Mateo’s Hoops Diary: Knicks Back to Their Sad Normal

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Knickstape is dead. Everyday it gets clearer, what New York did last year was an outlier in their machine of everlasting mediocrity. As always, there’s not that many fingers to blame, but this time, the head coach is responsible for most of the friction.

 

For all of the Knicks personnel, it’s a good thing the All-Star break rolled around because now all the important figures can take this time to recalibrate and possibly look in the mirror.  Tensions must be high.  The last 11 days before their early spring break featured three losses after being up at least 20 points.  

 

The first meltdown came after New York had a 21-point advantage on Feb. 5 at Crypto.com Arena.  A week later in Portland, the Knicks took a loss, getting blitzed in the last 17 minutes of the game, dropping their 23-point lead in a 56-24 scoring run.  Then on Wednesday, the Knicks started their vacation early, giving up a difference of 28 points to the Nets in a defeat. 

 

That’s some coaching.  Judging by the body language of some of the players, it wouldn’t be a surprise if their instructor’s style and schemes were falling on deaf ears.  

 

By the looks of it, Thibs is not an easy dude to be around.  For those that haven’t seen him on the sidelines, whenever you inflict pain on your eyes catching Knicks ball, look for the guy pacing back and forth in front of the New York bench trying to break the record for most profanity spewed in 48 minutes.  It usually comes after a defensive breakdown or what Thibs perceives as a missed call by the refs. 

 

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Maybe the angry drill sergeant approach works when a club is winning at a high volume (other reasons for success should still be identified with this approach), but it sure doesn’t for this Knicks team.  Some could say it was successful for Thibs in his first season with the group (2021), but I would point back to that being a deviation from the norm in part because of how the roster is assembled.  

 

Thibodeau’s approach to coaching often involves yelling at his players in front of a packed house or demonstrably showing his displeasure by flailing his arms.  For example, late in the loss to the Nets on Wednesday, the Knicks left Seth Curry unattended in the right corner and failed to close out on his shot that converted in front of the Knicks bench.  Thibs could be seen waving his arms and verbally lashing out, close enough for his troops to hear as Curry slowly retreated.

 

Getting yelled at is verbally abusive and humiliating.  Thibs’ methods of verbal feedback are antiquated and likely a reason the Knicks look no different than what they did before they hired him.

 

Aside from being a grouch, ten years gone and still Thibs hasn’t learned from mistakes he made what seems like a lifetime ago.  It’ll be a decade this April since Derrick Rose blew out his knee in a game that was decided.  Then, when the current Knickerbockers (Thibs, Rose) repped the Bulls, Chicago was up 12 with 1:24 left in the game.  

 

If I’m not mistaken, in 2012, Rose didn’t play in 17 of the last 25 regular season games because he was nursing a groin injury. The last few nights the windy city assassin suited up for before missing almost a month, he was averaging 38 minutes.  

 

When Rose came back, it was for a game against the Knicks at MSG.  Thibs wasted no time scrapping a minutes restriction and played his reigning MVP just shy of 39 minutes in a one-point loss.

 

Twenty days later, in Game 1 of round 1 of Philadelphia-Chicago, Rose tore his ACL.  I’m not pretending to be a physician, or intending to say that heavy minutes caused the injury.  But I will say, it’s Thibs’ fault it happened.   Keeping a pivotal player on the floor during garbage time is sinful.  Rose paid the price for his coach and never got to where his career should have taken him.  

 

Then on Feb. 8, history repeated itself under Thibs’ watch in Denver.  With less than a minute to go in a match the Knicks had no chance of winning, RJ Barrett hurt his ankle stepping on Davon Reed’s foot.  Barrett limped off the court and missed the next four games.  He’s expected to be back after the week-long All-Star break, but his injury is another strike on Thibs’ rap sheet.

 

Life in the NBA comes at you fast.  Awards like coach of the year don’t guarantee job security.  The only thing that does temporarily is a consistent winning record.  So far, past the midway point of his second season in New York, Thibs’ record sits at 67-69.  Unless he wants to end up in the graveyard of the 12 other instructors the Knicks have had since canning Jeff Van Gundy, his outfit will at least have to make the play-in tournament.

Evan Neal is one of the best young prospects in the 2022 NFL draft.

2022 Scouting Report: Alabama OT Evan Neal

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Evan Neal is widely considered an elite offensive tackle prospect. He’s considered one of the best players – regardless of position – in the nation.

Neal was moved back to left tackle in 2021 where he played 1,073 snaps while starting 16 games and gave up two sacks with just one holding penalty.

Strengths

At 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Evan Neal is a mountain sized tackle with a height and size that’s unfathomable. He’s got raw power and natural strength to wash out defenders in space.

Additionally, this offseason, Neal clocked 18.5 MPH on the GPS, routinely hitting box jumps at 48 inches. Neal has also bench pressed 475 pounds, and squatted 650.

On tape, Neal is versatile. The Alabama prospect has played both left and right tackle while also logging snaps at left guard his freshman year. He’s the best run blocker in the nation and a dominant force in the run game. However, he does not have elite foot speed. But he is fluid enough to get to the attack point. 

Neal is a clear cut NFL left tackle where he could become an All-Pro at that position. He’s explosive out of his stance, has surprising agility and lateral movement considering his body type. Overall, Neal is the most athletic offensive lineman in the 2022 NFL Draft with huge upside.

Weaknesses

However, Neal is not a flawless prospect. He needs to work on his technique in pass protection. He just has to be more consistent in moving his feet and staying low.

With his size, he may be a liability in short yardage situations as defenders can get underneath him to hold the line. He’ll need to use more consistent leverage and continue to move his feet.

Neal tends to stop his feet after the first contact, relying on his length and power. He routinely allows defenders to work the corner or spin inside.

He is susceptible against speed rushers as he cannot accelerate fast enough to stop defenders getting past him. His hand technique has to improve as a pass blocker. Many times he is reliant on his athletic talent. He leans into his blocks in both the passing and running game.

Neal is the consensus #1 tackle in the 2022 NFL Draft and is viewed as an almost can’t miss prospect by most scouts.

He is an amazing athlete along the offensive line and has the traits and skill sets OL coaches look for. However, he is not perfect. With this in mind, he can very well be trained in the offseason to polish his pass protection skills. Teams with a good OL coach will undoubtedly turn Neal into one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

*** This article was originally posted at PhinManiacs***

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel

Mateo’s Hoops Diary: Betting on the Beard

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Over the weekend, James Harden touched down in Philadelphia, greeted by his leading enabler (Daryl Morey).   

 

Following the trade, Harden moved at a snail’s pace. He took all of the allowed 48 hours given to a swapped player before making his anticipated arrival in the city of brotherly love.  Clutch Points reported that he was in Houston “packing up” his belongings but that’s odd considering he played for Brooklyn.  It took him two days to get over to Philly so that he could complete his physical– meaning the trade was not officially complete, while missing a pair of games.

 

Perhaps he deserves some slack.  Harden missed the last few games as a Net with a hamstring injury, which according to coach Nash, was not serious enough for an MRI.

 

Surely, someone as resourceful as the Beard can arrange for his prized possessions to be handled with care in his absence. This leads me to speculate that his trip over to H-Town had more to do with adult extracurriculars than getting his home in order.  Maybe I’m wrong, but if the injury is as serious as reported, Hardy’s habitual night moves could potentially have serious implications.

 

Consumption of alcohol can raise an individual’s pain tolerance.  A hard night of clubbing could place unnecessary stress on the body, or worse, cause an accident that isn’t felt until later. Harden’s is no stranger to underworld excursions, evident by a banner hanging in his honor at Dreams strip club in Houston. 

 

Still, Harden got his wish.  At his introductory presser he revealed it was what he wanted all along.  Who could blame him?  Morey was fixated on getting Simmon’s out to Houston while Harden was still a Rocket, and who wouldn’t want to reunite with the boss that never held them accountable?  

 

As soon as Harden stepped off the charter, Morey figuratively gave him the keys to the castle.  The Beard won’t make his debut until after the All-Star break but while the 76ers await his recovery, that’s best cured by exotic dancers, Philly was clobbered at home by the Celtics by 48 on Tuesday.

 

Undeniably, the integration of the Beard into the lineup sharpens Philadelphia’s edge on offense in the halfcourt. Joel Embiid will have a pick and roll partner that forces the defender to go over the screen instead of tangling under with him.  Late in games, the 76ers won’t be plagued either playing 4-on-5 offensively because a defender cannot sag off Harden– for better or worse, he’s trigger happy from deep.  

 

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The pairing, strictly related to the court, should be a successful marriage.  Embiid and Harden are not perfect players.  If they could limit some of their bad habits, like Joel’s desire to take outside jumpers instead of assaulting the block, or the Beard’s overdribbling, then their biggest hurdle will be overcoming the burden that is coach Rivers.  

 

How long can it be before Harden and someone as petty and untrustworthy as Rivers are at each other’s throats?  Philly’s coach is a dude that reveals his real character whenever he feels some heat.  Last June, after the 76ers spoiled Game 7 at home, Rivers was asked if he thought Ben Simmons could be a point guard for a championship team.  All he could say was that he didn’t know the answer to the question.

 

If anyone deserves most of the blame for why Simmons wanted out, look no further than the head coach.  By not defending Ben when asked a tough question by a reporter, Rivers humiliated his player in front of the media in a recorded press conference.  Only a masochist would enjoy working for someone like that.  

 

Let’s take it back further to when Rivers coached the Orlando Magic.  Retired New York Post columnist and reporter Peter Vecsey explained on the Killin’ Me Smallz podcast, that behind the back of Darrell Armstrong, current assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks since 2009, Judas, I mean Doc, approached Vecsey with material that he wanted to see printed.  Vecsey told him no way.  But if Doc got his wish, he would likely smile in Armstrong’s direction and pretend like he didn’t know where it came from.  

 

Aside from Rivers’ two facedness, when things go wrong on the court, the players are on their own.  Somehow, the man known for a lack of late game adjustments and recognized as the only instructor in NBA history to lead three teams that dropped a 3-1 advantage and took an L, was recently voted into the top 15 coaches of all-time list.  Throw in that record a few more defeats after being up 3-2 and another following a 2-0 lead.  

 

I’m just hoping the excuse for why this team didn’t win this year isn’t more time was needed for Embiid and Harden to mesh properly.

 

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has the skillset to make the Pistol offense work

Miami Dolphins Offense: The Pistol and the Motion

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With the introduction of Mike McDaniel as the new Miami Dolphins head coach, taking a look at the offense last season could give us hints at what could possibly remain the same.

Premise

The Miami Dolphins offense has had a bit of a resurgence lately thanks in part to continuity in players at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive line.

What’s been a facet for the offense of the Miami Dolphins success has been the implementation and use of the “Pistol Wing Formation.”

What it is

The pistol formation, like the shotgun, is really an alignment between the quarterback and the running back. In the pistol formation, the quarterback lines up four or five yards behind the center, the running back lines up two or three yards behind the quarterback. In the shotgun formation , the quarterback lines up seven yards behind the center, and the running back lines up to the side of the quarterback.

The Pistol Formation comes with its advantages and disadvantages, let’s take a brief look at them.

Advantages

  • The Pistol’s main advantage is its versatility that comes from its hybrid design. Having the quarterback three to four yards deep allows him to make downfield reads and separate himself from the pass rush by a few yards.
  • It also has the running back five yards from the LOS and directly behind the quarterback to build momentum before getting the ball.
  • The Pistol formation supports Read Options. It can be a fully functional pass play, keeping the running back to pass block. It can also serve as a run play with power blocking and pulling guards.
  • The real nightmare is the RPO. It’s entirely dependent on the quarterback to watch the defense and decide which play will have the most success.
  • It can create advantages in the play-action game. The pistol alignment represents a run-first perception, it makes the play-action pass that much more effective.

Disadvantages

  • It’s dependent on the quarterback to quickly decipher defenses and make smart decisions, it comes with a big learning curve. A wrong decision could prove disastrous.
  • Playing Man coverage takes away most of the passing game, leaving minimal plays for offenses to utilize.
  • Offensive line blocking is crucial as the quarterback is closer to the line of scrimmage. OL blocking can make or break the offense.

What it means

For any offense which runs the Pistol, it means these things:

  • The best Pistol offenses are those that can implement aspects of a Spread Offense into their game plan. It requires a smart quarterback who can properly read defenses once the ball is snapped.
  • While the Pistol could be used just to run the ball, it’s at its best when each play is different than the last. As such, having a solid core of blockers, pass catchers and a good quarterback is necessary.
  • When running the ball out of the Pistol, teams run up the middle where there are a lot of defenders. Teams that are undersized along the offensive line aren’t built for this type of play.
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The Miami Dolphins Offense

During their win streak, the Miami Dolphins primarily lined up in shotgun, which includes the pistol formation. Usually this formation includes the basic Pistol offense with a Wing look.

How it’s done

The Pistol usually has two to three players in the backfield, as it is primarily designed to be a run first offense.

However, with the wing formation, tight ends on the edges force defenses to play at least three players deep.

While it may seem that the pistol is most effective on the dependence of the running game; paradoxically, it is dependent on the threat of a passing game.

The passing game is dependent on the quarterback moving the ball to and from the flow of attack. The best description may be the term of “sequence football.”

Basically, the offense runs in plays where it attacks different parts of the field once the ball is snapped. This does not mean that every play is called in order, it is mostly based on matchups and post-snap reads.

Which is why you see plays that look and feel similar, but can attack different parts of the field. Similar to Sean McVay’s singleback look.

Backfield Motion

Passing Game

The main sequence the Miami Dolphins offense use is the backfield motion to create space and attack different facets of the field.

On the play above, Albert Wilson motions to the right side of the formation, this allows Tua Tagovailoa to see the defense is in zone coverage.

Wilson runs the wheel route gaining depth into the defensive backfield. Waddle runs the curl, an intermediate route, attacking the soft zone in the middle. Meanwhile, Durham Smythe is jammed at the line of scrimmage running a short crossing route.

The biggest threat to the defense is Wilson gaining depth into the defensive backfield, which forces Giants defensive backs Xavier McKinney and Aaron Robinson to stay deep and prevent a big play.

In turn, this frees up the intermediate route Jaylen Waddle runs, he has enough space to catch the ball for a first down and keep the drive alive.

Running Game

The Dolphins also use the backfield motion concept to create space and attack different running lanes in the run game, using the motion while using the same type of blocking scheme. Usually Pistol offenses run with a power scheme along the offensive line.

The sequence in how the run game works can vary in play calls, but use the same blocking style. Runs out wide, off tackle, and up the middle all use down blocks by most of the line with a pulling guard and blocking on the other side of the backfield.

The counter play uses down blocks to build a wall of bodies away from the play and a pulling guard to kick out and head upfield to clear a running lane.

Albert Wilson motions, and the right side of the offensive line follows after the snap. The theory is that the flow of a play can take multiple blockers to the point of attack or be decoys while the running back is on the opposite end.

The execution on the play above illustrates how the theory is able to work. The blocking style is designed so when a defender reacts to blocks to stop a play, he will be placing himself in jeopardy for a companion play. Sounds familiar to the RPO.

Multiple Threats

The Pistol offense is designed in complete backfield series, each of which presents multiple threats to the defense on each play.

Passing wise, the Dolphins run the Pistol Wing to put the perception that there are multiple deep receivers. Most of the time when it is ran, it is in a condensed look.

“When you condense the formation in general out of those RPO looks… it gives defenses more things to look at leading to conflict and hesitation on the eyes as there are a lot of motions, possible split zone action and a variety of different plays that can happen. For Tua he gets the options of the flat, the hook, the curl, the post, the handoff. There are so many different ways [Tua] can put the defense in conflict , when you condense that you increase the post snap reads”

Travis Wingfield

In the condensed Pistol Look, there can be many options, threats, Tua can look in his post snap reads.

For example, the stick flat RPO that is a staple in the offense. Based on the type of Coverage is shown once a play is motioned, the flat play to the tight end is an easy read against man coverage.

It has a balance of passing, which is predominantly play-action in nature. The RPO adds that extra conflict for defenders where they have to hesitate, they have to read and react. It puts defenders in a bind.

The Future

When you watch NFL teams run the Pistol offense, you see them tire out defenses in the running game. It’s discouraging when a team can just run the ball for six yards a carry and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

The Dolphins, however, cannot run the ball well due to issues along the offensive line. Once these issues are fixed through the draft or free agency signings, the offense has the potential to become a possession team former head coach Brian Flores preached about, only it will actually work with an offensive-minded head coach like Mike McDaniel.

The flip side for the Miami Dolphins offense is that it is labeled as a predominantly RPO offense that dink and dunks its way; although, defenses have not been able to fully halt it.

The threats the condensed Pistol Wing looks bring defenses are the route combinations designed on three levels of the field. Opposing defenses have tried to match up with the wide receivers on the outside to stop deeper routes from forming. Thus, being okay with Tua throwing to shorter and intermediate routes.

Defenses are pattern matching on the outside and allowing linebackers to stay in zone. By doing this, defensive backs are focusing on route distribution while linebackers are able to play with their eyes in the backfield. Leaving the middle of the field open for running backs and tight ends to roam.

Essentially, it is death by paper cuts.

Partner that with a better offensive line, preferably to run a power scheme, and a premier running back. The Miami Dolphins offense could do damage next year.

*** This story was originally posted on the ATB Network***

The McDaniel influence

While the offensive philosophy will change from a power man blocking scheme to an outside zone read scheme much of the personnel could remain the same with variations in different concepts.

Changes along the offensive line will be coming; however the nature in how to attack defenses with Tua’s skillset and core weapons remains the same.

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel

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Raheem Mostert should be a top target for the Miami Dolphins in 2022

Fresh Perspective: Building the 2022 Miami Dolphins – Running Back

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Now it’s time for the next installment of the Miami Dolphins offseason plan. With Mike McDaniel, a running game master, acting as the new head coach, this position becomes crucial. It’s time for the Dolphins to take a long, hard look at the running back position.

Free Agency

It’s very tempting to throw some big money at a running back this season, particularly with the likes of Melvin Gordon headlining free agency. However, aside from Gordon, there isn’t really a running back worth spending a large portion on. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t spend any money on this position. The Dolphins accidentally found excellent role players at the position, and they should bring them both back to compete if the price is reasonable.

Phillip Lindsay and Duke Johnson, signed off the streets after their respective teams opted to part ways with them, were both much better than the incumbent running backs in the room once they hit the field. Johnson, in particular, made Miami fall in love with him all over again. The former Hurricanes star has been made aware that the Dolphins would like to retain him if possible.

As for Lindsay, the former Pro Bowl running back ran for 1,000 yards in two straight seasons for the Denver Broncos in 2018-2019, but in 2020 his role was greatly diminished once Melvin Gordon signed his contract. But Lindsay still has something to offer, he’s a hard runner and a secure ball handler. He also made fans notice him this season making a fantastic block in the backfield to protect Tua Tagovailoa.

Duke Johnson and Phillip Lindsay are perfect veterans for the running back room. They will compete with Myles Gaskin and Gerrid Doaks for spots on the roster.

There is also another free agent that makes a lot of sense for Miami. All one has to do is connect the dots, and the fit is beyond perfect. After bouncing from team to team for the first two years of his career – including a very brief stint in Miami – Raheem Mostert found a home in San Francisco in 2017, and he became a solid player thanks in large part to Mike McDaniel’s running system.

Mostert’s best season was in 2019, when he ran 137 times for 772 yards and eight touchdowns. That averages out to an excellent 5.6 yard per carry. Mostert boasts homerun level speed and great vision with the football. Were it not for injury problems in the past two seasons, Mostert very well could have been a star by now.

Mostert suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 of the 2021 season. Now, he’s a free agent. He should be very interested in following McDaniel to Miami. With his injury history, Mostert won’t command a lot of money. Something along the lines of a 2-year, $6 million dollar deal should suffice.

Even with these deals in place, however, Miami isn’t done yet. Last season, the 49ers carried five running backs on their roster. If you count their usage of WR Deebo Samuel, you could argue six. So, time for the draft.

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NFL Draft

The Miami Dolphins must draft a running back in the early rounds. So many amazing running backs were found in the past few years.  Miami missed out on all of them due to a misguided sense of contentment in the players on the roster.

Not anymore.

First, a disclaimer. These picks are based off a mock draft done through The Draft Network’s mock draft machine. Naturally, once the combine goes by, projections are bound to change. So anyone who feels that a player won’t be available at a certain spot, keep in mind that selections were made based on who’s available at each pick.

So in this mock, the Miami Dolphins draft one of the most talented running backs in the class. With their second round pick, 50th overall, Miami selects Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III.

Walker is an all-around runner with the ball in his hands. His vision allows him to find the tiniest gaps and slip through for a positive gain. He doesn’t shy away from contact, in fact he runs like he wants to bowl people over. To top it all off, he has enough speed to run down the field for a long touchdown if he can get a full head of steam. As a rusher, he has everything a team could want in spades.

However, Walker isn’t a perfect prospect. His other skills need some development. Pass-blocking isn’t his specialty, and as a pass-catcher he was rarely asked to do anything. In three years at college – both at Wake Forest and Michigan State, he only had a total of 19 receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown. So for the time being, Walker’s role will be mainly as a rusher.

That said, this lack of versatility isn’t going to be a problem. Walker isn’t the only running back on the roster. His veteran constituents will not only pick up his slack, they can teach him how to adjust to NFL game speed.

Final Roster Projection

Miami now has four running backs on the final roster. All of them bring something different to the table.

  • Duke Johnson
  • Phillip Lindsay
  • Raheem Mostert
  • Kenneth Walker III

As far as payment, keep in mind these are all estimates based on previous contracts and recent body of work for each player. The previous signing of Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback in this plan puts Miami at approximately $74 million in cap space.

Then they add Duke Johnson, who made the veteran minimum last season. 2-years and $8 million dollars for Johnson will put the Dolphins at around $70 million.

Phillip Lindsay’s deal will be around the same, a 2-year, $8 million dollar deal that would allow Miami to easily jettison Lindsay the next year if they choose to. They are now at $66 million.

Raheem Mostert makes less simply due to lack of availability. Mike McDaniel knows him well, and will sell him on the idea of reviving his career with the Dolphins and his run scheme. So he signs a 2-year, $6 million dollar contract which again allows the Dolphins to move on afterwards. Miami stands at $63 million in cap space.

Finally, Kenneth Walker’s contract is based on the rookie wage scale. This changes depending on the NFL’s salary cap. Just for the sake of this article, Walker will receive a 4-year, $6 million dollar contract. Keep in mind, this is a rough estimate.

So this means Miami invests $14 million into their running back room for 2022. This seems like a lot, but Mike McDaniel is all about the running game. Giving the Miami Dolphins actual talent at the position should be crucial. With the three veterans on the team, Walker will be given the necessary time and tutelage to become a true star.

Notice the lack of Myles Gaskin on the final list. Unless he somehow begins to thrive under McDaniel’s tutelage, Gaskin will not beat out the three older running backs. With the new NFL rules regarding practice squad players, perhaps Gaskin will sign there, saving Miami around $2 million.

Gerrid Doaks will also get his chance to compete, but he won’t be able to overshadow the likes of Walker and the veterans. He remains on the practice squad as well.

Next time, the wide receiver position will receive its upgrade. Miami still has $61.5 million in cap space to play with. It’s time to start really going big.

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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A deep dive into Mike McDaniel’s offensive scheme: wide zone RPOs

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New Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was one of the architects behind a San Francisco 49ers rushing offense that ranked in the upper half of the NFL in rushing yards per game in four of his five seasons as San Francisco’s run game coordinator (2017-2020) and offensive coordinator (2021).

 

 

 

One foundation of this rushing offense was the wide zone (not to be confused with the outside zone, which was another principle of the 49ers’ run game). The purpose of running wide zone variations is to use the horizontal momentum of defensive linemen against them by creating leverage and forcing defensive backs who may not be accustomed to tackling to engage in the run game.

 

The overall horizontal movement of the defense because of these running plays often causes the middle of the field to be left wide open, even more so when the defense is in single-high or cover-zero coverage looks.

 

Combining these wide zone running actions with weak-side slant routes on run-pass options (RPOs) allows the quarterback to make simple reads to determine where the ball should go.

 

 

Another variation of the wide zone RPOs that I expect McDaniel to bring to Miami is with a bubble screen in 11 personnel (one running back and one tight end). The 49ers have used Pro Bowl wide receiver Deebo Samuel in these packages over the past few seasons to great success.

 

This offensive look aims to spread out opposing defenses and put the ball in the hands of playmakers who operate best in open field space. The quarterback in this RPO variation has two options regarding where to go with the ball: hand it off to the running back, who will look to follow the butt of the play-side offensive tackle and then cut up field, or throw a quick pass to the motioning receiver on the bubble screen. That’s it.

 

 

 

Given the confusion that RPOs in general cause defenses, a lot of these reads made by Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be performed before the snap even happens. 

A rule of thumb I use to determine an RPO read pre-snap is to compare the number of blockers against the number of defenders in the tight end box. If the number of blockers equals or exceeds the number of defenders, expect a run, but if the number of defenders surpasses the number of blockers, expect a pass. This is not a foolproof method by any means, but I have noticed it is accurate more often than not. Try it next time you are watching a team that runs a surplus of various RPO packages.

 

These wide zone RPO variants are just one of the many ways I expect McDaniel to formulate an offensive scheme that aligns with the strengths of Tagovailoa and the rest of Miami’s offense.

 

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Tua Tagovailoa should have competition to push him for the Miami Dolphins starting job next season

Fresh Perspective: Building the 2022 Miami Dolphins – Quarterback

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Welcome to the next installment of this offseason plan. Now that the cuts to the roster have been established, it’s time to start rebuilding the Miami Dolphins roster, starting with arguably the most important position of all: Quarterback.

Undoubtedly, Tua Tagovailoa is going to be with the team in 2022. New head coach Mike McDaniel made that abundantly clear during his trip to Miami. However, Tagovailoa is already being viewed by many as a bust. He isn’t measuring up to his fellow 2020 draftees, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow.

Part of the reason for their success is because they are more physically gifted than Tagovailoa. Herbert in particular is a magnificent physical specimen, the perfect prototype QB. However, there is a more subtle reason for their greater success. Both Herbert and Burrow were given much more support than Tagovailoa.

Whether it’s fair or not, it feels like the narrative on Tagovailoa is already written. His arm is too weak, he’s physically limited, he struggles in cold weather. The list goes on and on. Surely, with these limitations, he can’t be the answer for the Miami Dolphins. Or so everyone says.

The opinion of this writer has been well-documented on Twitter and in articles. The Cult of Tua, or TuAnon – as they are now called – built Tagovailoa up as this spectacular, game-changing individual who would miraculously save the franchise from its state of mediocrity. Since that has not happened, he must not be good enough.

Or, alternatively, the type of player he is takes longer to develop.

Quarterbacks who are supremely physically gifted – Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert – can reach their ceilings faster than the likes of Tagovailoa. That doesn’t make him a bust, it just makes him different.

Free Agency

That said, there’s no reason why Tagovailoa shouldn’t have to compete for the starting job. Unless the quarterback position is settled beyond the shadow of a doubt, competition is always good to have. Jacoby Brissett, who is an impending free agent, was not good as a starter or even a backup. Even injured, Tagovailoa performed better than the veteran. It’s possible that if Brian Flores had allowed Tagovailoa to play when he said he was ready, Miami could have made the playoffs and he would still be the head coach. Regardless, Brissett is not the answer to push Tagovailoa.

However, there is a free agent veteran who could provide that competition. He could be had at a fair price, he fits the same quarterback mold, and he’s even a Miami native.

It’s time to bring Teddy Bridgewater home.

Back in 2019, the Dolphins were very close to signing Bridgewater to be their bridge QB. “It was very tempting,” Bridgewater said via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “You have an opportunity to be home, play in front of your family and friends, the community you grew up was very tempting.”

Ultimately, he chose not to sign when things fell through. Perhaps this time, coming off a season-ending concussion, Bridgewater will be more open to competing for a starting job. Last season he was given a 1-year, $4,437,000 contract, with a vast majority of that contract guaranteed. He threw for 3,052 yards with 18 touchdowns, seven interceptions and an average of 7.2 yards per attempt in the 14 games he started for the Denver Broncos.

Bridgewater and Tagovailoa have the same style of play. Neither are big-armed, nor the most athletic. However, they are technicians with the football, which means the offense would need minimal change in substitutions. It’s a perfect fit, and Bridgewater could potentially be had for around $5-6 million dollars if it’s guaranteed. May the best man win.

NFL Draft

In all honesty, this QB draft class is bad. Even the projected first round picks are nothing special. With this in mind, Miami has no pressing need to draft a quarterback. If anything, they should hunt for developmental undrafted free agents after it’s over.

One possible target for the Dolphins to look at post-draft is Kaleb Eleby out of Western Michigan. In some draft circles, Eleby is projected as an undrafted free agent. His game is best served in an RPO system, which makes him a fit for what Miami is likely to do. Like Tua Tagovailoa, Eleby is slippery in the pocket, and he takes care of the football.

However, drafting a quarterback shouldn’t be Miami’s top priority. Assuming the Dolphins aren’t stripped of draft picks, the Dolphins will have ample opportunity to try again in 2023 if they so desire. 2022 should be about building around the quarterbacks already present. They will undoubtedly pick up a fringe free agent or a UDFA quarterback to throw in training camp, but that should be all.

Final Roster Projection

Between Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, the Miami Dolphins should be set at quarterback. True, they both have injury history, but Bridgewater is the best fit and has the best chance to step in if something happens to Tagovailoa. Not only that, of all the QBs they could sign, Bridgewater can push for the starting job the hardest.

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So for the final 53-man roster, the count is simply these two:

  • Tua Tagovailoa
  • Teddy Bridgewater

That fills two slots on the roster. Next time, it’s going to be the running backs. With Mike McDaniel as the head coach, the Dolphins should consider finding a talented running back this offseason. Just because McDaniel makes it work with lesser backs, doesn’t mean it’s ideal. Miami needs to find talent at running back again.

It’s been a long time.

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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Mateo’s Hoops Diary: Portland Can’t do Anything Right

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A few licks were hit on the Portland Trail Blazers in just six days.  The aftermath resulted in Tchaikovsky’s Chanson Triste echoing in the background of the wasteland Rip City created.  Portland’s latest maneuvers indicate that a rebuild of the roster is in effect.  Regrettably for them, management’s incompetence has royally screwed the team and fanbase.

 

Portland is fooling themselves if they think these transactions were a success.  The only positive is that it creates $50.5 million in cap space for Free Agency 2022, although they’ll have eight players on the books.  Even with all that spending money, it doesn’t mean anything if they can’t convince a difference maker to sign on.  Which could lead to a mammoth dilemma going forward.

 

What if Lillard asks out?  He’ll turn 32 on July 15, and I don’t believe he has the slightest inclination to start from scratch while he is still an elite player.  It could cost him individual recognition if the team performs poorly.  Voters are usually less willing to choose someone at the bottom of the conference to participate in the All-Star game or for a nod on the three All-NBA teams.  But most importantly, if Lillard sticks around, the hairs on his head might turn gray before he plays in another meaningful ball game in April-June.

 

Since #0 entered the NBA in 2012, he has been a role model and one the league’s best players. In his 10 years balling, he has ascended to the pantheon of great Trail Blazers with a spot next to Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler as the organization’s finest. And as recently as October, Lillard was voted into the NBA’s list of top 75 players ever.  

 

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Almost three years ago, Lillard said he’d rather keep trying in Portland and come up short than go somewhere for the opportunity.  It was bold and a reflection of Lillard’s character.  But sometimes people get to a point where they’ve had enough.  Those taken for granted, like Lillard, will not be denounced by my words when they have held up their part of the deal.  

 

It’s been widely reported that Lillard was unhappy with his team’s direction since before he participated in the Olympic games.  I would imagine he feels worse today because the execs handling the roster have fallen asleep at their desks.

 

I’m not a betting man, but if I were to indulge, I’d put my money on Lillard finishing his career in another uniform.  Perhaps he starts to worry about how his legacy stacks up in comparison to  his peers. Or maybe, he leaves because it’s not fun anymore.

 

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Eric Rowe could be a cap casualty in the offseason for the Miami Dolphins

Fresh Perspective: Building the 2022 Miami Dolphins – Roster Cuts

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With the Miami Dolphins projected to have anywhere between $67 and $75 million in salary cap space, the franchise is set to be a big player in free agency. Generally, the Dolphins haven’t fared well in years where they “win the offseason,” but this upcoming year has different circumstances.

In spite of the way the season ended, the talent on the roster is worth building on. Brian Flores got them going too late, allowing a 7-game losing streak. But that doesn’t mean the players are necessarily bad. There’s a good core to work with. There was enough talent to drag the team to a second consecutive winning season at 9-8. Brian Flores being fired had everything to do with outside factors, not his on-the-field coaching prowess.

Miami interviewed several different coaching candidates, and the winner turned out to be former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Already, McDaniel has made it a point to build a rapport with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, which indicates that the Dolphins will be focusing on building a system around the former Alabama standout. With his innovative football mind and strong emphasis on building a running game, McDaniel seems to have a plan in mind to make that happen.

However, before the Miami Dolphins can start adding new pieces, they need to trim some of the fat. There are at least a few players on the roster that are expendable.

As always, this roster build is strictly based on personal assessment. Perhaps Mike McDaniel has plans for these players, or perhaps he will see things the same way as here. Regardless, it is time for this offseason series to begin, starting with roster subtractions.

Roster Cuts

Assuming the cap space will be on the low end, that gives Miami $67 million dollars to use in free agency. However, there are a few players who the Dolphins could cut ties with to give themselves even more room.

The first and most obvious choice would be to release players who contributed little or nothing to the 2021 season. Right off the bat, WR Allen Hurns and TE/FB Cethan Carter are easy cuts.

This is the second season in a row that the veteran Hurns has been a non-factor for the Dolphins. There’s no point in keeping him around a third year. As for Carter, he rarely ever saw the field. He played in all 16 games but he made only two catches for 16 yards all season. Plus, with the drafting of Hunter Long in 2021, Miami doesn’t need so many tight ends.

By cutting both Hurns and Carter, the Dolphins save $5.1 million with only $433,334 in dead cap. That puts Miami at $72 million.

Now the next move is a tougher call, but it may be time to move on from Eric Rowe. Brian Flores brought him in from New England to help establish his defense. Rowe has the 5th highest cap hit on the team next season with a little over $5 million, and now Flores is no longer here.

Releasing Rowe gives the Dolphins $4,550,000 in savings with only $525,000 in dead cap. So a net gain of just over $4 million. Rowe’s snaps on defense dropped dramatically near the end of the season, as rookie Jevon Holland came on strong and Brandon Jones started making plays. Between the two of them, Rowe could be expendable. This move puts the team at $77 million for 2022.

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At last, the final roster change is in regards to Jesse Davis. It’s clear that Davis is not cut out to be a starter. But that wasn’t what he was supposed to be in the first place. He was supposed to be a utility backup who can fill any spot in an emergency. Much like the Dolphins did with Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson, they can try to convince Davis to take a pay cut for the final year of his contract. His current cap hit is $4,610,000. Chop that in half, and Miami saves another $2.3 million. Or, cut him if he refuses, and they save $3.6 million.

As a result of these moves, the Dolphins find themselves at $80 million dollars in cap space after cutting just a little bit of dead weight. That amount of cash to throw around makes Miami’s roster tantalizingly flexible. There is so much room for improvement through free agency, and one more strong draft from Chris Grier could put the Dolphins over the edge into the playoffs at last.

With that in mind, the next story will start the fun part of the offseason. This is the part that Madden players everywhere enjoy most of all.

Adding new pieces to the Miami Dolphins.

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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Shrine Bowl is for finding underdogs like Arizona’s Stanley Berryhill III

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LAS VEGAS — NFL Draft prospect Stanley Berryhill lll has fond memories playing at Allegiant Stadium.

It was the site of his first 100-yard receiving game in the Arizona Wildcats’ season opening loss to BYU. On Thursday, he had the longest reception (28 yards) for the West in their 25-24 win over the East in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

The Shrine Bowl is the oldest college football all-star game and is connected with the Shriners Hospital for Children. It’s also the first time such a game is played in the same stadium as the Pro Bowl and on the same week.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Berryhill said. “They’ve done some pretty cool things. We’ve been really busy with practices, meetings but it’s nice to get in here and have some fun with the kids and just do things like that.”

The Shrine Bowl is about finding the underdogs of the NFL Draft. Quarterback Tyler Huntley played in the most recent Shrine Bowl in 2020 before finding his way onto the Baltimore Ravens and eventually starting some games in Lamar Jackson’s absence.

Berryhill was on the field the entire game, showing his route-running ability and contributing on special teams. He has always been an underdog and potentially a perfect match for teams like the Miami Dolphins, who are entering the draft with two picks in the fourth round.

A native of Tucson, Ariz., Berryhill was encouraged to join the Wildcats as a walk-on by Rich Rodriguez but by the time he could hit the field, the program was handed over to Kevin Sumlin, who was fired after three seasons.

Berryhill broke out under Jedd Fisch’s system in his first season as a starting receiver. He was second in the PAC-12 in catches with 83 and fourth in yards with 744 yards.

“You just bought into what they told you,” Berryhill said. “Change happens in football and you got to learn to adapt, face adversity and that’s just what I tried to focus on and buying into what they were telling us and picking up the offense as quick as possible.

“I just try to focus on the gameplans that the coaches put together for the team and lead the team as much as possible so he had the best chance to succeed,” Berryhill said. “I didn’t worry about my individual accolades too much.”

Berryhill recalls being California to snap Arizona’s 20-game losing streak that spanned three seasons as a career highlight.

“That was a big milestone in my career,” Berryhill said. “You go a long time losing and when you get a win you see all the work that you put in paying off.”

Berryhill had a head start on preparing for the NFL Draft after the Wildcats finished their season at the end of November. He started and ended the season with double-digit catches for over 100-yards. His draft preparation has focused on building strength and perfecting the 40-yard dash.

“It’s all technique, really,” Berryhill said. “All in the start for the most part and stances. It’s like you do not want to waste as much movement as possible so you want to just get it and go.”

Like most players who plays in the Shrine Bowl, the NFL is a dream destination. Berryhill never had a favorite team growing up but was inspired to play football from watching Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson play for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I always had an idea that I was going to play in the NFL or have a chance to play in the NFL,” Berryhill said. From when I was a kid in high school, as a kid in middle school, that’s always been a dream of mine.”