Dolphins: Aloha

sodenj5

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Apparently that was one of the greatest defensive game plans ever, unless the Chargers really came into the game thinking, “we need to get Kalen Ballage the ball as much as possible”...in which case that would be the worst offensive game plan ever.

The Chargers may not be a great team, but they have guys that scare you on offense. It was pretty shocking how little production Allen and Williams had, and how Miami was able to avoid the big play. Another feather in the defense’s cap.
I think you live with Kalen Ballage being the star of LA’s offense. Miami clearly came into the game looking to shut down Herbert and the passing attack.

During this winning streak, Miami has been absolutely crushing teams in the first quarter, jumping out to big leads quickly, and then playing a bit conservatively on offense to close out the win. Dolphins were a Ted Karras snap away from going up 21-0 on LA and turning the game into a blowout in the first half.

Again, Miami needs to consistently win these games the next few weeks because LV won and Cleveland won. Bills losing on the miracle ball and the Texans losing was basically a best case scenario for Miami this week.
 

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View: https://twitter.com/miamidolphins/status/1328434015284637697?s=21


Also Miami has signed Sieler to an extension through the 2023 season. That’s a move I absolutely love. Sieler has been a productive and disruptive since he came over from Baltimore’s practice squad.

Great find by Miami’s staff and good for Sieler for playing hard and earning his time and extension.
I know black is slimming, but I would not have pegged that guy as a DT. He looks more like a TE or OLB.
 

sodenj5

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I know black is slimming, but I would not have pegged that guy as a DT. He looks more like a TE or OLB.
Honestly looks a little bigger in his uniform than that pic. Definitely more of a 3-4 end build than a true DT or NT.
 

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Just a quick reminder that the next 3 weeks, Miami plays the 3 worst teams in the NFL in terms of DVOA and Buffalo is on their bye this week.

Playoffs are within their own control. Whether it’s 7 or 8 teams, Miami appearing more and more likely that they are a full season ahead of schedule on the rebuild.
 

swiftaw

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Just a quick reminder that the next 3 weeks, Miami plays the 3 worst teams in the NFL in terms of DVOA and Buffalo is on their bye this week.

Playoffs are within their own control. Whether it’s 7 or 8 teams, Miami appearing more and more likely that they are a full season ahead of schedule on the rebuild.
And, they’ll still have a nice high draft pick as long as Houston keep sucking.
 

j-man

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as u know u play Denver Sunday as long as u run the ball and contal the clock u shouild win Sunday lock seems like just a jag and u shouild get sacks as Denver o-line is weak pass blocking
denver also gets off to very slow starts

i would say without injuries denver beats tenn and maybe Atl but they shouild had lost to lac

Denver is bad right now but outside of QB and OT the first 22 is good but what kills Denver is lack of death from 25-45 also no miller sutton casey s harris TE albert O J James opting out no m purnell a great run stopper at DT and boyce has missed 3 games as well
 

sodenj5

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as u know u play Denver Sunday as long as u run the ball and contal the clock u shouild win Sunday lock seems like just a jag and u shouild get sacks as Denver o-line is weak pass blocking
denver also gets off to very slow starts

i would say without injuries denver beats tenn and maybe Atl but they shouild had lost to lac

Denver is bad right now but outside of QB and OT the first 22 is good but what kills Denver is lack of death from 25-45 also no miller sutton casey s harris TE albert O J James opting out no m purnell a great run stopper at DT and boyce has missed 3 games as well
Thanks for the breakdown, J-Man. I think Miami will be favored, but it’s always tough going into Mile High and trying to win.

How has our friend Ja’Wuan James been this year?
 

j-man

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he opted out because of covid-19 but last season he was only in 1 game has been a bust so far just like Darryl garderner in 2003
 

pdaj

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he opted out because of covid-19 but last season he was only in 1 game has been a bust so far just like Darryl garderner in 2003
Miami saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” to James‘ FA price tag a couple of years ago was questioned by some, but has turned out to be the right move. He’s clearly talented, but was inconsistent; and, of course, he had some difficulty staying healthy.

Just a quick reminder that the next 3 weeks, Miami plays the 3 worst teams in the NFL in terms of DVOA and Buffalo is on their bye this week.

Playoffs are within their own control. Whether it’s 7 or 8 teams, Miami appearing more and more likely that they are a full season ahead of schedule on the rebuild.
Of the 3 games mentioned, today’s contest concerns me the most. Denver’s historically a tough place to play, the Broncos can run the football, and Lock is a young QB who has shown the ability to “get hot”. Additionally, I expect Fangio to dial up a solid defensive strategy. (Stop the run, make Tua less comfortable.)

With the media completely ball-washing the Fins this week, if there were to be a letdown game, this would be it. of As with every NFL season, you learn more about a team with each passing week. A win today would signal a true one-week-at-a-time approach.
 

sodenj5

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Miami saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” to James‘ FA price tag a couple of years ago was questioned by some, but has turned out to be the right move. He’s clearly talented, but was inconsistent; and, of course, he had some difficulty staying healthy.



Of the 3 games mentioned, today’s contest concerns me the most. Denver’s historically a tough place to play, the Broncos can run the football, and Lock is a young QB who has shown the ability to “get hot”. Additionally, I expect Fangio to dial up a solid defensive strategy. (Stop the run, make Tua less comfortable.)

With the media completely ball-washing the Fins this week, if there were to be a letdown game, this would be it. of As with every NFL season, you learn more about a team with each passing week. A win today would signal a true one-week-at-a-time approach.
Until I see otherwise, the Flores led Fins have not played down to their opponents. They’ve lost ugly many times, but I never felt they lost to a team they should have beaten on paper.

Drew Lock is exactly the type of QB to chuck it up on a prayer vs Miami’s pressures. I fully expect the defense to dominate and the offense to do enough to win.
 

Clears Cleaver

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at this point I will SHCOKED if Miami wins this game. They re not getting to Lock and their offensive line is not giving Tua any time. If they don't get 3 turnovers they are going to lose
 

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Broncos defense has had a bead on Miami’s offense. Gailey seemed to start pulling out some empty formations and getting the ball out faster.

Dolphins run D has been suspect all day.
 

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Well, that was a disaster. Off the top, I’m 99% sure Tua was injured and that was a health related benching not a performance yanking. Though he was not good and the line was awful. That’s almost certainly a wrap on any hopes of the division and Miami takes a tumble in the WC standings.

Nearly a heroic comeback with an insane effort by AVG on the goal line. Defense was gashed by the run all game. Had no answer for Denver’s running game.

Offense looked atrocious. Definitely the worst game of the Tua era, and that’s including the Rams game where the offense was terrible but was propped up by the D and ST. Gailey seemed to take too long to adjust to what Fangio was dialing up and Miami’s line couldn’t pick up a stunt all game.

Outcoached and outplayed. Tough to win on the road, but this is a game Miami should have won. Denver is a bad team.
 

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Welp. Tua and the offense were DOA and Fitz immediately sparked some form of life in them. Flores definitely isn’t afraid to try and win a game, but long term, pulling Tua on a bad day, during a regular season game, against a non division opponent is a bit silly.

Yes, every game counts and Miami is fighting for the playoffs, but long term, the whole thing only goes as far as Tua goes.

Flores also said Tua remains the starter.

View: https://twitter.com/cameronwolfe/status/1330667875250692096?s=21
 

j-man

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Well, that was a disaster. Off the top, I’m 99% sure Tua was injured and that was a health related benching not a performance yanking. Though he was not good and the line was awful. That’s almost certainly a wrap on any hopes of the division and Miami takes a tumble in the WC standings.

Nearly a heroic comeback with an insane effort by AVG on the goal line. Defense was gashed by the run all game. Had no answer for Denver’s running game.

Offense looked atrocious. Definitely the worst game of the Tua era, and that’s including the Rams game where the offense was terrible but was propped up by the D and ST. Gailey seemed to take too long to adjust to what Fangio was dialing up and Miami’s line couldn’t pick up a stunt all game.

Outcoached and outplayed. Tough to win on the road, but this is a game Miami should have won. Denver is a bad team.
on the word 'bad' do u mean 7-9 bad or 5-11 bad denver is just wildny up/down denver is 3-0 against the AFC East weirdly i think denver can get to 8-8 but no worse than 6-10
 

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Miami beat the Jets in a game that was uglier than the final score would indicate.

Today’s game proved one thing to me. Tua is not the problem with the offense. Yes, Tua needs to get rid of the ball quicker and trust Parker and Gesicki to make contested catches, but with Fitz in, the line again struggled picking up blitzes. The running game again struggled, with both Brieda and Laird fumbling and giving the Jets excellent field position. Against a better team, those are crippling mistakes in a loss.

Two weeks in a row facing a blitz heavy defense, and two weeks in a row Miami’s line struggled. Playing tight man coverage and blitzing is Miami’s kryptonite because their receivers don’t separate well and the line struggles to pick up the blitz. I would expect they see a lot of that moving forward until they show they can counter it.

Defense continues to play well. Run defense got gashed at times by Frank Gore, but they made big stops off turnovers when it really mattered and came up with timely picks. Elandon Roberts’s hit on Gore on 4th down was grown man business. Howard continues playing like an All-Pro. Raekwon Davis is low-key playing like the best draft pick from the 2020 class.

Raiders getting blown out by Atlanta helps Miami. One more game before Miami has to run the gauntlet. I would like to see Tua start next week to get what should be successful reps against Cincy in before having to face KC the following week.
 

sodenj5

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Dolphins game vs the LV Raiders has been flexed to Saturday night 12/26.

Big prime time game for Miami in a game that could realistically decide the playoffs for both teams.
 

pdaj

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Today’s game proved one thing to me. Tua is not the problem with the offense. Yes, Tua needs to get rid of the ball quicker and trust Parker and Gesicki to make contested catches, but with Fitz in, the line again struggled picking up blitzes. The running game again struggled, with both Brieda and Laird fumbling and giving the Jets excellent field position. Against a better team, those are crippling mistakes in a loss.

Two weeks in a row facing a blitz heavy defense, and two weeks in a row Miami’s line struggled. Playing tight man coverage and blitzing is Miami’s kryptonite because their receivers don’t separate well and the line struggles to pick up the blitz. I would expect they see a lot of that moving forward until they show they can counter it.
Tua needs to play before the final 4 games (Cincy), and the offense has to get better. That's Miami's only shot at reaching the playoffs and having a puncher's chance in Round 1. The Dolphins seem to have a lot of moving parts, both at RB -- Gaskin, Ahmed, Breida, Washington, Laird -- and also at WR -- Callaway (lotto ticket), Perry (rookie), and Bowden (rookie). That's led to an odd # of multiple TE sets (Gesicki, Smythe, Mack, Shaheen), which works against the spread approach Tua did so well leading in college and certainly doesn't help in the area of separation.

I'd love to see Juju (FA), Waddle (Draft), and a 1A RB added this offseason, in addition to a fully formulated offensive identity.
 

Anthologos

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For Phins fins...I didn't see any updates from any of you prior to the Jets game about why Tua wouldn't start...did Flores explain this during the week? I assumed that he would get the start even after getting pulled in the Denver game...against the lowly Jets it seemed certain (I thought) since there had been no injury to Tua (as initially speculated). Why would Flores start Tua in mid-season, only to bench him during games against crappy teams?

I ask in sincerity...I think Flores is great, but Tua is clearly the future. Was a Jets win really in question?

Or did the state of the OL (see sodenj above) force him to rethink the issue?

Edit: got the poster's name wrong :(
 

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All signs pointing towards Tua starting tomorrow.

Even if he isn’t fully 100% yet, I think the game experience vs Cincy is needed and worth the risk before the next stretch of games.

Gaskin also should be active for the game.
 

sodenj5

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Didn’t realize you can hate a non division opponent, but fuck the Bengals and Zac Taylor.

Miami ended up with 3 ejections and 80 got to stay in the game. Something seriously wrong there.

Terrible first half performance, but Gailey seemed to finally take the handcuffs off of Tua and they ran some no huddle in the second half.

Defense started teeing off on the Bengals in the second half.

A win is a win, but that was way more stressful than it should have been.
 

pdaj

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... Well, for the sake of this discussion, let's say Miami takes care of the NYJ next week. I think they will. That will leave them 3-3 headed into a Week 7 BYE, which I think is an advantageous schedule change for them.

Then, headed into Week 8, they face the following schedule: Rams (home), Cards, Chargers (home), Broncos, Jets, Bengals (home)

*Note: Always love WC teams coming to Miami. The Rams have been the exception in winning many of these contests.

Is it crazy to think they could take 5 out of 6 of those games and be 8-4 headed into the hardest portion of their schedule? KC, NE, LV, Buffalo ...
Welp, it happened. Miami likely needs 2 more wins, and none will be easy. The Dolphins best shot will likely be at home vs. the Patriots and on the road against the Raiders. But, in the NFL, on any given Sunday ...
 

sodenj5

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Welp, it happened. Miami likely needs 2 more wins, and none will be easy. The Dolphins best shot will likely be at home vs. the Patriots and on the road against the Raiders. But, in the NFL, on any given Sunday ...
Funny thing is both the Pats and Raiders are terrible matchups for Miami because they are run first offenses and Miami continues to struggle vs the run.

The playoffs for Miami start essentially after the KC game. Raiders game is basically a must win, and the Pats or Bills, either one. The Jets loss is hilarious, but also kind of sucks for Miami.
 

pdaj

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Funny thing is both the Pats and Raiders are terrible matchups for Miami because they are run first offenses and Miami continues to struggle vs the run.

The playoffs for Miami start essentially after the KC game. Raiders game is basically a must win, and the Pats or Bills, either one. The Jets loss is hilarious, but also kind of sucks for Miami.
Agree about the matchups. I thought NE, for sure, would beat the Chargers, but I was hoping to be wrong. Why? A loss would have possibly triggered a Stidham showing. I think Miami would obliterate a Stidham-lead offense. Cam + the running game + time control + tough defense = a much harder win.
 

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Dolphins Chiefs is a good strength on strength matchup. Really interested to see how Miami decides to try and attack Mahomes.

I anticipate a Chiefs win, but this is a good test.
 
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Silverdude2167

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Dolphins Chiefs is a good strength on strength matchup. Really interested to see how Miami decides to try and attack Mahomes.

I anticipate a Chiefs win, but this is a good test.
How is your man to man?

I am one of the few people not that high on the Chiefs so could see Miami hanging tough. BB has figured out how to slow them down and Flores was there when he did, so if he takes what he probably helped game plan I could see the D playing well.
 

sodenj5

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How is your man to man?

I am one of the few people not that high on the Chiefs so could see Miami hanging tough. BB has figured out how to slow them down and Flores was there when he did, so if he takes what he probably helped game plan I could see the D playing well.
Miami runs man almost as much as anyone in the league and they have Xavien Howard and Byron Jones on the outside. So pretty good.

I think they also matchup pretty well from a personnel standpoint. Eric Rowe can contain Kelce. He erased George Kittle from the game earlier this year vs SF.

It will be very interesting to see what the Chiefs do. Miami’s clear weakness is stopping the run on defense. Will KC come out and try and run the ball with Bell and CEH, or will they stick with what they do, like McVay and the Rams, and make Miami stop what they do best?
 

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Another loss that stings. Miami’s defense played well enough to win this game.

Miami’s offense couldn’t get anything going until they went uptempo and Tua starts dicing up the Chiefs defense.

My takeaway is Miami’s defense is ready to compete at a high level right now. The offense is clearly a year behind and needs to be the main focus of this offseason. Marry this defense, an improved skill position group and hopefully the natural maturation of Tua and the rest of the rookies, and Miami will be dangerous next season.

Big game round these parts next week. Hopefully Gesicki is ok and doesn’t miss significant time.
 

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A lot of folks down on Tua in the Week 14 game thread, both in terms of his development and in terms of what's best for Miami right now, but I think some points worth noting include:

-As pointed out during the broadcast, today was the equivalent of Tua's 2nd regular season start if you take into account 0 pre-season games
-Miami receivers haven't exactly done Tua any favors. There have been several notable drops on deep balls, including today. (Gisicki is included here, but unlike others, he has probably made up for it with superb catches)
-Miami's running game is/has been.......I don't know what you'd call it. I do know when you feel kind of devasted that Myles Freaking Gaskin* is unexpectedly unavailable, you have a significant problem with balance on offense.
-The Dolphins are ahead of schedule. The plan was always to start Tua this season. Those saying they never should have benched Fitz have lost perspective, IMO. Not to mention that Fitz was basically playing at his ceiling. We all know his floor.
-Tua looked very good at crunch time today, all things considered. And he basically matched Patrick Mahomes in the game. Credit where its due.
-Tony Romo seemed to be impressed by Tua today. I don't know if he was blowing smoke, but I do know he knows more than I do. And more than most of the people here. :)
-The next two games are massive. I like the position the Dolphins are in. And I am very excited to see what Tua will do.


*I like Gaskin, But he's a JAG. And the Dolphins have a JAG as their RB1, far ahead of everyone else on the depth chart. Enough said.
 

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If anyone actually watched that game and came away with a negative impression of Tua, than I don’t need to ever listen to that person again, because they don’t understand football.

That’s not to say Tua is without any criticism, but I can count on my fingers the number of QB’s that see the field in the manner Tua does...and Tua’s played less than half a season. There were plays where he went through at least 4 progressions, his eyes moving from one side of the field to the other, sometimes back, before delivering a precise throw. That’s just something you don’t see from rookie QB’s...heck, you don’t see it from many veteran QB’s now-a-days where offenses are built on schemes and essentially making one read and throw.

I also don’t think you can overstate how bereft of talent this offense is...and I would have said that before the injuries. The degree of difficulty increases exponentially considering he’s throwing to guys who were playing QB last year, or not on NFL rosters a few weeks ago...seriously what QB’s in the league would people expect to succeed surrounded by Hollins, Laird, Bowden, Calloway, etc. if Rodgers was throwing for 300 yards and almost beating the Chiefs with that crew the National talking heads would be on the verge of an orgasm.
I also think we saw the type of numbers Tua would be putting up if he played on a team that was always behind, like Burrow and Herbert got so much credit for, as it’s easier to compile yards facing a loose defense.

I’d be more upset about the lack of offensive talent, but this team has seemingly had a plan and the logical progression has always seemed like it would be going heavy on offense and skill players this upcoming offseason...they just got ahead of schedule and now those weaknesses are glaring within the context of a playoff run.

For me, after today the Macro is fantastic - things appear to be on the right track for the long term, but the micro is less than stellar, as all these injuries will make a playoff berth much harder to obtain.
 

Clears Cleaver

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If anyone actually watched that game and came away with a negative impression of Tua, than I don’t need to ever listen to that person again, because they don’t understand football.

For me, after today the Macro is fantastic - things appear to be on the right track for the long term, but the micro is less than stellar, as all these injuries will make a playoff berth much harder to obtain.
Yup. all of the above. I'd say there is also credible coaching leadership, a huge positive. I am still not a huge Grier fan, he hasn't exactly dazzled in the draft, but he's done better on pro player evaluations. ITs a huge offseason, they still have a ton of cap space and five picks in the top 70 and three in the top 40. They are serious contenders next year, although KC is still going to be great, Buffalo really good, etc.

They'll struggle to win another game given WR 1,2, 3; RB 1, 2, 3; TE 1; OG 1, OT 2; LB 1,3; and S 1, 3 are out and maybe out for a while.
 

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If anyone actually watched that game and came away with a negative impression of Tua, than I don’t need to ever listen to that person again, because they don’t understand football.

That’s not to say Tua is without any criticism, but I can count on my fingers the number of QB’s that see the field in the manner Tua does...and Tua’s played less than half a season. There were plays where he went through at least 4 progressions, his eyes moving from one side of the field to the other, sometimes back, before delivering a precise throw. That’s just something you don’t see from rookie QB’s...heck, you don’t see it from many veteran QB’s now-a-days where offenses are built on schemes and essentially making one read and throw.

I also don’t think you can overstate how bereft of talent this offense is...and I would have said that before the injuries. The degree of difficulty increases exponentially considering he’s throwing to guys who were playing QB last year, or not on NFL rosters a few weeks ago...seriously what QB’s in the league would people expect to succeed surrounded by Hollins, Laird, Bowden, Calloway, etc. if Rodgers was throwing for 300 yards and almost beating the Chiefs with that crew the National talking heads would be on the verge of an orgasm.
I also think we saw the type of numbers Tua would be putting up if he played on a team that was always behind, like Burrow and Herbert got so much credit for, as it’s easier to compile yards facing a loose defense.

I’d be more upset about the lack of offensive talent, but this team has seemingly had a plan and the logical progression has always seemed like it would be going heavy on offense and skill players this upcoming offseason...they just got ahead of schedule and now those weaknesses are glaring within the context of a playoff run.

For me, after today the Macro is fantastic - things appear to be on the right track for the long term, but the micro is less than stellar, as all these injuries will make a playoff berth much harder to obtain.
Well said. The offense surrounding Tua is flat out bad. On paper they came into the season with Parker, Preston Williams, Gesicki, Howard, Brieda. Tua finishes that game with Lynn Bowden as his leading receiver and Patrick Laird at RB again.

No, Tua is not perfect and he’s still learning, but to say he’s the issue is a bit of a joke. Give him Ja’Marr Chase, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Najee Harris this offseason and we’ll see how much he’s the problem.
 

swiftaw

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What should they use Houston’s number 1 pick on (looks like it’ll be in the top 10, if not the top 5)?
 

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What should they use Houston’s number 1 pick on (looks like it’ll be in the top 10, if not the top 5)?
WR with Houston’s pick, RB with their own. Maybe they miss out on Ja’Marr Chase at 7 (current projection for Houston’s pick) but they should absolutely have a shot at Davonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle. I don’t think those guys are around at the end of round 1.

RB might be their most glaring need, but they should also be able to get Najee Harris towards the back of round 1.
 

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I wouldn't take a running back in the first round. If I'm Miami, I go OL or BPA with that late first round pick.
Going RB in round 1 is better business than you think. Get that 5th year option. You can conceivably lock up a very good RB for 6 years (one franchise tag) and let them walk.

Yes they’re replaceable, but it’s been such a void for Miami the last 2 years, I rather they address it in round 1, instead of round 2 with Houston’s 2nd, mainly for that extra year of control.
 

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Going RB in round 1 is better business than you think. Get that 5th year option. You can conceivably lock up a very good RB for 6 years (one franchise tag) and let them walk.

Yes they’re replaceable, but it’s been such a void for Miami the last 2 years, I rather they address it in round 1, instead of round 2 with Houston’s 2nd, mainly for that extra year of control.
I think for the Fins you have 3-4 good fits: Etienne for gap power and outside stuff, Harris as an all around back who has elite power, and Javonte Williams who isn’t as big as Najee but almost as powerful and more athletic.


I’d also add junior Keaontay Ingram as someone to look at. He’s a really good zone runner (outside or inside). Edit: Ingram reminds me of Lev Bell with how patient he is and how good his vision and anticipation of blocks are. He hasn’t declared and I haven’t followed him this season but I liked his 2019 work quite a bit.

Personally I’d go for Etienne at the end of round 1 or preferably Williams or Harris in round 2. Flores wants a tough team. Williams has that power and explosiveness that you want in an RB. Harris has power and good vision. I think Williams and Harris give you the between the tackles runner with upside that Miami needs.
 

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j-man

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what u guys need is

1 Ne is falling apart u shouild win that game unless ne gets ahead earty and gets a def score
2 vegas is 50/50 they have a very good off but are very incostsele week to week
3 if buffalo has nothing to play for i e no shot at the 2 seed u win but if pitt loses to indy that means buff will go all out in week 17

i think Cle and Balt are in that leaves u vegas and indy for 1 spot indy shouild win this week and week 17
but if u win out and indy loses to pitt u are in
 

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Dec 15, 2002
3,385
From Springfield to Providence
Well said. The offense surrounding Tua is flat out bad. On paper they came into the season with Parker, Preston Williams, Gesicki, Howard, Brieda. Tua finishes that game with Lynn Bowden as his leading receiver and Patrick Laird at RB again.

No, Tua is not perfect and he’s still learning, but to say he’s the issue is a bit of a joke. Give him Ja’Marr Chase, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Najee Harris this offseason and we’ll see how much he’s the problem.
Agreed. Miami's two big RB additions -- Breida (47 carries) and Howard (28 carries) -- have combined for 75 rushes on the season, for a combined 201 yards. Preston Williams, who I like, is an undrafted 2nd-year player who started immediately this season, despite clearly not being 100% "back" from his ACL injury. Williams played in 8 games, totaling 18 receptions for 288 yards. 4 catches for 108 yards came in one game vs. the 49ers.

It's surprising to me that Jakeem Grant (28) is older than DeVante Parker. Grant's a fun, talented player, but has continued to be inconsistent (drops). His small stature also translates to a miniscule catch-radius. Grant's due to make 4.8, 4.9, and 5.07 million the next 3 seasons. Dead-cap hits would be 1.8, 1.2, or 600k, depending on the year he was cut. I'd like to see the Dolphins keep him for at least another year; however, he should be more of a 4th/5th WR option, return specialist, similar to how the Chiefs are presently utilizing Mecole Hardman. Because of his price tag, however, I think there's a shot he's not back.

I like Lynn Bowden a lot and could easily envision him entrenched as the team's primary slot receiver going forward. I'm elated that he's finally gotten his opportunity. It hasn't been stated explicitly anywhere in the media, but there were signs that he was struggling a bit following the events of being drafted, suddenly traded, and then buried on Miami's depth chart.

I'm not sure of what to make of Albert Wilson coming back next year, after opting out this season. He's due to make about 5.1 million, and Miami could save just over 1/2 of that by cutting him. Parker, Preston, Bowden, Grant, Wilson, Perry, Callaway, Hurns. A free agent acquisition like Juju and a draft selection such as Waddle or Smith is likely to be followed by a few of these men moving on.

Last offseason, I think the FO focus was two-fold: Defense and offensive line. These areas are vital to having a shot at winning with a rookie QB. This offseason, I think the plan will be to enrich offensive environment to best capitalize on Tua's potential.


I think for the Fins you have 3-4 good fits: Etienne for gap power and outside stuff, Harris as an all around back who has elite power, and Javonte Williams who isn’t as big as Najee but almost as powerful and more athletic.

I’d also add junior Keaontay Ingram as someone to look at. He’s a really good zone runner (outside or inside). Edit: Ingram reminds me of Lev Bell with how patient he is and how good his vision and anticipation of blocks are. He hasn’t declared and I haven’t followed him this season but I liked his 2019 work quite a bit.

Personally I’d go for Etienne at the end of round 1 or preferably Williams or Harris in round 2. Flores wants a tough team. Williams has that power and explosiveness that you want in an RB. Harris has power and good vision. I think Williams and Harris give you the between the tackles runner with upside that Miami needs.
SMU, thanks for this info, man. I always appreciate your draft analysis. I'm definitely going to spend some time looking at all those RB.
 

pdaj

Fantasy Maven
SoSH Member
Dec 15, 2002
3,385
From Springfield to Providence
Any wild guesses on which players end up suiting up for Miami? I'd be shocked if Gesicki played. Parker and Grant giving it a go would be big. On defense, McCain, Van Noy, and Roberts are all important pieces. I'd be surprised if Baker and KVN don't suit up.

 

SMU_Sox

queer eye for the next pats guy
SoSH Member
Jul 20, 2009
8,878
Dallas
Thinking more about the draft and the Dolphins I think the pick at 6-8 could go in two different directions the first being the one I see as more likely:

1) Micah Parsons ILB PSU. I know, cliched that Flores would take an off-ball LB at 6 but Parsons is a generational blue chip off-ball guy who can also do OLB duties on passing downs. He is the complete package and probably a top 3-5 overall player not weighting for their position this year. In 2021 Miami only has 3 OLB or ILBs on the roster: KVN, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jerome Baker. This year Miami's ILBs are a weakness. It would be a big upgrade to have such a versatile freak like him back there.
Other blue-chippers: Penei Sewell - OT but he will be gone and the other OTs are somewhat divisive. Ja'Marr Chase - WR LSU. He is a long term special solution at X but can play any role. Pitts - WR/TE (I can hear Mike Lombardi talking about him, "He's an F. He's no inline guy. He's an F.") The thing with Pitts though is he is a matchup nightmare and can play outside and against press. He is also a good blocker for a big WR. He's probably somewhere around Hunter Henry level of blocking. I think that's it. I don't think DeVonta Smith is a blue-chipper but YMMV on that. I like him just don't see him on the same level as these others. Corner wise I am not sure - haven't done my homework there.

2) Trade-back. Someone might want to grab a QB. If they pass on a blue-chipper or think they can slip back a few spots and grab one that would be ideal.

I had some fun doing a 7 round mock for you all:

On TDN's:

Top 100 picks:

37186

Day 3:
37187

Chase is the #1 WR in the class, Etienne gives you a home-run threat any time he touches the ball and can be used as a receiver. Freiermuth is the #1 inline TE prospect. Moses has had a rough year and is better with a downhill role but one they need for next year. Lindstrom could probably be a starting center from day 1.

Day 3 notes: DJ Daniel actually had a good game vs Ja'Marr Chase last year. I actually looked him up this morning wonder who this feisty UGA corner was. Rodgers is stylistically like Deebo. RB/WR slot schemed touches guy. Teague is a steal because he is a perfect pair with Etienne. Teague can handle short yardage and between the tackles runs. Teague is a power back with the best pass pro in the class or top 2-3. Hayes is just a home-run swing at edge because of his athleticism.
 

sodenj5

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
6,619
CT
Thinking more about the draft and the Dolphins I think the pick at 6-8 could go in two different directions the first being the one I see as more likely:

1) Micah Parsons ILB PSU. I know, cliched that Flores would take an off-ball LB at 6 but Parsons is a generational blue chip off-ball guy who can also do OLB duties on passing downs. He is the complete package and probably a top 3-5 overall player not weighting for their position this year. In 2021 Miami only has 3 OLB or ILBs on the roster: KVN, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jerome Baker. This year Miami's ILBs are a weakness. It would be a big upgrade to have such a versatile freak like him back there.
Other blue-chippers: Penei Sewell - OT but he will be gone and the other OTs are somewhat divisive. Ja'Marr Chase - WR LSU. He is a long term special solution at X but can play any role. Pitts - WR/TE (I can hear Mike Lombardi talking about him, "He's an F. He's no inline guy. He's an F.") The thing with Pitts though is he is a matchup nightmare and can play outside and against press. He is also a good blocker for a big WR. He's probably somewhere around Hunter Henry level of blocking. I think that's it. I don't think DeVonta Smith is a blue-chipper but YMMV on that. I like him just don't see him on the same level as these others. Corner wise I am not sure - haven't done my homework there.

2) Trade-back. Someone might want to grab a QB. If they pass on a blue-chipper or think they can slip back a few spots and grab one that would be ideal.

I had some fun doing a 7 round mock for you all:

On TDN's:

Top 100 picks:

View attachment 37186

Day 3:
View attachment 37187

Chase is the #1 WR in the class, Etienne gives you a home-run threat any time he touches the ball and can be used as a receiver. Freiermuth is the #1 inline TE prospect. Moses has had a rough year and is better with a downhill role but one they need for next year. Lindstrom could probably be a starting center from day 1.

Day 3 notes: DJ Daniel actually had a good game vs Ja'Marr Chase last year. I actually looked him up this morning wonder who this feisty UGA corner was. Rodgers is stylistically like Deebo. RB/WR slot schemed touches guy. Teague is a steal because he is a perfect pair with Etienne. Teague can handle short yardage and between the tackles runs. Teague is a power back with the best pass pro in the class or top 2-3. Hayes is just a home-run swing at edge because of his athleticism.
Looks pretty good. I agree with taking Chase. I would go Chase over Parsons personally. Miami needs to give Tua weapons this coming offseason. I draft a WR with Houston’s pick and either go RB or BPA with Miami’s pick.

I think I lean more Najee Harris or Javonte Williams at RB than Etienne.

Trade back would be a dream if Chase is off the board and someone is looking to get a QB. Turn that first rounder into multiple first rounders and the Tunsil trade grows exponentially in value and keeps Miami’s pipeline of high end talent open for another year.
 

Mystic Merlin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 21, 2007
46,769
Hartford, CT
Looks pretty good. I agree with taking Chase. I would go Chase over Parsons personally. Miami needs to give Tua weapons this coming offseason. I draft a WR with Houston’s pick and either go RB or BPA with Miami’s pick.

I think I lean more Najee Harris or Javonte Williams at RB than Etienne.

Trade back would be a dream if Chase is off the board and someone is looking to get a QB. Turn that first rounder into multiple first rounders and the Tunsil trade grows exponentially in value and keeps Miami’s pipeline of high end talent open for another year.
Depends on how many spots a team has to jump. 15-20? Yeah you will get an extra first.

Otherwise, I don’t see it, though some good second/third rounders are possible if there is competition for the pick. The ill-fated Trubisky trade up by Chicago is an outlier.