RD1 Pick#5 – QB Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama
RD1 Pick#18 – OT Austin Jackson – USC
RD1 Pick#30 – DB Noah Igbinoghene – Auburn
RD#2 Pick#39 – OL Robert Hunt – Louisiana-Laffayette
RD#2 Pick#56 – DT Raekwon Davis – Alabama
RD#3 Pick#70 – S Brandon Jones – Texas
RD#4 Pick#111 – OL Solomon Kindley – Georgia
RD#5 Pick#154 – DL Jason Strowbridge – North Carolina
RD#5 Pick#164 – EDGE – Curtis Weaver – Boise State
RD#6 Pick#185 – LS Blake Ferguson – LSU
RD#7 Pick#246 – WR/QB Malcolm Perry – Navy
That’s some haul for one draft, 11 players in all, which is actually less than the 14 picks we came in with. So how, after having 14 picks, do we end up choosing only 11, and one of them is a long snapper??? OK, I’m going to let that one slide because I think they did a very good job addressing easily the biggest shortcoming of this team, our offensive line. We traded back once and up a couple of times and I believe we really upgraded the trenches significantly in this draft.
On the offensive line, Austin Jackson, the OT from USC is a young OT prospect who needs more playing time and lots of quality instruction to groom him into a premier LT, or RT, depending on where they choose to play him. At the moment, I think with the addition of the next OL we drafted with our first 2nd RD pick, Robert Hunt, who may be groomed to play RT, or may also be groomed to play RG with incumbent RT Jesse Davis remaining at RT. All that will be worked out in time. In RD 4 we added yet another OL, Solomon Kindley who figures to be an OG. We all hoped they would address the OL, and address it they did! All of a sudden, the depth looks pretty good, we have Julie’n Davenport and Austin Jackson at LT, Ereck Flowers and Solomon Kindley at LG. Ted Karras will be the starting C and I believe Michael Deiter will be potentially be worked at C as well. Either Robert Hunt or Jesse Davis will be the RG and the other one will be the RT. OG Shaq Calhoun, OG Danny Isidora and C Keaton Sutherland round out the depth. The O-line most certainly looks more promising.
We spent the #5 on a QB, so obviously that position was heavily upgraded. I don’t stress this lightly at all, there is no reason to rush Tua on the field, especially considering the current situation with COVID-19, and the fact that all football operations have been pushed back to the point where they will most likely end up being abbreviated. We have a very capable leader in Ryan Fitzpatrick for 2020 and we have a young QB coming off a devastating injury. In my mind I’d have Tua sit the entire year and heal up but have him compete in practice with Josh Rosen to help improve his play for next season or possibly a very late season appearance depending upon our playoff potential at that point. If we’re in contention, no monkey business, but if we’re out and they want to see a healthy Tua play, I’m fine with that if he’s 100%. It will be interesting to see if we carry 3 QB’s, I would almost guarantee we will, and Josh Rosen should be one of them.
Despite our numerous additions in free agency on the DL and LB with Kyle Van Noy, Shaq Lawson, Emmanuel Ogbah and Elandon Roberts, we remained vigilant in continuing to upgrade there in the draft. We started with DT Raekwon Davis from Alabama and added DE/OLB Curtis Weaver from Boise State. Curtis Weaver in the 5th RD was a WOW! pick. In 3 years at Boise St. Weaver amassed 34 sacks (13.5 last season) as well as an astounding (47.5) stops behind the line of scrimmage (19.5 TFL) in 2019. In RD 5 we added yet another DT/DE prospect in Jason Strowbridge from North Carolina who had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl. We came into free agency with a major weakness, and now after both free agency and the draft, we have so much more talent and potential. So many players we acquired are multiple fits, meaning they can play more than one position. It’s like DT/DE or DE/OLB etc etc. I don’t think one player will be utilized at only one spot, everyone moves around. Versatility is important in our scheme, and now we can employ it.
When we acquired DB Byron Jones, immediately you think what a CB tandem with both he and Xavien Howard. Flores loves his defense and in RD1 after a slight trade back, we selected at pick #30 DB Noah Igbinoghene. I feel like the designation DB should be used with all our guys because I think nearly all of them will be playing multiple roles. Igbinoghene looks to be a corner who will probably thrive in the slot or nickel corner spot, but he may also see work at safety like his veteran counterpart Bobby McCain. Igbinoghene is a very competitive player, very confident player and you need that at DB. Some people may look at the safety we drafted in RD 3, Brandon Jones from Texas as the replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick, but I think Igbinoghene is as much a part of that if not more than Jones. Jones is a guy that likes to lay the wood so he may be a S/LB tweener, despite his somewhat smaller stature (5’11 200), which ironically was a part of Minkah Fitzpatrick’s repertoire.
Now what remains is to start working, see these guys on the field and hopefully we have enough time to evaluate these guys before the season starts to see how they fit best. I can’t wait to see Blake Ferguson snapping out there, I mean who can wait for that? Did we really draft a LS in RD 6? Was Tabor Pepper a problem last year? Confounding to say the least, but really, not sure why they treated that pick like a disposable pick. Did Grier and Flores both go to the bathroom simultaneously during that pick and did someone else accidentally make that pick? OK, I’m kidding but it was odd.
In RD5 we made a big move to upgrade our offense as I was probably ready to scream (OK, I WAS screaming already) where the F is our running back!!!!! Considering the fact that I was ready to pull the trigger on a RB late in RD 1 or in RD2, I was losing it that we hadn’t addressed that position yet in RD 5. The word came in that we traded our 1st of 3 5th RD picks (#151) for SF 49ers RB Matt Breida. That’s a great pick, or trade for a pick. Breida is the perfect change of pace for bruising RB Jordan Howard. He’s a speedy RB who can catch, but has had issues staying on the field. That’s the only caveat with him is he seems to get minor injuries that keep him out, missing 5 games in 3 seasons, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but considering that he was used sparingly his entire career, it’s a concern. Breida has eclipsed 150 carries once, in 2018, his most productive season. He has averaged over 5 yards a carry, quite the contrast from the pathetic 2.1YPC we’re used to. Breida had 814 yards in ’18, along with 3 rushing TD’s and 2 receiving TD’s on 27 receptions and an additional 261 yards receiving. He can help us on 3rd down as well as being a nice change of pace.
When we start making cuts after training camp (if there’s a training camp), it will be significantly more difficult to do so, as our depth after free agency and the draft is so much better. The edict was there, improve the trenches, and on that note, they will have at the very least tried their best to accomplish that. We needed a ray of hope that we have our franchise QB, and if we handle it correctly and don’t rush Tua onto the field in 2020, in 2021 we’ll have that. Ryan Fitzpatrick was a great leader, he has our guys believing and it’s no mistake that despite the quality of receivers in this draft that we passed to build the trenches. I didn’t really think we need a receiver anyway, I think we have a nice combo of young WR’s (Preston Williams, Isaiah Ford, DeVante Parker and Malcolm Perry) as well as some more veteran WR’s like Allen Hurns and Albert Wilson. It’s strange to me that so many Dolphins fans skip right past Allen Hurns, I think he may be the most overlooked player on the team, possibly with the exception of Charles Harris. (Who?). We picked up Navy QB Malcolm Perry with our final pick. Some here have suggested he can be our version of Julian Edelman. He has the wiggle and agility but he doesn’t have that insane short burst speed, which is the attribute that enables Edelman to get that quick separation from defenders, but he will probably be given the opportunity. For reference, Edelman’s short shuttle (20YD) was 3.92, while Perry’s is 4.31. That’s a HUGE difference, He may also be a gadget player because he can throw the ball as well.
I feel very pleased after this draft, and free agency. I don’t think as a whole, we could have done much better really. Sure, all of us would have liked to get this guy or that guy, we all have our favorites that went to other teams, but again, taking free agency and the draft together as steps I and steps II, we really crushed it!
GO DOLPHINS!!
#staythecourse!
Finsmob Unleashed 
#186 CB Chase Lucas, Az State is a versatile DB so I picked him. I figured he is a scheme fit but is a bit small framed. Didn’t spend much time on this pick. Probably could have found a better DB.
#41 LB Charles Snowden, Virginia is on my watch list. He stayed for his senior year as his stats are not eye popping but his measurables are. He is a 6’7″ OLB. Problem is his played last season at 235 pounds. His plan was to put on 10 more pounds of muscle heading into this season. He has a huge wing span and tackle radius. He has 9 sacks and 12 PD’s at OLB. If he has put on that extra muscle, he could be a beast this season.
2019
2018
Again, if he put on that extra muscle, he is one to watch.
Tim Knight says:
May 3, 2020 at 4:11 pm (Edit)
All I’m saying is don’t be surprised if Tua plays this year. I think he will.
*****
I’m with you on this Tim
I think the well will eventually run dry with Fitzpatrick…it usually does
But we have to bring that OL together
Guys like Jackson, Hunt and Kindley May need a little time to get it together
I don’t think it’s safe assumption that he doesn’t play this season
Tim Knight says:
May 3, 2020 at 4:26 pm
And if he doesn’t play this year, do we put him on IR so not to take up a roster spot this year?
————
If you’re on IR, are you restricted from practicing with the team? If so, then no way you put him on IR.
He can’t practice but he can be around the team and attend team meetings. If he’s not going to play, then his practice time would be counter-productive. The backup QB would need those reps and backups don’t get a lot of snaps with the 1’s to begin with.
That’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone say practice time is being counter-productive. I get you’re saying for the team, but getting Tua up to speed is also for the team. How could it possibly make sense to put your new, learning franchise QB in a position where he can’t practice? Also, you think Tua is going to be ok being told he has no chance to play this year even if he’s healthy enough to?
IMO, the only way it makes sense to put Tua on IR is if he is physically incapable of playing.
I read that article too, I don’t think IR is the answer.
What article?
Nice that we get our home game back, assuming there is a season.
Kong, if the idea is to not play him at all, then having him practice in-season makes no sense. He can practice in the minicamps and TC, but once the season starts, practice is for upcoming games. Not enough reps to go around.
If the premise is “the idea is to not play him at all”, then for me, that must mean he is physically still not ready and is incapable of playing, because there is no other reason to go into the season with that idea in mind. I don’t buy any other premise that says we decide at the beginning of the year, that he won’t play at all. So, if he is still not capable of playing, then in that scenario IR makes sense.
He supposedly passed his physicals and is ready to go, but maybe after a few weeks of training camp, they will realize he actually isn’t ready yet. That would suck, but it could happen.
That’s what I’m saying. If they feel he needs to heal for a year you IR him. If that’s not the case then he should be available to play.
I didn’t say the idea was not to play him at all, but my plan would be to let him heal up during the year, and maybe at the end of the season, maybe week 14 and on if we’re not in contention for a playoff spot, let him play if he feels and checks out at 100%. Just because we drafted him doesn’t mean we were convinced he could play immediately or even by the halfway point. I don’t think that was an important factor in us drafting him.
See my reply to Kong above.
My main point is if he’s going to be inactive all year don’t use a roster spot for him. Just IR him. If the plan is to play him at some point in the season, we can use the 8 week IR on him or he’s part of the team from day one as the backup or even the starter.
I think Fitz will be the starter and Tua is the backup so as long as Fitz is playing well then leave it alone. I’m not even factoring in Rosen unless there’s an injury. It would be good for Tua to sit behind Fitz for however long it might be.
If Tua is the backup and suits up for games then he should be available to play. If they don’t want to play him at all this year, then why use a roster spot on him? Just shut him down for the year.
Why wouldn’t they want him to play? There’s just no need to rush him in as the starter unless he just tears it up from jump. If he’s hurt that’s a different story.
Lots of people have said don’t play him at all this year, just redshirt him and make sure he’s healed. Not sure that’s the plan if he’s good to go. That’s why I originally said I expect to see him starting at some point in 2020. I think they want to start the Tua era in 2020 so he’s got some games under his belt before the 2021 season.
We’ve discussed the righty/lefty thing if Tua was to come in for Fitz, how would that change the offense. Then I remembered the 49ers did it with Montana and Young, even in the same game.
Competent linemen shouldn’t struggle with this.
Agreed. Also if you watch how Tua drops back, he doesn’t really create a blind side, he kind of sets up so he can see either side. It looks kind of awkward but it works for him.
Tim, for me it’s all on Fitz, if he has a really good year and we’re looking pretty good and winning then Tua stays as backup. So if Fitz has a solid full season then Tua essentially red shirts. If we struggle and go into week 7 at 2-4 or worse and looking bad then maybe we see Tua sooner. That’s the way I see it.
That’s what my original comment was. I think they want him to play at some point this year. It’s not like he’s on crutches or anything, he had a private pro day. He moved around and threw passes. It all comes down to whether they feel he’ll be ready to take hits.
So it comes down to two things, he’s either ready to go in 2020 or not.
But I agree if Fitz has a good year and we’re in a playoff hunt, then Tua just remains the backup. But if he suits up on game day, he needs to be available or it’s a waste of a roster spot.
All of this back and forth on this, I’m excited to see Tua play. He’s our future and no doubt will be the starter in 2021 barring any setbacks.
Now that Tua is our new QB, his stats are quite remarkable. 😉
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/tua-tagovailoa-1.html
Definitely the best prospect in this draft. College stats don’t always translate to pro stats, but this kid seems to have his head on straight, and he loves the sport, which are both important factors in giving him a better chance to succeed.
You know what I love about Tua, Mike? He can run but passing is his first choice. He’s more Drew Brees than Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray. Like Saban has said about him, he needs to learn when nothing is there, just throw it away and live for another play. But Tua is so competitive it’s hard to harness that.
His stats are off the charts playing for a top team in a top SEC division. I didn’t realize how good his stats were. He’s off the charts as a passer.
DO YOU FOLKS REMEMBER that the very first criteria for “Opening Up A State” during the Corona Virus was 14 consecutive days of lower deaths and lower new cases in the state that’s thinking of opening up? Well, today, according to Johns Hopkins reports, the U.S. had its single highest amount of reported deaths from the virus EVER!! And tomorrow, I believe over a dozen states are going to “open up” everything from beaches to department stores and restaurants. Worst of all, there were reported incidents in Oklahoma and Ohio today of “Trumpies” threatening violence against those wearing masks out in public. Governors of both states cowed-down to these bullies and changed orders of mandatory wearing of masks to voluntary. Well I’ve got news for these ass-holes. If they threaten me, I’ll have an immediate response for them THAT I CAN AND WILL BACK UP!!!
As most of you know, I’m well past the age of retirement. And I was operated on for cancer about 9 months ago. Plus I have asthma. So YOU CAN BET YOUR SWEET ASS I’M WEARING A MASK OUT IN PUBLIC, whether some people like it or not.
YESTERDAY I was full of confidence for Miami’s chances in the upcoming NFL season. But now, with the inmates running the asylum, I fear that THERE WILL NOT BE AN NFL SEASON as brain dead idiots cluster up all across the country, not wearing masks, and, in general, doing everything they can tp help spread this virus to even higher rates of infection than we now have. Oddly enough, these are the same jerks who insist that the virus is “way overblown” and “not a big issue at all.” When some of these people start becoming casualties, maybe then they’ll understand that opening up all of America while the total number of deaths is rising might NOT be a good idea.
PS: Most of Florida (excluding Dade,Broward, and Palm Beach counties) will partially open up tomorrow. I fear that Florida, like the entire nation, will see its deadliest days later in the month of May. SURE hope my fears are baseless.
They aren’t baseless unfortunately. I suspect the same, this is way too early to open anything back up. If you read the fine print, they aren’t saying go out and break the 6ft rule, they are just opening up for non essential business. They are expecting people to continue to quarantine they just are caving to economic pressure to take the lockdown off. Dumasses though take that as the all clear, and that’s clearly not the case. They shouldn’t take the lockdown off because 90% of this country is dumbasses and the only concern they had with going out and doing their normal dumbass shit was the lockdown.
“D” YOU ARE 100% Correct!
To be fair, 8 states never had a lockdown and with 22 million unemployed, some of these places can open back up. I’m on the other side and think it pretty damn stupid for certain areas to be locked down especially since NY has almost 40% of all US deaths. OD is definitely at risk and I advise everyone to wear masks but sitting and waiting this out isn;t the answer. It never was.
NEW AGE: NO ONE is saying NOT to open up those areas with few or no virus cases.–But THREATENING those who are wearing masks with violence isn’t the answer, either. AND “OPENING UP” FLORIDA on the day after we have the most cases of corona virus reported IS IDIOCY PERSONIFIED. DON’T be shocked if some of the areas that will be opened up today are closed down, again, in a few weeks due to massive spikes in the number of virus cases caused by these fools.
OD,
I completely agree. Florida is definitely a riskier preposition and I wouldn’t have made that call this early. Threatening with violence is never the right answer and hopefully that’s why those state’s have local and state police forces.
Wearing a mask doesn’t stop you from getting it, it helps you from spreading it.
Wife surprised both me and Phinpup with a platter of BLT’s for dinner tonight. sorry Piggy !! Fuck man they were so good !! My favorite sandbitch of all time. 👍
A fuckin platter of BLTs? FU!!!! LOL
After eating 3 to 4 you Captain Crunch mouth but man they were so good plus she puts Guacamole on them. 😎👍🐕🥃🥃
get ^^^
Im thinking jackson ar LT. Flowers at LG. Karras at center.
Who plays RG & RT?
Robert Hunt should figure in at 1 of those spots. Then you have Davis and kindley?
Will it be hunt at rg and davis at rt?
Or will kindley play rg and hunt to rt?
I would assume it will be hunt and davis. Knowing they extended davis and he is a vet however this guy kindley looks like a beast!
To have him and hunt on that right side ….thats a lot of beef over there
Ultimately I think Kindley at RG and Davis at RT but it may not start out that way with Davis and Deiter in the mix.
The important thing is we have viable options, not just one new lame career backup.
It will settle itself out, but the hope is the 3 rookies and 2 FAs.
What’s very interesting is hunt played on the Ragin cajuns and Louis was a left handed quarterback
Did Greer and flores have this in mind when they drafted hunt, to protect tua at RT
I absolutely think so
Masks in public should be mandatory. I think there’s enough to go around. I have 5 myself 2 home made 3 professionally home made.
It could be Davis at right guard and hunt at right tackle
In years past, when our guys were released no one wanted them, seems most of the scrubs we released have been picked up. For having the worst roster in the NFL last year that seems strange. Unless it’s because of the early stage, 90 man rosters, and not picked up to make a 53.
RIP Don Shula 😓
Damn
Bummer!
The real G.O.A.T. Fuck the hoodie
RIP DON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ll miss you Coach. RIP Don Shula
RIP Don
Sad day. At least he went peacefully. RIP Coach
OD – Any desire to write an article on Coach Shula?
im literally tearing up, Miss You Don, the greatest coach of all time !
Damn…
R.I.P.
I think Hunt is on the right side either at G or T, and Davis will play the other spot. Kindley played LG, and if Flowers doesn’t work out, I think that’s where he’ll be. I really think Deiter is going to get a shot at C.
hopefully everyone is doing fine, i noticed the Fins killed it in the draft!
they really wanted Tua all along
RIP Greatest Coach ever
Someone posted on twitter (hypothetically of course) that Don Shula was waiting for the Dolphins to get their franchise QB before he passed on. That makes me cry. I can believe that!
The Legend
What a sad, sad day for his family and this franchise.
Shouldn’t be a sad day, it should be a celebration of his life.
This board likely wouldn’t exist, if it wasn’t for the DON.
He changed all of our lives.
good point! “Irish” funerals (of which is everyone in my family who died) … the crying stops at the church and the gathering afterwards is a celebration of the life.
Wii surely miss the Don! Great coach, and appeared to be a great person as well.
Its days like this that sadly remind me how long it has been since the dolphins were a consistent winner, respected and feared as an opponent.
Home games (at the Orange Bowl) in September were feared by every team in the league. Shula had his teams conditioned to play in that heat on purpose.
Ouch! I can still feel the seats burning my legs😉
Holy fuck, i just heard! Today is truly a very sad day.
RIP the Great Don!
Im going to have to block off all of May in remembrance if this keeps going , 5/4 and 5/5 (my dad) 😦
good point Steve, Shula had a big impact on our lives
Don Shula won an NFL-record 347 games, including including playoff games. He coached the Dolphins to the league’s only undefeated season (17-0) in 1972, culminating in a 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
The Dolphins repeated as champions the next season, beating the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII, the third straight title game Miami had played in; the Dolphins lost 24-3 to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI.
I mean he is the winning-est coach in history, he has the only undefeated season and he has back to back superbowls, and 26-2 record over those two seasons. No doubt deserving of being named the GOAT of his era. I think its foolish to compare different eras of football, but for his era, absolutely the best.
🕯 🕯 You are the Best
RIP Don Shula, a football legend.
Sad day 😔 R.I.P. Coach Shula. The Greatest of All Time !!!
Ok, so since BBM broke the ice on this, i dont mind looking ahead. We dont really have anything going on and i usually begin getting a list of player together to look at for the next draft as soon as i see what happens in the current one.
That said, im watching these prospects for us, and sorry for those that hate Alabam, but until something changes, a lot of the best guys will come from there.
Jaylen Waddle. I think that Wilson will either be cut this year, traded by trade deadline, or cut bfore any guaranteed money hits next off-season. Waddle can fly, probably faster than Ruggs, and one of if not the top WR at Alabama, who is churning out top WR’s like crazy.
Devonta Smith. Where as Waddle is the Ruggs equivalent, Smith is the Jeudy equivalent, both have familiarity with Tua, and both would be instant number 1s in our offense.
Patrick Surtain II, obviously part of this is the nostalgic in me and dreams of another Pat Surtain in the secondary, but the kid is very good and if anything with X starts taking a downturn, this is the first year his contract is significantly more to cut, than to keep.
LaBryan Ray, really dominant DT, would be a nice pick up for the interior if we have problems retaining Godchaux. Have to see how things play out for Ray this year, but for all intents and purposes, he looks like yet another stud DT for Alabama.
Najee Harris. We didnt grab a stud RB in the draft, but did trade for a productive guy, so we might be ok with it, Harris though can power run, he can bust it outside, he can make people miss and is a good receiver, and again, has connections to our new QB.
To be honest this was going to be a look at who im interested in from SEC, then it was going to be OK just potential first round guys, and now its just Alabama guys in the first round, and even further, there are too many more to type out lol, so ill leave it at this list, but Alabama is stacked out with as much talent as i have ever seen them with, but it might change before the end of the year, but right now im counting close to 10 first round players potentially.
When I watch Tua I can’t seem to get over the strange way he throws the ball, but what always brings me back is his accuracy and progressions (reading the D). 4th down you need that perfect pass, he’ll make it. He processes so quick, then will throw the perfect pass.
I’ve been saying that too. He opens his hips and faces the defense in a way where there really is no blind side. It’s awkward looking but it works for him.
It’s not nearly as bad as losing your Dad….. but Don Shula passing away is still in the same area code at least. RIP Coach.
Yeah no doubt. Its just that its pretty much sharing the same anniversary, both are heroes of mine, so May is just a bad month for my heroes.
Please Sean Connery dont do me any favors!
They also tie together, since i remember watching football with my dad when i was really little, and though he wasn’t as big about pro ball, he was a Dolphins fan as well.
They also tie together because i vividly remember watching Bond movies on television broadcast with my dad around the same age range, thats why the Sean Connery reference.
Can’t think of one sports figure whose passing would mean more to me . My Dad wasn’t a football fan, but Shula reminds me of him. Same intellectually tough know everything about him.
On ESPN they just had a piece on Shula, felt like he was a family member.
My Mt. Rushmore, my dad, his dad, his dad’s brother, and Shula. They all look about the same too.
So guessing with those genes you look like Shula as well. 🙂
No, the rest of the men on my dad’s side are all under 6′ and are more wider than tall. They also have the round face and a bit of a gut. More like Shula looked at the end.
Well I have the gut thing going on and am pretty wide….. maybe we are related or I am to Shula….. which guess would mean to Son too. 🙂
Big part of our lives.. Not surprised, but reflective.
RIP Mr. Shula
D, I was thinking about Waddle as well. I think Smith has better hands than Jeudy but yeah I agree. Also, I like Najee Harris but read somewhere he runs in the low 4.6’s. That surprised me. He looks a second faster on tape.
So, Belicheat is 55 games behind Shula. Belicheat is 67, if he coaches 5 more years he will tie Levy and Halas as the oldest head coaches in nfl history. He’d need 11 wins per season over those 5 years.
… Just another reason to cheer against the Pats. lol
It’s playoff wins as well and Belichick is over 300 already (304).
They need to go into QB hell for a while now.
Sung to American Pie
A long long time ago
I think I was only 3 feet tall
The Dolphins uni would make me smile
And I knew if we ran the ball
That we’d be giving playoff chants
And baby we were happy for a while
But September made them quiver
With every sweat drop teams would whither
Bad news for opponents
They couldn’t take the beating
I know that we all cried
When we read about the legend coach
Something touched me deep inside
The day Don Shula died
So
Bye bye Mr legendary coach
Drove my Chevy to the orange bowl but the orange bowl is gone
And them good ole fans will be missing you coach
Singing this is the day Don Shula died
Singing this is the day Don Shula died
Nicely — the Day the Dolphins Football Died. Sad day.
Shula is still coaching from above, and must be smiling at our newly acquired talents
Garfinkel announced how the Phins plan on handling games this season:
“Hard Rock Stadium can hold around 65,000 fans, but Garfinkel said it might be closer to a 15,000-fan maximum this season to adjust to social distancing and to keep everyone safe. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends keeping six feet (two arms lengths) from other people and to avoid crowded places and mass gatherings.”
Full — https://www.yahoo.com/sports/dolphins-plan-to-host-fans-during-coronavirus-using-scheduled-arrivals-quarter-capacity-limit-175220873.html
NFLN is airing lots of Shula and Dolphins shows.
Excellent job Sonny! Nice tribute!
Ditto!
Classic Shula. The story starts at 1 minute in.
That’s good stuff Kong!
Do Coach proud Flores.
Next 20 seasons should be dedicated to him.
Good bye Coach Shula.
👍🍺🍻Post of the day
Flores has much respect for Shula. I think his philosophy is very much like Shula. Tough, physical and smart. Not flashy and team first. Shula was one of the innovators of coaching and it still holds true today. Belichick was influenced by him as well. He grew up in Maryland and watched Shula with the Colts and his father knew Shula.
What a sad day. I heard about it this morning but was too busy to post. ESPN had some great things to say about the best who ever coached.
Stanger – Not sure how that translates exactly with the seating but sounds as if a getting a group together would be nearly impossible, right?
If they do it that way yeah. That’s less than half as many as have seasons….. who assume would get first dibs.
15,000 at Sun Life? Sounds about average
Very nicely Done Son.
MIKE E: I was very occupied with some medical issues in my family earlier today. Both me and Mrs. OD are seeing the orthopedic surgeon for the same reason, namely, a “cranky” left knee. This surgeon is also the team surgeon for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has an impeccable reputation. We each have an appointment with him on Wednesday.
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NEEDLESS TO SAY, we are both heartbroken at the passing of Don Shula. With your permission, I’d like to write a short commentary on the MAN WHO MADE THE FRANCHISE – – The one and only Don Shula.
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Don Shula SAVED THE MIAMI DOLPHINS FRANCHISE. He created an atmosphere of winning that was missing during the futile first four years of the team’s existence.
I attended dozens of games during the years from 1966 through 1969. At many (most?) of them, fewer than 20.000 souls were still in attendance inside the massive Orange Bowl at the beginning of the fourth quarter. And many of those who were still there were fans of the visiting team.
Owner Joe Robbie threatened to move the franchise. Cities like Birmingham and Tampa were seen as possible new locations for the Dolphins. Robbie said he could not sustain large losses on this franchise much longer.
After a 3-win season in 1969, Robbie fired head coach George Wilson and tried to hire legendary Alabama head coach Paul (Bear) Bryant. Bryant expressed some interest, especially when Robbie offered Bryant part ownership of the team as part of the bargain. Bryant agreed to do an interview. When the president of the University of Alabama got wind of this, he flew his private jet down to Miami and guaranteed Bryant a big pay raise. That did the trick, and Bryant boarded the private jet back to Tuscaloosa.
Undaunted by his failure, Robbie had a meeting with a small group of south Florida sportswriters. One of them told Robbie that the owner of the Colts was “really pissed-off” when Shula’s Colts lost Super Bowl III to Joe Namath and the Jets. He suggested that Robbie get in touch with Shula.
The rest is history, literally. Shula took the same team that won just three games in 1969 and added electric wide receiver Paul Warfield to the mix. The result? The 1970 Miami Dolphins registered their first two wins EVER over the New York Jets on their way to a 10-4 record and a spot in the playoffs. Don Shula had delivered on his PROMISE to make the Dolphins a legitimate playoff team in his first season as Miami’s head coach. No “3-year plans” were necessary.
Next season (1971) Shula guided his team to the first of three consecutive Super Bowl berths. In 1972, Shula masterminded THE ONLY PERFECT SEASON IN THE NFL’s 101 SEASONS!! The Dolphins were now the toast of the town! And every game was a sell-out!!!
Don Shula cemented his legend in 1973 when his Dolphins roared to a 15-2 record and their second consecutive World Championship!! Unlike the ’72 team, Shula’s 1973 champions SLAUGHTERED three very good teams by lopsided margins in the NFL playoffs. They ran the ball over 50 times in each of those victories! According to revered MIAMI HERALD sports editor Edwin Pope, the ’73 Dolphins had surpassed Vince Lombardi’s Packers as the Greatest Team of All Time!
Pope correctly predicted that Shula’s 32-2 record over the two Super Bowl winning seasons WOULD NEVER BE BROKEN! That record, like Shula’s career best 347 NFL victories, has stood the test of time. And it was achieved without the help of wide-ranging, systemic, CHEATING at the highest levels of the team’s management.
No head coach, not even the legendary DON OF MIAMI himself, could maintain his winning percentages during the last two decades of his career. But the excitement DID continue. There was the mind-boggling overtime playoff loss to the San Diego Chargers. There was the truly UNBELIEVABLE MONDAY NIGHT VICTORY OVER THE CHICAGO BEARS!! And there was the career of the greatest quarterback of all time, DAN MARINO, who, at his retirement, had re-written the NFL record books. Over the last two decades of his career, Don Shula’s Dolphins either MADE THE PLAYOFFS or were legitimate playoff contenders for the vast majority of his years.
In summation, Don Shula casts a positive light on the Miami Dolphins franchise that is UNSURPASSED in my lifetime. He was, and is, THE GREATEST NFL HEAD COACH OF ALL TIME!!! It was my supreme privilege to witness his greatest years!
OD, I know how you feel about Don Shula. Mike already asked if you would do just that. You’re the best insight on this blog about him.
The NFLN is currently airing all things Shula and Dolphins.
Nice post OD.
Nice post OD
THANK YOU, Tim, Manitoba and Ken.
I HOPE that Steve Ross can find it in his heart to re-name the stadium DON SHULA FIELD AT HARD ROCK STADIUM.
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There’d be no Hard Rock Stadium in Miami if Shula hadn’t coached the Dolphins.–Robbie surely would have moved this money losing franchise to another town.
I like that name
RIP, COACH SHULA. The Greatest Of All Time coach, in any sport. #Undefeated
Just dropping by for a minute, knowing how much that MAN meant to all of us and how he ultimately brought us all together as Phin fans. Y’all be safe what with the COVID-19 pandemic, and hopefully life gets back to normal, sooner than later.
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
Be wel M13
You too, my green friend. I hold you in very high regard, Ken. I pray things are going very well for you after everything you’ve been through.
I am doing okay so far
Good to see you, M13. I just got off the phone with my longtime friend who is also a Dolphins fan, and we discussed how Shula was responsible for us becoming Dolphins fans and how he assisted in shaping our lives as 7-8 year olds. He’s not just an NFL legend, he’s an icon of Americana.
Thanks, Bro!
That was awesome OD. I loved seeing him in the football stands with lively wife at our high school football games. He was real.
I felt a pain go through me when I just read this on the blog.
We had season tickets during his 3 year super bowl run in the nose bleed end zone seats of the OB. The metal stadium shook on goal line stances there. You feel the vibration. It was awesome!
I would have loved to be at one of those games
WORDS CAN NOT DESCRIBE THE POWER OF THE ORANGE BOWL during the Dolphins’ record run. And during “the U’s” 59 game home winning streak. It’s NO COINCIDENCE that the longest home winning streak in Division i college football and the longest home winning streak in NFL history BOTH took place in the historic Orange Bowl!
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MF-13: DON’T BE A STRANGER–I MISS YOU A LOT!!
KRISHNA–You are too kind, my friend. –HOPE I’m healthy enough to go to this year’s FEST and see good people like YOU!
I miss you too, Mr. Campbell. The passing of THE DON is the only reason I came back today, knowing how much that man brought us all together… especially YOU. Love you, buddy! May you and the Mrs. maintain health, happiness, and eternal love.
Hey there M! Happy to see you are well. BTW, just watched IT Part 2 and I thought of you immediately. It was OK, good at times, over the top silly at others. Hope you and your family are all healthy and safe and happy
“IT 2” sucked, IMO, Bro. Good to see you, too, bud.
OD – Thanks pal! That was an article right there. I’m sure you’re hurting from this one, more than most of us. You were right there from the beginning. Excellent post, and thank you!
The only time I went to the Orange Bowl was the “No Snowplow” rematch Playoff Game against the Patriots. It was loud as hell, and relatively uncomfortable, but awesome regardless. With everyone stomping around on those bleachers, it’s a cacophony that must have driven the opposing team crazy. It was a great experience and of course a WIN! 28-13 if I remember correctly
Perhaps David Woodley’s best game of his career
Could be
KEN: The fact that DON SHULA got a team to the Super Bowl –and almost WON IT–with a quarterback like David Woodley–has to be one of the greatest achievements in Shula’s entire career!! It’s a FACT thatShula had success with all sorts of teams with DIFFERENT STRENGTHS and varying weaknesses. DOES ANYBODY on this site think Belicheat could have gotten his Pats to a Super Bowl with WOODLEY??
I have never believed either would/will have succeeded without the other. It was truly a match made in hell.
OD I had that exact conversation about almost winning a SB with Woodley with a friend of mine today. Your post is like dejavu it is almost exactly what he said
I agree Krishna
Belichick and Brady….a match made in hell.
Shula with Griese, Morrall, Marino. Used his vision with the different QBs.
First time in my life I got the first two picks correct. May these two make the DON proud as we try to revive a tradition of greatness in Miami. And yes, Old Dolfan… we FINALLY addressed the O-Line!
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
Talk to y’all later
Sorry M13, I beat ya! 😉
5: T. Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
18: A. Jackson, OT USC
56. R. Davis, DL Alabama
MR.Spikes; Just in case you missed it, I am predicting that TUA will be Miami’s opening day QB and that MIAMI WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON!!
IF DON SHULA PROVED one thing it was the fact that a strong O-Line can take you a LONG WAY in the NFL.–Congrats on getting the first two Miami picks correct!
Hello MF13, I hope you and yours are staying well.
The board had a mock and we (they mostly) picked the top 10 perfectly.
Irving Fryar has the utmost respect for Don Shula. He set him free.
Rigel : good to see ya. Come around some more , and stay safe
I hope everyone knows I’m just busting balls. 🙂
It’s 4:46 AM and I’m having a hard time dealing with the passing of a LEGEND. But I will do what Don Shula would do. He’d go back to bed, get some sleep, and prepare himself for the challenges of the coming day. And he wouldn’t bitch about it, either. He’d see it as an opportunity to put his positive imprint on yet another day.
Even in death, The DON OF MIAMI is showing the way to achievement.
THAT is what a true leader does.
GOOD NIGHT, my friend.
Sounds good! If he’s healthy, no reason he doesn’t make the roster.
Good news, we save 5.5 or 6.5M on the cap, not sure how the incentives figure in. It’s likely the easy to reach kind, since the salary is low, so the 5.5M savings seems the more likely number.
I think it makes him more tradable.
Sure, but why?
Love it or list it? We could use a player like Wilson, and for that salary he fits into the plans. He’s still relatively young, YAC WRs are a big part of the Gailey O.
RIP Don Shula
The Don can now RIP, knowing his franchise is in good hands.
I asked recently what our biggest need was, that wasn’t already addressed, and all I got was RB to take over for Howard in 3 years. I’d say we did quite a job filling out the needs and taking a lineup littered with JAGs, and bringing in quality players in one offseason.
Grier and Flores should be commended for a job well done.
Next step coach them up, without being an asshole like Belicheat.
Glad to see you back MF-13
This is freaking great . . .
That was cool
That’s one of my favorite genres of mysic, the kinda of modernized bluegrass. I like some classic bluegrass but some of this kinda rock infused bluegrass is great
Sonny – Are you working regular hours now or still in some kind of quarantine situation?
I have been totally unaffected as far as work goes. My wife is teaching from home.
That’s cool. My place is going to reopen on Sat, May 16th. NJ will not yet be fully open, I think the target at the moment is June. It’s going to be very strange going back, I hope I remember how to do my job!
The cap sites can’t seem to agree on what our current state is. Over the Cap has us around 23M and Sportrac has us at 39M, even though both have Breida and Wilson’s new numbers.
The last time I looked it showed 24M, but Breida and Harris weren’t accounted for, so it would make sense that the 23M + 5.5M savings for Wilson are my guess. 28.5M
I expect a black band on the jersey this year to honor the great one
Maybe a small black 347 on the shoulder
I dont know why you dont just make it part of your Jersey forever
There are remembrances and there are “never forgets”, Shula is a never forget.
I’m down with that
New black jersies that have the Miami Don’s on them, instead of Dolphins.
Awwww, how sweet!
I wouldn’t mind a permanent DS in a circle either on the helmet or on the shoulder of the uni
Ordinarily you see it for a season but I think Coach Shula warrants having it there permanently
I do too, don’t think many would argue against it.
Mike, so there might be a few folks walking out cross eyed until you get back up to speed, no biggie
LOL – Definitely possible
Rockphin says:
May 4, 2020 at 9:56 pm…
The board had a mock and we (they mostly) picked the top 10 perfectly.
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Maybe I missed that but pretty darn cool. Wonder how Kiper and McShay did. We might have one combined great football mind. 🙂
It went to shit pretty fast after that though! 😉
Not even reading that…… 3 years from now will be typing… “remember how we went 10-10 on the Tua draft.”
Stanger – You weren’t around when we did the Mock? We had the first ten picks and then leave it to the fucking Jets to screw it all up! We had the Jets taking WR Jerry Jeudy, they took T Mekhi Becton
Never went back to compare, but I do remember the top 4 OTs were gone a long time before we thought they would be . Long gone by #18. But we have Action Jackson.
Wyo – A lot of times with mock drafts, once it goes off course it’s kind of ruined.
Stenger – It’s not a big deal, but it’s pretty hard to nail that many picks, especially considering the fact that it was a consensus draft
LOL @ Stenger. I had a patient with the last name Stenger
Pretty big deal to me. Anyone could how many we got out for the full 32?
could = count don’t ask me why. 🙂
I thought we did pretty well as far as mocks goe. They all tail off after first few picks, consensus picks are pretty easy to make, but im surprised out pick got that deep before kinda of fraying out.
steveccnv says:
May 5, 2020 at 11:26 am
New black jersies that have the Miami Don’s on them, instead of Dolphins.
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Need to be away jersies and used in foxburough in wintertime. Black with electric neon aqua and orange.
When Grantman runs one back, all you will see is a little tiny streak of light
Know the best part of next year’s draft? We have the Texans 1st round pick and they are going to suck. I expect a top 5 if not the number 1.