So the NFL draft came and went in a whirl wind weekend. I think we made out pretty well. 2 major holes filled, or potentially filled, it’s still unknown at the moment. In my mind, the order of importance for me was QB, DL, OL. That’s how I saw it, and it wasn’t going to be easy to fill all those needs completely in one draft. For perspective, we used 6 picks in this draft, next season we have 12 picks, one 1st RD pic, two 2nd RD picks, two 3rd RD picks, two 4th RD picks, one 5th RD pick, and two each of 6th and 7th RD picks. We’re going to do a lot of fixing next season, and it’s not only a substantial draft haul, we will be flush with cap money, near $100M, so we will have plenty of flexibility to continue to add quality players to our roster.
So here’s what we did so far . . .
DT Christian Wilkins 6’3 315 Clemson Round 1 Pick #13
Wilkins was one of the top prospects on the DL in this draft. A very high character player with off the charts leadership abilities, he’s a foundation player that can set the tone in the locker room, as well as on the field. A very productive player at Clemson, Wilkins was a 4 YR starter with excellent tackling ability,. He can also get to the QB with 16 total sacks in 4 seasons. He has great burst and short are quickness, and should slide in immediately as a starter in either a 3-4 or 4-3 front.
QB Josh Rosen 6’4 226 UCLA/Arizona Cardinals Round 2 Pick #62 + 2020 5th RD Pick
Originally the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh spent last season with the Arizona Cardinals. Rosen started 13 games last season for Arizona finishing with 11 TD’s and 14 INT’s as well as a 55% completion percentage. It was a difficult rookie season on a very poor team evidenced by the firing of rookie HC Steve Wilks after 1 season. RB David Johnson was coming back after missing most of the previous season and was not the same player and rarely found any running room and finished with 1386 total yards in 2019 after finishing with 2118 total yards in 2016, his last full season. Larry Fitzgerald was really the only reliable target on a poor offense.
OG Michael Deiter 6’5 309 Wisconsin Round 3 Pick #78
Dieter was a 3 year starter at Wisconsin, and was actually a first team all-conference pick as a starter at LT. He played the rest of his college career however at at both guard spots and center. Obviously, Deiter is versatile and play most anywhere but is projected as an OG/C. Deiter neeeds to work hark hard in the weight room, but is a capable player who may end up playing sooner than later considering our depth along the O-line. He’s a good run blocker playing in Wiconsin’s pro style offense.
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel 6’3 241 Wisconsin Round 5 Pick #151
Andrew Van Ginkel was a 2 YR starter at OLB for Wisconsin. He has pass rushing ability and has 12 sacks in 2 seasons. Think of him as a Chase Winovich or T.J. Watt lite. He has athletic ability running a 4.56 40, a 38″ vertical, a super quick 4.14 20 yard shuttle and very good 6.89 3 cone drill. He’s a physical specimen that can hopefully find a place on our roster as pass rusher and chase and tackle LB.
OT Isaiah Prince 6’6 305 Ohio St. Round 6 Pick #202
Prince was a 3 YR starter at Ohio State, all at RT. Not coincidentally, we have a huge need at RT with the departure of Ja’Wuan James. He’s a project of sorts, not a natural knee bender and just beginning to improve with pass protection. I would imagine he will be in competition for a starting spot due to the lack of quality depth at the position with Zach Sterup and Jesse Davis. Another prospect that needs to hit the weight room (most do).
FB Chandler Cox 6’1 236 Auburn Round 7 Pick #233
Chandler Cox just sounds like a New England Patriot, doesn’t it? Cox played sparingly during 4 seasons with the Auburn Tigers. Cox was projected as an undrafted FA, but the Dolphins wanted him here. I expect Cox to make the 53. If the Patriots can get a starting QB late in RD 6, surely we can get a FB late in RD 7! Cox performed well at the Auburn pro day running a 4.7 40 with a 32″ vertical. Look for him to be worked hard to help spring the potential of our 2019 ground game, which should be exciting with the next guy I’ll discuss.
RB Myles Gaskin 5’9 204 Washington Round 7 Pick #234
Gaskin was a 4 YR starter at Washington and a very productive one at that. You look at his height weight combo you think bowling ball, but Gaskin is built more like a scat back, but he’s definitely an inside runner too, so he can do it all. Gaskin has 5323 rushing yards and 57 rushing TD’s in 4 seasons with Washington, along with 65 receptions and 465 yards receiving and 5 TD’s. This dynamo ran a 4.58 40 with a nice vertical. He’s got a lot of wiggle in him, and I think he’ll definitely be part of what I view as a very nice, diversified backfield with Kenyan Drake, Kalen Ballage and FB Chandler Cox. He has a lot of mileage but I expect he’ll continue to rack more up here in Miami.
In addition to our draft picks, we were busy as expected picking up a number of undrafted free agents. I’m not positive this is the most up to date or accurate list, but this is what I found . . .
- Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State
- Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State
- Tyler Horton, CB, Boise State
- Deion Calhoun, OL, Mississippi State
- Nik Needham, CB, UTEP
- Montre Hartage, CB, Northwestern
- Ryan Anderson, OL, Wake Forest
- Wes Farnsworth, LS, Nevada
- Dewayne Hendrix, DE, Pitt
- Jonathan Ledbetter, DE, Georgia
- Trenton Irwin, WR, Stanford
- Aaron Monteiro, OL, Boston College
- Rob Rolle, S, Villanova
- Tre Watson, LB, Maryland
All in all, I’m really very pleased with the end result of the draft weekend. Am I looking at this through Rosen colored glasses? Of course I am! I’m getting more enthusiastic about acquiring QB Josh Rosen each day. I think he’s going to come in here and work very hard to be a difference maker, and although I think Ryan Fitzpatrick is a swell guy, I think his impact will be more as a mentor than a starting QB. I think Rosen will be our starter in 2019, and I think he’s going to earn it all the way.
This doesn’t mean we’re a Superbowl team, we still have some big holes. Our O-line needs to get settled, and I don’t think we’re done there yet either. Once cuts start happening, there will be a few veteran OL that could probably help us and I expect to pick up 1 or 2 there. Same goes for the D-line, we have little talent on the edge and also expect to get a little help once cuts begin for the DE position as well.
No one expected us to rebuild everything in one season, that’s just totally unrealistic. That doesn’t mean we can’t get to the point of being respectable. I think we can achieve that, and not be an easy beat for any team. I want to continue to improve each week and see growth, and that will put us in great position next season where we have 12 picks, and multiple picks in the first 100, and likely around $100M in cap space. It’s very promising indeed! GO DOLPHINS!
#staythecourse
Josh Rosen’s introductory press conference
https://www.miamidolphins.com/video/josh-rosen-introductory-press-conference
Finsmob Unleashed 
i really think that the HC who has a plan and puts people in the right spots, trains them what their exact job is and the team has success.
this process creates star players that have a perceived value. yet you put that same player on a dis-functional team he’s JAG.
this is how the Pats take so many underachievers and turn them into great players.
I think that’s what we will do, get the under achievers on the cheap and turn them into players.
I think we’ll be less like the cheats, than most expect, especially on O.
LBs play special teams, so that could be one reason. I’m expecting 3-4 as our base, but I think Flores is looking for versatility and smarts.
A guy I work with is a Chargers fan, he said he was hoping Wilkins would fall to them. He loves his versatility, and says hes better than the guy the jets drafted.
Wilkins seems to fit right in with the cheats way, versatile, smart and hungry.
Due to the page turn . . .
Mike E. says:
May 3, 2019 at 9:49 am (Edit)
M – From last night’s convo – Harry Kalas had a great voice. To me he was one of the voices of NFL films along with John Facenda. I know he did Phillies games too but I couldn’t see Phillies broadcasts. Both Kalas and Facenda’s voices will both be forever etched in my mind.
Rob – It’s an entire system. The Patriots are masters at finding the right players to implement into their systems, and even if they don’t get those players in the draft, if they like them, they keep tabs on them, and when they’re available, they get them. Then they plug them in to their system, which evolves and changes against each team they play. They can be a short passing team one week and a power running team the next. No one does that better than them
In years past, the players the Pats drafts would get dogged right after by “the expert” except for getting value out of trades. Don’t see that as much — think they have figured out that the Pats just pick different kind of players than most teams. And you get a better selection when you like what others don’t value as much. Less competition.
FEST — Get on the list
Seat draft is next Monday and need to get a sense of how many people might (and only mean might) be there. Don’t have to set the actual number until like 8 weeks before the game, but after Monday can’t get more.
Skins game on Oct 13 is the clear winner (12-6) in the poll and will go with that unless some serious talking about it on board (sorry Krishna).
Started the list based on what what people have said on the board, but could have forgot some. And yeah that means if you said the Skins date was good counted you as in, but can correct.
Who else is thinking Fest? And if you aren’t sure just become a possible.
IN
Hulk
Mike E (+1-3)
Pig
Doggy (+2)
Son (+ ?)
stanger (+2-4)
OD
Toba (+1)
Phelon (+2) (own seats)
Rock
POSSIBLE
Brian NY (+1?)
Twice
Naples (+1)
I’m +3 at the moment, it won’t go less but maybe more, waiting on Jim.
It’s a fallacy that the Pats draft JAGs and turn them into great players. They have always had really talented players on their roster: Brady, Gronk, Chung, Wilfork, McGinest, Welker. The list goes on and on. Of course they don’t have superstars at every position…no team does. Bellicheat is a great coach, but NE has also had pretty damn good players at critical positions.
*
Talent matters…even in NE. Players and coaches always say it’s about the players. Of course coaching matters. I don’t care how good your coaches are. You ain’t winning if you have a team devoid of talent.
You could argue that Brady was JAG. He was drafted in the 6th RD. He became a great player there though.
Welker was really good for us here in MIA before NE stile him from us
I wonder why THOSE specific guys do not effect the formula?
Maybe it has to do with when they were released from their former team, not sure
Probably because they were released and not true UDFAs.
UFAs, not UDFAs.
I’m thinking that’s the list “he” would like to sign, or the position the team could use upgrades at?
Mike E. says:
May 3, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Welker was really good for us here in MIA before NE stile him from us
Belicheat really is a master of the dark art of cheating! What he did to Miami when he stole Welker was “legal” at the time because there was no specific rule against it. The league had to invent a new rule to keep it from happening again later.
If you guys don’t remember the details, we tendered Welker a 2nd round pick and let him go out and shop his services so we could match the offer. Belicheat made him an offer and added a stipulation that if he played more than two games in Miami per season his entire contract would be guaranteed. Of course if he was a NE player he COULD NOT meet that stipulation, but as a Miami player it was impossible not to. Miami decided it was too much of a risk to guarantee his full salary for the length of the contract and the rest is history.
The following year the league stepped in an made it illegal to do that again.
Poison pill contract
In that picture of Gaskin above, how does the defender (#33) expect to make a tackle with both hands balled in fists. How does the guy make fists with his thumb tucked in like that without breaking his damn thumbs?
He was going to deliver a double kidney punch. Very effective
I think what you’re seeing is the defender already missed grabbing Gaskins and the photo caught his hands in clench mode.
the guy is going to break his thumbs if that is how he clenches his fists!
My ex-wife used to tuck her thumb like that when she punched and then I taught her how to make a real fist and how to really punch……I was sorry later in our relationship when I pissed her off enough that she busted me in the mouth. LOL
I liked Veldheer….3 years ago. Sullivan has been a solid player, but I thought he had some health issues. I think he’s a pure C. Do we need a Center? Shelton would be interesting if we feel we need some power and stoutness inside.
we have 31 year old Danial Kilgore penciled in at center with one year vet Connor Hilland as his backup. So I would say yes, we need a center.
fuck off
The value of how much he was acquired for don’t mean squat until he plays. We did great in the DJFF trade up, but the player was a FF and busted badly.
The gist of the story is that Rosen was ranked very high by the talent evaluators from these other teams compared to the other QBs, and the value we acquired him for. All the rookie QBs drafted are in the same boat with Rosen in that it’s about performance.
When we look back at this draft, it’ll be Haskins and Rosen. We had the option for either. IMO things like what we gave up and who was rated where are talking points, but ultimately won’t matter for squat. If Rosen ends up our QB of the future, not a single Dolphins fan will care what we gave up. Hopefully we made the right choice.
Tim
Don’t let the old “sour grapes” guy get you down!
He’s still looking through Haskins colored glasses!
No I’m not! It’s just that the story of the value we got is old hat, it’s over already. Now it’s up to Rosen to kick some ass, or the trade wasn’t a good one. Right?
I wouldn’t sign any of those free agents that were mentioned above
Randy says:
May 3, 2019 at 12:50 pm
I don’t care how good your coaches are. You ain’t winning if you have a team devoid of talent.
_______________________________________________
the way the NFL is set up for parity most teams have equal talent..it’s what you do with that talent that counts,
you perceive talent according to success, if the Pats never won a superbowl do you think Brady would be the GOAT?
scheme and philosophy has more to do with success than talent. it’s a team game.
the most talented individual on the pats is Bellechick.
the Pats had over 13,000 snaps played by players taken in the 4th rd or later last year. yes, they have some good talent on their team but it’s not like it’s on the field every play. he knows how to get the best out of the talent he has on the team .
and I’m betting on that on the defensive side of the ball in Miami with Flores being there. In fact, I’m betting we get more out of the guys on our offensive line this year than anyone would think.
I look at the possibility of
LT Tunsil
LG Deiter
C Kilgore
RG Davis
RT Dunn
as starters and I’m not worried one bit. and with guys like Anderson, Calhoun, Prince and Monteiro for depth I’m good with it.
Welcome old friend!
The more I look at Rosen, the more I really like getting him. He’s got a ton of talent and is definitely able to turn things around if surrounded by decent talent. I look at Goff, Trubisky, and a few others and really think Rosen has more talent.
Predraft I was thinking we should’ve taken a QB last year, but then we lose Minkah, so…F that.
We ended up with the QB anyway. 🙂
Kong, if Rosen becomes our franchise QB it will forever be known as the “Arizona Heist”. 🙂
Sounds good to me. 🙂
The optimism surrounding the Rosen trade is slowly worming its way into my psyche. I pretty much wrote this season off, but now I’m starting to get excited to see the new regime and their philosophy. Having a new QB with potential franchise ability makes it that much more exciting.
I may have to call DirecTV and get signed up again. (I just cancelled it last month, lol.)
I guess the obvious question is Rosen and Wilkins or Gaskins and anyone that was available at our pick in the 2nd?
It’s hard to believe anyone saying Gaskins and ?, unless you really dont like Rosen or Wilkens and you love Gaskins.
I don’t see how we could’ve replaced those 2 and been better off.
we drafted Gaskins???
7th round, No. 234 overall (from Pittsburgh through Oakland) | Myles Gaskins, RB, Washington
Think he meant Haskins.
Haskins Gaskins…
The names all run together at this point of the league year. Lucky I can remember who Wake was.
You can call him stupid…. but never call La Confora a Dolphins hater again. Even called Rosen, after research, better than all but Murray in the 2019 draft class. From the article Wyoming popped:
“Miami could trade him again in a year, no problem. Or he may have solved their long-term QB problem. Either way, for the 62nd selection, and loaded with additional picks in 2019 to move up or down the board however they like, the Dolphins are already winners here.”
2020, 2019 happened already . . .
You knew what he meant. Wasn’t trying to claim La Confora was a good proofreader. 🙂
wow did you guys see this?
“Rosen … Miami’s Bret Favre”
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001029886/article/is-josh-rosen-the-dolphins-brett-favre-ravens-transformation
That would be something
The only way it was a good move is if Rosen becomes our long term answer at QB. If he doesn’t, it wasn’t. Because if he doesn’t pan out for us, nobody is gonna give us anything for him.
That’s the case for any player on any team.
Randy — say Rosen shows it good but not great on the field this year, but they decide to go 1st 1st for Tua next year cause they see him as a generational talent? You think teams won’t just be looking at what Rosen did on the field? And have a hard time believing he won’t have some trade value left after this year no matter what happens except injury, arrest, etc.
if that’s the case they should keep both and let them compete the following season. for a low 2nd round pick he would still be valuable as a backup.
Tim – We get that it’s the case for any player on the team. It’s just the stories are getting more grandiose by the moment about how good a trade it was for us. OK, we get it, I’m thrilled he’s here. He still has to play well. Let’s just move on from that, that’s all.
Agreed. I just see a lot of comments that seem like it’s a different case for Rosen than any other young QB or player. Like if he isn’t awesome right away we move on and draft another QB. Other teams won’t do that with their young QBs so why should we?
I’ll say this too, I do not believe we’re going to have a top 5 pick next year. I don’t think we’re going to be that bad.
I don’t really know what to expect from our team. I think we might struggle some early on, but I expect us to get better. Improving doesn’t always mean wins. I think of how the Browns were in a lot of close games in ’17 but still went 0-16. From that perspective, I don’t think 5 wins is out of the question. I just want improvement. I won’t be disappointed if we lose a bunch, and I certainly won’t be disappointed if we win a bunch. 🙂
I think we have too many playmakers to be real bad. We don’t have a complete team as in enough talent in some areas or at least on paper to be a top team. But I think a lot of people who have us as the worst team in the league and not a good roster are overlooking quite a few good players. If some of our young players take the next step and play well we’re on our way to becoming a good team.
By the time training camp opens the Rosenpenis trade will have supplanted the Herschel Walker trade as the greatest trade in the history of the NFL. 😉
Lol!
stanger,
That’s possible, but why would we trade him for a 5th rounder if he’s shown he can be a competent backup? If he is just so-so next year, I don’t think anybody trades for him as a starter and the higher draft pick.
We’d have to see how he looks, but even if he never sees a down on the field (or is so-so) would I trade him next year for a 5th. Think a good back-up worth more than that….. especially one with that cheap contract.
Tim,
What year did you ever not have a rosey, positive outlook? Lol
What have I said that’s so rosey?
I’m not saying Rosen is going to great, just good or bad. We have to see him play here. But this idea that if he’s just okay in his 2nd year we move on is silly. No other teams do that with young QBs. Sam Darnold wasn’t anything special in his rookie year and the Jets aren’t looking to move on anytime soon. You have to give it a few years. His contract also makes that an easy call.
I’m saying he’s going to be great and it’s up to him to prove me wrong
Tim,
Playmakers. We have none. MAYBE you can consider Drake one, but he’s only scored 6 TDs in his 3 year career. Big play potential isn’t a playmaker. Making big plays is…and that’s putting up points. Who are all these playmakers you talk about?
Yeah okay. That might be the dumbest post I’ve ever seen you make. I’m not going to even continue with this. We have none. LOL
Tim,
Thanks for calling me stupid. I’ll just assume we think of playmakers differently. Lol
Never called you stupid. I said dumb post. Playmakers make big plays. Both sides of the ball and STs. You said we have none, maybe Drake. I think you forgot a lot of plays multiple players made last year. And remember we were worse because of the QB. LOL
stanger,
That was my point. If Rosen is just kinda okay this season. No team will give up a high draft pick for him, and his best value would be to keep him as a backup rather than getting a 5th round pick, for instance. I don’t see giving up a second round pick for a backup QB as a good move…hence back to the original line of comments.
Honestly, I don’t understand the conversation. Expecting him to be just okay means he probably isn’t even as good as HIM and we all know that isn’t possible. So the point is moot.
Randy — I just don’t know how good Rosen will be. Thought the trade for him made all the sense in the world though. And if he ends up being a top-end #2 QB…. to me at least seems that is the low end of the possibles. Unless I guess he turns into a team progress-stopper like Tanny.
ratings of Miami’s UDFAs
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article229384504.html
Randy, also Drake has score 16 TDs in 3 years on limited touches – 9 Rush, 6 Rec and 1 KR. He had 9 TDs last year.
Tim,
That’s why I mentioned Drake as the one playmaker we may have. I threw you a bone. Lol I did get his TDs messed up for some reason, and I knew he had 9 last year.
I said I wouldn’t continue with it but what the hell. Wilson, Grant and Stills all make big plays. Howard, Jones, Minkah, Kiko all make big plays that change games. And there were some others here and there along with blocking kicks and punts. Those types of plays can be the difference in winning 7 games rather than 1 or 2 like some suggest so we can tank for Tua. Also you’ve always said a big part of the problem was the QB who’s no longer here yet these playmakers are still here.
All I said is we have too many playmakers to be really bad, not that it makes us a contender. You called that rosey. Your reply to me saying this was that we have “none” which suggests I don’t know what I’m talking about.
lou,
Well, opinion is one thing. Proving it on the field is another. We’ll all find out shortly.
well. people kept telling me that Tannehill WAS the answer at qb and he was going to show me and I was wrong about him and he didn’t show me shit. this kid Rosen is the real deal and I have no doubt in my mind he will show everyone.
stanger,
I was okay with the move. The possible upside was worth the risk. If it doesn’t work out, so be it.
Tim,
I knew you could do it! Lol
***
Your list is….long…so I’ll just leave it there. I am now going to go continue my drinking with people in public. Later.
Enjoy your night, Nelly! JK/BB LOL
Randy,
I’d consider Stills, Albert Wilson, and possibly Grant as playmakers too. Nothing amazing but definitely far above what Rosen is used to.
Gase used razzmatazz but was that because his talent was lacking /injured or because he didn’t have Manning to cover for his average playcalling? We’ll know more this year on that but quick passes should at least give Rosen more time if he can adjust.
I wasn’t just talking offense, defense have playmakers too.
O’Shea has said his offense will be designed around what players do well, not a system of trying to fit players into something that isn’t a strength. Flores said that’s the plan on defense as well. So that should help.
I agree but considering people are reasonably focused on the QB, I just mentioned that side. As Krishna said a couple days ago(and is repeated all the time everywhere), defense wins championships and is usually a QBs best friend. Nothing like 11 guys helping to keep you in the game when you aren’t at your best.
I’ve always been a defense guy and I agree with Krishna. You can’t make it to a Super Bowl without playing good defense along the way.
Gase “didn’t have Manning to cover for his average playcalling.” Gonna stick with that one….. even if Gase might have thought he came up with Manning’s plays.
New year. Miami is going 19-0, Super Bowl champs. Anyone says otherwise until they lose a game can fuck off.
LOL
Stanger,
I wasn’t very impressed with Gase after Year 1. Sure, he looked good that year but he also had a running game and seemed to understand some basic concepts of offensive success. Last year was terrible. I remember the Raiders game and barely winning off trick plays. We really shouldn’t have won that game. That’s when I knew we might be in for a long year unless Tannehill elevated his game, or Gase changed things up. Hopefully we have a more balanced offense this year.
I think we’ll see more of a commitment to the running game. Let’s say Rosen wins the starting job, I think having the TEs and RBs more involved in the passing game will help him as well. They are a QB’s best friend.
No idea what our starting 5 OL will look like, I just would like to see them at least stay healthy and build chemistry throughout the season.
Think about this. We started 1-4 and had Foster not gone down with an injury he probably would have stuck with him the entire season and Ajayi probably never sees the field and gives us that spark that enables us to win enough games to make it to the playoffs.
So, we’re probably looking at 3 consecutive losing seasons.
All the Haitians I’ve met were all nice people, very humble. Never met any outside Florida, though.
Good story…so my wife is a teacher and her school has a lack of substitutes. She has to take Monday off and it was confirmed the principal will be providing coverage for her classes. So she’s been emailing him the entire week to see if he planned on going over the lesson plans she was leaving or if he needed some form of biology based video. She never heard a peep all week from him…she was pissed. She was upset that she’d leave the work and he wouldn’t hand it out. So I gave her advice, I told her to just print of a reading with a questionnaire that follows that way he can’t screw anything up…he just needs to read along aloud w/ the class. The subject that I convinced her to print out….GENITAL WARTS. She made the copies and they are on her desk awaiting him😂
LOL
He’s gonna be like no f’n way I’m doing this lesson. Okay class, today is talk to each other day. Enjoy!
He embarrasses really easy😂
I almost suggested an article on the pullout method.
Myles Gaskin is such a Pats type of RB. Been watching some of his highlights. He’s our James White/Dion Lewis. He’s got really good instincts and football moves. Don’t think he’ll break many long plays at the NFL level but he will be a pain the ass change of pace RB who I think will lineup as a WR at times. He should help us on 3rd downs and moving the chains.
Yes I think he’ll make the team as a 7th rd pick. 🙂
In a rebuild year no reason any rookie draftees are cut outside of the obvious ones.
Who are the obvious ones?
About the discussion earlier when I was saying we have too many playmakers to be really bad, I’ll ask this. How did we win 7 games last year with the 31st ranked offense and 29th ranked defense and QB play that everyone thought was sub par? Playmakers? 😉
the team had to have playmakers on offense when everything was bubble screens and short passes.
Playmakers, IMO…
DeVante Parker: we’ve seen it at times, needs to become consistent and injury-free
Kenny Stills: his ‘9-route’ is among the league’s elite over the last several years
Albert Wilson: just watch last year before his injury
Jakeem Grant: just watch last year before his injury
Mike Gesicki: Tannehill and Osweiler never knew how to throw a seam-route to a TE
Kenyan Drake: need I say more?
Josh Rosen: he’s a dangerous runner when Defenses lose contain on him
I’d say we look pretty good in the playmaker department, we just need consistent QB play and a better O-Line.
We need the miscommunication stuff on defense to stop as well. How many times did we see some of our defenders barking out calls looking backwards when the ball was snapped? Too many times. My hope is the first thing this new coaching staff instills in this team is discipline. That alone improves field position and can keep you in games. The 10-14 penalties per game got out of hand to say the least.
Wouldn’t it be something if Jayrone Elliott became our next version of Cam Wake? Maybe not as good as Cam, but a solid pass rusher who’s had a long road and is still trying to make it in the NFL.
The way the roster is setup you can already see we’re more of a hybrid defense leaning towards a 3-4 base. What you see a lot of these days from most teams is in sub packages you’re see 3 down DL and an Edge standing up in 4 man fronts and then mix in stunts and blitzes. I see Harris, Van Ginkel and Elliott as those Edge type of players. Guys like Woodard, Carradine and a guy like Ledbetter or Hendrix will be more 4-3 type DEs. We still might add a DE or two in the next wave of FA.
I’m really excited to see how this team shapes up and what’s ahead.
————–
I don’t like it… we should have been ranked much higher.
Tim Knight says:
May 3, 2019 at 8:37 pm
We need the miscommunication stuff on defense to stop as well. How many times did we see some of our defenders barking out calls looking backwards when the ball was snapped? Too many times. My hope is the first thing this new coaching staff instills in this team is discipline. That alone improves field position and can keep you in games. The 10-14 penalties per game got out of hand to say the least.
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Well now you’re on to Defense… I was just talking about Offensive playmakers. I don’t think we lack in that department, but that’s JMO.
Yes, I agree with ya on Defense. I think we have too much talent on the Defensive side to be bad… save an elite pass-rusher(s). I believe Matt Burke was probably the biggest problem we had last year, so I’d look for us to be improved this year.
I’ve been posting both sides of the ball. 🙂
I agree though, we have playmakers on offense. Ballage and Gesicki in year two and Gaskin could make us even better. We need Wilson and Grant back and ready to go. Parker is still a dark horse. The talent is there but hampering injuries always sets him back.
I’m real interested in the no base anything approach on both sides of the ball. We do whatever we think needs to be done to win the game. That’s why you don’t pay one guy to be the man. You want to be deep and versatile.
Yessir, I agree!
I’d like to add something to Mike E’s #StayTheCourse hashtag… that would be: #TakeTheOver.
I’m telling y’all, we’re going to be MUCH better than anybody (especially Vegas) thinks we’re going to be this year.
And I don’t really care if Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen QBs this team… we’re going to be a tough team, from top to bottom, regardless.
I agree with that because I think this coaching staff is going to instill that toughness mentality with everything they do. I can see players flying around on the field making plays, hitting hard, jarring the ball loose on D and o linemen battling on every down on the offensive side.
I see it too, Lou. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of teams… and even our very fanbase.
yeah, our own fan base is probably going to be the most surprised group of all
Players have already said after the first voluntary minicamp that one thing they know is we’re going to run a lot and be the best conditioned team in the league. Flores made them run a lot and you know who that reminded me of? 😉
the Don
^
The 10 minute run.
Another key player in this defense to me is Jerome BAKER!!! LOL
He can run like DBs and cover WRs and chase plays down from behind to prevent bigger plays. He can also blitz and get to the QB. Even if we play a base 3-4 at times he can transform us into a nickel defense on the fly. He plays fast in pads and that’s football speed. I think he has pro bowl potential. I really liked what I saw from him 2nd half of the season. McMillan started to find his game too. If these two guys take a big step in 2019, we have a totally different defense. Less plays that should have gone for 4-6 yards but went for 15+ go away.
To be absolutely realistic, I think we’ve got to look at all of Kiko, Raekwon, and Jerome as a single unit. IMO, they will ROCK this year! And I agree with what ya just stated above, I just feel the need to bring attention to how very good Kiko is.
I’m a Kiko fan. I already know he’s a playmaker. He makes a lot of tackles, forces fumbles, recovers them and gets his share of picks. We all thought we had no LBs just a few years ago. I think we’re good. Pass rush is the biggest question. We’ll see how it pans out. I think Wilkins adds a dimension to the DL people are overlooking when they look at the Dolphins defense. Oh right, Minkah too. Oh shit they have Jones. Yeah McDonald is solid. Oh right forgot about Howard. WTF?!!! Oh man, McCain is a dog too.
Sorry I forgot we’re not a roster void of talent lol. I won’t be surprised if we’re a top 15 defense that keeps us in games. I’d actually be disappointed if that’s not the case.
I’m really excited about some of the addition like Elliot, Holmes, Ledbetter, Hendrix, Watson and Needham on the defensive side of the ball.
The other thing I like about the new staff is 21 and 22 personnel will be more prominent. The Pats go from spread after scoring points and getting leads to the 21 and 22 personnel to grind you out and win the game. The core principles of football still exist. Some teams don’t realize that. Two of them lost Super Bowls because of it. 😉
Yessir!
Coooooooooxxxxx!!!! Where’s Piggy?
F&^%^, I knew Dallas was going to be a tough draw for us. They were the only team that worried me once we got past the Jets.
I like that Rosen is here
Have talked to a couple of people who love to speak in fuzzy math
We traded out in our 2nd, bought us an additional second next year
Traded a late round 2nd for Rosen
And a 5th
So we got Rosen for a 5th round pick !
M
No need to bring to my attention how good Kiko is! 🙂
I think van Ginkel, unless he is in way over his head, which is a worry, will improve Kiko.
Alonso suffered by the need to play Raekwon at his only effective position.
With van G doiing all those loopy stunts and playing speed contain on the edge, Alonso can return to being a ILB where he gets INTs from QB spying and gets better tackling angles. And provides an interior pass rush.
Having 2 MLBs should help us choke off those ridiculous RB gashes up the middle we were so famous for giving up last year, when we fans were like WTF … nobody home in the middle.
PS: and Jerome will function on the other edge like van G only with serious talent.
The question mark on D is Harris. What does he actually bring to the table?
I am hoping Wilkins getting push up the middle will reveal a little second wave lane behind him that our speed guys Kiko, Jerome, and van G can fill so they are terribly annoying to QBs trying to wait for routes to develop. We already know that Xavien forces WRs to do double and triple moves to try to get separation. And he picks off all that desperation crap late. So that takes away half the field.
If Minkah can do the same in center field and Jones has anything left in the tank like when he used to pick off the short outs and weak slants, then we are one good boundary corner away from a lock down secondary.
With all the speed we have on D, we just need some creative pass rush designs that feast on the 5-7 step drops. That will reduce opponents’ passing game to dink and dunk alternating with sacks and runstuffs, like what happened to Goff and the Rams. (cough Flores cough)
On offense, getting Cox and Gaskin was absolutely brilliant. That is just about as perfect a 7th round as you can get unless you find your PK there, like Grier did last year. Role players not ???.
I mean, if you are going all nouveau Brady, your offense needs a “don’t give a shit about gettin dirty” FB that still has ball skills. As soon as teams load up the box to stop Drake, their safeties get their noses bloodied by a guy with RB skills that is 20-25 pounds heavier. And Cox can handle the ball from flea flickers to inside shovel screens, so the D can’t just take aim on him like he’s a tree stump.
Gaskin is that heart breaking pest type runner who you know is not fast enough to take it to the house but still squirts out of the trash for a drive extending 8 yarder just when the D thought they were gettin off the field. And his play speed late in the game on fresh legs will not seem so slow compared to what the starting LBs and Safeties have left after playing every snap for 3 quarters.
That UDFA DE from UGA we signed might be a Derrick Shelby type backup for our superstar Edge-rusher that we draft in round 1 in 2020. Unfortunately, we don’t have that player at this moment.
What we do have is an SEC starter from a top 10 ranked team. Sadly, he’s a 280 pound tweener. They say he’s too small to play like JJ Watt and too slow to play like Aaron Donald. But what if the NFL weight room can nudge him closer to 290? He played well against very high level OGs.
Physically speaking & combine numbers wise I believe Ledbetter compares to Michael Bennett.
wow if we could get him anywhere close to that level, I would be ecstatic.
Every new regime change talks about playing to our players’ strengths and the opponents’ weaknesses.
I can’t remember seeing this from the Dolphins in years past. Maybe, this regime means it.
I did see that strategy play out in the last SB with a 6 round QB and a top 10 defense.
I truly believe that without a competent OL we are setting whatever QB we have to fail
Not against Rosen and see the reasoning. BUT, how do run a play when DT is in the backfield every play? No QB will ever be successful in that scenario.
Just because we didn’t take an OL in RD 1 or RD 2 doesn’t mean we will have a terrible OL.
NE Patriots starting OL last season
LT Trent Brown 7th RD (pick 244)
LG Joe Thuney 3rd RD (pick 78)
C David Andrews Undrafted
RG Shaq Mason 4th RD (pick 131)
RT Marcus Cannon 5th RD (pick 138)
Pretty sure our line will end up looking somewhat similar. I’m almost positive we will pick up a vet OL once the June 1st cuts start happening. Even if we don’t, our line wouldn’t look much different as far as draft position. Say this is our starting 5
LT Laremy Tunsil 1st RD (pick 13)
LG Michael Deiter 3rd RD (pick #78)
C Dan Kilgore 5th RD (pick 163)
RG Jesse Davis Undrafted
RT Isaiah Prince 6th RD (pick 202)
Like I said, I do expect us to pick up a vet and probably 2 because depth on the OL is crucial, there’s always injuries.
Please don’t twist up my points into your narrative. Thanks.
Pete Carroll runs his teams a lot too. Pat Kirwan was talking about him yesterday how when they come out of the locker room onto the field, he doesn’t let them walk out, they run out, and continue running for a while. He wants his team not to get winded quickly.
I think that mindset and that level of conditioning also helps prevent those abysmally slow starts we suffered through under Gase.
“Hit the ground running” so we score first and make them play catch-up.
I understand why we are picked to be the worst team in the league.
It’s our OL and our lack of a pass rush.
Those deficiencies are difficult to overcome.
If we can sit here post draft and after FA and still not know who our starters are at 3 OL positions, we are in scary territory. Maybe our HC is depending on the 3rd round rook, the Center we tried to start last year and Davis, so maybe they see one unknown, but the OL is still sketchy even with that, since that means a UDFA, a zero NFL snap rookie, and a journeyman are 3 integral cogs.
Look at my post above at 8:21AM – I think that’s definitely possible, but also possible a vet or 2 we pick starts too.
Not only that, but I promise we will be supplementing the O-line with TE’s and FB’s, and that also makes a huge difference. No more of the shotgun single back sets, we’re going to have bigger sets on the field, a FB sometimes, multiple TE’s, no more fooling around!
Krishna – What kind of response is that? What did I twist? I just put out the Patriots starting 5 on the O-line, and gave you what ours might be. I didn’t twist anything. What’s your problem? I thought maybe we were having a discussion . . .
I never stated anything about picking an OL in round 1 or round 2. You did. Then, you state that somehow that means we will have a “terrible” line, meaning that’s what I think…. When, in fact, I didn’t say they either. You did.
I call that taking my points which you responded directly at me and make it part of your narrative.
I’ll just agree with everything you say from now on so we won’t have to “discuss.”
In fact, I said I can see the reasoning behind getting Rosen, but I alluded to the fact that if you give him the same OL as last year he will fail just like last year and so will any other QB.
I bet he wouldn’t. Tannehill was horrible and was most of the problem.
Seriously, son….you know better. And, if Brady was the QB he would fire the guilty OL that got him hurt on the spot…..
Not sure why Tannehill is in this discussion. Who brought him up? Oh yeah, again.
Chris sims says these are some tough S.O.B’s down in Miami, there’s no nonsense with Brian Flores,…it’s work…be accountable….don’t blame others…this is the new Miami culture Rosen is going into.
So I refreshed and I’m logged in. I’ve been having a hell of a time lately logging on with my phone.
Tannehill is gone so our offense is already better you can take that to the bank. These coaches will put out a functional Oline, I have no doubts about it.
Krishna – OK, so then why would you think we won’t have a competent O-line? I think it’s safe to say I assumed you were saying that because we didn’t draft an OL early, but I promise you I’m not trying to maliciously twist anything. If we can’t talk, that’s fine, I can skip your posts if you prefer.
Dlox, Grier said to Arizona “oh you want a second rounder? Hold my beer”…
Krishna says:
May 4, 2019 at 8:00 am
I truly believe that without a competent OL we are setting whatever QB we have to fail
Krishna says:
May 4, 2019 at 8:42 am
Then, you state that somehow that means we will have a “terrible” line, meaning that’s what I think…. When, in fact, I didn’t say they either. You did.
________________________________________________
that would be my take on what you said….”with out a competent OL” meaning the OL is incompetent, that could also mean “terrible”
not trying to take sides i like both of you.
I think people put too much blame on the OL, you can make an OL better with scheme and philosophy.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but Brady is well known for getting the ball out so fast that the D has little chance to get at him. This should help our OL.
We have the NE WR coach of the last 10 yrs.as our OC.
O’Shea brings 16 years of NFL coaching experience to the Dolphins, having spent time with Kansas City (2003-05), Minnesota (2006-08) and New England (2009-18). In those 16 seasons, his teams won 12 division titles, five conference championships and three Super Bowls (XLIX, LI and LIII).
O’Shea helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII following the 2018 season. Edelman led the team with 850 receiving yards on 74 receptions (11.5 avg.) and six touchdowns, and won Super Bowl MVP honors despite being 32 years old. New England finished eighth in the NFL in passing, averaging 266.1 net passing yards per game.
In 2017, in Cooks’ first season with the team, he became the 11th player in team history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He was the only player in the NFL that season to total at least 1,000 receiving yards in his first year with a new team.
I don’t believe you can overemphasize the importance of DL or OL in football. And yes, a good QB can help your OL with scheme, philosophy, and audibles…..until it doesn’t.
meaning he can do it with old former college QBs at WR and young first yr WRs as well. Not successful just because he had a Jerry Rice level career star to work with.
Here’s hoping he can immediately get our guys up to their full potential.
So many of you parrot the same BS
Ryan Tannehill doesn’t know how to throw to a tight end
Charles Clay did pretty well and got himself a new fat contract and oh after he left he wasn’t nearly as good
It just sucks how we wasted the prime years of so many elite tight ends. I mean with the likes of these greats it was obviously all on Tannehill
Michael Egnew
Dion Sims
Thomas Duarte
Jordan Cameron and his 4 concussions
AJ Derby
MarQueis Grey
Julius Thomas
It really really enrages me that we missed out in ruined all of these great Titan’s careers by making them catch passes from Ryan Tannehill
I am a big fan of Ryan Tannehill. He got ripped off in his career here by the FO not putting together a coherent plan. Especially on the OL and at TE, but really everywhere.
One big improvement was drafting real TEs Gesicki and Smythe, which Gase then promptly wasted, instead of repurposing guys like Gray and Derby and Duarte or praying for has beens like Cam and Julius.
I think Sims played well for us and was successful working with Tannehill.
Kinda my point about having a competent OL and giving whoever is the QB a real chance to succeed. Not the same shit every year expecting different results.
I am also favorably impressed that our coaches are weeding out guys that won’t work for us right away.
We haven’t even had any real practices yet, and they have already cut 3 guys not including the ones they did not re-sign or traded away as soon as Flores got hired.
They did not BS on Rosen either. Both Grier and Flores said true we don’t know what we have yet as we have not got our hands on him yet as he just got into the building.
They said they traded for him based on recommendations from people who knew him first hand that they trust. (and I bet a lot of UCLA and Arizona Cardinals tape study, too.)
Their sources said he works hard, is smart, and cares about football. That was their list of competencies they were looking for. Shows their focus. And he checked all 3 boxes.
Plus he throws a beautiful ball (IMHO)
All I’ve asked is please don’t twist my words, yet it continues….now “without a competent OL” means “terrible”. Geez, loueez.
I’m hoping the new coaches can make our OL competent…..but somehow this will twisted into……
All I’m asking is why don’t you think our O-line will be competent? Can you please elaborate on that?
Sure….
First, I didn’t say it won’t be competent.
I was merely pointing out or expressing my belief in its importance. No QB in the league would be successful with what the Dolphins or the Cardinals put out there last year.
And to further that point, I’m hopeful we found another starter on the QBs blindside. WTF are we going to do on the right? I sure hope we find some help or the QB (any QB) will fail, imo. I’m concerned.
Here!
You can watch 2 of them in one video!
Deion Calhoun #61
Jonathan Ledbetter #13
I like what the new regime is doing…..
They know this is a rebuild and everything they’ve shown so far is that they will do it the right way and it will be multi-year process.
I’m thinking it might be a year or two less if they can truly change the culture and develop the players and their talents to their fullest.
umm gronk did ok though, and we have his original NFL TE coach … dead horse, dead horse
ummm Rosen is coachable and we have Shlupinski, Brady’s QB coach … dead horse dead horse
Their Defense stifled the Rams in the Super Bowl and we have their DC … dead horse dead horse
Krishna – I think it’s very possible that Deiter takes the starting LG spot. I don’t think they’re going to just hand him the job either, but if he shows he can handle it, he may hold it down. If not, like I said, I expect we will be picking up an OL or two post June 1st cuts, and at that time, you can usually get a talented older vet who was just replaced by a younger player and was cut for cap reasons.
BTW – Twisting words is accusatory. I’d prefer you not say that as the printed word is often left to interpretation, so no need to make it any more than that. Fair?
Fair….but I typically say what I mean and I would expect that consideration be given to what is said vs “interpreting”. Fair?
should we consider trading for Panthers DL Vernon Butler???
Our UDFAs in order of how much I think they will contribute to our 2019 team:
OG Deion Calhoun,
WR Preston Williams, if Parker gets hurt and our FO does not like Brice Butler, or Williams becomes a PS guy
LB Terrill Hanks,
CB Montre Hartage,
DL Jonathan Ledbetter,
C Ryan Anderson,
—– I think those guys above probably make the 53.
LB Tre Watson, PS guy
I think those below probably don’t even make the PS:
CB Taylor Horton,
OT Aaron Monteiro,
WR Trenton Irwin,
DE Dewayne Hendrix,
FS Rob Rolle,
P Stone Wilson, I doubt he beats out Haack, but if he does he goes to the top.
CB Nik Needham and
LS Les Farnsworth. unless this is the year our ancient LS breaks down.
rotoworld says starters will be:
Quarterback – Josh Rosen
Running back – Kenyan Drake
Wide Receiver (X) – Devante Parker
Wide Receiver (Z) – Kenny Stills
Wide Receiver (Slot) – Albert Wilson
Tight End – Dwayne Allen
Left Tackle – Laremy Tunsil
Left Guard – Isaac Asiata
Center – Daniel Kilgore
Right Guard – Michael Deiter (R)
Right Tackle – Jesse Davis
Rotoworld starters on defense will be:
Defensive End – Charles Harris
Defensive Tackle (3T) – Christian Wilkins (R)
Defensive Tackle (1T) – Davon Godchaux
Defensive End – Jonathan Woodard
Linebacker (SAM) – Kiko Alonso
Linebacker (MIKE) – Raekwon McMillan
Linebacker (WILL) – Jerome Baker
Cornerback – Xavien Howard
Free Safety – Reshad Jones
Strong Safety – Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cornerback – Eric Rowe
(Nickel Cornerback – Bobby McCain)
I think they have Reshad and Minkah backwards
our defensive ends are looking shaky at best.
we couldnt address everything in the draft, so maybe next year we can get someone to replace Woodard and Harris
i dont think our defensive ends are NFL starters, they should be backups
im hoping we find an upgrade over Albert WIlson
hes extremely overpaid and produces very little
His names Grant!
We already have him!
Grant iS better than Wilson, no doubt about it
but we used to have the NFL best slot receiver,
now all we have is overpaid ALbert WIlson and his pathetic 26 receptions for an entire season
the last slot receiver had 112 receptions last season he was here, so in effect
Wilson is only 20 percent as good as Landry is
thats a HUGE dropoff, id like to see us get a better slot receiver in here, or use Grant more or maybe Preston WIlliams can beat WIlson out,
Titans right tackle Jack Conklin? Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney..could be had for a draft pick
IF Conklin is healthy I would probably do that!
That’s a big if though?
Krishna, I brought up Tannehill when you said how bad last years O line was, I think it was obvious it was me, as it directly relates to last year. A QB with an inability to back off a defense, inability to get out of a bad play, inability to use the middle of the field, inability to feel/sense pressure it all has a huge impact on the line.
We have to improve in those situations. 3rd and 6 or more shouldn’t have to be the death knell of every drive, and I also put a lot of that on Gase too
I completely agree and it was very evident he could not do that. Again, not my point, but definitely agree with yours.
I don’t think there’s any doubt that dieter will start immediately at LG
Krishna – I never doubted your truthfulness or integrity. I also don’t mean to belabor this discussion. I know you mean what you say, and when you say “I truly believe without a competent OL we are setting whatever QB we have to fail”. If you mean what you say, it looks like you’re saying we don’t have a competent OL. That’s how I read it, although now I understand that isn’t what you meant.
can you guys please get a room?
interpret that!
I’m already exhausted….
🙂
Naples
That’s how I see the UDFA’s playing out!
Maybe Needham makes it to the PS?
ALLRIGHTY THEN!
Naples I’d love to talk about the team as it stands now!
But I think I’ll just get out of the way so folks can lick up the spilled milk from last year!
defensive ends and slot receiver seem to be the teams biggest weakness now, and we could still use another OL.
but we plugged alot of holes in the draft, and did very well considering we had a ton of needs and only half a dozen picks
after next years draft, we should have what we need to compete for the division title, IMO
Mike, feel free to put alot of the blame on Gase, he is now mucking up one of the new jersey teams future, lol
Gase knows football, but cant manage people
LOL @ Rob! Thanks for the laugh bud!
lmao funny image!
hopefully the Dolphins are better shooters than the blind stooge troopers
FEST — Get on the list
Seat draft is next Monday and need to get a sense of how many people might (and only mean might) be there. Don’t have to set the actual number until like 8 weeks before the game, but after Monday can’t get more.
Skins game on Oct 13 is the clear winner (12-6) in the poll and will go with that unless some serious talking about it on board (sorry Krishna).
Started the list based on what what people have said on the board, but could have forgot some. And yeah that means if you said the Skins date was good counted you as in, but can correct.
Who else is thinking Fest? And if you aren’t sure just become a possible.
IN
Hulk
Mike E (+1-3)
Pig
Doggy (+2)
Son (+3 – ?)
stanger (+4)
OD
Toba (+1)
Phelon (+2) (own seats)
Rock
POSSIBLE
Brian NY (+1?)
Twice
Naples (+1)
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Had dinner with FauxUKfin and his wife last night — Dameon and his fun buddy are in.
btw Albert Wilson AND Grant have not been cleared for the offseason workouts yet.
both finished on IR, and arent ready yet, SMH
we should learn to value players that can stay on the field, every week, ironman types,
versus ones who cant finish, or even suit up the following year.
we need to bring in some FA slot receivers this season, and draft one next year
we did bring in Reece Horn for a slot receiver, he played for the Memphis Express in the aaf, and originally played with the titans.
im not sure how good he will be for us, or if he makes the team, but he does have some talent