Here’s the newest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, the place South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins reply questions from readers.
Q: Not saying they are going to however do you assume the dolphins will take a look at QBs this low season? Can’t go into 2023 with this similar harm inclined qb room. – @Jay7kilo on Twitter
A: I believe the Dolphins will search for a veteran backup quarterback. We know the plan is for Tua Tagovailoa to be the starter in 2023. The Dolphins have said that publicly and emphatically. The query, contemplating Tagovailoa’s concussion historical past, together with the one he sustained at Alabama when he had the dislocated hip, is whether or not you want a veteran backup, and to what extent you chase such a participant. To a smaller extent, you additionally should take into account whether or not a backup resembling, say, Baker Mayfield (I’m simply utilizing a reputation for instance), who may need instant ambitions of being a starter, can be a distraction to Tagovailoa or make him really feel uncomfortable.
But on the subject of a veteran backup, I didn’t get an opportunity to ask Teddy Bridgewater, the South Florida native who was injured for a lot of the season, about his hopes/plans for subsequent season. I’m guessing the Dolphins need somebody extra dependable, health-wise.
I additionally get the sensation the Dolphins need an improve over rookie Skylar Thompson, who did an admirable job. He wasn’t nice, however he gave you an opportunity to win within the fourth quarter.
I don’t assume the Dolphins will draft a quarterback this yr. It wouldn’t make sense. Right now, the Dolphins have a second-round decide, two third-round picks, a sixth-round decide, and a seventh-round decide. The second- and third-rounders have to go to gamers who could possibly be instant starters or rotation gamers at cornerback and offensive line, and the lower-round picks aren’t going to get you what you want from a backup quarterback (and you have already got the kind of expertise that’s accessible in these decrease rounds with Thompson).
Look for the Dolphins to signal a veteran backup quarterback to place between Tagovailoa and Thompson.
Q: Have to be happy with the season. Tua out for five.5 video games, and we nonetheless made the playoffs. Within one possession within the 4th quarter of all 9 losses is all you may ask for. Have to be optimistic in regards to the future – @cjb8511 on Twitter
A: Yeah, I may agree with that, however with a caveat. You can solely be optimistic in regards to the future in the event you belief the folks in cost, beginning with normal supervisor Chris Grier and going by way of coach Mike McDaniel and the teaching workers. It was a profitable season as a result of the Dolphins made the playoffs. That’s step one. Now they need to resolve learn how to construct on this success, and that’s a sweeping process that features participant acquisition (draft/free company), wage cap administration, taking part in fashion, and on-field selections.
I’m not going to tear the franchise for previous strikes. That’s a waste of time and a whole lot of damaging vitality. I’d slightly look forward. It’s a brand new period, and so they deserve an open-minded outlook, to a sure extent. The Dolphins have three consecutive profitable seasons and a playoff berth, and so they’ve used that runway to get the airplane into the air. Let’s see if the pilot and co-pilot (Grier/McDaniel or McDaniel/Grier, nevertheless you view it) are good navigators. Here’s hoping it’s not a flight to nowhere.
Q: If you could possibly improve one place what wouldn’t it be? – @lefty5555 on Twitter
A: Cornerback. This place, one of the crucial essential positions within the NFL, took a giant hit for the Dolphins this season. Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard wasn’t the identical on account of well being points. I believe Howard will get again to his top-level play subsequent season, if wholesome. But he turns 30 in July. Combine that with Byron Jones’ absence (proper now he seems unlikely to return) and Nik Needham’s Achilles harm, and you’ve got a regarding state of affairs.
Rookie cornerback Kader Kohou was a wonderful discover, and somebody the Dolphins can rely on for 2023, however cornerback has gone from a place of energy to a place that should be instantly addressed.
Yeah, there are issues at proper deal with (defending Tagovailoa’s blind aspect), left guard, tight finish, and a few different spots. But in a league that depends closely on passing, the Dolphins completely should tackle the cornerback state of affairs.
Q: Given the struggles they’d with getting performs in on time, will McDaniel hand over play calling and have an OC deal with it? Let’s Dive In!!! – @njm1124 on Twitter
A: Let’s Dive In! I like the Dolphins Deep Dive reference! I’ve briefly thought of whether or not McDaniel ought to take into account splitting some duties. Yes, he ought to take into account that from the standpoint the Dolphins should take into account all the pieces.
But McDaniel ought to stay the play-caller. Look, that is his offense. He’s the brains behind the system. He ought to management the offense from that standpoint, little doubt.
McDaniel was a head coach for the primary time this season, and he was calling performs for the primary time. Yeah, there have been some tough spots. That was anticipated. Very few folks have a easy highway of their first yr on a brand new job or in a brand new function. I like McDaniel and his offense.
My greatest concern is that McDaniel fell in love with passes to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle an excessive amount of and forgot in regards to the run sport and tight finish Mike Gesicki. Sometimes coaches (together with Joe Philbin and Adam Gase, each educated coaches) consider their very own hype in regards to the passing sport, that they will make things better by way of the air.
Run the ball. Play protection. Use particular groups for area place. They might help make your passing sport simpler. In different phrases, do what the 49ers, and plenty of different groups, are doing. San Francisco’s success doesn’t begin with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy, it begins with a system that includes the run sport, protection and particular groups. I hope McDaniel, who simply got here from San Francisco, copies that mannequin. But I digress.
The Dolphins should construct a extra balanced offense for numerous causes, and among the many major causes is as soon as groups found out the Dolphins’ offense, beginning with McDaniel’s outdated workforce, San Francisco, we didn’t see sufficient changes.
But, once more, McDaniel was a rookie. And it confirmed. He’ll be higher subsequent season, together with play-calling and getting performs in on time.
Q: Is it higher to maneuver Hunt to RT completely and discover 2 guards within the offseason? – @liquidave on Twitter
A: Interesting concept. Rob Hunt, who was drafted as a deal with, performed nicely at proper guard. The Dolphins deliberately drafted, and developed, offensive line versatility. Give them credit score. So, yeah, shifting Hunt to proper deal with is an possibility. But Hunt is a greater guard than deal with, so the desire can be discovering a proper deal with, which is perhaps costly. It’s in all probability simpler to search out two first rate guards than discovering one first rate proper deal with.
Of course, the Dolphins additionally need to plan for Pro Bowl left deal with Terron Armstead to solely play about 12 video games due to recurring accidents, however that’s a special matter for a special day.
Q: This regime, specifically Grier, up to now appears to not wish to draft rb excessive. Do you assume with McDaniels on board that adjustments? Would they prioritize TE within the draft with Giesicki leaving? – @RonDaDon09 on Twitter
A: I hope McDaniel is on board with working the ball. Period. If you realize me, you realize I like protection and the run sport. So, I’m high-quality with drafting a working again excessive. My philosophy is to draft a great working again and run him into the bottom. Seriously. Do the Derrick Henry factor. It helps your quarterback tremendously. But Derrick Henrys aren’t simple to search out.
Another method of issues is McDaniel was a part of run sport creativity in San Francisco when it used receiver Deebo Samuel and was seventh within the league in speeding. I’d similar to to see extra of an emphasis on the run sport. You don’t essentially have to draft a working again excessive, and I wouldn’t try this this yr for a number of causes, however the Dolphins have to run the ball extra successfully.
As for prioritizing a decent finish within the draft, the Dolphins aren’t in search of a receiving tight finish (they only inexplicably ignored Mike Gesicki six consecutive months) so, no, I’m guessing tight finish received’t be a precedence within the draft. Right now, I’m considering cornerback and offensive line are the draft priorities.
Have a query?
Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Previously answered:
Can Tua go well with up for wild-card sport?
Should Tua take into account retirement after newest concussion scare?
Is Bradley Chubb contributing?
Why is the run sport absent?
How impactful can defensive entrance be?
Are Miami assistants in line for head teaching jobs at season’s finish?
How will protection fare on West Coast journey?
Can struggling protection be fastened? Plus, Emmanuel Ogbah, Jason Sanders questions
Should Mike Gesicki have been shopped in commerce talks? Why so many penalties?
Is 8-3 with a 5-game win streak in Miami’s future? Does Brandon Shell maintain on to RT job?
Why not use Mike Gesicki as WR?
Why has protection taken a step again? Liam Eichenberg issues? Talk trades with Panthers?
Should we be bought on this O-line; what’s up with Mike Gesicki?
Is Christian Wilkins subsequent for multi-year extension?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com