Dolphins are now in the offseason, changes are happening

After a thrilling playoff game, unfortunately a loss for our Miami Dolphins, the team and front office have officially entered the offseason, and changes have already been made, and rumors will swirl regarding coaching hires and possible departures, and of course player signings and leavings. It didn’t take the front office long to make one big change, they fired our defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, and also let go safeties coach Steve Gregory, outside linebackers coach Ty McKenzie, and also assistant linebackers coach Steve Frentz.

The playoff loss. It was a crazy game, our offense never really got on track, but the defense played well enough to win most games, just not that one. Mike McDaniel looked like a rookie Head Coach in his first playoff game. He struggled all game getting plays in quick enough to avoid penalties, and there were some bad ones during the game. It wasn’t just penalties, it was the timeouts we had to waste as well, but the penalties plagued us all season long, and we had 7 for 34 yards in this one. While that doesn’t seem excessive, this is something that has hampered our offense every game, and it’s a particular point that our young Head Coach must improve on next season. It’s understood that a rookie 7th RD pick was running the offense, but back in SFO, Kyle Shanahan has his 7th RD pick QB looking far more prepared. In any case, our defense was so much better than my expectations, with the exception of the last drive of the 1st half when we were tied 17-17, we allowed the Bills to run a 33 second drive from their own 25 yardline to our 22 yardline and take the lead all too easily before the half, 20-17.

With the departure of Josh Boyer, our defense may be getting a facelift. This defense that was predicated on a dominating secondary, one like we had with a healthy Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, and our two premier safeties Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland, struggled without half of those players this season. Add in the loss of Nik Needham who plays everywhere, inside and outside, and the secondary was anything but a strength this season, and our defense’s weakest link. Diminished play due to injuries is expected, however, if the defense counts on great secondary play, the ever present zero blitzes left inferior talent on an island trying to cover other teams best receivers. This was a failure for two reasons, not only did the blitzers not accomplish the task of getting to the QB, but our bevy of pass rush guys like Jaelan Phillips, Melvin Ingram, Emmanuel Ogbah (injured), Bradley Chubb weren’t getting to the QB enough either, which left easy pickings for opposing QB’s. We were bottom 6 in passing yards allowed (3992 yards), bottom 7 in passing TD’s allowed (25 TD’s), and bottom 4 in interceptions with a measly 8 INT’s all season long. CB Xavien Howard had only one INT, despite being thrown at more than any time in his career. Jevon Holland led the team with 2 INT’s, veteran ST’s ace Justin Bethel added 1 INT, scapegoat Noah Igbinoghene had a very important late game INT against the Steelers that sealed a victory for our Dolphins. Kader Kohou and seldom used S Verone McKinley each 1 INT, and LB Andrew Van Ginkel had the last of the 8. The Dolphins defense forced 13 fumble, but only recovered 6 for a total of 14 turnovers. To be fair, we did return 2 fumbles for TD’s during the regular season, and we added another against BUF in the playoff game last week.

Next year, hopefully Brandon Jones will be back at 100%, and he alone makes our secondary much better. He’s a playmaker, great blitzer, and sure tackler in the secondary. I’ll add that I hope DE Emmanuel Ogbah returns 100% as well, we missed his pressures on the QB. Christian Wilkins added another monster year on defense, he was nothing short of excellent this season.Wilkins played 84% of the defensive snaps, all 17 games, just unbelievable at such a demanding position. Wilkins made 98 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF’s, 7 QB hits, 6 passes defensed and 1 FR. He’s one of the best DT’s in the game. I love thinking that we’ll have Bradley Chubb and our own young budding star Jaelan Phillips as bookends, but our depth is scarce, with Melvin Ingram, Andrew Van Ginkel, Trey Flowers all not signed for next season. Even as is, there’s a lot of good to build on, but my feeling is our big NT Raekwon Davis isn’t quite good enough as a NT, or interior DT. No passes defensed at 6’7? C’mon! He never gets push up the middle either, which to me is the bigger issue. As good as our ends are and our OLB’s are, time and time again our defenders came around but routinely ran behind the QB who was able to step up and either find a receiver or run free for yardage, due to that weakness. It may be time to grow that NT tree!

The offense with Mike McDaniel, and of course QB Tua Tagovailoa was as dynamic as any Miami Dolphins offense in the last 25 years. We all hope (I think) that Tua is our QB going forward and his concussion issues of this season, and let’s face it, any injuries, are behind him. This will be the first time Tua will have the same offense 2 years in a row, and if he can play 17 games, this offense could be a top NFL unit. I know everyone moans about the O-line, but newcomers like C Connor Williams and LT Terron Armstead were exemplary this season. Armstead obviously battled injury woes, and Connor Williams had high snap issues most of the season, but as a blocker and pass protector, he was aces.and his durability was unmatched, playing every snap this season.A shoutout to T Brandon Shell, who started about 11 more games than he was expected to, and he played remarkably well, a true professional. Oh, by the way, we have no running backs as of now for next season, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed are all unsigned and therefore UFA’s.It’s certainly possible that at least one of the two top guys, Mostert or Wilson can be re-signed, but might be time to draft a RB? Mostert is not necessarily a durable back to count on and Jeff Wilson has been a part time RB for most of his career, not a bellcow guy. RB by committee is a common theme across the NFL, but a major talent at RB can really impact an offense. I know Mostert played in 16 games this season, and Jeff Wilson played 16 games as well, (8 with SFO), but a young talented back, think Breece Hall, can elevate your offense. It would be wonderful to have a running game that opposing defenses had to gameplan for, not just the aerial circus with Hill, Waddle and others. Anyone here a little disappointed we didn’t see Erik Ezukanma? Yeah, he had 1 reception for 3 yards. I thought he’d play a lot more than that.

There’s a lot to be enthusiastic and optimistic for next season, but our DL depth , DT talent (Davis), and CB depth are a concern going forward. Can Xavien Howard return to his 2021 form? Will Byron Jones ever again suit up in a Dolphins uni? My fear is no on both counts, unfortunately. Kader Khou is a promising player, and if Nik Needham and Brandon Jones can come back healthy, that’s a good start. I believe the Noah Igbinoghene experiment is over, and Keion Crossen is better as a depth player. We need CB help. Don’t be surprised if we look for one early in the 2023 draft, not that early though because we have no 1st RD pick (Thanks Steve Ross!!!).If Terron Armstead can play healthy next season, his talent provides something we haven’t had here for too long, an extremely reliable pass protector and excellent run blocker at LT. Who knows what will happen to our 2 young-ish draftees Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson? Will either pan out? No need to respond Ken, I know your answer! I think Robert Jones played admirable this season at LG. I still haven’t mentioned TE, which next season will feature Durham Smythe, Cethan Carter, Hunter Long and Tanner Conner. Excited yet? Gesicki is most likely gone, and unless Mike McDaniel thinks if he has one more season with Gesicki, he can turn him into George Kittle, we won’t have a real receiving threat at TE. Well, most of all, we need to see the picture featured in the article for 17 + games next season, or we better have a damn good backup. Will that be Skylar Thompson, or do we dip into the FA QB pool, with someone like Gardner Minshew, Baker Mayfield, I can’t even type his name, but you know it well, Sam Darnold, Case Keenum (M gets wood!), or maybe Andy Dalton or Taylor Heinicke? I have no idea, but will the Dolphins have to be careful not bringing in a QB that will crave to be the starter, or maybe they can do that w/o upsetting Tua? We’ll see. Stay tuned!

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671 Responses to Dolphins are now in the offseason, changes are happening

  1. bookman11 says:

    Bengals

  2. steveccnv says:

    Who won the coin toss?

    If the snow piles up, Cin getting ball first could be huge

  3. The Bengals with two knock downs. How do the Bills respond?

  4. manitobafinfan says:

    Bengals and eagles please 👍

  5. Mike E. says:

    The way the Bills D is playing, the coin toss is the only thing the Bills are winning today. Same for the offense

  6. steveccnv says:

    Bills weren’t very good last year against the Cheats in prime time in wind and snow

  7. steveccnv says:

    What happened to Romo?

    He’s been an asshole last 2 weeks

  8. Mike E. says:

    That’s one thing we’ll never see Tua do

  9. Okay Josh Allen got a knockdown with a right hand. LOL

  10. mf13ss says:

    Don’t know about the rest of y’all, but every time the Bills get a 1st down, that ‘bing-bing-bing’ bell sound bloody triggers me: I HATE IT!!!

  11. bookman11 says:

    Incomplete

  12. Mike E. says:

    What still amazes me is they reward a player going to the endzone as a ball carrier with a TD if they stick the ball out and as soon as it touches the plane gets knocked out his hands, but that play isn’t a TD. Silly as hell, but that’s a rule that won’t change, but I think it should

  13. Ken says:

    Chase had possession of the ball in the end zone but Milano knocks it loose one Chase is out of bounds. Not sure I agree with that

  14. Krishna says:

    That used to be a sure TD. Facts….

    Now it’s a bathroom break and whatever happens afterwards….it’s a fucking joke….lol

  15. Krishna says:

    Agree Mike E….and great argument, too. Way too disparate and makes no fucking sense…

  16. Ken says:

  17. bookman11 says:

    3 steps or a football move, or have to maintain possession through catch. Good call. that typically does not happen on a pass to the border of the field or end zone

  18. steveccnv says:

    Diggs slides into corner by EZ, spends extra time making sure the lady photographer is ok, mean while the play clock is running, next thing they show is Diggs on a knee saying he’s hurt

    We need to put that play into our playbook, when there’s 40 sec clock issues

  19. Krishna says:

    Aggressive play to Burrows legs…he was out of play….SB penalty

  20. mf13ss says:

    NOT COOL how the officials tried to do the Bengals as they did our Phins last week. 😡

  21. mf13ss says:

    These refs SUCK, Steve.

  22. Krishna says:

    Bills fans around me don’t like me…lol

    ….ok

  23. Krishna says:

    Glad the challenge worked…I was like wtf?

  24. steveccnv says:

    Love boos in stands

  25. Krishna says:

    Spot foul…they really don’t like me now…lol

  26. CavalierKong says:

    No way the Bills come back from 3 scores.

  27. steveccnv says:

    Fitting on Snickers commercial, Bengal fan with face painted with permanent paint

  28. bookman11 says:

    Gotta love Buffalo wilting in the snow.

  29. Krishna says:

    3 scores

  30. bookman11 says:

    Should have lost to us in the snow

  31. steveccnv says:

    No quick scores

  32. steveccnv says:

    Fumble

  33. Ken says:

    Bills look mediocre again. If Tua can stay healthy next year the division is ours for the taking

  34. Ken says:

    Should have been a fumble

  35. Rockphin says:

    Circle the wagons

    As the wheels fall off

    L O L

  36. Ken says:

    Stupid decision to go for it by Buffalo

  37. steveccnv says:

    Krishna start celebrating loudly

  38. steveccnv says:

    Hope Cin gets a rub it in score

  39. The Flying Pig says:

  40. Krishna says:

    About to cash out…the party’s over…lol

  41. bookman11 says:

    Glad the neutral site does not come in to play. Totally impressed with Cincinnati.

  42. The Flying Pig says:

    Nfl spotter = 🦗

    • Rockphin says:

      YEAH I WAS SCREAMING THIS!!!

      A COUPLE OF PLAYS LATER ALLEN GOT HIS BELL RUNG HELMET TO HELMET FROM HIS O-LINEMAN AND WAS SLOW GETTING UP. WHERE WAS THE SPOTTER!!???? HE SHOULD NOT HAVE FINISHED THE GAME ACCORDING TO THE TEDDY RULE.

  43. steveccnv says:

    I’d have been pissed all week, if Buffalo had won this game, knowing Mahomes is hurt, not likely to put up much of a fight

  44. mf13ss says:

    Buh-bye, Buffalo!!!

  45. Krishna says:

    Not sure KC, if they win, deserves the home game if full season played and Cincy won out…smarter people know better than me

  46. randydolfan1947 says:

    THIS GAME PROVED THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY DEPTH IN THE OFFENSIVE LINE!! –Minus 3 starting O-Linemen, Cincinnati STILL pushed BUFFALO all over the field paced by their BACK-UP O-Linemen!!!

    Miami MUST DRAFT TWO Quality O-Linemen during their first THREE PICKS if they’re going to successfully compete next season with the Bengals and Bills. And, thanks to some of Ross’s idiot mistakes, they won’t have a first round pick to draft a real stud O-Lineman!!!

    NO ONE was more thrilled by Cincy’s demolition of Buffalo at home than me!!
    Next to death and taxes, the one thing you can absolutely count on is that “THE “O” IN BUFFALO STANDS FOR SUPER BOWL WINS!!!”

  47. Ken says:

  48. Krishna says:

    Romo’s lost me…never really had me…but liked some of insights. Now he’s spitballing…lol

  49. bookman11 says:

    Sooooo the Bengals who were decimated on the OL made it once again to the Conference Championship, spare me.

  50. Mike E. says:

    It’s not just Romo. No one talks about Tua in the future, they just don’t. I mean, maybe we’re fucking silly for thinking he’s going to play next season and actually play the whole season

  51. Ken says:

    Prescott with another stupid pic

  52. steveccnv says:

    This game has the feel of a Dallas win, hope im wrong

    Purdy playing like Mr Irrelevant

  53. Krishna says:

    Well I don’t think we should be naive in what might happen….regarding Tua.

    And, that’s why I think it starts with OL…as much “improvement” as it seemed may have happened, it’s no where close to being reliable…that is kind.

    You protect the QB….you blow people off the line….

    …ok get Tua a bigger helmet…lol

  54. Krishna says:

    My goodness…another miss

  55. CavalierKong says:

    If the NFL approves Tua’s new helmet, he’ll defintiely make it through the season unscathed.

  56. randydolfan1947 says:

    ON another subject, I expect Florida Atlantic to rise to 23rd ranking in the next AP Poll of college basketball teams after their 18th consecutive win, this time over UTEP in El Paso.

    In 1966, UTEP was known as Texas Western. They won the National Championship when they defeated Kentucky in the Final Four, – – that Kentucky team now known as “Rupp’s Runts!”

  57. steveccnv says:

    Stinker the clinker is done in Dallas after this game

  58. Ken says:

    Dak be Dak

  59. CavalierKong says:

    LOL, Niners holder just pulled a Lucy and picked up the ball before Gould could kick it

  60. CavalierKong says:

    Hard to see the Cowboys winning this kind of game without a kicker…

  61. steveccnv says:

    Dallas makes going for six literal

  62. New Age says:

    • randydolfan1947 says:

      USE the 2nd round pick for the best LB available and the two 3rd round picks for the two best remaining OLs available.

      Round 7 pick a Place kicker.

    • Ken says:

      Totally agree

      • randydolfan1947 says:

        Thanks,KEN.
        ME & Mrs. OD went to see “A Man Called Otto” today.
        BOTH of us thought it was Tom Hanks greatest performance EVER!”
        ———–
        Time to walk the Greyhound and get my beauty rest.
        The Old Dolfan is OUT!

  63. Wyoming85 says:

    He was just playing possum!

  64. Ken says:

    Wow Dak really sucks

  65. CavalierKong says:

    smh, Schultz. Two of ’em

  66. CavalierKong says:

    what a dumb play, lol

  67. The Flying Pig says:

    That was ugly

  68. Wyoming85 says:

  69. Wyoming85 says:

  70. Rockphin says:

    I am very interested to see if there were ANY players held out of a game by the NFL spotters this season OTHER THAN Teddy Bridgewater, who was NOT diagnosed with a concussion, but still had to sit a week??!!!???? I don’t recall the spotters sitting anyone. Do you guys?

    • steveccnv says:

      Conspiracy much?

      • Rockphin says:

        Huh? I did not say there was a conspiracy. I ASKED if anyone remembered the spotter stopping anyone else from going back in a game. From my search on Google it appears no, but that some “Should have” according to the controversies the articles are reporting.

  71. Rockphin says:

    NFL: Spotters concluded Cameron Brate was hit in the shoulder, not the head

    I guess there were some plays where the spotter SHOULD HAVE but did not. Here is one article.

  72. Wyoming85 says:

  73. Wyoming85 says:

  74. bailbondmike says:

    I can agree with Dane Brugler, including the TE position, but it depends on what you are looking for there. There are a number of good receiving TE’s that he has on his list who didn’t line up in line much and lack in blocking. Do we want another Gesicki project?

  75. bailbondmike says:

    I looked at Dane Brugler’s latest big board I could find and he only lists 3 TE’s in his top 50 not 5. Many of the other sites only have 1 or 2 TE’s in their top 50. Maybe one other had 3.

  76. Tua Tagovailoa should not be the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins next year

    That’s the title of a Fansided article. I quick read it and got bored. Tom Brady gets mentioned and some other college guys.

    As long as Tua wants to continue playing and he’s good to go he will be the QB next year. People are going to write all kinds of crazy shit this offseason and then that’s what’s going to happen. Tua will be the starter.

  77. Rockphin says:

    LOL Barry, you tell ’em.

  78. bailbondmike says:

    One TE I really like and think he would be an upgrade over Gesicki due to being a better route runner and YAC ability with 4.6 speed is Dalton Kincaid from Utah. I think he is the best receiving TE in the draft. Has 35 receiving TD’s in his college career (4 seasons). Has great hands and body control. Downside is he is only 6’4 240 and not that good a blocker but probably still better than Gesicki. He is experienced at lining up in multiple positions but that also means he spent most of his snaps not lined up in line.

    I like his game though and with his athleticism and body control, I think his blocking ability can be coached up much more so than Gesicki. Could have Big potential.

  79. bailbondmike says:

    Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
    January 23, 2023 at 12:42 pm
    When you look at a TE like Kittle, he’s a beast of a receiver but he’s a blocker first. Would be nice to find a guy similar.
    ——————
    I know, many of the TE’s in this draft and receiver first guys like Kincaid and Musgrave. Michael Mayer is a for sure top 25 pick and out of our range and the 6’7 270 Darnell Washington from UGA is also climbing draft boards and may go top 40 out of our range also.

  80. Thinking of the draft by position and not anyone specific, this is what I think we should target with our picks.

    2. CB – We need a jolt of quality young players with Howard entering his 8th season and Byron likely gone. Needham and Trill Williams coming off of season ending injuries. Kader was a great find. After him I don’t think the rest are starter caliber. The 2nd round is usually good for corners. There always seems to be a run in the 2nd round.

    3a. RB – I’d like to see us get younger and find a guy with upside that fits what we run.

    3b. OL – Keep adding talent until we build a strong unit. It’s time to draft scheme oriented players for the system we run.

    6. OL – You never know in the later rounds but I’d probably target OL again to keep with the sentiment above.

    7. NT – A big man who isn’t necessarily a game changer but he can hold his own at the point of attack. Some young depth.

  81. Wyoming85 says:

  82. bailbondmike says:

    Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
    January 23, 2023 at 1:28 pm
    True but what’s his price?
    —————-
    Shouldn’t command a whole lot. He signed a 2 year contract with Atlanta for 3.5 mil for 2020-21 but his 2022 one year contract with Cincy was 3.4mil this last season. He had 52 receptions this last season for 8 ypc and 2 TD’s. Has 14 career TD’s over 5 seasons. He is a block first TE who plays very aggressively.

    He had 5 rec on 6 targets for 59 yards, 1 TD and 4 first downs yesterday vs the Bills.

  83. Some insight at LB and coach Anthony Campanile who will interview for the DC job.

  84. bailbondmike says:

    Tim, for the type of TE you want after Michael Mayer is probably
    Darnell Washington, 6’7 270, UGA, in 2nd round possibly 3rd
    Sam Laporta 6’4 249, Iowa, 3rd round
    Cameron Latu, 6’4 243, Alabama, maybe late 3rd round
    Zack Kuntz, 6’8 251, Old Dominion, 4th to 6th round
    Payne Durham, 6’5 255, Perdue, 5th to 6th round
    Josh Whyle, 6’6 245, Cincinnati, 5th to 6th round
    Luke Schoonmaker, 6’6 250 Michigan, 6th round
    Ben Sims, 6’4 250, Baylor, 6th to 7th round
    George Takacs, 6’6 247, Boston College, 7th round
    Will Mallory, 6’5 245, Miami, 7th to UDFA
    Davis Allen, 6’5 250, Clemson, 7th to UDFA
    Daniel Barker, 6’4 250, Michigan State, UDFA

    This is what I am able to come up with as far as leaving out TE’s who have issues with blocking. It cuts out quite a few of the top 10. I found that there are a couple road grader types in the late rounds like Ben Sims and George Takacs.

    I like the Idea of going CB, OT and RB in 2nd and 3rd.

    I would be happy if we could get Durham, Schoonmaker or Sims in the 6th.

    • I think MM knows we need to block our plays better. We need better fits for the system.

      Nothing wrong with adding a young back. That’s the way you should always do it. Even UDFAs. Look for backs that fit the system.

      BBM, you follow the draft. You know the run on corners in the 2nd round. Happens almost every year.

      • bailbondmike says:

        Yes sir! I think 5 go in the first round with another run on corners in the 2nd. Especially due to a lack of talent on OL and LB (not Edge) in this draft.

  85. stangerx says:

    Retired Bronco’s DE Derek Wolfe has found things other than QBs to tackle in retirement.

  86. Rockphin says:

    BWAAAAHAAAAHAAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA!!!

  87. Rockphin says:

    Some of these are just too good not to share.

  88. bailbondmike says:

    Brian Flores, Steelers’ senior defensive assistant/LBs coach, is interviewing for the Cardinals HC position on Monday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

  89. bailbondmike says:

    We have an out clause in Jason Sanders contract for 2023 with 0 dead cap, I believe. Otherwise, he will be under contract for 3.7 mil in 2023 and over 4 mil per in 2024, 25, and 26. He becomes an UFA in 2027.

    What to do????

  90. bailbondmike says:

    With the futures contracts handed out, we currently have 45 players on the roster for 2023. This puts our 2023 cap at over -14 mil.

    45 more spaces to fill on the roster.

  91. Ken says:

  92. Ken says:

  93. Ken says:

  94. mf13ss says:

    pheloniusphish says:
    January 23, 2023 at 5:35 pm
    They also tend to return to where they were removed. He would have had a permit from state game, so essentially they were hiring him to go kill it.
    —————
    Tucker just interviewed Wolfe. No, he was not hired or contracted to kill it. He did it of his own volition and it was 100% legal to do so.

  95. mf13ss says:

    BB Mike,

    Again, great draft analysis as usual, man. I’m hoping by Wednesday to really dip my toes into the ’23 Draft.

  96. mf13ss says:

    Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
    January 23, 2023 at 1:11 pm
    Thinking of the draft by position and not anyone specific, this is what I think we should target with our picks…
    ————–
    I like your train of thought here, but GM M13 is coming away with a TE in the ’23 Draft.

  97. Wyoming85 says:

    It’s all good and self righteous, until it’s your porch!
    Go pet the buffalo in Jellystone! 😉

    • mf13ss says:

      Very true as well.

      • mf13ss says:

        This mountain lion could have very easily and quickly turned into a man-eater. I hate to see wildlife executed, but I totally understand this.

    • Ken says:

      I know I would probably feel if it was pet or porch was affected but I still can’t help feeling angry. There has to be another way. The cat was just doing what was instinctual. It is such magnificent creature it just gets me mad that it was essentially just just hunted for sport

      • mf13ss says:

        I don’t believe it was hunted for sport, Hulkster. To hear Wolfe tell his story, it was more about protecting humans, cats, and dogs.

        Wolfe said he’s going to eat it, not take it to a taxidermist to have it stuffed as a trophy kill or otherwise.

      • Wyoming85 says:

        You can only have 1 apex predator in the area!
        Everything else is prey

      • Ken says:

        Yet there he was posing with it

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