2022 Dolphins: Our coach is cooler than yours

rymflaherty

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Good play design. Defense sent pressure and Holland came up to take Waddle on the deep crosser.

Either he stays back on Tyreek and Waddle is running free, or he plays the more likely pass with pressure and makes Tua put the ball on Tyreek 50+ yards down field.
It’s pretty close to the play I described in my last post, getting excited with what I envisioned McDaniel doing.:cool:
If it wasn’t evident already, me being bullish about the teams future directly correlates to my belief in McDaniel and him being, one of, if not the most intriguing head coaching prospect I’ve ever seen.
 

sodenj5

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It’s pretty close to the play I described in my last post, getting excited with what I envisioned McDaniel doing.:cool:
If it wasn’t evident already, me being bullish about the teams future directly correlates to my belief in McDaniel and him being, one of, if not the most intriguing head coaching prospect I’ve ever seen.
I’ve been trying to not get too hyped up about McDaniel strictly because we’ve seen several offensive wizards come through Miami and fall on their faces.

When you hear the way he talks about football and how his brain processes the game and how to attack defenses, it’s hard not to get too excited.

Sometimes you aren’t sure if you’re getting the guy that was actually implementing one of the most interesting and diverse rushing attacks in football or if you’re getting the guy that happened to be near Peyton Manning at the right time.

Obviously we have a long way to go and we still need to see how he handles adversity, see how he handles a locker room for a full season, but I’m excited to watch the team and watch Mike McDaniel coach it.
 

mauf

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Holy haters. Tua unleashed that dime from the 30, and Tyreek reached and grabbed it inside the 10, at about the 5. It was approximately a 65-yard throw. Why is it a big deal for Dolphins fans? Because we've been hearing from every media "analyst" that Tagovailoa doesn't have an "NFL arm" and can't throw it farther than 10-15 yards.

Tua's strength is still going to be a "Brees-like" game --a lot of short/mid-range completions with above-average anticipation and accuracy/placement. But he also can beat the defense deep, when the opportunity arises. Two years removed from the hip injury and now surrounded by more than barely-average NFL talent, he's set to have a helluva season. That's my expectation.

Can't wait for the games!
The hype about this particular throw is weird to me because I never thought Tua’s deep accuracy was in question. The questions about Tua relate to his ability to force the ball into tight windows downfield, as well as the concerns about processing that are common to all young QBs who haven’t yet demonstrated an ability to sustain league-average or better performance. This video doesn’t speak to either of those concerns.

It’s nice that the Dolphins are puffing Tua up, but if I were a Dolphins’ fan I’d be concerned why they feel that’s needed. Tua wasn’t set up to succeed in his second season, but I wouldn’t expect that to dent the swashbuckling confidence bordering on arrogance that most good QBs possess.

Edit: fixed typo (“dent,” not “deny”).
 
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sodenj5

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The hype about this particular throw is weird to me because I never thought Tua’s deep accuracy was in question. The questions about Tua relate to his ability to force the ball into tight windows downfield, as well as the concerns about processing that are common to all young QBs who haven’t yet demonstrated an ability to sustain league-average or better performance. This video doesn’t speak to either of those concerns.

It’s nice that the Dolphins are puffing Tua up, but if I were a Dolphins’ fan I’d be concerned why they feel that’s needed. Tua wasn’t set up to succeed in his second season, but I wouldn’t expect that to deny the swashbuckling confidence bordering on arrogance that most good QBs possess.
It’s a general pushback against the narrative that has developed. “Tua can’t throw deep.” That’s it, without any context. Miami’s own social media team also screwed the pooch earlier in the offseason and put up a clip of Tua under throwing Tyreek that set off a social media firestorm.

My take on it is similar to yours. Tua can throw deep but he has to have a clean pocket and he needs to be able to throw from a stable platform. He will never be Allen or Herbert who can roll across their body and flick their wrist and send it 50 yards down field with a guy around their ankles. Those guys are aliens. Tua will never be that, but he can be a good QB with the right set of parameters in place.
 

BigJimEd

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It’s nice that the Dolphins are puffing Tua up, but if I were a Dolphins’ fan I’d be concerned why they feel that’s needed.
Don't we see these things out of virtually every team's camp? I've seen several similar tweets about Jones and Parker already. Right before that tweet, PFF had a similar one about Jameis.

It's a good play. Just the type of clip all organizations want out there. Doesn't mean the team is worried about anyone's psyche.
 
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pdaj

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The hype about this particular throw is weird to me because I never thought Tua’s deep accuracy was in question. The questions about Tua relate to his ability to force the ball into tight windows downfield, as well as the concerns about processing that are common to all young QBs who haven’t yet demonstrated an ability to sustain league-average or better performance. This video doesn’t speak to either of those concerns.

It’s nice that the Dolphins are puffing Tua up, but if I were a Dolphins’ fan I’d be concerned why they feel that’s needed. Tua wasn’t set up to succeed in his second season, but I wouldn’t expect that to dent the swashbuckling confidence bordering on arrogance that most good QBs possess.

Edit: fixed typo (“dent,” not “deny”).
Mauf, nothing against you here, as I believe that you're being genuine in your comments; however, the following line: "I never thought Tua’s deep accuracy was in question," following the recent highlight is what every national (garbage) talking head is saying after questioning that very thing on a continuous cycle. Tua's deep throw attempts/data have been cited countless times this offseason. "He can't throw it farther than 10 yards." A 1-hour montage of media combined clips stating this in various ways could be made ... which now makes the statement, "Well, we never said he couldn't throw the deep ball," appear to be obvious gaslighting.

That said, I agree with you. I, legitimately, was never concerned about Tua throwing deep. His success is going to be more about recognizing coverages and delivering the ball on time on 2nd/3rd/4th reads. That's what I'll be looking for in the early going.
 

sodenj5

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Mauf, nothing against you here, as I believe that you're being genuine in your comments; however, the following line: "I never thought Tua’s deep accuracy was in question," following the recent highlight is what every national (garbage) talking head is saying after questioning that very thing on a continuous cycle. Tua's deep throw attempts/data have been cited countless times this offseason. "He can't throw it farther than 10 yards." A 1-hour montage of media combined clips stating this in various ways could be made ... which now makes the statement, "Well, we never said he couldn't throw the deep ball," appear to be obvious gaslighting.

That said, I agree with you. I, legitimately, was never concerned about Tua throwing deep. His success is going to be more about recognizing coverages and delivering the ball on time on 2nd/3rd/4th reads. That's what I'll be looking for in the early going.
It’s a continuous cycle. I look forward to the eventual full circle take of “Tua isn’t anything without Tyreek and Waddle just like at Alabama when he had all those weapons.”
 

pdaj

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It's strange to me that many seem to have forgotten that in the early going of a quarterback's career, they're simply not capable of carrying an offense. Brady couldn't. Manning couldn't. Rogers couldn't. They needed playmakers.

Heck, even Mahomes had some of the best skill-position players in the game for his Super Bowl win. Kelce, Tyreek, Watkins, McCoy. And for the young quarterbacks who have taken off right away? Justin Herbert = Ekeler/Jackson, Allen/Williams/Guyton/Cook and Joe Burrow = Mixon, Chase/Boyd/Higgins/Uzomah.

Years from now, they'll be carrying offenses littered with scrubs, ala Brady, but for now? Playmakers needed!

Tua last year? Gaskin/Duke/Ahmed, Parker (10 games)/Waddle and Hollins/Grant (traded)/Ford and Gesicki.

In conjunction with that offensive line, he was as set up for success as a firefighter armed with a squirt gun.

I also think he was always going to need 2 seasons to fully recover from his injury. Excited for this 3rd season.
 

sodenj5

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It's strange to me that many seem to have forgotten that in the early going of a quarterback's career, they're simply not capable of carrying an offense. Brady couldn't. Manning couldn't. Rogers couldn't. They needed playmakers.

Heck, even Mahomes had some of the best skill-position players in the game for his Super Bowl win. Kelce, Tyreek, Watkins, McCoy. And for the young quarterbacks who have taken off right away? Justin Herbert = Ekeler/Jackson, Allen/Williams/Guyton/Cook and Joe Burrow = Mixon, Chase/Boyd/Higgins/Uzomah.

Years from now, they'll be carrying offenses littered with scrubs, ala Brady, but for now? Playmakers needed!

Tua last year? Gaskin/Duke/Ahmed, Parker (10 games)/Waddle and Hollins/Grant (traded)/Ford and Gesicki.

In conjunction with that offensive line, he was as set up for success as a firefighter armed with a squirt gun.

I also think he was always going to need 2 seasons to fully recover from his injury. Excited for this 3rd season.
I edited out my previous post to keep it short and sweet, but I typed out almost that exact point verbatim.

No one is handicapping Joe Burrow because he has Chase and Higgins and Mixon.

Mahomes was surrounded by an absolute embarrassment of riches at the skill positions and has a HOF head coach.

It is what it is.
 

sodenj5

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Today’s practice pass making the rounds:

View: https://twitter.com/miamidolphins/status/1554134249489432576?s=21&t=1YEs8aPODBh0SYt6BHs2dA


Sure, it’s a red zone one-on-one TD. No big deal. But it’s also a red zone TD against an All-Pro DB that had blanket coverage on Waddle. That ball was thrown with enough velocity and thrown to the absolute perfect point to get it by Howard and into Waddle’s hands.

Nothing physically spectacular about it, but this is why Tua’s game draws so much attention. The box score would read 3 yard pass to Waddle for a TD, but the reality is that’s picture perfect timing, anticipation, and accuracy that makes a difficult completion look ordinary.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Holy haters. Tua unleashed that dime from the 30, and Tyreek reached and grabbed it inside the 10, at about the 5. It was approximately a 65-yard throw. Why is it a big deal for Dolphins fans? Because we've been hearing from every media "analyst" that Tagovailoa doesn't have an "NFL arm" and can't throw it farther than 10-15 yards.

Tua's strength is still going to be a "Brees-like" game --a lot of short/mid-range completions with above-average anticipation and accuracy/placement. But he also can beat the defense deep, when the opportunity arises. Two years removed from the hip injury and now surrounded by more than barely-average NFL talent, he's set to have a helluva season. That's my expectation.

Can't wait for the games!
If were being that precise about it, he caught it almost exactly at the 10.

Screenshot_20220801-173438_Twitter.jpg

So, it's a 60 yard throw.

Again, I'm not saying it wasn't a well placed throw. It was. But, as I said earlier, if an NFL QB couldn't air it out 60 yards in a practice situation, it would be a problem. 55-60 yards is kind of that minimum threshold I would think.

Still, if the concern was that he had below average NFL arm strength, this shows he has the strength to make the throw. If he has the time, mechanics, confidence in a game situation is next up on the checklist.
 

sodenj5

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I know the dolphins got a lot going on… but I’ll always post coach McD doing coach McD things. Already miss his niners pressers.

Here he is today:

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/Marcel_LJ/status/1554473594494898184
Funny dude. He made it all of three weeks before having to deal with a media fire storm.

I expect him to handle the questioning about the tampering the same way he’s handled everything thus far. With tact and thoughtfulness.

Hopefully Ross is smart and disappears for a little while. In the spectrum of terrible things NFL owners have done, his offense is pretty tame.
 

pdaj

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Stephen Ross reminds me of almost every CEO I've ever worked with -- brilliant in their area of expertise, while equally incompetent in other key areas and oblivious to such inadequacies.

Ross is a great owner in many ways. Throughout his tenure, he's spared no expense in providing the team with top-notch facilities and access to every possible resource. Overall, he's been patient with coaches and front office staff; and he deserves some credit for Miami remaining a continual top FA destination.

But, man, he has brought embarrassment to the organization far too often. Kraft-rub-and-tug-level embarrassment … without the Super Bowl rings.

Every team in the league manages to tamper effectively, yet he acts as if it doesn't matter. I envision his conversation with Goodell going something like this: "Was that wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you, I have to plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started that this sort of thing was frowned upon ..."


Ironically enough, it's possible that Ross managed to dumb-luck his way to making his best decision as owner: pivoting from Payton/Brady to MM/Tua. The loss of a 1st round pick hurts, but now McDaniel and the organization get a much-needed Ross break for the early part of the season. Another fortunate break?

I feel for Flores' situation and, without a doubt, believe that he deserves another chance to be a HC down the line. At the same time, I'm glad he's gone. The situation reminds me of seeing two friends who have broken up, and it's clear that they were both the problem, in different ways.

Let the football games begin!
 

sodenj5

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Stephen Ross reminds me of almost every CEO I've ever worked with -- brilliant in their area of expertise, while equally incompetent in other key areas and oblivious to such inadequacies.

Ross is a great owner in many ways. Throughout his tenure, he's spared no expense in providing the team with top-notch facilities and access to every possible resource. Overall, he's been patient with coaches and front office staff; and he deserves some credit for Miami remaining a continual top FA destination.

But, man, he has brought embarrassment to the organization far too often. Kraft-rub-and-tug-level embarrassment … without the Super Bowl rings.

Every team in the league manages to tamper effectively, yet he acts as if it doesn't matter. I envision his conversation with Goodell going something like this: "Was that wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you, I have to plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all when I first started that this sort of thing was frowned upon ..."


Ironically enough, it's possible that Ross managed to dumb-luck his way to making his best decision as owner: pivoting from Payton/Brady to MM/Tua. The loss of a 1st round pick hurts, but now McDaniel and the organization get a much-needed Ross break for the early part of the season. Another fortunate break?

I feel for Flores' situation and, without a doubt, believe that he deserves another chance to be a HC down the line. At the same time, I'm glad he's gone. The situation reminds me of seeing two friends who have broken up, and it's clear that they were both the problem, in different ways.

Let the football games begin!
I absolutely empathize with Flores. I can certainly see why he would feel enormous pressure to try and appease the owner and keep his high profile job.

That being said, there’s a fine line between being a no-nonsense, tough coach and an asshole, and Flores appeared to cross that line on plenty of occasions in Miami.
 

sodenj5

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Joint practices with TB start tomorrow leading in to the preseason game Saturday.

Some things to watch closely:

Can Tua stay hot? The first two weeks of camp he’s been largely carving up what we consider to be a good to very good secondary. Tampa’s defense also looks good on paper and it would be good to see Tua continue to trend up this preseason.

Does the line look good? TB has some good pass rushers and it will be interesting to see how Austin Jackson in particular looks as he’s been trending up this camp.

How does the defensive front look? Tampa’s line looks a little shaky on paper. Miami’s front should hopefully be getting after guys this week if they’re as good as we hope. Phillips, Wilkins, and Sieler have been standouts thus far.

The deep ball. Tua has been hitting Tyreek pretty consistently almost every practice with a deep shot or two. Would love to see that translate outside of Miami’s bubble and against some live competition.
 
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sodenj5

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If you’ve been following the joint practice tweets at all, the hype train is about to fly off the tracks and liftoff into orbit.

Thoughts and prayers to opposing defenders this year getting cooked by Waddle and Hill.
 

RIrooter09

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If you’ve been following the joint practice tweets at all, the hype train is about to fly off the tracks and liftoff into orbit.

Thoughts and prayers to opposing defenders this year getting cooked by Waddle and Hill.
I've lived through so many Dolphins' hype trains it's hard to keep track. Is this more of a Dan Campbell esque hype train or a full blown Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler OMG we're so stacked type of situation?
 

sodenj5

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I've lived through so many Dolphins' hype trains it's hard to keep track. Is this more of a Dan Campbell esque hype train or a full blown Mike Wallace, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler OMG we're so stacked type of situation?
Yes.
 

rymflaherty

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We’ve already reached the point where I don’t even want to search “Miami dolphins” and just want week 1 to get here.
I’ve heard enough where any meaningful news is bound to be bad news at this point.

I’m not sure how many games the team will win, but I’d just like them to go into the season healthy…if nothing else, the team should be more fun if that’s the case.

I think the playoffs is still a bit of a reach, largely due to the schedule and strength of the conference.
There’s only one prediction I am confident of (the if healthy thing) Miami is going to blow New England off the field in week 1.
I know that probably comes off as trolly based on where we’re posting - but it’s simply the situation - i wouldn’t make any such proclamation for when the team heads to NE - but playing in the Miami heat, Bill having little idea what the Dolphins offense will actually look like, the Dolphins returning everyone from an aggressive defense facing an offense with new coaches, the NE secondary likely being a weak spot to start etc etc. it’s really the ideal situation to face them. I’ll likely be betting alternate spreads up to the 17 range.
 

tims4wins

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I don't find it to be trolly. Even in the best of times the Pats have struggled down there. Now, it's been a long time since they lost by 17+ down there - you have to go back to 2006 - but there have been plenty of losses, and several in the 10-13 point range. I'm not sure they will "blow the doors" off the Pats, but a comfortable win wouldn't surprise anyone, I don't think.

Edit: we may just be talking semantics though. Buffalo blew the doors off the Pats in the playoffs. Miami beat them 33-24 the week before, in a game that was both closer and not as close as that score indicates (Miami had a 17 point lead in the 4th; but the Pats cut it to 3 with 3 minutes to play).
 

sodenj5

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We’ve already reached the point where I don’t even want to search “Miami dolphins” and just want week 1 to get here.
I’ve heard enough where any meaningful news is bound to be bad news at this point.

I’m not sure how many games the team will win, but I’d just like them to go into the season healthy…if nothing else, the team should be more fun if that’s the case.

I think the playoffs is still a bit of a reach, largely due to the schedule and strength of the conference.
There’s only one prediction I am confident of (the if healthy thing) Miami is going to blow New England off the field in week 1.
I know that probably comes off as trolly based on where we’re posting - but it’s simply the situation - i wouldn’t make any such proclamation for when the team heads to NE - but playing in the Miami heat, Bill having little idea what the Dolphins offense will actually look like, the Dolphins returning everyone from an aggressive defense facing an offense with new coaches, the NE secondary likely being a weak spot to start etc etc. it’s really the ideal situation to face them. I’ll likely be betting alternate spreads up to the 17 range.
The oddsmakers are still leaning in the Trust Bill direction, but the Pats offense is currently doing their best to recreate the 2020 Dolphins offense and coaching staff.

Bill and Joe Judge and Matt Patricia might eventually figure it out, but it sure as hell isn’t going to be in Week 1.

The Patriots don’t have a single person on their roster capable of slowing Tyreek or Waddle, never mind both of them. Their best bet at a win is to try and confuse Tua and challenge the offensive line’s communication by sending some pressure looks. They have no chance at dropping back and playing coverage.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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The oddsmakers are still leaning in the Trust Bill direction, but the Pats offense is currently doing their best to recreate the 2020 Dolphins offense and coaching staff.

Bill and Joe Judge and Matt Patricia might eventually figure it out, but it sure as hell isn’t going to be in Week 1.

The Patriots don’t have a single person on their roster capable of slowing Tyreek or Waddle, never mind both of them. Their best bet at a win is to try and confuse Tua and challenge the offensive line’s communication by sending some pressure looks. They have no chance at dropping back and playing coverage.
Nobody has players on their roster that can slow Tyreek. You need to scheme his speed. The last 2 games against the Patriots, he averaged 5 catches for 63 yards.

Frankly, I'm much more worried about Waddle. That man is going to be a menace. Reminds me a lot of early OBJ. Ability to take 8 yard slants to the house.
 

sodenj5

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Nobody has players on their roster that can slow Tyreek. You need to scheme his speed. The last 2 games against the Patriots, he averaged 5 catches for 63 yards.

Frankly, I'm much more worried about Waddle. That man is going to be a menace. Reminds me a lot of early OBJ. Ability to take 8 yard slants to the house.
Tyreek’s impact is sometimes being the decoy. If Bill wants to take away Tyreek, that’s cool. That means Waddle is going to be getting some favorable looks. Gesicki will probably be seeing some favorable looks. The running game will see light boxes.

It isn’t necessarily that Tyreek himself needs to torch them to make them pay. He can elevate everyone else. Force multiplier.
 

mauf

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The oddsmakers are still leaning in the Trust Bill direction, but the Pats offense is currently doing their best to recreate the 2020 Dolphins offense and coaching staff.

Bill and Joe Judge and Matt Patricia might eventually figure it out, but it sure as hell isn’t going to be in Week 1.

The Patriots don’t have a single person on their roster capable of slowing Tyreek or Waddle, never mind both of them. Their best bet at a win is to try and confuse Tua and challenge the offensive line’s communication by sending some pressure looks. They have no chance at dropping back and playing coverage.
Um, what?

The Dolphins have a first-year head coach, had one of the league’s worst offensive lines last season, and have a question mark at QB. Weird to assume that they’ll be locked and loaded Week 1, but that a Patriots team that made the playoffs last season and had relatively little turnover won’t be.
 

sodenj5

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Um, what?

The Dolphins have a first-year head coach, had one of the league’s worst offensive lines last season, and have a question mark at QB. Weird to assume that they’ll be locked and loaded Week 1, but that a Patriots team that made the playoffs last season and had relatively little turnover won’t be.
Citing the line play without acknowledging that they added Connor Williams and Terron Armstead is a bit weak.

Citing a first year head coach that happened to spend over a decade in the most successful offenses in the league surrounded by some of the current most successful offensive minds in the league while actually coordinating an offense without acknowledging that Matt Patricia is currently learning offensive playcalling at the NFL level on the fly is very weak.

Question mark at QB is fine. I’ll accept that until Tua puts it on tape.

Yes, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. Pound for pound, I would take Miami’s roster over New England’s without question. Bill is an incredible equalizer, but there’s a reason a lot of fans are excited for this year. If McDaniel is legit, this should be a playoff team.
 

mauf

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Citing the line play without acknowledging that they added Connor Williams and Terron Armstead is a bit weak.

Citing a first year head coach that happened to spend over a decade in the most successful offenses in the league surrounded by some of the current most successful offensive minds in the league while actually coordinating an offense without acknowledging that Matt Patricia is currently learning offensive playcalling at the NFL level on the fly is very weak.

Question mark at QB is fine. I’ll accept that until Tua puts it on tape.

Yes, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. Pound for pound, I would take Miami’s roster over New England’s without question. Bill is an incredible equalizer, but there’s a reason a lot of fans are excited for this year. If McDaniel is legit, this should be a playoff team.
I wasn’t really pushing back on that, though I’m not as bullish on the Dolphins as you. I’m saying the Dolphins have gone through major changes this off-season, while the Pats have had a lot of continuity. I thought it was weird that you cited changes to BB’s coaching staff as a reason to be bearish on the Pats Week 1, when the Dolphins have made much bigger changes to both coaching and personnel. The revamped O-Line, in particular, is something I wouldn’t necessarily expect to click immediately.
 

sodenj5

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I wasn’t really pushing back on that, though I’m not as bullish on the Dolphins as you. I’m saying the Dolphins have gone through major changes this off-season, while the Pats have had a lot of continuity. I thought it was weird that you cited changes to BB’s coaching staff as a reason to be bearish on the Pats Week 1, when the Dolphins have made much bigger changes to both coaching and personnel. The revamped O-Line, in particular, is something I wouldn’t necessarily expect to click immediately.
Nearly all of the changes have been on the side of the ball that was significantly worse.

Miami’s defense has returned nearly 100% intact and Josh Boyer remains the DC.

Miami’s offense has undergone a major overhaul, but when your offense has been as bad as Miami’s was the last few years, particularly the run game, maintaining status quo would have been a further step backwards.

The line may not click immediately, but they will probably immediately be better than last year and should get better as the season progresses.

The running backs are much better on paper. The wide receivers are better on paper. The offensive coaching staff is better on paper.

We will obviously need to see how Mike McDaniel handles game situations, but this year’s team should notably better than last year’s, which had a winning record.
 

mauf

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Nearly all of the changes have been on the side of the ball that was significantly worse.

Miami’s defense has returned nearly 100% intact and Josh Boyer remains the DC.

Miami’s offense has undergone a major overhaul, but when your offense has been as bad as Miami’s was the last few years, particularly the run game, maintaining status quo would have been a further step backwards.

The line may not click immediately, but they will probably immediately be better than last year and should get better as the season progresses.

The running backs are much better on paper. The wide receivers are better on paper. The offensive coaching staff is better on paper.

We will obviously need to see how Mike McDaniel handles game situations, but this year’s team should notably better than last year’s, which had a winning record.
I think the big three questions are:

Does the defense regress? (10th by DVOA last year)
Does the O-Line hold up?
Can Tua deliver at least league-average play?

I don’t doubt the ability of the MIA coaching staff to scheme. I think the question is the team’s ability to execute. The former coaching staff did about the best in-season executional turnover I’ve seen in 2021. I don’t think you can just assume those improvements will carry forward. But I realize you and I are in different camps on the decision to fire Flores — I would’ve given him another year with a new OC.
 

sodenj5

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I think the big three questions are:

Does the defense regress? (10th by DVOA last year)
Does the O-Line hold up?
Can Tua deliver at least league-average play?

I don’t doubt the ability of the MIA coaching staff to scheme. I think the question is the team’s ability to execute. The former coaching staff did about the best in-season executional turnover I’ve seen in 2021. I don’t think you can just assume those improvements will carry forward. But I realize you and I are in different camps on the decision to fire Flores — I would’ve given him another year with a new OC.
Flores’s inability to select an OC is a large reason why he’s with Pittsburgh presently. The other, off the field stuff obviously factors in, but that was his largest failure as a coach.

His multi-headed OC experiment is enough to give me reservations about what New England is doing, and at least Flores had a guy that had been an OC in the league before as part of that team.

I understand that defensive minds understand offenses and schemes and how to attack them, but there’s certainly something to be said about playcalling and a feel and a rhythm to calling plays that good coordinators have.

Maybe Joe Judge and Matt Patricia are savants and have spent their entire NFL careers on the wrong side of the ball. I guess we’ll all find out Week 1.
 

sodenj5

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The storyline of the last week or so of training camp is this:

View: https://twitter.com/HierJustin/status/1560399902794022914?s=20&t=Dm2LreeNa7C85sNO07vyfw


Jevon Holland might be taking the leap to Pro-Bowl/All-Pro level if his training camp transfers over to the regular season.

Tua made some headlines for having a few multi-interception practices, many by Holland. Nearly every beat reporter has said essentially that Tua has looked good in practices, Holland just looks like he’s playing at a star level.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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The storyline of the last week or so of training camp is this:

View: https://twitter.com/HierJustin/status/1560399902794022914?s=20&t=Dm2LreeNa7C85sNO07vyfw


Jevon Holland might be taking the leap to Pro-Bowl/All-Pro level if his training camp transfers over to the regular season.

Tua made some headlines for having a few multi-interception practices, many by Holland. Nearly every beat reporter has said essentially that Tua has looked good in practices, Holland just looks like he’s playing at a star level.
Good QBs elevate WRs. Bad QBs elevate CBs.
 

Gash Prex

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It does feel like no matter what the Dolphins do this preseason, it’s somehow the most amazing thing to happen. I’m not sure who everybody is trying to covince - Tua, Dolphins fans, the Owner? All the above?

For example on the game broadcast, they just talked about how there were 6 int in practice on Tuesday but it made it the best week of practice ever under McDaniels

Dolphins fans here certainly believe “this is the year”
 

RG33

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Flores’s inability to select an OC is a large reason why he’s with Pittsburgh presently. The other, off the field stuff obviously factors in, but that was his largest failure as a coach.
I mean, this seems like a pretty strong take considering that we have recently found out that the Miami Dolphins ownership/organization is a shitshow that has been doing all sorts of shady shit behind the scenes and *jokingly* calling to lose games on purpose.

Flores seems like a good coach who had a dirtbag owner run him out of town. Which is fine, the guy owns the team, but to put this on Flores who brought a shit team to respectability with a barely functioning QB situation seems a bit aggressive.
 

sodenj5

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I mean, this seems like a pretty strong take considering that we have recently found out that the Miami Dolphins ownership/organization is a shitshow that has been doing all sorts of shady shit behind the scenes and *jokingly* calling to lose games on purpose.

Flores seems like a good coach who had a dirtbag owner run him out of town. Which is fine, the guy owns the team, but to put this on Flores who brought a shit team to respectability with a barely functioning QB situation seems a bit aggressive.
It isn’t that strong if you’ve followed along for the last 18 months or so.

I won’t rehash the same talking points for about the 10th time, but Flores absolutely outperformed expectations by all measures, but selecting Chan Gailey from the retirement home to maximize Ryan Fitzpatrick in a year you knew you were drafting a QB was a huge mistake.

Not hiring an external OC after firing Gailey and instead going with 2 OCs and Charlie Frye relaying plays to Tua in his second year was another huge mistake.
 

RG33

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It isn’t that strong if you’ve followed along for the last 18 months or so.
Oh, I’ve been following along, I am just disagreeing with your take. You need not explain anything to me, I just think you are wrong. Just message boarding and all and sharing my opinion, which is different from your opinion. Based on what we now know about how the organization operated behind Flores’ back, it seems like an aggressive take to say that the reason why he is in Pittsburgh right now after going 24-25 the last 3 years — with a 19-14 record the last 2 years — is because of his choice of Chan Gailey as OC.
 
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sodenj5

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Oh, I’ve been following along, I am just disagreeing with your take. You need not explain anything to me, I just think you are wrong. Just message boarding and all and sharing my opinion, which is different from your opinion. Based on what we now know about how the organization operated behind Flores’ back, it seems like an aggressive take to say that the reason why he is in Pittsburgh right now after going 24-25 the last 3 years — with a 19-14 record the last 2 years — is because of his choice of Chan Gailey as OC.
He also failed to develop the QB the team drafted, pushed to trade for a sexual predator, tried to usurp the GM and consolidate organizational power, got into public and private conflicts with the local media, etc etc etc.

Despite all of that, had he selected a good OC, and one that could actually develop Tua, they likely make the playoffs and Flores probably keeps his job.

He selected three bad offensive coordinators in three years. Not just Chan Gailey.

Chad O’Shea, Chan Gailey, Godsey/Studesville/Frye.
 

sodenj5

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View: https://twitter.com/dougkyed/status/1562415549275160576?s=21&t=70qKQZm9Q0reWiS5t36ptw


This isn’t that shocking if you’ve been paying attention to the snaps Gesicki has been getting in the preseason. They’ve had him out there with second and third stringers trying to get him reps and see if he can even remotely block (he can’t).

Gesicki was always a bit of a square peg in a round hole with his fit in this offense. I think tagging him gave them the option to see if they could make him work. I also think the emergence of Erik Ezukanma this pre season has helped make Mike a little more disposable as the “power-slot” player.

Bottom line is Gesicki is vastly more WR than TE and in this offense that either makes him a part time player or a complete liability.

Miami is looking a little thin at CB, and they are in perpetual need of offensive line help. Wouldn’t mind seeing Gesicki swapped for a useful player instead of a future pick.
 

tims4wins

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Stealing from the Pats prediction thread

I think they’re 9-10 wins and maybe a wild card team depending on how the rest of the conference shakes out. The AFC is going to be a bloodbath this year.
What would your vote be for your Phins? Same, or one tier up?
 

dwainw

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View: https://twitter.com/dougkyed/status/1562415549275160576?s=21&t=70qKQZm9Q0reWiS5t36ptw


This isn’t that shocking if you’ve been paying attention to the snaps Gesicki has been getting in the preseason. They’ve had him out there with second and third stringers trying to get him reps and see if he can even remotely block (he can’t).

Gesicki was always a bit of a square peg in a round hole with his fit in this offense. I think tagging him gave them the option to see if they could make him work. I also think the emergence of Erik Ezukanma this pre season has helped make Mike a little more disposable as the “power-slot” player.

Bottom line is Gesicki is vastly more WR than TE and in this offense that either makes him a part time player or a complete liability.

Miami is looking a little thin at CB, and they are in perpetual need of offensive line help. Wouldn’t mind seeing Gesicki swapped for a useful player instead of a future pick.
With Skylar Thompson having a standout pre-season, wouldn't it behoove them to explore a trade involving he or Bridgewater? It sounds as if the plan is currently to carry 3 QBs going into the season, but it may be tough to see one of those guys laying dormant all season if that CB thinness becomes a liability or if/when the annual OL circus rears its ugly head.
 

sodenj5

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Stealing from the Pats prediction thread


What would your vote be for your Phins? Same, or one tier up?
Same, I think. I can see Miami at 9-11 wins and a possible wild card spot. AFC conference games are going to be critical this year because I can see a bunch of teams in that 9-11 win range.

I don’t see either Miami or NE within striking range of Buffalo for the division this season unless something unforeseen happens.
 

tims4wins

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Same, I think. I can see Miami at 9-11 wins and a possible wild card spot. AFC conference games are going to be critical this year because I can see a bunch of teams in that 9-11 win range.

I don’t see either Miami or NE within striking range of Buffalo for the division this season unless something unforeseen happens.
Agreed all around.
 

sodenj5

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Mike McDaniel broke out a little bit of the playbook tonight.

Holy fuck, this offense is going to be a wagon.
 

pdaj

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This makes me think that AVG might be out for a game or two. Flowers is plug-and-play for his spot.

I'm bullish on this team. If health permits ...

Health =

16 or more games played:

Tua Tagovailoa
Tyreek Hill

15 or more games played:

Terron Armstead
Jalen Waddle
Xavien Howard
Jevon Holland

14 or more games played:

Chase Edmonds/Raheem Mostert

I'm expecting 11 wins.
 

sodenj5

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Miami is going to have some tough cuts to make this year.

Skylar Thompson is probably at the top of their list of figuring out what to do. I think its great that he’s played really well this preseason, but carrying 3 QBs is tough when Miami is going to be carrying a FB as well. I think I would cut him and see what happens, personally.

Lynn Bowden helped his case this preseason returning punts and scoring two long TDs. But then Miami is staring at a crunch at WR because Cracraft and Sherffield have played well enough to make the cut as well. I think Cracraft might be the odd man out and Preston Williams is cut or traded.

RBs is going to come to Michel or Gaskin or Ahmed. I thought Michel would have been a lock to make the roster, but he has looked like the worst of the three on the bubble. I think Gaskin might survive and they try and PS Ahmed.

DB is another interesting dilemma. Noah Igbinoghene is staring down the barrel right now. He continues to play slow mentally. I think he may be a goner.