A cursory glance at our record in the standings might lead one to think this season was a failure. 5-11 and last place in the division by itself is not an impressive achievement. In context however, getting to 5-11 with the roster Brian Flores was given to work with in 2019 is actually pretty impressive. The final game win over the Patriots in Foxborough the cherry on top of the sundae. The Dolphins shed the roster of a large quantity of players, some with legit talent such as LT Laremy Tunsil, defector S Minkah Fitzpatrick, DE Robert Quinn, WR Kenny Stills and Kenyan Drake and a multitude of injuries that stripped the roster down considerably. Xavien Howard played (injured) in only 5 games in the beginning of the season before being placed on IR. Reshad Jones played in only 4 games. T.J. McDonald was released in August. DB Bobby McCain played in only 9 games. Charles Harris was there but he was all but invisible for 14 games. For perspective, our defensive backfield the majority of the season was Nik Needham, Jomal Wiltz, Eric Rowe, Steven Parker, Chris Lammons and then followed by half the season or less with Ken Webster, Adrian Colbert, Montre Hartage Ken Crawley, Johnson Bademosi and of course MTM sucked for 2 games for us. Get the picture? It was like GOT, a cast of too many to recall.
Our leading rusher was our QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick, with 243 yards. Neither Kenyan Drake nor Kalen Ballage were able to establish that they were a feature back, and Mark Walton who was on the precipice of doing so was then hit with an 8 game suspension for previous wrongdoings which unceremoniously ended his season. Kenyan Drake was traded to the Arizona Cardinals where he became a superstar (JKJBB) which gave Kalen Ballage his best opportunity ever. Ballage was abysmal really, awful even, averaging less than 2 YPC on 74 carries. By the end of the season we were down to Myles Gaskin who was injured in Week 16 which left only Patrick Laird and De’Lance Turner. Whew!
Bright spots! DeVante Parker realized all his wondrous potential and showed us just how good he can be. It was stunning really, that boy can play! His renaissance began about mid season but took off Week 10 against Indy and didn’t stop. The man was making catches in crowds where he simply ignored his safety and went up and snared the football with his 2 huge hands with total disregard for his body and made the catch. Time and time again we witnessed this as the chemistry between Parker and Fitzgerald was undeniable. Early in the season Preston Williams was cementing his status as a go to guy but was injured Week 9 against the Jets. Albert Wilson took a while to shake off the rust and by the end of the season, he started to resemble the guy from early to mid 2018 before his hip injury. Allen Hurns was a nice pickup and he also was returning from an injury last season and I think he will pay more dividends in the future. Rookie Isaiah Ford showed a lot of promise as well and was establishing himself as a legitimate WR by season’s end. Mike Gesicki turned into the receiving threat TE we thought we drafted. He showed nice growth and I think is just getting started as to what he can be.
On defense Taco Charlton who we picked up on waivers was our leading sack man with 5. Vince Biegel who we picked up in the trade with New Orleans had 13 QB hits. Davon Godchaux had a very solid season with over 70 tackles. Jerome Baker one of the defensive leaders on the team continues to play well and grow. Some of the youngsters in the no name secondary proved they are NFL worthy contributors and some will round out our depth back there very nicely. Andrew Van Ginkle showed a little promise in the limited time he played, he was on IR for much of the season (10 games). Eric Rowe who looked overmatched out on the boundary was a pleasant surprise when they moved him to safety. Rowe looks certain to be in the mix for one of the safety spots next season. A bunch of the no-name guys also excelled at ST’s and that’s an important dynamic on a football team. Walt Aikens continued his ST’s excellence this season.
Not getting caught up in hyperbole, I think the future is bright for our team. The Dolphins check in at #2 of teams with highest cap space available in 2020 with $94M +, just shy of the Indianapolis Colts who are only $2M higher. We have currently picks #5 and #18 in RD 1 along with one more pick which is tied to the success or failure of the Houston Texans against the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Texans lose the pick is at #25, if they win it continues to fall to the end of the 1st RD if they keep winning. THREE 1st RD picks! We also have picks #39 and #56 in RD 2. IN RD 3 we have pick #70. The good stuff ends in the 4th RD where we currently hold no picks. We do however, have three 5th RD picks. We have two 6th RD picks and one 7th RD pick. That’s a huge haul, which by the way does not include compensatory picks whose value has yet to be revealed although it’s value is likely set. Figure a 4th RD for Ja’Wuan James and somewhere between a 5th-7th for Cam Wake. That should result in a haul of 14 total draft picks in 2020. Draft party anyone???
In 2020 Free Agency, I don’t think we’re gunning for the top stars, although we have the cap space to do so. I think we’ll get some meat and potatoes, maybe even some prime rib but most likely no filet mignon. This is going to be a team, we’re not going to be shopping for “ME” players. I admittedly may be getting so caught up in that mantra that I actually believe we may not select a QB early in this draft while it’s expected our #5 pick is reserved for just that. I have been pounding the table that in the NFL you need to have a top QB. In 2020 I’m not convinced that is completely accurate. I think you need to have a well rounded team, one that can run the ball effectively and play strong defense. Defense wins championships. That still rings true. I know this will come off as a slight to Ryan Tannehill and I apologize in advance for those offended, but just look at the success of the Tennessee Titans. Ryan Tannehill is near the top of the leaderboards in a few passing categories. As per usual, he’s not a TD machine, but he has been a careful and effective game manager. 22 TD’s in today’s NFL doesn’t quite cut it. It can work if you have the leading rusher on your team and the Titans happen to have this year’s best in Derrick Henry. 303 carries for 1540 yards and 16 TD’s. Add in another 2 TD’s receiving for Henry and you can see how important Henry was to their success.
Ryan Tannehill was a complimentary player this season and he did his job very well. He had only 6 INT’s and 1 lost fumble. I’m not going to throw the game manager label on him but HC Mike Vrabel clearly didn’t want or ask Ryan Tannehill to put the team on his back, that was Derrick Henry’s job. Think I’m lying? Last season Derrick Henry had 215 carries, this season Mike Vrabel increased his carries 41%, FORTY ONE PERCENT to 303! I’m not bitter about Ryan Tannehill’s success, but I think it’s important to give credit where credit is due. I can almost guarantee that you if the Baltimore Ravens shut down Derrick Henry and force Ryan Tannehill to win the game through the air the results will be glum for the visiting Titans. So what’s my point? It sounds like I’ve talked myself out of what I was saying that this is a team game, right? I haven’t. We need a capable QB to pilot our team but I’m not convinced it has to be one of the 1st RD QB’s. We have Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen next season. We won’t need a QB to step in right away and I still haven’t given up hope that Josh Rosen could be the guy. Years ago 1st RD QB’s sat for a while, and Aaron Rodgers sat for 3 seasons behind Brett Favre. Maybe he needs more seasoning and development. I can tell you he’s watching a fine leader in Ryan Fitzpatrick lay down the foundation of how to lead a team. I’m so enamored with Fitzpatrick and feel embarrassed by saying it would be “boring” to watch him start instead of seeing what we have in Rosen instead.
I think we’re going to build a team, and I think QB is not necessarily the top priority like so many think it is. Hey, I’m wrong at least 50% of the time so it’s not like my track record gives me any foundation for this, but I have a feeling we’re going to hit the trenches in FA, bring in at a minimum 2-3 OL, 2 of them legit starters and one backup. They won’t be old either, probably none older than 28 or 29 for the starters. I think we will do the same on the defensive side, at least one DT/DE, a pass rushing type, and then a LB who can also rush the passer. Same formula, not likely older than 29. We have money, we have to spend some of it and we will. We hit the draft with some key holes filled and continue to add significant talent on the O-line and D-line. We must bring in talent at RB. I wouldn’t mind in the least a 1st RD pick on a RB. We need lots of help in the secondary so CB and S will be priorities. Hopefully the picture of what is going down with CB Xavien Howard is clearer before FA and the draft so we can address it properly. We need depth in the secondary no matter what, but if we know Xavien Howard won’t be missing much time if any would be a boon.
I’m ready for the assault for the Tannehill defenders, I stand behind every word I say and have illustrated my point well. Have at it, I’m here. I’m here for those who think we must take a QB at 5 as well. It’s just how I feel. Heck, I’m here for everything I say really, so if you don’t agree with anything, sling away! I think we will take a QB in this draft but I won’t be surprised if it’s in RD 2 or later. The Tua to Miami thing I feel is way overblown. Every athlete handles injuries differently. The best example of a successful player overcoming a brutal injury history is none other than former Dolphins RB Frank Gore. Gore tore his left leg ACL twice in college and then went on to play 15 years with over 15,000 yards, so go figure. If the Dolphins really are all in for Tua I can only hope he’s like Frank Gore.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
#staythecourse
Finsmob Unleashed 
Nice write-up Mike E
I actually agree with most of you thoughts!
Hater! 😉
good post Mike. I agree, this was a successful season for coach flo.
Did they finally let you out of the bunker? 😉
Good to see you!
hey, i’m not a bunker type, i’m a front line kind of marine.
Hey Top! Thanks bud, good to see you! How are you doing man?
“As per usual, he’s not a TD machine, but he has been a careful and effective game manager. 22 TD’s in today’s NFL doesn’t quite cut it.”
Cherry picker!! He only played 11 games. He averaged 2 TDs a game, so for a 16 game season that would project to be 32 TDs, or 3rd best in the league behind Jackson and Winston.
LOL, actually I agree with a lot of what you wrote. I just think it’s not an indictment on Tanny that he needs a good running game to succeed consistently. I think you can say that about the majority of QBs in the league. For some reason it just seems anything Tanny does has to be diminished by ‘yeah, but’. Anyway, not really the point of your article. Good write, Mike.
Thanks Kong, yeah, it was a little skewed there, and don’t worry, If Jahn can get his ass out of his hopper for a minute he will be tearing me a new a-hole. Rock will likely be on that as well. 🙂
No problem, Mike….er, it was my pleasure, shit…
You’re welcome. 😉
MikeE,
Nice write up. Remember a couple years ago when I said we needed to limit Tannehill’s touches/throws if we wanted to be more productive and you scoffed at the notion? 🙂 That is exactly what Tennessee has done with him. Teams WANT to make him throw. That tells you all you need to know about how NFL coaches see him.
***
As far as our team and not a castoff QB who will never win the big one, I am kinda hoping we build on the defensive side of the ball. I do believe that when you have a really high first round pick you should try to get a QB if you need one. But, after that, I’d be happy with a bunch of defensive picks. I don’t want to see a RB or a WR picked in round 1. Get me another high end front line guy and a DB instead. Build this defense into one that can hold opponents to 21 points a game, and your offense doesn’t need to be great.
Yeah, live and learn pal, and that’s what I’m doing. You have to evolve and change with the landscape and I’m trying to do just that. I can admit (begrudgingly) when I’m wrong. 😉
Hey, everyone needs to re-read my post, I added a couple of paragraphs as I realized I left out my review portion of the post. Check it out please, thanks!
MikeE,
Just being a smart ass. We all live and learn. I’m way past giving a crap about Tanny but the conversations about him show how much fans get caught up in QBs. As much as we say it all starts up front and wins aren’t a QB stat, we all end up praising them when their teams have success. Fans just can’t help themselves. Lol
Mike, I like your writing style, especially that you encourage critics. Some get butt hurt when opinions are challenged. Not you!
Back to the story, none of the “experts” predicted the Dolphins to win 5 games. Awesome!
Over The Cap has the Dolphins with the most cap space over the Colts by $5 million.
The general consensus on the former dolphinshout website was, “keep drafting a quarterback every year until you get it right.” A large part of that reasoning was the cap on rookie contracts. I subscribe to that rationale.
Who’s MTM?
Thanks Philip!
MTM is Minkah Fitzpatrick, who I only regard him now as Minkah the Mutinous.
Have a high regard for ‘Bama players because they come well prepared to play in the NFL. MTM, don’t like so much. Yeah, I’m a Saban fan, regardless of his ties to the Evil One, you know, our nemesis who missed the playoffs!
Philip – I think the thing that drives most me mad about MTM was how quick he gave up on us. I mean he had to see that Flores was a good coach who was just getting started and he didn’t give him the benefit of doubt for a second, just 2 games in and he decided he wanted out. That’s a serious character flaw. If he was a better judge of character he would have given Flores an opportunity to work with him and see if he could deal with it but like a spoiled child he wanted an oompa loompa NOW! lol
This is RB Kylin Hill who D was talking about yesterday. This is a huge RB class so no need to draft one early. Comes from an RPO offense.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kylin+hill+highlights&docid=608007239215613614&mid=3FD2827B1963E6965EB53FD2827B1963E6965EB5&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
Mike,
Good article…I think the biggest fallacy anyone has is the QB wins argument. Plain and simply it’s always a team effort, but people like the simple minded argument that it’s all on the QB alone. RT17 is playing well for multiple reasons…..the best OL he’s had, an excellent RB, and a staff that plays to his strengths. This is called smart football and anymore you’re really seeing why this is true especially in the playoffs.
Thanks DBolt – Yep, smart football is team football. Leave too much on any one facet of your team and that gets shut down then you probably don’t have an answer. What I want to see though is if the Ravens concentrate on shutting down Henry and are successful at doing that, how Vrabel and the Titans counter, and if they can be successful doing so.
PA will still be a threat, but it will be increasingly important for the WRs to win their 1 on 1’s. Also the HB’s will need to make plays in the passing game. A few designed runs for RT17 might be important to intermix in the early drives to keep Baltimore honest.
MIke E — that was one comprehensive and excellent write. And I love the optimism cause I share it as well. And starts with think we found our coach. Who would’ve thunk 5-11 could seem so promising? But guess that is the way it works when you go thermonuclear tare down.
Thanks Stanger! How was your trip?
Trip was darn nice. They even have ESPN down under. Couldn’t believe the Pats/Phins was the tease for SportsCenter….. until learned why. Also got a kick out of all the commercials for “Super Bowl Monday” — cause that is when it happens.
Said would re-post the the guesses for our pick once was set , and nobody had #5. Seems we did a bit better than expected and still could trade up or down….. so not set yet.
——————————
Where do you think our first pick will be?
Stanger — #6
Wyoming85 – #3
Phish –- #2
Kong –- #3
D ——- #4
🐷 – #32
OD — #3
New Age- #3
Also in regards to the QB spot and the draft….I think if Flores & Gailey are looking for mobile QBs I think Herbert & Live will need to be taken early. I’m not sure if Tua is a player you want running the RPO due to his health. If they are looking for a traditional drop back QB then all bets are off….Tua would fit, but so would Fromm who’ll be available later in RD1 or early RD2.
LOL @ Superbowl Monday. That sounds wrong . . .
my dream is for Dolphins to pick :
#5 Isaiah Simmons
#18 Yetur Gross-Matos
#25 Tyler Biadasz
#39 Travis Etienne
the rest of the draft, depending on who we add in FA, fill the holes! I personally feel we can win with whoever the QB is if we build a SOLID TEAM.
Love it
🙂
Excellent write, Mike!
Stanger, I picked #4 but you left me off the list. 😉
Thanks Tim! Maybe Stanger is still on Australia time and will put your prediction up tomorrow
Wow Stanger picked a crazy time to go to Australia.
Sorry Tim — added to the list that will put out again before the draft.
No worries, this was when you asked where we’d pick before the Eagles game. It’s all set now.
Stanger,
You were on your trip, but I did give props to you for calling out a potential Dolphins win in NE weeks ago. Just wanted to make sure you caught me eating a little crow on that one since I gave it no chance.
You are a good man Kong — but can’t take much credit for that call. Reason I did was cause thought the game might not matter to the Pats, but turned out it did a lot. Which makes the upset all the more sweet. 🙂
hey Mike E. was having a little trouble today with computer key board, then discovered it needed 2 AAA batteries, who knew ? to answer you, I am doing ok, so fucking tired of QB talk on the internet. if I have to hear one more “tua to the dolphins” opinion by the the numbnuts in the press, i’ll puke. hey, if coach Flo decides that “he’s our guy”, i’ll be on board with the decision.
Same here man. Sometimes where there’s smoke there’s fire but sometimes you just burn some toast. If we’re really all in on Tua I will be a fan, but I’m not convinced at all that we are.
Good to see you TOP and agreed on the constant Tua to the Dolphins. Let the team build it their way and stop force feeding stuff.
no doubt.brother 🙂
Mike,
Great article and I agree with it. I love your descriptions of MTM. The nicknames given to our most disappointing players over the years are always fun. DT3 sounds like a deal compared to MTM. I still think we go Tua if available at 5 and doctor approval…but you are exactly right that we can win with Rosen. If Chicago, LA, and Buffalo can get to the playoffs with their QBs, so can we with Rosen.
Thanks New Age – Don’t forget Dion FF, that was my favorite! 🙂
Dirty Bubbles!
I bet you are the only one that will remember that moniker, lol.
I guess he wasn’t one of our players, but still a great name, lol
Lol, mine too.
Marc Sanchez does SpongeBob . . .
LOL
hey if we take Simmons at #5, people will be saying “minka who?” thay Simmons kid can do it all!
I’m not sure where Isaiah Simmons is slotted to go in the draft but he fits what we do on defense.
slotted in the top 10 or sure.
Nice write up Mike. There’s a LOT I agree with, but I I think you’re putting WAY too much into the single stat of Henry carries. In fact, his carries of 308 is not really even that much for a bell cow back.
Tannehill played 12 games and this was his stat line:
70.3 Completion %
2,742 Yards
22 TDs
6 INTs
117.5
3.7 TD to INT ratio
Those numbers aren’t game manager numbers they’re legit probowler numbers and if he’d had 4 more games he’d probably be in the probowl (he’s an alternate currently).
I think many here (understandably) only actually watched him play vs. New England and confirmed their bias that he was a product of Henry’s success because they chose to run the ball heavily vs the Pats.
117.5 is QB Rating
That first game he was only in for 2 snaps, both rushes, so he really only played 11 games (just backing up my ‘he only played 11 games and averaged 2 TDs per game’ post)
Gotcha.
Tanny was a tough mutha fucker for Miami. the beating that kid took behind a horrid O-line was terrible. And, he was a top notch stand up dude off the field. I hope nothing but the best for him and his family.
Could not agree more. Tanny the person was who I wanted to be our long-term QB. Smart and good guy. He tried real hard.
🙂
Jahn – I didn’t watch Tannehill a lot, I don’t have time to. I did watch occasionally because I flip channels a lot during commercials or when the Dolphins aren’t playing. I know he played well, but to say Henry wasn’t a huge reason for that is putting on blinders. A 40% increase in usage for a RB is considerable amount. Henry was a monster this season, no 2 ways about it. That doesn’t mean Tannehill didn’t play well, but it’s a lot of the why Tannehill played well. Last year Dion Lewis had more carries and was less effective in doing so. Henry wears down a defense, he’s a load. Hey, Tannehill will be a free agent in 2020 so we’ll see how many teams other than the Titans line up for his services.
In all honesty I hope him & Henry re-up w/ the Titans. That squad has the perfect compliments on offense and makes them fun to watch.
So to be clear I agree that Henry was, and would be, a huge reason for Tannehill or any QBs success.
Want to do a friendly wager? He’s gonna back up the brinks truck this offseason. At least 30M/season.
Except I think he’s going to be franchise tagged, so bets off if that happens…FT is going to be 24-27M somewhere in there…
The game logs for Tennessee tell a lot of the story. When the Ravens beat the Titans week 6, the Titans had only 55 yards rushing. What happened??? 21-0 shutout. To keep things real, the Titans only had 70 yards rushing but beat the Eagles 26-23 the week before, but the Eagles aren’t in the same stratosphere as the Ravens this season
I don’t think they played each other this year.
Wow, I have no idea how I ended up on the 2018 season. You’re right, they didn’t even play this season
Just switch out the Denver game this year, same results. They shut down the run and won 16-0.
Jahn – How’s the hopper? 🙂
DBolt – I was flipping back and forth to see how many carries Dion Lewis had in ’18, that’s why I was on the 2018 Titans page.
It’s hoppin’ Mike E! 😛 (toothless)
I replied to your post up the way btw…cheers bud.
Glad to hear Jahn! It’s nice to see a true success story from one of our own. Cheers buddy!
Nice write up Mike E. I thought I was reading a post by D for a minute there though…..I had to go take a Pee midway through. LOL
Thanks Rocko!
My break down on the RB Class this year is
Tier 1
Swift – in other years he probably is a low tier 1 but law of supply and demand says that he bumps up higher because there is a pretty significant gap between his talent level and that of the rest.
Tier 2
Taylor, Etienne, and Edwars-Helaire
Tier 2.5
Moss, Hubbard, Dobbins, Akers, Hill, Harris, Perine, Vaughn, all around the same skill level not too far off the tier 2 guys.
Easy to get starter talent into the 3rd maybe 4th.
Etienne at #39 would be right place, right pick.
I like that pick for sure. I kinda don’t feel like he’ll last that long though…
oh, and don’t let this out………he’s fast!
You aren’t as high on Dobbins as others…
I have Swift, Dobbins and Taylor tier 1
I’m actually not a huge fan of Etienne, although I think he’s exciting, he kind of reminds me of a Reggie Bush back rather than a guy who is going to carry the ball a lot
I feel the same. I really like him but every time I see him it I think of Bush. Bush was super talented but we need a Taylor/Dobbins guy more imo.
Just reading through the comments now. No,Mike you are not going to get me to argue about Thill anymore.
Passer Rating IS a team stat.
I mean everything is a team stat if you follow the logical corollary that it’s the ultimate team game where each person’s success is dependent on each other person doing their job, but since stats are also used to assess and compare players, we count them as individual stats as well.
Good thing though, it’s just a good conversation…no arguing necessary. 🙂
(Piggy smashes a chair over your back)
I want to argue!
(Piggy climbs to the top rope)
Sounds like someone has a case of the Superbowl Mondays….
BTW, I am finishing up a series by Michael J. Sullivan “The Riyria Revelations” it has been a very enjoyable read. The first book started off slow but it picked up.
I am a little confused about his books because I think “The Riyria Revelations” was a re-packaging of 5 books into 3 larger books.
Kind of like how Salvator combined all the Dritz books into three big volumes or how Eddings re-released the Belgariad into to books from 5.
there is “another” series by him called “Riyria Chronicles” I’m not sure if it is the same story or not yet.
I haven’t read that series yet but I’m on book 2 of the Legends of the First Empire series and it’s been a great series so far.
I really think D’Andre Swift will be a dynamic back in the NFL. He has a very explosive first step when he sees where he wants to go and he can make that quick second move at full speed to find daylight. He also demonstrates power and receiving ability.
He’s my favorite but
Shhhhhhhhhhh
Piggy, I am not that high on Dobbins (as a 1st round RB) We will need RB’s who are receiving threats. Dobbins is not that. I wouldn’t mind him as 1 of 2 backs we draft but not in the first. He had quite a few drops this season. More of a concentration thing that can be fixed. I just don’t want a RB who drops the ball in crunch time. He had 2 bad drops against Clemson.
My suggestion: smoke a Dobbins, and you will be high as a kite on him
Well this answers my question the other day.
Oh, that’s unfortunate, I think . . . I liked Caldwell, unless he didn’t fit well with Flores’ philosophy, and then adios amigo!
Jahn – Not a big deal about what Tanny gets. My point was I don’t believe he’ll have a long list of suitors. I’m pretty sure TEN is satisfied with what he did and will retain him. The compensation comes with the territory, this is what guys are getting paid now. If TEN was out of the picture, I don’t think a lot of teams would be willing to give him that kind of money. Just my thoughts . . .
I do think Tannehill will have several suitors but I suspect the lead suitor is Tennessee and I am guessing that is where he will stay
Mike, one thing about our draft picks. I posted a link yesterday that states we don’t have a 7th round pick but three 6th round picks.
https://gbnreport.com/future-traded-picks/
I like Great Blue North, but there not always completely accurate until it gets closer to draft time. It’s almost impossible to find two sites that agree with our picks, so I just don’t know for sure. I think as we get closer things will eventually be cleared up
True! I can’t even find another site that lists the total picks. Then there are those Undisclosed/conditional picks GBN mentions.
Not trying to downplay mid and late round picks because as we know talent is always found there. But the key to our draft is what we do between 5-70 with 6 picks. Do we stay put, trade up or down for specific talent? Do those 6 picks become 4 or 8?
FA will be part of the new foundation, but this draft is going to be huge in how fast we become a good team.
Nice write Mike E. I do disagree with you on some points. In particular I do think we will draft a QB high this year. I don’t think the team believes in Rosen. I expect he won’t be on the roster next year. I do think Fitz gives us the ideal situation to draft a QB because you won’t have to rush him into the lineup. So with that I expect us to go QB early. Only time will tell if I am right but that is what I am thinking
Not so sure about that with Rosen. I think Flores felt O’Shea just implemented the Brady offense and that’s not for young players. We even saw that with the NE offense this year.
Gailey runs a more simplified offense. Josh Rosen will be 23 years old this season.
Ryan Fitzpatrick at 37 has 15 NFL seasons under his belt. Rosen currently at 22 has 2.
We write players off after a few games. Do you feel the same way about Nik Needham now that you did in say… October?
We didn’t trade a 2nd and a 5th for Rosen as a one year and done – with a 22 year old QB drafted #10 in 2018.
This might be the next anvil Grier/Flores drops on the media. Stop telling us what we should do. Remember when you said we were 0-1 win team. LOL
I don’t think we’ll reach for a qb- meaning if one is sitting there when we pick that we have the appropriate grade on, we’ll take him, but we’re not chasing or forcing one into our pick. Just my opinion-I’ve never been a draft geek, so I really don’t know- though I believe I was the first one on the Parker bandwagon 😊
Marino was taken at #27
Rogers went at #24
Would either of them be worth the #5 pick? (Yeah stupid question)
So if the team thinks that Love or Fromm or one of the other guys is the guy, you take him
Ian Rapoport
✔
@RapSheet
The #Dolphins are hiring an assistant from the college ranks: Illinois DL coach Austin Clark is joining Miami and will coach the outside linebackers, source said. Just 30 years old, Clark is considered a rising talent in the coaching world.
1,558
10:26 AM – Jan 9, 2020
The Florida media jumped on the “Suck for Luck” mantra and made it “Tank for Tua”. You want to invest a top pick in a college QB already going through the reason Luck retired from the NFL?
Let Grier and Flores build it their way with the intel they have, not all these fantasy draft simulators. I have to say they dumb down our conversations. Do you really know who should be the pick in the 3rd through 7th rounds, never mind 1-2? LOL
It’s one thing to have fun with it and another to be staunch about it.
The reporting is terrible. It’s not reporting, it’s hot topic opinion pieces. I quit reading.
I miss Ben Volin.
We have some of the worst media coverage in sports
Great article Mike E
I of course don’t agree with some parts, which you did on porpoise…..
I always enjoy your writes and I’d buy a subscription here before I ever would for the papers down there.
I was considering billing them!
Thanks ER – Appreciate it man!
Ken – Thanks man. I don’t think it’s so much that the team believes in Rosen, I think it’s more that he’s still in the plan. I think they gave him a season to watch and learn, and then they will see what he can do this season. They still have Fitzpatrick this season and we can draft another QB this draft, just not a 1st RD pick. Then you have two talented QB’s on the roster with a veteran signed this season.
I get Fitz, but who is the second “Talented” QB?
Rock…stirring the pot again😏
Rosen. He’s got talent, but I think most of it was in his arm, they’re trying to get him to understand how to run the team, be a leader. He’s got as good an arm as just about any prospect in the 2020 draft
Tim,
Excellent points on Tua and the QB situation overall. The funny thing is so many Fin fans are going to lose their mind if Miami doesn’t land Tua or Burrow. I’ve seen people ignorantly crap on all of the other QBs mentioned in RS1 & RD2 by doing the typical over exaggerated flaws argument. This team will pick the QB that will best suit them and whatever I they plan in running long term.
Your not disparaging my expert opinion as a blogging fan are you? 😉
Damnit….how’d you guess?😂
People are already hysterical
I think we pick our guy at 5
And then, the subsequent picks are actually more important
While ever they pick will succeed if the team around him and the coaching is solid
This season we had no idea what to expect from Flores. Besides what many of us believe, that he’s a very good coach, has anything really changed on what to expect?
We had Sparano and Gase, both made the playoffs in season 1, but went downhill from there. It’s hard to believe we could be worse next year recordwise, but we did have a fairly easy schedule this year.
I don’t think that much has changed, in that we still don’t have an idea of what kind of style we’ll be playing on O. On D you could expect to still play the mixed formations, but not much else.
I think it’s good that we don’t know, because our opponents won’t either.
Things will start to get clearer after the draft, and no doubt many here will think we’ll have a legitimate shot at the playoffs, but still left in the dark on style to expect.
Interesting!
I might have to try that simulator
Not sure how good the simulator is but what the guy did certainly shows you what we can do with all that FA cash. He got 6 guys averaging $10 mil per year and had a wad of cash left to spend. We have 3 guys signed for over ten mil on the 2020 roster (Jones, Howard, Wilson) and #4 is at six.
Far as we put on the field next year….. FA might mean more than the draft.
the CB gave up 150lbs. Jonathan Martin could pancake him.
Can’t fault Becton bc he’s huge
No, but I can poo poo it being anything special. Big deal a 350 lb guy pancaked a 175 pound guy…
56: Tackles by Christian Wilkins, which led rookie defensive lineman. It also tied for the third-most by a rookie linemen in the NFL since 2015.
75: Tackles by Davon Godchaux, leading NFL defensive tackles. It was third among all NFL defensive linemen and most by a Dolphins lineman since at least 2000.
I like what he did with his FA + Draft plan, but…….
A to OT prospect is going to get a lot more than 9.5 per over 4 years. Being its a second contract and given the FA pool at OT, Conklin is going to be more in the range of 12mil – 14mil perrange, probably closer to 14. Ifedi is going to be in the same boat but probably closer to the 12mil than 14. Theuny is going to be about 10. Leonard Williams is going t be probably 14-16 per and Bud Dupree probably 14-16. Bradberry might be the one he is closest to being correct on as i would guess 10mil per.
So i think thats a bit more spending in FA than is reasonable. Draft wise, those first 3 picks seem reasonable to me, but id do it different since i would not have the FA he had.
Me personally, i would like to continue to develop Deiter, but id like to bring in an FA at OG, Peat or Theuny would be fine, but they will both be about 10mil per contracts. Pencil on of them as day 1 starter at LG. LT’s are expensive pickups in FA, id look to have out LT be a 1st round draft pick. I think Davenport, could provide a decent backup or temp starter until a young guy gets his feet. So draft a guy early, with expectations of having him as day 1 starter. Draft an OC/OG as well, maybe day 2ish, push Boehm, Deiter, Kilgore, for starting spots at OC/OG. We could consider a person at RT from FA as well, or we could ride with Davis at RT and draft a guy to push him, maybe late day 2 early day 3.
If we ended up with an OL that looked like this
Rookie 1st – Theuny – Kilgore/Rookie second – Rookie second/Deiter/Boehm – Davis/Rookie 3rd/4th
Thats a decent OL for our first year fleshing out the roster.
On the DL side, i like the idea of Williams or Dupree, but not both. Again, id rather add a guy to help us leap forward, sure, but id much rather see us building around people we draft. If we got Williams, id say we could use one of our firsts on a DE/OLB prospect, maybe Gross-Matos or our late first to get a Jennings or Okwara. If we got Dupree in FA we look for Derrick Brown, or Javon Kinlaw in the first of the draft. Add that with Wilkins, Godchaux, Jenkins and Charlton/Willis as rotational guys, i think thats pretty solid.
I think Emmanuel Ogbah might be a target for the DE spot.
Word on BEcton is that he is already showing some medical issues because of his size. He isnt a healthy massively big dude. They say he moves pretty good for his size though, but still lumbers a little and again, is breaking his body down.
Doesnt matter how ya feel about a coach after the first year, you still dont know anything. Its too small of a sample size to really make any predictions or have any confidence. I do like what i have see, i do know that. I do like the fact that the Phins looked like a TEAM for first time in a while. I dont cae about the number of wins and losses, it was an encouraging sign, but he still isnt done with the build so hold off anointing him as anything, there is a lot more road to travel.
RIP
RIP Neil Peart. 😦
He’s not coming out
Too bad
Starting off Friday Night Music with an appropriate song
^
I saw them during the Moving Pictures tour in 1982 at the Nassau Coliseum. My friends car broke down on the LIE on our way home and it was freezing cold that night. Good times!
On that stat for Wilkins and Godchaux
I think we have the makings of a very good 3-4 DL
If we drafted some one like Derrick Brown or Kinlaw or Davis
We might be able to be very good up front for a long time
Agreed. Add some more beef and edge rushers and we’re on our way.
Here’s a great instrumental tune by Rush.
Heaven (or hell) just got a really good drummer!
Mike, all drummers go to heaven!
Just reward for having to carry drums and guitarists.
Thank you, Mike E! Nice season end summary.
And, nice to see a change of view, albeit begrudgingly. I’m like that, too, but if you show me…..I’m open to learning and growing.
You’re welcome Krishna! Thank you! I also think Flores is the guy. On the other hand, there is still a little fear that if he actually gets a really talented roster will he be able to get them play to as hard as the no-names? Know what I mean?
I don’t see holding back on the Flores praise. His first year was nothing like Philbin or Gase or Sparano…..pish, tosh.
He beat NE in NE who WANTED/NEEDED a win for a bye.
No f’n comparison.
The players played for their coach!
I’m actually excited for his second year …never was for the others. Didn’t really see a leader/coach in the last 20 years.
Flores seems like the man, or at least one who could be. And he will be able to bring in “his guys” this off season. All on him.
Good!
As it should be.
Di you owe me a beer or does it have to be exact wording? 😁
LOL
Do?
Lol my 6 year old little girl just pulled me. I was explaining how baby Yoda has magical powers and she goes “it’s called The Force daddy” LMAO, I was like yes it is and I’ve never been more proud lol
Punked not pulled lol
Excellent….now teach her what that means or at least provide her the means to understanding!
Anyone else think if we build a formidable pass rush we can run anyone out there in the secondary?
That was the most impressive thing our coaches accomplished this year. How many DBs did we go through, 20? They all looked prepared and did their jobs.
I think the secondary is ….eh-hem….secondary…it terms of priority
I would like to build up front
Yep!
Really bummed right now- like when Chris Cornell passed away.
RIP Pratt
Neil Peart
Same here. I’m celebrating his life talking with friends about Neil and Rush and listening to…
👍
A good example of his ability to lay textures inn playing
And of course, mastery:
Neil Peart took drumming to a new level like Eddie Van Halen took the guitar. New horizons.
Polyrhythms:
Wrong link above:
Neil making professional jazz musicians take notice:
Great drummer, musician and lyricist. RIP Neil. 😦
This one’s gonna sting for awhile.
Yeah it sucks on that level. A really good guy and amazing musician. This one is tough. It’s still too fresh. 😦
I ordered a sandwich tonight and the delivery dude mentioned it while I had 2112 playing. We both shook hands with condolences. Sad and love.
“Based on what we know at this point, I’d expect Tagovailoa to fully regain the athleticism he showed in college, but even if he were only half as mobile as he was, he’d still be more mobile than half the quarterbacks in the NFL. ”
Gil Brandt
This writer, who knows stuff for real, also picked Miami as best chance to go worst to first and best fit for developing Tua.
Naples – It’s not just recovering from this injury but can he avoid getting new injuries as well. It’s a crapshoot. I’m nervous about him though . . .
Who stole our Sonshine?
Yeah, Son hasn’t been around in awhile. Hope all is well.
I like our picks in that version.
Wondering how free agents will view the Phins. Normally bad teams have to pay a premium for players and we were 5-11. We think we have something going on, but is the word out in the league that we do? Would hate to see us used like a stalking horse over and over cause of all the cash we have.
I think this team will be attractive to many free agents. The way we finished the season going 5-4 last 9 games. Bitch slapping the Pats in Foxboro in that final game sent a message to a lot of players that this team is going to be for real. It also showed that the Patsie dynasty is about over and our division is open for the taking.
Good point on the Pats win. That one might have meant a lot more to us in the off season than just an extra win in the standings. And plus all those FAs will know about the money and the draft picks.
Free agents a lot of time don’t really base their decision on the likelihood the team is in the hunt for a Superbowl next year. Some in certain stages of their career, maybe but I think a lot of it is culture and compensation.
If they get a good feel of them where they fit, and how the feel about the staff I think that’s the difference when a player takes less money. I think we have an attractive culture at this point, and I think the fact we have been very selective with our FA targets, whomever is brought in will get the fell they will be a big part of the future.
I see us not being for all players in FA because we won’t be overpaying I don’t think and we won’t be attractive to old vets because of the state of rebuild but I think that kinda perfect. We aren’t looking for those players anyway so it’s a natural weed out.
Building team and chemistry is important.
Hard to really evaluate how well he did this season. I mean the young guys seemed to grow and learn really well, but our defense wasn’t particularly good this season either. The pass rush never materialized and I thought that sometimes we went all or nothing on blitzes too often.
I’m surprised by this. Only thing I can think of is Flores wants more experienced coordinators like Gailey over O’Shea.
Toba gonna get some leg tonight for sure !!
😊👍.
PVRed it as she was worth until 16:00 .. got caught up with 5:00 left. Managed to avoid all and any updates.
I still hate the 9ers though regardless…
Go Tanny!!
Working , instead of worth
Wake and Tannehill walking in side by side … wake in street clothes though. 🙁
Tannehill with a dart 50 yd TD to lead 14-0 … wow
Tannehill kicking ass. Go Titans!!!
It’s all because of Henry. 😉
Just 95%. We have to give Tannehill some credit. 😉
I’m not sure about both coordinators leaving. I wasn’t the biggest fan of O’Shea leaving but we did get a solid replacement. Hoping for the same if Graham leaves.
Jackson looks off. Maybe two weeks off wasn’t such a good idea.
Wow!!!!
Ryan flipping Tannehill!
This Tannehill guy sucks 😁
Titans defence is playing lights out .. I’m almost a believer. Totally thought Ravens would blow them out ..
The Titans game plan has been excellent.
Wow!!!
Wow. Is it time for RG III
Jackson looks totally lost now