This is what the season has come down to, Week 15, Brian Flores’s Dolphins at 8-5 fighting for a playoff spot against Bill Belichick’s Patriots. Earlier this year, the Patriots embarrassed the Dolphins 21-11 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Cam Newton and the RPO time and time again fooled the Dolphins defenders to the tune of 15 carries for 75 yards and 2 TD’s by the NE QB. Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was abysmal that day completing 23 passes of 30 attempts, except 3 of those completions were to NE defenders. We just looked unprepared and overmatched by Bill Belichick’s gameplan and Cam Newton’s execution of it. We guessed wrong so many times on that RPO and it was one of the more frustrating things to watch. Brian Flores will have to design a better gameplan this time.
So many things have changed since then. Ryan Fitzpatrick is no longer our starting QB, it’s now rookie Tua Tagovailoa. Neither Jordan Howard (Released) or Myles Gaskin (COVID-19 list) are playing this Sunday. RB DeAndre Washington will get the start and returning to the backfield is Matt Breida. Salvon Ahmed is a longshot to play as well. WR DeVante Parker is limited with a hamstring injury but will likely play, but Preston Williams who played Week 1 is still out. TE Mike Gesicki is also likely out with a dislocated shoulder. Patriots WR Julian Edelman is on IR/R which means he’s eligible to play should the Patriots decide to activate him but this is his first week of practice and he’s been out since October 31st when he elected to have surgery on his knee. He is unlikely to play.
Cam Newton is tenuously holding on to the starting job in NE as he has struggled in his last 3 games throwing for only 272 yards with 1 TD against 3 INT’s and that includes the 45-0 walloping of the LA Chargers. He did rush for 2 TD’s against the woeful Chargers. If I know Brian Flores, Cam Newton won’t be running all over us Sunday. We’ll be on him like white on rice. The Patriots are on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs concerned, even if they win out 9-7 is not going to be good enough to get in in the fiercely competitive AFC. There are 4 division winners and 3 wild card berths. The Chiefs are the AFC West Champs at 12-1. The Colts and Titans are tied at 9-4 in the AFC South and the Steelers (11-2) are holding a 2 game edge on the Browns (9-4) who are now surging and looking to grab the AFC North division crown. Our Dolphins currently have the #7 seed at 8-5. 10 wins is the only chance the Dolphins will be in the playoffs, so in essence, our last 3 games are essentially playoff games. First one is at home against a very familiar opponent.
There are always ebbs and flows in the long 16 game season, and despite the loss last week, I think our team is performing very well. The injuries are adding up, and I’d really love to have Kyle Van Noy back this week along with good Ole Bobby McCain. I’d love to have thumper Elandon Roberts back at LB too, he was missed last week. I wouldn’t mind having Ereck Flowers back either but only if he’s ready, I think Mt. Kindley has done well in his stead. It’s possible that Isaiah Ford could suit up for us this week, depending on how Jakeem Grant is doing with his hamstring injury. Lynn Bowden kind of exploded last week getting lots of action. Bowden was targeted 9 times and caught 7 passes for 82 yards. He also rushed once and the previous week against Cincy, Bowden caught 4 for 41 yards. Safe to say he’s part of the offense now.
As the pictures above portray, this game is the Mentor against his former Student. I don’t have to explain to all of you that Bill Belichick has always been a great coach and a master of making adjustments before the game, during the game and after the game. People will say look at him w/o Brady but Belichick created Brady. He tailored the offense to work with Tom Brady’s strengths and mask his weaknesses. In my opinion, only people who don’t really understand the game look at Tom Brady with his 30 TD’s and 11 INT’s and think that Brady was the reason for the Patriots success. The Buccaneers are just loaded with talent, there is no comparing the Bucs roster with the Patriots roster. RB Ronald Jones has come of age having his best season. WR’s Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown along with TE’s Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. The Patriots, besides having an inept passer at QB (Newton), the Patriots WR’s are Jakobi Myers, N’Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd along with RB’s Damien Harris and James White. The Bucs also have loads more talent on defense with LB’s Lavonte David and Devin White, DE’s Shaq Barrett and JPP and DT Ndamukong Suh. Folks, it’s not even close. I’m loathe to agree with Belichick himself when he said they sold out to win previous years and have left the cupboard somewhat bare this season. I’d say he speaks true.
My point in the last paragraph is we are basically trying to knock off Bill Belichick’s team, and although they might be outmanned, they have the football mind to keep them in this one. We have a disciple of that football mind, and if there was ever a time for the student to teach the teacher something, this is it. We need a strong gameplan from Brian Flores. We can’t allow Cam Newton and the RPO or whatever they employ to beat us. We have to be the better team Sunday. The NFL season is a game of attrition, no one knows who will be available at the end of the season and if we make it far enough that we’re in the playoffs, maybe we get Preston Williams back, Gaskin with fresh legs, maybe we get TE Mike Gesicki back as well. We MUST win this game, and then we move on to the next playoff game against the Las Vegas Raiders in their new house. Win this one, I like our chances against Da Raiders.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
3:57 mark
you can really see how bad Tua’s decision making killed us on this play, he should know he can’t let that play drag out that long,
if he can’t get rid of it right away that he needs to either quickly find another option, tuck and run or throw it through the endzone.
Seemed when Bowden was open Tua didn’t have a clear throwing lane. And the time window on that was like 1-2 seconds. Should have tried to run at that point, but man do those plays happen fast in real time.
you would think practicing that he would know what to do if it isn’t there early
Am I the only one who is not going to play that video to see the 3:57 mark?
Nope, but it’s a good X and O football vid if you want to give it a chance. Even if obviously Rob chose that one place in the 27 minutes of it for a reason.
There’s always one in every crowd
Damn Right X !! You keep your head straight!
“Also, I got Stanger confused with David.” — you aren’t the first BBM. Can’t tell you how many times at Fests I’ve had to say “No, I’m Stanger……David is over there.” 🙂
Rocking ballad my friend.
i posted the video because i think the whole thing is good to watch, not to bash one player. just think it’s a good video all around to get an idea of what’s going on,
watch it, don’t watch it….no big deal
I get it. And the 27 minute vid is good. The one play that caught your eye just happened to be a bad one by Tua. 🙂
I think it was just coincidental. 🙂
and here I thought “Punching the Seagull” was just an euphemism…..
[video src="https://thechive.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/daily-morning-awesomeness-38-photos-4-3.mp4" /]
NO sounds like it may be on my table also
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Cool! D is even closer than me.
He is just too late on that pass with led to an interception.
Some of that is the speed of the game
Some of that is trust in his receivers
Another part of that is probably overconfidence in his physical abilities which you can get away with in college
That interception reminds me of a similar throw he made in Alabama that was a TD
Hard to get away with this in the pros
Part of the process though is for him to experience that drop off and adjust
And this later in the game appears to be the adjustment
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1jcSwggcfB8
“Son, only reason I forgot about you is because you were weren’t talking to anyone. You were glued to the TV watching the Reds complete a sweep of the Cardinals to win the division. That was the reason Cav was over in the corner by himself playing Donkey Kong.”
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I thought perhaps this whole bar thing was a precog vision of the future, but I see now it was all just a pipe dream…
LOL
I like the video you posted ORob
I just disagree with you conclusion
I’m not arguing it was good execution by Tua
It wasn’t
But I enjoy watching him develop and make better decisions as a pro
If he’s doing stuff like that in year 3, I wasn’t be as forgiving
But the minute he threw that pass I saw the mistake and I just said to myself “rookie mistakes”
When I saw it live, I was like Randy and was screaming “no” when the ball was released. That was a good breakdown video. It showed the concept was there, Tua just needs to make that throw on time. He’ll learn from it.
The Flying Pig says:
December 22, 2020 at 1:32 pm
“Some of that is the speed of the game.”
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Pig — that’s what you hear so often, but I think more important is the guys you play against are just better. Only at most the best say 3-4 guys you played against on a given team in college are what’s on the other side. Even if you played in the SEC.
And they are older too. Remember one old guy in Wales telling me at a post-game drink up after my college team got creamed in a rugby game against his club, “you young blokes had a lot of pep in you, but you are still boys and they are hard men.”
Miami is an NFL-best 11-3 against the spread this season. No other team has covered 10 games. The Dolphins have also covered four straight games while the Raiders have failed to cover the spread over their last four games.
Should we be scared of the evil genius and his scheming tricks down the road?
“Belichick is 219-64 with Brady at starting quarterback and 60-71 without him, including a 36-44 record in Cleveland. This is his third season in New England without Brady at quarterback, and in those years the Patriots are 22-24, missing the playoffs all three times.”
So it’s early in the week but do we know if Kindley or Flowers will be healthy enough to play this week?
The only thing I’ve seen is no structural damage to Kindley’s knee. We probably won’t know anything new until we see the whether they are practicing or not.
That video Rob posted was pretty great actually. Our oline is starting to gel in run blocking at the right time and the guy breaks down a number of those plays. If we can keep running the ball effectively we are a very dangerous team.
I think our best case scenario is for the Steelers to lose this week and lock the Bills in the #2 seed, so they have nothing to play for in week 17 (assuming the Bills and Chiefs win this week, which they will).
Then have the Steelers beat the Browns in week 17. Assuming we win out, that will move us into the #6 slot ahead of the Browns, and we would play the Steelers in the 1st round of the playoffs.
Then we can have the pleasure of knocking Minkah Fuckface out in the WC rd.
Actually, the Ravens would likely take the #7 slot, but it doesn’t change anything for us.
Dammit Ape, it’s Minkah FitzFuckFace!! 🦍
LOL, I spent about 5 minutes on his name trying to remember the right combination of words. I shan’t forget again 😉
I am looking at the numbers and I can’t figure it out. Can anyone explain to me how the Bills have locked up the division win?
Hear me out on this;
They are 11-3 with two division games left. (pats and us)
We are 9-5 with one division game left.
IF the pats beat the bills next week and we win next week against the raiders we will be 10-5 to their 11-4 going into the final game.
If we win the final game we will both be 11-5 and will have split the H2H.
They would be 4-2 in the division and so would we!
We would be 8-4 in the conference and they would be 8-4 in the conference.
Does it all come down to the one common game that we lost and they won against the Broncos? But they lost to the Cardinals and we beat them so each team has a win and a loss against common opponents. That leaves the game against Seattle which they won and we lost.
In this scenario theses are the losses each team will have;
Miami – NE, Buf, Sea, Den, KC
Buf – Tenn, KC, Ari, NE, Mia
Ahh, Writing it out did it for me. We lose because we lost to Seattle and they won against them and Denver.
If we win out and the Bills lose to NE next week we will go to the common games tie breaker. We can tie them for the division and will still lose. SMH!
The Denver game did us in, not because it was a conference game, but because it was a common game. The Bills will have the same conference and non-conference record as us (in this scenario) we have a common game victory over Ari and they have one over Sea.
The common Denver game fucked us.
Rock — you put some serious calculation into that. I just went “ESPN said it so it is” 🙂
And man would it be a different world if we beat the Broncos.
I was wondering the same until I read this
If both teams are 11-5 and our division and conference records are the same I had no idea which tiebreaker they applied
Wtf is the common game tie breaker
That’s bullshit
Should be a coin flip
record of games against teams we both played. And as a tie breaker it comes BEFORE conference record! WTF!?
They beat us in Strength of Victory and Strength of Schedule too so we lose anyway.
Me trying to figure out why!?
Thought Phins made an awesome move by getting X signed early and long-term. According to Mando (from X’s agent my guess) maybe that doesn’t make much of a difference.
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It’s been a dream season for Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard, with him leading the NFL in interceptions, making the Pro Bowl again, and being a strong candidate for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
But with that dream comes the business reality that the team’s best playmaker feels he’s outperforming the contract he signed last year.
And, according to NFL sources, Howard’s representation will tell the Dolphins this offseason they want to renegotiate the player’s deal — an exercise that could be filled with drama, depending on the team’s response.
When Howard signed his five-year, $75 million contract in the spring of 2019, it made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL
Sorry that meant for end of stream. Was thinking of you as Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting though. 🙂
Raiders are 25th in total rush defense and 27th in yards-per-carry allowed. Could be next game we are a running team again.
Pass to a fast start and then run into the playoffs 💪
Rock – They used to go to point differential in the head to head matchups, that’s how we lost the AFC East to the Colts back in 1978
Thought Phins made an awesome move by getting X signed early and long-term. According to Mando (from X’s agent my guess) maybe that doesn’t make much of a difference.
——————–
It’s been a dream season for Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard, with him leading the NFL in interceptions, making the Pro Bowl again, and being a strong candidate for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
But with that dream comes the business reality that the team’s best playmaker feels he’s outperforming the contract he signed last year.
And, according to NFL sources, Howard’s representation will tell the Dolphins this offseason they want to renegotiate the player’s deal — an exercise that could be filled with drama, depending on the team’s response.
When Howard signed his five-year, $75 million contract in the spring of 2019, it made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL
Think maybe we get a couple extra 1st RD picks in 2021 and 2022? I think he better simmer down some. That sets bad precedent renegotiating a 1 YR old contract
I also get the feeling that we’re no one player is bigger than the team so if they go down that road, it may be met with “Go ahead and try and work out a trade for yourself”
What bugs me is he became the top paid CB in the league when many thought he was low-end top 10 . Now he is sixth….. yeah how that works over time. $15 mil a year.
I read that article, and I’m really curious to see how we handle Howard in the offseason.
He played this past Sunday.
2nd week in a row they give him this designation. It’s a Covid rule. He won’t be exposed to poaching when we send him back on Monday.
I am seriously offended by the premise that X feels he has outplayed the contract that made him the highest paid player at his position because others have been paid more since. He is still the 5th highest paid player and that doesn’t take into account shit like how it is structured and if the state takes a chunk in payroll tax. If he tries to hold out I will turn on him in a minute. NEXT
That’s how the business works. It’s also agents who push these new deals. That’s their job.
I am a fan, but the Fucker finished the season on IR two out of 3 years and has only played 56 out of 80 possible games since he was drafted. We paid him with knee issues and he immediately went out with knee issues.
As I said, NEXT
Shit Iggy is already here as a 1st round pick and will be in the big year 2 for CB’s next season.
I was just saying that’s the reality of the NFL. These guys try to cash in when they can. Teams throw players away when they lose a step. We’ll see how it all goes down. Not concerned about that right now. We have two games to win. 🙂
Stanger, You like apples?
I got her number! How you like them apples!?
This is really very early speculation as we still have a season to finish which hopefully continues into the playoffs before we even find out if Howard will push to renegotiate his contract.
If he does, we have all the control to do what we want. He may hold out of camp to make a statement, but he’s not going to miss any real time. I think it is likely we will push it off and tell him if he performs in 2021 the way he did in 2020, then we’ll talk about renegotiating or talk trades, but not this offseason.
But who knows? Our FO does their own thing on their own time which to them may mean, sure let’s renegotiate.
IMO, we drafted Iggy in the 1st round last Draft for a reason. I think it was a contingency plan should we need to divorce either X or Byron.
X now has knee problems with a few surgeries (think Jay Ajayi), but it certainly hasn’t shown this year, to be sure. I don’t want to part with X, nor do I see Iggy as ready yet to take over for X.
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens, CavKong.
Good point on Iggy. He’s still waiting in the wings.
Hopefully this is just an agent pushing an agenda due to the strong buzz currently around his client, but if not, I’m confident our FO will achieve an outcome that is favorable for us.
Iggy was also drafted because we like to play a lot of man coverage so you need lots of corners who can do that.
Randy says:
December 21, 2020 at 9:28 pm
M13,
It’s all good! It was just so hyped that I was really expecting something great. I’m gonna keep watching it either way! I love anything Star Wars AND Gina Carano, so I’m in for the long haul. Lol
—————
My goodness, Gina Carano is FINE! Not to mention, she’s a really good person in real life, too. I’ve always imagined you to be built like an O-Lineman, so you two would be ‘built’ for one another. Me — on the other hand — am built like Davone Bess… Gina would probably use me and abuse me… but I’d be definitely okay with that, too! LOL! LOVE Gina Carano as well.
Yessir, keep watching it. That last episode (the season finale) was really, really good, man. You’ll get no spoilers from me.
LMAO, you have to be kidding me…
So, Tim, remember just the other day when we were talking about me getting the Dolphins/Raiders game on TV, and I said there is no way the league can take it away from me.
I just looked it up, and the game is on NFL Network which I don’t have. It’s not on any local channels.
If it was a normal Sunday Raiders game, it would be one of my normal CBS games as the Raiders are a local team and are always shown.
So yet another Dolphins game that I got screwed out of. 🤣
I mean…ultimately it doesn’t really matter. The streaming sites have been really great this year, but it sure would be nice to just have the dang game on my local broadcast for once, lol.
Oh wow I didn’t realize that. I have NFLN. Sorry bro. LOL
Not to pour salt in the wound, but they are broadcasting it on the local South Florida ABC OTA station. Wonder why the local ABC for your area isn’t doing it as well? Oh wait, Raiders are in Vegas now…that sucks.
Yeah, I checked my local ABC channel guide, and for some reason they aren’t showing it. No idea why. Maybe the guide is wrong and it’ll actually be playing.
Blown away!!! This kid is phenomenal. Fuckin wow!!!!!
Holy smokes that’s impressive! Pretty much nailed the tone and feel of all the parts as well.
It sounds 99.9% like the record. Unreal!!!
GONNA BE SAVING UP some laundry to do on Saturday when the Dolphins play at the Raiduhs!
HOW ABOUT YOU, HERD??
Do you agree the Raiders are “Washed-Up??”
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WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS:
1) A strong recovery for Mrs. OD from her knee replacement surgery. So far, the news is NOT good.
2) A PLAYOFF SPOT FOR MY BELOVED DOLPHINS.
3) HUGE FINES PLUS THE LOSS OF DRAFT PICKS FOR THE PATRIOTS ORGANIZATION AGAIN!!!!! – – All that cheating for a losing record!!! Of course, minus Brady, Belicheat has a LOSING RECORD in the NFL as a head coach.
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FINALLY, if Miami gets a playoff spot and gets most of their walking wounded back, they’ll be able to beat ANY NFL TEAM ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!!
“JUST GET IN, BABY!”
OD, I’m going to be at my mom’s on Saturday. She’s going to get an extra Christmas present, I’m going to be doing her laundry! It’s going to take me an hour to explain this to her. She can’t hear a thing and is very forgetful. 🐬 🧺
SOUNDS A BIT LIKE ME, regarding the hearing issue. HOWEVER, I lost most of my hearing serving my country. That hearing loss comes in handy, sometimes.
So as I was searching for ways to watch this week’s game I came across the NFL Sunday Ticket for college students. This thing looks pretty great, and I’m going to give it a try next year.
Directv has an NFL sunday ticket program for people that can’t get Direct TV Dish in their area. If you are a college student, you can also qualify for this program.
It looks like the only requirement is you have a valid .edu email and you get the ticket streamed for $100 over 4 months. I’ll pay $100 a year to have access to all the games without having to get directv. Both my kid and wife are enrolled in school, so I should qualify.
WOW! first half
It’s Festivus Eve!!!
So congrats to the following for advancing to FMU FFB Semi Finals..
Mike E vs Piggy
ER vs TWICE.
I get to get Hulk smashed in the 7th place game
Good luck to all and thanx for playing !!!
HOLY CRAP! You guys just made me realize I won’t be able to watch the game this week like a bunch of you guy have to deal with all the time. My cable provider is in a fight with NFLN and is blocking it and the don’t carry my local ABC affiliate. I just looked and it isn’t on my listing this week. GDMF!
BYU looks really good pounding Central Florida tonight. They, and San Diego State, would make nice additions to the PAC-12 some day.
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FAU plays heavily favored MEMPHIS on ESPN tomorrow night. Wondering if the Owls can find a decent QB for this game?
OUT for tonight.
I’ve got the same issue watching the game. Not on broadcast channel, my mom doesn’t get NFL network. I’m taking a laptop and HDMI cable with me. Just an inconvenience.
Folks, like Kong said earlier, NFLbite is a good stream site. It’s mostly HD quality. You can watch it pretty easily on your device of choice.
The only games I watched on TV this year were both Jets games and Jax on NFLN Thursday night.
That’s what I use every week.
So…..you sign a contract a year ago and now want a raise. Can the Fins take it back if he doesn’t play as well next year?
Uh oh!!! 😉
Wait.. they didn’t give up a second rounder for him?
Josh Rosen has had a 1st RD, 2nd RD and 5th RD picks used for him and he was poached from a PS 2 years later. Ain’t that sumpin’?
I haven’t had any success with NFL bite. I keep going to sportsurge. Some weeks it’s good and some weeks it’s really laggy.
Try crackstream.com. HD, works every time.
If Howard wants to play contract games, I hope they trade him. Should bring a couple 1st rounders. This is the way.
He’ll never have more value than he does right now, but he is such a huge playmaker on defense and he’s only 27. He might be our Ed Reed for our defense for the next 5-7 years. I’m torn on this one.
And before one of these knuckleheads tries to ‘correct’ me, I know Ed Reed was a safety. I’m talking about a ballhawking playmaker in the secondary. Even at 36 in his last year, Reed was creating TOs.
I prefer that Carr be the Raiders QB. He throws better but he is mostly a statue. Mariotta runs well and throws better than Cam Newton.
You can also sign up for a trial on YouTube Tv to get NFL Network
I didn’t know that. I may get that free trial for Saturday’s game. Thanks
NFL.com used to simulcast on their website when the games were only on NFL network (thursday games) but this year they didn’t.
I don’t understand the streaming websites. I tried last time this happened on a Thursday and could not figure it out. Do you type www. NFLbite. com (without the spaces) into your browser? or www. sportsurge. com? I got error messages like the sites did not exist. (asking me if I wanted to purchase the site)
Sportsurge.net
Then choose football then find the game
Click on a host, close the pop up sites and you should have it
Or free trial on youtube tv or Fubo they both have NFL Network
Nik Needham was miked up for the Pats game. He’s a little goofy, but heck yeah a guy you want on your team. Has a lot of fun. Even has time to check out which car wins in the video board race.
A summary of the main power rankings. The major ones all have us at #12 or #13. Not so bad. Start of the season thought we’d be high-teens to low twenties. And the polls then had us at high 20’s.
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-week-16-power-rankings-roundup
Rob – in Fantasy Football this week, should I start Matthew Stafford or Tua at QB?
Thanks in advance for your consideration
Josh Rosen poached off of Bucs practice squad. ORob is going to be pissed
I don’t have any ill feelings towards Howard on the contract issue. Players only get so many opportunities to make bank. This is their life’s work. When they have a career season or like Howard a season for the ages they should try to parlay that into a financial reward
Like Tim said, it’s the nature of the business. We could cut him tomorrow and no one would bat an eye that we’d just given him the contract in 2019. I’m ok with it working the other way too.
Do ya ever see a player offer to give money back if they have a bad season? Do teams get to ask for money back? Sure, they can cut you, but you know that going in when you signed the contract. Nobody is forcing you to sign the contract. If you don’t think it’s fair that the team might cut you, go work at Costco. I don’t care much one way or another but whatever happened to honoring your word?
Players have restructured contracts many times to keep up with salary cap restrictions
Ken,
I don’t think that’s the same thing, and they don’t have to restructure. They may be cut if they are asked to and don’t, but it’s still up to them. If they don’t want to and believe in their own worth, refuse and peddle your talents elsewhere if you get cut. I can see both sides of it, so I’m not up for a vigorous defense of the NFL or it’s teams. Lol
It’s not exactly the same but it’s similar. Usually they give the players an either or. Restructure or be cut. At the end of the day it’s a business on both sides players and owners
A restructure usually just ends up in deferred money. Players don’t usually get asked to take pay cuts if they have a poor season. I can’t dig or empathize with asking for money after 1 season of playing well after signing a contract that at the time was highest. Nope, no can do!
Ken,
It’s possible that after 2020, I’m just totally out of “give a fucks”! Lol
LOL
Randy — have some heart man. X had an awesome season and is only making $15 mil a year. Local news showed him in a car line in a parking lot to get a box from a food bank. He was real appreciative.
I was talking to a guy today at lunch about the “trick plays” the dolphins have run the past few weeks that were called back because players didn’t report as eligible.. He had a point that if they DID report, would it succeed? Because the other team would be given a heads up, “hey something out of the ordinary is going on!” Which gave me thought, then the waitress says “someone should report as eligible every play then so they never know when there is a trick play coming.
We just looked at each other….. and he mouthed at me {Can they do that?} and I whispered back “I don’t know” LOL
Did she have a point? Can you report someone as eligible every time, even if you are only lining up to punt or kick?
Yeah, you can do it every play if you want to. It’s all about formation. Certain number series’ are ineligible numbers and if formation-wise they are in a receiver position they report. That’s basically it.
HUH…….so it might even have a strategic advantage to do even if you aren’t doing anything tricky. Get the other guys THINKING you might to slow down their rushers trying to block the kick / punt…
In answer to the guy’s question, would it have succeeded otherwise? I’ve often felt we don’t always hear all the calls on players reporting on a tv broadcast.
Sometimes we catch it, but if you run a total of 10 extra points and punts in a game, and you only have oline or LBs reporting eligible on the 9th play, it does seem it would tip the other team off. I’ve always figured teams do it a lot to slip those trick plays in and we just don’t always catch the calls. I’m just guessing on that, but it makes sense.
NFL contracts are basically unlike any other contract. They really don’t mean much in terms of longevity. Both parties have options and different leverages to try and get what is best for them even if it’s a year or two down the road. That is just the way it is.
If X feels he has already outplayed his contract and wants to apply leverage inherent in the system, that is called real life, same as it would be called real life if he gets traded even though he was told by the team he was going to be here for years. It doesn’t matter if he bought a house or has his kids in school, etc.
Teams will not ask for money back if a player has a bad season, but they may ask him to restructure or they may cut him because that is the leverage the team has in the system. It’s the same dang thing and it happens all the time on every team.
IMO most people tend to side with the teams for selfish reasons instead of truly looking at it from a perspective of ‘the system is working as intended’ (i.e. I want what’s best for my team, I don’t really care it may not be best for the player).
As I said yesterday, Howard really doesn’t have any leverage here. This whole thing may just be the opening in a long term plan for negotiation. Or maybe the team agrees with him and reworks the contract, or maybe they trade him. He’s the best player on the team and our biggest playmaker, and we have most of the control, so we have a ton of options.
Well, I just got to say; He is fucked.
I will go out and buy his jersey! You watch me! With $40 I can derail his whole career. He doesn’t know the kind of power I have! He should keep his head down and play out his contract if he knows what is best for him!
Wait, you have the jersey curse too? I thought that was just Piggy.
oh, I have it too Kong! But just to be sure I will spend $80 and get Piggy one too! X should not fuck with me! LOL
Well that ups our leverage. Just threaten to keep getting his jersey even if he goes to another team. “I’ll screw your whole career, bud!” LOL
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I don’t think it works that way Kong. I think it is the universe fucking ME so it won’t work if I buy a New Orleans jersey. (that is where he is going ultimately btw, I said it here first)
That’s a bold prediction. Why Nawlins? You thinking they may seem him as that final piece to another ring?
I’ll be curious to see how this regime handles these kinds of situations. Building a team is just the first step. Keeping it at the top of the heap when things like this start to happen and talent potentially goes away is another.
Yep, M13 and I were talking about that yesterday. Howard making a little noise isn’t a big deal (to me), I am far more curious to see how the FO handles it.
I predicted they say ‘we’re not discussing it this year, give us another good year, and we’ll talk renegotiations after the 2021 season’ (or trade).
Cav — you can back out of any contract. Threaten to not perform unless given more money too. Difference in the NFL is that a player doing that can’t really get sued. Might have to sit out a year though like Le’Veon Bell did.
C B A
Exactly. They are so different because that is what the players and league have agreed to.
So are you disputing that NFL contracts are basically unlike other contracts? If not, what are you saying?
I’m saying that NFL contracts are unlike other contracts. With some other details thrown in. Why they concentrate on the guaranteed money…. that is something to sue about. Just ask Ricky WIliams.
Ok, gotcha
Kong, have you seen the shape of my head? I am OBVIOUSLY from the future that’s how I know.
Randy, I agree, it will be interesting. They have been building a “team first” culture, lets see how that goes.
LOL, gotcha
Also, I’m not disregarding those who see this thing differently than I do. I agree there is still something to be said about a person’s character in these Howard situations, and I get it if it puts people off or creates different considerations (inter-personal/locker room dynamics, etc).
The points I’m presenting are in talking about this thing strictly from a business perspective. My opinion is that is the way the team looks at these things too.
I just heard a report on the news that over 125K people have move away from New York City since 2019 and from the amount of people overall that have left the state they may lose a seat in the House or Reps. down to 26. Florida will probably pick up that seat.
But don’t worry guys, in 20 years when most of Miami Beach and Ft. Laud are under water more than 10 days out of the month people will be moving to YOUR states so then you will get the seats in the house.
Property values in Connecticut especially rentals have gone up during the pandemic have gone up because of the New Yorkers leaving the city
The other states can have them now.
Man it is fricken cold in Wyoming!
X played how many games last year? 5?
I think if he pushes the issue, he’ll be shown the door like MFFF!
MFFF was about his role in the defense and not liking how he was being used. Howard is looking to cash in on a potential career season with 9 picks. Lots of people like to get raises when they perform. He had 7 picks in another season and I don’t see why we’re calling him out for getting hurt. Lots of players get hurt in this league, big time players too.
I’m not too worried about it now. This will be a hot topic in the offseason. We’ve got two games to win and Howard is a big part of why we’re 9-5.
Armando is reason we’re even talking about this, right?
No idea is he? I’m rolling with people talking about it.
I’m not worried either. This is a team and is bigger than 1 player.
Talking about his injuries/surgeries is completely justified. You want $20M not on the field?
M13, you being a Penn State guy, what’s your thoughts on Micah Parsons?
I feel he’s a stud, but I’m not sure we want a said “stud”… it’s not the ‘Patriot way’, if you will. Don’t know enough about him as a person… meaning, does he check all the boxes as a natty leader, is he clean, is he selfless? As a player (ILB or MLB), yes… he’s a bloody stud, man.
When we look at our current corps of LBs, none are ‘heads above the rest’… meaning, they are all fundamentally good at nearly everything (save a few in coverage). I mean, we were without KVN and Elandon Roberts a couple games ago, and we didn’t miss a beat, as Jerome Baker had a career day.
Yes… Micah Parsons would be a very solid addition… but do we really need him? And no… he’s not the next Brian Urlacher.
Thanks for the question… I’m not sure we’re in need of his services, but again, he is a stud.
That’s what I was asking. If our defense can be similar next year, I agree. I think giving Tua weapons that can make really big plays might be what we need to be in a Super Bowl sooner than later.
ER, nobody wants high priced players hurt and not on the field. But look around the league, there’s a lot of top players missing games every year. I think as fans we get too emotional about the salary cap. I trust Grier and Flores will do what’s best for the team. 🙂
His are knee issues… that’s something to think about for a CB
I’m not even slightly worried…. just blabbing
His knees seem good this year. 😉
If he does ask for a new contract or extension in 2021 that will be the 3rd year of his current contract, not the 2nd year.
Tim Knight says:
December 23, 2020 at 9:17 pm
No idea is he? I’m rolling with people talking about it.
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Yes (SMH), it was Armando who proposed that ‘MAYBE’ Xavien would/should seek more money. Why would Armando do that? It’s like he’s trying to give Xavien ideas. SMH
Mando said X’s camp are the ones that have brought this up. Who knows….
Like Tim stated below, I didn’t read the article. So if X’s camp brought it up… not good.
Thank you, ER!
O fuck, was this just Armando speculating? I didn’t read the story, because if so I don’t want to. LOL
It the old “nfl sources” have said that Xs camp is seeking new deal after this season. So…I wont be shocked if it’s true tho.
Just read the article… thank you, Brother!
Oh boy… Xavien Howard’s agent is Damarius Bilbo (Baggins)… the same agent that represented Jarvis Landry. Armando may be onto something.
And NO… Armando did NOT mention who Xavien Howard’s agent is in his article. I had to look it up myself.
The difference is that Howard is an elite CB and Landry is not an elite WR. But the agent got Landry elite money. Yikes!!!
As you would say… BINGO!
So as I’ve stated before, we know why we took a CB in the 1st round last year in ‘Iggy’. First, we gave X the greatest CB contract in NFL history (at the time), followed by then giving Byron Jones the greatest CB contract in NFL history.
It would naturally be unsustainable over the long haul, so we drafted one of their eventual replacements with one of our three 1st round picks in the 2020 Draft.
Let’s just hope Iggy gets up to speed and on time.
Iggy’s college coach (name?) said he’s got all the talent you look for, he’s just a bit green after transitioning from WR to CB. I still think the plan was to be loaded at CB based on what we’ve done. Why would we give Howard a huge contract in 2019 and then B. Jones a bigger one in 2020, and then draft Iggy in the 1st even after trading down?
ER and I always had the DB vs. pass rush, pass rush vs. DB debate. I think we realize it’s both. But under Flores he likes to play cover 1 or 0 and blitz. CBs are prominent in our defense.
Again… BINGO!
So hear me out…
In an ideal world, the Texans lose out… and we get a top-6(?) selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. Yes, that the Bengals beat the Stealers* on Monday night, they can beat the Texans this weekend.
If we can trade down just enough to get a targeted draftee (say, WR Devonta Smith, Tua’s most reliable WR at Alabama), we may be able to pick up an additional 1st rounder for NEXT year. The key? Trade down to a team that’s going to SUCK in 2021.
The idea? It’s to RINSE and REPEAT, each and every year. Below is just an example, and obviously, it’s too early to make the picks I made… I was trying to make a point, more so than anything else…
*DeVonta! I won’t make that misspelling mistake again.
The biggest issue with Devonta Smith for me is, he is really thin. He reminds me of Lamar Thomas. 6-1 170ish. No doubt he’s a really good football player and WR though.
I’m down with reloading every year. Might be getting some 1s with the X trade. Lol
All I know is cant wait to see what they do next. Seems to me they have a plan and its working. Think we all agree that it’s now playmaker time.
I would love to add Najee Harris. I think he changes this offense to another level.
I’m now a fan adding top talent to top talent. Not keep turning it over. We don’t have to target big time FA’s. Just draft well in 2021. We have a core already in place to add to. That is Phase III. Sorry Mike E. LOL
Keeping the ammo to do that is the hard part. Getting picks for vets on their way out. Also, drafting well and having a sound system in place. That’s the Cheatriot way. Except this regime will do it with class and dignity….I hope. Lol
heard there could be tornados today in the panhandle of FL. Stay safe guys.
Merry Christmas everyone
And if Flowers and Kindley cannot go and Miami has to call upon Deiter, look for him to play well. That’s been the calling card of this football team all season long at every position. Not everyone plays the game exactly the same way, but there’s a level of preparedness that every player brings on game day this season for the Dolphins. And with the improvements to players like Nik Needham, Zach Seiler and others, there should be a strong sense of optimism that Deiter can join the club of “developed young players” this Dolphins regime has found success with.
YEAY PLAYER DEVELOPMENT! What is that? I thought you drafted a guy and if he wasn’t great you moved on and hired an over priced over the hill FA?
Man, I like it MF13,
Reload every year with other peoples chips. Two #1’s this year, 3 next year and two the year after (after we trade X to NO)
The Dolphins website says they broadcast the games on WWW. Miamidolphins.com but only in the local broadcast area. I guess I will try that first.
Love it
MF-13, I’ve been suggesting the “rinse & repeat” theory for a while, i really wanted them to do it last year with the #5 overall.
It’s like buying real estate, over a period of time you realize equity, in this case it’s only 1 year.
a great way to get top talent on your team.
Looking at Spotrac, NO is in cap hell. Way over their projected cap next year ranking #32 in cap space. No way they would be in the trade market for X. The only CB needy team (in NFC) that has the cap space are the Cowboys ranked 10th with over 33mil in cap space. Next would be Panthers at 15th, Cards 16, 49er’s 17, and Giants 18. X for Dallas’ #8 pick would be really nice!
Looking at the CB free agent market, it’s not bad. There are some good young QB’s coming off their first contract who could be signed at the 12 mil per year (which is the most X is over the last half of this contract) or less.
Three good ones are:
Mike Hilton, Steelers
Michael Davis, Chargers
Shaquill Griffin, Seahawks
Steelers have 2 starting CB’s who are UFA’s and are in negative cap hell in 2021. Seahawks are sitting good with 48 mil so Griffin probably stays.
I don’t want to see X go anywhere but, if it came down to it, I would be waiving his production in front of Jerry Jones’ face for that 8th pick. Then, with that in mind, I had to do another mock. LOL
Considering the Steeler’s being in cap hell and having to resign 2 starting CB’s, this draft was done with the scenario I signed CB Mike Hilton from the Steelers.
6 Micah Parsons, ILB Penn State
8 DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
21 Joseph Ossai, Edge/OLB Texas
38 Najee Harris, RB Alabama
54 Kadarius Toney, WR Florida
84 Josh Myers, OC/IOL Ohio State
122 Caden Sterns, S Texas
195 Marco Wilson, CB Florida
203 Naquan Jones, DT Michigan State
252 Chris Rumph II, Edge Duke
I had to run the simulator 3 times to get this to work out the way I wanted. LOL
Gaskin is off the Covid list.
Practiced yesterday.
Derek Carr practiced in full on Wednesday.
Guess that settles their QB question.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays folks!
NEW BLOG UP!!