So much has happened in the last week, my head is spinning. The day I wrote the last article the Dolphins traded for DB Jalen Ramsey. The moves kept coming in a flurry of activity. We all knew we had a lot of players to re-sign, and the Dolphins seemed to feel like they wanted to continue forward with many of the same players. Let me start with the RB depth, which we brought back intact, the entire RB roster. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed and then recently, Myles Gaskin. I saw an interesting tweet the other day, basically stating that the SF 49ers discarded two of their main backs, Wilson and Mostert and decided to draft Elijah Mitchell and later acquire CMC in a big trade. So the essence of the tweet was basically the Dolphins backfield is led by two castoffs from the 49ers. Well, as we’ve all learned, one mans trash is another mans treasure. Mostert and Wilson both succeeded and played well here, and Ahmed and Gaskin are decent depth players. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to draft a RB, but now it will most likely be a later RD pick, because it seems like they made it a priority to bring the entire RB room back. Some young blood is a necessity, but this can also be accomplished as UDFA’s, like half of our depth was acquired, Salvon Ahmed. We drafted Gaskin in RD 7 in ’19.
So, let’s tally up who we brought in . . .
DB Jalen Ramsey (LA Rams)
RB Jeff Wilson (MIA)
RB Raheem Mostert (MIA)
RB Salvon Ahmed (MIA)
RB Myles Gaskin (MIA)
LB David Long (TEN)
LB Duke Riley (MIA)
DB Nik Needham (MIA)
TE Eric Saubert (DEN)
QB Mike White (NYJ)
WR Braxton Berrios (NYJ)
OG Dan Feeney (NYJ)
OT Geron Christian (MIA)
S Deshon Elliot (DET)
Some notable losses are LB Elandon Roberts (PIT), one of my favorites, and one of my former favorites, TE Mike Gesicki (NE). I’m very interested to see how both of these players fare on their new teams. I think Roberts fits the Steelers defense perfectly, he’s an inside thumper, coming off his best season. Gesicki is an enigma, we know he has receiving talent, but somehow we never managed to get as much as I thought we could get from him. Gesicki’s most productive season was in ’21, where he caught 73 passes for 780 yards and just 2 TD’s. I expected him to be a high volume pass catcher with a high YPR, but that never panned out. He’s definitely a red zone threat, and the Patriots would be wise to employ him often there.
With most of free agency moves in the books, the team still has a pocket full of draft picks left for 2023. Our fist pick is #51 in RD2, followed by a 3rd RD pick acquired from NE for DeVante Parker (#84). We have #197 in RD 6 from the Bears, and then finally #238 in RD 7. Remember there is also free agency after the draft, and I suppose there may be a few veteran castoffs that might fit here. We’re definitely pushing to go deep this year, and as we all know, the health of #1, QB Tua Tagovailoa is paramount to that success. Yes, we signed Mike White, who is a nice story being from FLA and a fan of our Dolphins, but Tua is the linchpin to the season. We have to keep him upright and healthy, but most of all he has to play smart and keep himself out of harms way. If throwing the ball away saves getting hit, so be it. He can play aggressively, but he can’t allow himself to be in a position where he will absorb punishment.
Vic Fangio has put his stamp on this free agency. First, the trade to bring Jalen Ramsey here. Ramsey is truly a multi faceted DB who can range anywhere from a cover corner on the perimeter, to an in the box LB on obvious passing downs. He’s an excellent piece that Fangio will love to employ. LB David Long, who wasn’t a full time starter last season in Tennessee, is also a versatile player. He’s an excellent tackler, but can also cover very well. I think the latter is the biggest reason why we chose him over Elandon Roberts, we need a LB that can not only make most the tackles expected, but cover as well, and that unfortunately, was not Roberts strong suit. I’m thrilled that we brought back Nik Needham, he’s been a favorite of my mine because he’s such a gamer, and always stepped up when needed. Hopefully he’s fully recovered and ready to go by the time the season begins. Fangio now has a very strong defense, with two very good cover corners (I believe the acquisition of Ramsey will invigorate Howard this season), a strong defensive line with Ogbah, Wilkins and Sieler, excellent pass rush ability and run defense from two very strong OLB’s (Phillips and Chubb), and then the addition of David Long to help out the extremely underrated and underappreciated #55, Jerome Baker. He played every game the last 2 seasons, and always gets the job done, and do multiple things, run and tackle from sideline to sideline, cover, and always end up with 100 or more tackles. Seems like every year we want to upgrade, and I get it, but I like Baker, and think we should all like him more than we do.
Sorry to be redundant, but with #1 on the field healthy, we will methodically use two of the best wideouts in the NFL, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. We brought the entire RB squad back, in 8 games Jeff Wilson averaged 4.7 YPC for 392 yards. Mostert averaged 4.9 YPC in 16 games for the Dolphins for 891 yards. One element of concern is that this is clearly a RB by committee approach, and none of our backs can truly shoulder a big load, and haven’t done so in their NFL careers. We have two obvious needs on offense right now, TE, and a young RB. You can argue against the latter, but I think we need to have a guy that carry the ball 20-30 times in a game and not be on the injured list the next week. I don’t care if it’s an UDFA as I mentioned earlier, but I wouldn’t mind if we spent a pick on one either. Eric Saubert is a blocking TE, and for the most part, so is Durham Smythe. To be fair, we don’t have a real receiving TE on the roster, so we may look to draft one early on, there are a few that should be available to us at either #54, or #84.
The Jets and Green Bay Packers are still working on a deal that would bring QB Aaron Rodgers to NY. Apparently, Green Bay’s compensation for Rodgers services is the holdup. I would say it’s safe to assume that both sides will eventually get it done, but Rodgers is a loose screw that can nullify the trade at any time, but if he wants to play this season, I just can’t see him playing again in GB. If the Jets do indeed get Rodgers, then the AFC landscape changes significantly. It will be a very tough 3 way race between the defending AFC East champion Buffalo Bills, NY Jets, and our Miami Dolphins. You can make an argument for any of the 3 as to why they can win, or why they will fail. Injuries are the devil, and we know all too well that if our QB played all 17 regular season games, we had a legitimate chance to be either the #2 or #3 seed. I think our roster is better now. The Bills sustained a substantial loss in LB Tremaine Edmunds, but managed to retain S Jordan Poyer, as well as pick up OG Connor McGovern from the Cowboys. The Jets signed WR Allen Lazard, purportedly because potential QB Aaron Rodgers requested them to do so. The Jets lost a pair of DT’s though, Sheldon Rankins (HOU) and Nathan Shepherd (NO). The Jets also re-signed K Greg (The Leg) Zuerlein, one of the best in the league. If Rodgers comes to the AFC East, it will be an absolute dogfight and potentially all 3 teams could secure playoff berths. Hopefully, 2023 is the one where the Miami Dolphins are on top!
GO DOLPHINS!!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
First
Now I will go back and read. lol
LOL
Nice write up again!
Though our draft picks are #’s 51, 84, 197 and 238.
Thanks for putting our signed FAs in the article Mike.
Writing a post and trying to remember someone we signed, then having to Google it was getting old
Your next article might be an updated list?
Haven’t read it yet, but it’s a must read I’m sure
It was updated, but apparently in the last half hour or so, we re-signed WR River Cracraft
I didn’t mean daily, just meant we’ll surely sign more players, so instead of a draft article it could be FA 2.0
We re-signed Cracraft? Hadn’t seen that yet. Nice
LOL, i thought I misspelled his name, saw that Mike spelled it that way and thought I subconsciously did the same thing, then looked up the news and realized his name doesn’t have a ‘y’.
Dude played with us all last year, and I only now figured out what his name actually is, LOL.
Cracraft is just a camp body at this point, injury insurance I’m sure, like MMs Ford
Mike 51 is our 1st pick
Great write up Mike!!
Thanks Boulder
Thanks BBM, Steve, I fixed the draft picks
Saw that, still reading the article
That stuff I can point out. Grammar, not so much. lol
I don’t agree, that Saubert is just a blocking TE, he’s a candidate for the Kittle mold
At 6’5 and 253 he’s similar in size to Kittle, question is if we can bring out his nasty
He’s never had more than 15 receptions since ’17. Unless you think he’s going to have a serious breakout season, how do you put him in the same sentence as Kittle?
Kittle didn’t go to SF as a household name he was developed there, that’s the version of Kittle I’m referring to
After all isn’t MM looking for the next Kittle?
A quality of a great coach is his ability to get the talent out of the player, that hasn’t been tapped into yet
Any coach can succeed with Peyton
Very interested and we’ll thought out article Mike, great job
Thanks Steve
Another article choice could be the hidden gems in FA, Elliott and Long come to mind and hopefully Fant, if signed, as they all have some hidden talents and versatility
Still waiting on these contracts to hit.
Braxton Berrios WR – – – – – – – – – 0.00
Deshon Elliott S – – – – – – – – – 0.00
Dan Feeney G – – – – – – – – – 0.00
Myles Gaskin RB – – – – – – – – – 0.00
David Long LB – – – – – – – – – 0.00
John Lovett FB – – – – – – – – – 0.00
Nik Needham CB
I have not seen anything on Cracraft
The only good news is the cap hit will be reduced as a net only, so hopefully we’ll still have $ left
I know it is still early but going to post some music since I need to take a nap about 6 pm.
TM dropped a new one this morning featuring John Rich.
Sure is sad what they’re doing to us
Steve – I think McD would love to have a Kittle type, I just don’t think Saubert is that guy. Maybe we’ll draft a TE or maybe a different FA. We’ll see
Wishful thinking, but what he can bring is a tough RAC receiver, to pick up some critical 3rd downs and block in single or multi TE sets, that doesn’t give away the play call
He’ll be given an opportunity like never before, it’s up to him to decide what he’s going to be for us
I saw that Gesicki is signing with the Pats. Oh well.
At least we know how to defend him. Have a 160lb CB knock him off his route!
Unfortunately after that you can’t stop him from High pointing them in the endzone.
I think he was exposed last year, if we didn’t franchise he would’ve likely signed for more than he’s getting this year
Disappointing that we didn’t sign Gesicki. He didn’t break the bank or get a long term deal. He has great value as a red zone target.
not at all.
he was a liability on the field.
Nice write, Mike. I didn’t see that Gesicki signed with the Pats. I wanted to wish him well but that kind of makes it tougher. LOL
Thanks Tim!
???!!!
That seems really low
I wonder if we’re trying to re-sign Sherfield?
Not sure why, with Barrios and Cracraft coming back, does Ezukanma ever see the field?
I would’ve signed Sherfield before Cracraft, money aside
Patriots need to get close to the red zone in order for Gesicki to be a EZ threat .. and they effectively killed Hunter Henry’s production from the Chargers.. I’m not too worried about him being there will hurt us …
Love the Craycray signing as well , he is a good receiver, very willing blocker and ST guy .. as is Sherfield , who I also would not mind resigning still
Nice write as usghe Mike E
Thanks Toba!
Ken
If Gesicki can’t block, as Rock stated, he’s a liability on the field even at a low resigning price
I think he’s gonna put up good numbers somewhere else in a different
Offense – but we really need our TEs to block
We are constantly talking about the OL and protection but the TEs are a huge part of our ability to protect the QB and run the ball. I actually thinking moving in a different direction than Gesicki is more valuable than signing a RT
Of course parting with Gesicki is only half of it. We need to finding a TE that can block
I really hope Gesicki has an off year in 2023
Signs somewhere else out of the division
And then begins his path to a great career
I really think a TE that we can rely on to be on the field most of the time and blocks well is a huge difference maker for us
We run so much outside in this offense – having a TE who can block on the edges is gonna open up our offense
Open up may be a poor choice of words here….lol
But what I mean is if we can’t pass the ball to our speedy wideouts, we need a reliable run game – and our run game has to flow from the outside in
The only way teams stop Hill and Waddle is press coverage (often illegal press coverage). Outside DBs have to be physical with them so they have a harder time coming up and stopping outside runs.
So a tight end that can prevent outside LBs or DEs from setting the edge is going to open up bing runs
Some one double check for my pork eyes get worse and worse every year
But I don’t see Gesicki on the filed at all during this drive
We have TEs who can block. We need a TE who can catch
Agreed
We only need TEs than can block
The entire offense falls apart if our RBs can hit the edge. If we field an offense with a TE who’s basically a receiver it’s much hard for our RBs to hit the edge
We have those to stop crying
It’s better to have a guy who is not a liability on 2/3 of the play and catches fairly well then a guy who catches really great that you had to take off the field all the time or your run plays fail.
I see Gaskins cap hit is only 975,882. Subtract the bottom of the roster player at 750,000 and he only counts 225,882 against the top 51.
It is also a no dead cap signing. So, if we draft a RB late and bring in some UDFA RB’s he could get cut with no dead money.
Hope not. I like Gaskin.
😁 someone is listening and gets it
Douglie and others in the media had no clue what I was talking about, when I tried splaining for them
Unless the Panthers think otherwise, why did they trade up 2 #1, when there’s no consensus #1 pick?
Stroud, Young and Richardson seem to be a pick em
The pick is Stroud. Young is good but smallish. Richardson may not even wind up at QB
Agree and Richardson is a poor mans Lamar Jackson.
At this point, if we sign OT Fant, my TE target would Camren McDonald from FSU in the 6th round.
I like him
I didn’t realize Jordan Poyer was drafted in the 7th round at #218 as a CB. Released by Philly after 1 season. He was competing with the Cleveland Browns CB’s and was retained to be their backup SS and the rest is history.
You just never know how a player will turn out.
He’s a tab I forgot about
https://www.espn.com/nfl/transactions
Richardson is more like Cam Newton than Lamar Jackson
Except not as good as either
That’s better
Not sure how I feel about Morestead to jets, but at least we have a punter
Sure hope he returns to his 2020 form.
Yeah, that would help forget Morestead
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/17/entertainment/lance-reddick-death
RIP. He was really good in The Wire
Damn! He sure was! Too freaking young too, especially as I approach that number very soon
He was great in Bosch as well
Didn’t see Bosch but heard it was good
I wish I was Lavarr Burton
Mike E. says:
March 17, 2023 at 1:27 pm (Edit)
Steve – I think McD would love to have a Kittle type, I just don’t think Saubert is that guy. Maybe we’ll draft a TE or maybe a different FA. We’ll
****
Kittle can block
He’s a big part of how the 49ers used Deebo Samuel so effectively running the ball
It’s interesting to look back at Kittles scouting reports now. He was clearly a steal. He had a little bit of an injury history and not a lot of production at Iowa in the passing game – but his athleticism was obvious. The one thing they all say is he can block
Sam LaPorta has some of the same traits as Kittle
Same size
Same school
Same H-back projections
I don’t think he is the same level of blocking
Piggy – I know Kittle can block, one of the best in the NFL. Regardless, Saubert is not Kittle, and doesn’t belong in any comparison with him. Kittle is also a great receiver, a master of run after the catch
He’s a poor man’s Kittle, he just needs to release the nasty
I still don’t see the Kittle comparison. Kittle has caught close to as many passes in one game as Saubert had in his best season. I get that he can block, I’m just saying we need a TE that can also catch. Not sure how all of a sudden he’s going to be a dangerous receiver.
But like what you’re failing to acknowledge is they can catch they just don’t because they are blocking for other people to catch Kiseki didn’t catch as many passes this year because there were much better options on the field
That 180 pound quarterback can tackle Gesicki easier than he can he’ll
** CORNER BACK Fucking auto correct
Blocking is a mentality, most guys that catch passes don’t want to do it, because if they’re good at it they’ll be doing it instead of catching passes ( where the money is)
Except there are exceptions to that as well. If you look you’ll see hill blocking down field all the time. Same thing with waddle but you were probably talking more about tight ends.
Hill Is way tougher than Mike does Seki
Siri doesn’t like him either don’t even type his name
Rock – Gesicki didn’t work out, I was wrong. That doesn’t make Saubert a pass catcher in the class of Kittle, who does both very well. Kittle is relentless in both aspects of the game, as a blocker and a receiver. Gesicki has nothing to do with this
I’m not arguing that he is as good as Kittle either. But that doesn’t mean he cannot catch which was a direct quote
C’mon Rock, follow me. We’re comparing him to Kittle. End of story. He can catch better than me, OK. He’s nowhere in Kittle’s class, that’s all.
Just read about Lance Reddick. Bummer!
Well that saves the argument on who’s going to wear #04!
It’s a deep draft for TEs even if it doesn’t have the best ones ever.
^
If the value meets the need it looks like OL and/or TE in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
LOL
Overheard recently;
“I told you that it was a bad idea!”
“So! So did everyone else! YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL!”
Too funny
That’s kind of cryptic, care to embellish?
bailbondmike says:
March 17, 2023 at 3:43 pm
I didn’t realize Jordan Poyer was drafted in the 7th round at #218 as a CB. Released by Philly after 1 season. He was competing with the Cleveland Browns CB’s and was retained to be their backup SS and the rest is history.
You just never know how a player will turn out.
————-
I was a HUGE fan of Poyer coming out of Oregon State in the ’13 Draft… I would have taken him in the top 3 rounds. I’ve known for a long time (only after digging HARD) why he fell and why he had a hard time getting back to the top of his game. Adam Caplan wouldn’t tell me outright (much respect to Mr. Caplan), and he let me know to not pursue it out of personal respect.
As a true gentleman, I’d never reveal it unless Poyer revealed it himself… and so he has (it’s out there from his own mouth): he had an alcohol problem and he damn near lost his football career to it.
I’m VERY proud of Jordan Poyer for conquering his demons and for proving his detractors wrong! Way to go, Jordan!!! #Respect
Caplan got back to me via DM, so as not to put Poyer on blast.
Gotta say, I’m rather impressed with how quickly we’ve attacked FA and with solid signings/re-signings.
Something that stands out to me? We don’t have backup OLB/EDGE rushers as of yet. And that’s all good, being we have plenty of time to figure it out.
But let me tell y’all something: IF we go BPA in the Draft, do NOT sleep on Adetomiwa Adebawore (EDGE, Northwestern), Isaiah Foskey (EDGE, Notre Dame), or Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE, KSU).
We currently sit @ #51, and that seems to be a very dry area for decent OTs and (game-changing) TEs.
There’s a few at 51 that might help.
I’d love to re-sign either/both Eric Fisher and Brandon Shell. I really don’t like the OT crop where we’re selecting in the 2nd round.
We could take the RT position off our Draft board by doing so and focus on something more worthwhile, IMO.
UNBELIEVABLE!!! #1 seed Purdue, the Big 10 Champions, LOSE to 16th seeded Fairleigh-Dickinson 63-58 in Nationwide Arena in Columbus!! Only the 2nd time in NCAA history a 16 seed has beaten a #1 seed in the tournament!!
————————
NOW the winner of the Florida Atlantic – Memphis game WILL BE FAVORED to win the Columbus Regional on SUNDAY!!
————————
GO FAU!!!!!
JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE with a buddy of mine in Columbus (he’s an alum of Ohio State). He believes this is THE MOST EMBARRASSING LOSS BY A BIG 10 CHAMPION IN BIG 10 HISTORY!!!
———-
This is March Madness!!
Honestly, Austin Jackson needs to be challenged at RT… and I’m not sure we can draft anybody to give him the challenge necessary.
We need a legit FA RT in order to keep the foot on the gas for our running game and our passing gas… err, game.
We just must NOT make the mistake of drafting an OLD FA RT like Super Colonblow… that’s when shit hits the fan, see.
WAIT A MINUTE. I’M THE RESIDENT OLD FA RT HERE!!
FAU and Memphis tied 8-8 after the first break. Game is on TNT Channel 245 on DIRECTV.
OWLS take a 17-11 lead, paced by back-up Center Giancarlo Rosado, who came off the bench to lead an FAU 9-0 run.
We had a good FA period and we can’t do everything.
FAU leads 25-15 with 7:41 left in the first half. They look VERY QUICK tonight!!
Got to say Go Hoosiers!
MEMPHIS goes on a 16-4 streak to take a 35-31 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Give the Tigers credit for hitting a barrage of 3-pointers during the last 6 minutes of the first half while FAU’s shooters went stone cold.
———————-
I look for the pace to pick-up in the early part of the second half. FAU’s offense must come back to life if they are to score a second half comeback victory.
FAU has narrowed the gap to 47-44 here in the 2nd half. But they are only 4-18 on three point field goal attempts. This team averaged almost 40% on those during the season!!
They are lucky to be this close in this game.
Charleston was the same. Gotta start getting them to fall.
FINALLY, FINALLY, FAU hits back-to-back 3-pointers to narrow the gap to 60-59 with less than 4 minutes to go!!!
This sets the stage for what promises to be a memorable finish!!!
GO OWLS!!!
Well deserved win!
ALIJAH MARTIN’S PUT-BACK off a missed shot puts FAU ahead by one, 65-64 with 58 seconds to go!! I DON”T KNOW if my old ticker can take much more of this!!
EXCUSE ME; FAU led 64-63. Now Memphis scores to take a 65-64 lead!
M13, you bring up some good points to RT. I was hoping Shell would be back. I think they brought Lamm back to backup LT.
Only OL I would take at #51 would be
OT Dawand Jones
RT Darnell Wright
OT Cody Mauch
I think all three have good potential.
OWLS WIN!! OWLS WIN!! OWLS WIN!!
—————————
I’ve waited 54 years for this to happen!!!
NOW, AT LAST, the Owls have their FIRST MARCH MADNESS VICTORY!!!
—————————
DARE I SAY IT?? – – Bring-on Fairleigh Dickinson!!!!
Congrats OD!!!
THANK YOU, BBM, from the bottom of my heart!!!
Young Mr. Boyd’s drive to the basket to score in the final 2 seconds was a thing of beauty!!!
My Hoosiers were up 12 last I saw.
HOPE THEY WIN, TOO!
MIA
51.Siaki Ika DT Baylor
84.Matthew Bergeron OT Syracuse
197.Noah Ruggles K Ohio State
238.Josh Whyle TE Cincinnati
Interesting. I have not looked in Siaki Ika. Is he a NT.
Yep
Siaki Ika
DT Baylor
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 351 | RAS: 2.02
NFL-team-logo
Like Jordan Davis in the previous cycle, Ika is the very definition of “two on me, somebody’s free.” In the games studied, he was routinely double-teamed due to the threat that his size — combined with other factors we’re about to discuss — presents to an offense. Football is a simple numbers game in some respects, and when one player commands the attention of two of his opponents, the equation is favorable for the team with the 6’4″, 358-pound man-mountain patrolling their side of the trenches.
-Oliver Hodgkinson
MY BUDDY IN COLUMBUS tells me IF, I say IF, FAU defeats Fairleigh Dickenson on Sunday, they could be paired-up with the winner of the DUKE-TENNESSEE game in the New York City regional for the Sweet Sixteen!! FAU certainly would be a double digit underdog against either of those teams.
But, First, we gotta beat Fairleigh-Dickenson.
Which is something the Big 10 champions could not do in a most memorable evening in Columbus, Ohio!! WHAT AN EVENING!!!
The Old Dolfan is out and very,very, happy!!
BBM, Yes Ika is a NT and the second rated one behind Mazi Smith. I would take Bergeron the OT at 51 and then Ika in the 3rd. The possible starter OTs will be gone by the end of the 2nd round.
Congrats OD on the Owls win. 54 years is a long time to wait.
Congrats on your tremendous victory OD!
DEAN CHANCE & BRIAN; –Thanks so very much for the good wishes.
Some times it seems like 54 YEARS since the Dolphins won Super Bowl VII and completed THE PERFECT SEASON! –Truth is it’s ONLY BEEN 50 YEARS!!! —BUT, under Steve Ross’s ownership, these last TWO decades seem like a HUNDRED YEARS of anguish to many veteran Dolphin fans.
————–
Before last night, NEITHER FAU NOR Farleigh-Dickenson had ever won a game in March Madness. The odds on them meeting in the regional title game had to be at least 1,000 to 1!!!!!!
————–
BUT HERE WE ARE. FAU will play FDU tomorrow FOR A TICKET TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN IN NEW YORK CITY!!! NOT IN MY WILDEST DREAMS did I think I’d live to see this day. TRUTH can be crazier than any fiction known to man or beast!
THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT “MARCH MADNESS!!!!!!”
Congrats OD!
THANK YOU, STEVE. I’m still trying to get the cobwebs out of my head after watching last night’s doubleheader. I wonder if one of those 30 for 30 shows is already in production featuring last night’s saga of twin upsets?? I would title it “An Evening of Basketball in Columbus.”
——————————–
ON March 14, USA Today sports columnist Lindsay Schnell predicted “…Memphis definitely wins its first-round game vs. #9 seed FAU and could take out the first No. 1 seed in Purdue. After that, it’s all blue sky until the Final Four (for Memphis).”
Well, Lindsay, would you like some hot sauce with your crow???
Just wanted to tell you blokes our Aussie Rules football started this week. The pre-season was interesting but once it got serious the better teams are to the forefront with 4 games to play.
Where do you live in Australia?
Seems we have no cap space, with 9m showing, but doesn’t account for Long, Bailey, Lovett, Cracraft, Feeney and Elliott
Go FAU!!
Thank you, Naples. I haven’t seen a point spread on tomorrow’s FAU-FDU regional title game. A wild guess would be FAU by roughly 3-6 points. Of course, being the favorite means nothing so far in this regional!!
Ramsey 41.5 vertical at 6’1/2″ and 209 he’s the physical kind of CB that can matchup with anyone like Metcalf and Debo, he can also cover the fast guys like Tyreek and Waddle, oh wait…
“The Miami Dolphins clearly determined that their special teams problems last season were due to personnel issues rather than coaching.”
“Five of the six leaders in special teams snaps for 2022 headed into the offseason as pending unrestricted free agents and linebacker Duke Riley is so far the only one who has been re-signed.”
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-make-another-special-teams-change
Steve
We live in Adelaide. Well in the burbs anyway.
My brother is in Adelaide
He’s actually in Gawler if you know that area
Beautiful area
I lived near there in my teens, played a hell of a lot of sport there. I’ve a bro, sister and grandson living there now. Small world hey?
Nice write Mike E !! I was also hoping that Gesicki would pan out for us. Well he didn’t so on to the next.
OD, Great win for you yesterday!
And welcome back Aussie Cat 🐈 < 🐕 😆
Thanks Doggy!
Thanks Doggy. I’m of to bed now. 5am here.
Now I got “Get back, Aussie cat” in my head with Elton John singing. lol
PHINDOG; Thanks for the nice words. I’ve got a strong feeling that EVERY HOME GAME during next season’s home basketball season will be sold out. Now that’s not such a big deal given Baldwin Arena’s 2900 seating capacity. However, a new, larger, arena is already on the drawing board. I’m expecting a call from the alumni office within the next few months.
—————-
Hey Mike E; Since you live in New Jersey, what can you tell us about Fairleigh-Dickinson University??
Thanks in advance.
Hey OD – I know absolutely zero about Fairleigh-Dickinson. I have never been a college basketball fan. If I followed in my dads footsteps, I’d be a Notre Dame fan, but I only follow pro sports, none of the college sports. Sorry bud.
THANKS, anyway, Mike E. Perhaps this season’s “March Madness” can attract you and many more to the joy of college basketball!
We signed Malik Reed LB, he had 8 sacks in 2020 for Den, last year in Pitt he had only 1 sack
Apparently he went to school with my son at Nevada
Cool
Malik was nicknamed Dream Killer by his teammates in Denver.
He’s had 34 QB hits.
Buccaneers release TE Cameron Brate after nine seasons
So we signed Berrios for 3.5 mil cap hit. Not bad as I heard he was looking for 4mil per or more.
I think it is sad that Iggy is making more (3.58 mil) than Zack Seiler, Brandon Jones, Javon Holland, Jeff Wilson or Raheem Mostert this season.
I guess that is what being a 1st round pick will get you and much more.
They should start putting a “bust” clause in contracts. lol
Fangio had Malik Reed in Denver so that’s a direct hit from Vic.
Like Steve said, we will have to see what the other 6 contracts are to see their impact on the top 51. Half of them won’t be much as the bottom of the top 51 contracts are at 870,000. So, the lesser 3 should only count maybe 1 mil against the cap. Not sure on the others.
Also, our draft picks should only take 1-2 mil off the top 51 cap.
I wouldn’t worry about it, I’m sure they have a plan. 😉
Not worried. Just always interested to see how it all shakes out.
Not to mention being bored at work.
You are lucky we don’t have a full slate of draft picks or I would have posted about 5 mocks drafts already today. lol
LOL
So a new punter and return guy in Jake Bailey and Braxton Berrios.
I’m a big fan of Berrios and think he’ll add a spark in the return game allowing Holland, Hill and Waddle to do it much less. He’ll also add some spark on offense. Good quickness and speed. Versatile too.
As for Bailey I don’t know much about him other than he was the Pats punter. He was pretty good over 4 years but got injured last year. He’s younger than Morestead too.
Supposed to be 32 degrees Monday morning then 4 days later a high of 80 degrees. That is the only thing I hate about the weather here on the panhandle.
HOW TO RUIN A BRIGHT FUTURE IN ONE DAY:
Alabama football player Tony Mitchell is facing legal troubles after he was arrested on a recent trip to Florida with another person.
Mitchell was arrested on charges of marijuana possession with the intent to sell and/or deliver this week, according to media reports.
Mitchell was taken into police custody during the arrest.
Holmes Co. (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the arrest in a public Facebook post, showing images of a large trash bag filled with marijuana in addition to a firearm and stacks of cash that were taken in Mitchell’s arrest.
“A search of the vehicle produced an additional significant amount of marijuana, a set of scales, a loaded handgun between the passenger seat and center console, and a large amount of cash,” the sheriff said.
Mitchell arrived at the Alabama football program as a member of the team’s No. 1 ranked 2023 recruiting class.
A four-star recruit from Alabaster, Ala., Mitchell was ranked as a consensus top 10 ranked defensive back nationally and a top 15 player from Alabama.
Coveted as a recruit as early as the eighth grade, Mitchell originally pledged to Tennessee before moving out of that commitment and picking Alabama in June.
Yup ruined just like that.
Probably “owed” someone one last job and got burned
If he had scales, a handgun, a trash bag of marijuana and a large amount of buying cash he probably was in the dealing game for a long time
Crazy bc Florida is close to legalization of it. But that won’t happen before draft day…
I’m guessing that signing Malik Reed means the end for Van Ginkle.
He can finally take that long rest under the tree
I think Van Ginkel has been OUT for a while. I know Long isn’t the same position, but if we were bringing in LB’s, and we didn’t sign AVG, I thought he was done.
It seems we’re looking for more versatile off-ball LBs that are better suited for the zone concepts. Hopefully Tindall becomes one of them.
😉
51.Cody Mauch OT North Dakota State
84.Tucker Kraft TE South Dakota State
197.Juice Scruggs OC Penn State
238.Tashawn Manning OG Kentucky
Nice
We’ve been doing a good job since 2019. It started with the draft through 2021 with a lot of extra picks and along the way we’ve been adding players through FA and trades. The rebuild is done. It contender time.
If your bracket is already broken and your are done with the tourney
May I suggest another sporting event to watch
Berrios!!!
Since the bumbling idiot Steve Ross got our 2023 1st round pick forfeited, I’ve been left scouting only 2nd round and later talent for this Draft. Well, as I expand my scope, I’m looking at potential/wishful fallers from the 1st round.
So I started looking at some tape from MLB/ILB Drew Sanders, Arkansas… WOW. Not that I believe we’d actually do it, but I’m almost willing to trade up to land him in the 1st round. Should he fall to the 2nd round (very doubtful), I’d trade up for him in a heartbeat.
Is anybody else familiar with him?
Here’s one of his 2022 highlight reels…
I don’t see ILB being a target anymore in the draft. Definitely not in a trade up. It looks like we’re moving closer to TE and OL.
AGREED. But Steve Ross might have other ideas.
Ross is not driving any player personnel. He was a doofus with the Brady move but that’s a different thing. You seriously think he might demand Grier trade up for an ILB?
TIM; NO “DOOFUS” move is safe from Ross’s intrusion. I’m NOT going to predict he’s going to do that. I’m just saying he’d done it before, on a grand scale. Ross is the number one reason why the Dolphin franchise hasn’t come close to winning a Playoff game under his ownership.
Tom Brady was a different beast. Hopefully people in the org told him to stay out of the team personnel business because you obviously don’t know what you’re doing there. You got suspended for 9 weeks or whatever, cost the team a 2023 1st and 2024 3rd by being stupid. Stick to upgrading the stadium, facilities and paying guaranteed money to help with the salary cap.
WYOMING: I COULDN’T HELP but notice that you had 3 offensive linemen picked in the upcoming draft by the Dolphins. I SURE HOPE that someone in Miami’s FRONT OFFICE is paying attention!! Accruing all this talent will do us little good if all 3 of our quarterbacks spend time on the injury list, like they did last season!
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MORE WACKINESS in March Madness!! #1 seeded Kansas just bit the dust vs. Arkansas. Another regional top seed (HOUSTON) starts the second half down by 10 to Auburn. And highly regarded Duke LOST BY DOUBLE DIGITS to Tennessee already tonight!!!
This year’s tournament has taken on a strong SEC flavor as of now!! Maybe Florida Atlantic can make a small dent in that trend somewhere down the road!
Old Dolfan,
I’m HAPPY for ya, my man! I just can’t get into March Madness as I once had.
I’ll admit it is not for everyone. But I’ve followed March Madness for over 50 years. And when FAU developed a division 1 program, my interest was amplified. I’m guessing this year’s ratings will be through the roof now that so many schools actually have a shot at winning the tournament or, at least, making a big splash.
Have a great evening, my man!
If memory serves, the last time I really was into March Madness was when a young man from Marquette achieved a triple-double… he was absolutely unstoppable!
His name? Dwyane Wade, 2004.
You too! Have a great evening, Mr. Campbell!
Thy Knight (@ThyKnight3) says:
March 18, 2023 at 8:26 pm
I don’t see ILB being a target anymore in the draft. Definitely not in a trade up. It looks like we’re moving closer to TE and OL.
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Yeah, I agree. Just sayin’, Drew Sanders is a STUD! Too bad we don’t have a 1st round pick this year… 😦
Oh, and do NOT think we won’t go BPA at pass-rusher or CB if the dropoff from TE and O-Line is bad (as I’m predicting).
It always comes down to grades. If a prospect that you have graded significantly higher is there at a position you don’t necessarily need, you trade down. Happens all the time and fans scream why trade down? LOL
There will be equal value in the 2nd and 3rd rounds for OL and TE. Pass rushers and corners are going to go early along with some of the QBs. They’re always the first to go along with the best LTs and DTs.
It will be interesting to see how we address the Draft… CAN’T WAIT!!!
Yes, there will be equal value OL and TE but not necessarily fits for our offense. A bunch of the day 2 TE’s are flashy pass catchers and can’t block for shit. Only TE I would take at #84 would be Sam Laporta.
M13, I posted about Drew Sanders a while back when I was looking at ILB. He IS a stud. He is projected late first to early second. If we still had our 1st pick, he would be it and OL in 2nd.
He was an Edge player at Alabama (I believe) and Arkansas moved him to ILB when he transferred and thrived there since. I think my fav play in that video was the hit on 3rd and 1 about the 2:50 mark.
If he falls, I still will take him in a heartbeat. I’d go as far as trading a mid round pick from 2024 to move up a little to get him.
We will hear his name a lot in the future. IMO
You’re 100% correct that Drew Sanders was an EDGE at Alabama, before becoming/transferring to an ILB/MLB at Arkansas (great memory on you!). That cat is an incredible player.
It’s funny how we come to the same conclusion on a lot of players, Forbes, Jack Campbell and now Sanders. Campbell being a little on the negative side and the other 2 on the + side.
M13, I came to the realization that, in a weak LB class, no way does Drew Sanders fall to us so I started looking at others.
Have you checked out Ivan Pace Jr yet? His Pro Day is March 23.
He fits the mold of the ILB we have signed. He’s 5’10.5 and 231 pounds. He had 136 tackles, 20.5 TFL, 9 sacks, 4 PD’s and 2 FF from the ILB position for the Bearcats last year.
He is quick. Watch what he does to the center at the 1:02 mark.
STUD
bailbondmike says:
March 18, 2023 at 9:44 pm
It’s funny how we come to the same conclusion on a lot of players, Forbes, Jack Campbell and now Sanders. Campbell being a little on the negative side and the other 2 on the + side.
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Great minds, my man! Great minds. 🙂
By the way, I saw Tom Macdonald’s new video/song yesterday: what a brilliant writer. Didn’t love the tune/beat, but it was hella sensational on a myriad of levels.
He is absolutely incredible!
That wasn’t the original beat, I think. It was a song he released on an albumn back in November. I think he redone it a little to make it more fitting to have John Rich sing the chorus. Not sure though.
John Rich wasn’t featured on it when released it on the albumn.
Who knows maybe McDaniel and his staff wants more blocking at TE to allow the offense to operate for players like Hill, Waddle and the RBs. Lots of speed there. Not to mention more time for Tua to deliver his accuracy. The TEs become 3rd and 4th options. We don’t have to have a dynamic pass catching TE if you have reliable WRs and RBs. Pass pro is more important than pass catching TEs. Especially with the players we have.