Lots of issues had been mentioned by Dolphins basic supervisor Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel this week on the NFL scouting mix in Indianapolis, however what was the which means behind these phrases?
Here’s my ideas about a number of key matters (questions and solutions taken from transcripts offered by the Dolphins).
McDaniel on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year possibility:
Are you shut to creating a call on the fifth-year possibility? “I mean, what is today’s date? It’s in February. Our deadline… so we’d probably be best served utilizing the time…”
My thought: They’re nonetheless consulting consultants, in all probability concussion consultants, as a result of they haven’t but heard what they should hear to make them sure about giving Tagovailoa the fifth-year extension. And they gained’t hear such a declaration earlier than the May 1 deadline. We all keep in mind when the Dolphins needed to determine between quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper and Drew Brees. The large concern is that this choice has an identical magnitude. Honestly, I travel on this one. Right now I’m within the camp of not giving the fifth-year extension.
Grier on cornerback Byron Jones:
Is there confidence CB Byron Jones can play once more? “I’m not a doctor. I don’t know. I don’t want to speak and not — but we’ve seen him. When I last saw him, he was working out, doing everything he can to try and get back.”
My thought: The most important phrase is the “I don’t know” in response as to if Jones can play once more. I’m unsure whether or not Grier meant that actually, nevertheless it appears he did. Combine that with Jones’ tweets saying that he can’t run or bounce, and it’s a tragic and unlucky state of affairs. It seems, on the very least, Jones gained’t be beginning reverse Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard in 2023, and it seems there’s an opportunity he doesn’t play in any respect.
McDaniel on quarterback Skylar Thompson serving because the backup to Tagovailoa:
Do you assume Skylar Thompson is able to tackle the position of being the No. 2 QB? “I think really when you assess Skylar’s play as a rookie, he did a lot of things to deserve to be in competition and to have an open mind to him being — to winning the backup quarterback role. I don’t foresee that being unchallenged by any stretch.”
My thought: The Dolphins, who’re in “win now” mode, don’t plan on opening the season with Thompson because the backup. McDaniel desires a veteran backup quarterback, which nonetheless may very well be free-agent Teddy Bridgewater. It appears the Dolphins assume Thompson wants extra seasoning and he’ll should win the backup job from a veteran in coaching camp. The key phrase, which McDaniel mentioned later, was, “I think there’s some competitive advantages that we can bring to the room through free agency and that’s what we’ll look to do.”
McDaniel, after speaking about not making a change with particular groups coordinator Danny Crossman, responding to a query about offensive coordinator Frank Smith and dismissing ex-offensive line coach Matt Applebaum:
What about the identical because it applies to your offensive line coach? You did make a change there … “So realistically, the way the staff was orchestrated the previous year, I really needed to get more offensive coordinator work out of Frank Smith and he was devoted a little too much to the offensive line. And I needed more, selfishly, to alleviate some stuff off my plate; and so that was the motivating factor to make that move, was to facilitate Frank Smith being able to appropriate his time more as a coordinator and less in the offensive line room.”
My thought: McDaniel realizes he must dedicate extra time to move coach duties, so having Smith take over extra offensive coordinator duties frees McDaniel as much as do extra head coach duties. And they free Smith up by having him spend much less time with the offensive line, which is why Applebaum, a relative newcomer, is gone and veteran offensive line coach Butch Barry is in. Barry’s greatest job may be managing Pro Bowl left deal with Terron Armstead, who has missed a mean of about 5.5 video games in every of the final six seasons, in a manner that maximizes his well being.
McDaniel on the position of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio:
How do you see the protection basically altering underneath Vic Fangio? “…I think having the opportunity to add Vic Fangio is as exciting of an opportunity in the offseason that I could have. I think all players on defense will benefit from it. I know myself included, I’ll benefit from the process of being able to work with him on a daily basis and tap into his infinite wisdom.”
My thought: Fangio is the pinnacle coach of the protection and he’ll have the ability to do virtually something he wishes; McDaniel will observe and study protection.
McDaniel on free-agent tight finish Mike Gesicki probably returning:
Do you see any situations the place TE Mike Gesicki returns subsequent 12 months? “There is always a spot for good players . . . we are not in the business of saying no to good players. I wouldn’t close that door at all.”
My thought: Gesicki was an excellent participant final season they usually didn’t make the most of his abilities. As the Dolphins mentioned, you by no means say by no means, nevertheless it’d be a serious shock if Gesicki is again, particularly as a result of he’d require at the very least $10 million a 12 months.
Grier on proper guard Robert Hunt:
Are you guys a bit of extra open-minded about OL Robert Hunt as a deal with or do you continue to personally imagine he has a really excessive ceiling largely at guard? “Yeah, that’s the beauty of Rob, is that he can play each and excel, however I believe the place he’s at guard, he has a possible to be a particular participant at guard.
My thought: The Dolphins like Hunt, who was drafted as a deal with, at proper guard and don’t need to transfer him, so proper deal with Austin Jackson will get a shot at maintaining his beginning job. But search for the Dolphins to discover a starting-caliber proper guard in free company, together with re-signing Brandon Shell, or the draft.
Grier on defensive deal with Christian Wilkins:
Have you had discussions with DT Christian Wilkins’ agent about an extension and the way a lot of a precedence is that this offseason? “Christian, ever since we drafted him, has done nothing but get better each year. He is a tireless worker, as we’ve talked about . . . We love him. We’d like to have him here for a long time. But in terms of conversations with agents, we don’t really talk publicly about it, but we would like to have him here a long time.”
My thought: This factor is getting achieved.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com