Ryan Tannehill, Ted Larsen, Raekwon McMillan, and now Tony Lippett. That’s not even counting Koa Misi, who couldn’t pass his physical due to his neck injury. The roster is being robbed of talent, there is no question about it. The bright side? The Dolphins have been, and will continue to address the issue responsibly.
Ryan Tannehill went down, they immediately signed Jay Cutler. They signed an NFL starting QB who knows the verbiage Adam Gase uses in his offense, and he will very quickly be up to speed. Gase trusts Cutler, and Cutler trusts Gase. It was a smart move, and one that doesn’t saddle the team past this season, but ensures we can remain competitive, with Cutler as the starter, and Moore backing him up.
OG Ted Larsen will NOT be out for the season, he was put on IR with the opportunity to return after week 8. With a torn biceps muscle, he should be able to make it back for the 2nd half of the season, but there are a few candidates who would like to not only temporarily hold the spot for Larsen, but keep it, so how this plays out, remains to be seen. Veterans Kraig Urbik, Anthony Steen and rookie Isaac Asiata will all be battling in the preseason to take the job.
Raekwon McMillan’s season with all the promise in the world, as the rookie was digesting the defense and proving to be worthy of starting MLB was cut short way too early on Miami’s first punt of the day on special teams. An awkward collision with teammate Deon Lacey resulted in a torn ACL for the rookie standout. As of now, Mike Hull resides as the next man up, but the Dolphins are looking at other players as well, and brought in long time Bengals fireplug MLB Rey Maualuga. Unless Rey is signed, I would think that search will continue, until a veteran player is signed. Taking care of business.
Yesterday, a freak injury to CB Tony Lippett, who showed tons of growth last season. Lippett, a WR who was converted to a CB led the team with 4 INT’s, and proved he could make the change, and also showed a penchant for being around the ball, and tracking it well in the air. All he did was jump up, come down a little off, and voila!, a torn achilles tendon. It’s such a shame, but Adam Gase said before the draft, you can never have enough cornerbacks. That thinking has proven sage as our depth there may be stout enough to continue on as is, especially after the wise pickup of former TB Bucs CB Alterraun (All-Terrain) Verner. Maxwell, Howard, Verner, McCain, Tankersley, Pitts, Lucas and Aikens gives us pretty solid depth there.
What am I trying to say here? Gase and company are ON IT! They’re not throwing pity parties and lamenting what could have been, they’re addressing each and every pitfall, and keeping this team competitive, and that’s that! Unfortunately, there will be more injuries, but hopefully no more season ending injuries. I have complete faith that Gase will continue to do whatever he has to do to ensure we can win. It feels so good to be able to actually believe that and feel confident enough to say that.
As Ron Burgundy would say . . . “Stay healthy Miami”
Finsmob Unleashed 
Good write, Mike E. And if I had to do it all over again, I WOULD sign Cutler for $10M… he’s worth it, IMO. This is the situation we’re currently in…
We’re paying nearly $27M this year against the cap to players on I/R. That’s almost 16% of our cap space.
To put it another way, don’t ya wish we were $27M under the cap to sign a few players right now? Instead, we’re sitting at roughly $5M under the cap.
I’m not sure about our 4th DT (Paul Soliai?), adding another LB (Maualuga?), or our depth on the O-Line. All I know is that $5M isn’t going to go very far.
Soliai should go for about $1M
Maualuga should go for about $3-4M
O-Line should go for about ??? (Nick Mangold should go for about $5M)
What is worse than a guy going on IR, but it is the luck of the draw. Hate paying dead money even more. We can sign who we want though. All we need is withdraw from the Suh Bank. Have no problem guaranteeing him for more years.
Remember that we’ve already restructured (WITHOUT his permission) Suh’s contract once before. This isn’t something that we can continue to do without upsetting both the player and his agent. Now if he’s willing, GREAT! But it’s not that simple.
Actually did not remember that….. But looking at his current details, does mean less to draw from in his account. And even if it was not with his permission, they did what they were entitled to do under the contract that he signed. Not sure how he could get mad about that.
Thanks M – It’s a little early too worry about the D-line. Gotta like what we saw from Godchaux, and I also liked Okoye. Maybe we should see if Taylor can show a little more, and maybe we don’t need another guy? I think Soliai would be fine here, but we may not need him. Mangold is another story, and I’m not sure if anyone knows whether he’s even healthy to play.
“Gase and company are ON IT!” Yeah — hard as the injury rash is too handle, it also shows how well the new regime thinks……and that includes building depth to be ready. Very different from the days when we were talked about for getting the biggest FA splash in.
Good write up Mike. I agree with the Ron Burgundy quote. 🙂
Thanks Tim 🙂
Nice job mike. This is year is gonna show us what type of a coach Gase is. Good coaches can still put a winner on the field even with injuries we’ve had. Just put the players in position to succeed.
Thanks Boulder
Anyone think the trainer on the right in the Tannehill pic looks a little like Robert DeNiro? lol
I’m sure OJ McDuffie can tell you who he is……
Mike E,
I hear ya. Let me put it another way… we’re going to do something to bolster our team and we only have $5M left to spend (barring yet another restructure from someone). What position(s) would you spend it on? It’s a difficult decision and I’m not sure what to do at the moment.
If we wait too long, another injury on another team is going to employ another decent FA off the street.
At LB, I’d like to think that either of Hull or Hewitt can get it done at MLB… but can they? At DT, I’d like to think that either of Taylor or Okoye can get it done… but can they? And on the O-Line, I’d like to think that Pouncey (or any other player) won’t get injured… but is that likely?
I don’t know, but I don’t know they can’t yet either, and that’s all I’m saying. Maybe a little patience will pay off for us.
There are people in place within the org who worry about this sort of stuff and are looking at all options on a daily basis. 🙂
stangerx says:
August 16, 2017 at 11:54 am
Actually did not remember that….. But looking at his current details, does mean less to draw from in his account. And even if it was not with his permission, they did what they were entitled to do under the contract that he signed. Not sure how he could get mad about that.
————
You’re not sure how he could get mad about a forced restructure? Why is it that players and agents DESPISE forced restructures? C’mon, Brother!
But this wasn’t like some guy not liking the franchise tag number or the amount of his 5th year option according to the CBA……what they did was in the contract that he and his agent negotiated with the team. Just don’t see how “forced” comes into it…even if do get the pun. And we are talking about a guy who got $25 million at signing, $16 mil at the restructure the next year and will still get paid $10 mil in salary this year….as they guaranteed more years. Exactly how mad could he have been?
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 5m5 minutes ago
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In-depth analysis: Miami Dolphins 2017 injuries will bleed into ‘18 decision-making
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article167500912.html
The ravens are even worse than the fins concerning injuries.
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/coach-john-harbaugh-undaunted-by-ravens-escalating-injuries-081517
On PTI Yesterday They did a thing on Cutler and asked the question will Cutler help Miami, Mike Wilbon (Bears fan) chimed in saying “NO”, that, “he will be throwing pick 6’s for Miami”
What’s PTI?
Pardon The Interruption
Well there you have it. LOL
Is PTI on ESPN? I wouldn’t know, I haven’t watched ESPN in years. lol
what does espn stand for?
LOL – exactly
Eisner-Supported Propaganda Network
good one
Joe SchadVerified account @schadjoe 43s44 seconds ago
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ESPN: Only 7 teams worse than Miami Dolphins http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/08/16/espn-only-7-teams-worse-than-miami-dolphins/ …
How many networks are worse than ESPN?
😆
NICE!!! And the answer is… NONE!!! 😀
Let’s be honest, ESPN used to be the shit, they were IT, but that day has come and gone, and ESPN is a has-been network. If I want NFL, i go to NFLN, if I want baseball, I go to MLBN, and if I want NBA, well, I can’t really say I want NBA anymore because the Knicks are completely irrelevant, rendering the NBA irrelevant to me.
100% agreed. I used to LOVE ESPN! But now, they’ve become a propaganda arm for political ideology. It’s not cool, it’s not right, and I don’t want my sports mixed with politics. It’s one of the reasons why I’m not talking about politics on a sports blog anymore as I once had.
I think ESPN is losing more and more viewers as a result. Their stock is tanking, they continue to layoff, and they employ clowns. Their past quality has become SO watered down in recent years and it’s crazy.
Damn! well pardon the interruption. LOL
😆
All good!
Ha! 😀
Around The NFLVerified account @AroundTheNFL 33s34 seconds ago
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.@AdamSchein’s preseason Week 2 primer: Will Jay Cutler + Adam Gase pick up where they left off?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000830380/article/nfl-preseason-week-2-primer-nine-things-im-looking-to-see?campaign=Twitter_atn …
the television industry is going through a revolution period with so many channels for entertainment and advertisers don’t know where to put their money to reach the most customers. I just roku and I’m amazed at all the channels but if I choose to watch one of these channels one gets maybe 3 advertisers during the commercial break.What’s really annoying is when they could only get 1 advertiser to agree to pay so you get 4 straight commercials of the same advertiser evry 5-8 minutes.
I’m surprised roku doesn’t have nfl individual channels where they can keep all the advertising dollar instead of getting money from being a official sponsors.
Maybe I missed this from before…..but name the player. And apparently Cutler picked up the check as well.
Training camp is over😁😁😁😁
Now it’s like a regular practice week.
The PIT guys are the biggest tools…they don’t know their ads from…but love to insult.
PTI
I got spell checked to death. Ass not ads.
So Dolphins also worked out LB Kelvin Sheppard today, but so far, no signing of either him or Maualuga
Nice job Mike E
And thanks for the pic on the last blog M.
GO PHINS
Thanks ER!
Here is the full jersey schedule for home games:
Sept. 10 vs. Tampa Bay: White
Oct. 1 vs. New Orleans (in London): Aqua
Oct. 8 vs. Tennessee: White
Oct. 22 vs. New York Jets: White
Nov. 5 vs. Oakland: Aqua
Dec. 3 vs. Broncos: Aqua
Dec. 11 vs. New England: Aqua throwbacks
Dec. 31 vs. Buffalo: Aqua throwbacks
It’s funny I was a proponent of the new logo and uniform design and then when we started wearing the throwbacks I found myself liking them better. I still think we can cleanup the old logo that looks like it was done with some sort of outdated silk screen. But I like the throwback uniforms for sure.
I definitely prefer the old unis. The color of the new one is too pastel, I liked the darker aqua, and the darker orange which is bordering on red.
It’s getting rather ridiculous how many in the sports media are predicting us to FAIL, based solely on the signing of Jay Cutler. NOT that it should ever matter what they think, I just don’t care for the blatant disrespect to our franchise and to Cutler.
ElephantRider says:
August 16, 2017 at 6:18 pm
…And thanks for the pic on the last blog M…
———-
No problem, my Brother ER. You conjured an image that just HAD to be displayed! 😀
Chris WittynghamVerified account @ChrisWittyngham 4m4 minutes ago
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Enjoyed this @RobertKlemko piece on Cutler’s return to the Dolphins
https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/08/15/jay-cutler-miami-dolphins-adam-gase-chemistry-receivers
M13, Cutler is an NFL whipping boy like Romo but even worse. But he is like a crazy horse. One day he’ll wow you, and the next he’ll disappear. Gase seemed to reel him in some and help him be more consistent. We’ll see.
The throwbacks are straight fire. Would love to see them clean them up like you mentioned Tim, and change the soft looking new ones
Old school for me, something about old pics of csonka running the ball with that nose ring face mask and dolphin tail curling in.
The old uniforms just look so much better when you see them next to the new ones
I’m kinda of excited for another uniform change…lol
Pretty sure we have at least a couple of years before we’re even allowed to change. They have to make the request, get it approved, but I know you have to keep uniforms for a certain amount of years before they allow you to change it.
From the Dolphins website – Pretty cool!
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Dolphins-Ravens-Playbook/6f68597d-c1b6-49bf-bfc0-fb88c6e6533e
Is this a fashion blog or a football blog?.
What would you like it to be?
Don’t tempt him👯
Uniforms are a part of the game of football. Some fans become fans of certain teams because they like the uniforms. It’s just the way it is. There are decisions made as to which color uniform they wear for each game, as Sonny kindly illustrated earlier. Nothing wrong with discussing it as far as I can see.
Well 👌 but I still think it’s 👯👯👯
you guys are worse than the wife—the house needed painting and I said white as it has always been painted and she brings home 30 something samples of different white colors.
LOL
Ok, I broke down and read the article. Lippett is in his 3rd year. Ron Burgundy? I used to hold you to higher standards Mike, smh😢
I know that, and I realize the way I wrote it could be misconstrued that way. What I was trying to say was just pertaining to last season. It came sounding like I said he was a WR converted to CB last season, I just wanted to point out his growth last season.
Funny how things don’t come across as intended, when you don’t use the proper punctuation.
Hey, we have no fancy editor here, just me. 😉
I heard you were pretty fancy (said in my Dinero voice).
I’m a Giant baby! (said the Giants draft pick)😉
So how does having Cutler instead of Tanny benefit the most ? Here’s my list in order of the major skill names from most happy to least.
Parker (liked him some Marshall)
Stills (risk taker with a great arm and deep ball)
Thomas (same as Stills)
Ajayi (run game sets up deep)
Landry (not as much scramble find outlet stuff)
And shout out to Grant…..slant or fly seems to fit with him.
Tannehill is supposed to be less of a risk taker, but doesn’t throw that many less ints, so you sacrifice the great play for a couple, if any, ints.
Completely agree…..but then the skill players are worried about what ball they get and in what ways (even if they want us to win too). Did you agree with the order on that?
We keep hearing RT is in a prove it year. After this year i think we may have our answer, indirectly. If Cutler tears it up…
So many ‘IFs’ going into this season, let along next season. It’s going to be interesting…
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 2m2 minutes ago
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ICYMI … Ryan Tannehill’s timetable for return from knee injury becomes more clear following surgery
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article167713067.html
He should be fine.
Since he entered the league in 2006, only four quarterbacks with 50 or more starts have thrown interceptions at a higher rate: Vince Young, Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Freeman. At his best, with Gase in 2015, he cracked a 90 passer rating for the first time and threw just 11 interceptions, his lowest total when starting at least 11 games in a season.
(Rockphin shivers)
No doubt he is going to make games interesting at least. But that also includes one heck of a deep ball.
Cutler is going to be fine. He’s never had the weaponry that we now have in Miami. He never had an Ajayi, a DeVante, a Stills, a Landry, or a Julius Thomas. Not to mention, we seem to have a nice Defense to augment our Offense this year.
Cutler is also now 34 years old. He’s not some youngling who needs to make mistakes in order to learn. He’s going to be alright with Gase. Best case scenario? Rich Gannon, Part Deux. Worst case scenario? We’ve got Tannehill coming back next year.
steveccnv says:
August 17, 2017 at 10:55 am
Funny how things don’t come across as intended, when you don’t use the proper punctuation.
Punctuation is KEY to proper understanding!!!!
Example:
Let’s eat, Grandma.
Let’s eat Grandma.
LOL
How disgusting
Ask her if she thinks the comma is important!
Depends on what you mean by eat Grandma, and who’s doing it. lol
Sicko
Jack off, not blow off grandma
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 33s34 seconds ago
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New. Miami Dolphins face intriguing play-or-sit decisions versus Baltimore Ravens
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article167775702.html
Capitalization is important too!
Let’s help your uncle Jack off his horse.
Let’s help your uncle jack off his horse.
LOL – Quite true
Another sick bastard
Heat VisionVerified account @HeatVisionBlog 25m25 minutes ago
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Exclusive: ‘Star Wars’ Obi-Wan Kenobi film in the works, ‘Billy Elliot’ director in talks http://thr.cm/zg9LkZ
—————–
NICE!!! Hopefully, Ewan McGregor wants to do this.
I hope these fucks at the sports book put our game on.
Mike E. says:
August 17, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Depends on what you mean by eat Grandma, and who’s doing it. lol
I have to agree with Steve. Sicko!
If you are saying “let’s eat grandma” then your relationship to the women is MOST likely her grandchild. Incest is NOT best. LOL
Just let grandma help jack off the horse.
That should read “Just let Grandma help Jack off the horse” Didn’t you learn anything from our examples? LOL
2nd preseason and the unveiling of Cutler. How much you guys figure he plays? I’m going till after the first full O series in the 2nd Q.
They said 1 quarter.
Quick trivia question. Former Dolphin’s WR A.C. …..?
any Intel on what color uniforms we are wearing tonight…..
Aqua, white and orange
orange shoes…now that’s a fashion statement
I’m using NFL Game Pass free trial tonight. The Eagles game will be on NFLN as the featured game and the 4th game I might just watch the replay because only depth players will play in that game.
Really I just want to see Cutler sharp and see him sling a couple darts hitting guys in stride.
I’m recording it tomorrow. No way I could watch tonight anyway, I won’t get home until 9:30 at the earliest
That Defense!
Penalties stalling a sharp Cutler
FN NFL giving us 2 preseason games in a row of teams we’ll play during the regular season, so neither team will show anything.
It’s all base stuff and getting physical work in. Don’t look at it like a real game.
Howard picks the Mallett deep ball. Out positioned the receiver
That was Revis type stuff.
Gase seems like he doesn’t want any more injuries to key players, putting the scrubs in before the 1st Qtr is over.
Fales in after only one series for Moore
Who is this guy Senorise?
Next week is the dress rehearsal where starters play into the 3rd quarter. This is nothing new.
I think Fales is better than doughty, this guy Perry looks good!
will be some interesting decisions ahead for the FO
Fales is looking at Moores job. He keeps moving the team.
American names we want to make French we add aux what about the other way around?
God-Show!
It’s real!!!!
I believe we have our 2nd team D in there against their starters right now
All- Terrain 👍
Plays Fast
The D is strong inside. STRONG
So no need to panic?
Perry has really good vision, that 11 yard td run didn’t have much room to run, but he found the opening.
Then he fumbles the KO, I guess you can’t praise someone here.
Good vision, bad hands?
He had Storm’s job til he fumbled
Nice first down run for Storm
Bad special teams fuck up
STs sucks again this week.
Nuthin’
Shit
Timmons has knit winter hat on in Miami in August
Eric Smith looked really good blocking downfield on the TD run.
STs again
How did Bo’more score a TD?
Blocked punt, then threw a little pass on 3rd down from the 1.
guys in the backfield were standing around with their arms up waving instead of either getting ready to block someone or call TO.
It never hit the ground
Easy call
Thanks Steve, Rob
Put one in the Tank!
Oh I forgot to tell you I love you too Mike. You’re awesome!
Uh oh, what did I do wrong?
Nothing. Just heaping due praise on you
Nothing = everything, thanks
Preseason sux when you have Fales and Doughty taking 5/6th of the snaps.
Who’s 59?
Chase Allen LB 6 3 250 out of southern illinois
I hope the Ravens get stuck with Mallett this year.
Why bother calling TO?
See
59 just got cut
What did he do?
He had him on third down a let him go
Its better to lose in preseason to a team that you’re going to play in the regular season.
TMZVerified account @TMZ 22m22 minutes ago
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Raiders’ Sean Smith Arrested, Charged with Felony Assault
http://www.tmz.com/2017/08/17/raiders-sean-smith-arrested-charged-assault/
Oh damn strong charge. His sister’s boyfriend – he must of hit or dissed her really bad. I wonder what the facts are.
Anyone in particular look really good tonite?
GodShow, All-terrain, Howard, Perry til he fumbled the kick
Fales man ( in my best Gruden voice)
Griese is having a good night. He said, “Cutler will be fine, don’t worry”
I really liked that comment.; that was huge coming from a football mind like Griese.
It did feel reassuring
Where’s ffr?
Get in here
First time we’ve seen Lacey get burned- badly
yikes Watts just got cut. Guy from Ga Tech. coulda had a sack if he had shown patience. and just bored in on the guy. QB was dead meat.
… And we have Suh
God it’s so nice to have a quarterback
Lol
That guy did not score on that QB sneak.
I think Moore should start against Tampa.
Ain’t gonna happen
Our O-Line [albeit we didn’t play starters Pouncey (nursing), Larsen (I/R, coming back mid-season), or James (shoulder injury)] looks poor. As I’ve stated since the Draft was over, one key injury and we’re in trouble. And that we’re ALREADY banged up, that doesn’t bode well.
It’s difficult to judge Cutler due to the above and being he’s still knocking rust off, but he didn’t look bad. Doughty will be lucky to make the PS this year, IMO.
Defense is looking nice, especially the secondary (WOOO!!!). The only question on Defense: is Mike Hull the answer at MLB or do we sign a vet?
Darren Rizzi is going to kick somebody’s azz tonight, if he hasn’t already.
multiple asses getting kicked on STs.
You know we take our vet LS for granted, but what happened tonight is just one more example of how solid Denny is.
DEFINITELY multiple azzes are getting kicked on STs. Rizzi won’t tolerate it.
Fales and Dough Boy suck.
I don’t disagree.
Doughty is having mental problems. It’s weird. It’s not his arm; it’s his decisions.
I’m not sure his arm is strong enough for the NFL, but that’s just me. He’s accurate enough, but he’s got a noodle arm… and he’s not of Mr. Pennington’s caliber.
TOP 5 GRADES from PFF
CB Cordrea Tankersley, 87.0
DI Jordan Phillips, 81.9
LB Mike Hull, 79.1
S A.J. Hendy, 79.0
ED Praise Martin-Oguike, 78.6
PERFORMANCES OF NOTE:
OG JESSE DAVIS, 29.7
With little to be excited about on offense, the biggest struggles are naturally going to be highlighted. Backup guard Jesse Davis may have had the roughest night on the Dolphins’ roster, as he gave up a sack, a hit and two QB hurries, and also struggled to sustain blocks in the run game as well.
QB JAY CUTLER, 71.3
While the Dolphins were unable to sustain drives early in the game with Jay Cutler under center, his statline should have been better. Two of his three incompletions (on six official attempts) were a throw-away and a drop, and a 31-yard gain on a sideline comeback route was nullified due to a penalty. Expect to see a significant uptick in reps for him next week.
CB CORDREA TANKERSLEY, 87.0
The rookie from Clemson was all over underneath stuff Thursday night. He picked off one of his three targets and dropped another.
DI JORDAN PHILLIPS, 81.9
Seeing Jordan Phillips among the highest graded players is very encouraging after seeing him struggle through the first two seasons of his career. He had two pressures, a batted pass, and a stop on the day.
Armando SalgueroVerified account @ArmandoSalguero 3m3 minutes ago
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Ryan Tannehill flew to have his knee surgery Thursday. Surgery is Friday morning. Reported earlier it was Thursday.
Fales and Doughty are limited in arm strength but can at least get work in for the depth chart because they can run the offense. The coaches need tape to evaluate players. Neither of those 2 QBs are making the team or are NFL caliber. The score means nothing.
This is find your best 53 time. 37 players playing a lot in the 2nd half won’t make the team or the league.
The work we get practicing with the Eagles this upcoming week before and during the PS game is a good prep game. I think Pouncey plays at least the first series in this game.
The 4th PS game will be last chance for some bubble guys with very few core guys playing at all.
Playing at RG, huh? Hmmm…