Last year was a disappointing year for our offense. We only managed to score 19.4 points per game, and averaged only 331.7 yards per game. Both of those are too low to be anywhere near playoff contention. So let’s take a look at what we’ve done to improve our offense this season.
On February 8th, we made our first and wisest move of the offseason, terminating the contract of OT Jason Fox. On March 7th, we terminated the contract of veteran WR Greg Jennings. March 11th, we made our first effort to shore up the offensive line, signing OL Jermon Bushrod, along with OL Sam Young. Bushrod is a quality veteran OT, who played for HC Adam Gase with the Bears last year, while Sam Young was a swing tackle for the Jaguars. Both moves to improve the depth at OT, and in Bushrod’s case, maybe add in another challenger at the OG position. On March 16th, we re-signed backup QB Matt Moore.
We then signed WR Griff Whalen, formerly with the Colts, and the next day, signed OG Kraig Urbik, who started a lot of games early in his career for the Buffalo Bills, but in the last 2 years, has been a depth player, but still saw action in every game, but only starting 13 out 32 games. On 3/29, we signed TE Jake Stoneburner, and 2 days later, signed OT Ulrick John, formerly of the Colts. On April Fools Day, no kidding, we signed RB Daniel Thomas (now truly DT3, as this is his 3rd time with the team), RB Isaiah Pead, and also signed TE MarQueis Gray, formerly of the Browns, Vikes and Bills. Our last move for the offense was signing ERFA WR Matt Hazel.
It was pretty clear, this organization was not happy with our offense, and made plenty of moves to ensure the OL shortcomings of years past would not occur on their watch. Even before the draft, you have to admit we truly improved the depth on the offensive line, and would not leave our 2 tackles spots undermanned. Then came the draft . . .
Not since the dramatic fall of QB Dan Marino in the 1983 draft have the Dolphins received such a gift with a first RD pick. OT Laremy Tunsil was almost unanimously rated as the best player in the draft, although some had CB/S Jalen Ramsey rated equally or higher. Regardless, when you’re making your selection at #13 in the first round, you’re not expecting in the least to have the best prospect waiting for you to select them, but due to a social media snafu, Laremy Tunsil is ours. This was huge, not only for this season, but possibly the next decade or more. Make no mistake, despite hearing nonsensical assassinations of this kids personality, along with rumors of pre arthritic ankles, we got the best OL in this draft, hands down!
It didn’t end there though, the Dolphins were determined to improve this offensive unit, and in the 3rd RD, we selected Alabama RB Kenyan Drake. Not the workhorse of that Alabama team, that was Derrick Henry, but Drake is a very talented RB who is a shifty runner, and a good receiver out of the backfield, who also brings us special teams value, as he was the gunner on kickoffs. We then traded back into the 3rd RD, and in order to get back into the 3rd RD, we traded away TWO 2017 picks, a 3rd RD and 4th RD. The 3rd RD pick will be our normal 3rd RD pick, but the 4th is conditional, so if we are granted a 4th RD compensatory pick, that will be the pick that we give away. Either way, a steep price to pay, but I LOVE the player we got with that selection. With pick #86, the Dolphins selected Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo. Carroo is physical receiver, who compares himself to Anquan Boldin (but faster!). He has strong hands, and he scores TD’s, and was a big play machine for Rutgers. As excited as I am about getting Laremy Tunsil, I’m excited to see what Carroo can do for you, despite the fact that we have no picks next year. (j/k)
OK, so we probably went defense with the rest of our picks, right? NO! Gase was not in a daze, and his mandate to fix this offense was ringing clear in the Miami war room, as our next selection in RD 6, was diminutive WR Jakeem Grant, from Zach Thomas’ Texas Tech. Grant really is a small NFL player at 5’6″ 165, but this kid is ELECTRIC! Grant has reportedly, though not officially, run a sub 4.2 40 yard dash. The fact that he’s so low to the ground allows him to make unbelievable stops and cuts, his highlight reel is something to see.
So that’s it for the offense. NO! No it isn’t! We did draft a defensive player in the 6th RD, but never mind, we’re all about that Gase, bout that Gase, no defense . . . With our first of two 7th RD picks, we nabbed Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty. This kid lit it up last season, and no, not with a gas mask, on the field! Doughty completed 72% of his passes, with a high 9.4 YPA, over 5000 yards, 5,055 to be exact, along with 48 TD’s and only 7 INT’s. That’s a fabulous season in any conference, although we all understand that Conference USA is not the SEC. He has been compared to Chad Pennington, so hopefully the kid can stay healthy, unlike the great Chad Pennington. At worst, we’ve drafted Matt Moore’s replacement as Tannehill’s backup, and if the kid shows he’s an NFL caliber starter, it’s a great problem to have having 2 quality NFL QB’s.
With our final pick, our last but not least, we took UCLA TE Thomas Duarte. Another exciting addition to the Dolphins offense. I’m ready to personally guarantee that this kid not only makes the 53, but that he makes a little impact. He’s essentially a large, slightly bulked up WR who will be difficult for a LB or safety to cover. I expect he will be used as a 2nd TE or even in the slot. Duarte has reliable hands, and that alone should have him making the roster.
Overall, it was a pretty impressive haul for the offense, both in FA, and the Draft. We were very careful not to allow the O-line to be our undoing this season, as opposed to seasons past. We found many different types of weapons for our QB Ryan Tannehill, from the fast, shifty RB Kenyan Drake, to the alpha receiver Leonte Carroooooooo, to the electrifying Jakeem Grant and the sure handed TE Thomas Duarte. We’ve come a long way Dolphins fans, and of course, we need to reap the fruit of the moves we made, but I have to admit, I’m very much looking forward to see what we can be this season. I’m a little unsure if we did enough on the defensive side, but I do think the offense playing at a high level takes a lot of pressure off the defense, and now, with a veteran defense with some youth sprinkled in, maybe we’ll have a stronger backbone and resolve to not break like we did last season. All I know is, the season can’t start fast enough for me, I WANT SOME FOOTBALL NOW!!!!
I expect us to run the ball more than we have the last few seasons, and really, the run will game will be a full time participant in our offense, not just a first act. I don’t think we’ll be running the ball 40 times a game, but if it can be done to close out a game with a win, maybe it happens now and again. I know Tannehill has his doubters, but I think with adequate protection, which I expect him to get this season, we’ll see some real positive strides from our still young QB. With better protection, Ajayi and Drake running the football, Parker, Landry, Carroo, Stills, Cameron, and yes, even Duarte, I think there will be plenty of targets, and lots of success this season from this offense.
Here’s to the 2016 Adam Gase led Dolphins turning this franchise around, having a successful season, and more of those to come.
GO MIAMI DOLPHINS!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Nice !
Go Dolphins
Just remember that Gase thought we were going mostly defense like the rest of us slobs.
Good read Mike.
I have a question for Tim.
Tim Knight says:
May 25, 2016 at 9:44 pm
If Pead can show his speed and fit our offense he might be the dark horse as the #3.
If a Francophile is someone who likes France, what does that make someone who likes Pead?
………. drops microphone and heads out for lunch!
A urine enthusiast
Thanks UK
SB – How would you know that Gase thought we were going mostly defense?
“Going into the draft we initially thought more defensive guys were going to be available for us,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Friday,
Gase flat out said he was surprised we drafted so many on O. What makes a draft good is adjusting on the fly and getting your guys, not just what you need that fall to you.
DCoral – Good to see you bud! How’s things? What do you think of our team after the draft?
SB
Yeah, I remember him saying that. That doesn’t really mean a whole lot
RIP Sgt. Melvin Rector. Sounds like you passed exactly as you wanted.
————————————–
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Melvin Rector long carried Britain in his heart after he helped defend it during World War II, but 70 years passed without him stepping foot in the country.
He served as a gunner for the Memphis Belle, the first heavy bomber to complete its tour by flying 25 missions with its crew intact.
The 94-year-old finally decided to leave his home in Barefoot Bay, Fla., to visit Britain earlier this month. Rector was excited for his return to the place that made this great plane famous.
“He planned it for like the last six months. He couldn’t wait to go,” Darlene O’Donnell, Rector’s stepdaughter, said.
Rector toured Battle of Britain Bunker, an underground command center where fighter airplane operations were directed during D-Day. After climbing back into the sunlight, he said he felt dizzy. One in his group grabbed one of his arms, and a stranger grabbed the other.
There, just outside the bunker where Winston Churchill famously said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,” Rector died quietly.
That’s some story.
Great story Stanger and thanks for your service and being an ally sergeant Rector. I think he decided where and how he wanted to pass away and got his wish. RIP
Was a long story that I shortened, but another part was his vet tour group wanted to do a small service for him in the UK before sending him home to his family. It turned huge with a whole lot of US and Brit service folks turning up just cause they had heard.
Great write MIke E — love how you tell the story with detail start to end.
Great comparison with: “Not since the dramatic fall of QB Dan Marino in the 1983 draft have the Dolphins received such a gift with a first RD pick.” Hadn’t thought about that before……and Marino fell on rumors of coke use. Maybe drugs can be a good thing, for the Phins in the draft at least.
Thanks Stanger
One thing I like about this off-season (regardless of what it cost us in traded picks and not fully addressing the D) is the number of different threats (and mismatches) which you alluded to Mike.
Add another!
He better have some space, because at 5’6″, he’s going to have a hard time seeing over the line, and getting the pass over the D-line. 🙂
maybe he can be like a maziel without the domestic abuse and alcoholsim issues
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.
Al, GDP, and Son (on how many) — need answers to set the final number. Same for any flyers that might want in……lots of FL handles on this board (yeah thinking you Naples).
Hard Rock has a nice football ring to it. I’d want other players to be saying, “We are playing at The Hard Rock next week”……wouldn’t even add stadium into it.
Hard rock is a pretty good name in terms of corporate sponsors
imagine if it was vasoline or something
LOL
I agree – I like Hard Rock
As opposed to soft Rock? Hey Rock do you see what’s going on here? LOL
I am laughing so much right now
Yes Gase praised Grier for sticking to their board and not targeting specific positions of ‘need’.
Good piece Mike E
I kind of think Huarte has a shot at expectations and contributing to this team for years to come
kinda like a Clay type receiver for us
with our group of receivers, he won’t be the focus when we is on the filed.
Could you imagine if Vagisil got into the mix?
Mike
to much info in your 12:21 post
Stanger,
put me down +1 as a maybe. If I go it’ll be a father/daughter trip and I’m leery of taking her to another football setting.
reply below
I still don’t see how people can keep saying they stuck to their board when they continually traded up. It’s contradictory.
it was a sticky board
so it makes sense
LOL @ Piggy
I admit I used the administrator editing function to change one letter of your post
it was pretty funny while it lasted
I’ve been laughing at my desk in my office to myself for about 5 minutes like a crazy person
Miami Massengill Douche Bowl
You could just shorten it to the Omar Bowl.
https://twitter.com/Wotamoron/status/735853480699658240
LMAO
Wow just wow. LOL
Just not getting how a guy would not go….i put gas in here, gas is flammable, putting a flame near anything that has had gas on or in it make sense.
Makes no sense….
I could swear I read Hard Rock, then Hard Cock, then Hard Rock again. WTF is going on with my eyes? LOL
The real question is whats going on in your mind….
I could swear Mike’s post changed. Now I see Piggy admitted to doing it. LOL
sb7mvp says:
May 26, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Stanger,
put me down +1 as a maybe. If I go it’ll be a father/daughter trip and I’m leery of taking her to another football setting.
————————–
sb7mvp — that would be awesome, but do you know when you would know? Need to have the group tix number next week (reserved some, but you get to adjust that….but final number is just that).
One thing can assure is that the Fest folks are most polite….not sure if it is just the day, but friendliest crowd you will ever meet.
Where do you live?
LOL @ Tim seeing Hard Cock
I should edit and remove my admission to changing it and really make you feel like you are going crazy
LOL
“The defensive line won the day, with Mario Williams beating Billy Turner a handful of times. Williams looks fast. Like 2014 fast.”
Well when you have him rushing and not dropping into coverage that tends to happen. LOL
Omar Kelly @OmarKelly 1h1 hour ago
Looks like Jordan Phillips has leapfrogged Earl Mitchell.
I heard he had a pretty good vertical.
It’s a bit early for depth charts but I think it’s possible that will happen. Phillips has more upside than Mitchell. Phillips is a beast of a man.
Stanger,
I guess I could know by Friday, but if not I can take the chance on sitting somewhere else for the game. .
Just let me know, but Phins tix office said end of the month. So that would be Tuesday, even if I might be able to stretch that with them a bit. Either way would be great to have you and your daughter there. We will be getting together the night before and for the Chef Warren tailgate. So the group section is only one part of it.
I really expect Phillips to be the starter
let Mitchell come off the bench
I would like our best 4 to start
and to me that is
Wake Suh Phillips Williams
which I think can be a very good DL
I think you’ll see that line often. But it doesn’t really matter who starts because once the game gets going the DL always uses a rotation. The best 4 will play most of the time though. Mitchell, Jones and Branch are gonna play too. We’ll see how C. McCain and others perform to get snaps as well.
does matter if I want to be right
and me being right is paramount
😀
I think we’re going to see Jones play DE and then some DT in sub packages. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Williams rush from the inside at times as well. You take advantage of that kind of skill when you have it.
Tim
those kind of substitutions are really hard to manage when I play Madden
So I don’t favor them
😀
LOL
Branch is a guy who hasn’t lived up to his projection as an edge rusher when he was drafted in the 2nd rd in 2012 by JAC, but he got his share of sacks (14) and forced some fumbles (5) and knocked some passes down (11) as a rotation guy. He’s considered good against the run though so we’ll see him in there as well.
Anyone see Trypod or Bookman lately
I know its the offseason
just wondering if either have stopped by
No, although I have spoken to TryPod a few times off the blog. He’s doing well, just doesn’t have much time to get sucked in to football right now.
I haven’t seen Try in a long time. Bookman pops in from time to time. I don’t see ORob anymore either. I’m sure there are others I’m forgetting.
DCoral made a guest appearance today, but there are a lot of guys who have been missing, or go missing for extended periods of time, like Toba, Bookman, Howie, Doggie, and others I can’t think of at the moment
Howie usually returns during the season for the game score pickems.
SB
If you come to the Fest, please remember to bring to bring your mittens
Anyone that watched game tape of Grant knows he can throw it.
Mike, Grant won’t be throwing it from the pocket…
Piggy
Is Suh really good in Madden? Just wondering if he’s really good somewhere . . . lol
haven’t played the new one yet
sb7mvp says:
May 26, 2016 at 12:27 pm
I still don’t see how people can keep saying they stuck to their board when they continually traded up. It’s contradictory.
———–
Why can’t you trade up and still stick to your board, makes no sense.
Yeah I don’t get that either. We picked players that were ranked high where we took them as opposed to saying we really should try to get a DE or LB at some point but they were never the highest ranked player at the time. That’s what Gase meant about how Grier went about it.
Good write up, Mike. I got caught up in the discussions without giving props.
I think Duarte will be used like Dallas Clark was in Indy, a mismatch nightmare in spread formations.
Thanks Tim – I agree, and I’m pretty confident he makes the roster.
He’s gonna have to show value on STs and make plays when given the chance to earn a roster spot because he really is a hybrid player but the game has become a game of specialization and mismatches so he has a shot.
Tim ST play may not have anything to do with Duarte making the 53, he just has to beat out Stoneburner and others. Being active on Sunday would have something to do with playing ST.
Sticking to your board just means, you pick the highest rated guy on your board, regardless of whether you traded up or back. In the 2nd we traded up for Howard maybe he was a 1st rounder on our board.
Exactly! This draft once again showed that teams don’t view prospects the same way the mocksters and fans do. It happens all the time. You see guys who were considered 2nd rd picks go in the 5th and some guys like Howard who were considered a 2-3 rd guy go early 2nd because of exactly what you said. He was higher on our board for our scheme than others had him graded. It’s about picking prospects you like, not what others think.
Now we’ll see who was right over the next few years.
Steve, Duarte is going to have to do more than just be a receiving TE to be active. We already have a lot of receivers to get the ball too. I think Cameron and Sims are locks – Cameron is a bigger receiving threat and Sims is our most prototype TE and you need a big guy like him for different situations. Duarte will compete with Gray, Hughes, Jones and Stoneburner for probably two spots. I can see us keeping 4 TEs.
That’s what I said, you said he needs to play ST to make the 53.
Yes! What are you saying that’s different then? if you’re not a starter, you always have to play STs at any position.
sb7mvp says:
May 26, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Stanger,
I guess I could know by Friday, but if not I can take the chance on sitting somewhere else for the game. .
————————————-
Translation….I dont want any of you guys near my daughter…. Smart move SB
I kinda wish they would release some data from the draft, like how many people had first round grades on each prospect. It wouldnt tip off anyone’s draft strategy knowing this information as it could be kept anonymous. They turn in this kind of information to the NFL prior to the draft so they can determine who gets invited, i just wish we as fan could see some of that information released to us. I can understand why teams dont release their big board information, but some of the info would be nice to draft enthusiasts.
Afternoon gents
Here’s a bunch of practice tweets all in one spot.
http://www.thephinsider.com/2016/5/26/11785538/dolphins-ota-live-updates-from-around-twitter
I saw where Gase said Tanny’s intelligence is off the charts…..many say the same of Gase…..
Should be interesting to see how those two work together moving this team forward.
Mario Williams said he is “very fortunate” to be returning to a scheme he feels comfortable playing.
“[DC Vance Joseph] is really relying on the guys up front to turn it loose and get after it, which is what most of us are accustomed to doing,” Williams said. “It’s exciting for us knowing [we can] cut it loose.” Williams showed little effort playing in a system he was openly unhappy with last year in Buffalo, but he has had nothing but praise for his new coaching staff. The Dolphins are banking on a bounceback season for the 31-year-old.
__________________________________
I read where Mario was abusing Billy Turner in drills where Turner was @ RT.
I think it was just mano-a-mano drills.
I saw Mario actually doing a good job dropping in coverage in BUF but that’s not what he should be doing. I think showing little effort is an exaggeration but there is no doubt he wasn’t happy about the scheme and he wasn’t the only one. All BUF front 7 defenders’ numbers went down under Rex’s genius scheme.
Andrew Abramson @AbramsonPBP · 1m1 minute ago
#Dolphins LB Koa Misi involved in late-night bar fight, not arrested. Source says Misi attacked first & retaliated http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/05/26/dolphins-lb-koa-misi-involved-in-late-night-bar-fight/ …
Duarte is on the Egnew plan at the moment and that is working as a blocker at NFL level.
I haven’t really seen what Duarte can do as a blocker (his highlights are mostly with him off the line lined up as another WR). I guess I will have to go look at Paul Perkins highlights and see if #18 is anywhere to be found as an inline blocker or out in the 2nd level as a WR/FB blocker where Perkins runs.
As for the comparisons to Dallas Clark; Clark came into the NFL knowing how to block at a high level which is why he got drafted in the 1st RD.
I like the Duarte pick for sure.
Duarte showed he could run routes as a WR off the line and catch the ball; showed good concentration on some wide throws and in traffic with guys hitting him on the catch.
Duarte has more power than Egnew it seems and better hands for sure, and overall athleticism from what I’ve seen on film to date.
As for the depth chart at TE for the regular season…there’s really nothing to keep after Cameron & Sims…the other guys provide depth for sure at a position of need but they have wavered on the PS before and teams haven’t bothered picking them up at times so depending on how the injury front looks like across the front line starters on the Fins, the TE position depth chart will vary IMO.
Don’t EVER say Egnew again!
I’m not comparing Duarte to Clark as in they’re at the same level. I said I can see us using him the way Clark was spread out as a receiver. Clark didn’t do a lot of inline blocking in Indy, he was mostly lined up in the slot in a spread formation.
I recall him doing alot of inside blocking on TD plays…he would line up there and just slip the blocks and get perfect passes from Manning.
I’m sure he did at times, but I remember him always lined up like a WR more so than a traditional TE and he was really good at it. A dangerous seam threat.
Egnew = J.Martin both are doing what they love now, after they joined the pussification movement.
Tim,
Regarding the Misi story, Pro Lou is in Miami? lol
LOL
LOL, or Omar with his dbl nickels BS….ended up getting him double knuckles.
So Misi…. quick question…how does it feel to be a whiteish linebacker?
Not every TE has to be good at blocking, it would just limit the packages they could be put in. I think Duarte was drafted for the purposed of being a TE prospect that they could line up in more places, specifically shifting him to the slot, i dont think the blocking aspect plays into what vision they have for him as a player, though it would make it easier for them to be able to keep him on the field in running downs, etc and therefore make it less predictable what the play is when he is on the field.
You can’t be Egnew ever at TE. You have to be decent at it if you are a TE. Part of creating mismatches as a receiving TE is also being inside when a D throws a bunch of DB out there and less DL or big LB.
I don’t agree, I see him in the Arron Hernandez role, sometimes FB, or Hback, and also split out wide and in the slot, basically all over the place.
I don’t think being all over the place is relegated to him. I expect to see lots of guys moved around. This ain’t Wanny’s O.
True, but learning to block can’t hurt or at least do it decently at times.
I said early on that Duarte is more in the mold of Jordan Reed….we can only hope he becomes that.
Both are 6’2 235ish. Both have 33″ arms & 10″ hands exactly. Both ran exactly a 4.72 at the combines.
Also Aaron Hernandez was 6’2, close to the same build, but a lil bigger.
Duarte is very athletic with uncanny quickness, cuts, and spring in his step….could be a steal before all is said & done over the course of his 4yr rookie deal.
We need him to show flashes right away, Cameron has one year left on his contract. Would be a nice option to not have to overpay for him in 2017.
There was another tweener TE drafted years ago in the 7th rd who became the most productive TE of all time. Hmmm…
Al, how dare you bring up Egnew. WTF? LOL
Thomas Duarte – Sept 2015
In Saturday’s matchup against Arizona, the UCLA tight end pulled in an insane one-handed grab. What’s more impressive, is how he bodied up against three big tackles to still make it into the end zone.
The 1st :30 sec is like WOW! Kid got hands! 10″ hands!
Nice write Mike. Hopefully scoring is what’s up with the offense. We need it.
It’s all about that Gase, bout that Gase, no trouble
It’s about dat QB
Misi is a dumb ass.
““As I attempted to tackle him, members of his group held him up. I then executed a leg sweep to bring him to the ground and held him in place.”
Giga said he was circled by several members of Misi’s group who were trying to pull him free. Other officers then arrived on the scene and handcuffed Misi and placed him in the back of the police car.”
———————————–
All I can say is that must be one bad assed cop.
SB that’s cool that you’re trying to make the fest we’d all love to meet you.
Mike for all the good work on the article I saw the dig at Suh and it can’t be tolerated cease and dissist immediately.
Which dig, the Madden one?
Yes
That’s a joke, not a dig.
Joke/dig it all hurts the same, lol (both wrong too)
Mike, I’ll do the next post in a couple of days. You got that Piggs?
Cool – Thanks
As it turns out Egnew was the first gay NFL player and not Sam.
QB Ryan Tannehill enjoying newfound freedom in Dolphins’ offense
http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/21191/qb-ryan-tannehill-enjoying-newfound-freedom-in-dolphins-offense
From today’s practices via the Herald:
“Said Tannehill: “There’s a lot of freedom in what we do. I think that’s going to make us always on the attack. We’re not going to have to sit on our heels and feel like the defense is coming after us, and we have to figure out a way to make it work. ”
—
LOL at the last sentence…we knew that all too well.
I can just imagine the guys before the snap “Fuck, we can’t audible out of this fucking play…how the fuck am i going to block 3 guys lined up over me”.
That’s how absurd it was. I just posted the entire article.
“I’m completely impressed by what he’s done so far, his athleticism. You look at him … The first day in the weight room working out, the first day I saw him here in person, I kind of looked over (and) I didn’t realize he was here yet. I looked over, and I was like ‘Wow! That looks like an offensive lineman.’ He’s athletic. He’s big. (He has) long arms. He’s what you want to see in an offensive lineman.
—–
And RT saw quite a few good ones at TAMU where Mike Sherman recruited good NFL type OL.
Is that RT on Tunsil?
RT talking about Tunsil in the quote i posted.
And he still didn’t win jack at Texas A&M with a NFL type oline. Luck, wilson, newton all won at the college level.
Different situations. Wilson and Luck were seasoned QB. Newton was another animal. TAMU’s defense blew many games in 2 halves.
If you want to go there what did Marino win?
Son,
The only memory I will have of Egnew was the play in Tampa? where he completely blew it on a block lined up as an H-back that resulted in a safety.
“In this offense, you’re not locked in on what the play call is,” Gase said. “For him to have the ability, knowing what [play] to get to and that kind of flexibility, being able to do that as a quarterback is very valuable.”
To not do that is so ridiculous. I guess Lazor had a I know best attitude. SMH
Lazor and sherman did what philbin told him to do. To think it was the OCs is a mistake IMO.
Do you know that for sure?
He said it was his opinion
Then the comment has no validity. LOL
GDP,
I’ve seen that Harris Highlights of Duarte’s game before.
It shows his good concentration on catches that aren’t on the money; especially that clip of him deep over the middle where the S tries to INT it and the ball moves behind Duarte a bit and he still somehow looked it in all the way while running full speed ahead and caught it for a TD.
As far as his blocking? there is nothing in that highlight reel. Regarding his routes? He basically runs straight lines (seam routes, straight slants, or post patterns) in those highlights, there’s not much in the ‘elusiveness’ area to go by in the video.
He is good but if he is going to be an H-back, he needs to show stuff out of the backfield.
Charles Clay was well versed at being a FB who can catch which made the H-back thing natural for him.
Al in MIA says:
May 26, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Different situations. Wilson and Luck were seasoned QB. Newton was another animal. TAMU’s defense blew many games in 2 halves.
Reply
Tannehill is certainly used to seeing that in Miami as well….lol
What did Wilson and Luck win?
he golden pork chop
we pigs award it once a year to the QBs who are compared to Ryan Tannehill the most during a given year
Marino, didn’t even have a defense. But he still made it to the playoffs every year.
I think this year and maybe next are tanny’s only chances in Miami. If the next 2 years we’re still an 7-9,8-8 team with his 2nd HC and 3rd OC then I’m sorry he is the problem. He might go somewhere else and win but I think the phins need to move on from Tanny.
Every year, you sure about that? 😉
I thought everyone thought Coyle sucked and our defense wasn’t good? Now it was? LOL
My point was really just reiterating that QBs don’t win games by themselves.
Let’s hope this team plays better complementary football this year. That was as big an issue as anything last year.
GDP,
The catch Duarte makes on the throw that starts at the 2:28 mark is the best example of his concentration level on a catch (besides the one you showed of him tipping it to himself).
Going back to the NFL draft moves…I thought the Dolphins traded their original 4th RD pick for 2017 but it was a conditional 4th RD pick where by if the Dolphins get a 4th RD compensatory pick, that pick goes to Minny. If Miami is not awarded a 4th RD compensatory pick, then Minny gets Miami’s original 4th RD pick. I guess Miami is confident they will get a compensatory pick 🙂
I’m like 99 44/100 sure that our 3rd RD pick is our regular 3rd RD pick, but the 4th RD pick was the lowest pick, meaning our compensatory pick.
We’ve all discussed the 4th next yr in great lengths.
Tim
LOL – No more or less than any other comment any of us make when it’s an opinion
Yeah but the way it was phrased was as if it was a known thing and I don’t know that it was. If it was Philbin then shame on him. 🙂
Go reread it, he said the 2nd sentence was his opinion, not the first that Tim commented on.
Tim,
I don’t know for sure but its common sense. If I had an employee who had such an important job that if he failed we all get fired, I think I want to have some input on how he does his job.
Lazor had a good offense in philly and he stunk in miami. You don’t think chip kelly or philbin had anything to do with those results?
Lazor was the QBs coach in Philly not the OC, Kelly ran that offense.
Like I just said above, if it was Philbin than shame on him because it’s a stupid approach.
Lol Boulder, we’re talking about Philbin…he deserved guys like Martin and Egnew, and should’ve had Ginn’s family.
no kidding. I just really didn’t like philbin. I hope Gaze is better.
Dolphins trade up for receiver
Dolphins receive:
» 2016 second-round pick (No. 86): Leonte Carroo
Vikings receive:
» 2016 sixth-round pick (No. 186):
» 2017 third-round pick
» 2017 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Wouldn’t it be funny if the conditional was based on how Carroo performs and Spielman went for that? LOL
Steve
He ended it in IMO, what do I need to reread?
He ended the 2nd sentence not the entire message.
philly ran the ball way more than they passed. They led the league in rushing.
The pass happy offense we ran the last few years was a product of philin. He wanted to pass a lot because of his greenbay background. That’s what he knew and was comfortable with. Philbin’s biggest problem IMO was that he didn’t design plays to fit his personnel. He wanted his players to change and fit his schemes. That usually spells disaster and it did in Miami. He wanted Tanny to be Rodgers instead of understanding that tanny needed a real rushing attack to succeed.
And then if he actually copied McCarthy’s play calling, he would see how controlling the clock works to both sides of the ball even with Aaron Rodgers at QB.
GB was 7th, 11th and 12th in rushing from 2013 to 2015. They don’t put everything on Rodgers so Philbin didn’t follow suit at all with what they do there.
Philbin was following what GB did when he was there, not the last 3.
Well he never built that here.
Mike E. says:
May 26, 2016 at 5:30 pm
Dolphins trade up for receiver
Dolphins receive:
» 2016 second-round pick (No. 86): Leonte Carroo
Vikings receive:
» 2016 sixth-round pick (No. 186):
» 2017 third-round pick
» 2017 fourth-round pick (conditional)
———
That is what I explained in my previous post about it.
the conditional aspect is that Miami has not been awarded compensatory picks yet for next year.
As much as teams and experts project, the NFL ultimately decides based on their proprietary formula which may (by some outside chance) not reward Miami a compensatory pick at the end of RD 4. If Miami does not receive a 4th RD compensatory pick, Minnesota gets Miami’s original 4th RD pick. That is the conditional aspect of it.
Yes AL, that’s what I said in the article exactly.
Mike, quick question here….how many draft picks do we have in 2017, what rounds, and which are comps?
I’ll see you guys after Memorial Day…take care. 🙂
lol, have fun GDP this weekend
Thanks Al, I’ll probably keep it low key mostly….but hoping to get out on the water at some point, maybe sat or sun.
Mike E — not trying to be a pain in the ass, but comp picks can’t be traded. So the condition on the deal with the Vikes must be something else…..could be predicated on performance though.
They can starting in 2017.
Well that solves everything. As usual I’m a step behind what is actually happening. 🙂
Comp picks can be traded starting in 2017…but never saw a confirmation that 2017 could be included in a 2016 deal….I guess that’s why someone said, if no comp in the 4th, then Minny will get our actual 4th?
Oh geez, I got sucked into the freaking 2017 draft shit debate…smh!
If you can trade the 2017 picks I guess you can make future deals.
Mike E. says:
May 26, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Yes AL, that’s what I said in the article exactly.
——-
I’m not one to see teams throw away picks but I understand the need to win sooner rather than later and that any draft choice comes with inexperience. I guess Miami wants their picks to be primed for a big run in the next 2-3 years.
The 3rd RDer next year was basically traded for the one in this years draft so the only ‘loss’ persay is the 4th RD pick of next year in regards to the trade with Minny…oh and that 6th RD pick or whatever from this year’s draft :/.
Adam Gase gets wind of cop that brought Misi down & has invited him to camp for a work out @ SLB.
F that he’s going to play RB, so Misinformation can get his.
I see Boulder is in OTA’s on the Tanny bashing! 😉
LMAO, with Lou soon to follow.
Good to see Parker & Maxwell battle though. It can only make both better.
This is a big reason we went & got Maxwell, to matchup against the bigger receivers we’ll face.
Enjoy, GD. I’m down the shore in chill mode. 😉
Thanks…love chillin on, in, or near a nice body of water.
On the lagoon on one of the nicest days of the year. 🙂
That’s much shorter than one of D, posts….lol
Speaking of getting Maxwell to matchup against the bigger receivers….
Here’s some highlights of Xavien Howard.
He really shows a nice ability to sense where his man is, knows the route trees, and good timing & instincts to find the ball…..a few good run support clips in there as well.
https://youtu.be/hjcEmOiUzTA
He also shows no lack of effort laying the wood and making a tackle. He makes tackles that weren’t even his man but he reads the play. I liked his game long before we drafted him. I thought he was a fit for us and had him in a few of my Fanspeak mocks.
Good eye then, when most were fixated on VH3, WJ3, MA, EA, & AB….lol
Brian liked Howard and a few others as well. In fact one of them made me go look at him back in February and that’s when I had him on my watch list. I liked our first 3 picks right out of the gate as you know I liked Drake as well and Tunsil was a no brainer for all of us. Carroo I didn’t know anything about even though he played in NJ at Rutgers. LOL
I also would have loved to have landed Howard without trading a 4th to move up 5 spots we really don’t know what other teams know about each other. There are rumors Howard was on other team’s boards and Grier thought the corner run would start at the top of the 2nd when it started at the end. But Howard had to be a guy we really liked to make that deal so we went up and got him. We’ll see if he was worth it. Surtain was worth a future 1st for an additional 2nd so hopefully we got it right with Howard.
Nice write up Mike E
Agreed….just don’t ask about 2017 draft picks! 🙂
This day is the first sign of a beautiful summer day. People have their boats in the water, flags are going up. It’s awesome!
I have a wedding this weekend in CT, 2 kids from the group I go away with in the summer are getting married. Not digging the long drive in holiday traffic, but we’re staying over, so it should be a blast.
Thanks Ken – I’ll be heading your way, but I think way past you, all the way to Middletown CT.
Middletown is 20 minutes from me
Where in Middletown?
Wesleyan Farms
Sounds like a meet up at Pepe’s to me.
wyoming,
I’m not bashing tanny yet. He always looks good at the OTAs. And to be honest I like tanny. He’s the best QB we’ve had here since Pennington. I actually think he’s much more talented than penny but he’s been put in the wrong offense. I doubt penny could have won in the offense we ran last year.
What I said was that if tanny still can’t get us to playoffs in Gase offense then I think he the phins should go a different direction. I guess you don’t agree.
Mike E:
I have not heard of that. There is a real nice inn in downtown Middletown that gets used for a lot of weddings
Ken, real nice property, one of those rustic “Barn Weddings”
Cool. Enjoy
Thanks Ken – This is the place
http://ctweddinggroup.com/weddings/the-barns-at-wesleyan-hills
Nice. It would have been cool to meet up but I assume you have enough activities going on with wedding. We will have other opportunities
Yeah, no doubt. Definitely no time this weekend, but like you said, there will be other times.
I don’t think anyone on here or in the organization is going to lose any sleep, if Misi is suspended.
Tim will be a little crushed, not gonna lie. You know Misi holds a place in his heart. 🙂
Nope, I think he’s at the end in Miami moving forward anyway. I think Hewitt may win more snaps than him at SOLB with Alonso MLB and Jenkins WOLB. But you can still get some quality snaps out of Misi in certain situations. 🙂
Why would he be suspended? What did I miss?
Oops for Misi
Tim
Good to see you’ve moved on from Misi. So does Hewitt now occupy that special place in your heart?
I think Hewitt is going to a very good OLB. It’s based on what I saw from him, not some fantasy. LOL
I think Hewitt has more range and playmaking ability than Misi. That’s not a knock on Misi though, he still has value. 🙂
Honestly
I don’t know how Misi has lasted so long with the Dolphins
He’s been through several coaching changes
he’s never healthy
he’s been in a few off field incidents
he looks like a prime salary cap casualty every season
and when he plays he probably a little better than above average
I bet the Dolphins keep him
and he plays for 6 games for us in 2016….lol
He’ll be gone when we replace him and have enough other LBs we feel good about. That could happen in TC.
Would have been a certainty if we drafted a LB early
I have a feeling he might be gone as well. I haven’t been impressed with Misi for a couple of years now.
I was pissed when they lowered his salary, because it meant in all likelihood he’d be on the team this yr, they should’ve just cut him.
Here is an interesting slant on “weakest spot on each team.”
AFC East
New England Patriots: The Patriots have won with surprising defensive tackle combinations for a while. This is a team that has started Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga in AFC Championships and Super Bowls. They tried to solve the position by drafting first rounders in consecutive seasons, but 2014 pick Dominique Easley is already gone.
While 2015 pick Malcom Brown looks promising, journeymen veterans Alan Branch and Terrance Knighton will battle for the other spot. There isn’t great depth throughout the line, so expect teams to try to run against New England.
Buffalo Bills: Tyrod Taylor had a wideout problem before Sammy Watkins’ foot surgery. If Watkins can’t stay healthy, they could have a crisis. Robert Woods would be stretched as a No. 3 receiver on a lot of teams. He’s locked in as a starter here. The local rags are talking up Greg Salas as a strong candidate for the slot receiver job. Leonard Hankerson and Jarrett Boykin are other options. Coach Rex Ryan might never let coordinator Greg Roman call a forward pass.
Miami Dolphins: Byron Maxwell was a big disappointment in Philadelphia as its No. 1 cornerback last season. Now he’s Miami’s top corner, and second on the depth chart is second-round pick Xavien Howard. There is virtually no depth with experience after that. In short: Safety Reshad Jones might need to be even better for this secondary to survive.
oops citing my source:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000665310/article/biggest-weak-spot-for-each-afc-team-heading-into-2016
And last yr the same hack said how great Philly’s depth was at CB, so what does he know? Reminds me of people that take one meaningless stat and run with it.
I really think this FO and coaches are hoping one of the youngsters will replace misi in camp.
Sun sentinel just released a pic of the cop who cuffed Misi.
Lol
There is no pain is this dojo!
Great article Mike E!!
I’m a hard man.
Naples, that DT weakness for NE is a great thing & why we need to RUN the ball more to keep Brady off the field.
How many times did we see teams do that to us when we had Marino…it was sickening to see Marino handcuffed to the sideline during crucial stretches of the game, especially late when our Defence couldn’t stop the run, bleeding us dry…Ugh!
Go Phins!