The Miami Dolphins have interviewed and requested interviews for more than 10 potential candidates. Two of them have been Head Coaches in the NFL, Robert Saleh and Kevin Stefanski. Each and every other candidate would be a first time NFL Head Coach. In case you haven’t been paying attention, former Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh has all but signed a contract with the NY Giants to be their Head Coach, and is therefore no longer available. As the Dolphins conduct this very thorough search, there’s potential that some of these candidates are signed by other teams as there are 5 other Head Coach vacancies, the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Cleveland Browns. To be fair, the Steelers and the Ravens, two of the very best NFL organizations would have to have a leg up on the competition as each of their last Head Coach’s tenure lasted nearly 2 decades ), 19 years to be exact. On the flip side, our Miami Dolphins have gone through 6 Head Coaches during the span that both Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh were with their respective teams. If a candidate is looking for stability, Miami isn’t the place. If they’re looking for a team with a great young QB, they’ll have to look elsewhere. If they’re looking for a team with a great roster that is flush with caps space, once again, they’ll have to look somewhere else.
Thankfully, there are only 32 Head Coaching jobs in the NFL, and at this moment, there are only 6 Head Coaching jobs available. Miami most certainly has fantastic weather, no state income tax, and an owner willing to pay to win, so the salary for any potential Head Coach here will not be an obstacle. I spend a lot of time on our Dolphins, but I’m not going to tell you that I spend a lot of time watching every other NFL team and have identified the best Head Coach candidate for the Dolphins. I’m not going to use AI either (Sorry Markey!). I do have a day job that occupies more than enough of my time, so I won’t profess from my vast or really non existent knowledge of these candidates who the right guy is. That doesn’t mean, however, I don’t have preferences. I do, and for various reasons that I will tell you about.
I’m not against hiring another first time Head Coach. That being said, I’d say my first preference would be Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski seems like a no nonsense type of guy, and as usual, teams flip from one type of personality to the other end of the spectrum. Where Mike McDaniel rewards a player for having a “good practice” by allowing them to choose the music they play at practice, with Stefanski it’s unlikely they even get a pat on the back. It’s expected, demanded even that players practice well. I would put Robert Saleh, not only as the other guy with Head Coaching experience, but as a bit of a hardass and no nonsense approach. He’s not there to be the players friends, he’s there to get them ready for each game and assure that they understand their assignments and how and when to do them. Anthony Campanile, our former LB Coach also strikes me as that type of guy. I like all of them, but Stefanski would be my top choice due to his experience and success as a HC.
The next tier of guys are Klint Kubiak, OC for the Seattle Seahawks, Chris Shula, DC for the LA Rams and Jesse Minter, DC for the LA Chargers. Not going to lie, there is some romanticism when you think of having Don Shula’s grandson here as a successful Head Coach, it’s a great story. He’s a little raw, but the DNA is there, and the name is all over the history of the Miami Dolphins. Klint Kubiak has done an excellent job with Jets castoff QB Sam Darnold and a young no name WR corps. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is now a household name, exploding this season into one of the NFL’s best WR’s with nearly 1800 receiving yards and 10 TD’s. Jesse Minter ran the 9th best defense in scoring allowing only 20.0 PPG and did so with a No Name defense led on the D-line by a couple of Dolphins castoffs, Teair Tart and Da’Shawn Hand. Chris Shula had the 10th best defense in points allowed with 20.4 PPG right behind Jesse Minter’s Chargers. Shula took a young defense with some excellent recent draft picks such as DE’s Jared Verse and Braden Fiske and safety Kamren Kinchens. Now that Jon-Eric Sullivan is in place, there’s some hope that we can start hitting on draft picks, rather than wallow in misery as in 2nd year OLB Chop Robinson evaporating before our eyes, Jonah “TWOPICKS” Savaiinaea, or maybe it should be “toothpicks” as it seems that’s what it seems like his arms are as he’s routinely pancaked and turnstiled by defenders. We need talent on this roster, and we need a coach that can make the most of it.
Back to Robert Saleh, who unfortunately for him, was hired by the New York Jets, where players and coaches alike go to fail. Yes, that’s like a guy standing in a glass house throwing rocks at his neighbors, because let’s face it, we’re right there with the Jets, always. So if we discount Saleh’s failure with the Jets as being with the Jets, Saleh is a guy who continues to have success with his defenses, and this year, he did so without a talented defensive roster. The leader in sacks with only 4 was DL Bryce Huff. DE Nick Boas was lost for the season early on in Week 3, and despite not sacking QB’s, the Niners had a staggeringly low total of 20 sacks, and for perspective, our toothless Dolphins defense had 39 sacks, but allowed a lot more points than the Niners defense. Saleh is a good coach, and he will get another opportunity as a Head Coach soon, maybe even this season, and maybe with the Dolphins. We’ll see.
On to new GM Jone-Eric Sullivan, or “Sully”. Sully has his work cut out for him, and his first order of work is identifying a Head Coach he can work with seamlessly and one that he believes will have success here in Miami. We have an awful lot of holes right now, the CB’s we signed off the scrap heap are free agents, so their success last season doesn’t help us much. CB’s that are signed for 2026 are as follows. Storm Duck (who is recovering from a season ending knee injury), Julius Brents (who has a torn MCL and meniscus injury), Jason Marshall who is healthy but started only 1 game. Isaiah Johnson tore his ACL in practice in late December (not back in ’63) but may or may not be available for the ’26 season. Jason Maitre is also on the roster but a PS squad only player who hasn’t yet played in the NFL. Th,th,th,th, that’s all folks! Once again you can thank former GM Chris Grier for doing a wonderful job with the roster and the cap. Complete failures in both respects. So Sully has to remove talent in order to add it, and that likely means the departure, either by cut or trade of OLB Bradley Chubb. Chubb is due to make $23.9M next season and we can’t afford that. I hope we’re able to trade Chubb, we could use the cap space and picks too, but he might have to be a post June 1st cut in order to free up space if the latter can’t be done.
The O-line, a perennial discussion here in Miami still needs work. While LT Patrick Paul and OC Aaron Brewer seem to be inked for their respective positions, LG Jonah Savaiinaea, RG James Daniels who played all of 3 snaps for the Dolphins is a huge question mark coming off of two major injuries in a row. So Markey will tell you it’s just bad luck, but when you continually draft or sign in free agency players with injury histories, or even coming of a major injury, you then put yourself and the team in jeopardy. Well, Chris Grier lost on Jeopardy and will most likely never be a GM again after his disastrous performance in Miami. Oft injured RT Austin Jackson who played only 6 games in 2025 and only 8 games in 2024 means he’s played 14 of 34 games in the last 2 seasons. It seems the O-line will once again need to be addressed with potentially 3 spots in question for 2026.
The D-line is a better story, although not a great one. 1st RD pick Kenneth Grant was below average this season but showed some growth overall. His rookie line mates actually exceeded his play, both DT’s Zeek Biggers and Jordan Phillips, Biggers a 7th RD pick and Phillips a 5th RD pick. We’re also really set at ILB with both All Pro LB Jordyn Brooks returning along with Tyrel Dodson. At OLB, tis a sad story. Chop Robinson was practically useless in 2025 contributing 21 tackles and 4 sacks as his snap counts diminished in his 2nd season from 53% to just 44%. We have to hope whomever is HC and the DC they hire can find a way to turn that around. With so many holes to fill, you’d have to think Chop is going to play a lot of football next season. At safety, bringing back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who played well last season for us, and then potentially we’ll see if Dante Trader Jr. who flashed some last season can grow into a starter.
On offense, the big ugly void at QB is staring right at anyone who takes this job. Sorry, you can’t look at this roster and think we’re going to have QB Tua Tagovailoa under center in 2026. If whomever is hired disagrees, I may have a breakdown. The best financial path is to have a competition at the QB position, Quinn ewers would be one guy and I’d love to draft another QB in ’26, not necessarily Day 1 or even Day 2, but a player who can provide competition and have potential to start if necessary. Listen, I’ve said it a bunch of times, if Tua Tagovailoa wants to get himself into awesome shape and come in here with the attitude that he’s willing to play to win, not to “not get hurt” and put his body on the line within reason, then I’m cool with him being part of the competition, but nothing can be handed to him, no way, no sir! He must earn that spot, and in addition, the other 2 QB’s on the roster MUST BE PREPARED TO PLAY, because even if Tua wins the job, how long he lasts if he does play to win, or how poorly he plays if he doesn’t, the other fellas better be ready to go!
WR and TE are two glaring holes. You have to believe that WR Tyreek Hill and his bloated salary has played his last game in Miami, if not the NFL altogether with such a gruesome knee injury. Jaylen Waddle is pretty much middle to bottom as far as #1 WR’s go. We definitely need talent to add to Waddle and the two Washington’s (Malik and Tahj), as well as resurrect Nick Westbook-Ikhine, and then develop Theo Wease. Malik looks like a solid slot WR, but we need someone to threaten the defense on deep balls and red zone balls like 50/50 balls. I though NWI was that guy, but McDaniel could never get him involved after having a career year with the Titans in 2024 with 9 TD’s.
Once again, Sully has a tough assignment ahead of him. He must identify the the right Head Coach candidate and then hopefully that candidate accepts the job. Then he has to find the time to comb through the roster and the cap situation and get prepared for Free Agency, where we can only pick up scraps as we are OVER THE CAP right now. He has to evaluate the roster and prepare for the upcoming draft and form a draft board with his new Head Coach, but ultimately, Sully will be responsible for the draft and making those choices with input from the HC, but the choice is Sully’s to make and will reflect on him and him only. It’s one of the reasons I’m so pleased we cleaned house, there will be no finger pointing here, one man is responsible, the wait it has to be. In that regard, we have done well, and I pray as a long time Dolphins fanatic, that we continue to make good choices
GO DOLPHINS!!! GO SULLY!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Wow, ok, don’t hire Saleh, lol.
lol
Saleh might be off the table
but I hope they are taking a real good look at Kubiak
^
It really doesn’t matter who we hire as HC. We did it right with the new GM. I’m pretty sure not many knew who Mike McDonald was as a HC.
This is such a weird post.
It never ends with you does it?
I was looking at the Packers draft history. They seem to do well in the mid rounds and day 3.
2025 draft 6 of their 8 picks have played in 9 or more games and that includes 2 players drafted in the 6th and 7th rounds.
2024 draft 7 of their 11 picks have played in 17 or more games
2023 draft 7 of their 13 picks have played in 40 or more games, 10 of the 13 have played in 21 or more games and 9 of those 13 picks were day 3 picks.
2022 draft 8 of their 11 picks have played in 47 or more games, all 11 picks have played in 13 or more games and 7 of the 11 picks were day 3 picks.
Well, BBM is getting his snow again. It’s snowing like crazy right now.
I got my fix. I snowed heavy for about 2 hours. It didn’t start sticking until the last half hour, maybe a little over a half inch on the car.
Nothing stuck on the ground though, just everything above ground.
I don’t think of it as good ole boys rubbing elbows. If I was hired to be a manager of an Optical store and I was conducting interviews of people and wasn’t necessarily blown away by any of the candidates but knew what I had in a guy that I previously worked with, I’d probably go that route.
On that same token, I had hoped we would hire someone else just so we don’t have to talk about it here, and then fans on X start a pitchfork march to hate the GM because he hired his “buddy”. It could still happen, nothing has been decided yet as far as we know. In fact, we haven’t even had a press conference introducing Sully yet.
I agree with you Mike E. Some, might say, you go with what you know and that doesn’t mean you caved or didn’t do your due diligence.
It seems like Sully is doing that, at least from this vantage point.
…doing his due diligence
Krishna – Right! He interviewed a whole bunch of candidates, probably learned a lot doing that, got some great experience and realized that the guy he knows has as good a resume as the other candidates. I don’t have a problem with it.
Mike E,
I’m also surprised people are so down on Hafley. One bad game doesn’t make all the others the past two years inconsequential. That would mean LaFleur would be in trouble from that game and Jimmy Harbaugh after they flopped in the playoffs the past two years. That Chargers game was hard to stomach. At this point, he’s at least as qualified as any of the other ones, so why not? It’s not like the Dolphins job is a great one. It’s one of the worst available.
I like Klint mainly because of his dad, not what he’s done so far. I have as much info on Jesse Minter as I do either of the previously mentioned ones. Joseph is a great DC. I love Joe Brady. Lots of solid coordinators out there. For me, which coach can get the best coaches to come here? Whoever that is? That’s the dude I want here.
I understand hiring people who you know, especially if they’re really good at their job. It’s worked out a few times in the league, but it’s mostly failed. The NFL is a small club and they’re usually familiar with each other on some level.
I’m not down on Hafley because of 1 game.
I look at his history, especially compared to the other candidates and don’t see him as strong as MInter or Kubiak, especially when it comes to making adjustments or consistency of the units they have coached in the past.
I’m not going to say I know how people will turn out, but I have a strong record of the people that I have liked over the years, especially players. I take the data in and form the opinion from there based on the probabilities of success.
If he’s hired, I’ll support him and hope for the best like every other candidate, but looking at everything out there, I don’t think he’s the best candidate on the list. It looks like he’s at the top because of his connection to the GM.
These are my thoughts as well. I hope if he is hired it is because they see him as the right guy, not because of a one year connection: that could be the lazy way.
Conversely, when John Schneider the GM for the Seahawks hired MacDonald, they had no previous working relationship. Then MacDonald eventually hired 2 guys as his OC and DC without any prior working experience. He focused on hiring guys with shared coaching philosophy, teaching ability, and culture fit in addition to any skills they might have had. Schneider had no working experience with Pete Carroll either when they were both hired, even though Pete was hired first.
Ross is still the owner of this team and his record so far has been abysmal with his decision making so I’m not giving him the benefit of the doubt on this GM hiring. He has to earn his trust along with Garfinkel and Oates.
Nepotism or close forms happen in real life all the time. It’s actually very common. The NFL circle is very small and close knit. All of us tend to lean towards what we know and are comfortable with. People hire cousins, nephews, grandmas, friends and whatever all the time.
I guess I trust that this kid wants to succeed. This is his chance to do what, I assume, he wanted to do…run a team. I assume he’ll do everything he can to be successful. We’ll find out pretty quickly if he knows what he’s doing.
BBM,
Hey, there’s plenty of that filthy white stuff on the ground here. You’re more than welcome to come and take as much as you like back to Florida! Lol
FWIW – Harbaugh is taking OC Todd Monken with him to the NY Giants.
Note on Hafley – He did interview with 6 NFL teams for their HC job. He also has HC experience in college for 4 years with Boston College. He’s run a team, so that’s a good thing, even if it was a College team.
He wasn’t good at Boston College though and a lot of those criticisms from his HC college position continued to his role as a DC.
Note on Mike E – Yes, Mike E is also trying to cope with the fact our GM is probably going to hire his colleague from GB, and while I don’t think it was a mistake, I really wanted him to hire outside just to take this angle of negativity out of the equation
I’m with you on this
but the reality is – who knows
it’s really hard to predict
Why do we have to rip apart a decision that hasn’t even been made yet? Lol
I don’t think I did anything close to ripping it, I’ve defended it.
Yeah, no one is ripping it. People are giving their preferences and observations.
“Everyone else is doing it” isn’t exactly a solid argument either.
MikeE,
Not meant for you or anybody specifically. I include myself. This is what we do! None of us have a clue what will happen or how it will all turn out…but we do what we do. Lol
@flasportsbuzz
ESPN says the Dolphins hiring Hafley Monday night, after fulfilling Rooney Rule in the hours before, is now a real possibility. The old “don’t let him leave the building.” As I noted yesterday, agent for another candidate said other candidates realize that’s who their target is.
Mike E.
says:
January 18, 2026 at 11:50 am
FWIW – Harbaugh is taking OC Todd Monken with him to the NY Giants.
———–
This was expected to happen, in case anybody didn’t already know. It was one of several reasons I wanted to land Harbaugh.
Monken worked wonders with Lamar Jackson (2024 NFL MVP season)… imagine what he could have done for Quinn Ewers and/or our future franchise QB (let it Byrum Brown!). Now, imagine what he WILL do for Jackson Dart.
The G-Men are on the rise.
Sorry, Josh Allen won the MVP in ’24. Lamar got hosed. I was looking at Lamar being the All-Pro #1 QB in ’24.
Nevertheless, Lamar did win the MVP in ’23, with Monken being his OC.
sb7mvp
says:
January 18, 2026 at 11:31 am
…Ross is still the owner of this team and his record so far has been abysmal with his decision making so I’m not giving him the benefit of the doubt on this GM hiring. He has to earn his trust along with Garfinkel and Oates.
———–
100% agreed.
However, you misspelled Hall… and “I Garfinkeled your mother last night, Trebek”. HaHaHaHa!!!
Signed, Sean Connery
I want them to hire Jim Bob Cooter just because of hi name
Then we can trade for Kayshon Boutte to go with Willie Gay.
Probably need Dicker the Kicker too
MF13,
There’s was a girl comedy duo called Garfunkel and Oates which is who I was referencing along with Tom Garfinkle.
https://www.youtube.com/@garfunkelandoates
Never heard of them, but I just checked out some of their videos. They’re funny!
Anyone here have a Mac PC? Wondering if anyone here who knows what the fuck they’re doing has “upgraded” to OS Tahoe. TIA
Interview with Sully from Dolphins Official Website
https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/jon-eric-sullivan-outlines-vision-team-building-philosophies
From another X account guy that I follow. In the entire 15 minute interview, he doesn’t mention Tua once, for those of you who think Gimpy McTurnover is going to be handed the starting job!
Also (from my own observation) stresses BPA in the Draft
GO TEXANS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
I asked yesterday where’s OD, today we found some old coins
where’s OD, anyone know?
I dunno either… I hope he and his wife are doing alright.
Watched the Texans play once this year. I came away with a WOW(!) regarding their Defense. It’s been some time since I got WOWED by any Defense like theirs.
They can easily win this… if the elements and the zebras don’t screw them over.
And just like that, the Texans let me down. SMH
Earlier in the Texans’ drive, it looked to me as though Milton Williams led with his helmet, right into Woody Marks’ helmet… resulting in Marks’ helmet flying off.
Why was Milton Williams not penalized for that obviously egregious hit?
I mean, Marks is lucky he wasn’t concussed on the play.
My bad… it’s the Patsies* playing at home in the playoffs. Of course the zebras won’t flag them. SMH
How is that an INT? Two feet didn’t get down, and one knee down doesn’t equal two feet down… just ask any runner trying to score a TD. Once the knee or shin goes down, play is dead.
These new rules are SO blatantly fucked up. #FireGoodell.
It’s always been a rule. John Madden has a book called one knee equals two feet
So one set of rules for Offense regarding in-bounds, another set of rules for Defense regarding in-bounds, and enough BS that the zebras need to ‘interpret’ the rules for any given play.
If the shit was black-and-white (the RULES), nothing would ever need to be subject to ‘interpretation’.
The NFL is turning into pro wrestling… and Las Vegas just loves it. SMH
And in the meantime, we have a Supreme Court Justice who can’t even define what a woman is. She needs to ‘interpret’ the US Constitution. SMH
I didn’t see the play, but the rules are the same for offense and defense. one foot and one other body part
NFL catch rule (offense and defense)
To complete a catch (receiver or defender intercepting a pass), the player must:
CavalierKong
says:
January 18, 2026 at 3:55 pm
It’s always been a rule. John Madden has a book called one knee equals two feet
———
But is it a rule, or was that just John Madden making a quote? For example, Troy Aikman said, regarding the play in question, “they say one knee equals two feet”.
He wasn’t quoting the rule book, he was quoting John Madden’s opinion.
huh? It’s a rule. It’s always been a rule. Pretty much any body part other than hands and feet equals two feet.
I’m not trying to be difficult, I just honestly don’t know for a fact that it’s a rule.
CavalierKong
says:
January 18, 2026 at 4:07 pm
huh? It’s a rule. It’s always been a rule. Pretty much any body part other than hands and feet equals two feet.
———
I trust you on this, CavKong. Thanks!
Now then… there are plenty of plays over the last many years that need to be reversed!
#1 on the list…
This is about going to the ground, not about getting two feet down. It’s two completely different things.
And this play is when they ending up defining the whole needing to survive going to the ground thing because prior to this it was more ambiguous.
NFL catch rule (offense and defense)
To complete a catch (receiver or defender intercepting a pass), the player must:
That isn’t right. Another body part counts as two feet, i.e. you don’t have to get a foot and a body part down if you say, land on your ass or back.
This is from the NFL football operations sight:
SECTION 1 – FORWARD PASS
ARTICLE 3. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS
A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds:
https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/completing-a-catch/
*site
I dunno, gentlemen. I see a LOT of room for improvement being there’s a LOT of ambiguity regarding the rules.
And we’ve ALL seen it over the years, can’t deny it… especially in the playoffs.
Perhaps my examples suck, but that doesn’t discount that there’s been plenty of BS calls in recent years.
And y’all cannot tell me that our Phins haven’t been fucked by BS calls over the recent years!!!
So allow me to ask a question. Did the NFL change the rules regarding our pre-snap motions in ’23, or did they just not enforce the rules that were already on the books?
Either way, it’s criminal.
I think it was a re-interpretation of existing rules.
Good grief Stroud
Now that Nix is out and Stroud has 10 INTs in the first half, anyone else going to be shocked when the Pets get back to the Super Bowl again?
smh, 25 years and we cant win a single effing playoff game and the effing Pets are already back in the thick of it again after moving on from Brady and Belicheat.
Kraft >Ross
Kraft >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ross
lol
I stand corrected, lol.
Well Kraft does like his happy endings
LOL!!
😆
lol
Yeah, CJ Stroud is having an abysmal day, to put it lightly.
Is that Naughty By Nature performing at halftime? I think so!
Treach and Vin-Rock in the house!
My bad… RIP, Vin Rock.
OH, fuck me. Vin Rock isn’t dead.
CJ Stroud looked so good his rookie season
He’s still good, Mike E. He just seems to have post-season jitters. Ya know… kind of like some guy named Tua.
Then he’s not good enough!!! Same goes for Tua
Another effing turnover.
nvmd he down
7 TOs
8 TOs
I thought Maye was tucking the football away.🤣
Mike E,
Ever hear of Danielle Hunter? LOL 😉
YES! You and I BOTH wanted to sign him when he hit FA!
Instead, we gave up a 1st round pick for Bradley Chubb and signed him to for MEGA $$$.
Grier history. Thank goodness he’s gone
WOW, what a catch!!@
Incredible
Stroud getting his receivers hurt
Stroud has regressed and is holding the Texans back.
So, a few minutes ago, Troy Aikman stated that he didn’t understand why the Patsies* were taking so much time.
Um… Troy? They’re trying to eat clock with the lead. So happy you’ve been involved with our GM and HC search there, guy.
I can’t believe how stupid some people can be.
And now, Troy Aikman just kissed the ring of Robert Kraft… stating how great an owner he is. Yet, he skipped over the abysmal years between Tom Brady and Drake Maye.
Methinks Troy Aikman forgets (yeah, like he wouldn’t forget) that CJ Stroud is without Pro-Bowl WR Nico Collins, he lost Dalton Shultz early in today’s game, the O-Line is without several starters, the elements are against a Texas team, and the zebras certainly didn’t help CJ.
And… CJ isn’t healthy.
“YEAH!”, says Steve Ross! “I want Troy Aikman part of my selection team for GM and HC!”
If Troy Aikman was SO great with internal management, experience, culture, and linkage… don’t ya think somebody from another team would have picked his brain well before 2026?
I’m just sayin’, y’all. C’mon, don’t be stupid.
IT WAS AN EPIPHANY! It came to Steve Ross in a dream one night… TROY AIKMAN is the KEY to VICTORY!
GTFOH
He DID mention all of that.
To open the game? Yes, he did. Seems he forgot about as much as the game went on.
Or, CJ Stroud was way overhyped by the NFL to begin with.
^
Hate to imagine Tua playing in that weather.
I really hope Chicago and Wallace get crushed.
Regarding Sully and how he will build this team, it was mentioned about going BPA. That is true but it’s a little more than that. They passed on some players who were considered BPA for one reason, they had a lower RAS score than they liked.
I looked at their past draft last night and it was a lot of guys with high RAS scores. What’s BPA to most of the rest of the NFL world is not necessarily their BPA. As I posted last night. They have had a high success rate on players drafted on day 3. They did this grabbing the guys with high RAS scores.
Also, the bigger they are with high RAS scores is almost a given. I would look for big OL with high RAS and same with edge. Perfect example is GB Edge Rashan Gary, 6’5, 277, 9.95 RAS score.
I think Bain is gone by the time we pick but I am going to keep an eye on the RAS scores for edge guys like Keldrick Faulk 6’6 285, TJ Parker 6’3 265 and Dennis-Sutton 6’5 265.
Guys, I’m honestly not trying to pick on Troy Aikman; I don’t hate the guy or anything… I’m scrutinizing Steve Ross for his continual messed up decision-making.
Prove me wrong, and I’ll relinquish. Until then, it’s 45-0 in the 4th quarter with 2:00 minutes left, in favor of M13.
I miss Old Dolfan… hope all is well with him and his wife.
Mike E and fellow admins,
Surely you can reach out to Old Dolfan, right? Many of us truly respect that cat and hope all is well!
BBM,
What’s RAS?
Jimmy Johnson told Ross during their conversations to pick Aikman’s brian on the GM search. Ross didnt just do it on his own.
I heard that as well yes
I suggested we draft that punter from Iowa. The kid killed it for the Hawkeyes.
Don’t know much of Hafley, but this article here really put some things into perspective. So no, I don’t think it’s because they’re buddies. I think he’s probably going to be a pretty decent head coach. 🤞🤞🤞
https://dolphinstalk.com/2026/01/we-need-to-cut-the-cord-on-the-jeff-hafley-misinformation/?fbclid=Iwb21leAPaVZ9jbGNrA9pTQWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHkFUpVfDE8dyAiPj-lM7166zt9ReIaxIWageOLse6mmvKtyiNtfdMumIIFNb_aem_3BsDYFfr2JfHEHPF-Jwvzw
lol Did he read our blog and write this article in response? The author seemed personally attacked about comments on Hafley’s haircut.
RIGHT?! I read the article, and then got caught up on our blog and the whole time I was reading the comments, I couldn’t wait to post the article 😂
What’s RAS
Relative Athletic Score
I guess they like good football players who are super athletes over just good football players.
I guess that also means combine/pro day #’s matter to Sully.
How I take it if you have RT A who has given up 0 sacks and a few pressures who grades the same as RT B who has given up a couple sacks but is a much better athlete they go for RT B.
You know who’s going to have a high RAS? My two favorites, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles. LOL
BBM,
Gotcha, it’s basically another way of evaluating what “best” means. BPA doesn’t necessarily mean the best football player. It might mean best athletic option too. “Player” is relative. Hell, “best” is relative. Lol
I bet Tindall had a great RAS. It’s not all about athleticism. I hope they are a bit less myopic than that.
Ballsy choice by the Rams to play it that way.
Wow, what an unbelievable play by Williams
Williams has shown his growth
What a game
^
I hope they are a bit less myopic than that.
——–
I am sure they are.
Their 2022 draft, first 4 rounds:
1st round – ILB Quay Walker, 6’4, 241, RAS 9.63
1st round – Devonte Wyatt, 6’3, 304, RAS 9.60
2nd round – WR Christian Watson, 6’4, 208, RAS 9.96
3rd round – starting RG Sean Rhyan, 6’5, 321, RAS 9.35
4th round – WR Romeo Doubs, 6’2, 201, RAS 8.28
4th round – starting RT Zack Tom, 6’4, 304, RAS 9.92 ridiculous for an OL
All 6 of these picks in the first 4 rounds of the 2022 draft are starters.
That’s hitting on your picks!
Also, 4 of 5 starting OL they drafted themselves, 3 of them in 2022.
LT Rasheed walker, 2022 7th round, no RAS
LG Aaron Banks, F/A from 49er’s
C Elgton Jenkins, 2019 2nd round, RAS 9.32
RG Sean Rhyan, 2022 3rd round, RAS 9.35
RT Zack Tom, 2022 4th round, RAS 9.92
bills suck.png
Thanks Kong!
https://x.com/JJapman/status/2013089370543186069?s=20
From Sully, not exact but something like, in cold weather fast gets slow but big doesn’t get small. But, we won’t sacrifice speed, explosion and skill for big stiff guys.
I texted Mike E a clip of that quote last night. He goes on to say that this theory starts at the QB position as well.
Here is the full interview:
Pieguy posted an article above. This line ruined everything that was written above it.
His Packers defenses are aggressive and attacking, utilizing a four-down Wide-9 front that expresses penetration from single-gappers, backed up by super-athletes at the second level who can run and chase.
I despise the wide nine! It is an invitation to be gashed up the middle all day long.
Bills fired McDermott
Sean McDermott FIRED!!!
Piggy!
I love it!
Fuckin’ aye!
absolutely love that
bailbondmike says:
January 19, 2026 at 3:02 am
in cold weather fast gets slow but big doesn’t get small.
__________
You better tell that to Constanza.
LOL
I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or bad thing McDermott was fired. I still am not sure if he has held the Bills back or gotten the most out of them. I mean, Allen had 4 TOs against Denver.
I can see McDermott going to the Ravens or Steelers.
Hopefully we hire our head coach this week. I would think Buffalo ( the team with Allen, not the city) is a more desirable coaching spot
They could probably bring Daboll back. Who are you hoping we hire that the Bills could get? McDermott’s probably the top name on the market right now so he won’t be going back there.
I don’t have anyone in mind, but I’m sure the dolphins do. I just don’t like the idea of the Bills needing a HC at the same time
Aside from the SF vs SEA game, this whole playoffs has been pretty fun to watch.
I don’t see anyone beating Seattle. That defense is a beast.
Yeah, I think whoever wins the NFC is going to be the SB winners.
What would be wild is the Rams vs NE in the Super Bowl just like Brady’s first one. If the league is truly rigged, that’s the way it’s going to go.
Pretty shocking they fired McDermott. He made their team relevant. Back to the desert with them then.
We don’t want mercenaries
https://x.com/MattInfante/status/2012962541018718349?s=20
Rockphin Tradey Pants (I couldn’t help it LOL)
27. T.J. Parker EDGE Clemson
45. A.J. Haulcy S LSU
58. Isaiah World OT Oregon
61. Chris Brazzell II WR Tennessee
87. Gennings Dunker OT Iowa
90. Eli Raridon TE Notre Dame
111. Devin Moore CB Florida
115. Kevin Coleman Jr. WR Missouri
149. Carson Beck QB Miami (FL)
227. Riley Mahlman OT Wisconsin
2027 LAR 2nd
2027 LAR 4th
2027 SF 2nd
Still got 3 2nd round picks in this draft while adding two more for next year. FIVE 2nd round picks in two years looks pretty good…
I have no idea if our new GM has what it takes, or if our new HC will. But I look forward to having a different architect and a different approach than we’ve had the last decade.
With that in mind, I’m getting pretty excited reading about the things our GM is saying even though I know the proof will be in the pudding.
He’s seen the right way to do it, so I believe it. When it came to Champ Kelly, he came from two bad organizations when they were doing poorly, and although he might have the right idea of how to build a team, I like a guy who has seen it first hand and been part of the process. He has drafted well, so I believe he can do the same here. It’s amazing what a difference it makes when you have a well rounded team with a good roster and depth.
It should be interesting to see how he handles out QB mess and if he puts emphasis on the trenches.
We need to jump on the Sean McDermott firing
Rockphin
says:
January 19, 2026 at 9:30 am
I love it!
blah, blah, blah
every GM or coach says something similar, started watching his interview, then quickly turned it off, not falling into that trap again (until I do) of believing what’s said
Oh you’re definitely gonna fall for the trap lol
do you guys think we should pursue McDermott
I tend to think we should. Veteran coach – still hungry
kind of reminds me of when Philadelphia let Reid go. Reprove playoff appearances but can’t get to the next level
seemed like the team really wanted Hafley but maybe there’s a chance…
Josh Allen has 20 turnovers in 15 playoff games
only 6 interceptions (and an impressive 29tDs)
but he has a ton of fumbles (14)
I think blaming McDermott for the postseason woes is a little questionable
also a few weeks ago I mentioned the possibility of McDermott and the Bills parting ways and was shot down
The NFL isn’t what it used to be in terms of coaches security
teams are making changes
as long as you have guys like Vrabel tuning around the patriots fast after going a 1 year coach and teams having success after firing veteran coaches (Philadelphia won 2 super bowls after firing Reid) we are going to keep seeing this
This headline made wonder about how and why players are the way they are.
“NFL winners and losers: C.J. Stroud is broken”
The mistakes we saw from C.J. Stroud were high school level.
He was the “next coming” and now he is a bust…
I’m not sure I want McDermott. What would the Bills be w/o Josh Allen? Nothing! They live and die by him, always.
maybe, but McDermott a D coach has had a great D more times than not, and always been tough, when it matters most at the end of games
OK, maybe against KC, that year, that prompted the OT rule changes, but you get the point
Soooo, do you guys think they are going to move forward and hire Hafley after his “second interview” this afternoon, or do you think they may chance losing him by waiting to interview McDermott?
As Hafley has a 2nd interview with the Titans on Tuesday and the Titans have Hafley as a finalist, Miami wants to ensure he never takes that interview.
I don’t think they let him leave. They do the interview and hire him ASAP
they are satisfying the Rooney Rule earlier in the day, so if they want him, they’ll get him.
It is being reported that Miami really wanted to have an in person interview with Shula, but could not until today because he is still under contract. (January 19th being the day when coaches still under contract can interview in person) he MAY miss out or MIAMI may miss out on Hafley if they want to wait to have the in person interviews…
I’m all in on McDermott, if we could some how lure him in, it would be great
talk about culture change, before he coached the Bills they were the team with the longest playoff drought
if you were a Bill’s fan, what would you be saying about us signing him?
I was thinking Sunday morning about Buffalo firing McDermott, not sure what prompted the thought, but said to myself they’d never do something that stupid
Of the coaches left I really don’t have a preference. I just don’t want them to miss out on Hafely (if that is the guy they really want) by waiting to interview McDermott. I want them to finalize the HC hire so they can get the best coordinators possible. (those guys are interviewing NOW for other positions) Plus I want to have the staff assembled asap so they can get on the same page as Sully. (Do they play 3-4 or 4-3, do they want athletic Oline or road graders, etc?)
If McDermott is available, they need to find out ASAP, what his intentions are, if he’s not interested, then get Hafley signed
if McDermott is interested, he’s the top priority
stealers and ravens, both bringing in weaver, for second interviews.If either signs him as head coach, we get two third round picks, hopefully he signs with one em
Douglie says MM to interview in Buffalo, how funny would it be, if they switched places
I’d rather go with Hafley than McDermott
I just want to pull off the band aid already. LOL I don’t know anything about Hafley but the article that Pieguy posted said he likes the wide 9, which I HATE.
At this point, they reset as per my demands so I am just going to route for whomever they hire.
Yeah man seeing that “wide 9” had me cringe a bit!
Rock – I honestly think Hafley will be hired. There won’t be any other interviews, as long as they’ve completed the Rooney Rule requirements. Did they interview Kelvin Sheppard yet?
The Dolphins have completed their head coach interview with Detroit defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, the team announced early Monday afternoon.
Kyle Krabs is saying he bets there will be an announcement today that we have hired Hafley.