Dolphins’ QB Josh Rosen deserves chance to start

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It’s Rosen time!

After a week 1 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins looked to regroup quickly vs the New England Patriots.

And no matter how nice the field looked, or how appealing the white throwbacks were — this game was ugly.

Miami’s offense looked anemic for most of the game, much like they did last week vs Baltimore.

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 11/21 for 81 yards. And in a relief effort, Josh Rosen threw for 97 yards on 7/18 passing.

So where do the tanking Dolphins go from here?

For me, it all starts with the QB position. And although I pledged my allegiance earlier in the offseason, the time is now for “The Chosen One’ to take over. Why? Because the Dolphins need to know before the end of the season whether or not he’s the guy, and having ‘X amount of games to evaluate Rosen on, appears to be in the team’s best interest.

Now, I know you’re going to mention the turnstile of an offensive line, or the complete lack of a run game, but that’s okay. Because as we’ve seen all offseason long, Rosen appears to be the better all-around QB. He has a better sense in the pocket and appears to be capable of making throws, Fitzpatrick is not.  Yes, Flores has all but announced the veteran Fitzpatrick as the team’s Week 3 starter. And if the Dolphins truly are tanking, why make the change now?

Why not wait two more weeks until the BYE?

That all sounds well and good.  However, if you’re one of the 53-men on Miami’s roster, you have to realize Fitz just doesn’t have his magic anymore.  And no matter how badly you’d rather not trade away young talent like Laremy Tunsil or Minkah Fitzpatrick, losing won’t help matters.  The young defensive back forced his way out of Miami, and several others could too before the process is complete.

Truth is, the Harvard graduate has not looked the same since retiring in South Florida. What we can’t fully understand however, is the type of leadership he brings to this team. And for as respectable as that might be, the time is now to make a change. Josh Rosen was once a top-QB prospect and was highly coveted in college. Since joining the Dolphins in April, Rosen has done and said, all the right things. Now is his chance to prove to someone, anyone, that he can be a starting QB in this league.

If you’re Miami, best case scenario he looks like something the team could potentially build upon. Maybe he shows enough to have an open QB competition next summer. Most likely, however, is that a team completely void of talent continues to flounder. Anything less than failure would be in-humane. The Dolphins need the #1 pick and Tua Tagovailoa.

But in the here and now, it’s time for change.

Unfortunately, the book has been closed on both #FitzMagics. And unless he has a similar case to Benjamin Button, there won’t be many more highlight moments from the 36-year old QB. However, the opposite holds true for Rosen.

Each and every year, we see QBs define odds and become top-tier talent in the league. Why not Rosen?

It’s time. Start ‘The Chosen One’

Josh Houtz (@houtz) still supports Josh Rosen, even if it is #Tankovailoa SZN

Many Dolfans onboard with Dolphins tanking plan; I’m skeptical

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An interesting aspect of the Dolphins’ radical rebuilding project that must be recognized is it seems to have significant fan support.

This isn’t a scientific assessment, but it appears that the majority commenting on social media believe Dolphins management is doing what needs to be done.

Good for them, because it will take a high level of faith to endure the atrocities this team is committing to the game of football Sunday after Sunday.

One could argue how much of it is blind faith in a franchise that hasn’t gotten much right through a revolving door of executives and coaches over the past 20 years.

But I get it, fans are fed up with the old one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back routine.

So many of them are all in on writing off this season of epic humiliation for the promise of an influx of fresh talent through a boatload of draft picks and salary cap space accumulated via an epic roster purge.

Tanking shouldn’t be rewarded

Personally, I hate the concept of tanking that has become a trend in the various team sports. The NFL should institute a lottery system so that such a blatant dive for the top pick as the Dolphins are doing isn’t rewarded.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores is correct is saying that such a strategy is disrespectful to the game, even as he participates in one of the most extreme tank jobs that has been undertaken.

It’s worse than disrespecting the game, it’s a disgrace. Smart teams don’t have to tank to stay competitive.

The Dolphins haven’t been in that category for too long, so they have taken desperate measures.

As always with desperation, it’s a tenuous undertaking.

It’s also tougher to pull off in the NFL than in other team sports, particularly the NBA.

It was good to see Dolphins GM Chris Grier speak publicly Tuesday in the wake of the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to let fans know there is a method to what has appeared to be madness in the roster turnover of the past few weeks.

Grier explained that the Dolphins couldn’t resist when the Texans kept offering more for Laremy Tunsil, and only ceded to Fitzpatrick’s trade request only after all the top brass, including owner Steve Ross, were unable to talk him out of it.

Those deals inflated their impressive cache of high draft picks, Of course, they will have to expend some to replace those young former first-rounders.

And you see gaping holes to fill everywhere you look on the depth chart.

Maven view: No quick fix to this Dolphins mess

Grier aims for rapid turnaround

There is a belief pervading comments on social media that the Dolphins will be much better next year after a draft that includes three first-round picks and two in the second and with ample money to spend on free agents.

Grier somewhat fed that notion Tuesday.

“I don’t know if you really put a time frame with it. For us, we’ve positioned ourselves to where we think the organization will be in a good place shortly,” he said.

“How long that takes? Like I said, we’ll be aggressive in free agency. Again, we’re not going to sit back and not do anything. We’re going to be proactive and try and get this turned quickly.”

Maybe they will, and I hope for this long disappointed fan base will finally be rewarded.

They certainly have a wealth of draft capital to play in the next two years.

It is a stretch to think you can turn them all into winning players.

Look at the handful of draft picks from the first three rounds that remain on this stripped down roster and only Xavien Howard can be considered Pro Bowl caliber.

This year’s draft produced immediate starters in Christian Wilkins and Michael Deiter, so that’s a positive.

Looking at previous years, Kenyan Drake has potential that hasn’t been fully utilized. Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan are contributors but nothing special so far. DeVante Parker, Mike Gesicki and Charles Harris have fallen well short of expectations.

All of the rest are gone.

Yes, they have mined some gems in later rounds over the years, such as Reshad Jones and Jakeem Grant, and solid players such as Davon Godchaux and Bobby McCain, as well as Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi and Rishard Matthews, the latter three long gone from Miami.

Draft a hit-or-miss proposition

But even the overall success rate of first-rounders is only about 50-50.

They will get their pick of the quarterback litter. They’d better choose wisely.

The best choice isn’t always the first one. Keep in mind, the Dolphins could have taken the quarterback who shredded them in Week 1. Instead, Lamar Jackson was available to the Ravens at No. 32 in 2018, when the Dolphins took Fitzpatrick at No. 11.

As for filling more needs with established players, experience here has shown that you have to overpay for prime free agents and they generally underperform.

What we know for sure is that a franchise that has had more than its share of bizarre chapters has never had one quite like this.

Grier has certainly heaped a mountain of pressure on his own back. Watching how he plays out this rebuilding game will be a lot more fascinating than anything the Dolphins do on the field the rest of this sorry season.

​

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

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Dolphins future hinges on tempering (Tua) expectations

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This story is not here to tell you you’re wrong.

It is not here to argue against the plan.

This story is not here to take shots at any particular player.

Anyone who follows me on social media believes me to be critical of Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. I’ve made uninformed comments regarding his skillset that I have since corrected. Nevertheless, my personal philosophy leads people to believe that I am a “non-believer” of sorts. I make comments regarding what I have coined the “Cult of Tua,” because of the relentless hype surrounding this one quarterback. Not since Andrew Luck’s final year at Stanford has there been such a fanfare about a quarterback who has yet to join the ranks of the National Football League.

My frustration, such as it is, can be summed up from one GIF that I see on a regular basis while browsing Twitter.

That wink.

At this moment, it’s necessary to reiterate that my issue is not with Tua the football player. That GIF of him winking by itself is not what fills me with trepidation. It’s what it represents by those who use it. The hype machine that has surrounded Tua is where I take issue, because I can see where this could go horribly wrong for the Dolphins.

There are those who remember how things are. I applaud you if you’re one of them. But for those who are already crowning Tua as the savior of the franchise, I urge you to open your minds. Tua may very well be the next elite NFL quarterback. He may become Miami’s next Dan Marino, and maybe even surpass him. We don’t know, and that’s the entire point. Remember to temper expectations.

Tua’s Potential

Without a doubt, Tua Tagovailoa is the best QB Alabama has seen in a very, very long time. The word “transcendental” is used to describe his potential. All that is well and good. No argument here. But consider what will happen when Tua leaves his college world where he reigns supreme and enters a much bigger pond. If Miami’s plan is indeed to draft him, then the level of talent around him – resources to replenish or no – will not equate to what he had in college.

That is important.

Tua may not struggle at all, he may just be so incredibly elite that he’ll light up the NFL the moment he steps foot on a football field. If that’s the case, the Dolphins hit the jackpot. But it’s unwise to assume that will be the case or even get hopes up for that. If there’s one thing that’s been made clear, it’s that fanbases are notoriously impatient. Dolphins fans especially so. Certainly, there are those who will be disappointed when/if Tua fails to perform up to the remarkably high standards he set at Alabama. They may even turn on him, calling him a bust because he didn’t do as a rookie what he did in college.

You may now be saying to your screen that you feel you’re being talked down to. Of course you don’t believe Tua will be the same player in the NFL that he is in college. Again, I applaud you for your open-mindedness. There are growing pains to be had, adjustments to be made. Indeed, Tua may not even win the starting job to begin the 2020 season. But it is imperative that no matter what happens, patience prevails.

History says?

Consider the QB prospects that have come out in recent memory.

Sam Bradford had every tool required to be an elite NFL QB, but it never materialized due to injuries.

Cam Newton was touted as one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks ever coming out of college. He’s made it to a Super Bowl, put up staggering numbers and highlights. But now as he begins to struggle, the Carolina fanbase is turning sour on him.

Andrew Luck, the ultimate can’t-miss prospect. He was the chosen one, chants of “Suck for Luck” rang loud and clear throughout Miami as fans desperately wanted the Dolphins to do what they’re doing now – tanking – to get their hands on him. However, he instead replaced Peyton Manning, the previous most can’t-miss prospect, in Indianapolis. No one questioned Luck’s skillset. But his most successful seasons? His first three. Indianapolis went 11-5 his first three seasons, and it went downhill from there. The Colts only ever made it as far as the Conference Championship. Luck is now retired as his body is breaking down.

Speaking of Peyton Manning, perhaps he is the most appropriate example of all. Manning’s rookie season in 1998 was a miserable experience to watch. Oh, he showed his potential to be sure, but it was not pretty to watch him go through his growing pains. Naturally, in 1998, social media was not a thing. There was no Facebook, no Twitter, no platform for fans to speak their minds like there are now. But after that season, what would fans think of their young quarterback who was supposed to be the face of their franchise? Undoubtedly, they would think he’s a bust.

Manning went on to win two Super Bowls. But it took a little time for the success to materialize.

Temper Expectations

It’s okay to get excited about a new face, especially one as supremely talented as Tua. But it is imperative that fans and media alike refrain from putting him on a pedestal he has yet to earn. That is what leads to disappointment and heartbreak. Tua’s status as an elite college QB and NFL prospect is unquestionable. What he does once he reaches the NFL is not only up to him. Even Dan Marino, arguably the greater passer in NFL history, never won a Super Bowl.

Many have said that there is no such expectation being placed on Tua, it’s all in our heads. However, there is also the simple fact that everyone said they were ready for a tanking season. Now, many of those same individuals are unhappy because they didn’t know what tanking would entail. There are many of you who read this and are nodding sagely. Then there are those of you who feel that this story didn’t need to be written. There are even some who think that all this is wrong, that Tua is the savior and nothing can or will change your mind.

That’s fine, I’m not trying to change your mind.

Go on believing that Tua is the answer to Miami’s problems. He might be. But, remember to temper your expectations and not give up on him too soon if he struggles at the beginning. Tua’s wide receivers are some of the best in Alabama’s history, and his offensive line certainly exceeds the Dolphins. That factors into his success, believe it or not. It may not be the same for him when he arrives in Miami.

Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Don’t allow your heart to be broken again.

Josh Rosen could get his chance to start soon, but he won't be able to turn around lost season for Dolphins. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

There’s no quick fix for tanking Dolphins mess

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How many more weeks of this?

Right. The tank-travesty of this Dolphins season is only two games in and already pushing historical levels of ineptitude.

It would be difficult to recall a more incompetent showing, particularly on offense, than Sunday’s 43-0 drubbing by the Patriots. That is, if memory was limited to less than a week and you’d already forgotten the Ravens running it up 59-10 against an all-but-invisible Miami defense in the opener.

Two first downs through the first three quarters against the Patriots. Two pick-sixes allowed (one of them should be charged to the receiver, not the quarterback). Seven sacks allowed.

So, 102-10 in the first two weeks at home. That’s how far this once-proud franchise has retreated in a strategic rebuild that must have been masterminded by Col. Klink.

Granted, an organization stuck in the throes of mediocrity for two decades needed to try something different. But in a league in which the system is geared for parity it should never be necessary for a team to strip itself to this depth.

For those who have bought into the process of rebuilding through the draft, it’s delusional to think these threadbare Dolphins are going to rise from this mess by stockpiling a handful of extra draft picks.

The way this season is going, there’s nothing for Dolfans to look forward to until next April 23 — draft night. But this isn’t a one-draft fix.

The Dolphins have turned themselves into an expansion team.
Early in my career I covered the Tampa Bay Bucs’ 2-26 first two seasons. That is what we’re looking at here.

Many holes to fill

There are no guarantees in the draft, anyway, particularly for an organization with a subpar record of picking talent, dating to the previous century.

Now there are so many holes to fill, and they seem to have no qualms about digging more.

Yes, they need to find a stud quarterback. But if you can’t put a team around him, what do you have? You have Josh Rosen last year in Arizona. Or this year in Miami.

Trading away a young left tackle like Laremy Tunsil seems counterproductive, regardless of the return of high draft picks.

Now there are indications of willingness to trade DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, another recent first-rounder, and perhaps running back Kenyan Drake as well.

If coach Brian Flores can’t figure how to make productive use of these talented young players, I’m beginning to question his aptitude as head coach. Can only imagine what his players are thinking.

The Flores era couldn’t have gotten off to a rockier start.

Sunday’s game looked like what happens when a major college team faces an outmanned FCS opponent.

Like Bethune-Cookman did against the Hurricanes on Saturday, the Dolphins hung with the Patriots for awhile in the first half.

But even when it was still close, it felt as if the Patriots could do whatever they wanted. Especially when the Miami offense could do nothing at all.

Miami Miracle distant memory

“I thought they played hard,” Flores said of his defense. “I thought the communication was better, the tackling was better. I thought they played hard, and it’s a good [New England] offense. We got them off the field a couple times.”

Can’t knock the effort of the defensive players, especially in the first half. Later, when the runaway train gathered steam, that unit was gassed.

On New England’s final touchdown, a 10-yard screen to James White, the Fort Lauderdale native had four blockers escorting him to the end zone. None of them could find a single white jersey to block.

By then, the memory of the Miami Miracle had morphed to the South Florida Sham.

In the fourth quarter, the TV camera showed Dan Marino, who looked like he’d eaten bad fish at halftime. With good reason.

Is there any logical explanation for Kalen Ballage flubber-handing a routine swing pass into a pick six?

And what’s with a receiving corps with an aversion for the ball? Rosen, in mop-up duty, put deep balls right on the mark to Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams, and neither made the catch. Earlier, DeVante Parker was unable to outwrestle a defender for a spot-on long throw from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Give Rosen a chance

As for the quarterback situation, there’s no question Rosen should be the starter going forward. He’s more mobile and showed the arm strength and ability to deliver the ball on target down the field.

Not to say Rosen could rescue this already lost cause — or that Fitzpatrick is necessarily to blame for the offense’s woes.

If this miserable season is going to achieve anything, why not find out what the former 10th overall draft pick (of Arizona in 2018) Miami traded a second-round pick for can do and get him some experience?

After the game, Flores said Fitzpatrick is the starter, for now. That could change before next week at Dallas.

Maybe it’s not even in Rosen’s best interest to play, considering the inability of the line to protect either passer. He nearly blew out his knee scrambling out of bounds.

But it’s madness to keep beating one’s head against the same door and expecting it to open.

How many more weeks of this?

​

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

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That’s Bill! The Canes swamp Bethune Cookman

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In his lastest Front Facing Two-Minute Drill (TM), or whatever it is he calls it, our Billy O’Rourke recaps the Miami Hurricanes’ manhandling of Bethune Cookman.

We didn’t post this right away…. because it was Bethune Cookman.

Look for more from Mr. O’Rourke every week (or so) on our wrestling podcast, Smark Your Territory.

Five Hurricanes players to look forward to in Week 3

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The Miami Hurricanes finally get to play at home for the first time this season after a road game at North Carolina and neutral site showdown with Florida. Saturday’s matchup against Bethune-Cookman of the FCS ranks is the first of five consecutive home games. While the game is expected to result in an anti-climatic blowout win for Miami, here are five players fans should keep an eye on. 

Thunder and Lighting

Through Miami’s first two games, running backs DeeJay Dallas and Cam Harris have combined for 41 carries, 276 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. They call themselves “Thunder and Lighting.”

“He’s Thunder, I’m lightning,” Harris said with a wink.

They have a similar perspective towards running the ball, which bodes well for the offense. Miami offensive coordinator Dan Enos emphasized running down hill and both backs have demonstrated the ability to do that. 

“You gotta have that mentality of ‘me vs. you’ in every play,” Dallas said. “When you step in front of me, that’s disrespectful to me because I feel like I’m superior to you.”

Gregory Rousaeau 

Despite starting the season 0-2 for the first time in 40 years, Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker likes how his defense has been able to rush the passer.

However, redshirt freshman Gregory Rousaeau stands as the only Miami defensive lineman to have recorded a sack this season. He had to redshirt last season due to injury but has flashed in minimal snaps against Florida and North Carolina. At 6-feet-6 and 255 pounds, Rousseau is a special athlete in his position with length and agility. 

Who is Miami D-lineman Gregory Rousseau?

“Sometimes those guys are a little bit stronger and a little less athletic and more like heavy guys who want to just pancake you,” said Rousseau, a Coconut Creek native who missed most of last season with an ankle injury. “It’s really different, but it’s really the same thing because you’ve just got to come off the ball fast, get extension, be physical and just get after it every single play. Just like D-end, just kind of a different spot.”

Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker said Rousaeau will get more snaps in the near future. He’s also earned the respect of his veteran teammates, especially redshirt senior Scott Patchan, who referred to Rousseau as “a gift from God.”

“I think being hurt has allowed him to stick more time and investment in the weight room and he’s definitely benefited a lot from that,” Patchan said. “I mean, he’s leading us in sacks right now.”

Bubba Baxa

Some fans would argue that if it wasn’t for sophomore Bubba Baxa missing the field goal at the end the game, the Hurricanes would have won that game. Obviously there’s more to it but in two games, Baxa is 4-for-7 in field goals and seven points have been the difference between going 2-0 and 0-2, where Hurricanes currently are.

Unlike in the NFL, the Hurricanes can’t simply cut Baxa and bring in the next kicker they can find. There are only two courses of action Miami can take; hand the reigns over to Camden Price or Turner Davidson, or rally around Baxa and hope for the best. Miami head coach Manny Diaz went with the ladder.

“It’s not a thing you get to do it 20 times in a game like you’re shooting free throws. It’s kind of a one-shot deal,” Diaz said. “The only thing he can do and anybody can do is continue to work, continue to trust himself and just fully commit to every kick.”

The main reason behind Diaz sticking with Baxa is his leg power. His kickoffs usually results in touchbacks and he nailed his first 50+ yard field goal attempt against UNC.

“The more he feels us around him and the more he feels our support, and I said this the other day, he’s going to miss a kick again. It’s going to happen. We can’t demand perfection. But like we talk with all our guys, ‘am I improving and am I finding the way to become the best version of myself?’ ”

Jarren Williams

UM quarterback Jarren Williams mentioned before the UNC game that he has improved his pocket presence and it showed with a 30-of-39 performance for 309 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. While many were easy underneath throws, completing more than 75 percent of his passes is still impressive for a freshman starting quarterback. Against Bethune-Cookman the deep ball is the next area in which Williams must show improvement on.

“My deep ball is something I got to work out every day if I want to be efficient in that and that comes with time and building that chemistry,” Williams said after Wednesday’s practice. “That just comes with me working hard all day on Greentree [Practice Fields] and practicing it every day and just getting that timing right and getting a good feel for the deep ball.”

Brevin Jordan

Sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan started the season as the first player on the team to wear the new touchdown rings. Against UNC, he was one of three UM receivers to net over 70 receiving yards. As impressive he as been as a receiver, his contribution to the running game as blocker is something that gives him added value to the offense.

Hurricanes meet the press: Week 3

“I mean, I pride myself in blocking,” Jordan said. “I don’t want to be a tight end that’s 6-7 and can just block or a short tight end who just runs routes. I wanted to be a guy that’s versatile and can do it all. That’s the whole point. I want to be an in-line tight end that can block and be a guy that can be put outside and run vertical.”

He’ll have plenty of opportunities to do both against Bethune-Cookman, so what he does he enjoy more? Jordan was asked on Tuesday to compare the feeling he gets from making a great block to making a great catch.

“Truthfully, I like the ball in my hands. I’d rather make a great catch,” Jordan said, “but giving a great block, throwing somebody on the floor and then seeing [running backs Cam’Ron Harris] or DeeJay [Dallas] run past me, I mean, that’s just as good. It doesn’t get better than that.”