After months of speculating, the Miami Dolphins today, made Xavien Howard the highest paid defensive back in NFL history. The former second-round pick from Baylor, struggled early on in his career-before taking the next step in 2018. And for a team that has very little resembling a shutdown defensive back, the move was absolutely necessary. Howard now becomes the face of the Dolphins’ defense, and will be tasked with shutting down the opposition’s No.1 wide receiver.
Here are the details according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dolphins are signing CB Xavien Howard to a record five-year, $76.5 million extension that includes $46M guaranteed, making him the highest paid CB in the NFL, sources tell ESPN. It’s the largest extension for a CB. Since becoming a 2nd-round pick, Howard has gone to one Pro Bowl.
Howard, 25, led the NFL in interceptions last season with seven. He was also invited to his first Pro Bowl–if you believe those type of things matter.
Now that the Dolphins inked Howard to a lucrative long-term deal, they will now focus on resigning left tackle, Laremy Tunsil.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svg00Josh Houtzhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgJosh Houtz2019-05-09 20:23:062019-05-09 20:26:57Dolphins make Xavien Howard highest paid defensive back in NFL history
Giancarlo Navas, Brian Goins and Christian Hernandez discussed Juwan Howard staying in Miami, whether the Heat should have pushed harder for Jimmy Butler and then shifted to Game of Thrones to debate who has the best odds of ruling Westeros on the Miami Heat Beat’s 206th episode.
The Los Angeles Lakers recently interviewed Juwan Howard for its head coaching vacancy, but multiple reports expect Tyronn Lue to be named the next head coach and reunite with LeBron James. Hernandez prompted the thought of how it’s good that Howard will stay with Miami because the Heat retain its top assistant. However, there comes a time when an assistant eventually is expected to move on to higher positions, and if they don’t eventually climb the coaching ladder and get hired as head coaches, does that signify that they’re bad at their job?
The guys moved on to discuss the NBA Playoffs and how Jimmy Butler has impressed thus far. Navas debates whether the Heat made the right decision regarding Butler, and where the franchise would be right now if they had made the deal.
Butler continues to take over fourth quarters for Philadelphia. In clutch time situations in the postseason, Butler has been the most efficient player in the NBA.
The price tag of Kelly Olynyk, Josh Richardson and a future first rounder for a 30-year-old star with the baggage of Tom Thibodeau minutes and an eventual max contract on the books seems too high for Navas. The move may have put them ahead of the Indiana Pacers as a five or six seed, locking the Heat into a relatively higher mediocre level than they find themselves now. Hernandez argued that this Heat team was built for a player like Butler.
Miami lacks the fourth-quarter superstar that shines when all eyes are on him. Butler has proven he can be that player. However, the Heat’s cap situation in this what-if scenario makes the situation too difficult to debate whether the move could be reasonably justified long-term.
Navas, a known Kyle Lowry-apologist, then broke down the Toronto Raptors woes in its playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors are making about 30 percent of its three pointers this series, and subtracting Kawhi Leonard from the equation drops the team to 23 percent from beyond the arc. The combination of Joel Embiid’s size, who has been covering Pascal Siakam since Game 2, and the 76ers adjustments defensively have caused Marc Gasol, Danny Green and Siakam to struggle throughout the series. Kawhi Leonard, however, has been one of the lone bright spots with his historically efficient play. Leonard’s career true shooting percentage increases in the playoffs compared to his regular season numbers, a massive anomaly among all current NBA players. Dwyane Wade’s true shooting percentage numbers also remained exactly the same in the regular season and playoffs, showing his consistent play throughout his career.
The guys shifted from NBA talk to an even more polarizing subject recently: Game of Thrones. The communal aspect that Game of Thrones has exemplified the past few weeks whether on Twitter or at work is unlike any other television show ever. Though this cultural phenomenon seems to be finding its way everywhere, fans continue to express their displeasure with where the plot and storylines are headed with just two episodes remaining in the series. Despite this, the guys headed to OddsShark to debate who they think will take the Throne. After an over-confident Night King blew an easy 3-1 lead to the Starks, Brian thinks the white-walker king may make a return and claim the Throne. Navas thought Arya Stark, described as the LeBron James of Westeros (or Justise Winslow, depending on who you ask #JustiseBetter), provides the best betting value at +1400 to sit on the Throne at the end of the series.
Rounding out the episode, the guys discussed the illustrious career of Miami’s best point guard in franchise history: Mario Chalmers. After claiming a European Championship overseas with Virtus Bologna this past month, the 32-year-old point guard is now a two-time high school state champion, an NCAA champion, a two-time NBA champion and a European champion. Chalmers is now taking his talents to the Big 3 League, where he was drafted this week in the third round by the 3 Headed Monsters. Stat of the Pod: Jason Terry outscored LeBron James in the 2011 NBA Finals (JT: 108, LJ: 107)
Tottenham y Liverpool jugarán una final inglesa en suelo español gracias a dos remontadas espectaculares y sorprendentes.
Lucas Moura anotó tres goles en 45 minutos incluyendo uno en el último segundo del descuento para voltear el encuentro y la llave semifinal ante el Ajax en Ámsterdam.
Los equipos ingleses sorprendieron al mundo del fútbol con dos remontadas espectaculares ante FC Barcelona y Ajax, que llegaban como claros favoritos tras los resultados de la ida, para convertirse en los justos finalistas de esta edición de la Champions League.
La final, que se disputará en el Wanda Metropolitano en Madrid, será totalmente inglesa por primera vez desde 2008 cuando Manchester United y Chelsea se vieron las caras.
¿Es hora de reestructuraciones en el FC Barcelona tras volver a fallar en la Liga de Campeones?
¿Cuántos jugadores venderá el Ajax en este mercado de fichajes?
¿Habrá más atención de la afición anglosajona en Estados Unidos al tener una final con dos equipos de la Premier League?
Leandro Soto, Ricardo Montes de Oca y Alejandro Villegas lo discuten en el episodio 33 de Cinco Razones Podcast:
Disfruta de todos lo episodios de Cinco Razones Podcast haciendo click en este link.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2019-05-08-at-8.25.25-PM.png6011006Alejandro Villegashttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAlejandro Villegas2019-05-08 20:42:462019-05-08 20:45:11Liverpool y Tottenham deleitaron con remontadas históricas en las semis de Champions
It appeared the Miami Heat had escaped a bit of a crisis.
Short on assistant coaches with real playing experience who connect in that way with their current players, the Heat appeared to be keeping Juwan Howard through at least this offseason. About a month ago, our Greg Sylvander wrote this piece about Howard’s importance in the locker room and on the practice court, and why the Heat could not afford to lose him now.
Then, amid the rumors of the Los Angeles Lakers’ interest in Howard, Monty Williams and Tyronn Lue (LeBron James’ former coach) emerged as primary candidates.
Now both have turned down what was once among the prized jobs in sports.
Jason Kidd remains somewhere in the picture.
But here we are…
I’m hearing Juwan Howard is being strongly considered for the Lakers Head Coaching position. @miaheatbeat@5ReasonsSports
This makes sense for a lot of reasons, foremost among them James’ respect for Howard — and also Howard’s lack of head coaching experience, which may make it easier for James to get his way. James has played better for coaches with some experience than those without any (David Blatt, Luke Walton).
And it’s not like elite proven candidates are clamoring for the job.
Who should coach the Lakers next?
— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) May 8, 2019
If you want a full list of Lakers coaching candidates, look here.
Or here…
The Los Angeles Lakers are adding these former NBA coaches to their coaching search: Lionel Hollins, Frank Vogel and Mike Woodson, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA@Stadium.
What’s not clear is what the Heat will do if Howard leaves. Dan Craig is still around, as is Chris Quinn, but the reality is that it helps to have a strong black voice on a staff in the NBA, and the Heat don’t have one. Anthony Carter is a relative newbie, and didn’t have Howard’s playing chops.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Juwan-Howard-2-scaled.jpg17072560Ethan Skolnickhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEthan Skolnick2019-05-08 19:45:492019-05-08 20:33:51Is Juwan Howard the only man willing to coach the Lakers?
The Miami Heat had one of their more mediocre seasons in the past quarter-century.
But, in the eyes of some fans, they’ve never looked better.
By any measure, the Vice jerseys were a huge hit from the start, even though the Heat could never seem to win in them. The personnel department is going through a rare rough stretch, but the marketing department has been on fire for a while now, from the jerseys to the court color change to everything that revolved around Dwyane Wade’s #OneLastDance.
And the numbers prove it:
JUST IN: The @MiamiHEAT “Vice Nights” jersey was best-selling city edition uniform in the league. Actual numbers weren’t released, but told they accounted for 24% of all city jerseys made. pic.twitter.com/auRiQVrKei
There are 30 teams, so the Heat should have been at three percent.
So it’s really a remarkable achievement, and the timing was right to coincide with the Wade celebration.
Now they just need another star to wear them, one in his prime, so they’ll win a bit more often.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0731.jpg510640Ethan Skolnickhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEthan Skolnick2019-05-08 13:13:432019-05-08 13:13:43Miami Heat looked better than they played
The clock starts now for Inter Miami. Their inaugural MLS season is due to kick off in 10 months, and for the first time today we saw signs of construction. Or rather demolition. The club held a ceremony for the beginning of the work to be done at Lockhart Stadium.
They’ll probably have to work at a quicker rate of speed than that original thunk of a dilapidated ticket booth if they are to destroy Lockhart, Fort Lauderdale Stadium, and get an 18,000 seat stadium built in time for next season. But, if you’re interested in buying tickets for a yet to be constructed stadium, you can do so now.
While demolition begins today, at the moment Inter Miami only have a temporary agreement with the City of Fort Lauderdale to demolish the two stadiums that currently sit there. A full agreement for construction and occupancy is still being ironed out. Mayor Dean Trantalis told me today that those talks are going well and as long as Inter follow the city’s codes, it should go ahead as planned.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1857.jpg7621364Chris Wittynghamhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgChris Wittyngham2019-05-08 11:49:002019-05-08 11:49:00Demolition At Lockhart Begins As Inter Miami Start 2020 Ticket Sales
One of the remarkable things about the late-career Pat Riley story is that he keeps getting asked for his advice about other franchises — even as he’s uncharacteristically struggling to fix his own.
First, there was all that Los Angeles Lakers chatter, following the resignation of Riley favorite Magic Johnson — and reports that owner Jeannie Buss wanted to bring Riley back aboard.
And now, the organization that supplanted the Heat as the power brokers in the NBA apparently has consulted with Riley as well.
This was an interesting nugget from the only person on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, in reference to scuffling Warriors guard Klay Thompson who, like Kevin Durant, is due to become a free agent.
“Even folks like Pat Riley have spoken to folks within the Warriors organization to say, ‘Your priority had better be keeping the Splash Brothers together. Not only have they heard that from Pat Riley, they’ve heard it from Jerry West, they’ve heard it from others. Keeping the Splash Brothers together. Obviously you know that Kevin Durant is the best player on the team, he’s one of the top two players on the planet. But the point is they anticipate — although they hope otherwise — they anticipate that he may leave….”
That is typical Riley thinking, it would seem, not wanting to sink to the bottom. Recall that after the Heat added Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger in the summer of 2014 — and then watched LeBron James walk — Riley immediately maxed out Chris Bosh to top a competing offer from Houston, while giving Dwyane Wade just enough to stay. (Riley has later said he regretted the decision not to max Wade first, which ultimately contributed to the fractious negotiations in 2015 and the ugly departure of 2016).
But there’s a deeper question here:
Why is Riley, the man who would fine his players for picking opponents off the floor and scowled every time BFF’s Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing went to dinner during a Heat-Knicks series, helping the team he and the rest of the NBA have been chasing? West, Riley’s mentor, isn’t even with the Warriors anymore, but now with the Los Angeles Clippers, who are far better positioned than the Heat. Did anyone — save perhaps Riley pal Gregg Popovich — offer the Heat advice during the Big 3 run?
No. They were all too busy legislating against the Heat, voting through punitive luxury tax penalties to ensure the Heat’s eventual breakup. If the Warriors are dying their last breaths, let them die Pat. Don’t throw them a lifeline. Or just tell them to sign a contract equivalent to James Johnson’s.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1704-e1562471414371.jpg695950Ethan Skolnickhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEthan Skolnick2019-05-07 20:14:492019-05-07 20:14:49Why is Pat Riley assisting the enemy?
Top needs: Quarterback, defensive line, offensive line
Draft Analysis:
Miami is undergoing a complete rebuild this offseason. It might have the least-talented roster in the league after Ja’Wuan James, Robert Quinn, Cameron Wake, Danny Amendola and Ryan Tannehill, among others, departed. It has needs at almost every position. New GM Chris Grier has started the rebuild in the right way, though, stripping spare parts (and big contracts) and starting fresh while picking up future assets, like a 2020 second-round pick from the aggressive Saints on Friday.
And since we thought the Dolphins were more interested in the 2020 quarterback class — they passed on both Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock in Round 1 — the low-risk trade for Josh Rosen makes an awful lot of sense. They gave up just a late second-round pick (No. 62) and a 2020 fifth-rounder to add a supertalented signal-caller who went No. 10 overall a year ago. He’s also on a cheap deal for the next few years with his signing bonus already paid, so even if he’s not the long-term answer, it will be easy to move on. I wouldn’t rule out Miami still being in the 2020 QB sweepstakes, but I like the Rosen deal.
Miami added an underrated interior pass-rusher in Christian Wilkins at No. 13 overall, and for a team desperate for sacks, he will provide a boost. He’s also going to be a great locker-room presence. Michael Deiter (No. 78) was my third-ranked guard, but he started games at tackle, center and guard for the Badgers. Isaiah Prince (No. 202) is a sneaky candidate to start at one of the tackle spots. Myles Gaskin (No. 234) was extremely productive in college, but you wonder what all those carries have done to his body.
Again, this is going to be a long process for the Dolphins, and they’re just beginning. This draft will be remembered for the Rosen deal, but Wilkins could be a steal.
Best pick: It was their first one, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. He will be a star. He got my only A+ in my first-round grades.
Worst pick: They really didn’t have any, but fifth-round linebacker Andrew Van Ginkelwas probably taken a little too high.
The skinny: Landing Wilkins was a great move and fills a major need, but I also loved that they traded their second-round pick to land Josh Rosen from Arizona. He could be their long-term quarterback.
Draft picks: Clemson DT Christian Wilkins (No. 13 overall); Wisconsin OG Michael Deiter (No. 78); Wisconsin LB Andrew Van Ginkel (No. 151); Ohio State OT Isaiah Prince (No. 202); Auburn FB Chandler Cox (No. 233); Washington RB Myles Gaskin (No. 234) Overall grade: A- Draft analysis: Wilkins is a quality person and an excellent player with the versatility to play anywhere on the line. The team never really replaced Ndamukong Suh, and Wilkins has the ability to be really disruptive inside.
We absolutely take the Friday acquisition of Josh Rosen into account in this grade. Landing the second-year QB for a late-second-round pick this year and 2020 fifth-rounder was an absolute bargain. Trading down in Round 2 in a deal with the Saints before making the Rosen deal was also a great move. Deiter meets an important need at guard, especially with Rosen in place.
Van Ginkel is still growing as a player, but he has real potential as a pass rusher. Prince will get a chance to play at right tackle as a rookie, though he’ll need to be more consistent to earn the job. Gaskin is not exceptional in any area but will be tough to cut.
1 (13). Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
3 (78). Michael Deiter, OL, Wisconsin
5 (151). Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Wisconsin
6 (202). Isaiah Prince, T, Ohio State
7 (233). Chandler Cox, FB, Auburn
7 (234). Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
There really was no wrong direction for the Dolphins to go in this draft—with an all-new coaching staff and mediocre roster, the team is undergoing personnel overhauls on both sides of the ball. First-time head coach Brian Flores, having spent his entire career until now in New England, is expected to employ a Belichick-style scheme which would mean an emphasis on size and strength along the D-line. Interestingly, Christian Wilkins, though a highly regarded first-round talent, doesn’t completely fit this profile. Wilkins’s game is built more on movement than force. He can, however, align at multiple spots, which is key in Flores’s system.
Getting Josh Rosen with the 62nd overall pick (plus a fifth-rounder next year) is incredible value. Rosen was in a no-win situation with the Cardinals last year and should not be viewed any differently than he was coming out of UCLA. He will almost certainly start right away and play behind Michael Deiter, who started every game the last four years at Wisconsin and fills a left guard spot that was devoid of any starting caliber options prior to this draft.
The Dolphins fleeced the Cardinals. First Miami dropped down from No. 48 to No. 62. Then it used the No. 62 pick to trade for quarterback Josh Rosen, a potential franchise quarterback. If he’s not, he’s cheap and the Dolphins can move on easily.
In the first round, the Dolphins helped fortify their defensive line with Christian Wilkins at No. 13. He specializes at getting pressure. Guard Michael Deiter, taken at No. 78, fills a big need. He’s experienced, playing four years at Wisconsin, and should step into the starting lineup. He’s one of the better picks inside the top 100.
Miami’s last pick, running back Myles Gaskin, has a real chance to stick on the roster. He’s a slippery back who will make tacklers miss.
Overview:
Josh Rosen is part of this haul after the Dolphins acquired him for the 62nd pick. They will owe Rosen just $6.3 million over the next three years. The extreme low-cost flyer makes all kinds of sense for a rebuild-committed team that has properly self diagnosed. GM Chris Grier pulled off another forward-thinking deal by flipping No. 48 for No. 62, No. 202, and the Saints’ 2020 second-round pick. Wilkins projects as a high-floor building-block up front, and Deiter earned 2018 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year after making starts at guard, center, and left tackle in his career. He should not struggle to win a rookie-year starting job on Miami’s talent-poor offensive line. None of the Dolphins’ day-three picks jump off the page as steals or obvious duds, but I think we should appreciate this team’s overall approach. The Fins have set themselves up to lead the league in 2020 draft capital with a realistic chance at the top pick in each round next year, including No. 1 overall. Short-term sacrifices for long-term gains.
How did you think the Dolphins did in this year’s draft?
Comment below.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/report-card.jpg13792083Josh Houtzhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgJosh Houtz2019-05-06 21:04:092019-05-06 21:04:09Rundown of Miami Dolphins draft grades
There has been a certain clarity and coherence to the Miami Dolphins’ offseason that was not the norm during the tenure of deposed chief Mike Tannenbaum or other general managers and team presidents.
Let high-priced older players go.
Don’t chase any in free agency.
Build through the draft and take a shot on some fliers — some from the quickly-defunct AAF.
So this news, originally reported by the Miami Herald’s Adam Beasley, was a bit of a surprise:
Perry, recently released by the Packers, is 29, which isn’t especially old — not when compared to Cam Wake — but still doesn’t seem to fall into the range of players the Dolphins have pursued. So it’s a little out of step with what we’ve seen. Also, though, the Dolphins’ defense could be awful unless they get some pass rush, and Perry — like 2018 flop Robert Quinn — has provided some of that during his career.
This is push and pull, between trying to be bad but not wanting to embarrass yourself.
And it appears to some degree that GM Chris Grier (pictured above) and the rest of the front office are attempting to toe that weird line.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_5883.jpg480640Ethan Skolnickhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEthan Skolnick2019-05-06 15:31:182019-05-06 15:31:18Dolphins going after veterans now?
