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 
Tim Knight says:
May 19, 2016 at 2:15 pm
How does that effect him as a pro?
it doesnt, not in the least but it does give one shock value to talk about. why talk about the positive when you can try and stir up the masses with shock value
I didn’t realize…someone probably has already pointed this out and I just probably missed it… that Kiko Alonzo and Dion FF played next to each other on defense in college. It is the offseason, the season of hope, so here goes….I HOPE that Deon FF get’s reinstated and comes back ready to play and that the chemistry that Kiko & Dion had in college returns and they become two corner stones of our LB core.
They are friends as well.
they braid each other’s hair at slumber parties
LOL
Jetssuck, the NCAA is one of the most corrupt orgs out there. Yeah blame Tunsil for that, big character flaw. LOL
I guess it is OK then to break the rules that everyone else is held accountable to.. All I’m pointing out is the guy is not the most honorable guy and has some rough edges that the team took a chance on despite the personal character flaws he had in past. He has a whole new chalkboard and hopefully he takes advantage of it. Remember the striped zebra story because it can happen to this organization again.
Piggy, I think we’ll run the ball more than you think, & especially more than we’ve seen under Skeletor.
Gase & staff added 3 RB’s and lost out on 2 others in FA. I also don’t think they’re done with looking for a RB to help the final unit they set the opening day roster with.
The June 1st cuts & later roster trims in TC could bear more RB fruit fro depth.
lol @ skeletor
I don’t see the blueprint for heavy run or balance for that matter
I see a pass heavy pass blueprint and a defense that might be opportunistic while giving up some yards
jetsssuck says:
May 19, 2016 at 2:23 pm (Edit)
he took money from coach and yes probably boasters. At some point people have to respect the rules and laws.Let’s hope he changes.
****************
I personally have no respect for the NCAA rules (they are not laws)
there will never be an “at some point” for me
I think its a corrupt organization like Tim said
exploiting kids from low incomes by promising them a future in a few years if they play ball while assuming all the risks and not paying them a cent is probably just a couple steps up from slavery
if an organization does not reward some one for their work they are breaking a very fundamental law of mine about basic equity in how people are treated
where is the NCAA’s respect for my rules?
Rob
When they set a line, or odds, they have to be realistic enough to get betting on both sides of the number. If they just wanted to get action, they could have said Dolphins 12 wins, and I’d run to place my bet against it. lol
Rock, you can’t say Dion FF, it’s offensive to the PC crowd!
As the creator of Dion FF, I’m going to hold off using it until we have a reason to. 🙂
FF stands for “Fortune Food”
its an ode to Chinese cookies
its very PC
we are paying tribute to the far east
Rock
Kiko and Jordan were roommates, and someone put up an article with Kiko saying he’s spoken to Dion, and he’s looking forward to playing with him this season, and that Dion really has a chip and wants to prove he belongs in the NFL.
….a chip or a rock? snort snort……
LOL – I thought they were PED’s, not recreational drugs . . .
Piggy, they added another 1st rd pick to the OL, and vet depth all along the OL.
If Gase with his schemes & play calling can make things work for the OL, then I can see them being a strong run blocking unit that most any RB can get gains out of.
Remember, the strength was run blocking last year compared to the poor pass blocking, all under a shit system & bizarre play calling.
I really see that changing here now!
Not saying we’re gonna be a run first team, but I bet we’ll see a lot more running closer to balance depending on game situations.
running game can only get better from last year
but it might be like saying I would rather have crabs than syphilis
you can only go up from last year
see below for the specifics about the players we added
Tim
the RB we chose, over a few others we had the option of in the 3rd is one of the better receiving backs in the draft
Tunsil is a great pass protector
but his run blocking might need to get better
In tunsil’s case
is less of a choice and more of the BPA, I don’t draw anything from that in terms of vision of the team
but Drake indicates that they wanted a RB who caught the ball well to me
doens;t mean he won’t run it
just means they emphasized receiving skills from a RB
and then the additions of Carroo and the little guy who’s name escapes me, tends to support the vision for a pass heavy team IMO
the willingness to part ways with Miller I think does the same
Jakeem Grant
are you sure its not “Antman”
I just think we wanted to add more explosiveness, not that we’re going to throw it more. We’ve been a heavy pass team for years now at about 36+ PG. I would like to see us run the ball more than 21.5 times PG, maybe 25+ which doesn’t seem like a big difference but it is over the course of a season. We need better balance unless we’re scoring at outrageous rates which would be cool too. 🙂
I think they kinda of tinkered with Philbin’s blueprint
I don’t think its a 180
tinkering might be all they need
but I still think we are a little more finesse than physical
You score @ outrageous rates, then you end up running a lot anyways with a big lead in the 2nd half…lol
Valid point on Drake, but he’s also a guy that can be a solid change up RB…we was the lead RB @ Bama before he got hurt, then Henry took his place and never looked back.
Drake is good in space, can shoot small gaps, & is great getting to the edge which is a staple of WCO ZBS.
Also, I still think Knile Davis could be in play for the Phins…it’s early yet.
So no reason to panic over the running game right now!
He’s versatile
its not a slight
but it is insight on what is important to the FO
its not panic
its just not the way it appears to me
Knile Davis isn’t kind of similar to Drake in a lot of ways IMO
Piggy, I’ve seen video of Tunsil doing a good job in the run game. He can maul people. He’s got the size, strength and athletic ability to dominate in all phases.
I pretty much think he is blue chip kind of player
So even if one thing is stronger than the other
the other is going to be strong
I don’t really think Tunsil is anything but flat out BPA
I don’t think they banked on taking OL at 13
it just fell that way and we are lucky it did
Agreed.
I’ve seen videos of Tunsil . . . . Eh, never mind. lol
Tunsil is a great player and we are lucky to have him. But the reason he was at one point best in the draft is pass pro. What’s he give up…..like two sacks in his whole college career playing LT.
He’s an arrow up on the run game too…..but would be a bust if he wasn’t given where we picked him.
stangerx says:
May 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm (Edit)
Least according to one Vegas sports book…..and we do play the Chargers, Titans and Browns. Bills and Jets twice each too.
ODDS TO WIN 2016-17 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP (1/22/17)
Patriots 4/1
Steelers 6/1
Broncos 7/1
Bengals 15/2
Colts 10/1
Chiefs 12/1
Ravens 17/1
Raiders 17/1
Jets 20/1
Texans 20/1
Bills 20/1
Dolphins 30/1
Chargers 40/1
Jaguars 40/1
Titans 40/1
Browns 100/1
__________________________
So you mean there is a chance?
Maybe not Superbowl, but I see 500 plus with playoffs as possible……then again, that’s been my take for like five years in a row.
Piggy, no, I never said Knile Davis is similar to Drake….lots of difference.
Davis is 24yo, 5’10 227 & was a 3rd round pick…but he’s more a between the tackles guy, short yardage guy we could use for depth should he become available & DT3 n Peed get flushed out of camp.
Piggy, Gase as OC in Denver with Manning putting up huge passing numbers in both 2013 and 2014 they averaged 28+ and 27+ rushing attempts per game. That’s the range I’m hoping for.
mike,
i didnt say they just wanted to get action, what they want is to make money. that is why they lay points so people will bet money and give them a better chance to make money. it isnt like they care about any team or want a certain team to win. if they did they would never move the line. it isnt like a team starts out a 3 point favorite then the line moves down to 1 during the week cause the other team got better, it is just cause they were getting to much money on the underdog.
Joique Bell is also an intriguing FA RB…he’s a big boy, but can also catch the ball pretty well.
Rob
Right brother
getterdone says:
May 19, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Valid point on Drake, but he’s also a guy that can be a solid change up RB…we was the lead RB @ Bama before he got hurt, then Henry took his place and never looked back.
Drake is good in space, can shoot small gaps, & is great getting to the edge which is a staple of WCO ZBS.
Also, I still think Knile Davis could be in play for the Phins…it’s early yet.
So no reason to panic over the running game right now!
———————————————-
Drake was never the lead RB at Alabama .Lacy, Yelton and some recent heisman trophy winner we passed on in second round were the starters. In fact, he was almost demoted to 3rd string by Saban because he fumbled way to much.
Somebody doesn’t like Drake . . . .
just stating the facts I refuse to be a Mr.Simpson like many on this board until they prove themselves on gamedays.
Would love to see the odds for “Phins don’t finish in Fourth.”
That one I would take. Heck — might even take “Not Pats” if the odds were reversed.
—————————————-
AFC East Line from Sportline.com
Patriots 4/9
Bills 5/1
Jets 5/1
Dolphins 10/1
Us getting Tunsil was similar to the Jets getting Leonard Williams, except we got Tunsil a few spots later because the video. Both were considered the highest rated players in the draft
Gift from heaven. How many of the dozen players selected before him do you figure had never smoked pot?
Probably all of them. We got very, very lucky, for once
susks, Drake was ahead of Henry in 2013, then he was injured in 2014, but was slated to start as a lead back in 2015, his senior year, but got nicked up early on, & Henry carried the load in his 1st season as a starter himself as a junior.
Regardless, Drake can run the ball….he just needs to stay healthy & he’ll contribute in different ways.
fact is he only started once in 4 years. http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kenyan_drake_811208.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/alabama/2014.html
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derrick-henry-2.html yeah I’m sure Saban was going to have him as his workhorse when all his previous workhorses were bigger not 210 lbs. Henry was the most recruited hs player ever.
Uh Oh!
Jaguars first-round CB Jalen Ramsey has suffered a “small meniscus tear,” but the “hope” is that he’ll be ready by training camp.
At least that’s the initial diagnosis. The No. 5 overall pick is getting a second opinion early next week. It sounds like Ramsey has avoided the 2015 fate of fellow Jags first-rounder Dante Fowler (ACL), but it’s apparently too soon to say for sure. If the “small meniscus tear” diagnosis holds, Ramsey should be 100 percent for training camp.
Jets sucks, I went to school with Curtis, I think we talked about him once before. He used to take us to lunch in his dad’s big Town car.
I only knew Lisa Amode, hottest chick I’ve ever seen.
cool…I didn’t know you knew them.Small world. Mr.Petterson was very religious. He gave me a job when I was home during summers from college. He used to give me tickets to Marlins games in founders box seating during their 1st championship season. Game 7 of WS came up and they decided to go to game leaving me home watching on tv. Their family owned miami air and they used to fly hockey team which was owned by huizenga at time to different away games. When I worked summers for them they let me be a relief route driver where I worked the route of the vacationing person. I saw so much of S.Florida during the summers that I can’t think of anything I haven’t seen of S.Florida. They sold sno-white dust control and Mr.and Mrs Petterson died but Curtis is doing fine with children.
how many people could say they been inside a nuclear plant—turkey point. I’ve been inside of all the S.Florida water district plants. Been inside of HUizenga’s personal jet. Been inside of FBI’s closed to the public buildings.
I’m sure I’ve seen Curtis on FB, haven’t been there in a while, but I’m sure I’ve friend ed him.
Hal Habib @gunnerhal
Tannenbaum on if Dion Jordan will get a sack this year: We certainly hope so. … Once he’s reinstated, he’ll be a member of our team.
Ramsey just suffered a miniscus tear in his knee….. damn the Jags have awful luck.
jetssuck
They wanted the CB, so there was no way they were getting Henry. You shouldn’t hate on Drake because we didn’t get Henry.
I could care less about not getting Henry but they did have 3 choices of RB other the Drake. It will always be debated with Henry and then the comparison of the 3 other backs who were rated as just as good.
OK, we’ll just have to hope they made the right decision.
I think a lot of backs in this draft had some warts, with the exception of Zeke
Most the guys similarly rated, were not great with fumbles either. Prosise was 4th worst, Collins was 2nd, Dixon and Booker were both top 10 as well. If fumbles were your primary thing in choosing a guy you should have gone with Kelvin Taylor who impressively had 0 fumbles his entire college career. We shall see how it goes with Drake, but i think he will win people over starting next year.
The Flying Pig says:
May 19, 2016 at 2:33 pm
lol @ skeletor
I don’t see the blueprint for heavy run or balance for that matter
I see a pass heavy pass blueprint and a defense that might be opportunistic while giving up some yards
What is the common theme to the wide receivers we have added the past few years? They are physical and willing to block for others down field. I see this benefiting our run game when the RB’s get to the second level. Just because we didn’t add a “power back” I don’t see the lack of “blueprint” for the running game. Ajayi was a monster in college toting the rock 347 times his senior year for 1823 yards. 5.3 yard average and 28 touchdowns TWENTY-EIGHT! He also caught 50 passes for 535 yards and another 4 TD’s. He can and will be a bell cow. Our line IS set up for run blocking. (at least our guards were better at it than pass protection last year)
I think we will run a lot more than we did last season.
The Bears under Gase ran 469 times last year for 1851 yards.
The Broncos under Gase his last year and Manning at the helm ran 411 times for 1700 yards
in comparison MIami ran it 344 times last year.
History says Gase will run the ball more than we have here in a while.
Good post homer 🙂
One misnomer that I hear all the time is running the ball helps a D rest, and it’s usually referenced by time of possession. The rest goes by real time not TOP, so…
It does, if you can sustain those drives. Running the ball 3 times and out doesn’t help much
If you run the ball 10 times and take 5 minutes off the clock, which is 7 minutes of real time, it’s the same as passing it 10 times and taking 2 minutes off the clock, with it taking 7 minutes of real time. This is in reference to rest for a D, the only real difference is running less time off of the clock puts your D on the field for more plays in a game.
The less snaps a defense has to play, or especially a nice period of rest between their last set of reps on the field, is helpful.
That’s my point, how many snaps, not with time off the clock.
You gotta a point on real clock possession. If your team goes no huddle as a standard practice –run or pass –.the O better be able to move the chains.
getterdone says:
May 19, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Good post homer:)
YES…..on all points.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that depending on the results of his second opinion, Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey (meniscus) could miss “4-6 weeks or 4-6 months.”
Per Graziano, there are “two possible treatment options.” The Jags are describing Ramsey’s injury as a “small tear,” but it’s to the same (right) knee that Ramsey had microfracture surgery on in high school. There’s clearly going to be some high anxiety in Jacksonville over the next couple of days. A 4-6 month timeline would almost certainly land Ramsey on the reserve/PUP list to begin the season, costing him six games.
Steve
No matter how you slice it, you’re just trying to keep the other offense off the field. If you can sustain drives either running or passing, it all works. Running the ball does tire out the opposing defense though, because there are less clock stoppages.
It has nothing to do with the other D, the comment was just based on your own D getting rest.
I know what your comment is, I’m just adding another reason why running the ball is important.
Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum says the team will welcome back suspended DE Dion Jordan when/if he is reinstated.
“Once he’s reinstated, he will be a member of the team and we’ll go from there,” Tannenbaum said. “We’re still waiting on the league. I don’t think there’s anything imminent.” Jordan’s agent recently hinted his reinstatement was nigh, but as is often the case, the league has been silent on the matter. Jordan has made just 10 appearances since his 2013 rookie season.
Dolphins first-round OL Laremy Tunsil is expected to begin the year at guard.
The Dolphins apparently don’t want to move Branden Albert and Ja’Wuan James off tackle. “We are going to try to get him … work in both spots,” coach Adam Gase said. “We want (our linemen) to be able to play multiple positions. We are going to keep moving guys around and seeing what the right five is.” It would be far from unprecedented to stick Tunsil at guard, but the Dolphins might change their mind once camp opens.
The Jags are having bad luck with their top picks. Jack is also still not ready to go.
steveccnv says:
May 18, 2016 at 10:12 pm
It’s not incorrect, he sucks running the ball. He’s had 52 carries in his carrier, and he’s done nothing to show me he can run it.
———–
I don’t think that is a fair assessment for Williams (if that’s who you are referring too).
Most of his carries were in situations where the Dolphins were just handing the ball off to waste time and the defense knew it (because they were down heavily in the game and looking to avoid further embarassment).
As for the kickoffs and receiving issues, he had a wrist injury that bothered him through the season and affected his ability to hold the ball on kickoffs and on receiving routes.
SteveCCNV,
Situational football is what dooms the Fins D.
No point doing work on 2 downs then blowing it by allowing a 3rd and long to be converted.
It’s like a QB who throws 2 TD then his lone INT is a pick-6.
Colonpokey has a few words for those of you who are excited about the return of Dion Jordan and the expectations of him contributing in 2016
If you want to hear what colonpokey has to say, bend over and he will give it to you…so to speak
Steve
running the ball traditionally leads to more snaps for the offense
aren’t we saying the same thing?
No, I’m talking about between series.
You throw the ball 42 times a game and complete 28, while running it 22, compared to 32 25 and 32 runs. Big deal you stopped the clock 3 more times throwing it 10 times more a game.
‘Jordan’s agent recently hinted his reinstatement was nigh, but as is often the case, the league has been silent on the matter.’
nigh? nigh?
gdp,
so you are quoting tim now i see.
Gase on what offseason personnel news most excited him: “Most excited I got was when we got Cam Wake extended. I was excited Cam was able to make sure we extended his time here. Every time I see him out there doing things he looks really good to me.”
Wake continues to recover from last season’s ruptured Achilles. Vance Joseph has said he expects Wake back for Week 1 of the regular season.
“Every time, I err on the side of caution,” Gase said. “When we go to Seattle [in Week 1], that’s when I want to make sure he’s ready to go.”
jetsssuck says:
May 19, 2016 at 4:04 pm
I could care less about not getting Henry but they did have 3 choices of RB other the Drake.
who cares, besides next year there are a lot of rb’s coming out that had better years last year then most every rb that came out this year.
no the more important thing, think the gator girls have any shot at a third straight title. the odds alone say it is going to be very difficult
Gase on his receivers: “The fact they’re young is great because there shouldn’t be anybody complaining their legs are tired. Every time I go out there, they’re really getting after it. You never see them slow down…. That’s one of the reasons I brought in Shawn Jefferson as a receivers coach. It’s almost like you are creating a basketball team with our skill positions – different body types, makes us difficult to defend.”
Gase on Jay Ajayi: “Jay is doing a good job. He’s been very consistent. He has been here every day. Does everything right. He’s kind of separated himself from the rest of that group as far as consistency with what he’s done day in and day out.”
Man, it’s a little early for this kind of talk. I know they get asked, and they have to say something, but . . .
He’s telling them what they want to hear.
I guess
Gase on Ryan Tannehill: “Watching him in the weight room, watching him on the field, I’ve been very impressed with that.I’ve been very impressed with his intelligence. [He likes how he has communicated with teammates.] Obviously the arm talent is there. Hopefully we can put him in good situations,… get him in a rhythm and get him rolling.
It’s all just talk, everyone is on their best behavior, I guess that’s a good thing, comparing it to the news of the other 3 teams in our Div.
Rock,
“History says Gase will run the ball more than we have here in a while.”
lmao. Common sense says so as well 🙂
Just look at this and sort by any year in the last 3 years.
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/rushing-attempts-per-game
Gase on the guy picking up footballs at ota’s: he has looked great doing it, it is nice seeing him go from carrying 8 balls at a time to nine. i look forward to seeing him in camp.
Lol, and yeah, it has the same meaning.
He’s put himself ahead of the other guys picking up the footballs. I’ve been impressed with his ability to pick up more than one ball at a time. I like the way he leans heavily on the right leg. It give him strut not a limp. Obviously the guy can walk, hopefully we put him in situations where he can get to the equipment room fast.
Yep, insert any non player job on the team with what he’s saying about any player and you get the same result.
Mike Tannenbaum on Laremy Tunsil falling to 13th: “I’ve been around the league 20 years. And that was a first for me. We talked about every scenario. If this draft was Feb. 1, he would have been one of the top picks…. This is a good player, and more importantly, he’s really a good person. Obviously, he had made some mistakes. That was an old video. It surfaced for him at the wrong time. For us, it created a great opportunity….
“It was an easy decision. It was unanimous… We had an area scout, Matt Winston, who went into Mississippi more than once. We knew about the kid. We knew about his character. He was a good teammate… I’m really glad he was there when we picked. I think we’re going to be happy for a long time.”
• On any concern amid Jason Cole’s Bleacher Report story that Tunsil has a pre-arthritic ankle condition that scared away some teams: “None. Zero. He’s full go. He’s fine. We never had a concern about his ankle.”
• On the offensive line: “I feel like we’re improved. I certainly have the mindset it’s never perfect. It’s never good enough. We have a long ways to go. With that said, signing Kraig Urbik, [Sam Young], Jermon Bushrod, drafting Tunsil, we’re markedly improved there…. We have four guys in Bushrod, Ja’Wuan James, Tunsil and Branden Albert that can play left tackle. That gives us such a luxury. You throw in Sam Young, who has played left tackle in this league as well. You can never have enough of those guys. If you don’t have tackles and corners, it’s hard to win in this league.”
“I really like the trajectory of this team.”
steve,
i agree with you on Williams. i dont see anything good there. i agree he may not of had chances like lou has said but the little he has been given there was nothing productive.
for his sake i hope it is what lou said, just not enough chances but the little i have seen he has been disappointing
F that, he shows no fight when running the ball, on his receptions he looks like he knows what he’s doing, but we don’t need him any longer, Drake will take all of those receptions away.
Williams running the ball looks like one of those guys from the old electric football game. How many times do I need to see the same passive aggression?
Steve, it’s mainly about the time between possessions that matters for the defense getting rest. If they were just on the field for a decent length drive and your offense goes 3 and out and they’ back out there again a few minutes later, they could still be gasping a bit. Especially later in the game.
Are you agreeing with me or telling me that, because that’s exactly what I’ve been saying?
Reiterating I guess. LOL
Al, the last 3 teams Gase was OC of according to your chart averaged:
DEN 2013 – 10th 29.1
DEN 2014 – 14th 27.2
CHI 2015 – 5th 29.2
That’s where we need to be this year.
When you’re ahead you run the ball more in general.
steveccnv says:
May 19, 2016 at 6:34 pm
F that, he shows no fight when running the ball
not sure what you mean by the F that. i pretty much said i agree he sucks and i see nothing in the guy running the ball. i would just shake my head every time they took miller out and put him in to set up the offense to be in third and longs after watch him gain nothing.
he was exactly what that coaching staff was good at, making one scratch there head and go WTF
“F That” is an old pig saying
its short for
Flouride Thatmsiljuh
which is an old toothpaste factory in Pakistan
I hope that clears it up
I don’t know why Steve stuck that phrase in a sentence though
I mean he’s (Gase) gotta say positive things right now and build the team up
I understand it
he’s got nothing to scold them about
I’m just not shooting firecrackers out of my butt when I hear it
call that skepticism but in the immortal words of Lt. Frank Drebin
“Move along. There is nothing to see here”
Shooting fireworks out your butt = BBQ smoked pork butt
colorful smoked pork butt
LOL @ you guys when the HC or Tbomb speaks so you’ll have something in the doldrums, you guys rip it apart as gibberish….smh
The fickle fin fans.
If it was gibberish I would cling to it
There is nothing I enjoy more than hearing some one make a fool of themselves with word salads
It is what it is, and it surely means nothing.
He’s in the selling tickets season now.
Tim Knight says:
May 19, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Steve, it’s mainly about the time between possessions that matters for the defense getting rest.
i always thought as great as marino was he was a disadvantage to the defense too. dont get me wrong, those defense sucked and deserve all the blame. but how many times would they get a stop and marino would go out there and the offense would score in under 2 minutes to put them right back on the field. just shows why being able to score with a running game is so important at times
Mike, who do you like Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram?
Who are they?
Oh, college basketball players. lol
Knicks have no picks, I haven’t even taken a second to look at the upcoming draft
I see how you are, the Knicks aren’t in the running for a top pick, so you haven’t followed the top prospects. Ingram from Duke is a cross between Durant and Sam Perkins, but can also play D, Simmons is a more athletic Magic Johnson do it all type, but not as fluid as Ingram.
Ingram 6’9″ with a 7’3″ wingspan, I think he’s the better player, but Simmons has been billed as the best all year.
‘The fickle fin fans.’
lmao, yep that is what those who get it is all a coach just giving PR talk is. i mean no way it could just be fans that get that is what the coach is suppose to say at this time.
gdp, hate to break your bubble but not only do coaches say what people want to hear but the tooth fairy isnt really a fairy
Gase is playing football 101, we’re not supposed to be paying attention right now, because we’re supposed to know better.
Steve
Never mind top picks, I don’t think we have ANY picks
I see you’ve been Zenmastered 😉
Tell us how you feel about having no picks 😛
I’d trade Carmelo for a 2nd RD pick tomorrow. It’s such a mess.
He’s worth a 1st RD pick to some team, but we’re probably reluctant to trade him, which drives me up a wall.
They surely need to start over, keep Porzingas and let the rest go. Don’t really know anyone else on the team besides Mello.
The Lakers have 4 guys with 1 or 2 yrs exp to build on, adding in one of the two I mentioned and they have a good base.
The Zenmaster finally made his first smart move, hiring Jeff Hornacek. Not great, but light years better than Derek Fisher.
I saw Hornacek play in the Forum in L.A. back in the day, it was his first yr in the league, the Suns looked like a college team. The Lakers had 105 after 3 qtrs, Suns had about 75. and I thought these 2 rookies Hornacek and Gondrazak were a couple of bums, but they put on a show in the 4th and then had decent careers.
I wouldn’t give you a wet diaper for Melo, he’s a cancer waiting to strike, but he’d be a good wingman to King James.
I agree Steve, time for a fresh start.
I think the world of Porzingas though.
I’m a little concerned of how he disappeared after the middle of the season, but I think he has tons of potential
Klarabell’s 2016 FF rankings has Tannehill 22 for QBs, yet he finished last yr at 11, and that was with the mess we had coaching.
gdp,
i am sorry. I AM SOOOOO SORRY. please keep talking about gase’s comments. anything. i mean anything to stop NBA talk. please anything. tell us what gase said about the kickers. hell tell us what he said about the grass growing. anything to shut mike and steve up
I remember Hornasek as a Sixers when he made his visits to Miami (I went to many Heat games then). He was kind of asshole to fans in general. I remember asking then 2nd year player Clarence Weatherspoon “Thanks for the autograph…by the way, is Horansek like that every day? He’s kind of a dickhead it seems”. While Weatherspoon was signing another persons autograph he started to chuckle and smile and just nodded his head in a yes fashion without saying anything.
Al
As long as he’s a winning dickhead coach, I don’t care. lol
Mike E. says:
May 19, 2016 at 7:13 pm
I’m a little concerned of how he disappeared after the middle of the season, but I think he has tons of potential
*
He may have hit the wall a bit Mike, but Rambis was using Porzingis incorrectly. He used him at the 3 spot way too much, when he should have spent more time at the five.
Could be. Are you happy with the Hornacek signing?
Not really. I feel like he’s going to be a puppet for Phil. I’m pretty down on Jackson still being with the team. I really was hoping that he’d bolt for the Lakers; he seems hell bent on keeping the triangle offense, and I think that ship has sailed in this league.
gdp,
PPPPPLLLLLLLLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE. i am begging you, now Al and bri are in on the act too. it is spreading fast. please gdp, talk about gase……stop them before the infection spreads more.
Lol!
LOL Rob – I don’t even really like Basketball that much, my 3rd favorite sport, but there’s a huge drop off from my 2 faves, football and baseball
Mike,
I saw that our wives are cut from the same cloth, and that you’ll be attending the two games as well! Looking forward to seeing you!
Just logged on and saw this. Hope I am not repeating earlier discussions on here:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000663300/article/2016-nfl-draft-5-earlyround-picks-likely-to-disappoint-in-2016
Considering the Darrelle Revis school of CB play and the success of the Legion of Boom, I’ll take a rookie with a few PI flags but who gets 4 INTs and knocks down everything else thrown his way instead of the passive “back off and watch ’em catch” technique that we’ve been using in Miami lately.
notice he also bashes our other likely CB to be drafted, so he just disagrees with our evaluation, or at least the value of these prospects during their rookie year.
Then in this companion piece, there is both a reference to a Clemson guy (Reader) and Grant for the Dolphins … both highly complimentary.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000663616/article/six-lateround-picks-likely-to-exceed-expectations-in-2016
Jakeem Grant, WR/KR, Miami Dolphins
Draft: Round 6, No. 186 overall
When you look at the Dolphins’ depth chart at wide receiver, you see plenty of players with size, but no speedsters who can work from the slot and run away from cornerbacks on crossing routes. Grant is a little bit of a longshot to get much receiving work as a rookie, but I wouldn’t rule him out considering his combination of instant acceleration and long speed to make defenses pay after the catch. He should step right into work as a kick returner. Grant doesn’t need much of a crease to make kick-return units pay, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him put it in the paint in 2016.
Naples
I had read both of those. Glad they like Grant, I think he could be electric. I kind of agree with him about Howard though, he has to learn to trust the technique, and being grabby will get him flagged all the time in the NFL, especially in the 2 games against the Patriots.
Because the college rule on PI is 15 yrds max instead of deep down field on long passes they call it way more than the NFL.
The cheatriots pull that same technique 20 times each and every game.
another predicted accolade: Alonso All Pro.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Alonso-Predicted-To-Earn-Pro-Bowl-Honors/34a5cab5-1579-4022-9199-f4a490ff32da
With Suh in front of he’ll just be roaming free, should be in on lots of tackles.
Naples, don’t concern yourself with all the gibberish smoke n mirror talk this time of year….I’ll see ya back here in Sept.
I’m heading to the Knicks blogs for now….oh wait, they’re over here….confusing world we live in….SMH
i hope you guys are satisfied with yourselves now. i hope you all can sleep well tonight. you are all some disgusting men. i am ashamed to call you friends, mike, steve, al, bri. you guys should just hate yourselves now, getting gdp to talk about the knicks. tsk tsk tsk, you guys are lower then low, i mean why not just give him a needle and a rubber hose. i am so disappointed in you four, you should know better then to lead him down that road.
LOL, I’ll just watch Benny Hill reruns….
getterdone says:
May 19, 2016 at 10:27 pm
LOL, I’ll just watch Benny Hill reruns….
lol, not that my friend is something worth watching. i know i am way older then you but that was the closest you got to nudity on tv when i was 13-14 years old. and with some good humor thrown in too.
It’s time to bring Cameron Marshall back to Miami:
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley 58s58 seconds ago
Pouncey says his hip is “100 percent.”
Adam Beasley @AdamHBeasley 30s30 seconds ago
Pouncey: “This better be” the best offensive line in years, Pouncey said.
Rob
True that on Benny Hill – Hot babes scantily clad, as well as some real funny skits. How could you go wrong?
Wyo
Considering how bad our O-line has been the last few years, it would be a shocker if it wasn’t better than that.
The problem hasn’t been the D line Mike, that’s been the strength of the team for several years, with Wake getting hurt last year it brought them down some. The problem has been the LBs since Dansby’s last year.
Sorry Mike, a Rosanroannadanna moment, your O looked like a D.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Blount-Hopes-NFL-Success-Runs-In-The-Genes/91af75cd-45a7-404e-b423-531b84fd0c4e
Should probably keep Blount away from Tunsil . . .. BA-DUM-BUM
Steve
You got a sweatball hanging from your nose
No, I don’t like Swedish meatballs, even though the first Ikea opened in NV on Wednesday.
They have a cult of their own. Huezinga used to have a golf driving range up the road from me and it didn’t fair well. He closed it then 4-5 yrs ago a Ikea opened there. Place is always busy.
very interesting. Did the dolphins lower their standards concerning players conduct this last draft. Big12 has produced the lowest total of players drafted 3 straight years.
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/baylor-bears-football-scandal-art-briles-other-college-coaches-speak-out-051816
It’s a brutal sport no place for Philbin’s queazers.
The report didn’t mention Howard, what does it have to do with the Fins?
he was a leader of team supposedly. Sounds like the team ran itself.
Mike Pouncey (hip) said he’s 100 percent healthy.
Pouncey underwent surgery on his hip after the season, but it sounds like it was minor. He’s also recovering from foot surgery after injuring it in Week 15. Keeping Pouncey healthy is key for the Dolphins’ makeshift guard situation.
Be careful, you’re getting close to Ken status, you owe Wyoming a beer 😉
I don’t owe him crap….this post had different info….lol 🙂
Hey Ken, where’s my burr?
According to the Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero, the Dolphins are “puzzled, borderline angry” about Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole’s report that first-round T/G Laremy Tunsil has a “pre-arthritic” ankle condition.
Asked if there is concern about the ankle on the radio, general manager Mike Tannenbaum publicly pushed back against the crux of the report.
“None. Zero,” Tannenbaum said. “He’s full go. He’s fine. We never had concerns about his ankle.”
Tunsil also was not asked to return to Indianapolis for a re-check of his combine physical — often a sign teams have lingering questions about a player’s particular health issues.
Doubtless, there are other issues that Tunsil must settle. But a previously unreported ankle injury is not one of them, according to the team.
Just a case of another reporter being a reporter, trying to stir something up. I like Jason as much as any reporter, when he was with the Herald he had an ask Jason column that was really good, he would respond to most questions.
OMG, borderline angry!!! Slightly miffed??? Partially disturbed??? Fractionally bothered???
jetssuck
It’s clear what rules most universities. I was watching the NFL channel, and Deion Sanders went to Florida St. to talk to one of the rookies from this years draft class, Jalen Ramsey. Holy effing sh*t, you should have seen the players lounge for the football players. OMG, it must have cost millions. That’s where the money goes, and that’s what’s boss when it comes to these colleges that have big athletic programs.
yes football bring lots of revenues and players don’t get paid for the money they bring in. BUT how many actually make it to the nfl. Not many. The schools provide free tuition, free meals, free books,free tutors, free dorms,free clothing,free shoes and more free stuff that I can’t think of off the top of my head. average team has close to 85-90 players. Last I heard college tuition runs 50-60k yr most major colleges and these guys get it for free.
Athletes are like politicians, if it was written about them it’s probably true, they both bend the rules.
Thats pretty sweet, or maybe that should be suite….
The offseason doldrums won’t last for long, we have a bunch of OTAs coming up next week. The OTAs will be May 24-26, May 31-June 2, and June 6-9. The mandatory minicamp will end the offseason program June 14-16.
Hope we just make it out of all that fully intact, no injuries.
Well that’s always the concern but they have to start training at some point.
We definately showed a different perspective towards players with character concerns this year, though for all the ones we drafted, most in not all of them had their issues in the past. Grant had some stuff i found when checking into him. He was actually shot at a college party, he wasnt apparently involved in the shooting other than as a victim, and i couldnt find anywhere where it said he was a target because of anything. That probably though would have concerned someone like Philbin, or Ireland. I think though these guys now do enough with their background investigations that they are at least comfortable with what the guys have not being a distraction to being a good/coach-able player. Tunsil had the most apparent issues. Caroo had a really rocky early life, and got into some issues later in HS and a little in college, but all minor things he seems to have moved on from. Howard was linked to a few other team type things as JSS alluded to.
Its a different world and you would either have to send a precedent to the players, be squeaky clean or no one will draft you (meaning you would have to have an agreement across the entire league’s teams and stand together on it) or you have to learn to manage these guys and try to get them going in the right direction. Technically there is a third option and though i would like to believe this wasn’t one, some team may opt to take the character concern guys, wring what they can out of them, if they learn to manage themselves fine, if not they just discard them when they become too much to handle.
I havent found anything on any of these guys that says to me a coach with a strong will, and one that can inspire guys to commit to their professions, cant handle them. I really dont see cause for concern with any of them, but of course it all boils down to a “time will tell”.
The players should have a nice dorm room. I went into Lomas Browns dorm in ’83 at University of Florida, it was nothing special.
jetssuck
Even if they don’t get to the NFL, they get treated like kings compared to the regular students, plus they get a free college education in many cases. Unbelievable.
I went to school when E.Smith was at UF. I saw him several times on campus and he always had 10-15 surrounding him that was his support team. Players are treated like kings and that in itself is worth not paying these kids.
I agree
That’s not a photo of a resort. This water park is part of Texas Tech University’s campus.
Located at the Lubbock, Texas-based university’s rec center, the water park includes a 25-person hot tub, a wet deck for tanning, a diving well with a water slide, all wrapped within a 64-foot-long lazy river. At $8.4 million, Texas Tech’s water complex spans two acres and is one of the largest in the country.
“The leisure pool is a great recruiting tool for the university,” said PeeWee Roberson, the managing director of rec sports at Texas Tech. “There’s not a question in my mind that these junior high or high school students who come for Houston, Dallas or wherever else will see the leisure pool and want to come to Texas Tech because of that.”
Aside from the water park, the university’s rec center also includes a 53-foot climbing wall.
GDP – just crazy. You’d think each player would get his own
whoreconcubineNot like my days in college & military dorms…smh
in the military we had beer machines with only 1 or 2 coke machines. Never saw anything like that.
you don’t think recruits and players are set up? Had to look up concubine on google
OMG really? You had to google what a concubine is? lol
not as smart, I guess
GDP
You most certainly do owe me something!
A congratulatory message on the racing board! 😉
Oh shit, i forgot to look….did you win the Dover race?
Yep! 🙂
You sure did….congrats you old hillbilly grease monkey!
I see you’re moving up in the overall standings too….I keep hitting the wall every week…lol SMH!