Could DeVante Parker be the odd receiver out?

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On Tuesday August 24th, the Miami Dolphins announced they had waived WR Isaiah Ford, waived/injured WR Robert Foster and placed Lynn Bowden Jr. on injured reserve, ending his season.

 

The WR room currently consists of:

-Devante Parker

-Will Fuller

-Jaylen Waddle

-Albert Wilson

-Jakeem Grant

-Preston Williams

-Mack Hollins

-Kirk Merritt

-Malcolm Perry

-Khalil Mclain

-Kai Locksley

 

While the WR room and the roster as a whole is not set in stone yet as things may change throughout the week leading up to cutdown day.

 

I expect a move by the Dolphins to trade one of these  Wide Receivers off for compensation, here’s who:

 

Devante Parker

 

We all love Devante Parker, when he’s healthy, the team has slated him as the primary WR on the field. Since 2015 Parker has 298 receptions, 4212 yards, and 22 touchdowns; furthermore the bulk of them coming in 2019. 

 

However, Parker has shown an inability to stay healthy; his lone season was in 2019. Tua has shown he’s able to place the ball to Parker efficiently and is a weapon to be used. And yet, Parker has been in a red-no contact shirt at practice multiple times for fear of another injury. If the Dolphins fear of another injury to Parker what could it mean about his availability for next season?

 

The Dolphins have good depth in the WR room to not be reliant on Parker, so why keep him?

 

Miami could trade Parker for assets, especially for the offensive line if help is needed, as it appears it may be. There are several receiver-needy teams that could use Parker as a weapon on the outside, such as the Saints and the Lions. The Dolphins could reel in an pass protector or a mid round draft asset for Parker.

 

Also, Miami has a potential out after this year with Parker but it comes with a steep cap around $12 million. The Dolphins would be able to shave his salary off the books to potentially extend tight end Mike Gesicki or defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.

 

Or maybe give Xavien Howard a new contract at the end of the season, after restructuring his deal to keep him happy for this camp.

 

The Dolphins have not been emotional in roster decisions. It has been all about business since the Chris Grier era.

 

Modern day offenses are changing before our eyes. Parker may be a great contested catch type of WR, but we know that is not Tua’s biggest strength. 

 

Instead, what Tua may need could be WR’s who can be contested catch guys, but win their battles separating from the defender and gaining yards after catch. After all, that is who they brought in with Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle.

 

There are several WR’s next season that can fill the DeVante Parker role next season in the draft. Some of these guys could be but not limited to: Zay Flowers (BC), Ty Fryfogle (Indiana), Jalen Tolbert (S. Alabama), Reggie Roberson Jr. (SMU) and Christian Watson (NDSU).

 

Not to mention, Preston Williams, Mack Hollins and Kirk Merrit could fill DeVante Parker’s spot on the roster and make him expendable.

 

This could happen between now and the trade deadline, or not at all. But if it does, don’t be stunned. 

 

Follow new Five Reasons Sports contributor @HussamPatel on Twitter. 

Goldie’s NFL Rundown: Who Wins the QB Battles?

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With the NFL season right around the corner, a handful of teams still haven’t decided on a week one starter at quarterback. The quarterback is the most integral member of the football team, so let’s take a look at who these teams should turn to at QB come week one:

 

Patriots: Cam Newton vs. Mac Jones

Throughout the first two weeks of preseason both the rookie and the vet have looked sharp. In the Patriots 35-0 win over the Eagles, Newton looked much more like Panthers Cam Newton than he did all of last season. Newton went 8-9 with 103 yards and a TD, but what impressed me most was his athleticism in the pocket. He showed good command of the offense and threw the ball accurately to receivers.  However, the rookie came in and had a very impressive showing in this game also. Jones threw for 146 yards on 13 completions on 19 attempts. His statline should’ve been stronger too had it not been for multiple drops by Pats receivers. Jones looked comfortable in an NFL setting, which is a great sign for Pats fans moving forward. That being said, I’d still give week one and the majority of this season to veteran leader Cam Newton. He’s had a year to learn the system, and he actually gets OTAs and a preseason this year to fine tune the offense before the regular season. I think the feeling in Foxborough should be that Cam is the guy for this season but Mac Jones is the Quarterback of the future. Let Newton mentor Jones for a season, let Jones develop for a year and see what Cam can do for another season. ‘

 

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49ers: Trey Lance vs. Jimmy Garrapolo

Of all the QB battles in this list, this one is the easiest decision in my opinion. The Niners should start Jimmy G and groom rookie Trey Lance for at least one season. One of the main reasons the Niners traded up and drafted Lance had a lot to do with the health of Garoppolo. When Jimmy G is healthy, the Niners have shown they are a very competitive football team. Many forget that Jimmy G led the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance just two seasons ago. The Niners led in the 4th quarter of that Super Bowl, so Jimmy G has already proven he can win with this team and this coaching staff. On the other side of the coin, Trey Lance hasn’t played football in over a year. His last season at North Dakota State was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although it’s no secret Trey Lance has immense raw talent, the kid needs more reps to become truly NFL ready. The Niners should look to keep the starting job with Jimmy G until he gives them a reason to take it away from him. 

 

Bears: Justin Fields vs. Andy Dalton

The Bears surprised some people by moving up in the first round of the draft to get Quarterback Justin Fields, but I think this was the perfect move for Chicago. Their QB room has been a revolving door for years now. So they got aggressive and went out and got a hard working midwest kid that fits Chicago’s culture perfectly. Fields was a stud at Ohio State, and Bears fans are praying that his raw talent will translate to the pros.  So the question is do they start Fields immediately, or let him develop for a season under Andy Dalton? In most cases, I would side with letting the Rookie develop under the veteran QB, but this Bears situation is a little different. Andy Dalton is in the twilight of his career, and he hasn’t shown much through two preseason games that shows he really belongs as a starter in this league. We saw this last season in Dalton’s time with the Cowboys too. He was put at the helm of that loaded Cowboys offense and still couldn’t produce results. Another thing working in Fields’ favor is the showing that the Rookie put on in his first preseason game versus Miami. Fields’ stat line was very solid going 14/20 for 142 yards and a TD through the air to go along with 5 rushes for 33 yards and a TD on the ground. His playmaking ability was evident in this game, while Andy Dalton looked old and weary. Dalton’s time in this league is quickly coming to a close, while Fields is eager to prove he shouldn’t have fallen out of the top ten picks.  It seems that Fields already gives Chicago the best chance to win games right now. Not to mention the fans have already started calling for Fields to be the starter. Both football wise and brand wise Fields is the answer this season for Chicago. Start the kid week 1!

 

Broncos: Teddy Bridgewater vs. Drew Lock

Denver brought in veteran QTeddy Bridgewater to create some very real QB competition for Drew Lock. There’s also been many rumors floating around about a possible Aaron Rodgers trade. I don’t buy into those too much, as it seems Green Bay is sticking with Rodgers for this season at least. With the Rodgers rumors squashed, this makes for a very interesting competition in Denver. Especially interesting because Lock looked better in preseason week one, while Bridgewater looked better than Lock in week two. Both have shown they can play in this league, but neither have taken the step to the next level. With all of that considered, expect the job to be initially given to Lock. It simply comes down to one thing: potential. Lock is entering his third season in the NFL. A third season for a Quarterback is looked at by many as a “prove-it” year. That’s exactly what the Broncos and Drew Lock are looking at this season. In his first two seasons, Lock has shown flashes of greatness, but hasn’t been able to put it all together. By about 8-10 games into the season, the Broncos should know whether or not Lock is the guy. If Lock fails to meet expectations early in the season it will be clear for Denver that it’s time to move on from Lock. The Broncos drafted Drew Lock, they should see it through for one more season. However, adding proven veteran Teddy Bridgewater to the QB room definitely adds even more pressure to 3rd year QB Drew Lock. That pressure is very necessary though, expect Lock to have a very short leash with Denver this season. 

 

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Saints: Jameis Winston vs. Taysom Hill

If Winston didn’t already have the job, he definitely proved he deserved it in his showing Monday night versus the Jaguars. Jameis solidified his role as starter by throwing two beautiful bombs to Marquez Callaway for TDs in the first quarter of this contest. Then Taysom Hill came into the game and the Saints offense struggled to move the ball. However, this doesn’t mean Taysom won’t see the field this season. Saints coach Sean Payton should continue to spot Hill in certain situations like he’s done for the past few seasons. Hill does his best work when he can catch the defense off guard, but when Hill comes in as a traditional every down quarterback the defense can do more to prepare. Jameis Winston gets the starting job, but Hill is definitely still an important member of this Saints offense. 

Miami Dolphins

Fresh Perspective: Miami Dolphins depth best it’s been in years

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Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has a very difficult job ahead of him.

It’s never a fun time when coaches have to break the hearts of players trying to make the cut for an NFL roster. Now that struggle will be magnified as there are so many players deserving of a roster spot. The Dolphins wide receiver corps, for instance, is the deepest it’s been in years. Nearly every player has managed to stand out in one way or another. Just going down the list, it’s easy to see the talent.

  • Will Fuller
  • DeVante Parker
  • Albert Wilson
  • Jaylen Waddle
  • Preston Williams
  • Jakeem Grant
  • Mack Hollins
  • Kirk Merritt

Consider that isn’t even the whole list. Lynn Bowden Jr. was placed on injured reserve during the team’s mandatory cut down on August 24. Even then, there are still more receivers who if/when released, teams will likely be eager to put in a claim for them. Even without those other players, that’s still eight different players that the Dolphins have to choose from to round out their WR corps. One could say that given the fragility of these players, it wouldn’t be hard to justify keeping seven receivers, maybe even all eight since Fuller won’t be available in Week 1 due to a suspension.

But even then, it perfectly illustrates the problem that the Miami Dolphins have on their hands. There’s too much talent. They can’t keep everyone.

However, this is the best kind of problem to have. Obviously having too much talent means that once the roster is finalized, the depth on the team will be the best it’s been in a very long time. That bodes well for when – not if – injuries start to plague the team. It inevitably happens to every team, and it will happen to the Dolphins too. Something may happen to DeVante Parker, so Preston Williams can step in.

If something happens to Preston Williams, then Mack Hollins can take over. He and Tua Tagovailoa have developed a very real rapport over the past few weeks in camp and in preseason.

If practice and preseason has shown anything, it’s that Tagovailoa is making it work regardless of who he throws the ball to.

That’s just one of many positions that are turning out to be much deeper than anyone could have dreamed. Let this be the real testament to what GM Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores have accomplished since starting the rebuild in 2019.

Take a look at the secondary. By far, this is the strongest unit on the Miami Dolphins defense. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are the stars of the show, with Eric Rowe acting as a tight end eliminating safety. After that? Things are surprisingly fluid. This doesn’t mean, however, that there are no defined roles. In fact, that in and of itself is the strength of the Dolphins defense. Who is doing what? It’s the opposition’s best guess.

Nik Needham returns, better than ever as an amazing reserve player. He developed from nothing into one of the fan favorite players with his sheer force of will. Good thing Brian Flores knew what he was looking at, because almost everyone wanted him gone back in 2019 after his pitiful preseason as a rookie. Brandon Jones is back a hard-hitting safety, and then they add veterans Justin Coleman – an excellent slot corner – and Jason McCourty, who can play corner and is now working as a safety as well.

That’s not even mentioning rookie Jevon Holland, who is already turning out to be a home run pick if early signs are any indication.

Now take a look at the linebacker corps. Obviously the headliner is Jerome Baker. But then take a look at his teammates. Andrew Van Ginkel came on strong last season and proved to be a playmaker as an edge rusher. He’s projected to starter. Then the Miami Dolphins traded Shaq Lawson to the Texans for veteran linebacker Benardrick McKinney. He’s already proving to be an excellent run stuffer that they sorely needed.

Speaking of run stuffers, last year’s starting LB Elandon Roberts is back, but now as a reserve player instead of a starter. Also, Sam Eguavoen – who started for the Dolphins back in 2019 – had himself a career game with four sacks in the preseason against the Falcons on August 21. He’s a backup and a core special teams player now.

Think about that for a moment. Players who were starting for the Dolphins not too long ago are now backups. And it’s not necessarily because they were demoted for lack of performance. Both Roberts and Eguavoen had their moments while starting in Miami. It’s just that the Dolphins found even more talent that eclipsed theirs. It doesn’t negate the already existing talent, it simply builds off it.

The roster’s depth keeps going deeper. On the defensive line, there are so many awesome players that some starters are having to practice with the second team just to make sure they get some snaps. Emmanuel Ogbah, Christian Wilkins, Adam Butler, Zach Sieler, Raekwon Davis, John Jenkins. That’s six defensive linemen that can rotate in and out almost seamlessly. Sieler, Butler and Wilkins can all line up as a defensive end when needed. Davis and Jenkins are built to stop the run up the middle. One of them needs a break? No problem, call on the others to take a few snaps.

That is the definition of depth.

Now to be fair, it’s not perfect at every position. There’s no star at running back, it’s a committee. They’re good, but not necessarily great. It remains to be seen what their ceiling is. At tight end there’s a significant drop off from Mike Gesicki to the likes of Adam Shaheen and Durham Smythe. Will Hunter Long eventually reach that point? The Miami Dolphins can only hope.

Finally, there’s the offensive line. The bane of GMs and coaches coming to Miami for the past decade and a half. Miami’s been trying to create depth there for a long time, while failing to make a stable starting five in the process. This year, the offensive line is struggling again. The hope is that Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley, Michael Deiter, Robert Hunt and Liam Eichenberg all develop. It’s a bold strategy, and one can only hope it pays off for them.

The fact remains that overall, this is the deepest Dolphins roster in a very long time. Coming from New England, Brian Flores is well-acquainted with the next man up philosophy. That’s exactly what he brought to Miami. It’s easy to say, but not easy to execute. Some players are simply more talented than others. Fortunately, it looks like there’s enough talent so that if the worst happens, the Miami Dolphins will be ready to adapt.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for seven years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

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Myles Gaskin

Myles Gaskin: Dolphins Weapon X in the Passing Game

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The Miami Dolphins have a ton of pass catching options on the current roster.

Perhaps too many.

However in today’s NFL, attrition and competition usually thin the herd. The Miami Dolphins offense now possesses newly energetic play calling and a quarterback trending towards high expectations. Some say a quarterback’s best friend is a solid running game. A solid running back who can move the chains through the air might be his best man.

That’s where Myles Gaskin comes in.

Myles Gaskin: Not just a check down guy

The first play on the clip above is a quick three-step drop from Tua Tagovailoa, who is going to Myles Gaskin right away. Then Gaskin quickly turns up the field and scampers untouched for a huge gain, looking effortless in the process.

On this next clip, the pocket breaks down around Tagovailoa, but there is no panic. He steps up and buys time, while Gaskin stacks the linebacker like a receiver would on a corner. One quick 90-degree move later, it’s a house call for Gaskin as he scores the touchdown.

Gaskin tied for the team lead with four receptions Saturday against Atlanta.

Last season while appearing in just 10 games, Gaskin caught 41 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns.

With a more featured role this season, he should easily surpass those numbers.

A lot of people critiqued the Dolphins for not taking a running back high in the last two drafts. Maybe the organization simply feels they already have a true number one running back in Myles Gaskin, who can hurt teams on any down. It should be interesting to see the running back rotation and how their skill sets are used.

Like Liam Neeson, Myles Gaskin has a very unique set of skills.

Those skills should be put to the test often this upcoming season.

 

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Eric Rowe admits Chan Gailey’s offense “really wouldn’t let Tua show his arm”

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For much of the offseason, a civil war has broken out amongst #DolphinsTwitter.

Some believed that Tua was handed the raw end of the stick, being tied to a 68-year old offensive coordinator. Others believed that was an excuse. “iF a 17 yEar vEt lIkE rYaN FiTzpAtRiCk cAN dO it, So CAn a RoOkIe” some old head on Facebook probably said.

Many see the flaw in that. But we won’t make excuses.

Nevertheless, there has been this narrative since the beginning of days that Ryan Fitzpatrick had a different playbook than Tua Tagovailoa. Or at the very least, he was handcuffed by Chan Gailey—who admitted he burned all of his old football stuff to start over fresh. (That’s like me opening a restaurant or getting a food truck but beforehand nuking every recipe I know. Hell, I have a goldfish brain and I’d probably remember most of my memories. Did Chan?)

Today, Dolphins safety Eric Rowe basically confirmed what many of us already believed. And that is that last year’s offense was as vanilla as those gross wafers you can buy at the grocery store.

Now there will still be folks that believe Tua Tagovailoa was an utter failure a season ago. I tend to understand he wasn’t perfect. It was this year that was always going to show what quarterback the Dolphins truly had under center. And early on, I think we’ve seen a different player than what we did a season ago.

Tua Tagovailoa is heating up like Larry Johnson in the OG NBA Jam

Through one week, without pads, Tua Tagovailoa has looked #moneymoneydingdong. He’s looked decisive, accurate, and has displayed a big-a$$ rifle for an arm connecting on one big play after another. Tuscaloosa Tagovailoa as some may call him.

And he’s been doing it with a variety of different receivers.

Most impressive, The Samoan Southpaw hasn’t thrown an interception since last Wednesday and continues to get better and better. Like a nice bourbon barrel stout.

Now the real test is tomorrow when teams put the pads on for the first time.

Chan Gailey is gone and the handcuffs have been removed. It’s now time for Tua Tagovailoa, and his new arsenal of weaponry, to go out there and light the sky on fire.

“Siri, play Outkast: Bombs over Baghdad”

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Miami Dolphins Camp Notes Day 5 (Tua, Hollins, Needham, more)

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This is day 5 of camp, and day 2 of fans in the stands, but the news was made before this practice started as Head Coach Brian Flores offered some optimism on Xavien Howard by commenting that “Contract talks are going in the right direction.” So there is that. There was also a loud “We love Howard” chant that emanated from the stands today, so we know where this whole saga stands with the fans.

Tua Tagovailoa. This is what you call a “strong camp”, so far. He has full mastery of the playbook it seems, and his decisiveness is noticeable. The offense is also much more aggressive and resembles a Dolphins pass offense from 1994, hunting big plays, taking shots, and putting constant pressure on the safeties. There is a deep element on almost every play, and all the safety valves are threatening (Waddle crossers, Jakeem drags, etc.). Tua had another big day statistically, as he grabbed TD’s on every Red Zone Install portion. Tua is coming off his first read, and whipping it to all levels. It’s now been several days of this, so this must be a feature, not a bug. His confidence is in full display each and every practice.

Nik Needham. This is a guy to watch. Nik Needham is quietly putting together a very good camp and has several impressive 1v1 snaps versus Jaylen Waddle in 6v8 drills. That alone is impressive. With the absence of Xavien Howard, Needham has been pressed into duty at several positions, and he is showing a strong leg up on the on going battle at slot corner. We have an early favorite for the Nickel guy, and it’s Needham as the slot corner. His technique is not only solid, but he seems leaner, longer as an athlete. Good start to camp.

Mack Hollins. Mack Hollins is not only finding the end zone often in red Zone install, he is putting some good reps together in 11v11 as well. Hollins had an impressive inside release on the goal line and caught a TD versus 1st team zone coverage, he then beat Byron Jones on an RPO. Hollins on this day, found himself lined up everywhere, including some reps at where you might find Mike Gesicki who is out due to the Covid protocol. He gets my Practice MVP today due to the sheer volume of plays, and his consistency across the board while being asked to do plenty.

 

 

 

Solomon Kindley. The starting offensive line as of now is (from left to right) Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg, Michael Dieter, Robert Hunt, Jesse Davis. Kindley is finding himself on the 2nd and 3rd units as the LG, and RG. He does however have a saving grace. Pads have not come on yet. They do go on Tuesday (Tomorrow). Once that happens, we can begin to talk about depth charts, and doghouses. But for now, Matt Skura has a battle at center on his hands, and Kindley has lost snaps to Liam Eichenberg.

Defensive Line rotation. This has taken shape. The edge rotation is essentially set. It’s Emmanuel Ogbah working strong side duty with several guys spelling him, while Andrew Van Ginkel and Jaelen Phillips work the weak side. On the Phillips front, he did not practice, but there was no noticeable physical issue and he was not wearing any protective padding as he watched practice. Adam Butler floats from 3 tech to 5 tech on several fronts, but the 6 to 9 rush belongs to the Ogbah, AVG, Phillips group.

Practice MVP: Mack Hollins
Struggled: Matt Skura (hello, competition)

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Miami Dolphins Camp Notes Day 2 (Tua stars, Griffin, X, more)

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Day 3 of camp, and the intrigue has just begun. Xavien Howard stretches,then leaves the field. Then returns. Then is seen all smiles with Jason McCourty. Then watches practice. Does a little coaching. Then it is revealed he has a “minor” injury. Exhausting. Moving On!

Tua Tagovailoa. This was a good day. A Strike to Gesicki in traffic, a well placed wheel route for Savon Ahmed for a huge play. Another 65 yard touchdown on a deep corner route to Albert Wilson. Tua Tagovailoa was really sharp today. His Red Zone install work was also very good with very few negative plays. He had very good chemistry with Myles Gaskin on option routes, and those two were a terror near the goal line. This was likely his best practice of the last two training camps.

Byron Jones. Tua Tagovailoa tested Jones on a 9 route with Jaylen Waddle,and the ball was on the money. But so was Byron. Pass break up. With McCourty floating around different units, and Xavien Howard being wherever Xavien Howard is, Byron Jones exhibited great leadership on the field on this day. His play was also a standout on a day where the offense seemed to have a step on the defense. How quickly people forget that at the time of signing, most football people thought Byron Jones was a better cornerback than Howard. He might have to prove that once again.

Albert Wilson. Ok, I might have been wrong. Any thoughts/takes about Albert Wilson possibly being cut are quickly evaporating. With the absence of DeVante Parker (PUP, but he was out there today), and whatever physical issue Will Fuller is dealing with, it has been Albert Wilson, Allen Hurns, and rookie Jaylen Waddle to the rescue. Albert Wilson has also started a streak. Wilson has consecutive practices with 65 yard touchdowns on deep routes. Today’s on a deep corner route, that he ran in for a TD and then emphatically spiked the ball. Tua and Albert have a connection early on, and it doesn’t look like it will go away anytime soon. Oh, did I mention, he almost had two 60+ yard TD’s today?

 

Shaquem Griffin. What a breath of fresh air. Huge smile, giddy while answering questions, and will crack a joke or two. His availability with the media was a hit today, but his play is getting notice. He plays fast, fires off the edge like a shot, and has shown an ability to get into his zone in pass coverage with the kind of ease that only Jerome Baker usually displays. He looks the complete football player, they will find a role for. Some good special teams play in the preseason could land him a roster spot, as Griffin has a very useful look to him. Arrow up. Excited to see him in pads come Tuesday.

Mike Gesicki. Enough with Hunter Long already. Maybe Mike Gesicki feels the same way? He sure showed up today, stretching the field deep down the middle, hauling in a tight pass from Tua Tagovailoa for a big gain. He also made a good attempt on another pass where Tua led him too much toward the boundary. Gesicki was looking dangerous today, and reminded all, that he won’t lose his grip on targets anytime soon. Big standout day for Mike. After practice, he also took some extra work on the Juggs machine, as he caught 50 balls from each side (left, right). Welcome to training camp Mike Gesicki.

Practice MVP: Tua Tagovailoa
Struggled: WR Unit (health)

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

Xavien Howard reported to Miami Dolphins training camp but his contract demands remain unresolved.

Pressure Point: Miami Dolphins prepare for vital season amid Howard, Watson rumors

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Mission accomplished for the Miami Dolphins on Day 1 of training camp in preparation for a season of staggering expectations in South Florida.

All the draft picks are signed. Everyone reported.

That was no small accomplishment given all the hand wringing about whether their best player, disgruntled All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard, would show up. And whether he’d be traded.

Howard checked in on time.

Even making mega-millions, who wants to get docked $50,000 a day? Howard wants to make mega-more, not less.

Later, Howard posted on social media that he is unhappy with the Dolphins and has asked to be traded.

Makes sense for Howard to show up, learn his way around the new Baptist Health Training Complex adjacent to Hard Rock Stadium and let his agent hash out his contract situation with Dolphins GM Chris Grier.

“We’re excited to work with X and all the players that are here,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Tuesday morning. “Those conversations, his representation, Chris, myself, those like always are going to be internal, confidential and we’ll keep it that way for all players. We’re excited to have him, I’m excited to work with him. He’s a great player.”

All draft picks signed

The other thing Flores said of note on reporting day was that second-round pick Liam Eichenberg has signed his rookie contract. Eichenberg, who will vie for a starting role at tackle, was the last of the 2021 draft picks to do so. Tight end Hunter Long, a third-round pick, entered the fold one day earlier.

Although the Howard issue is far from resolved, his presence did provide a diversion from the Deshaun Watson speculation. At least for a moment.

The Dolphins have once again been linked to interest in the controversial Texans quarterback following reports that Houston is now willing to trade him — provided they get a king’s ransom in return.

Watson, like Howard, reported to camp this week to avoid daily fines comparable to a year’s pay for many wage earners.

There is a significant difference in the considerations of trading for these two star players. There are now 10 women who have filed criminal complaints against Watson. Eight of them are among 22 women who have alleged in lawsuits that Watson sexually assaulted them or engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior during massage sessions, his attorney told ESPN.

Did we mention that despite the legal obstacles to Watson’s future, the Texans are reportedly seeking as many as three first-round draft choices as part of a total package of five high draft picks or starting-caliber players? Such is the rumor.

That there is evidence of interest by the Dolphins in Watson despite the steep price and legal questions shows how vital Flores, Grier and the rest of the team’s leadership regards this season.

Five questions for Miami Dolphins training camp

Front office under pressure

One way to look at that is with excitement for Dolfans that management is motivated to do whatever it takes to improve on a 10-6 season and not only get to the playoffs but to contend for a Super Bowl. No small objective in a division chasing a bonafide championship contender in the Buffalo Bills and the New England Belichicks who spent heavily in the offseason to reverse a post-Brady flop.

In my view, there’s too much risk with Watson. Can’t argue the talent, though.

Obviously, Dolphins’ interest in Watson, if genuine, reflects on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has so much to prove in season two and every reason do so: another year removed from that major hip injury, a full offseason immersed in an offensive system now focused on him and a much speedier receiving corps to target.

So the questions surrounding the Dolphins going into training camp will center on Tua and how he meshes with new receivers Jaylen Waddle (first-round draft pick from Alabama) and Will Fuller (veteran deep threat who played with Watson in Houston) while rumors of possible comings and goings of Howard and Watson swirl around.

But there is a lot more to watch as this Dolphins team takes shape in the preseason, as there is so much that goes into lifting a team to an elite level.
Is the talent on this Dolphins roster enough to achieve that?

A lot of attention will be paid to 2021 first-round picks Waddle and Jaelan Phillips, the buffed former Miami Hurricanes’ pass rusher, as well as Eichenberg and Long for immediate contributions.

High draft picks must deliver

Previous draft classes need to up the ante as well. Not only Tagovailoa, but offensive linemen Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley need to improve on rookie potential while Noah Igbinoghene, Raekwon Davis and Brandon Jones must do likewise on defense.

Meanwhile, Christian Wilkins, Myles Gaskin and Andrew Van Ginkel, in their third seasons, and Mike Gesicki and Jerome Baker in their fourth, should be moving into their prime as major players.

This is the progression and these are the players Flores and Grier have staked their jobs on.

It’s easy to see why all options are on the table that might help this franchise break through the glass ceiling hanging over it for two decades.
They haven’t won a playoff game since the 2001 season. Owner Stephen Ross is 81.

There’s no more time to waste.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

Dolphins schedule

THE EXTRA YARD: 5 Questions for Miami Dolphins Training Camp

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As Training Camp starts, we finally get some answers to the questions that have built up over the offseason. While we had an idea, we didn’t have a real firm grasp on what to expect, once real football arrived. I take a deeper dive into the 5 most intriguing questions, we are seeking answers too during training camp.

How has the Offensive Line settled?

They drafted Liam Eichenberg. They moved 2nd year man Robert Hunt to right guard. They signed Matt Skura as the starter at center. DJ Fluker is in great shape, after coming off a couple of well above par NFL seasons. They return two promising 2nd year players in Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley. How does this all mesh? You gotta figure Jackson starts at LT. Hunt at RG. Skura at C. RT and LG is up for grabs and all three players (Eichenberg, Fluker, Kindley) can play either. This is before mentioning that Jesse Davis is still here, and does have a shot at grabbing one of these spots. This is the most intriguing battle of training camp, and could prove one of the most important factors to winning.

How do they use Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller?

Is it as simple as one is a diagonal threat, and the other a vertical threat? Is Waddle used as a HB more, does he begin to take Jakeem Grant’s jet sweeps, reverses, design passes? Does Will Fuller build on his elite 2020 season? All good questions, but you have to think the acquisition of both was to fill the design of what will be a new passing game, complete with real “roles” for all involved including DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson. My strong guess is that this will be a much more fluid and fast offense, with more switch releases, crossers/drags, with shot plays built in with every pass play.

What kind of command does Tua Tagovailoa have of the offense?

How quick is he in the huddle? Is he decisive within the offense. Does he take the deep shots when there? Most importantly, I want to see how he reacts to certain coverages, and how he processes checks when teams blitz him (which they will). His play in camp, as well as his dress rehearsals in the preseason will give us some answers in short order. I think the Dolphins will build in some two level concepts (one window, one lane, two routes, one medium, one long) as Tua did excel with those at times last season. The amount of RPO’s they call will also be interesting.

What does the rotation at defensive end look like?

The Miami Dolphins don’t have traditional “defensive ends” as most teams. They have guys to fill roles from 6 to 9 tech, as the Tackles tend to play everywhere from 0 tech, to 3 tech, to head up on the tackles as a 5 tech. What is usually fluid, is who rushes outside in their scheme, and who gets the duty outside on the rush on their multiple fronts. Emmanuel Ogbah, Jaelen Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel, Vince Biegel, with some Jerome Baker thrown in, figure as players in these roles. Who gets the snaps? Who is more effective? Strong indication, that Phillips and Ogbah have the inside track, with AVG as the situational guy on 3rd downs, as Van Ginkel could be executing A Gap blitzes along with Baker.

Who, plays where, in the secondary?

We know who plays the boundary (Howard/Jones). At slot corner, you have options everywhere, including using Byron Jones who has excelled as a slot corner in the past. In fact, Byron Jones has also played Free Safety effectively, so the versatility is there. Nik Needham, Justin Coleman, have a legitimate battle there, and it seems the loser of that battle figures in dime coverages. At safety, you have to figure Eric Rowe sticks, but who plays in the 3 safety looks? Highly touted rookie Jevon Holland, has to have a role, and Brandon Jones figures to play a lot in 2021. Then, what are Jason McCourty, and 2nd year man Noah Igbinoghene doing? This is a talent laden group, and the clear strength of the team. It’s worth watching how this shakes out.

Well, we finally made it, and all these questions from the offseason, begin to get answers in the coming days, weeks, months.

 

Alfredo Arteaga (@Alf_Arteaga) is one-third of the trio that does the Three Yards Per Carry (@3YardsPerCarry) podcast.

 

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Can Mike Gesicki be a Top Five TE This Season?

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All eyes will be on Tua, but will his lock on Mike Gesicki this season?

 

Entering a crucial fourth year, Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki looks to take the leap into the discussion as one of the game’s best.

So what will it take to get there?

In order to gain some perspective, a comparison to the best current NFL tight ends seemed like a nice place to start

Travis Kelce and now Darren Waller have emerged as the top two tight ends, with George Kittle still right there after an abbreviated season due to injury.

What Waller and Kelce have in common is an enormous target share, as both posted nearly identical numbers.

Waller led all NFL tight ends with 146 targets in 2020, with Kelce just behind him at 145.

The next highest tight end targeted was Logan Thomas with 110, while just two others broke 100 targets -Evan Engram (109) and  T.J Hockenson (101).

Targets are just one part of the equation, what you do with them matters.

Kelce and Waller both hauled in over 72% of their targets in 2020, while Gesicki caught slightly over 62% of his.

Many factors contribute to this, whether it be different quarterbacks throughout the year or execution in other areas.

Nonetheless, there is plenty of room for improvement.

 

Let’s run some numbers.

Say Gesicki can accumulate 100 targets and improve his catch percentage even slightly to 68%.

That sets a floor of 68 receptions, which would be 15 more than Gesicki had in 2020.

Where Gesicki has already shown a high ceiling in comparison to other tight ends is in yards-per-reception.

Last year Gesicki ranked third among tight ends with 13.3 yards-per-reception, ahead of Waller (11.2) and Kelce (13.1).

With 68 receptions and at the same yards-per-reception, that would put Gesicki over 900 yards receiving.

Now with a 17-game slate, this seems even more attainable.

Gesicki tied for fifth among tight ends with six touchdowns, averaging one about every nine receptions.

Increased targets and improved catch percentage could see him at eight or even nine scores in 2021.

A stat line of 68/900/8 would all have been top five marks in the NFL last year.

Add an improved quarterback and more deep threats in Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller, Gesicki sits as a prime candidate for a breakout season.

Everything Tradeshows is a one-stop-shop for trade show exhibit rentals and custom exhibit display purchase solutions to companies of all sizes.

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