The Miami Dolphins secondary was the strongest unit on the 2020 roster, but it wasn’t necessarily because of the play of our safeties. I believe Eric Rowe had a strong season, but the strength of the secondary was based on the excellent play of the two corners, Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. Bobby McCain was good, not great, and the younger players showed some promise here and there but failed to make a clear case to be a starter going forward. Clayton Fejedelem who was a free agent pickup and a good one because Fejedelem is a special teams ace.
Young Brandon Jones proved to be a reliable tackler and that’s good, but didn’t show anything special as far as instincts in pass coverage. Jones was seconds in tackles in the secondary behind Eric Rowe with 62 tackles, but his 1 pass defensed and zero interceptions seem to imply he’s better in run support and bringing down receivers than he is in pass coverage. Jones still had a nice rookie season after being drafted in the 3rd RD (#70). Kavon Frazier who came over from Dallas in free agency played in 15 games but he was almost solely on special teams. Good Ole Bobby McCain had somewhat of a bounce back season, but I don’t feel like he did anything that made him indispensable for this coming season. His cap hit versus salary make him a possible cap casualty as they can save about $5.6M if they cut him. This can open up a potential spot for either Brandon Jones or potentially a draft pick or a free agent signing.
In the 2021 draft, S Trevon Moehrig from TCU may be the best prospect for us. Moehrig 6’2 202 has the size and length that we don’t have with Bobby Mac. A former WR and special teams guy Moehrig worked hard to become a very strong defensive player.He has good ball skills with 4 INT’s in his Sophomore year and adding another 2 in a shortened season last year. He possesses good instincts and good long range speed along with a quick burst, ideal for coverage in the NFL where it could be anything from a RB, WR or TE. Jevon Holland is another good safety prospect but he may be similar to Bobby Mac in that he also plays the slot well and may end up a better player at slot CB than safety. This is not a great safety class and it appears as if Moehrig is the cream of the crop.
In free agency, Justin Simmons heads the class. He’s almost certainly out of range as he will garner somewhere around $15M per, so he will not be a Miami Dolphin. Former NY Jet Marcus Maye is also a top FA, but again, he will be out of our range. Former Steeler Sean Davis is a free agent and I liked him in that draft, very explosive and agile, ran a 4.46 40, 3.97 short shuttle which is very fast and a 6.64 3 cone which is elite agility. In the NFL though, Davis has been meh, starting at SS in his first 3 seasons and coming up with 5 INT’s those 3 years. The drafting of Terrell Edmunds (Bills Tremaine Edmunds brother) and then the trade for MFFF no doubt buried him on the depth chart. He may be worth a risk to resurrect his career. I don’t feel like safety is a position where we have to do anything, so it’s possible we just leave well enough alone and let a guy like Brandon Jones develop.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
With the reduced cap this dolphins FAcy will be very interesting, a lot of teams will be forced to cut good players, i think Miami will rework some contracts to give them more flexibility in reference to the cap such as reworking Howards contract.
When you look at the Stafford deal, the Rams gave 2 first rnd picks, one in 22 and one in 23, the Rams have been a pretty good team since they got Mcvey, so you can assume those picks will be in the 20s, they are also devalued picks at present, our #3 this year is way more valuable than both those picks at present.
do what you have to do to get Watson, i believe Miami will wait until draft day to try to trade back get more #1s then try to deal with Watson. as they did with Ariz and Rosen.
you have to think that there’s a wink…wink deal between Miami & Watson, due to his no trade clause and the fact that he was having dinner and hanging out with a couple of fins, i think it was Wilkins & Davis i’m sure the subject must’ve come up.
not to mention, i think Watson likes the idea to play for Flores and Grier.
Watson holds all the cards, he will choose unless the Texans call his bluff.
if it’s up to Watson you’d think Miami is his #1 choice just from the scenarios above.
Miami was the first team that Watson mentioned, so he is certain to want to come to Miami
and yes, if the deal was made it would likely be made on draft night
i dont feel its neccesary, but its up to the FO
its not often that the prior years top QB comes available,,,,,, there is no doubt he could upgrade any team not named Texans
if We dont take Watson, he likely goes to the jests and will tear us a new asshole twice a year
Miami has to do something at the QB position, you can’t rely on Tua and Fitz has one foot on a banana peel and the other in retirement.
Fitz is likely gone, and the team is making plans to get Tua some more playmakers,
Hollins, Breida, part time Wilson, and the rest of our RB and WR, didnt really get the job done
it’s not a lack of talent at the skilled positions, it’s a lack of talent at the QB position
i disagree, Tua has a bright career ahead, Hollins, and the rest of the playmaking idiots i mentioned, do NOT
im sure we can agree that part time Wilson is/was NO HELP for Tua
even watson wouldnt be able to find him, hes a ghost
the value of past Dolphins first rounders is extremely shaky at best, all of us could name a half dozen or so first round busts, some spectacularly, like Jordan.
Watson is an established NFL franchise QB, he wont be a bust
how valuable are first round picks, if the wrong players are taken? not saying the fins will select the wrong players, just noticing that its been seriously hit or miss over the last 10 years, and alot of wrong players were selected
David C (@DolphinsSB52) says:
March 11, 2021 at 9:03 am
i disagree, Tua has a bright career ahead,
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I agree as well, as long as it has nothing to do with playing QB in the NFL
Orob, its obvious You dont like Tua, but the FO does.
but its also obvious that Gesicki and Parker are the only quality targets we have, its not nearly enough, and more will come
year 2 will give us a better idea of Tuas ceiling, because the team is committed to getting more playmakers in here through FA and the draft
If Tua cannot perform with top playmakers in year 2, then it might be time to consider cutting bait
but to give up on him now, is something the FO wont do, and for good reasons
how can you explain the 90 yards passing against the Raiders? how can Fitz come in late in that game and pass for more than Tua did the entire game?
how about the Buffalo game when Tua was forced to try to throw the ball downfield? result….multiple interceptions, he never really had a stand out game, 150 yards passing blows!
it’s not for lack of talent at the skilled positions either, it was the fact that Tua had a hard time getting the ball to his rec due to very flawed mechanics.
it isn’t hard to see his flaws either, they are the result of a weak arm, he has to manipulate his throwing motion to get velocity, that manipulation causes him to not be able to get the ball off in the pocket when crowded.
Ray Charles can see his faults
are You saying that coach Flores is more blind than Ray Charles? lol I wouldnt go there
It’s very hard to have a conversation with you when you respond in this fashion, read the post again, if you feel Tua is great then just respond how my post above is incorrect. instead of spewing stupid shit.
Thank you for your consideration.
yea, whats up with Tua, why couldnt Hollins, Breida, WIlson, Hurns, and the rest of the bums get passes from Tua?
they sucked and most will be out of a job, Tua has a job
Tua might not be the answer, but to make that determination in his rookie season with very few quality targets, is premature at best
in ALabama, Tua had Jerry Jeudy, Devonta SMith, and Jaylen Waddle,
thats about as target heavy as possible, lol Tua did extremely well when he had quality targets, We will see if the same thing happens again
David C (@DolphinsSB52) says:
March 11, 2021 at 9:11 am
Orob, its obvious You dont like Tua, but the FO does.
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The FO has no choice but to like Tua, do you think they will say he sucks and devalue their #5 overall pick last year? I know the some of the players spoke out against Tua and the benching of Fitz.
none of the players have FO experience, not a single one
You must think FLores is a total idiot.
Orob, if you think FItz is the Dolphins answer at QB, because Tua played poorly in Buffalo, what did Fitzatrick do against the bills?
Did Fitz help the team beat the Bills? i didnt see him at all
Fitz was injured or had covid that game
so Tua was better that day, interesting
Fitz wouldnt have done any better IMO
so its fair to say we cant judge QB on only the bills game
The draft is a crap shoot, true Tua did great in college, he was behind a 1st rnd NFL line with premium skilled players and for the most part he played against inferior talent.
I was not onboard with selecting Tua but i certainly didn’t know if he would be great or a bust at the time. so to suggest that i think “Flores was an idiot for selecting him” is very stupid.
after watching him play when the talent level is equal or he’s at a disadvantage is where i get my conclusion on Tua, this FO didn’t have that luxury when they selected him.
it’s ashame that i have to point this out to you David, that’s why conversating with you sometimes sucks. i hope we can get better at understanding the entire picture before making stupid comments.
you saw Tua play lights out in bama, with playmakers, so You know he can do it
this year will be interesting to see his development after bringing in some playmakers
That Buffalo game was a win or go home game, after the dismal display of the raiders game i find it hard to believe that Tua would not have got the hook early in that game or may not have started at all had Fitz been available.
Fitz wasnt the answer that day was he?
we have to look at much more than ONE game to evaluate
David C (@DolphinsSB52) says:
March 11, 2021 at 9:18 am
Tua might not be the answer, but to make that determination in his rookie season with very few quality targets, is premature at best
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now this is the kind of response i like David, keep up the good work.
I make that determination not on his stats or lack thereof but on his mechanics, it’s very telling.
im not saying You are wrong, im saying You MIGHT be
and im for sure saying its premature to call it
Tua throws side arm due to his lack of arm strength, throwing side arm means the ball comes out very low and away from his body.
being under 6′ it makes it very difficult for him to get the ball off when surrounded by trees, that’s why you see him hold the ball and get sacked, the only plays he does well are the check downs because he knows where he’s going and can get the ball off quickly before getting jammed up.
not being able to get the ball downfield will kill this offense. as DC’s will pick up on this and crowd the field.
this never stopped him from winning a championship, and getting picked 5th overall in the NFL, and winning his first start
i get it, no patience, lol what will You say if Tua lights it up this year>
At Alabama he had speed WRs, maybe that’s all he needs.
Russell Wilson doesn’t have much of an arm, but he’s great throwing deep, maybe Tua can develop his deep pass
Orob, do You think Grier and Flores should be fired for taking Tua at the number 5 ?
Purges have begun to create cap space. Our team included. There will be many more to come. These are the vets who have been released over the last 3 days. Do you see any we should pursue?
03/10 Quinton Jefferson DE Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 Kenny Vaccaro SS Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 John Brown WR Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 Jamize Olawale RB Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 Kyle Van Noy MLB Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 Robert Alford CB Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 Kevin Zeitler OG Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/10 Malcolm Butler CB Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 Richie Incognito CG Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 James Carpenter OG Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 Lamarcus Joyner FS Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 Blake Countess CB Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 Adrian Clayborn DE Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 Treyvon Hester DT Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/09 Dan Bailey K Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/08 Carlos Dunlap DE Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/08 Russell Bodine C Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
03/08 Christian Jones OLB Terminated, Vested Veteran, all contracts
There will be many more to come. For example, Saints are expected to be releasing WR Emmanuel Sanders, LB Kwon Alexander and CB Janoris Jenkins as early as today.
Is anyone on that list more than a JAG at this stage of his career?
Richie Incognito has to catch your eye. I actually had his jersey until the “say it ain’t so Joe” stuff came up.
I’m starting to be be on board with Watson. I’m not a big fan, because I think he has issues (not as bad) like Lamar does passing, but given the right situation I think he could win an SB.
Do you sacrifice a career worth of Tua for a small window of Watson, maybe 2 or 3 years, for a 2021 or 2022 SB victory?
If Tua can revert back to his Alabama days he could be discussed with the greatest of all time. My one problem is I went back and watched his Bama tape and I can’t get the noodle arm passes off of my mind.
His arm is stronger than Pennington, faster release, can read a D quick, looks off his receivers…so he should be able to perform better than Chad and Montana, but something, I can place my hand on, is missing
he hasnt won a championship at the NFL level, YET
i sure hope he does, nothing will silence the critics like a super bowl championship ring
markets are exploding today, this is AWESOME
i guess everyone is spending their $1400 socialist check before they get it, lol
The idea of the money going back into the economy is spurring this, but what good does it do to have the markets go up, when they’re creating hyperinflation?
no hyperinflation exists at this point, there will be some inflation down the road for sure though
i love this market though, i could get spoiled , lol
and btw, it does alot of good for the markets to go up. investors make more money and will spend it, and invest more
investing in a strong bull market, is so far ahead of inflation its hardly worth mentioning
We’ll see
they looked like open doors at the super bowl, no thanks!
Neither of them played in the Super Bowl… they were both injured.
ahh that the guys that KC were missing, and now they are available? doesnt seem like KC values them much
That was what I was hoping for with the salary cap going down, the elite teams having salary cap casualties, bringing them back down to the pack
Juju smith-Schuster is also being linked to us. He’s had some big years, but that 4.54 40 time isn’t what we need
It would pair nicely with Waddle
Steve — you asked “Do you sacrifice a career worth of Tua for a small window of Watson” and it is a good Q. But don’t forget that Tua’s rookie contract expires as well, even if you add in two possible franchise tags. And yeah could sign Tua long-term, but could do the exact same with Watson….. he’s only 25.
I think Watson has a smaller NFL window than Tua does. Once his escapability is gone I think he’s done. 2 yrs, 5yrs…
If his career is going to be done when he is 27-30 seems all the more reason for him to want a good team now.
I’d rather have Marvin Jones than JuJu Smith-Schuster. Jones has been very consistent during his career. He’ll be on the field when DeVante is out, or hobbled which seems to be at least half the season. Either one will be an upgrade of what we currently have. Preston Williams still has a lot to prove as far as I’m concerned. Bowden might have some promise in the slot, that is if we don’t keep Wilson on the roster. Perry seems like a depth guy, I don’t recall seeing anything special from him. Grant could easily be cut, he’s not much of a receiver and on punt returns his hands make me nervous. Once he makes the catch though he’s electric.
Only thing think Williams has to prove is durability. Not that he’s gonna end up on WR top-10 list, but like his routes and like his catching. Think he’d be a great 3rd boundary guy…. and at that point durability less of a concern.
Part of why more interested in getting wideouts in the draft. That Alpha guy in the first and then a slot in rounds 2-4. And I’d be cool with 3rd or 4th cause think can get a good slot lower and suspect Bowden might become something.
But heck — they get a WR in FA just means can take another position in the draft.
Or not.
I keep my draft board the same no matter who we take in WR FA
I agree on Williams.
Tua was pretty good with both he and Devante on the field
We’ve got so many options. I have absolutely no idea what we’re going to do.
Less than 2 months to the draft, one week till free agency, and as a bonus only 2 weeks until we can all watch me get my ass kicked by a walking nuclear power plant, lol.
?
Lol, Godzilla vs Kong
KVN was a system LB, he fit well when the scheme or play was designed for him, or when others did their job and he cleaned up.
He’s the kind of player that looks like crap in preseason, when it’s just one on one, but turns it on when everything is just right.
I believe he was released, because of his inability to apply pressure straight up, instead of the guy that’s in the QBs in 2 seconds
“It’s probably one of the worst defensive tackle groups that we’ve had in the last decade. It’s just not very good. I think there’s a good chance we don’t see a defensive tackle go in the first round.”
— NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah… yeah Davon Godchaux ain’t coming back (liked him).
Barry Jackson offers a real good break down of the O -line.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/part-8-series-examining-dolphins-224722772.html
That last game when we got spanked by Buffalo will linger with Flores/staff because FA and draft first deals with ‘how to beat teams like Buffalo and KC’ … Our defense as structured could not keep up with them (esp Buffalo).
We got the coverage guys, but pass rush definitely needs to be more disruptive on a consistent basis.
I can’t shake the feeling that Flores wants to resolve whatever the problem was that last game vs Bills. As much as we talk about “weapons for Tua”, the OL is still key.
There are so many great prospects and we have a real opportunity to get a ‘gamer’ with our #3 pick. We have a legit chance of our choice of best non-QB player in the draft. Where on our team do we need a guy who takes the entire unit to the next level. All those names, but we can only take ONE.
I think prioritizing a guy like Linsley to lead the OL would really open up our options … in fact signing Linsley I could see:
1. trade back, say to 8, take Parsons, then best WR/RB available at #18 … and finish the combo early in 2nd. As amazing as the top tier WRs are, they don’t solve the problem exposed in Bills game. That off field stuff (team fighting) was when he was 18 maybe 19 yrs old. What was Ray Lewis like at that age, ya’ know!?
2. Chase or Smith at #3 I won’t complain but we’d HAVE to get Collins at #18 (or even trade up for him … cuz there are a couple teams ahead of us who could certainly take him). I don’t think we need a “coverage LB” … we need a defensive missile … a guy the opposing offense game plans around. That’s Parsons or Collins.
3. I really, really can’t see Miami taking a RB in first round. It feels like a year too early.
We can’t fill all the hole with two picks, so I’m sure Flores and FO are gonna stick with their rebuild plan… and LB seems like a bigger issue than WR (if everyone under contract is healthy).
^of course I am referring to Free Agency to acquire Linsley. lol
Rhino — that is a darn solid break down and possible path. Particularly like the thought of Linsley. Makes him the chief of the OL and leaves enough to prop up OLB or DE in FA. Then can go all O in the draft, least first 4 picks.
I agree with Flores having the stink of the Buffalo game on his mind, that’s why I think they let KVN go. Realized he wasn’t the answer
The co-OCs will be interesting.
Your get a new toaster when they formally name you as assistant coach instead of just so special teams coach
Piggy, I was talking about Studesville and Godsey as co-OCs.
This is a shift by the Texans FO.
—————————
“He is our starting quarterback right now. And hopefully in the future.”
— Houston Texans head coach David Culley on Watson
It’s a pretty standard statement when you have a disgruntled player that you don’t know what the outcome will be. You cover your ass either way.
Rhino,
Your thinking is almost identical to mine, but for the RB position. As I stated yesterday, I strongly advise our Phins to either re-sign Alex Karras or sign Corey Linsley. Yes, that strongly reinforces our O-Line, allowing us to address other positions via the Draft, and early.
Now on paper, one might say we have an impregnable O-Line that any RB can run behind. That has yet to be proven, and I don’t want to pay through the nose via FA on say, Aaron Jones. It’s a young man’s position, and it comes cheaply through the Draft: that’s why I’m all about taking the best RB @ R1P18 (be it Najee Harris or someone else). We’ve been skunked for YEARS, not addressing the RB position early.
As for the LB position, I can’t help but feel we run a system (see Steve’s 2:35 PM post above), brought over from the ‘Patriot Way’. That’s not to say that KVN was a strictly system guy (I disagree with Steve on that, but we’ll see), but I think we could get a value LB on perhaps day 2, maybe early day 3, who could come in and be solid.
Rhino, very good post above! As I stated, you and I are thinking on the same wavelength.
NEW BLOG UP!!!
I wonder if we’ll take a sniff at either Eric Fisher or Mitchell Schwartz. I don’t think we will, but I wonder…
Quite honestly, I’d rather spend FA $$$ on a Tackle, rather than a Center. Nevertheless, we have a great need at the Center position… and I’d rather not draft a Center early. With any luck, Isaiah Wilson is our answer at Tackle, and we just need to sign a vet Center.
I suppose the question becomes: is Isaiah Wilson to be trusted to become all of what he was drafted to be? If not, address the RT position for the southpaw Tua.
Godchaux was a loss but not worth that price tag. I’m glad to see the most expensive projected FAs already gone. Jonnu Smith doesn’t look exceptional and Cam no longer is. Glad to see the Pats moves so far.