If there’s one thing most Dolphins fans can agree on, it’s the fact that QB1 Tua Tagovailoa needs to stay healthy this season for the Dolphins to make the playoffs and more. That puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line, the protectors of one Tua Tagovailoa. An unfortunate development is last year’s center Connor Williams is now holding out and missed the last OTA’s. While Williams struggled all season long with high snaps, he played every single snap, and was a huge blocking upgrade both run blocking and pass protecting. In his stead in the last OTA’s, Liam Eichenberg took all the work at C and from all reports, looked good doing so. However this shakes out, we need to have our best 5 guys out there, and whether Williams plays OC or OG, we need him on the field. We already have question marks at LT, such as “How many games can Terron Armstead play, and play healthy? Detractors are everywhere when it comes to #74 Liam Eichenberg, wherever he plays on the line, and #73 Austin Jackson.
Let’s get back to Williams. He signed a 2YR/$14.035M contract just last season, and already he’s holding out? I want him to play, but I can say there’s going to be a lot of cap issues if we want to keep all our good players, and DL Christian Wilkins should be the first guy to get a contract extension. Williams played one season here and while I appreciate he played the entire season, that’s kind of what’s expected. Imagine if QB Tua Tagovailoa has the season we all hope for, what is it going to cost to keep him in a Miami Dolphins uniform? Bills DT Ed Oliver recently signed a 4YR/$68M contract. NYG DL Dexter Lawrence signed a 4YR/$87.5M deal. If Wilkins gets a contract somewhere in that neighborhood, and he deserves to, it’s going to be a challenge to pay everyone that needs to get paid. Granted, we did opt for Tua Tagovailoas’s 5th year option earlier this year which will pay him $23.7M. Still a bargain if he plays well and for an entire season or even the greater majority. I don’t know what Connor Williams demands are, if he wants an extension, or a significant raise and extension, but the latter may not necessarily be feasible.
If we can for a moment assume that Connor Williams plays under his current contract, or that we give him another couple of years with a modest increase, the O-line should be like this . . .
LT Terron Armstead – LG Liam Eichenberg – OC Connor Williams – RG Robert Hunt – RT Austin Jackson
Of course, all this is subject to change, even if Williams comes back. We may opt to play Eichenberg at C, and have Williams at LG, and then the RT spot may be up for grabs if Austin Jackson falters. We did bring in former Patriots OT Isaiah Wynn and former Jets OT Cedric Ogbuehi, both former 1st RD picks for insurance and competition. I know Hulk wants more, but realistically, more is not going to happen. Next year we can draft O-line early if necessary, and I understand Hulk thinks it’s necessary. RT Austin Jackson came into camp in great shape, a mans body so to speak. It’s important to keep in mind that Jackson was drafted as a raw rookie of 20 years old, and is still only 23 years old today. Perhaps it’s easy to say that he was a 1st RD reach, but that shouldn’t exclude him from being given an opportunity to win the starting RT spot. The LT spot will be one to keep an eye on, because it’s “when” Armstead is OUT, not “if. Terron Armstead has yet to complete and entire season of NFL play in his entire 10 year career. So Wynn, Ogbuehi or someone else will be forced into action at LT.
The Dalvin Cook to Miami narrative still lives in the minds of some, not this writer. We have a good mix of RB’s in our stable at the moment, lots of explosiveness. As I have previously mentioned, if we’re going to bring in a RB, let it be Leonard Fournette, who is a grinder, a reliable short yardage runner who has excellent receiving skills. RB by committee is the new norm, and Mostert, Wilson, Achane and either Ahmed or Gaskin is fine with me. If they want add a hammer, Fournette is the guy, we already have HR hitters with Mostert and Achane. I know Achane hasn’t played in the NFL yet, but RB is one position where talent translates very quickly to the NFL game. While A-Chain may not be the bellcow back, it’s just not necessary or even sensible. We already have backs and will probably carry 4 on the 53, and we will use them all. I won’t scream if we sign Cook, I just feel comfortable with what we got.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Krishna, Gase’s last season was 2018. Flores took over in 2019 and changed OCs all three years he was HC. Enter McDaniel last season. First time same offense two years in a row since 2018.
First time Tua has had the same offense two years in a row in his collegiate and pro career.
I’m aware of all that and thought it went back to HS…and not my point.
We haven’t seen ANY success in our 2nd year of any offense that’s had a second….MAYBE it will be This Time…lol.
We’ll Philbin and Gase were not so good. LOL
And, what Naples said before the page turn…lol
thnx
sheesh
btw
Happy Independence Day, everyone!
Go USA.
Freedom rocks.
To go on record before Training Camp begins:
naplesfan2010 says:
July 4, 2023 at 5:11 pm
The Dolphins need another pure speed deep threat with enough height to win 50/50 balls deep.
They also need at least 2 smash-mouth enforcers at TE with enough hands talent to threaten the LBs.
They also need a true slot chain-mover with enough phone booth quicks to catch the 4 yarders and enough juke moves to get YACs.
They also need another RB with breakaway speed to spell Mostert over a 20 game season.
McDaniel would also benefit from a DC that schemes turnover DB work behind a DL pass rush.
And finally we need a savvy vet CB to replace Byron Jones who isn’t a grabby UDFA level rookie.
That’s a lot to ask of Grier, but if he can get all that done and maybe find some better quality back-up OL and 2 or 3 vicious tacklers at LB and Safety, we can go to the SB.
Ezukanma, Berrios and Achane fit some of those criteria you mentioned.
Why do we need another vet corner? Cam Smith could fill that role even though he’s a rookie. It’s about talent not age.
I don’t see the big concern at LB and Safety.
Robbie Chosen Anderson etc. has plenty of deep speed. That’s his game.
Grier addressed every single one of those needs
in spectacular or adequate fashion.
Now it’s time for the team to perform. The game is about quality QB play, pass rush, explosive plays in the passing game and stopping explosive plays in the passing game.
Yes the run game is important and so is run defense. But if you can’t do the former you’re not winning. The rules dictate it and look at how teams are building their rosters.
Off the ball LBs with the exception of one aren’t on the field half the time. 11 personnel is the standard formation on offense. That’s nickel on defense. Then you have dime on long distance downs, and big on short yardage and sometimes early downs. The classic base defense is at best on the field a 1/3 of the time.
As Knight knew and Krishna wisely surmised …
Those were our needs in this off season.
Grier filled them all,
with
Robbie Chosen
Saubert and Kroft
Berrios
Achane
Fangio
Ramsey
and
2 former 1st round picks and Dark Richie Light on the OL
as well as
Long, Reed, and Elliott.
That’s 13 needs filled … wow
and throw in a better, younger All Pro punter
and
a rising star coach and former Dolphin DB Renaldo Hill
and a better OL coach
and that’s a SB possible roster.
Bottomline is, and I’ve said this before, we have the talent now it’s time to execute and bring everything together
^
nice write up Mike.
I think this year, ultimately will come down to Tua and if he can stay on the field or not. If he stays healthy I think we can go all the way, We have talent everywhere.
Agreed
Last year Hill and Waddle had great numbers, if they duplicate them it’s probably not a good sign
They still need good numbers, just not as good, and others need to contribute more, that way on 3rd downs we won’t have to force it to Hill and Waddle, which didn’t work so well late season
Yeah Hill doesn’t need 119 receptions.
I hope McDaniel is planning to send Chosen deep repeatedly. It’ll be like 3-point shots in B-ball on steroids. Even if you don’t connect every time, when you do, it’s a disaster for the D and to prevent that, they must defend him as he has speed, hands, and height.
That way, Hill can break loose in intermediate routes, flash some shake and bake, and then out run the world to the house.
and
I hope McDaniel will use Berrios to take the beatings on the under 8 yards slot passes so Waddle does not get smacked down by LBs 6-8 times a game.
That way, Waddle can take those slants and crossing routes to the house.
Yes, it’s a team game use the talent you have in different ways to maximize the overall play and execution
Teams normally get about 60 offensive plays in an NFL game.
IMHO the right ratio for most games is 60% passes.
That works out to about 36 pass attempts per game.
Tua normally completes more than 2/3 of his throws.
That’s 24-26 completions per game.
Hill caught exactly 7 balls per game last year. (119/17)
Let’s keep him fresh for some 8 and 9 catch games for the playoffs.
So a good way to spread the ball around might be something like this:
Hill …. 5 catches
Waddle …. 5
Berrios …. 4
Chosen …. 2
Wilson, Ezukanma, etc. …. 1
TEs …. 3
RBs …. 4
That would still get Hill 85 catches in the regular season.
If he averages 12 YPC, he’ll get his thousand yards.
Receptions down, ypc up, tds up
Kind of sounds like Waddle last year
Cam Smith signed today 👍
Excellent!!
Hill’s talking about getting 2k yards. 85 catches won’t do that.
Get the ball to the 🐆 early and often.
51 guys supporting Tua to Hill
Jalen Ramsey will help those 51 guys get Tua and Hill the ball more often and keep us in better game situations while doing so.
This year is going to be insane. 🐬💪💥
^
In case it has to be said – Johnny Bench wore 5 also
Johnny GOAT Bench
So did Ed “The Glider” Charles. He was a fan fave, but from a GOAT
👍
You’re awesome Mike
Joe diMaggio
and
13 time all star George Brett
wore #5.
I’d rather we rush for 2,200 yards then Tyreek gets 2,000.
Yep! And, probably means we’re unstoppable…score every time we get the ball…lol…Koolaid thoughts
Why not? Let’s go for the gusto!
Hmmm…2000 yds rushing, 3000 yards passing….there’s your 40/60 R/P ratio…lol
If all goes right in a 17 game season, Tua throws for over 4,000 yards.
4500 yes passing man!
2020: 13 NFL Offenses went over 6K yards
2021: 15 NFL Offenses went over 6K yards
2022: 10 NFL Offenses went over 6K yards
So IF we’re to become a top-5 Offense in yards (we were ranked #6 last year with 6197 Offensive yards), we’d better be talking in terms of 6K yards at a minimum.
I’m going to roll with Rockphin: 4,500 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards.
If we need to run more, I’d be pleased with 4,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards.
KC went over 7K Offensive yards last season (7,032). If our Vic Fangio-led Defense creates a lot of 3-and-outs, we have the opportunity on Offense to rack up the yardage.
I’m a dreamer: 6,500 Offensive yards
4,500 passing yards
2,000 rushing yards
^^^^ THIS
OK…whatever it takes. Running the ball successfully and topping 6K is killer…it’s called controlling the game and the D giving them every opportunity.
….thanks for the INFO
Anytime, Krishna! I have VERY high hopes for our Offense this season!
Our OL isn’t anything like KC’s…lol
Good luck
THIS is true… at least judging by last season’s performance. Let’s hope it has been rectified.
Whoa whoa whoa
Wait a minute.
We got 6197 yards last year while playing a 7th round rookie QB a bunch.
We rushed for 1686.
And we threw for 4765.
Getting only 4500 yds passing is a minimum goal.
Getting 2K rushing in addition is certainly doable.
YESSIR!
Our Big Problem last year was the Minus 7 turnover ratio.
And it was all picks. We threw 15 INTs and only got 8.
Enter Fangio and Ramsey.
The Chiefs rushed for 1970 on 417 runs for a 4.7 ypc.
But they scored 18 running TDs and a whopping 61 total TDs. (2 defensive)
We rushed for a 4.3 average because Edmonds sucked.
We only scored 12 running TDs. And only 44 total. (2 defensive)
The RT for the Chiefs gave up 9 sacks and 49 pressures.
He had a 23 pass pro grade against the Raiders.
Going into the playoffs last year our OL ranked 22 , the Bills were 23, the Bengals were 28, the jest was 31, and Tennessee was worst.
Chiefs were 4th.
Naples,
So long as our O-Line does its job (and stays healthy) — and so long as Tua is able to be protected — SKY is the limit for our Offense.
I actually like our depth on the O-Line for the first time in a long time, but we need our starters to stay healthy in order to form a cohesive ‘gel’.
If either Raheem Mostert or Jeff Wilson goes out for any kind of time (injury histories, both), our running game could suffer. I’m a proponent of signing Dalvin Cook to create a 3-headed hydra.
We don’t need to re-sign Christian Wilkins and others in the here and now… we’re going to get it done, one way or the other, regardless… I think that’s my final answer.
STACK the team so Steve Ross can go out as a Super Bowl winner, then deal with the offseason accordingly.
JUST WATCHED the wackiest end to any MLB game this year. The Marlins led St. Louis 9-8 with a runner on first and two outs for the Cards in the Top of the 9th. St. Louis was down to their last strike. Next pitch the St. Louis batter hits a towering 2-run homer to put the cards up 10-9!! Cards players go BONKERS!!
—————
Not to be outdone, Miami gets 2 runners on base BUT there are 2 out in the bottom of the 9th. Quickly the Cards’ pitcher gets 2 strikes on Miami’s Joey Wendle. Miami was down to their last strike. Wendle gets completely fooled when the final pitch nosedives to his toes. Somehow Wendle got the end of his bat just barely on the ball. It rolled meekly to the pitcher who, maybe, got a bit distracted by Miami’s 2 baserunners who were put into motion by the Marlins’ manager. All the pitcher had to do was throw the ball to first base and the batter (Wendle) would be the final out of the game.
————
But NO-O-O-OOO!! The pitcher pumped twice then threw the ball way over the first baseman’s glove!! As the ball scooted into foul territory, BOTH of Miami’s baserunners scored and, incredibly, the Marlins WON a game they should have lost while the fans and the Miami players went berserk!
———–
Joey Wendle looked a bit confused as his fellow Marlin players mobbed him for hitting a slow grounder back to the St. Louis pitcher on the game’s final play!!! He even laughed when a Miami player dumped the obligatory large container of water on his head. The Marlins’ fans, players, and announcers celebrated like the Marlins had just won the World Series!!
And why not?? The Marlins are a spectacular 21-5 this season in 1-run games – – – and the season’s only about half way over!!! Lady Luck has a Marlin on her jersey!!
I see 11 personal as our bread and butter. Hill, Waddle, 3rd, TE as a 6th blocker – last option, RB check down. We don’t think you can cover Hill, Waddle and Co. every play all day.
Maybe Krishna is right with 2k rushing and 3k receiving😜
Maybe the D is so dominant, that we don’t have to open it up on O
But stats schmats, who cares just win
Bingo!!!!
Now that the statisticians have cobbled together the GOOD numbers, i.e. anywhere in the 6K range, I revise my totals….lol…but not my point.
Running the ball behind a top ranked OL to net 2,000 yards and protect Tua so he can pass for 4,500 to 5,000 seems a lot more reasonable….lol.
With these numbers, it seems we would/could be unstoppable under any weather conditions. We need to be able to gash up front, push the pile, and have tea parties behind the line, like Mahomes and Brady are used to having.
If we could have and should have tried to run the ball in the Buffalo game in the snow, even with our 3rd string QB, we would have won that game…..a message to MM…lol.
I was never confident in our D last year with Boyer going solo. I think our D this year has an opportunity, as well, to be elite. Get the other team off the field, especially on 3rd and longs and 4th down. It seems we failed a lot in that area last year, but again, I’m not a stat guy. Maybe, I’m wrong.
….and for some reason, our D couldn’t take the ball away the way they did the year before (as I vaguely remember them doing a lot).
Forget about our D last year, it doesn’t represent anything it will be this year
X nagging injuries all year, and so many other injuries we couldn’t cover anyone, so couldn’t get off the field
And, I haven’t even had coffee yet….just win baby!!!
Lol…it was the “hottest day ever” yesterday.
So they say, haven’t checked, but likely propaganda
Krishna says:
July 6, 2023 at 6:40 am
If we could have and should have tried to run the ball in the Buffalo game in the snow, even with our 3rd string QB, we would have won that game…..a message to MM…lol.
No, Tua needs to grow a pair and stop with all the motion when the play clock is running out
Learn to read a friggin D already
Skylar was in at that time, but the motion, play coming in late killed us last year
66 days till Dolphins season opener:
Where’s Jamie Nails
Come on man 66 is Larry Little
I’d say it’s a good thing, if Duke Riley doesn’t make the 53
Should mean others have stepped up or made the transition
Duke is more of a one trick pony with limited skills, kind of why Roberts wasn’t re-signed
https://phinphanatic.com/posts/5-miami-dolphins-players-fighting-for-their-jobs-at-training-camp-01h4h4ysw3n6/3
He’s good in nickel and on STs.
49ers should be glad they left SF
https://dailycaller.com/2023/07/06/san-francisco-teenagers-mothers-baseball-bats-attacks/
Been hearing a lot of bad things about SF these days. This story is truly fucked up with these animals going after mothers. SMH
Brandon Jones 💥
He’s huge for us. 💪
We were certainly a lot better on defense last year before he went down to injury.
He’s a good tackler and excellent blitzer. I know he said before he got injured that he was working on getting better in coverage. He might have limited range but he’s solid in medium range coverage.
He’s among the best box safeties in the league now with 5 roaming he can do his thing. He’s going to be a very disruptive force this year. Fangio probably drools watching film on him. Film, yes I’m old lol
Yeah him in Holland are a good duo. Holland has elite range and is also a good tackler. Fangio can do a lot with them.
They still say tape today when it’s all video so call it whatever you like.🙂
What I didn’t like at all last year was the amount of times I saw Holland in opponent’s highlights. I only mention it now because I was just watching NFL Live and they were running down how great WR’s pump up their QB’s QBR after arriving (Duh) and 3-4 of the big plays had #8 in the shot.
as apposed to the season before when he was trending more quickly toward elite
He was the only starter left after a while and he had to play hurt late. Injuries killed our secondary last year and thus our entire D. Fangio and Ramsey are HUGE.
^
Ogbah unaccounted for isn’t that a silly luxury?
New drinking game next year – every time Ogbah lines up in the middle of the field you drink.
😉 you’ll be drunk
I think Phillips, Chubb, Wilkins and Ogbah will be on the field a lot together. That’s our best pass rush.
See like it should be our base D with a bad ass NT I the middle. I don’t think Davis is elite but he is either pretty good or benefits from the players around him
Davis is really fucking good don’t listen to the noise trust your pal son. 👍
I have a much more positive feeling about our D at this time of year than at the same time last year….facts. Injuries have nothing to do with those feelings…lol
Boyer v Fangio makes all the difference in the world to me. I never trusted Boyer as the man to lead the D in his first go-around.
Lol…and here you go…….
What’s Missing From Vic Fangio’s Dolphins’ Defense?
New Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio expressed some concern about the talent on the defense he’s taking over
OMAR KELLY3 HOURS AGO
What’s Missing From Vic Fangio’s Dolphins’ Defense?
New Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio expressed some concern about the talent on the defense he’s taking over
OMAR KELLY3 HOURS AGO
In this story:
Miami Dolphins
MIAMI DOLPHINS
The expectations are sky high for Vic Fangio.
The Miami Dolphins won a competitive bidding war, making the former Denver Broncos’ head coach and seasoned defensive guru the highest paid defensive coordinator in the NFL, and the expectation is that he’ll deliver immediate returns.
“This defense does two things: It creates turnovers and it stops explosives,” said safety coach Joe Kasper, who left the Philadelphia Eagles to join Miami’s staff this offseason. “And the No. 1 way to win games in the NFL is create turnovers — or protect the ball — and stop explosives. This scheme, similar to the one we ran in Philadelphia, gives us the best chance to do those two things.”
Problem is, to transform the leftovers of Brian Flores’ hybrid defense into a top ten, possibly top five unit in 2023, Fangio hinting that he needs more pieces.
“We have some really good talent at some places,” Fangio said at the conclusion of Miami’s minicamp, likely referring to the Dolphins’ defensive front, pass rushers, and cornerbacks.
“In other places, we’ve got to find the talent,” Fangio said. “I think it’s a good mix right now. Our good players have got to play really good for us to be good, and we’ve got to find the other guys to fill in that play good in spite of their lack of playing time and experience.”
Depth concerns on defense linger
Roster depth seems to be what Fangio is hinting at?
He’s possibly wondering how good the Dolphins defense will be if a starter or two – players like Raekwon Davis, David Long Jr., and maybe Jevon Holland – are sidelined because of an injury for an extended stretch in 2023.
The Dolphins faced similar stretches last season when defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah was shelved for nearly half the season because of his biceps injury, and when starting strong safety Brandon Jones and nickel cornerback Nik Needham were sidelined because of the knee and Achilles injury they suffered in October.
Other defenders missed games and starts as well, and it watered down Miami’s defense, which finished 2022 ranked 18th in total yards allowed (337.8) and 24th in points allowed (23.5).
Those struggles cost Josh Boyer his job, and opened the door for McDaniel to fire Fangio, whom he lobbied unsuccessfully to hire when he was named Miami’s head coach.
Now McDaniel’s entrusting Fangio to work his magic, but that required talent.
Defensive free agents who could help Dolphins
What Fangio is likely asking the team’s front office to address is the areas of weakness on defense, which based on what the media saw during OTA, and minicamp practices appear to be nose tackle, inside linebacker, and safety.
There isn’t an established nose tackle behind Davis, so if he’s sidelined by an injury, Miami could be forced to switch defensive fronts, going from a 3-4 to a 4-3 unless Brandon Pili steps up. Or the Dolphins could sign someone like free agent Akiem Hicks, who has history with Fangio.
Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler aren’t built to take on two blockers consistently, which is the primary job of a nose tackle in a traditional 3-4 scheme, so adding a veteran like Hicks, a 33-year-old who has started 121 games and produced 41.5 sacks, could be beneficial.
Long has a history of battling soft tissue injuries in the NFL, which is one of the reasons Tennessee moved on from him during free agency this offseason. If Long, who missed the majority of the offseason program nursing an undisclosed injury, or fellow starting inside linebacker Jerome Baker become sidelined, Duke Riley and Channing Tindall would likely have their roles elevated.
Are they ready to have more responsibility put on their plates, or would it be beneficial for the Dolphins to add veteran linebackers like Jaylon Smith, Kwon Alexander, Anthony Barr or Rashaan Evans, who remain free agents?
While Holland has been relatively healthy the past two seasons, he’s been the lone exception in his safety unit.
Brandon Jones and Trill Williams are both coming back from season-ending knee injuries. Their returns could bolster that unit, which also added DeShon Elliott as a free agent.
But Fangio had to leave June’s minicamp asking himself if there’s a starter on the roster who would complement Holland, whom he’s clearly a fan of.
He’s a highly talented player, highly instinctive player, highly smart player, tough player, loves the game,” Fangio said of Holland, who contributed 96 tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks last season. “There is nothing I don’t like about him.”
Can the same be said about Elliott, who has started 35 games in his previous four seasons, Jones, who has struggled in coverage during his three seasons as a spot starter, Williams, who is making the cornerback-to-safety conversion, Elijah Campbell, a special teams standout who was also moved from cornerback-to-safety, or Verone McKinley, who started two of the 10 games he played in last season after being called up from the practice squad?
Only time and snaps will provide those answers, but from Fangio’s seat it seems as if he’d be more comfortable if the Dolphins brought in reinforcements who could help him deliver what Miami’s expectation, which is an upper echelon defense.
Lol…sorry, Omar had a lot to say….
Brandon Jones…liked him at UT and thought he was coming on/making the transition….hoping for a big season for him…
Miami Dolphins: 3 potential last-year players who have a shot of really contributing
By Matt Serniak | 2:35 PM EDT
Ogbah
Mostert
Baker
…too hard for me to post the slide show…lol
Those struggles cost Josh Boyer his job, and opened the door for McDaniel to fire Fangio, whom he lobbied unsuccessfully to hire when he was named Miami’s head coach.
I was not aware that McDaniel has fired Fangio already……
I morn the loss of the editor
Nit picker! I think that’s a typo, hire instead of fire.
Maybe you meant mourn instead of morn? Hmmm? 🥴
Edit the shit out of him
YES I MOURN the loss of the editor and the advent of speech text that fucks you. LOL That is hilarious. Thanks for pointing it out……. LOL
and are you Omar’s Mom? defending that putz
lol
I’m probably old enough to be. 😂
Always the negative slant, if the so called best DC in the league can’t work with this group. Anything else added is gravy and damn near egregious. Go Ball we have Jalen Ramsey go win games.
I don’t see anyone’s names anymore. I only see a [1] beside each avi. Just me?
I thought it was just me
I thought I was number 1!
No doubt Herd you’re always number one
Put the Bat signal out for Twice
FWIW… and SMH at Florio, as always…
I see dead people…. I mean I see avatars
If I log on via WordPress, there are avatars only, if I log directory site I get the 1’s and avatars
One is the loneliest number…
LOL
Anyone see Stanger on here lately?
It’s been a while. Perhaps a couple of months ago.
Alright, let’s talk about our Defense. I personally believe our personnel are pretty darn good. There will likely be a learning curve in installing Fangio’s Defense in year 1, but Bradley Chubb can certainly serve as a mentor in helping his position room.
If X returns 100%, coupled with Ramsey and the emerging Darth Kader… Brandon Jones returning to 100%, coupled with the continued emergence of Jevon Holland… and if our D-Line can stay healthy… there is no reason in my mind to think we can’t have a top-10 Defense in year 1 of Fangio, and that’s being conservative.
I absolutely agree with Krishna that we grew stale under Josh Boyer as our DC (1-trick pony with the 0-blitz), coupled with several key injuries.
The talent is there, no doubt. I like our depth in the secondary, I think(?) I like the depth in our LB room, but our D-Line has GOT to stay healthy.
All of that stated, it may be wiser to spend on D-Line depth than to spend it on Dalvin Cook: I’m certainly not even close to being the first to make mention of as much.
Several of us mocksters were looking at depth at the DT position last Draft. I, for one, feel we could have done much better via UDFAs post-Draft… just sayin’.
If depth at some positions are our only complaints we’re doing pretty good.🙂
I’m with ya! But it’s all fun and games until somebody misses major time with an injury. I hope our depth on the D-Line is adequate. If so, bring in Dalvin Cook! 🙂
Maybe hold onto some cap space for in season moves.
This is Mike E ,Tim and I will play guitar.
Tim unfortunately won’t be there, but we can do it! Maybe Tim will shock us and just show up!
Rock, for you….lol
Pro Football Network ranks Miami Dolphins’ Jason Sanders as 21st best kicker in NFL
Does Sanders’ salary require a better performance from the kicker in 2023?
By Marek Brave@MBrave13 Jul 5, 2023, 6:32pm EDT
It was just a few short years ago that Miami Dolphins’ kicker Jason Sanders was named as a First-Team AP All-Pro selection for his work during the 2020 NFL season. That year, Sanders nailed 36 of 39 field goal attempts — including 8 of 9 attempts from 50 yards or more — with a long make of 56 yards.
Unfortunately for the Miami Dolphins and their fans, it isn’t 2020. The year is 2023 and Jason Sanders is no longer among the elite kickers in the game.
According to a recent ranking from Pro Football Network, Jason Sanders is the 21st best kicker in the National Football League — ranking just ahead of 38-year-old Matt Prater of the Arizona Cardinals and just behind former Miami Dolphins kicker and current member of the Minnesota Vikings, Greg Joseph.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
In the two years since his All-Pro 2020 season, Sanders has gone 49 of 63 attempts — missing eight field goal tries in 2021 and six in 2022. He has only made four kicks beyond 50 yards in his 12 attempts during that time frame.
Sanders’ drop off in play just so happened to come after signing a 5-year $22 million contract with Miami following the 2020 season. The extension included $10 million in guaranteed money.
Sanders’ cap hit in 2023 is the 10th highest for kickers in the NFL according to Spotrac. He’s on the books for $3.775 million this upcoming season.
Despite his struggling play, the team has yet to bring in real competition for the 27-year-old. Time will tell how much patience the Miami Dolphins and second-year head coach Mike McDaniel have for the under-performing kicker.
Yeah no shit!!
Lol…thought this might stir you up…in a good way!
Sanders will be fine. Ranking kickers is sillier than most positions. He has a strong leg. Let’s see if the new holder helps.
In 2021 he had a left footer holding. Last year he had a holder that we didn’t resign.
I’m going to pull a TK and say we have enough safeties.
Not only did we sign e box enforcer in Elliott, but we’ll be playing a lot of corners instead of safeties in the nickel and dime. I think that’s the meaning of signing Ramsey and drafting Cam to go with Kohou and Needham.
Lol…Sanders has a strong leg, just misses a lot.
50 yard FGs should be money these days…not hit or miss…especially since you’ve done it before. Made my money, now I can chill? Ok?
All 50 yarders aren’t created equally, each additional yard past 50 makes it a little harder, then there’s weather conditions, including wind, then pressure situations, but any way you slice it 33% over 50 isn’t good
And we have names
Lol. I just sent Twice a message. I literally just got a screenshot a couple minutes ago so someone else must have contacted him.
Thanks!!!
I like what his college tape shows, normally CBs have horrible tape, except a select few
He just needs to take the next step, I think Fangio’s D is very CB friendly, at least it can be, with X and Ramsey, Fangio will take it to the limit
Cam Smith seems to have dog in him.
Are you revealing Doggies pickup lines😝
50 yd FGs are being made in the NFL at about a 70% rate, so 7 out of 10.
Sanders in his career is now down to 60%, or 6 out of 10,
after 2 disastrous years of going 2 out of 6 both years.
I will take 70% per season…be average per season works.
I didn’t know Jason Taylor has a son who’s a TE for LSU. Mason Taylor.
Mason Taylor sounds kinda funny
Can’t pick a Career path 😊
It doesn’t hurt though to have HOF bloodlines though! How are you feeling?
I am feeling pretty much back to normal …. Thank you
Here’s someone that took a stat, had someone on ESPN agree with him, then did a video on it
We all know Tua doesn’t have the rifle arm, that it usually takes to have great numbers outside the harshmarks, so he’s likely never going to have great numbers outside, unless…
I like Benny, but he’s being ignorant here in the big picture
What he hasn’t figured out is how to overcome these shortcomings
The problem is he had to depend on Hill and Waddle too much late in the season, after they took the middle away, Hill and Waddle over the middle
MM isn’t going to change who Tua is, so what did he do?
He got rid of Gesicki and Sherfield, guys that couldn’t exactly get open without some help
Bring in Berrios and Chosen to move the chains
The D can still take away the middle, but Tua will now have open receivers on the outside, because we have better talent, which he can hit with a good %
Achane will also help on 3rd downs receiving
I love Mostert running the ball, but he’s pretty average doing some things, think the same about Wilson, they aren’t in Achane’s league as a pass catcher
Good points. Ekukanma panning out makes this offense insane. Then there are the projects in Conner and Higgins as F TEs which is really H-back.
There is a lot of speed.
I think it’s narrow minded in that we had limited talent on the O that could get open. I’m not sure how Ds will defend this O, especially if we can run the ball and take it to the house with 2 of our RBs.
MM needs to scheme it up….lol.
Toba – that’s great news. I hope you have stayed away from cigarettes, right?
Ditto!
Yes , I have managed to stop for 4 weeks tomorrow… I am still wearing “the patch” , they are supposed to be replaced daily, and I am currently on day 3 with the same patch with no STRONG cravings…so I am guessing I should be able to kick it for good … I have had a couple of I want one moments , but mostly times and circumstances where I would normally be lighting up.. they pass quickly 🤫
Unless Achane is special out of the gate, I see him as maybe a 10 touch guy on offense and on returns. Big play ability is always there.
This isn’t political in the sense of Rep vs Dem or Conservative vs Liberal… it’s more of a global issue. So Biden has put an end to ALL of our chemical weapons today (humanitarian good), yet he’s sending cluster bombs to Ukraine to fight Russia as of today (humarintarian bad, and war-crime illegal)… see The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).
Ya just can’t make this shit up! We’re going to have a nuclear war with Russia soon, one way or the other… ensured by our MIC (Military Industrial Complex). Rest in Piss, John McCain, who helped to orchestrate this whole machination in ’14 along with Lindsay Graham, IN Kiev.
At least it wasn’t political. LOL
Toba – WTG kid! I’m proud of you
🤭aw shucks man thanks
I had no clue they were Canadian EH 😱.. lotsa good tunes in my young years
BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR THE MIAMI DOLPHINS IN 2023
Posted by Ricky Watson | Jul 6, 2023 | 2023 season, Offseason | 0
Every preseason I usually write an NFL prediction article. But since we are talking Dolphins on DolphinsTalk, I’m going to focus solely on the Miami Dolphins 2023 predictions. If you’ve read my prediction articles in previous seasons, you know that many of those predictions have been accurate. So, concentrating on one team, the Dolphins should be even more tuned than my previous predictions. Here are my 2023 bold Miami Dolphins predictions.
Miami Dolphins Will Win The Super Bowl:
At one time, earlier in the year, this would’ve been a bold take. However, more and more sports analysts are mentioning the possibility of the Miami Dolphins winning the Super Bowl. Just this past week, both Joy Taylor and Emmanuel Acho have talked about the possibility of the Dolphins winning the Super Bowl. It was a bolder prediction when I tweeted about Miami attending the Super Bowl in March. I even wrote an article entitled, Can Miami’s Speedsters Zoom Their Way To the Super Bowl back in May? On any account, the expectation for second-year head coach Mike McDaniel to lead the Miami Dolphins to a Super Bowl win this season has always been there for me.
Tua Tagovailoa Will Win The MVP:
By now, everyone realizes the lazy narratives about Tua are only because of fans piggybacking other social media posts. Those narratives aren’t factual or accurate. And most come from fans of other NFL teams that don’t watch the Dolphins play. The “if healthy” narrative is already monotonous and ignores that the phrase applies to every player in the NFL. So, a narrative that applied to a previous season has nothing to do with what hasn’t even happened in a season that hasn’t started yet.
Despite being injured, Tagovailoa has improved statistically every season he’s been in the NFL from the previous season. Now, with more muscle bulk, Jujitsu training, and additional off-season training, expect a better year. Even if Tua doesn’t have Tyreek Hill or the Dolphins don’t acquire Dalvin Cook, there are enough offensive weapons on the Dolphins for him to have a career year. Not only do I expect Tua to have a career year, but he could very well break NFL records this season with his accuracy alone. If he leads his team to the Super Bowl with a record-breaking season, expect him to be named MVP.
…to be continued
Tyreek Hill Will Have A Great Year, But Jaylen Waddle’s Will Be Better:
Fans may get the pitchforks out for this one, but I truly believe this. Tyreek Hill is outstanding, and he’s already aiming for a career year. But last season, Jaylen Waddle was targeted 23 fewer times with 29 fewer receptions than in 2021 but had 341 more receiving yards and led the NFL in yards per catch. However, one of the main differences is that his catch rate dropped by ten percent. If Waddle can get his catch percentage back up to where he was in his rookie season, then expect him to be one of the best receivers in the NFL for 2023. My bold take is that Waddle will have a better season than Hill.
Devon Achane Will Have To Wait Another Year For A Breakout Season:
Achane may have a breakout season at some point in his career. But I don’t expect that to happen in his rookie year. Even if the Dolphins are unable to acquire Dalvin Cook, Achane will not jump to be the first running back on the depth chart over Raheem Mostert. If the Dolphins acquire Cook, expect him to be at least no higher than the third running back on the depth chart. And that still means he has to compete with Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed, Myles Gaskin, and Chris Brooks to see where he fits in on the depth chart. I expect Achane to get playing time this season, but not a significant amount of playing time.
…to be continued
Elijah Higgins Will Be A Surprise Tight End Second Half Of The Season:
I don’t expect wide receiver converted tight end Elijah Higgins to beat out Durham Smythe as the top tight end on the Dolphins. However, I do expect Higgins to get some playing time this season. The transition from college to the NFL, plus going from a receiver to a tight end, will be a challenge. And he may struggle early on. But with his teachable attitude and willingness to learn from tight ends coach Jon Embree, I believe the NFL game will slow down for him faster than sooner.
Even though Smythe has admitted it took him years to adjust to some things in the NFL from college, Higgins is one of those players I feel will make the transition much faster. Because many will believe he won’t have an impact during his rookie season, I believe he will be a surprise to the NFL in the second half of the season.
Jaelan Phillips Will Become One Of NFL’s Best Linebackers:
Jaelan Phillips will only continue to get better. We already know his stats should have at least one more sack than they show. The NFL reviewed his roughing the passer sack on Justin Herbert, stating that it was not a roughing the passer despite it being after the fact.
Last year, Phillips was tied for the fifth most times he brought on the blitz to a quarterback, with Bradley Chubb leading the NFL. Don’t expect Phillips to slow down. I expect this to be a breakout year for the linebacker, and his sacks will cross the double-digit threshold. He’s going to become one of the better linebackers in the NFL this season.
Jevon Holland Will Be In The Best NFL Safety Discussion After 2023:
Holland had a good season as a safety in the NFL. However, some of his performance was a step back from his 2021 rookie season. But the playcalling was very suspect under Josh Boyer last season, so I have to take that with a grain of salt. This year, the Dolphins’ new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio should turn the entire defense around for the betterment of the team.
Because Holland didn’t even rank in the top 25 on some analytical sites as being among the best safeties, it’s a bold prediction for me to say that after 2023, people will be talking about Holland being the NFL’s best safety. That’s a humungous jump and a bold take, but I believe that and stand by my prediction.
…to be continued
There Will Be A Key Injury In 2023, But It Won’t Be Tua:
Each year, every NFL team has a key player to go down in at least some part of the season, if not all of the season. The Miami Dolphins are no exception. Injuries are inevitable. I’m not predicting who the key player is that will get injured this year. I’m just saying it is going to happen. It happens to every NFL team each year 100% of the time. And it is going to happen to the Dolphins this season again. But the key injury will not be Tua Tagovailoa this year.
Tua Will Not Miss Games Because Of Injury But Will Sit After Playoffs:
This is going to be a hot topic for debate. Tua Tagovailoa is a baller who wants to play with his teammates every game. So, even I was skeptical about making this prediction. Out of all predictions in this article, this is the one I’m the most uncertain about. No, I’m not uncertain that he won’t miss games because of an injury. My prediction is that won’t happen this year. He’ll stay healthy because I believe the unhealthy days are behind him. I’m uncertain whether or not Mike McDaniel wants to opt for him to sit out of the remaining games on the schedule after clinching a playoff berth to avoid the risk of injury before the playoffs.
Last season, the Dolphins were without Tagovailoa because of his injury. The last thing the Dolphins needs is an injury to their star quarterback before the playoffs begin. If Tua is convincing enough because he wants to play, he may persuade McDaniel to let him play anyway. He was able to convince Nick Saban to let him play another snap for Alabama when he wasn’t needed, and it cost him the rest of his college career because of the hip injury. This can go either way. I’m not sure what will happen. But even if Tua never had the injury history, I still think it would be wise to sit a star quarterback out a game or two before the playoffs. It’s my prediction McDaniel will sit him, but it’s not my call.
…to be continued
Miami Will Beat Buffalo Twice This Season:
Yes, a Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills team always plays Miami hard. And I know every Bills fan and a lot of Dolphins fans will want my head on a stick for this prediction. But I believe the 2023 Buffalo Bills team is not the same team it was last year or two seasons ago. We started to see the wheels fall off at the end of the season last year for the Bills. Josh Allen can give interviews about everything is OK, but there has still been trouble brewing in the waters on the Bills team. I predicted last season the Bills wouldn’t make the playoffs because of division in the team. Now, more than ever, there have been public reports of division.
Fans can deny any division among the Bills, but there is still some truth in the reports. Whether it’s small or big, there is a division in the Bills camp. The Bills still have a good defense. But the players are starting to wane in their latter years. That was evident when they were almost beaten by the Dolphins’ third-string quarterback in the playoffs. I truly expect the Bills to lose their power, lose twice to the Dolphins, and become the least dominant team in the AFC East in 2023. I believe their window of opportunity closed last season. Call it what it is, but that is my prediction. And fans will probably disagree with me the most on this one.
Dalvin Cook Will Play For The Dolphins:
This is more of an expectation than a prediction. Everyone has already said Cook will become a Dolphins teammate this season. Many fans have been wondering what the hold-up is. I believe it has more to do with getting his contract right. The Dolphins want him on the team, and Cook wants to play on the team. If Cook wanted a one-year deal, he would already be signed.
But Cook wants to retire in his backyard, at home. And I believe the contract is being more so worked out for a multi-year deal than just a big-time salary this year. Yes, he wants to be paid, but he wants to be paid by the last team he plays for before he retires. And he wants that to be over some years. So, yes, expect Cook to be getting the rock when the Dolphins play their first game against the Chargers this season.
Lol…there you have it.
I like are Higgins
But Waddle is light years better
Good morning
USAF investigates mystery company that’s bought 55,000 acres around major California Air Force base
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/usaf-investigates-mystery-company-that-s-bought-55-000-acres-around-major-california-air-force-base/ar-AA1dADzY?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=6d600d2a8faf4af49b821f0fafd9edbf&ei=26
Maybe it’s Daniel Plainview? Lol
Strange story.
Dang ol’ climate change…
https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/tracking-sal-dust-florida-july
It was bad last year in June I believe. I look forward to it as it hampers tropical development.
Lol…I was being a smartass
In this heat, waiting for Dalvin Cook to sign feels like:
Lol…Piggy in heat
Guess he still says Miami is not offering enough. Oh well, his loss.
That’s what I read, too.
Bravo!!!!
Also climate change
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12278223/Gigantic-swarm-grasshoppers-flying-Utah-large-picked-weather-RADAR.html
Lol…what’s up with your climate change fascination…are you into bullshit these days? Lol…
I’ve decided to blame everything on climate change. No matter the facts.
Lol…ok
Did you miss the BS reference? Lol
Usually bulls shit methane…or so the story goes…lol
Who are the most underrated players on the Miami Dolphins?
ProFootballFocus took a look at some of the most underrated players on the Miami Dolphins
By Jake Mendel@JMendel94 Jul 8, 2023, 2:55pm EDT 0 Comments / 0 New
The Miami Dolphins hit the reset button and general manager Chris Grier went to work rebuilding the team in 2019. Miami attacked the draft and trade market after receiving a war chest of draft picks from the Houston Texans in exchange for left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
The Dolphins traded for All-Pro players like Jalen Ramsey and hit on draft picks like former first-rounder Jaylen Waddle. Miami features a handful of top-tier players, but let’s focus on the roster as a whole.
Kader Kohou surprised as an undrafted rookie stepping in after a wave of injuries. Kohou didn’t allow a touchdown until Week 14 and offers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio another compelling option at corner.
Also on defense, the story mentions Zach Sieler’s impact next to Christian Wilkins on the defensive line and linebacker Jaelan Phillips for his ability to hound opposing quarterbacks.
On offense, Raheem Mostert and Robert Hunt were noted. Mostert returns to the offense after rushing for a career-high 891 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Hunt gave coach Mike McDaniel one less thing to worry about as Miami’s right guard hasn’t missed a game in his career.
While PFF highlighted five of Miami’s least-talked-about players, was anyone so underrated they were left off the list? Fullback Alec Ingold, safety Brandon Jones, and Andrew Van Ginkel all come to mind.
For the first time in a long time, there’s aa list….that’s good…lol
UNFORTUNATELY, however, Grier (with the tacit approval of Steve Ross) has utterly failed to produce an Offensive Line that can adequately block for our running backs OR reliably protect our quarterbacks. UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE in the regular season, Miami’s O-Line is suspicious at best and an utter train wreck at worst.
AS I’VE STATED BEFORE, I hope I’m completely wrong in this belief. I hope 2-3 of our O-Line players get voted into this season’s first team all-pro unit. I hope one or two of our backs top 1,000 yards. And I hope Tua becomes the hands down top QB in the NFL.
I’d like nothing better than to have to eat these words.
ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS “SHOW ME!”
I agree with you, OD! One of my biggest/only reservation going into this season.
ON ANOTHER TOPIC, a local far left observer commented that “god’s punishing states that were carried by Trump with ultra high temps and various catastrophies!”
My response was “Since I do not believe in a supreme being in any form, your explanation seems laughable to me. ” Trump’s got an awful lot of things to deal with right now. But blaming him for ultra high temperatures is a new one on me!
god…geez, loueez…ooops
The new Reefer Madness?!? 🙄😵💫
https://scitechdaily.com/high-risk-extensive-study-links-cannabis-use-disorder-to-bipolar-and-depression/
Climate change.
^
It never ends.
Always attacking the herb…my first thought was what if those afflicted were predisposed to their affliction…then they state that in the last paragraph, their disclaimer…lol
Not climate change (although they forgot to mention Seiler, so that part might be climate change)
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/emmanuel-ogbah-on-dolphins-defense-we-can-be-as-good-as-we-want-to-be
No. Don’t see anything relating to climate change there. Though, when the Dolphins win the SB, they WILL blame it on climate change. lol
YUP! LOL
NCC _ I hope they pull the offer off the table.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-dalvin-cook-decision-to-wait-until-closer-to-training-camp
The rest of the story
https://heavy.com/sports/new-england-patriots/nfl-rumors-dalvin-cook-dolphins-jets/
I think pulling the offer off the table would be bad
Number 1 – there’s nothing wrong with a free agent looking for the best deal for him. Cook isn’t wronging us by wanting more $. Whether he can get it or not is unknown
2. the offer is just what we can afford. It’s not personal. It’s just want a RB of his caliber is worth to our team. That’s what it reflects. If that’s not good enough for him. Thane cie la vie and good luck to him – but it’s not personal. And the FO sending that message to the entire team means something.
Okay…I hope they stand firm and don’t increase the offer. How’s that? And they can blame it on climate change!
I doubt they change the offer
I want to be very clear about something, okay? I totaled my ride last month due to hitting a deer while on my way to work. Yes, my insurance company covered me 100%. Know why? CLIMATE CHANGE… that’s why the deer jumped in front of my ride to begin with.
If ya don’t have a sense of humor, I’m most OBVIOUSLY being sarcastic here!
Why did the monkey fall out of the tree?
CLIMATE CHANGE
Why is the polar bear population now flourishing?
CLIMATE CHANGE!