OK FMU, the schedule is out and that means it’s time to start thinking about “The Fest”. We took a one year hiatus last year, and rightfully so. The direction of our team last season clearly downward under Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel and the mascot for not how to play to win but try and stay healthy, QB Tua Tagovailoa. All of them gone, ALL OF THEM!!! Just like our cap space, which is at rock bottom, the roster has been purged, and purged and purged some more and then we added lots of players, some drafted, some undrafted, but there will be a huge influx of young talent on this roster. To me that’s exciting. I think Sully and Haf have given us a corps of players to root for and I’m genuinely excited. Sully and Haf have preached they want a physical football team that can play anywhere in any kind of weather and this year’s schedule will put that to the test!
We will have plenty of cold games to prove that this team can play anywhere, beginning with a late November game up in Week 11 at Buffalo 11/22. If that’s not quite cold enough, how about playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 20th? The cherry on top of the Sundae (Sunday?) will be the season finale against the New England Patriots at Gillette Field in Week 18 which is yet to be determined when it occurs, but it will likely be pretty darn cold up in Foxborough. What we won’t have this season, and it’s fine with me is a lot of real hot games in Miami where the heat will be our home team advantage. Week 3 on 9/27 at home against the Chiefs will be the best game for a chance of sweltering and swampy weather. There will only be one game in October, Week 5 against the Bengals. 2 games in November, but the temps will have subsided by then, and the heat advantage is no longer significant at that time.
All that is fine with me, this is a rebuilding year, a culture change season where we more than likely will not be contending for either a divisional crown or even a wild card berth, unless we really shock the NFL. Vegas likes us winning no more than handful of games, and some sites have us less than 5. We won’t be tanking this season, but even if things go better than expected, I don’t believe we’ll be winning more games than last season. I’d be pleasantly surprised if we did, and you’d have to give major props to both Sully and Haf if we do after turning over nearly the entire roster in one season. What’s great for me is I have no expectations. I won’t be holding this team accountable for any particular win total, I just want to see that this team is no longer soft, I want to see us compete and that means at every position and every facet of the game. I want a tough team, one that other NFL teams won’t look forward to playing. I truly believe we were the type of team that teams felt they could bully and dominate. I want opposing teams to say “Oh fuck, we’re playing the Dolphins this week, they really bring it”. This was a soft, pathetic team, born from their Capri pant wearing buddy Head Coach, who didn’t really command the type of respect a Head Coach should get. Also, a QB who was playing not to win every play but instead to stay on the field and play out the entire season, a QB who never stepped out of the comfort zone or put himself in danger in 2025.
Did we do enough to fix the O-line, a problem that has plagued this team for what seems like a decade? I feel very comfortable with the left side of the like with LT Patrick Paul and LG rookie Kadyn Proctor, and of course with borderline All-Pro C Aaron Brewer. Where it gets muddy is the right side. Last year’s 2nd RD trade up Jonah (2 picks) Savaiinaea will be moving to RG, and then RT will go back to Austin Jackson, who played in only 6 games last season. Clearly, the right side has lots of question marks, will Savaiinaea not be a turnstile on the right side and how many games can RT Austin Jackson give us? If Jackson misses time, will rookie 1st RD pick Kadyn Proctor move to RT or do they keep the rookie at one position to make things easier and then have one of the veterans like Charlie Heck or Jamaree Salyer move to RT? I know what I would do, I’d move the rookie Proctor to RT and give us a nice pair of bookend tackles in Paul and Proctor, and then either OG DJ Campbell or maybe Jamaree Salyer can take over the LG spot. I almost feel like it’s inevitable that Jackson will miss time, he’s missed 20 games total the last 2 seasons. It’s almost as inevitable as Tua sliding a yard or two short of a first down on a 3rd down only to watch him pop up in celebratory fashion and do the “First Down” arm gesture.
For those of you who think we’re going to tank this season, that’s NOT how you change the culture. They’ve done what they can in one season infusing the roster with players they believe want to be here and want to work and will adapt the tough personality of their Head Coach Jeff Hafley. Tanking is not the way to change the culture at all, they will be striving to win. Whether we have enough talent to execute wins remains to be seen, but we will not be laying down to try and secure a top 5 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean it won’t turn out that way, but I would not be surprised if we win as many games as we did last season, 7. What are your thoughts? Do you think I’m crazy and we’re lucky if we win 5? Let me know, I want to hear about it . . .
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Reports are the Lions wanted to trade up to #14 and select OT Proctor but the Dolphins selected him instead at #12. Can’t be confirmed, but the Lions did pull out of the trade when Proctor was selected by Miami.
The Lions were targeting OT as they ended up staying put at #17 and selected OT Blake Miller so there could be some truth to that.
I saw that video. It doesn’t matter, we wanted him and we took him.
We don’t need no stinking validation!!
Tankathon has the Dolphins picking #1 overall. I don’t see that happening, but anything is possible. Their 2 round mock they have us taking:
#1 QB Arch Manning, Texas
#33 DT Ahmad Moten Sr, Miami
That would be a very nice start to a 2027 draft. Moten is a beast in the middle!
I think I am leaning towards Dante Moore over Arch Manning.
I am still really undecided. Dante Moore didn’t do that well in both games vs Indiana throwing for 3 TD’s to 3 INT’s and sacked 9 times. He was also shut down by the likes of Wisconsin and Iowa though they did win those games. He’s not much of a runner either.
They both only have 1 decent season to go by. We will see this year.
If I want a runner I will hand it to the running back. I know some of you guys love the running QB. I do not. They never last. Give me a big guy who can see over his line and drill the ball 60 yards off balance. Not some guy that runs for 40 yards per game. That’s just me I guess.
the point of a running QB is to extend plays and get the all important 3rd downs, running in the 4th qtr
We will see how Moore looks after this season. I am just very wary of the hype about Manning. Eli was only ever mediocre, although he has the same amount of rings as Peyton.
Thanks for all the nice messages, I replied to each. And keep in mind not like I died. Well I did at one point, but you get the idea…… 🙂
The Dolphins will also look at a handful of second-year players to make an impact in 2026, particularly on the defensive line. Defensive linemen Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers each demonstrated growth during their rookie seasons. Now, it’s about taking the next step.
“Those guys did a really good job,” Hafley said. “They worked hard. A lot of them were here before we even started – they were here when I got here, so they seemed to never leave. They did a really good job in the weight room. They have been doing a good job in the weight room with Todd (Hunt). I think Austin (Clark) has done a really good job coaching those guys, and we’ll expect them to take a step, just like we will with everybody.”
BBM,
”by the likes of Wisconsin and Iowa”? You can’t mean the Iowa who has consistently been one of the best defenses in college, did you? That Iowa? 🙂
LOL I felt this reply coming.
Yeah, I would have said the same thing about his shot at Wisconsin, but they have not really been that good the last few years. LOL
Rock,
I agree. I’ve said before that I really don’t need a running QB. I want a guy who can control and manage the game from the pocket. As long as he has enough mobility to avoid the initial rush, I’m good.
Obviously it never hurts to have a guy who can do both, but I still don’t want my QB running much at all. I get that nobody can touch QBs anymore, but running still increases risk. Smart coaches don’t expose their QBs anymore than they have to.
Randy, I know and agree. I thought about it right after I clicked to post. lol
BBM,
I’m just busting your balls. As a team, we’ve sucked….but our defenses have been really good. I have watched Moore a few times. I won’t say he impressed me, but I like what’s there. I’m not sure what’s between the ears.
I haven’t seen much of Manning, but I thought he looked pretty mediocre. Not a final take, but great pedigree ain’t enough.
steveccnv
says:
May 20, 2026 at 3:21 pmReport
the point of a running QB is to extend plays and get the all important 3rd downs, running in the 4th qtr
There are some on this board who have stated the point of a running QB is to open up the running game with RPO’s and make LB’s pause before making a play on the QB or RB. I don’t want my 50M per year player running with the ball and adding that risk to the normal QB risk. It’s nice when they do it occasionally, but I don’t ever want a system that expects the QB to be running into LB’s and Safeties on purpose.
he hasn’t been that type of QB, and I don’t expect it in Miami
Achane isn’t an RPO style RB either
I guess we’ll see
Well the Shanahan offense is not known for using RPO’s historically either.
I don’t think Arch or Moore are better QBs, than Malik
film study on Malik they say, well he should’ve thrown the ball here or there (it would’ve been better) yet instead he threw a safer pass for 20 yards or ran for 20
The team just officially announced TODAY that they have signed Achane to an extension. We knew about it last week, what was their hold up? LOL
Achane’s pen does not move as fast as his feet
Hey FMUers!! Twice was kind enough to update the Stanger Fest Poll, it’s at the top of the page. If you plan on attending, please vote for the date you prefer so we can get things moving. Thanks!
I’m just busting your balls. As a team, we’ve sucked….but our defenses have been really good. I have watched Moore a few times. I won’t say he impressed me, but I like what’s there. I’m not sure what’s between the ears.
I haven’t seen much of Manning, but I thought he looked pretty mediocre. Not a final take, but great pedigree ain’t enough.
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I knew you were BB, but Iowa does have consistently good defenses. No question about that.
For me, Moore has to be able to take over a game. Haven’t seen it yet vs a good opponent. Manning needs to become a much better passer with accuracy and consistency.
This is why in my few 2027 mocks I have taken Jeremiah Smith 1st overall then a QB in the top of the second. Guys like Mensah, CJ Carr and Maiava.
watching both live I wasn’t 1st pick impressed. Manning highlights are impressive
I am not going to vote in the poll, I would prefer the Nov 1 Pats game because it’s a division rivalry, but really any of the dates work for me because I’m local.
I see that the Bengals game has received all the votes so far and I’m fine with that. I may even take vacation again this year and stay down in Hollywood again to party with everyone, not just on Sat / Sun.
the schedule (teams were playing, 9 away games) is brutal, the scheduling is brutal (playing 6 games where our opponent has more rest, 4 possible snow games)
Is it a blessing? During the 2027 draft it will be, and we shouldn’t have to even think about tanking
at this point its hard to find more than 3-5 wins
it will be like a honeymoon stage this year, effort will be there, competition will be there, as will focus
if this were the 2027 season with these same players we’d probably all be talking plffs, but its not, we need more experience
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. was arrested Friday and accused of speeding and reckless driving in Georgia, the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office told ESPN on Wednesday.
According to notes taken by a member of the sheriff’s office that night, Smith was clocked going 135 mph in a 70 mph zone on the interstate at 10:41 p.m., a representative said.
Smith made bond and was released about an hour after he was booked, the sheriff’s office said.
That amounts to “Felony speeding” in GA. Ask my ex-wife how I know. LOL
Teams best and worst deals/picks: Dolphins
Best: Signing Joshua Uche. The Dolphins are starting a lengthy rebuild. Though Miami unsurprisingly moved on from a number of veterans, including Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, their only significant signing in free agency was Malik Willis. Greg Dulcich signed a one-year deal for $3 million, and every other one of their free-agent signings was a one-year deal for at most $1.5 million.
What teams like the Dolphins have to offer these veterans is opportunity. For Uche, that might be very appealing. He produced 11.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss with the Patriots in 2022 and appeared to be on the verge of potential stardom, but it never really came together. Uche didn’t do much over two ensuing years with the Pats and Chiefs, and he signed to be a rotational player for the Eagles last season; the former second-round pick was on the field for only 244 snaps, managing one sack and three knockdowns.
Uche is still only 27, and he has had success at one of the league’s most important positions. Even in those limited snaps with the Eagles last year, Uche showed surprising power to drive tackles backward, especially given that he’s listed at only 227 pounds. There probably isn’t a superstar in the making here, but Uche could be a useful player if given the opportunity, both now and for several years to come. That’s a good bet to make, especially given that he’ll make just $1.4 million in 2026.
Teams best and worst deals/picks: Dolphins
Worst: Not getting big value on De’Von Achane. I don’t really think the Dolphins did many controversial or unreasonable things this offseason. Trading Jaylen Waddle was one of the few decisions that seemed debatable, and I felt like Miami came away with good value for its top wide receiver. All of the major releases the Dolphins made were logical, and signing players for the minimum can’t really go too wrong.
And frankly, if the Dolphins were going to hold onto Achane, I thought general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan did well to get a deal done with his star back last weekend. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are both likely to sign new contracts this offseason, and when they do, they are likely to reset the top of the RB market to somewhere north of $20 million per season. Getting Achane for $16 million per year was reasonable enough, and I love what he can bring to the table in the right offense.
Are the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Dolphins likely to be that offense? I’m not really sure that will be the case. Achane is coming off a career year in which he averaged 5.7 yards per carry and sat out only the final game of the season. His slight build is always going to raise questions about durability. Achane also thrived under Mike McDaniel, who might be the best run-game designer in the league. And his numbers were significantly less efficient without Tagovailoa on the field. Over the past three years, Achane averaged 0.1 EPA per rush attempt and a 45% success rate with Tagovailoa, but that fell to 0.02 EPA per carry and a 40% success rate with any other QB on the field.
The Dolphins aren’t likely to field much of a passing attack anytime soon, and Willis probably will shoulder some of the rushing workload, which will combine to limit Achane’s ability to impact games. He’s a very good running back, and it’s reasonable for Sullivan to see Achane as a core component for the Dolphins moving forward, but I don’t know if these Dolphins will be able to get the most out of him. Achane could have thrived elsewhere. If the Dolphins could have landed a second-round pick for him, I would have preferred to see them move on and try to land the next Achane in the middle rounds of the draft over the years to come.
I don’t think I would have taken a 2nd round pick for Achane.
Is it me, or does the author totally contradict themselves? The WORST was not getting good value for Achane, and the rest of the article lauds Sullivan for only paying $16M per and getting it done before Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs signed.
I know.
He did start out saying, “I don’t really think the Dolphins did many controversial or unreasonable things”.
So, he really couldn’t find anything to label as worst which is a good thing.
By the time Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are resigned, Achane will be what the 5th highest paid.
These writers also keep forgetting about Jonathan Taylor is in the last year of his contract and needs to be resigned.
the next Achane, like he’s a dime a dozen player
I didn’t realize it was such a bad year for drafting a RB. Only 3 RB’s were drafted in the first 3 rounds. Both ND RB’s went in the first round and the 3rd RB wasn’t taken until pick 90 in Kaelon Black. Only 5 RB’s were drafted in the top 160 picks which was middle of 5th round.
Glad we kept Achane, it would have been another hole to fill.
@AaronWilson_NFL
Former #Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. is signing with the Miami #Dolphins per league source after successful tryout
Camp fodder for OTA’s until Achane is ready. He’s 27 and never player an NFL regular season offensive snap and only active for 2 games getting 21 snaps on ST (11 snaps in 2024 and 10 snaps in 2025).
The Miami Dolphins announced today they have signed tackle Marques Cox and running back Carlos Washington Jr.and waived tight end Jalin Conyers and guard/tackle Braeden Daniels.
Conyers cut. I guess with Dulcich, Kacmarek and Traore he’s expendable
https://dolphinstalk.com/2026/05/the-jeff-hafley-teach-tape-nfl-miami-dolphins/
Here is a nice puff piece for you.
Man, Jalin Conyers and Braeden Daniels were MY GUYS. Of course, I ‘drafted’ both of them for a system that is now long. I wish both of them luck where ever they end up.
Chargers will snatch up Conyers with MM there, maybe.
I think Marques Cox was one of those guys who spent 6-7 years in college. I thought he was IOL.
Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams reached agreement Thursday on a one-year, $55 million extension, sources told ESPN.
The deal for the star quarterback can rise to as much as $60 million with incentives, sources said.
Stafford is now tied to Los Angeles through the 2027 season, with $105 million remaining on his contract.
Detroit signed linebacker Jack Campbell to an extension through the 2030 season, the club announced on Thursday. The new four-year deal is for $81 million with $51.5 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
The $20.25 million annual salary over the extension is second among off-ball linebackers, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner($21 million per year) and just in front of the Baltimore Ravens’ Roquan Smith($20 million).
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What’s the price tag on Jordyn Brooks now?
Probably priced out of being a Miami Dolphins player
I was praying for he Dolphins to draft him in 23 but Detroit took him at the end of the 1st.
He could be traded, I don’t see us giving him a huge contract
I think that’s why they drafted Rodriguez.
It would be great to have both of them playing together, but it seems like we probably won’t be playing the 3-4 base much with two inside LB’s, so one of them would have to move outside. I’m sure that can be done, but will either of them be comfortable seeing action from a totally different perspective with different responsibilities? We’ll see what happens
We have Brooks, Dodson, Rodriguez, Willie Gay, Jackson Woodard and tweener Kyle Louis at ILB.
Woodard is another one I hope takes that next step.
Of all the players on the roster, I think Brooks stands the most chance to be traded. Dodson has been the QB of the defense and gets everyone lined up.
next year Rodriguez will have that job
GB, like Pitt are next man up teams, thats not a good sign for Brooks
NEW BLOG UP!!!!