during our dinner by people who know him from the church. He was gracious throughout the interruptions but later admitted he doesn’t like eating in weston or davie because of these people who think everything is ok to interrupt.
That’s cool jetssuck. Private tutoring from Marino is something to cherish, in many ways. Funny thing is, sometimes the best players can’t teach well, they just had a gift to be able to play, but not everyone can duplicate what they were able to do on the field.
I wonder if Marino put in a good word for him to be picked by team. After all Marino is some kind of VP with team.
Definitely possible, even likely.
Interesting read . . .
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/05/18/offensive-lineman-nfl-player-conduct-laremy-tunsil-richie-incognito
you know i’m related to bobby kent well his birthday was the same as father leo’s the 12th. The sun-sentinel ran a story on bobby kent on his birthday. It’s unbelievable how much they have gone out of their way to destroy the family.They don’t even tell the whole story. Last year was the 20th anniversary and they ran a front page article on mothers day. Can you imagine opening the delivered paper and seeing your murdered son on the front page. Very disgusting way of selling papers.
Here’s a question for you guys today. What is the most successful position in dolphins history?
I had no idea you were related to Bobby Kent, and didn’t realize who he was until I looked it up. I saw the movie “Bully” though, and that’s the only info I know about the whole story.
I thought you knew since I mentioned it before. The movie didn’t tell the true story because it wouldn’t have been televised. Lots of stuff was made up to make the movie screens.
I know you’ve mentioned it before, but forgot the connection, I think I thought you just knew him, not that you were related.
On my wife’s crazy side. lol
Tough question
We’ve had a bunch of all-pro OL, LT’s, C’s, OG’s, plus, a couple of HOF QB’s. On defense, we’ve had some great LB’s and CB’s and S’s. Tough call.
you can go by all-pro or hof .Still what 1 position was been the greatest position during franchise history.
ok ,I’ll give you a hint since I have to go.He touched the ball every offensive play.
I was thinking C, with Langer and Stephenson
I guess you could throw Pouncey in there too, even if I think he’s a little overrated.
DING DING we have a winner……they had ruddy who made pro bowl also demarco (sic) early shula years plus we have now pouncey who made several pro bowls already at center.
I don’t think Pouncey or Ruddy were nearly as good as or as dominant as Langer, and especially Stephenson were.
Really hard to compare those eras. Even in the 80s with Stephenson he was just 6-2 255 so hard to compare him to this era where he would be extremely undersized.
There is a 5th year option with Jordan. So if he did come back and played well this year we could go another year without having to re-sign him.
Not hard Tim – He was dominant in his era, and that’s all you can look at. I’m sure if he was going through the system now, he’d have put on more weight to be the appropriate size.
Not only that, I wasn’t comparing the eras, just comparing how each player did in their eras. That’s different.
That’s what I meant, players were much smaller back in the day, it was a different game. But I know what you mean.
https://youtu.be/IDZCwfpoKqo
If you take out the Marino years we have had a few good RB’s on the team!
DT might get more votes than DE?
Tim Knight says:
May 18, 2016 at 10:41 am
There is a 5th year option with Jordan. So if he did come back and played well this year we could go another year without having to re-sign him.
Reply
True, but those 5th year options for a #3 overall can be very pricey….so I still say, it’s in his & the FO’s best interest to get/see value this season, then possibly entertain a 3-5yr extension with some out clauses.
GDP – It can’t be as much as the 5YR/$85M dollar contract that Vernon got.
Of course not….OV didn’t have the checkered past, & he was always playing!
To get that kind of coin, Dion FF will need about 20 sacks in 2016 😉
Yep — Jordan is really going to have to explode to be worth his 5th year option. And he is just one failed drug test away from at least a year more gone (could even be more).
Anyone know how long he has till that monkey is off his back? I’m guessing it would still be there if we picked up the 5th year…..that is huge.
Here it is.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/dion-jordan/
Ok then, according to those numbers, it’s not so bad for a young DE that can produce on the field.
https://youtu.be/b7bSB5oxJsw?t=103
Thanks Tim – That 5th year is nothing, a $3M + cap hit. If he plays real well, that’s a steal.
Right, he has to prove it this year and if he does they can worry about the 5th year next offseason. It would be good if he did come back ready to play this season. When do we find this out?
Tim,
That’s the odd part here….back in Feb, they could have filed for reinstatement 60 days prior to the window opening up so the NFL could start considering it.
That almost tells me, it can sometimes be up to 60 days for the NFL to rule on such a thing.
Si I hope by now the Dion FF team has already filed, or else he risks not participating into training camp, which is a lil over 60 days away! 😉
This article seems to hint that he did and it’s up to Goodell now.
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/05/ex-duck_dion_jordan_will_be_co.html
Hint? Why hints? Either he did or didn’t yet? LOL
I sure hope he did, or else it means something is amiss, again!
It didn’t say he definitely did file, it just said that Goodell has not approved it.
Based on what his agent has posted about comeback player of the year etc. and showing he’s been working out in SF it doesn’t seem that something is amiss either. There’s nothing more about it out there.
I don’t think we can find out for sure whether he applied, but why bother a comeback if you didn’t?
That’s my thought on it. Kind of hard to be a comeback player and not file for reinstatement. LOL