Tag Archive for: Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins' free agent signings fit into coach Brian Flores' scheme. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

Brian Flores has chance to separate himself from Belichick disciples

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There is no doubt that Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is trying to build a culture of winning and success. Just look at the free agency hauls for the organization over the past week or so. Furthermore, Flores is trying to break a trend with Belichick assistants. He is trying to come out on top.

When you look at the list of former Patriots assistant coaches who went on to become head coaches, the resume is not overly impressive in terms of winning.

Eric Mangini had marginal success, coaching the New York Jets from 2006-2008 and Cleveland Browns from 2009-2010. Although he finished with a career head coaching record of 33-48, he did win the Coach of the Year Award in 2006. That year, he was the head man for the New York Jets, compiling a 10-6 record. They lost to the Patriots in the AFC Wild Card Game, ending an otherwise great season. It was a crowning achievement for the coaching career of Mangini. He would never achieve that level of success again.

Looking at the Belichick disciples recently, Flores has a chance to stand out from the pack. Mike Vrabel did a great job with the Tennessee Titans this past year, leading them to the AFC Championship Game. Time will tell exactly how he does the rest of the way, but it seems as though he has a bright future.

Bill O’ Brien has had an interesting couple of months. The Houston Texans did well for themselves in 2019. They went 10-6 and finished first in the AFC South. Ultimately, they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Game. It wasn’t even the on-field results that were the most interesting part of all this. It’s what happened off the field.

O’Brien traded star receiver DeAndre Hopkins away for essentially a bag of peanuts. In actuality, Houston received running back David Johnson, a 2022nd-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick. Although Houston may have not been able to afford Hopkins’ asking price for a new contract, Houston should have been able to receive more than that in a trade.

In the meantime, Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia is coming off a 3-12-1 season. Good enough for fourth place in the NFC North, he hasn’t exactly been leading the Lions to success right now. Detroit certainly has pieces to be successful. Whether they will be able to reach a level of success with Patricia remains to be seen.

Brian Flores can be ahead of the pack

In any event, this is a chance for Flores to shine. He has a ton of talent at his disposal, and that does not even include the fifth overall pick in next month’s draft. Here is where he can separate himself from the rest of the Belichick disciples. Sustained success is certainly a viable option in 2020. The Dolphins have made several solid moves in free agency, and they still hold the fifth overall pick. That is certainly impressive. Undoubtedly, that should help them accelerate the rebuild.

When you take a look at the type of players the Miami Dolphins want onthier roster, look no further than this latest free agency. The New England Patriots Miami signed  are all gritty players. Ted Karras was a solid depth piece on the line for the Patriots last season. Both Roberts and Van Noy are linebackers that can produce consistently. You know what type of production you’re going to get out of them. they will play hard game in and game out.

This offseason could be a key moment in helping Brian Flores stand out from the rest of the pack. He has a chance to be successful for a long time, something that no other former New England assistant has ever been. There is a blueprint in place. Flores once this team to play physical, smart football, as well as being disciplined to boot. Now, Brian Flores has to take the next step. Execution is critical, and it’s something that has held up the others in their quest for greatness.

THE EXTRA YARD: Under Construction, The Dolphins Offensive Line

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With the first wave of free agency essentially over, we are left to examine the one unit that everybody that watched the Miami Dolphins last year thought needed the most attention.

Most Dolphins fans expected a move that could land an Andrus Peat, Graham Glasgow, and/or a big ticket item such as Joe Thuney or Jack Conklin. Of them all, there is only some circumstantial evidence that they approached Glasgow (he was locked into Denver early) and that interest in Thuney was strong till the Patriots tagged him.

So we were left with the signings of Ereck Flowers to play left guard, and Ted Karras to play center. A modest improvement, but these are moves that are based on hope /projection rather than accolades and reputation. Ereck Flowers, as has been said in print on these pages, and on the Three Yards Per Carry Podcast, is a guy that has essentially played a very good 8 games in his 5 year career. Karras is a guy who found himself at center for 15 games for the 2019 New England Patriots, and has remarkable “counting stats” (2 penalties, and 1 sack allowed in 15 starts for the Patriots). Both can be good, if all goes well, but we know it hardly ever works out that way.

So what do they have in house as of now, and what do they need? Let’s start with the two signees. If these two are not hopeless busts they are at the very least, upgrades over what they had there before, so lets pencil in Flowers at LG and Karras at Center. That leaves Jesse Davis as the possible RG, or even the returning starter at Right Tackle. Michael Dieter is now displaced from his LG spot, and is now interior line depth and the likely backup at center, where he can receive further development. Shaq Calhoun, Julian Davenport, and Danny Isidora can only be considered camp bodies and bottom of the roster guys, so let’s go shopping shall we?

TRADE FOR ONE

Trade for Trent Williams. He’s available. You have the assets. So what’s the holdup? Well, it is as easy as snapping your fingers, since his agent is requesting that Washington release him, so if you pony up an asset, the Redskins will likely part with him. The Dolphins had inquired this past season, and no deal could be had due to what was reported to be a pretty fat ask of what was at the very least a 2nd round pick. The other hold up I can foresee is that he wants to get paid. $20 million a year on a 3 year deal is not out of the question. You can make the case that (if healthy), Trent Williams is easily a top 3 Tackle in the NFL, and you can make a pretty good case that he might be the very best at left tackle. Trent is also versatile, and capable of making a switch to Right Tackle, just in case Miami drafts a left handed Quarterback in the first round. At #5 or higher. From Alabama. Via ‘Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Trent makes too much sense.


DRAFT ONE, OR TWO, OR THREE.

This is the harder part of the equation. There are 4 strong tackle prospects in this draft that all figure to go before the Dolphins use their 2nd pick of the first round at #18. They are, in no particular order: Andrew Thomas (Georgia, LT), Mekhi Becton (Louisville, LT), Tristan Wirfs (Iowa, RT), Jedrick Wills (Alabama, RT). You gotta think that the decision is made rather easy at #18 if any of these four drop to you. But let’s operate on the assumption that all four get taken before #18 (likely), and the Dolphins don’t have the appetite to package picks to move up (also likely). I have two “VONTAE MACK, NO MATTER WHAT” guys. One for the first round, and one for the second round, and possibly for that #26 pick.

 

JOSH JONES, HOUSTON LT, 6′-5″ 319 lbs.

Josh Jones is a dancer, and an athlete playing tackle in the mold of former Miami standout Laremy Tunsil. The advanced metrics love him as evidenced by the video above, and his senior bowl week was top notch. Jones has consistently improved almost game for game leading up to his last at Houston, despite having 4 Offensive Line coaches in 4 years. He is quick out of his stance, and moves effortlessly to the second level in the run game. A tell tale sign for these guys on tape in the run game is if they can find guys to hit, or do they tend to wander aimlessly when they are asked to make those reach blocks. Jones always seems to find his man. Jones is asking for coaching, as his technique is not as polished as you would like for a day 1 starter, but if his current “arrow up” trajectory means anything, he will take to NFL coaching and be a starter in year 1 in the NFL. I take him at #18 without hesitation (if the “big 4” are gone).

 

LUCAS NIANG, TCU RT, 6′-6″ 315 lbs.

Ok, this is probably a reach at #26, but in the 2nd round, you can find yourself regretting it down the road if you pass on him at #39 or #56. Now, he is coming off a Hip Injury/Surgery as he only played in 7 games in 2019. I can hear you grumbling. He is expected to make a complete recovery and be ready for workouts as soon as this summer. Niang is a very aware people mover, that plays with a great deal of intelligence and technique. He drops to anchor and stonewall the bull rush consistently on tape. He is also the type to find people to hit and he finishes blocks in space which is impressive for such a big man. He has had success against the bigger names he has faced throughout his career. What pops immediately as you watch Niang is how aware he is, and his professional demeanor. The best way I can put it is this: “Lucas Niang, plays like an adult.” Easy take for me with either pick in the 2nd round, strong debate at #26 if there is a run on tackles.

 

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

2020 Miami Dolphins Free Agency Tracker

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Despite everything going on in the world, the new NFL league year will begin as planned and NFL Free agency has begun! Which means, the start of the most important offseason in Miami Dolphins history is upon us. Lucky for you, we will take all of the news, rumors, and free-agent signing from around the internet and bring them to you in one place-HERE.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

This is the official 2020 Miami Dolphins Free Agency Tracker.

Signings

Miami adds linebacker depth with Kamu Grugier-Hill

Dolphins re-sign Safety Adrian Colbert

Miami Patriots sign another former New England Captain

 

Dolphins poach Ted Karras from New England

The Dolphins add another special teams captain 

Miami gets someone better than Kallen Ballage for their backfield

 

Dolphins start to build out the trenches with a short deal

 

Dolphins make Byron Jones highest-paid cornerback in NFL

 

Miami signs Safety Clayton Fejedelem

 

Dolphins agree to terms with OG Ereck Flowers

 

Dolphins agree to terms with DE Shaq Lawson

Wide Receiver Isaiah Ford, Linebacker Trent Harris, and Defensive Tackle Zach Sieler have been tendered.

 

Rumors

Is Byron Jones a possibility? 

 

Dolphins have interest in EDGE Shaq Lawson

Cuts

Safety Reshad Jones

Center Daniel Kilgore

Miami Dolphins sign ex-Patriot linebacker Elandon Roberts

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The Miami Dolphins are continuing to restock their roster during free agency. Wednesday, they signed another former New England Patriot to the roster. Linebacker Elandon Roberts is coming to the team per multiple media reports.

Roberts has spent the last four seasons with New England. His best season came in the 2017 campaign. He proved to be a sturdy linebacker for the Patriots that year. Recording 67 tackles and two sacks, he also managed to tally a pass deflection and fumble recovery.

Roberts proved very adept at getting to the quarterback, recording six quarterback hits on the year.

In four seasons with the Patriots, Roberts recorded 206 combined tackles and 14 quarterback hits for the Patriots.

He will bring experience and stability to the Miami linebacking group. Already, we have seen the likes of Kyle Van Noy come to the Miami linebacker group. Brian Flores worked with both of these guys as a member of the New England coaching staff. He knows what these two can produce.

As far as Roberts is concerned, he is a sure tackler who is not afraid to play with aggression and break up a play. He is not going to go to a Pro Bowl anytime soon. However, he is a player that is going to give it his all every single snap. These are the types of players that Flores wants to put on this football team.

The signing of Roberts on Wednesday signifies that Flores wants to build his roster similar to New England. Given how much the Patriots have gotten out of tough, grind-it-out type of players, that may not be a bad thing. One thing is for certain. Miami has a plan about how they want to construct their roster.

It will be interesting to see what the Miami Dolphins do the rest of the way. They still have the NFL Draft. Now, they are in a much better position and have flexibility when selecting.

Miami Dolphins: Jordan Howard scampers his way into town

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The Miami Dolphins have been busy in free agency, and Tuesday was no exception. They signed former Philadelphia Eagles running back Jordan Howard to a two-year deal worth north of $10 million.

Howard played with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He carried the ball 119 times for 525 yards and six touchdowns. Averaging 52.5 yards per contest, he was splitting carries with rookie Miles Sanders.

His best years to this point in his career came with the Chicago Bears. Howard rushed for over 1,000 yards in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He made the Pro Bowl in 2016 after rushing for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns. He also proved to be extremely durable in Chicago. Howard started in all 16 games in 2017, and started in 15 out of 16 games in 2018.

The Eagles had Howard play in 10 games, four of which he started.

Howard gives boost to Miami Dolphins rushing game

This is a solid pickup for a Miami Dolphins rushing attack that struggled last season. The Miami Dolphins ranked last in the entire National Football League in rushing. They recorded 305 total points on the season via the running game. Rushing for 1,156 yards on the season, they averaged 3.3 yards per carry.

Howard is definitely an upgrade for a Miami Dolphins rushing attack that needs a boost. This was a terrific signing for the team, considering they did all of their big spending earlier in the process of free agency. He is a veteran pickup that should be able to help them right away. I would not expect a Pro bowl performance from him in 2020, but you never know.

It will be interesting to see if the Miami Dolphins make more moves over the course of free agency. They have done a solid job identifying needs for their team. Not only that, we have yet to see what is going to happen in the Draft.

Reshad Jones

Miami Dolphins: Reshad Jones set to hit free agency

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The Miami Dolphins and a Pro Bowl player are parting ways. The team is releasing Reshad Jones. In a move that will become official March 18, this will free up $5.3 million in salary cap.

It is very clear that the Miami Dolphins are going in a new direction. For his part last season, Jones played in four games, recording 27 tackles and a pass deflection.

He dealt with injuries last year, having been placed on the injured reserve  November 20 with an undisclosed injury.

Jones also dealt with rib and chest injuries. This is something that he struggled with throughout most of October and into November. To be clear, his  stint on the injured reserve was separate from the rib and chest injuries.

Jones made the Pro Bowl in the 2015 and 2017 seasons. He put up tremendous numbers in both of those years. In 2015, he tallied five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. The two touchdowns via interception the league.

In 2017, he recorded two interceptions, and recovered two fumbles four touchdowns. He has been an explosive playmaker for the Miami Dolphins ever since he came into the league in 2010.

He finishes his Miami career playing in 128 games. In addition, he recorded 21 interceptions and 55 pass deflections. He also proved to be a decent pass-rusher for Miami, recording 10.5 sacks in his Miami career.

Now at age 31, he is set to hit the market. The Miami Dolphins certainly got some of his most productive years. Jones would be an asset to any secondary.

This is certainly another move that indicates the Miami Dolphins are trying to rebuild their organization a bit. We have seen coaches come and go quite a bit this offseason, and it’s all part of the retooling the Dolphins are doing to try and compete.

Miami Dolphins: Assistant head coach Karl Dorrell off to Colorado

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A Miami Dolphins assistant coach is getting a chance to fill a head coaching job. Miami Dolphins assistant head coach Karl Dorrell is taking the University of Colorado head coaching position. Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated first reported that he was a favorite, and Ian Rappaport confirmed the news. Dorrell was also the wide receivers coach.

Dorrell has an extensive coaching history. He began coaching at UCF in 1989 and received his first head coaching job in 2003 as the head coach of UCLA. From there, he bounced around the NFL. His first stint with the Miami Dolphins came from 2008-2010. In that timeframe, he served as the wide receivers coach. He then shifted to the quarterback position, taking the role of quarterbacks coach in 2011.

After serving the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Vanderbilt in 2014, he coached with the New York Jets from 2015-18. On February 9, head coach Brian Flores announced that Dorrell would serve the role of wide receivers coach.

Miami Dolphins wide receivers showed improvement in 2019

Dorrell certainly did his job with the Dolphins this past season. Devante Parker had a season of over 1,000 receiving yards, and three other receivers had over 400 yards. One of those receivers was Preston Williams. Although an injury cut his 2019 season short, he comes into the 2020 campaign with a lot of promise. There was some noticeable improvement on the part of the entire unit, more so than other years.

It will be interesting to see how he does at Colorado. For now, the coaching overhaul continues for the Miami Dolphins. In what is slated to be a season full of optimism, Miami will have a bunch of new pieces both on the field and on the sideline.

The coaching moves the Miami Dolphins have made this offseason have clearly shown that they want to go in a new direction come next year. We will see if all of these moves pay off in the end.

Alabama Athletics

Tua Tagovailoa Aces Three-Month Doctor Visit

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Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa’s hip looked ‘as positive as possible’ according to reports. Will the Dolphins draft the talented passer?

The NFL offseason is a long and grueling process.

No one truly knows what the team’s end game is, but if early reports are accurate, Tua Tagovailoa is at the top of their wish list. Acquiring the talented quarterback is an entirely different beast. And one that the Dolphins will soon have to make a franchise-altering decision on.

Is Tagovailoa worthy of the #5 overall pick? Absolutely.

Is he worthy of trading multiple draft picks to move up and secure the quarterback of the future? I believe so, but do the Dolphins?

That answer we may not know until April 23rd. But one thing we do know is that Tagovailoa is progressing quite nicely.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tagovailoa’s three-month CT scan came back great.

There’s still a ways to go in Tagovailoa’s development, and the potential for AVN is still prominent. However, this is a massive win for Tua and his agent, who hope the QB can throw before April’s draft. One would assume that if he can showcase his skills to NFL teams and general managers, the likelihood that he would be a top-5 draft pick dramatically improves. As does the possibility that Miami–or any other team–would have to trade up to land The Left Arm of God.

In the end, there is no player in the history of the NFL draft that I wanted my favorite football team to draft more than Tagovailoa. And for years, Miami passed on elite quarterbacks, to settle for the safe prospect. Perhaps this is the end? Maybe, after twenty years of failing to address the most critical position in football with anyone other than Ryan Tannehill, a bunch of second-round draft picks, or aging veterans–maybe they finally land a once-in-a-generation QB.

The time is now. Tua Tagovailoa, No Matter What.

This article was written by Josh Houtz (@houtz) a lifelong Tua Tagovailoa stan.

Yung Mayo

Miami Dolphins: Zach Thomas snubbed for Hall of Fame

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The Miami Dolphins great will have to wait another year.

The big day arrived for former Miami Dolphins great Zach Thomas. Saturday was the day that he would find out if he would be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The anticipation was building, with many legends chiming in and making the case for Thomas to be selected.

He certainly has an impressive resume. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and five first-team All-Pro selections are just some of the things he can hang his helmet on. In addition, he made the NFL 2000’s All-Decade team.

Unfortunately, Thomas did not make it. failing to be selected. Now, the hope is that he will have a shot in 2021. But it will only get tougher…

Among the first year candidates next season:

Automatic selections Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson and Calvin Johnson.

 

The Miami Dolphoins legend should be part of class

This is extremely unfortunate that Thomas is not going to be a part of the 2020 class. He gets very little credit nationally. Unfortunately, I think it’s partly due to the fact that he played for the Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins have not really been in the national media spotlight over the last decade or so.

Thomas was an extremely consistent player throughout his entire career. He played in 184 total games, starting 182 of them. He played in all 16 games five times in his career. Especially for the way he played, that is certainly impressive due to his physicality.

The Texas Tech product was also a player that could do more than just tackling and sacking the quarterback. He recorded 17 interceptions throughout his career. Nowadays, that number is difficult for a linebacker to obtain.

Brian  Urlacher has comparable statistics, and he was able to earn a spot in Canton. Thomas should have been there as well.

It’s disappointing that he was not a part of this year’s Pro football Hall of Fame class. Hopefully next year will be the year that Thomas makes it. He certainly deserves the honor.

Ryan Tannehill came back from…. Adam Gase?

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This is somewhat confusing.

It’s never been entirely clear what a Comeback Player of the Year is in major sports. Come back from what? Drugs? Tragedy? Incompetence of a team’s management?

This is one reason why the NBA changed the award to Most Improved Player a few years back.

So it’s tough to know what to make of now-Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill winning the award at NFL Honors on Saturday in Miami, during Super Bowl LIV week.

Tannehill, after all, was never terrible.

He hasn’t endured a tragedy.

He has had two significant injuries, yes, but nothing that was considered career-threatening.

So can we say that what he came back from was…. playing for the Miami Dolphins under Joe Philbin and Adam Gase?

Either way, Tannehill did have a solid season. Better than solid. Aided by an elite offensive line and bruising runner (Derrick Henry), a combination he never really had in Miami — 2016 with Jay Ayaji was closest — Tannehill did more than game manage. He led the league in some categories after taking over from Marcus Mariota. And he didn’t mess up as Henry carried the load and the Titans to the AFC Championship Game before they were exposed against Kansas City.

Still, Comeback Player of the Year?

Seems a stretch — just as it’s a stretch to expect Tannehill to be a top-5 quarterback next season.