#1, Tua Tagovailoa is the linchpin to our season. There are so many other variables to our team’s success but if our 2nd year QB doesn’t improve significantly from last season, it will be hard for the rest of the team to get further than our 10 win season and for us to get a playoff berth. The 6 guys pictured above, WR DeVante Parker, TE Mike Gesicki, WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Will Fuller, TE Hunter Long and RB Myles Gaskin will also play a huge role in the offense going forward. TE Mike Gesicki is in his final year of his contract so he will be looking to have a big season. Our #6 draft pick this year WR Jaylen Waddle will be an immediate impact player both on offense and special teams as a top notch return man. Our #81 draft pick was TE Hunter Long from Boston College. A bit of surprise this one because I felt we had pretty good depth at TE with Gesicki, Smythe, Shaheen, Myarick and Carter but we probably intend on using multiple TE sets often. Those TE sets put the defense in a tough spot because it can be a power running formation as well as a receiving mismatch with a bunch of 6’6 250 guys that can run that need to be covered. Pair that with a burner like Fuller or Waddle who can take one to the house and big plays can happen.
Let’s get back to Tua. This guy is hungry to be a top player, to be the best he can be. He has been doing extensive weight training, it’s already paid dividends and Tua looks much thicker on his lower half, a huge boon for a QB. He looks bigger on top as well and his arms are certainly stronger as well. Besides the weight training he’s been working diligently on balancing exercises and drills. Better balance helps make a repeatable throwing motion easier and helps distribute the arm strength better. You can question his skill all you want, but you can’t question his heart, desire and sense of responsibility one drop. Once again, Tua’s success will be paramount to the teams success. In addition to Tua doing all he can to better this season, The Dolphins kept up their end of the deal by drafting OT Liam Eichenberg. I can’t tell you for sure that he will be our RT day one but if I were to be a betting man, I’d lay down some cash on that being the case. I do believe our offensive line will be LT Austin Jackson, LG Solomon Kindley, C Matt Skura, RG Robert Hunt and then RT Liam Eichenberg. Those two mountains in the middle, Kindley 6’3 337 and Robert Hunt 6’5 325 have some work to do as far as pass protection, but in my eyes, last year’s O-line was better than I’ve seen in some time. I expect that to improve with a true offseason, training camp and OTA’s.
I’m not going to continue to discuss the need for a RB. I’m in wait and see mode and I see no reason to continue to dwell on an issue that may not be an issue. Other teams do well with undrafted and late round draft picks at the RB position, and we already hit with 2019 7th RD pick Myles Gaskin. If this year’s 7th RD pick Gerrid Doaks shares the same success Gaskin had last season we’ll be just fine at RB. The RB by committe approach ensures fresher legs and also eliminates the worry of relying too much on one player and then trying to change the offense once that player goes down. I think at least 3-4 of these guys will get a fair amount of carries and some weeks one will be the feature back and the next week we’ll change it up to a different rotation. That makes it harder for opposing defenses to game plan against us.
On paper, we have so much more talent at the skill positions at WR and TE it’s actually crazy. Health can and will be a factor as we have a few that unfortunately haven’t been able to stay whole for an entire season. Still, with DeVante Parker, Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle and then Mike Gesicki and Hunter Long at TE, that’s a lot of talent to cover. Parker always difficult on 50/50 balls thrown his way, Fuller can easily take the top off the defense and make big plays deep downfield. Waddle can do it all, turn short passes into big gains and if teams start coming up on him aggressively, he will make them pay with double moves that leave them in the dust. If teams are forced to double cover Waddle, Fuller or Parker, Gesicki will be a pain one on one against most defensive players. Add in another pass catching TE like Hunter Long and it almost seems unfair. Truth is though, it all starts in the trenches and our O-line will not only need to open holes for Gaskin and company but protect Tua Tagovailoa too. We know Tua was conservative last season, much to the detriment of the offense. He took the easy quick completions often instead of waiting or sometimes even recognizing and seeing players getting open just a few yards further downfield. If the O-line is stout, that will give Tua more confidence to let things develop. Or, the new dual OC’s of Eric Studesville and George Godsey will have to be more creative and move Tua around, who by the way, throws pretty well while on the move.
I look forward to seeing this offense get to work, it’s going to be fun. I’m already quite excited at what we can do and I can’t wait to see them hit the field. On the other hand, if I said it was the offense I look forward to seeing most I’d be lying. I really do want to see the Tua offense in year two, but it’s our defense with Jaelan Phillips, Benardrick McKinney and our most excellent secondary that I wish to see most. I think our defense can be special, one of the top defensive units in the NFL. Josh Allen won’t be so damn cocky and smirky when we play him next. If we want to to get to the top of the division, we have to beat the Bills. They shellacked us, ran over and through us when it counted for us, and we need to be the ones doing the bullying next time around. I think the defense will be a big part of the reason, although much like Buffalo found out, give a QB a great weapon like Stefon Diggs and the offense will be better. Well, we gave Tua the upgrades on offense and now along with our top defense, the QB has to improve with the defense.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
First? Really? 😂
Truly!! Well done 🙂
That’s a darn fine take and write. Disagree with you on this or that at times, but when you do the overviews can’t help but keep nodding my head as I read.
Gonna be real interested to see how and how much they used Hunter Long. Can he block well enough to be used as that all-in-one TE? Big difference btwn that and just being Gesicki’s back-up.
Yeah, it be interesting to see how Hunter Long is used or IF he’s used. Flores has shown he doesn’t care when you were drafted, if you’re not getting it done the way he likes you won’t see the field. Long will have to earn his playing time for sure.
Thanks Stanger, appreciate that
Thanks, Mike E…..I agree with stangerx.
Both sides of the ball need to step up and I think management is providing the resources to make that happen.
Thanks Krishna, my pleasure as always . . .
I felt we had pretty good depth at TE with Gesicki, Smythe, Shahee, Myarick and Carter but we probably intend on using multiple TE sets often. Those TE sets put the defense in a tough spot because it can be a power running formation as well as a receiving mismatch with a bunch of 6’6 250 guys that can run that need to be covered. Pair that witha burner like Fuller or Waddle who can take one to the house and big plays can happen.
When you stop and think that our co-Offensive Coordinators are our RB an TE coach I think this makes even more sense.
BTW Pair that WITH A you need a space added
Dolphins kep up their
Thanks Rock, er Editor in Chief
Great write Mike E 👏 I agree with your entire article 👍
Thanks Doggy
I think at least 3-4 of these guys will get a fair amount of carries and some weeks one will be the feature back and the next week we’ll change it up to a different rotation. That makes it harder for opposing defenses to game plan against us.
I completely agree. I think Flores wants to be able to tailor his attacks, both offensively and defensively from week to week based upon the best match ups! The Big Cheat was a master of that. (is)
And who taught Flores? In so many ways we are becoming Patriot’s South.
Well done MikeE!
Thanks Rock
I hope they can settle in on the starting Oline early on. I mean, they should and must mix it up so they can find the “best 5” and know who plays better together if someone goes down. I also think they should get their starting line practicing together so they can gel better and get that sense of seamless teamwork that allows them to pass a guy off on a stunt without a hiccup, or understand that they should double to their left or right on a certain play.
They gotta give the guys a chance to compete, at least at some spots. One might be at center. If Dieter doesn’t get a chance then far as I am concerned he’ll always be a back-up. Other place is RT. You don’t just let the rook slide in there.
If you look at the way Grier and Flores has constructed this roster, it is like we are “multiple” on both sides of the ball. We can go “Big” or “fast” on either side of the ball if we want. And / or Mix mix big front fast back with fast front big back. (and on O the same)
That’s true, and we will do that not only against different opponents but in game at different times to change the pace
In the past some may have complained that Grier was building a schizophrenic roster that isn’t “X” enough, but I feel this coaching staff can pull it off.
I think Tua is very well equipped to throw quick short to mid range plays at a very high level and with better, more consistent play on the line and at WR he will be able to shred defenses underneath and take the big play when they give it up.
I expect the RB’s to be catching a lot of passes this year. More than under Mr. Magoo
Think Tua’s ability ten yards and in is why we have Waddle instead of Smith. Hopefully get that going and more room beyond that. D’s were collapsing in on him last year. Can’t play the game in only a short part of the field.
Yeah, but Waddle, Gesicki, Long, Gasken and Ahmed can tear it up in the 5-10 yard range taking those plays to 10-25 yard gains. I can imagine a ball control offense that is very hard to stop with possession guys like Williams and Parker punishing D’s for focusing on the RAC guys inside.
Where my mind is going as well. Take what Tua does really well and make it better. Scare them with that and what he isn’t as great at opens up.
Having the benefit of not playing Fantasy Football, I can root for every player on the team to have “meh” stats as long as we pile up the W’s.
https://primetimesportstalk.com/2021/03/13/2021-nfl-draft-scouting-report-hunter-long/
This guy ranks Long pretty high on blocking.
This from Sports Illustrated
Solid blocker, better on run plays, sealing the edge well against defensive linemen and can get outside or climb against linebackers and defensive backs; good timing and placement as run blocker and keeps feet moving to drive defender
· Lots of experience on special teams, both as a protector for field goals and extra points and as a gunner on kicks.
Very good write, Mike. That’s how I feel about the state of our team. It’s really fun to have so much young talent and watch a team headed in the right direction, as opposed to some patchwork group where you don’t see much upside. I’m not sure how good we’ll be this season, but I think the potential to be very good is there.
Thanks, it’s exciting to be really optimistic about the prospects of our season
Young talent is the key for me. We’ve brought so much of it in. Will naturally get better over the next few years. Might need a different strategy when those 2nd contract come up down the road though. No longer stocked with draft picks and the cap will come into play.
As for Tua, I think we’re focusing too much on him only throwing short stuff because of some of the games where he struggled. There were a lot of reasons for that. Tua can sling the ball down the field too. I think this year we’ll see more of that.
I think so too Tim. His lack of arm strength is greatly exaggerated. It was much more that he just wasn’t taking shots downfield, not that he can’t. He has the arm to throw deep and I agree that he will as he gets more comfortable with what he’s seeing on the field.
Far as I am concerned was 70% mental. But still happened.
and I think he will punish teams who guess otherwise too. I believe that that basis of this offense will feed primarily underneath.
It’s just a feeling. I am often wrong. LOL there is at least one woman on this board so that means I am always wrong. Even if she agrees. LOL
Body blow, body blow, body blow body blow body blow KNOCK OUT
Repeat
I hope we have a season where the teams we play all lose the following week too because we beat the snot out of them
The Environmental Protection Agency? Didn’t know they cared about football . . . 😀
Can’t wait to see him play for us.
Stanger, I agree a lot of it was mental with Tua. His uncertainty with his hip, learning the NFL game and not wanting to make mistakes. I really believe we see a different beast this season.
I think he will be better, just don’t know how much better. He’s a question mark. And not like ain’t hoping he just busts out.
If you look at his college tape you see what a healthy and confident Tua looks like. It doesn’t matter that it was college, he moved better, he ran faster and he threw lasers down the field. He wasn’t 100% last year in his rookie season with an NFL team that was rebuilding. He will be a much different player this year. It is known. 😉
Well since “It is known” who am I to worry about it? Been meaning to buy that DeLorean ……. would make life easier.
I approve this message. 🙂
I read that earlier and the pork believes e can be a pro bowl guard too
We might 4/5th of our future OL in place this year
Don’t know why Jackson needed that source…… told you guys many times Hunt looks like a guard to me. 🙂
I got into my private reserve of aged Homeraide this afternoon and I am feeling pretty good about the team. LOL
Nice write up Mike. I’m still not buying that we have seen our RB depth chart fill out
Might be one more last minute signing
Like who?
Pigsgerald oinkalot would be my first choice
But he’s expensive so we will probably just have to watch the waiver wire when team Trim their rosters
The Tua arm strength is pure nonsense put out in this blog by people who have an agenda and or don’t know what they are talking about
Right, we were tanking for Tua the entire 2019 season because he had a weak arm and sucks. LOL
I know pure silliness
Who said he had a weak arm? Q to me is if he tries to use it.
There are several on this blog that constantly say he has a weak arm ORob and Steve in particular comes to mind
He did it plenty. Dial up some of his highlights to see that he did make throws down the field. Not everything was a check down or short screens. Much of that was due to being under duress. Fitz played under a lot of that too where he ran instead of passing. If we get our OL to another level we’re going to see a lot of chunk yard plays this year.
Agree with all that Tim. My point was Tua needs to expand the field more with deep throws and not doubting some of those did happen last season. Are you saying you are fine with how he was last year in that respect? I think he’s gonna tear it up deep this year with the new toys. But you thinking he is fine as is?
Thanks Piggy! I’m also very much in favor of Robert Hunt at RG. That’s where I have him slotted in this article too
My criticism of Tua has been the same prior to drafting him is the same so far. Can he translate his skills from playing behind an NFL caliber OL playing with boys to the NFL where you can killed.
Last year, being a rookie coming off a major injury/rehab, with no training camp or preseason IS NOT a fair evaluation.
He will need to be night and day from last year….it needs to be a huge leap. I agree that it’s the mental leap he needs to make vs physical.
I think he’s got the goods.
Well said all around. Not sure the leap has to be huge though. Think last year he proved can be a NFL QB. Has yet to prove more than just another one.
Perhaps “huge” is strong. But, the light needs to come on. I equate that with making a leap.
Stanger, no I don’t think we saw the best Tua last year. Just a small sample size.
Part of why I think he has so much more in him . Was unhappy with him last year, but if wasn’t then couldn’t see how much he can improve. If that was it then we are in trouble behind center.
No doubt he has to better. He knows that just like we do. I always think a year removed from a serious injury is important for players. Tua entered the NFL rehabbing. We drafted him for the long term not just a big name rookie. I don’t believe in sophomore slumps. That’s usually when a rookie has a great year than doesn’t match it in his 2nd season. Sometimes it’s the league caught up with a player, but most of the time, coaches will tell you that players make their biggest jump in their 2nd season because they know the landscape, how things are done, and they got a taste of what it takes at the next level.
I really think we’re going to see a much improved Tua this year. I know I keep saying that. But I really do believe that. The young OL growing, other young players getting better and some of the players we added is a much different beast than what we had last year. We might become one of those teams that turns into a juggernaut overnight if certain players live up to their projections. That happens when players all excel at the same time. Maybe it won’t, but if it does I think we’re going to have a lot of fun this year.
When talking about the blind side, we ran a lot of bootlegs with Tua to the left side so having a guy like Jackson at LT is important as well. I really feel Eichenberg is going to be our RT with moving Hunt inside to RG could be a nice combo on Tua’s blind side. Eichenberg was a 3 year starter in college and just seems like a really serious no nonsense dude. I know he played LT but I don’t think that means he can’t move to RT. Get that started right off the bat.
Tua did not do poorly last year but more growth is needed. This narrative that has been put forward by some here that he did poorly is just not accurate. He played well for most of his starts but he faded late in the season primarily when many of skill players were injured
Relative to most rookie years he was excellent
The entire team faded at the end of the year. In our last 4 games we lost a competitive game to the Chiefs, beat a bad Pats team, won a game against the Raiders we probably shouldn’t have (bad coaching by Gruden and his staff), and then got throttled by the Bills. It was Phase II of the rebuild. We sometimes get ahead of ourselves but a 10-6 winning record will do that to a fan. We get fickle but when talking to fans of other teams they think we’re a team on the rise. Lots of pundits say that too. But as Dolphins fans over the last few decades, we’re somewhat jaded. I think that’s about to change.
Like I’ve said our team was not as good as the record. That’s fine and I don’t think most expected that record. Nice tease.
This year is a prove it year for all those here last year and those that weren’t here last year to show they want to be here. Fun! I think the culture is changing.
It was impressive to win 10 games though. I wasn’t really expecting that. I think the coaching deserves a lot of credit for that. Now it’s time for talent to make that “leap” you’ve mentioned. 😉
I think the biggest hangup his detractors here have are the comparisons to Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow. Of course if we had Joe Burrow they’d be calling him “Glass Joe” because he got hurt and saying they wished they drafted the more durable Tua Tagovailoa.
Burrows numbers and Tua’s numbers are very comparable to one another except Tua won more games
I think the comparisons are silly. There was nothing comparable between any of them. Stats smats. Each one had a different start. Let see where they end up this year.
Stats do matter. The stats show that both Burrow and Tua were relatively efficient QBs but not necessarily ready to carry a team by themselves
Evaluating rookie QBs and coming to permanent conclusions is silly.
I want to see us become a well rounded team that is difficult to beat. Not just because of a handful of players. That’s what I think we’re building. It was brought up earlier, we’re not just multiple on defense, but offense as well. We can go spread and quick or big and physical. It’s all about how to win each week.
The OL is the key on offense. We have the skill players.
Colorado about to give us a quick, clean death. The Blues were completely outclassed.
Stanger, I don’t think they are going to “tear it up deep” with the speed. IMO they will more often hit short high percentage passes and let the speed get YAC.
I think they will use our short passing game like a run game.
We will see soon enough.
It will be both. Parker if he’s relatively healthy might have a huge season with attention being focused elsewhere – Waddle, Fuller and Gesicki. Albert Wilson seems to still be part of the mix, and now two years removed from his hip injury can be another explosive option. It’s about mismatches and most teams don’t have enough coverage to match up with these guys.
Yeah I’m thinking both. Those guys are too dangerous deep not to take those shots
CavalierKong says:
May 22, 2021 at 9:51 pm
Honestly, I think things like forced vax, vax passports, mask mandates, etc are good and necessary conversations to have, but this other stuff, like the whole COVID thing is a hoax, I don’t buy into at all.
I’m not telling what to talk about, or implying you shouldn’t say your piece, you do you, bro. I’m just letting you know why I personally don’t respond to these particular things when you bring them up.
—————
It’s all good. And I hate to bring this up being we’re back to talking football now, LOL. I just wanted to let you know that I understand where you’re coming from. Not everybody is going to agree with any one take (see the Tua discussions, for example), but everybody has a right to their opinion and the right to make their own choices (at least for now! LOL).
The divide is so great anymore that nobody listens to the other side… but I do, or at least I try my best. As such, I’ve been done with castigating others who don’t feel as I do… it only increases the divide. And you are MOST correct: I, too, feel that things like what we were talking about last night are good and necessary convos to have. There are pros and there are cons, and I think everybody should make an informed decision.
Cheers, CavKong… and thank you for being respectful about the matter, despite disagreeing with my take, man.
🍻
Ken says:
May 23, 2021 at 5:08 pm
There are several on this blog that constantly say he has a weak arm ORob and Steve in particular comes to mind
————–
To be honest, much of the MSM is saying the same thing about Tua… and the MSM won’t stop pushing the Deshaun Watson to Miami narrative, even after ‘Massage Gate’.
As for me, I’m 100% with Tua going forward and feel he’s going to ROCK! If ORob and Steve aren’t feeling it, it’s all good by me. I respect them both, and I appreciate thoughts that keep my thoughts in check. It’s all good.
I’ve mentioned several times why I said Tua had a weak arm.
Before the draft people on here were making these ridiculous claims, that he had a Cannon, after I said he had a weak arm we didn’t hear about him having the Cannon.
Again I don’t think he has a weak arm, it’s just above average though.
They checked the mph on QBs from the 2020 draft and Tua’s was the worst of the top 6 or so, about 6 mph less than Herbert.
Ken as usual isn’t accurate
I think his arm is plenty good. He hits receivers in stride even with do e of the fastest in college football on his team. There wasn’t a lot of if any slowing up to make the catches, and to me that’s a great arm. Again mph on his throws, etc, means little to me, infact it could be bad if your overthrowing the ball.
I appreciate you, Steve… even though we disagree on Tua, Bro.
Man, I was already HUGE fan of Richmond Webb but I’m really stoked that my football hero just followed me back with no request from me to do so. I’m giddy as a school girl. He is a really awesome dude.
NICE!!! Congrats!
Easily my favorite Dolphin OLman all time. I use to really watch him and how he played trying to pick up on hand placement and his footwork etc. Played the same position in HS and when they drafted him was about the time I really locked in on that spot. I had his and Simms rookie cards in a special protective binder. I’m not a twitter follow whore but this is pretty special for me.
I know what ya mean, man!
Tim,
I know it’s early in the offseason, but you like to get into the possibility of roster spots/positions as it pertains to our final roster, always (I dig that, too).
How many WRs and TEs do you see making our opening day roster?
Probably 6 WR and 4 TE.
I break it down like this.
Offense:
OL – 9
TE – 4
WR – 6
QB – 2
RB – 4
25
Defense:
DL – 7
LB – 8
DB – 10
25
Special Teams:
K – 1
P – 1
LS – 1
3
I think the versatility on our O-Line and D-Line make it possible to keep 6 WRs and 4 TEs, as you suggest: I’m with you.
Now let me ask you THIS (I know, there’s a long way to go)… which 6 WRs do you forecast to make our final 53 roster?
I’m going with DeVante & Preston (twin towers), Fuller and Waddle (twin turbo), Lynn Bowden, and Albert Wilson.
The first 4 for sure. Not sure yet with #6. Grant is a great return man but Waddle can do that to. I know don’t put your top pick as a returner, but I say if he can do it, you do it. Every play makes a difference.
Grant probably has some trade value.
To me Wilson, Bowden and Perry compete for one spot.
Does Hurns win a spot? To me he’s better than a guy like Isaiah Ford.
Let the competition begin!
Cav sorry about yer Blues
Jets were down 4-1 in third , stormed back to send to OT .. Nik Ehlers after missing last 11 games , SNIPES the OT winner… Jets up 3-0 in series. Unbelievable,,,
Yeah, I thought we’d show up better than that, but I knew we weren’t in the same league as the Avs so I’m not really surprised. Jets are looking good, as are OD’s Lightning and Steve’s VGK. I’m looking forward to that AVs/ VGK series.
Will be interesting road to the cup.
Rockphin says:
May 23, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Stanger, I don’t think they are going to “tear it up deep” with the speed. IMO they will more often hit short high percentage passes and let the speed get YAC.
____________________________________________
a recipe for disaster, they’d better have a deep game, Tua better be able to throw deep balls while waiting in the pocket and throwing over the guys in front of him or it will spell doom.
you have to keep the safeties out of the box, you can’t do that if all you do is check down.
this is where the Tua problem comes in, can he throw the ball over the guys in front of him deep?
he certainly couldn’t last year.
I remember years ago Chad Henne was the second coming of Dan Marino, i told you guys he sucked and had to battle with you over that issue.
rinse and repeat.
I don’t remember ANYONE saying Henne was the second coming of Marino, but I do remember you saying that about Dwayne Haskins and that we should trade up to get him or it would be a mistake.
Yeah we cant get into a finger pointing match about i knew about this guy before everyone else, yadda yadda yadda, we aren’t pro’s we don’t know jack shit we just slept at a holiday inn once and now think we know everything. We hit on some we miss on some, hell so do the pro’s though generally they I’m sure hit more than any of us do. I never liked Henne but I didn’t know too much about him either. I knew a lot more about Tanny, or so I thought, that didn’t work out either. Thought/knew Haskins was a bust, but i could have been wrong, he was a awesome college QB. Again, we arent supposed to root against our players just to be right about them, that extremely vain and counter productive.
Lol SB
For the record I thought Haskins would be good too. So OROb wasn’t alone on that one. But he shouldn’t be pretending he is batting 1000
I agree about Henne. No one here was comparing him to Marino
The arguments I heard were to give him a chance, etc….
And the big argument for Henne was that there wasn’t much of fall off between Matt Ryan and Chad Henne (and that’s why we picked Long) and the guys making that argument were bill parcels and Jeff Ireland
that’s reality. Even professionals miss on prospects
As far as Tua is concerned, I’m not arguing he’s the next coming of Marino. I’m arguing the criticism of him is way off and it’s way too early to write him off
Henne was too short!
The only problem Tua may have throwing deep is seeing the receivers, really can’t see that as a problem, because on deep throws he’s taking a 9 step drop and will adjust in the pocket.
Went back and looked at deep throws and his trajectory on the ball was high enough that the on coming rushers weren’t close to the ball.
The only time his height becomes a problem is when he has to throw it on a line with a rusher between himself and receiver, but he’s done that his entire life, unlike the basketball player that was taller than everyone else, then got to the NBA and had no technique to play with those his size.
The problem he has to overcome is between the ears, his height is good enough
That’s when they a lot of time switch to a side arm motion to throw it past them on the short routes, and i saw him adjust his throwing motion in cases he had to. I think he is fine.
Stafford does that too and would piss me off when I thought we had him blanketed only to see that side arm complete the pass
Tua has been working the weights quite a bit, hope he doesn’t get the muscle lock problems Brady Quinn had.
Once season starts expect it to be obvious he wasn’t ready to play last year.
The new O will be designed to bring him along slowly in areas he wasn’t great last year, by emphasizing his strengths.
Problem is Belicheat will have all offseason to gameplan him, so he may have to open it up game 1, unless they can’t stop the quick passing game.
Just hope he spends as much time in film study as he does working out
He is strengthening his arm so he can make sure there isn’t lactic acid build up, and when he starts throwing the muscle fibers will elongate out and it will be fine. He will just stop doing any bulking type exercises by the time the season gets rolling. Its same for people who sprint doing squats. Squats work your legs for denser powerful muscles not elongated springing kind. They workout with squats to get the mass, then elongate them through their sprinters training. Same concept.
Ok, didn’t think it was a concern, just wanted to point out QBs have a point where too much mass can create a problem
Miami’s specific OTA dates will be May 24-26, June 1-3, June 7-8, and June 10. The minicamp will be held June 15-17.
Aaron Rodgers isn’t even showing up to the virtual meetings at Packers OTAs.
What’s an off season without a high-profile holdout?
“It’s Tua’s second year in the NFL, so we’re expecting to see a jump from him being able to retain information. Identifying fronts, IDs, coverage, that will be a big difference from Year One to Year Two.”
— co-offensive coordinator George Godsey, looking for improvement in the mental game.
Hmmm….”big” “jump” mentally vs huge leap….ok, whatever.
This is good news
We can use a few vets and an extra pass rusher
Man, if the price is right, I’d welcome Ingram with open arms.
Lol. They just had to show him sacking Tannehill.
It’s just talk. Watson said he was out of Houston and there he is
Seems Watson had something come up he wasn’t planning on. We’ll never know where he would be without the lawsuits.
Unless Sharpe told Jones he was going to make the call during the show before, that was throwing Jones under the bus. Sharpe never says they are on air. You hear some female voice rightly saying to let Jones know that.
Doesn’t surprise me
Isn’t there a legal obligation to inform they are being broadcast?
I agree, Stanger.
Not sure if there is a law about it Cav, but certainly is professional protocol. How many times have you heard “you are live on the air” after someone answers a phone call?
Yeah, I always thought it was required. Of course maybe it is in CA or something, but is not necessarily an FCC requirement.
Any show with Skip Bayless, nothing would surprise me, but if they really did cold-call him without warning he was live, that is effed up. That’s a breach of trust that could legitimately affect Jones.
And I agree with CavKong.
The law requiring disclosure that you are being recorded or are on the air vary state to state. For example Connecticut requires disclosure that you are recording the call while New York does not. Not sure if there is an FCC regulation about being live on the air
ocalarob says:
May 24, 2021 at 6:44 am
a recipe for disaster, they’d better have a deep game, Tua better be able to throw deep balls while waiting in the pocket and throwing over the guys in front of him or it will spell doom.
Tua has no problem getting it deep. I don’t see any ‘doom’. If the D drops too many down in the box that will leave the outside guys single covered and Tua will punish them for it. My point is that I think (It is only my opinion from what I have seen them doing) that they will use the pieces we have to carve teams up over the short / medium middle all day until they try to stop it by dropping safeties into the box and then BAM! TD!
You don’t have to throw the ball deep every play to keep the D honest.
obviously you didn’t watch him play last year, the worst part of his game was the deep ball. to say he has no problem going deep is incorrect.
cav kong… how did tuas stats compare to the rest of the league passes over 20 yards?
Because he disagrees with you he obviously didn’t watch him play last year. Do you think anyone on this blog didn’t watch the team play last year?
Sorry, the stat engine doesn’t have a yds in the air filter.
Someone said Doom.
sb7mvp says:
May 24, 2021 at 7:33 am
I don’t remember ANYONE saying Henne was the second coming of Marino, but I do remember you saying that about Dwayne Haskins
___________________________________________
i got in a knock down drag out fight with walker over henne, and if i do recall tim had him pegged as the next marino,
you are right about haskins, i was going by his college compl pct which was great. he looked like dan marino in college.
I never said that and no matter how much you repeat that BS doesn’t make it true. I said he could become a Phil Simms and Ken told me I was off on that and he was right. Mostly what I said about Henne was you have to give young QBs time to develop, and we did that with him. We stuck with him his entire 4 year rookie contract and moved on from him once that deal was up. Remember that’s where the “Patience Brigade” came from.
Don’t remember anyone saying Henne could be a Marino either, other than he could be the franchise QB we haven’t had since Dan the Man.
Seems like a super nice guy, but man is he general and vague. You ask him what he wants for lunch after the interview and he’ll say “given the options, I’m gonna have the best lunch there is…. I will make that happen.” Maybe part of being a co-coordinator is not making definite statements.
Unfortunately, being a leader is to not advertise: this is ‘coach-speak’.
Allow me to refine that statement: being a leader in the corporate world (yes, the NFL is corporate) does not allow one to advertise what’s up your sleeve to competitors.
Not sure what else he’s supposed to say. Lots of fans and media get caught up in play-calling and creative plays and yes that’s part of it, but what he did say is the main answer – execution. If you can line up and knock people off the ball and run it down their throat, the plays aren’t really anything special. It’s execution. Same in the passing game, protect the QB, run routes to get open and QB delivers the ball on time in the right place and then it has to be caught. Football is not that complicated.
I lost count of the questions he didn’t answer. Like M13 said it was coachspeak, which we are all used to….. but he took it to a whole higher level. And there is a reason folks like him do that. Team is probably better off. One thing did get is yeah the playbook is gonna be most different, including the terminology.
How about an ‘immense bound’? Lol
Tua hanging out at camp in his new practice uniform.
Lol
Stanger, what exactly was Studesville supposed to say? On 1st down we want run this, 2nd down that and 3rd down this. The questions asked were setup for generic answers. I’m not sure what they were expecting him to say. We’ll eventually see for ourselves what we run and what works and what doesn’t.
At the extreme he could have answered the questions put to him honestly. But as have said understand why he didn’t, but he could have done a little more of that.
Have watched many such interviews. Given that he went general more than in most have seen, was wondering if cause he is a co-coordinator not wanting to say something his partner wouldn’t like. Or it could just be just him.
You act like I am ranking on the guy when I am not. He seemed super cool. Were you thinking he was the most honest and offering coach you’ve ever seen in an interview?
I didn’t view it as any different than any other coach interview I see. What was he not honest about? Was there a particular question you’re referring to?
Wasn’t saying he lied, just that avoided specific answers to the questions offered. If you have to ask for just one question where he did that after we both watched the inter view…… I’m just at a loss.
I thought he was really cool, smart and did exactly what he should have done in the interview if that helps. Think he’s a keeper. Was only saying he took keeping close to the vest a bit far. But I love that he was doing that.
Does that help?
Okay I don’t want to harp on it and no not accusing you of killing the guy, just don’t know specifically what you were looking for. I’m going to post George Godsey’s interview as a new post and he basically said what I said about how the game is pretty simple and it’s about execution. The simple fundamentals of all the position groups.
What was looking for is simple — info on what our plans are. But completely understand why he did not provide it.
Stanger and Tim, it’s all good, guys. Like I said, it’s all “coach speak”. I’d immediately fire anyone who gave up the goods in my building, and so would Coach Flo.
Take these interviews for what they’re worth… next to nothing. Not sure why I even posted them, other than to keep the conversation going on this blog during the doldrums.
I’m glad you did. Let us get to know Studesville the person. Real great guy and seems one perfect for the shared duties role. He could not have said “communal” more times. Seems like a real team player with not much ego.
stangerx says:
May 24, 2021 at 7:16 pm
…He could not have said “communal” more times…
————–
Really? I’m not going to take the bait, but I see what you just did right there.
Communal as in group decision. What exactly did I do? Was his word.
A group decision between who?
And why are you about “communal”? I suppose you triggered me, my man. Apologies for that.
He made it sound like more than just him and his co-coordinator. So at a minimum with Flores involved. Think he meant it more as the whole offensive coaching staff, even if not necessarily.
Didn’t know that was a bad word. Sorry if it is.
I think interviews are usually pretty dumb. Studesville and Godsey did exactly what is required of them but football isn’t a deep science. You try to be physical running the football and try to spread the field when passing. Most NFL offenses are a variation of stuff you see in college today. What exactly are they supposed to say? “This is an exciting. new variation of football no one has ever seen before!”
The best offenses have better execution or superior players. They commit less fouls to ensure their limited opportunities aren’t screwed by a penalty. Look at Kelce, Kittles, Hill, Jones even guys like Edelman. What did they do better than other guys? Get open, make the catches when needed. It’s not hard to imagine, just hard to execute.
^
That’s exactly it. The main thing to take from this is we want to be versatile and not one dimensional. I’m not sure any team wants to be one dimensional. That’s why we’ve been adding the personnel we have. Multiple ways to play the game based on opponent and situation. Can you convert short yardage on the ground when you have to and can you open up the passing game with speed when you have to. We’re trending that way.
stangerx says:
May 24, 2021 at 8:35 pm
Didn’t know that was a bad word. Sorry if it is.
—————
I don’t support any stuff that has ‘com-‘ in front of it, man.
You and I both LOVE Star Trek, as I’ve understood through the years. So, and as both you and I know, the guy with the red shirt (OG Star Trek), or the guy with the yellow shirt (TNG) always die. I don’t believe in that type of governance… that’s communistic to me.
EVERY life is important to me… not the survival of the mere cast (elites).
So you don’t believe in communication or comradery?
LOL, you know what I’m talking about, Bro.
Yeah but that was a major reach by you with what we were talking about. Come on, you know it was. 😉
I admitted that I got triggered by the word “communal”, and how Stanger said that it couldn’t be stated enough times.
Seriously, don’t read too much into these Coach interviews… I suppose that’s all I’m sayin!
Sorry to see Stanger and Tim get into it over as much!
It’s not a big deal, just a simple discussion and soft debate.
Good!
Spotrac has us @ $11.5M under the cap right now. Should we sign Melvin Ingram and/or a RB like Gurley, we’re going to have to make some room.
I’d go for Melvin Ingram and neither of these guys are gonna get big money. That ship has sailed. It’s up to them what they’re willing to play for and where. Ingram is a seasoned pass rusher who in a rotation could be really good. Gurley is a big name and not what he once was. Is he a guy who plays for some type of minimum?
I’d love to get both on a 1-year, prove it deal. We’ll still have to make cap room in order to do as much.
Prove what? Their prime is over. Gurley will be 27 with the knee issues everyone knew would be an issue at some point. Ingram is 32 and for me he’s a guy like Kevin Greene who plays a role as a pure pass rusher.
Waddle at 5-9 180ish has a Mercury Morris or should I dare to say Gale Sayers type running style. What I mean by that is they pick up speed in a very unique way with a gallop type style – before you know it they have 7, 12, 20 yards etc. Most defenders can’t run with them.
Nice! Dolphins doing it right!
Did some of you guys come on last night looking for an argument? Lol
Something was off. I mean did we forget our coaches come from the belicheat tree, where players or coaches don’t give up team secrets or anything, that might give our next opponent an advantage, in interviews?
You never know what simple post can lead to a brouhaha. Or create a whole discussion. Part of what makes this place great.
Think Stanger just wants to know what we all want to know.
Will our O be primarily a quick passing O that takes advantage of Tua’s strengths? Has the playbook been created with that in mind? Who will be calling the plays? What’s the difference in roles between the 2 OCs?
Additionally want to know, if Brisket will be inserted as QB in some packages?
Based on what Eric said, it will keep evolving, based on what we see works
For sure that is the type of stuff was hoping for. They are putting in a new offense.
And yeah you don’t want to give up the snap count against the Patriots, but there will be open sessions in front of the media and fans plus two preseason games. Plenty could share with no risk.
Before the draft we’d all like to know what the Fins think of certain players.
Now we all want to know what type of style our O will use.
Reality is they don’t talk, so we’ll know once the games begin
Sure, we would love to know deep intimate details, but so would our opponents coaching staff.
That’s the point and why we don’t get to know, some seems to forget that
If healthy, sure would be nice to bring in Melvin Ingram to play a situational passrusher role, ala Trace Armstrong
From an Eagles perspective SBNation has our 1st rd pick to them somewhere between 11-21.
They don’t see Tua taking the step to being a top 10 QB.
What they don’t seem to get is, even if Tua isn’t a top 10 QB, we could still win 10+ games, because of our D, which can allow Tua to be a glorified game manager and still win.
Why have the Saints won without Brees the past couple of years? They’ve gotten the most out of their QBs, while playing complimentary football.
Don’t think Tua flips the switch early this year from a stats perspective, also don’t think he’ll be asked to.
Think he’ll gradually grown into being an effective QB, then at some point, later in the season, the light comes on (he starts reading the D, like the back of his hand) and he’s really good.
After the light comes on expect an accurate 70% comp rate, and have the skill Brady has where, if you blitz him he’ll eat you alive with short passes.
Brady came into the NFL with a dumpy body and a big arm, then transformed his body into a healthy version, and the drive to be great.
Tua has that same drive to be great, would be shocked, if he can’t lead us to an SB at least once
Me personally, i don’t have a short leash on him, ill start to become concerned after year three without noticeable growth. I don’t care if its fast or slow as long as he is getting there. I think all QB’s need to get the 4 years and if at 4 its pretty damn good, a 5th.
I held out on Tanny that long, but 5th year was concerning for me because through 4, it wasn’t looking great. I wouldn’t have been shocked if they had bailed out after year 4 and not picked up his 5th option, and i wouldn’t have been too upset about it either. By the time we were in year 6 i was in full on reality mode of this shit isn’t happening and is just delaying a chance to get started again.
Im probably in a similar place for Tua, but i also saw a lot more good in what he did (non stat based observations) than a lot of the people here did. He has a ton of elite skills, we just need to see if we can get those all put together with consistency.
For me it comes down to its 3rd and say 8 how do I feel about Tua picking up this first down. With Fitz kind of expected him to, not always the case with Tua.
I agree though he has elite skills, the question is will we see them
sb7mvp says:
May 25, 2021 at 8:57 am
Did some of you guys come on last night looking for an argument? Lol
———————————————————–
Its beach weather, they got a bunch a sand in their mangina’s.
Wilkins has played great for us, just like to see him curb his enthusiasm at times like the celebration when Preston got hurt and trying to pick up the fumble week 15 against the cheats, when Howard was already locked in negating a TO and TD
We keep looking at OTs…. not sure why.
Looking for the best depth. I guess that never ends
Just got off the phone with our Fest rep. Bad news — our seats are not going to be as good this year. Gonna be high up as usual, but on the goal line (just like in some Fests past).
He said season ticket buys have exploded. So season ticket holders in some of the seats we have got over the last 2-3 years. Guess a lot of folks bought into the process.
Still cheap at $55 though.
Here’s the seat numbers….. pretty close to the block we like.
Section 313 / Row 26 / Seats 12-18
Section 313 / Row 27 / Seats 10-17
Section 313 / Row 28 / Seats 13-21
But that is good to hear that people are coming back out
Great that people are buying into the team. Not so much when it comes to us getting seats. He said you are lucky chose the Falcons cause on a bunch of games they are doing no group sells at all.
Phelon — you said your tix rep might be able to do something in terms of getting better seats. Can you give him a call and check out? Thanks.
Sure. How many?
22?
I asked him for 26
You aren’t tied to a final number till final payment is done. And all the tix reps get that. Cut down from 32 to 24 many times. So either my 24 or your 26 would work. Let him know the situation though. You have the seat numbers and the $55.
He is looking for a block. $95 for lower level corner, $45-$55 for upper level.
Tell him we already reserved. Q would be if he can do better than what we have.
Ah
All the info is just up above. Accounts name is Finsmob and our normal rep is Tim if that helps.
Hearing rumors that Le’Veon Bell would like to sign with us. If it’s on the cheap, I’d like it.
We were on his shortlist last year, but he opted to sign with KC for a chance to get a Super Bowl ring.
Stanger – He can get Section 303 (Center end zone) rows 22 & 23, Seats 11-24 & 13-24 for $45/seat. Told him give me 5 minutes.
Guess that is arguable, but personally like the sideline view better. Let’s just leave it as is.
And huge props for checking out.
De nada
Apparently getting tickets this year to any home game is going to be a challenge.
Least guess they don’t have to worry about the blackout anymore. Not like the team went to the Superbowl….. can only guess folks like the arrow on it.
Career rushing stats for RBs on our current roster…
Malcolm Brown: 11 TDs in 6 seasons, 4.0 YPC
Myles Gaskin: 4 TDs in 2 seasons, 4.0 YPC
Patrick Laird: 1 TD in 2 seasons, 3.2 YPC
Jordan Scarlett: 0 TDs in 1 season, 2.3 YPC
Salvon Ahmed: 3 TDs in 1 season, 4.3 YPC
Gerrid Doaks: 7th round rookie
Total: just 19 TDs over 12 combined seasons [or shall we say, over 192 games just for affect (no, that’s not true in reality)], and well below the league YPC.
THIS is a huge reason why so many wanted us to draft a RB early. I think we *almost* have to bring in a current FA vet like Bell or Gurley to make us better. NOT as an every-down back, but to join our stable of backs in a rotation. The $$$ has to be right and on the cheap, and it will benefit us by keeping legs fresh.
And now, I’m going to counter everything I just said above. IF (BIG “IF”) our O-Line is finally fixed, we should be able to turn mediocre RBs into perennial stars. I suppose we’ll find out via camps and OTAs… and I don’t think Bell or Gurley are in a hurry to sign a contract until after camps and OTAs.
Time shall reveal…
It’s RB, what they did in the past experience may actually be a bad thing
I don’t disagree either, Steve.
Steve,
I went back and looked at the success of Bell and Gurley… both of whom pretty much ran behind SMASHMOUTH O-Lines. It seems to me that we ourselves have built a SMASHMOUTH O-Line, and there’s no reason a guy like Doaks can’t replicate TDs like Bell and Gurley had done… and Doaks has far less wear than either.
No… I don’t think we need to sign Bell or Gurley after all. I just wish we had a NASTY scatback like we had in Reggie Bush.
Yeah, you guys just saw me do a 180 on our RB position in less than half an hour, live on this blog.
We HAVE gone SMASHMOUTH with our O-Line, after all. As such, we never needed a high-pick in a bruiser like Najee Harris or Javonte Williams to be successful in the running game.
Any of you guys send birthday presents to buddies? My wife’s B-day and she had a whole bunch come in. Or maybe I’m just a pain in the ass. 🙂
Boyer barely blinks.
“We have a long way to go. I’m not going to sit here and sugarcoat it like we don’t have a long way to go; but I think for him to be as good as I know and we know that he can be, we hope to continue to make strides where he can become what we think he can.”
— DB coach Gerald Alexander on Iggy
And, we’re now working Iggy on the inside… something we hadn’t done last year. Not sure I like that, being Iggy has the size, skill, and speed to BE a great boundary CB (I assume Byron Jones’ eventual replacement).
Stanger, between you and me, I wish we’d just kept Bobby McCain as our nickle, man.
We’ll see how it all turns out…
Just putting out what his coach said. And did not find it encouraging.
Iggy was a 2020 1st round pick, it’s time for him to fly. We all say Tua needs to make that jump and Jackson also has to do that. 1st round picks are supposed to become your better players. This is all part of the rebuild maturation process.
There was no fighting or nasty arguments last night. Just different viewpoints about coach speak. It really was no biggie.
^
Was all my fault. Found it interesting cause used to see it all the time when was doing politics and was examining the technique. But understand that just my own particular interest.
I never took it in a bad way. If you and I were face to face having a few beers there would be no issue. Unless there is an obvious insult, we need to not read too much into the written word. It’s usually a huge waste of time. 🙂
Truthfully….. I still can’t figure out why it went on so long. What was the issue? Maybe that is the message board versus having some beers point. But all good….was always good.
Stanger – Your were a Republican lobbies…ever work with a guy named Skip Ringo?
I bet that guy has rings on every other finger
Nope — was mainly a state lobbyist. Head of advocacy for a national non-profit. Since have left we’ve made a move to the Hill though. So some of the people in the office now might know him, and we do hang more towards the Republican side.
These young OL we have are big dudes, athletic and seem like serious dudes for young guys. I think Grier and Flores target those types of characters that match the physical. I’m seeing a trend.
I’m trying to make cast iron pizza and n]my dough is frozen. What do I do?
Don’t put the dough in hot water to thaw it.
I’m figured
It’s still frozen though
What kind of pizza dough is that?
Well there two obvious choices… 1 ) wait until it thaws . 2) make from scratch
I’m happy to report that The pizza crisis was thwarted
It’s in the oven now
Domino’s?
No I actually worked through the frozen dough
Hmm
Tim Knight says:
May 25, 2021 at 7:28 pm
These young OL we have are big dudes, athletic and seem like serious dudes for young guys. I think Grier and Flores target those types of characters that match the physical. I’m seeing a trend.
————–
Like I said above, SMASHMOUTH. This isn’t an Alex Gibbs-type of O-Line for a West Coast Offense… this O-Line is built to move defenders the funk out of the way, first and foremost. And yes, the athletic ability is also there to pull, when necessary.
It’s what made me change my mind earlier today… now it’s time to find our next Reggie Bush. Hopefully, Myles Gaskin continues to improve and impress.
Truthfully, Coach Flores is emulating the Patsie* way.
Gaskin and Ahmed are slippery runners who play like they’re bigger than they are. Brown is a pro who can play a lot of roles. Doaks and Scarlett compete for the last spot. I agree with many who think Laird is likely out. Could be an end of training camp trade too.
Just wanted to let ya know I recently became a long jump fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKMQJTfa5ds
😀
I just got a little bit longer in my jump of course
Naughty boy. LOL
is she waiting for the pole vault?
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/.amp/news/what-is-the-ceiling-for-miami-dolphins-cornerback-noah-igbinoghene
Iggy look huge in that CB camp with X. If he can master the position he will master the competition. Oh my.
^looked
And can’t say the word ‘huge’….lol
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-defense-tuesday-20210525-zuxfxosrfre2hnrqef6hv3tbhq-story.html?outputType=amp
Does Holland have a twin brother, that can play Nickel, while he’s playing FS😉
Actually hope Iggy can play Nickel, that would help in run support.
As always lots of options back there Coleman, Needham and McCourty can also fill in
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tua-tagovailoa-2021-outlook-flashes-from-dolphins-qbs-rookie-year-and-what-he-must-do-to-take-the-next-step/
Harsh, but honest opinion on Tua going forward.
Guess we’ll have to see how things play out.
On one hand he ran the best offense I’d ever seen in college by quickly going through his progressions and throwing with deadly accuracy, on the other there’s height and arm strength concerns, that can be overcome, but will they.
Find it hard to believe between his work ethic and Flores’ out of the box thinking they won’t figure it out
Sit there reading that piece and am thinking “this guy really knows his football. Then I hit “We’ve barely seen anything in 2020 from penciled-in left guard Michael Deiter.”
Maybe there is a difference btwn football knowledge and Dolphins knowledge. But he bases a lot of how Tua will do on the players around him.
Deiter only had 22 snaps on offense last year, (and 77 on ST), so I don’t think he was inaccurate in saying that. It’s only about 1/3 of a game total for eval.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DeitMi00.htm#all_snap_counts
Wasn’t doubting that part. Was doubting that he’s penciled in at left guard. If he was gonna start at anything would be center.
Ahh, my mistake Stang. Yeah, completely agree with you. There is a reason he barely got any snaps last year. Not sure why Deiter is suddenly going to take that starter spot when he couldn’t take it last year.
My guess is the writer was going off some depth chart that had Deiter as the back-up to Flowers and assumed that’s the next starter since we didn’t take a G in the draft.
It was an interesting read. We all know how Tua progresses is the big question we need to answer this year. I thought this guy brought some interesting info to that discussion.
Sometimes football and politics do intertwine. 🙂
——————————————-
The New England Patriots’ infamous Spygate videotape cheating scandal happened nearly 15 years ago, but apparently there’s still more we don’t know about it. And the new details are pretty juicy.
According to ESPN, Donald Trump met with the late Senator Arlen Specter in 2008, nearly a decade before Trump’s presidency, and offered him “money in Palm Beach” if he dropped his investigation into Spygate. Trump was reportedly acting on behalf of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Spokespeople for Trump and Kraft denied the allegation that either man tried to influence Specter’s investigation.
Conspiracy theory, thought you weren’t into that
Have talked about many a conspiracy theory. And don’t necessarily think this report true. Are conspiracy theories only bad when people don’t like them? And this one was a report from a sports place.