Before we get to the actual game, if you weren’t around yesterday, didn’t listen to any football related matters, the Miami Dolphins released some bombshell news, news that your’s truly is extremely hopeful about. The Miami Dolphins have announced that Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross has hired ESPN Analyst and Commentator Troy Aikman as a consultant to help in the process of finding the next Miami Dolphins GM. Some will be miffed that it’s Troy Aikman, and he hasn’t played in 25 years, not coincidentally the last time the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game. Relax! He’s going to be a consultant, not the final say, just there to help and give a little guidance. He’s still a huge part of the game, he sees every team play and is still quite connected to the game. The bigger point though is that even if you don’t think Aikman should be the guy to consult, the Dolphins are doing what needs to be done. They are trying to find the right GM to build this team the right way, and for goodness sake, that’s exactly what I’ve been asking for. No half measures, no restrictions, no ultimatums, hire the right NFL Exec and give him full autonomy to hire the Head Coach he chooses and have full control over player personnel. Accountability is paramount here. You need to have one person making these decisions, and while the GM Head Coach relationship needs to be a cohesive one, while the Head Coach could pounding the table for a particular player, the GM has to have the final say and do his due diligence as he will ultimately be the one responsible for that decision. There can be no gray area, the GM will run the show and hopefully choose the right Head Coach to make this team competitive year in and year out.
After that stunning news, I feel like anything else I say pales in comparison, but there is one more game to be played, and the guy wearing #14 for the Miami Dolphins has to be pumped up to face the New England Patriots to spoil their bid to become the AFC #1 seed. I feel like sometimes the teams that are playing for seeding don’t necessarily seem super motivated. I don’t think that will be the case late Sunday afternoon because Mike Vrabel is a disciplined Head Coach from the Bill Belichick tree, and I believe he understands full well he’d rather play all the games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough rather than have to travel to Denver to play the Broncos in their house. I guess we’ll see what happens in that regard, but the Dolphins at 7-9 have been eliminated from playoff contention, and at the moment will likely be picking just outside the Top 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft. One important information we don’t have is whether or not Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel will be returning. My assumption is that he will not be, as the GM search would indicate they’re attempting to do this the right way, but until I actually read it, I’ll have that small bit of doubt.
Change. The GM search is a beacon of change, and after 25 years of not winning a playoff game, I’d say change is in order. I believe Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa are joined at the hip, and I think since QB Tua Tagovailoa is holding a clip board, Mike McDaniel will soon be looking for another job in the NFL after this week when Black Monday rolls around. This is historically the day when NFL Head Coaches are let go from their respective teams after not having a good season or seasons. I do expect Mike McDaniel to be one of those coaches, but again, it hasn’t happened and there are no guarantees. You guys know how I feel about QB Tua Tagovailoa, any QB who puts himself above the team is OUT for me. He 100% values his health above the success of the team and his play on the field reflects is over and over. I never want to see him taking snaps for this team ever again, and I’m pretty sure that’s a done deal. As to who the next Miami Dolphins Head Coach will be, a lot of dominos have to fall first before that picture gets any clearer. Will Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin be let go after 19 years if they miss the playoffs? Will Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh be let go after 18 years if they miss the playoffs? I think it’s strange to even think those things, but it’s 2026 now, and if you haven’t noticed, things are just different.
Since the whole GM search and then Head Coach search thing is unclear, let’s get back to Sunday’s game. The Patriots and Broncos are both 13-3. The Broncos host the LA Chargers while the Patriots host our Miami Dolphins. The Broncos come off a defensive struggle 20-13 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs while the Patriots are coming off a blowout 42-10 win over the NY Jets. Both teams want nothing more than to play every playoff game in their house. Our Dolphins have played well in Foxborough, We beat the Patriots 15-10 last season, 24-17 in 2023, but lost a close 23-21 game in 2022. We are very different teams though. The Patriots are 13-3 playing for the #1 seed, and we have a rookie QB who has made two NFL starts after just 2 weeks of practice with the starters after being the emergency QB most of the season. QB Drake Maye has put up some very nice numbers this year although the Patriots schedule was an easy one. Despite that though, Vrabel has done what he was hired to do, win the games on the schedule, and they have won 13 of 16. The Dolphins played a very similar schedule and we stand at 7-9, so be careful throwing stones from glass houses.
I like what our rookie QB Quinn Ewers has shown us so far. The game didn’t look like too much for him, and the team has responded well with him at the helm. He looks like he has some moxie, and compared to the the wet noodle Tua, that’s a lot. There was definitely an energy last week as the Dolphins were playing a team who need the win to control their playoff destiny, and while the Bucs have been up and down this season, I think they’re the better team, but not this past Sunday. WE ran the ball well enough between Achane and Wright and just asked QB Quinn Ewers to give us just enough and he delivered on that. We will probably need a similar game plan to upset the Patriots Sunday. Waddle was in and out of the game with nagging injuries and that leaves WR’s Malik Washington, WR Theo Wease, WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., along with TE’s Julian Hill, Greg Dulcich and sometimes used Darren Waller. As far as I’m concerned, I’d skip the Darren Waller experiment next season. He’s exciting when he’s in there and we use him, but I’m tired of him disappearing for long stretches where he’s not in the game. Find someone who can play without restrictions! I hope we don’t burn out Achane in this one, I wouldn’t be shocked if we put a lot on his plate Sunday. He’s the one guy in this offense that always make things happen. The Patriots leaned hard on the run game with rookie TreVVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson last week and I’d expect more of that this week. We’ll see how stout or young D-line can be, but we know we’ll get quality linebacking from Brooks and Dodson.
While S Minkah Fitzpatrick was held out of practice along with RB De’Von Achane, LB Jordyn Brooks and TE Darren Waller, that doesn’t mean they aren’t playing. I’d say 3 of the 4 are definitely playing with the exception of Minkah. How much they play is a different story. This game doesn’t mean a whole lot to the Dolphins, but for Head Coach Mike McDaniel who is likely auditioning for a job elsewhere, and for the players too, it means a lot. I’d expect a good effort, and I hope that first and foremost we come out healthy from this game, and maybe this team gives us a surprise upset win, and believe you me, this would be a huge upset. Let’s hope we have a good game, and #14 Quinn Ewers shows us a little something special Sunday afternoon.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Thanks MikeE!
Yes, I am looking for a hard fought loss. If we upset them, I will be happy, but I don’t see it happening.
I would like to see less Achane and more Wright. Go ahead and sit Waddle and play Tahj. Bring up some practice squad guys and see what they got.
Just watching GMFB, and they’re talking about McCaffrey. That’s how I hope we start using Achane.
I was watching that but I went to write the article. What did they say about CMMC?
MikeE,
Kyle Brandt was basically talking about his production. If he catches 4 passes this weekend, he becomes the first guy in history to get 100 receptions and 2000 scrimmage yards twice. LT did it once. Don’t quote me but I think that’s what it was. I was listening and doing other stuff.
I just think we need to utilize Achane a lot more in the passing game. And not just screens to the flat 12 times a game. It will also prolong his career. I think MCC is more shifty than Achane, but the speed is comparable. Get those guys out in space as much as possible.
he’s got 67 catches now
he had 78 last year
so I’m guessing he stat is over 70 catches
he is nowhere close to over 2000 in either Season
he had 1499 yards from scrimmage last year and is probably going to land around 1800 this season
so maybe the stat is 70 catches and 1400 scrimmage yards? 🤷♂️
I also learned from Jamie Erdahl that it’s still a red flag to a woman if the guy asks to split the check on the first date. Equality at work. Lol
Randy – I agree on the passing game. He’s a dangerous guy any time he gets the football, and if you can get him the ball in space, then even better. I don’t know if I agree with you about the shiftiness, I think Achane is pretty shifty too. CMMC has more power to shake tackles, but Achane has excellent body control, which is why he doesn’t take a lot of direct hard hits.
BBM has a plan for the new GM. Keep in mind 2027 draft picks are worth less than 2026 draft picks so you can get a higher 2027 pick.
Target Edge, OL, CB, Safety and TE in the 2026 draft and add another QB like Robertson.
Trade both Chubb and Minkah for 2027 draft picks as you might get a 2027 2nd for Chubb. We already have an extra 2027 5th.
Tank 2026 at least enough to get a 2027 top 10 pick. Use those extra picks and/or Waddle to trade up for WR Jeremiah Smith. Teams will be targeting all those QB’s in that bigger 2027 QB class. Then double down at WR taking Indiana’s Charlie Becker.
Jeremiah Smith 6’3, 220, 4.32 forty
Charlie Becker 6’4, 205, 4.39 forty
Heck, 2026 draft TE Tanner Koziol, 6’7 240 while resigning Dulcich and Achane.
Talk about a red zone advantage. That would be sick!
Another option would be to take Chris Brazzell, 6’5, 200, 4.45 forty in the 2026 draft.
Then trade Waddle/pick(s) to move up for Jeremiah Smith.
In 2027.
Time to CLEAN HOUSE in 2026!!!!
New Everything!!!!! GM, HC, QB!
Absolutely! Pull the stops out!
Do you guys agree to end the Waller experiment?
I honestly would be fine if they replaced every single person on this team from the GM on down to the waterboys- except Achane.
Even guys like Brooks and Douglas. I don’t care if they rework the entire team.
Waller has caught 6 TDs for us, but where has he been lately? Give Dulchic the playing time. He’s been showing up consistently for 2 months
I guess Waller showed in the Steelers game- of course, I missed that game.
Yes! Resign Dulcich, Hill maybe Rucci. Draft another or UDFA.
I want to see who the new HC would be before making the call on getting rid of some of our veteran players. That is if we even will have a new HC. If Mike McDaniel comes back than I say keep most of the players in tact.
I still think he’s coming back. I’d definitely be ok if I’m wrong.
Gotta figure if they are going to fire McD, it’ll be pretty quickly after the game against the Pets, right? Within a few days?
It’d be nice to know the answer to that question sooner rather than later.
It sure looks like that. No one in their right mind would come in as a consultant if you tell them either Mike McDaniel has to stay or Tua has to be the Qb next season. Those are two non starters
Kong – Waller is talented as fuck, but the guy comes in for a few plays, actually makes a play or two and then has to come out and is gone for an entire quarter or more. That’s ridiculous! No part time effort guys. Either you’re all in or you’re OUT!
That is my biggest beef too. We need guys that are passionate, want to play, and want to win.
A couple TE’s who are on the fringe of being drafted or UDFA. If they go undrafted, I like Iowa’s Bret Norfleet, 6’6, 263 and Michigan State’s Jack Velling, 6’5, 245 as UDFA’s. I think they get drafted late day 3 though.
BBM – Keep bringing the TE’s, we definitely need at least 1 for sure, maybe two!
BBM,
Norfleet played for Missouri. Not good enough to play TE from Iowa. 😜
That’s right. That’s why he might be late day 3 or UDFA. lol
People that do that free solo climbing are a special kind of crazy. I can’t think of a more intense activity. I get anxiety just watching it.
Or those guys mountain bike racing down a mountain.
Wow, that is pretty wild too
with wings, it’s not so scary…
bring Waller back, it shouldn’t cost too much, he’s a mismatch all over the field, and what we’ve lacked for ever
CMMC? WTF?
Sorry, CMC
Cam Miller looks to be a gamer, but that’s as a div II QB, his arm is just better than weenie armed Tua
Steve
Fuck Waller, he’s on IR and will miss this game. Who needs a part time TE? Let a guy who earns the roster spot take his.
look around the league, guys are hurt all the time, before I’m replacing him I need a true #1 and for that we either have to pay or draft one high
I like what Waller can do for the price, even with some injuries
Its not like OL, where only playing 12 games really hurts
Dolphins sign RB Donovan Edwards for season finale. He was signed off of the Washington Commanders PS.
https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-make-roster-moves-x1317
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/donovan-edwards/32004544-5732-9231-65a3-395dc57c402e
https://x.com/Marcel_LJ/status/2007144650893607087?s=20
Interesting . . .
Cam Miller looks to be a gamer, but that’s as a div II QB, his arm is just better than weenie armed Tua.
———–
Where do you get weenie arm from? I saw him throw a dime over 55 air yards. Saw another 45 yard dime where he was getting hit right when releasing the ball. He does not have a cannon for sure but think his arm is closer to Ewers and nowhere as weak as Tua’s.
the throws I saw were slow and late, kept waiting for something on a line, never saw it
Screw Waller! We need to get younger. He won’t last a full season anyway. Best resign Dulcich who can contribute enough in the pass game and can block.
sign both
I would recommend watching the movie “The Alpinist”. I won’t say anything about it, but that movie hit me in a way a movie hadn’t in a very long time. I don’t even know why. If you don’t know anything about it, don’t look anything up before you watch it.
but but how do I find out where to watch it if I can’t look it up?
He meant don’t google the movie. You can search it on your TV service, don’t read the description
I will look for it on Netflix and Prime.
My coworker said it is on Prime.
Yes
That and ‘Free Solo’ on Netflix. Trying not to spoil- they get into the Alpinist guy in real time in Free Solo.
Donovan Edwards, meh.
They should have signed RB Damien Martinez off the Packers practice squad.
Achane doubtful for Sunday. Wright, Gordon and Edward’s will be the ground game
Beer
RB De’Von Achane (shoulder) is doubtful to play in Sunday’s game against the Patriots.
Full list:
INJURIES
INJURIES
Not ideal for Ewers to be missing Achane. Even if he didn’t get a lot of touches, defense has to account for him always
Not ideal, but we can see what he can do without him.
Looking like Waddle might not play this Sunday. He’s a guy I’m 100% willing to trade. I’m really tired of these soft players. We need some dogs!
As I mentioned earlier, trade Waddle and a pick in 2027 to move up for WR Jeremiah Smith.
I have to watch him another season? Hope he still has some value
Steve – we need to change the mentality of this team. Carrying Waller on the roster and either taking up an IR spot or just being unable to play is a waste. I’m so tired of that nonsense. Some players are hurt during the season but can we please stop bringing in players that are already hurt and have a chronic injury problem? Enough of that shit, stop wasting money and roster spots. He had 3 TD’s in one game and then 3 TD’s the rest of the season. We’ll see what happens when we hire a new GM but I don’t expect he will be back with us
of course, but when you have someone, that draws attention and let others eat, you don’t discard them easily
the Dulcich td only happened, because the safety cleared the middle to double Waller
the Wease TD also had 2 guys go to Waller, one of which was the guy initially covering Wease
Rock,
I knew nothing about that movie or any of the people in it. It was a spur of the moment Streaming choice because I’ve always been fascinated by free climbing and the balls it takes to do it. I figured I’d watch. I don’t think it would’ve been the same if I’d known anything about it.
I would have sat Achane weeks ago with a “lower body injury”. Or, at the least, cut his reps significantly. All you’re doing at this point is putting unnecessary miles on his body. Why? Let teams focus on Ewers if Achane is out. Let’s see how he reacts. Give Wright more reps and just go play.
Mike – Not sure why, but two of your comments got hung up. I think maybe the ones that have a lot of links get rejected.
Probably. I usually delete the name and retype it without the link. BBM lazy.
Omar says, we should’ve always had a consultant (like Aikman), that way you let them deal with guys like Sean Payton, so the team doesn’t get tampering penalties
Confucius say… more people involved with tampering, greater the chance of getting caught tampering.
And now that it’s been publicly announced that Aikman is being paid as a consultant for us Phins, it’s not like he can deal with guys like Sean Payton in the same light.
Don’t know what Omar’s even talking about.
By the way: SMART MOVE to publicly announce Aikman is being paid as a consultant for us Phins.
Why? Because if shit were to hit the fan (it always seems to regarding Steve Ross) and Aikman was made, we’d be coughing up MORE Draft picks in the future for tampering.
Tim Knight
says:
January 1, 2026 at 9:04 pm
I understand that with hiring a GM, I just don’t understand why Aikman is the consultant…
—————-
That makes two us, Tim… I don’t understand it either: it’s not as though Aikman has ‘the pulse of the NFL’ today. I say Tony Romo has far more of a pulse today, and then ya can do even better by going with Jimmy Johnson (Aikman’s HC!) or Bill Cowher… they cast MUCH larger webs and have the same (if not way more) access than Aikman.
Like everybody else, I’m very happy we’re conducting a proper GM search… but why Aikman, of all people? It doesn’t make fundamental sense to me at all.
It’s nothing personal or anything else against Troy Aikman, but could somebody please explain to me the rationale in hiring Aikman — of all people –to be a consultant? I’m really having trouble wrapping my brain around it, seriously.
Why doesn’t he have the pulse of the NFL? He travels to every city and sees every team play, I’m sure he knows personnel on the rosters as well as front office people from teams. I don’t get why anyone would say that he’s not in touch with the game, he’s smack dab in the middle of it. I’m also not saying he’s the foremost authority, but I don’t see why you’re so sure he doesn’t. Also, remember he’s a QB, like Romo that really understands the game better than most.
Mike E,
Aikman is a color-commentator… just like 16(+) others in the sport. He’s also what, 25+ years removed from playing? The game has changed DRASTICALLY from his time. What’s more, he’s an NFC commentator (Fox Sports) who doesn’t get to see nearly as much from AFC teams.
Yes, he’s a former QB… I get that. But can he tell us about Mendoza, Moore, and Simpson? NO, he can’t… he doesn’t cover college football… but he wasn’t hired as a consultant for QB play (big point!), rather as one to find our new GM… if reports are correct.
YES… there are WAY better people out there with bigger webs who have actually MANAGED or COACHED NFL teams (see Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher). And yes, Johnson and Cowher are active every Sunday on TV, just as Aikman.
Again, it’s NOTHING against Troy Aikman… I just wonder, WHY HIM? Perhaps we’re going to sign another bridge FA QB who Aikman has seen in the NFC? But NO… this is about a GM SEARCH! He has no experience in this field!
I hope you understand what I’m talking about, man. And Troy Aikman’s only recourse/resource on this is… JIMMY JOHNSON!
So why not hire Jimmy Johnson as the consultant to begin with???
I do solemnly swear, if Steve Ross chooses Carl Peterson to be our next GM, I’m DONE with this franchise.
I’d take Aikman over Romo at pretty much anything. Romo seems like a tool. Plus, Aikman was a far better leader and QB. I’d listen to Aikman while I sent Romo out to get pizza.
I don’t get the big deal. Couldn’t Ross hire 13 consultants if he wanted? So, he’s paying Aikman for his input. I don’t see an issue.
If I were Steve Ross and I hired 13 consultants to find and vet a new GM of our Miami Dolphins, I think Troy Aikman would be #9,135 on my list.
By the way… being Tony Romo is more recent and likely has more access, I’d list him as #9,134 on my list.
does anyone remember how critical Aikman was of the Dolphins time management in the Steelers game?
I would be surprised if that doesn’t impact the offseason
But Pigster, what does that have to do with recruiting and vetting a new GM???
What you’re speaking of is a COACHING issue, not a GM issue.
M13
Peterson is 82. I doubt taking any jobs in any front office
good… GOOD!!! 😀
Steve Ross: Welcome to Miami as an advisor in our search for a new GM, Troy Aikman.
Troy Aikman: Thank you, Mr. Ross! I’m honored to serve you, sir.
SR: Tell me… what do you see in a proper GM, being you’re a color commentator of NFL games and a former Super Bowl winning QB from a quarter of a century ago?
TA: Well, I’ve got to tell ya… I dunno. I could chuck the ball like Brett Favre and I had HOFers on both sides of the ball… proper respect is due to my former teammates.
SR: But tell me how you personally assembled that team? How did you personally pick your GM? What made you decide to hone into one guy who would bring you multiple Super Bowl victories with so many great draft classed? Tell me your secrets…
TA: Dude, I’m just a QB who was lucky enough to have Emmitt Smith and the coke-headed Michael Irvin. They both have TV gigs and follow the NFL as much as I do. Why did you tab me?
SR: Because I KNOW you were the REAL GM in Dallas all along, Troy. Now, I need your GM expertise to guide my franchise forward.
TA: Mr. Ross… you at least TRIED to get Jimmy Johnson as your consultant, right? You’re asking me something that’s WAY above my pay grade. You know that, right? I’m just a color commentator these days. You know that, right?
SR: BLAST! Of COURSE I tried to hire JJ as my consultant! He hung up on me in under a minute on the phone. I was even going to fly him into Miami on my personal helicopter, Ross-2. Help me, Troy Aikman… you’re my only hope!
Now do John Lynch and Jed York 😉
LOL!!! 😆
Yeah, that one was muddy!
Sorry, the firing of the 49ers GM before John Lynch was hired!
I just can’t see the ‘angle’ of hiring Troy Aikman as a consultant to hire a new GM. Quite obviously, I hope I’m wrong… but I just can’t see the logic in it.
Here ya go, Cav Kong…
The York’s should have kept Harbaugh, fire GM Baalke, and hire GM John Lynch.
Such a huge goof to fire Harbaugh.
I’m in Niner country and I can’t think of a single friend of mine that wasn’t pissed about it.
But that notwithstanding, that organization seems to know what the are doing. They have few down years and are usually relevant.