Tag Archive for: Miami Dolphins

Josh Rosen to start Sunday vs Dallas

/0 Comments/in /by

The time has finally come for Josh Rosen.

After spending the last several months clamoring for Josh Rosen to be the Dolphins’ starting QB, the time is now for ‘The Chosen One’.

Truth is, after a woeful start from the man known as ‘FitzMagic’, a change seemed imminent.  But as of Thursday morning, it seemed as though Fitzpatrick would remain Miami’s QB for at least one more week.  And then, everything changed.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins will start Rosen this Sunday vs the Cowboys.

The plan was always for the Dolphins to find out what they had in the 22-year old QB, sooner rather than later.  But no one expected him to get the start this early.

We will now see how Miami looks in Big D this Sunday with a young, promising QB at the helm.  This probably won’t do much to detract the #TankForTua crowd.  But if Rosen can string together a few wins, the future would look a light brighter than many expected.  After all, if Rosen is ‘the guy’, they could then use the $130+M and treasure chest of draft picks, to build everything around him.

In Josh Rosen We Trust.

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

Can the NFL Competition Committee stop #Tankovailoa?

/2 Comments/in /by

The Miami Dolphins are in every outlet of the country because of their obvious tanking. Can the NFL do anything about it?

Everyone that has watched the last several weeks in Davie, Florida, can see the long-term plan starting to unfold.

And whether that be the $130M+ they will have to spend in free agency, or the obscene amount of draft picks – it all starts with securing the NFL’s top QB prospect, Tua Tagovailoa.

That is, unless the NFL competition committee has something to say about it.

According to the Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan, the competition committee could take a look at the Dolphins plan to #TankForTua–much like they did with Cleveland several years ago.

“Five years ago, the league source said, the competition committee did debate the Cleveland Browns, which is best described as having pursued a mini version of the Dolphins’ strategy. The committee, the league source added, was responding to media questions and decided the NFL Draft structure served the league well.”

Kaplan then goes on to mention why the NFL competition committee could have a problem with teams trying to deliberately tank, such as the 2019 Dolphins.

“The committee will probably have the questions posed to it again, if not by the media, maybe by teams,” a league source said.

“It’s likely the competition committee will have to address this issue.” It’s not hard to see why the committee might be concerned. The fabric of the NFL is built on the “Any Given Sunday” ethos that infuses fans with the belief that any NFL team can beat another NFL team. It’s not baseball where each team has 162 sometimes meaningless games spread across regional sports channels or the NBA with 82 regular season games. NFL teams have only 16 games and they are all national, with an inordinate amount of pressure and hype for each contest.”

For the league to determine the Dolphins are deliberately trying to tank, they would need to bring in some of the top investigators in the country. Some names to consider include Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc., the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and of course, Inspector Gadget.  This is not a job for the faint of heart. 

In all seriousness, there’s probably very little that will come of this.  The Dolphins are on pace to be the worst team in NFL history.  Period.

Sure, maybe the ‘tank’ was never meant to be this bad.  But everything is going according to plan.  #Tankovailoa

Albert Wilson will not suit up Sunday for Miami Dolphins

/0 Comments/in /by

The Miami Dolphins will be missing two key players on Sunday, especially Albert Wilson.

The Dolphins chances against the Dallas Cowboys got much tougher with some news on Wednesday. According to multiple media reports, wide receiver Albert Wilson will likely miss his second game in a row.

He is doubtful according to the report, and Miami will certainly miss his offensive production. He hasn’t had a blazing start to this year. Catching two passes for 13 yards, those are certainly numbers that can be improved upon. The injuries he suffered haven’t helped of course. Suffering a calf injury against the New England Patriots, it seems like the injuries keep mounting for him.

Although he had much better numbers last season, he missed nine games with a hip injury. For the year, Wilson finished with 26 catches for 391 yards and four touchdowns in 2018.

Jones out for Miami Dolphins as well

Reshad Jones is also expected to miss Sunday’s game. This is unfortunate as well. I thought he was going to have a big role once the Dolphins traded away Minkah Fitzpatrick. He sat out Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury.

In a season that is already extremely challenging, these two injuries are not what the Dolphins needed. As the team looks to try and make the best of what is a rebuilding year, these veterans could have certainly helped on Sunday. These injuries do not sound season-ending, so that is a good thing. I would figure Wilson to be a big part of the passing game moving forward as Miami looks to make the most of this season.

Jones should figure to be a big part of the defense, and I would still expect him to play a role in it. These two are undoubtedly going to have their stock rise this season if they perform well. Hopefully, this is just a short stay on the sidelines rather than a permanent one.

Charles Harris

Will the Dolphins claim Taco Charlton off waivers?

/0 Comments/in /by

Can Taco Charlton help at all this season?

Heading into the 2019 season, the Miami Dolphins had several glaring weaknesses. And aside from the warts we continue to see each and every day in South Florida, pass-rusher remains at the top of the list.  Truth is, Miami has all the money and draft capital in the world, but that can’t be used until the league year strikes 2020.  So for now, they must continue to bring in low-risk, high-reward signings in hopes of building a young nucleus.  Which leads us to the 28th-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Taco Charlton.

Charlton, 24, was recently released by the Dallas Cowboys after he took to social media to voice his displeasure with his role in Big D.  He believes he deserves a bigger role elsewhere, and Miami might be the perfect destination.

The age old saying ‘One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure’ applies to the situation.  After all, Charlton amassed 46 (18 solo) tackles and 4 sacks in his two seasons with the Cowboys.  Ironically enough, Charles Harris has 43 (18 solo) and 3 sacks in two years.  Harris was drafted six picks before Taco.

The question isn’t whether or not the Dolphins should use a waiver claim on Taco Charlton, because they should.  But will they have the opportunity to claim him before one of the other 12 teams with a hire waiver claim.

As I learned earlier today, the waiver order is currently based off of last year’s draft order.  Though this will change after the end of Week 3.

Brian Flores could turn Taco into a superstar.  I believe that.

And it can’t hurt that he graduated from the University of Michigan, Ross’ one true love.

Charlton is a player with very good physical attributes, who can be a valuable speed-rusher off the EDGE.

Miami missed out on Clowney.  The same may have been true regarding Trey Flowers.  Nevertheless, Charlton could be an asset on a team with very little hope for the future.  And if not, they cut ties with the 24-year old DE, who is set to make under $4M over the next two seasons.

Miami needs a pass-rusher and Taco needs a new home.

 “Yo Quiero, Taco Charlton”

Should the Miami Dolphins make a move for Jalen Ramsey?

/0 Comments/in /by

Jalen Ramsey could be an option for the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins aren’t the only team who has disgruntled super stars.

During Jacksonville’s 13-12 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, fiery cornerback Jalen Ramsey found himself in a heated exchange with his head coach, Doug Marrone.

In the aftermath of the exchange, the former first-round pick has requested a trade from the Jaguars.

It seems like the bridge has been burned in Jacksonville. The Jaguars would like two first-round picks for the 2017 first-team All-Pro.

The Miami Dolphins are on track to be the worst team in NFL history. However, they are loaded with draft capital for both the 2020 and 2021 drafts.

His impact won’t be seen in 2019, but should the Dolphins trade for Ramsey to pair with Xavien Howard in Miami’s secondary?

Ramsey is under contract through 2020, meaning he could re-up with the Dolphins after a trade.

Miami is scheduled to have $122 million in cap space next season.  General Manager Chris Grier said yesterday that the team plans to be aggressive in the 2020 off season.

Keep in mind, aggressiveness isn’t limited to signing unrestricted free agents. The Dolphins could find themselves in the running to make a move for some disgruntled superstars and Jalen Ramsey fits the bill.

If Jalen Ramsey remains in Jacksonville through the regular season, the Dolphins could make a move for the cornerback. If price starts to drop and we discover the value of Miami’s picks, the Dolphins should be aggressive in trading for a talent like Ramsey.

Minkah

Miami Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick as rebuild continues

/0 Comments/in /by

Minkah Fitzpatrick is no longer a Dolphin.

We have a late-night trade to tell you about, and it will definitely benefit the Miami Dolphins in the long run. The team has traded defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2020 1st-round pick.

Fitzpatrick has recorded 11 total tackles so far this season. His recent track record had him on pace for a solid year. 2018 was a great year for him. In 16 games, he recorded 80 tackles and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown.

In the team’s last game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Fitzpatrick recorded  four tackles. That is the same amount he recorded against Baltimore in the opener last week.

What can he bring to Pittsburgh?

Much like he did for the Miami Dolphins, Fitzpatrick will be able to add a physical brand of football to the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary. This is a team that has prided themselves on defense for years. With guys like TJ Watt and Devin Bush on that side of the football, That doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. This is a team that has a mix of players who are both veterans and younger players

Minkah Fitzpatrick is young himself, so adding him to the Pittsburgh secondary will allow for the Steelers to have a nice core to build around. In this day and age of the National Football League, where passing is king and offense runs amok, this is a great move for the Steelers. This will just add another weapon for them on defense.

What does this mean for Miami?

It is no secret that the Miami Dolphins are in rebuilding mode. Right now, the main goal for them is to collect as many assets as possible. This team certainly has a lot of capital to build around. With Ben Roethlisberger out for the rest of the season, this 2020 draft pick could have significant value to it. We will have to see how it all plays out.

Miami currently has three first-round picks and two second round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

This is also a big move for Reshad Jones. He will continue to be the starting safety. Now, he should become the unquestioned leader of the defense. It’s a lot to ask out of him, but I truly believe he can do it.

It will be interesting to see if Fitzpatrick’s trade from the Miami Dolphins will lead to the exits of more players. We have already heard rumblings about players wanting out of Miami.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a very good player. However for a rebuilding Miami Dolphins team, it was time to move forward. Both teams won in this deal, With a Pittsburgh Steelers team that can still make a run to the playoffs and a Miami team looking to rebuild, this is a great deal for both sides.

Dolphins trending to be worst team ever

/0 Comments/in /by

The sample size for these Dolphins is super small…. and the first two opponents were really good.

Still, how much more do you need to see?

Rather than write another treatise about tanking, one tweet summed up the Miami Dolphins’ situation, having been outscored 102-10, at home, by the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots to start the season.

A week ago, I wondered whether this would be the worst non-expansion team in South Florida sports history. (Spoiler: It is.)

Now the question is whether it will be the worst team in NFL history.

Just click the tweet below….

And hide the kids….

Miami Dolphins Tank is Armed and Dangerous

/0 Comments/in , /by

After two games the Miami Dolphins tank is gassed up and running full speed.

Fans of the Miami Dolphins have witnessed unprecedented ineptitude so far this season.

To put the carnage in perspective an easy place to start is the box score.

Now box scores don’t always tell the whole story, but these numbers don’t lie.

After another deflating home loss, this time 43-0 to the hated Patriots, we have seen the worst start to a season in their history.

How bad do you say?

 

The Miami Dolphins have been outscored 102-10 after two games.

New England’s DEFENSE scored more points today than Miami has all season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and the starting offense were again an unmitigated disaster, with the Harvard man showing his usual benevolence to the opponent.

 

That was his second pick-six of the day which finally led to his mercy benching in favor of Josh Rosen.

Down 37-0 Rosen would lead a 10 play drive to try and give the Miami fans at least one moment to savor.

It would end on downs of course.

Rosen stans are ready for the second-year quarterback to try and put out this dumpster fire.

After all, Ryan Fitzpatrick is the third lowest rated quarterback in the National Football League.

But guess who’s last?

Rosen isn’t exactly rallying the troops out there in mop up duty, at this point just keep letting him tag in late to give Fitzpatrick a break.

Say hello to your next Matt Moore.

All Three Phases…

Sony Michel had a workman-like 85 yards on 21 carries Sunday.

Miami has 63 yards rushing this season.

The Dolphins have more turnovers (7) than 3rd down conversions (6).

New England had 381 yards in total offense today. Miami has 384 total yards this season.

You cannot look inside the numbers for a silver lining because it does not exist.

 

What we are witnessing is a tank of historic proportions.

Even the worst NFL teams of the modern era were light years ahead of the 2019 tank Dolphins.

The 2017 Cleveland Browns (0-16) are the most recent comparison to this experiment.

Statistically they were at the bottom of the league on both sides of the ball.

Take a closer look and there was a lot more to work with in Cleveland.

They were only outscored 45-28 in their first two games and had six games which they lost by less than seven points.

Cleveland also lost four games by just a field goal in that winless season.

There were signs they could come out the other side.

The Browns parlayed that campaign into the top pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, selecting Baker Mayfield.

They would finish last year 7-8-1 and are a sexy playoff pick this year, despite a humbling loss to open the season.

Miami looks nowhere near that competent in defeat.

 

Their defense has simply been decimated by talent attrition, distraction, and outright atrocious performance.

To be fair they have been hung out to dry by an offense that has been on the field for just 43:23 compared to 76:37 for their opponents.

The defense has literally been on the field for over five quarters in just two games.

With so many more questions than answers on both sides of the ball, where does Brian Flores even start?

It doesn’t get easier next week when the Dolphins face their first road test of the season.,

 

Fans may be buying into the “process” for now, but the jokes may not be as funny as this tank continues into battle week after week.

Follow us on Twitter @SportsWaveDave and @5ReasonsSports.

 

 

Dolphins

Bettor has $3,400 on Dolphins going 0-16

/0 Comments/in , /by

It takes a lot of confidence to predict a team’s record. It takes guts to make a bet on a team’s record. But it may be insanity to go as far as one gambling individual just has. According to reports, at least one bettor has placed $3,400 on the Miami Dolphins going 0-16 in 2019.

It’s no secret the Dolphins aren’t going to do much winning in 2019. Their talent is depleted, coaching unproven, and drama permeates the locker room. But to assume that Miami is destined to not win a single game all season long, even by accident, is a bit of a stretch. It’s also hard to believe that anyone would be willing to place over $3,000 on that outcome. This means that if the Dolphins manage to win just one game all year, this person loses all that.

Perhaps this person can afford to make reckless gambles like this. However, it does speak volumes about the state of the franchise that people have this level of confidence in Miami’s destined fate on the field. As it stands, their next three games are against the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers. Given their current state, it’s hard to imagine the Dolphins coming out on top during any of those matchups.

However, there is a saying: “Any given Sunday.” This undisclosed bettor either has a crystal ball, or has money to burn if they’re willing to spend that much. But if they’re right, and this leap of faith pays off, the payout will be staggering. It would also mean Miami’s plan worked. Maybe, this will all work out for the best for everyone.

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

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Minkah Fitzpatrick seeking trade away from Miami Dolphins

/0 Comments/in , /by

After the rout at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, multiple reports came out that several Dolphins players wanted out. The locker room emptied out almost instantly. Players contacted their agents desperately seeking help to find an escape route. Now, at least one player is confirmed to be part of that group. 2018 first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick has been granted permission to seek a trade, per ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

A Dolphins official informed ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe that while the team is not actively shopping Fitzpatrick, they have not denied his agent, Joel Segal, permission to talk with other teams. So if some teams offers up a king’s ransom like the Dolphins got for Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills, it’s likely Fitzpatrick will be the latest casualty of Miami’s tanking process.

Miami is reportedly looking for a return on their first round investment on Fitzpatrick. Teams seem unwilling to part with such a valuable asset for the former Alabama standout, but stranger things have happened.

Fitzpatrick is highly regarded for his versatility. However, Miami’s desire to use him in multiple roles has been a point of contention for months. Back in August, Fitzpatrick’s mother came out to express her displeasure over her son being misused. Fitzpatrick himself later confirmed he felt the same. He had hoped that a new regime would offer clarification on what his position in the defense was. Instead, things got even cloudier.

As a result of this position juggling, Fitzpatrick has been unable to settle in. His level of play is diminishing as he cannot focus on one thing at a time. He played four different positions against Baltimore, including linebacker. That sort of responsibility is too much to ask of almost anyone, let alone a second-year player.

Potential Consequences

Under these circumstances, it’s hard to imagine the Dolphins’ plan working out. The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports that at least one other veteran wants to leave. That player will never admit it publicly, but it’s easy to speculate. Reshad Jones, Kenyan Drake, Albert Wilson, they all have something to offer contenders. Minkah Fitzpatrick is an elite level nickel cornerback. Miami doesn’t want to let him sit there, despite uprooting Bobby McCain from there to supposedly let Fitzpatrick take that role.

No matter which way you slice it, this is a bad look for the Dolphins. This comes just days after players like Davon Godchaux and Jerome Baker took to social media to support “trusting the process,” so to speak.

As of this moment, Fitzpatrick is still scheduled to play against the New England Patriots, in the same role he’s been in so far. If what happened last week happens again, the locker room mutiny could continue to grow out of control. Brian Flores needs to find a solution, and fast.

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