If you’re a regular reader here, you know I just highlighted our 2nd first round pick, Jaelan Phillips in my last article. Now it’s the guy on the other side, WOLB Andy Van Ginkel. I think Phillips will be an NFL star, maybe even this season, but I think we may have a star in the making in AVG. A little shorter and a little lighter than Phillips, AVG is a fast moving, agile athlete. Phillips is 6’5 260 while AVG is 6’3 241. Both ran the 40 in 4.56. AVG really excels in that short burst speed and agility running the 10 yard in 1.56 and the 3 cone at 6.86, fantastic for his size. Many WR’s and DB’s can’t post times that good. His 4.14 20 yard shuttle shows elite quick burst speed. Speed is his game so don’t expect AVG to ever exceed 245 lbs, he’s not a power player.
What can we expect from this much unheralded player who quietly made himself known to Miami Dolphins fans? Playing in only 46% of the snaps, AVG posted some heady stats in limited playing time. 48 total tackles (29 solo), 10 QB hits, 5.5 sacks, 3 FF’s, 1 FR returned for a TD, 7 TFL and 4 passes defensed. Well rounded numbers showing legitimate versatility. With KVN gone this season, AVG is the started opposite Phillips who will be playing the strong side. Will AVG be able to withstand more snaps and will his body be able to endure more snaps? We’re going to find out because I believe he will be given every chance to do that and will play as many snaps as he can. One thing I do know is the league has definitely shifted towards speed, and this year, the Dolphins defense has the speed to match up. Even big Benardrick McKinney who will be side by side in the middle with Jerome Baker can run well. He’s the sole LB who doesn’t cut the sub 4.6 threshold but his 4.66 is nothing to sneeze at considering his 6’4 260 size. McKinney is a thumper that can move though, and that’s good considering Elandon Roberts is returning from an injury sustained the second to last week of the season. He may not available to the Dolphins defense until mid season.
If more playing time is better for AVG then it’s not unrealistic to think AVG may nearly double his sack total to 10 or more, and his QB hit number to close to 20. With the added attention Phillips and Ogbah will likely garner, it’s not crazy really. The one thing we don’t know is what AVG’s body can endure. Some guys are relief pitchers simply because they get exposed the longer they are out there. Will that be true of AVG? I for one don’t believe so, I think he will shine once again, but time will tell.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Hey Bookman, sorry if I bummed you out. That was not my intention. Go Phins!!!!
Dolphins coach Brian Flores was asked about the situation during a radio interview this week. Specifically, Flores was asked if there was any way the team would be able to keep Howard in Miami even though he clearly wants out.
“There’s a way,” Flores told “The Joe Rose Show” via the Miami Herald. “I think we just continue to have discussions with him, his representation, and keep the lines of communication open, continue having dialogue and, hopefully, work something out.”
According to Flores, the two sides have been communicating with each other in en effort to get things figured out.
“Look, [Howard] is a great player, good teammate,” Flores said. “His teammates love playing with him. I love coaching him. Obviously, we’ve had discussions with him, his representation. I talked to him [Tuesday]. I’ll keep all those conversations between us, including his contract situation.”
Whatever Flores and Howard talked about on Tuesday clearly didn’t do much to convince the corner he would be getting a new deal because his trade demand came out on Tuesday night.
As the week now continues, the situation doesn’t seem to be getting any friendlier between the two sides. Flores’ radio interview took place on Wednesday and less than 24 hours later, he had a slightly less optimistic tone when asked about Howard’s situation. After Thursday’s practice, Flores didn’t exactly give a straight answer when he was asked if he thought Howard would be on the Dolphins’ roster come Week 1.
“We’re focused on today,” Flores said, via the Sun-Sentinel. “Our focus is on right now, today and helping the players improve and get better. I don’t really go down the road.”
According to the Miami Herald, the two sides haven’t had any significant contract talks in at least a “couple of days.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/dolphins-coach-responds-to-public-trade-demand-issued-by-star-cornerback-xavien-howard/ar-AAMIz2t
Don’t let X’s contract situation distract you from the fact that this offense is one big game of 20 questions.
Howard is acting like a spoiled child
hes not mature enough to handle his business like a professional IMO
and just a couple of weeks ago you were saying how he was right and the FO was wrong?
i did not say that
you don’t remember how i said he wouldn’t have got 10 picks without jones? you said jones had nothing to do with it?
you were touting him for a whole page of how this front office should cave to his demands and now you have turned on him.
i remember your comment on jones, but i dont think the team should cave to howards demands
my argument was that jones was extremely overpaid, and contributed to the howard problem, there is NO way to go back and fix the Jones contract, the damage is done
howard was a great player, but he isnt what the team needs IMO
all this regurgitation of the howard situation is pathetic.
it all comes down too; if they can get a great return in trading him, otherwise he will play under his current contract.
nuff said
im doubtful he will play under his current contract, he has proven he will do anything to avoid working under his current contract
i think it’s highly unlikely miami will cave to his demands, that sends a bad message thru the locker room.
the fact is Howard will play under his current contract, he’s already shown that by showing up at training camp. he’s not going to leave 12 mil on the table. no way
he showed up at camp, then has an undisclosed injury? SMH
im not seeing any good faith efforts from Howard, none whatsoever
theres a 99 percent chance he would milk the contract, and not play like the team needs him too IMO
its too late to salvage this mess IMO, time to move on without howard
NEW BLOG UP!!!
is it a howard blog? no wonder it hasnt shown up on time, lol
Orob, weeks ago i was hoping the team and Howard would work things out
that was before the social media bs, and the undisclosed injury
so the leapord has shown his true spots , im no longer hoping it all gets worked out
wasnt professional how he handled it, im at the point where it doesn’t matter to me how it goes with exception of one way, being cut. We need to get something for him. He has hurt the trade value with his social media stuff but id hold out for what i wanted in trade and if not he shows up as a dolphin or he hurts any contract re-negotiation leverage he had with getting a change from his new team. no one will trade for him and give him more guarantees if he doesn’t show up and perform so it wont be like we wont have a player that wont be motivate to play his best even if he is pissed about the contract.
Speaking of trees and cost of removal, i didn’t even have to have them taken down, Hurricane Zeta did that for me, but just to have them cleared and the stumps taken out was 12.5G’s
Piggy,
I definitely think it will be better but every team has strengths and ours should definitely be our WRs and DBs. I love a great running game but the rules have changed and as Steve mentioned, the Titans still never pushed through with the run.
If our run game is 15th and our pass 6th, I’ll be happy as a pig in…well , you know.