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Six Reason Why Dolphins Can Overachieve

If I’m rosen I need to turn in a year like Arron Rodgers had the year before he broke out. One of those years where the writings absolutely on the wall.

Otherwise we finish with the top pick and tua comes out josh better be renting or we gonna make an epic all timer level qb mistake.

And I really don’t want to be a part of that history.
 
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If we go by Gase's body of work as Miami Dolphin Head Coach it's apparent that the team was going in the wrong direction when he was let go. The fact that the Jets hired him is amazing to me. Tannehill clearly regressed under Gase, injuries played a role, but Tannehill had lost all confidence in the pocket. Tannehill looked like a rookie in the end. It was pitiful that the play calling was getting him killed. Gase's tenure as a Dolphin Head Coach was a pretty large failure but his biggest failing was Tannehill and not battling to bring in competition at QB. He came here to fix our QB situation, epic fail. I think Darnold will also regress under Gase's offense. If he does they'll eat him alive in New York!
 
Most experts have Miami as the favorites to end up with the number one overall pick in the 2020 draft. That's possible. There are holes on the roster. But, honestly a lot would have to go wrong to be that kind of bad. I think there are reasons to be optimistic. Here are six.

1. Better Coaching
This is obviously a projection, but the New England model has proven to be successful over the last 20 years. Flores has talked about being adaptable, fluid, multiple and the ability to match up to opponents from week-to-week. That process has begun here in Miami. I think we'll see immediate improvement in coaching on the defensive side of the ball and on the offensive line.

2. A Commitment to the Running Game
One of my biggest gripes with Adam Gase was how quickly he got away from the running game. After his first year in Miami, I thought running the ball was going to be the teams' identity under his watch but that never materialized. Look at the draft and the type of players Miami has brought in (Deiter, Cox) and you just know Flores wants to establish a running game.

3. Josh Rosen
This is the big X factor. I really believe Rosen is a perfect fit in a NE-type offense that relies on quick decisions and getting the ball out to the teams' playmakers. In a sense, this could hide what looks like a weakness on the right side of the offensive line. If Rosen takes off in this system, Miami's rebuild takes off as well.

4. Defensive Scheme
How frustrating was it to watch teams carve up Miami's defense and absolutely dominate in the running game? I think the Wide 9 helped create huge running lanes for teams and Matt Burke, although he had a few moments, was in over his head. Graham comes from the New England system and, while the Dolphins still need talent on defense, a better scheme will go a long way.

5. Player Development
One thing clearly working in Miami's favor is having a lot of young players who could emerge. There are a few that I think have a really good shot with the new coaching staff. One is Mike Gesicki at tight end. The tight end position is so critical in New England's offense and you know someone with his talent will be given every opportunity. Charles Harris is another who could benefit from a scheme change. I always thought he was a better fit in a 3-4, an alignment Miami will employ at times. Tank Carradine gets another chance. Under-the-radar free agent Eric Rowe is another who has a shot opposite X. Howard. In a rebuilding year, we could also see several college free agents gets more of a shot than usual. Jonathan Ledbetter is one to watch at DE. Shaq Calhoun at guard has a chance as do a few others.

6. Beating the Injury Bug
A wildcard in any teams' success is injuries. If Miami can be better than NFL average in terms of injuries, that could add up to a few more wins.

I agree with your points here, but to play devils advocate and keep things in perspective I would counter with these:

1) We have a first time HC, and 2 first time coordinators. I do feel the schemes and ability to adapt/change strategies week to week will be huge advantage going forward, but I think we will have quite a few growing pains with the rookie coaches.

2) A running game can't succeed without a competent O-line, which we still do not have.

3) A QB can't succeed without a competent O-line, which we still do not have.

4) Nothing can be worse than Burkes scheme so I am with you here, but do we have enough pieces to run the defense they want in 2019?

6) Unpredictable either way
 
I agree Hoops, we made enough history passing on Brees. But, we get a full pre season and regular season to appraise, evaluate and in every way find out what Rosen brings to the table. I think Rosen is definitely a guy with a bright future in the NFL. It would be great it that future was as a Miami Dolphin. What if Rosen leads us to 11-5 and a Playoff win?? I know that's a pretty huge pipe dream but if he does that I'm not worrying about Tua anymore. If he just doesn't click with this system then he's gone and we're still in the hunt for a 2020 QB. There's worse situations to be in.
 
If we go by Gase's body of work as Miami Dolphin Head Coach it's apparent that the team was going in the wrong direction when he was let go. The fact that the Jets hired him is amazing to me. Tannehill clearly regressed under Gase, injuries played a role, but Tannehill had lost all confidence in the pocket. Tannehill looked like a rookie in the end. It was pitiful that the play calling was getting him killed. Gase's tenure as a Dolphin Head Coach was a pretty large failure but his biggest failing was Tannehill and not battling to bring in competition at QB. He came here to fix our QB situation, epic fail. I think Darnold will also regress under Gase's offense. If he does they'll eat him alive in New York!
The lack of a running game really hurt Tannehill. For the life of me, I can't understand why Gase got away from the run game so quickly. There were games where Miami started out running the ball well and ended up with 12 carries for the entire game. That was unacceptable. How the Dolphins managed to play close to .500 for his three years as a coach was mind boggling in some respects.
 
I agree with your points here, but to play devils advocate and keep things in perspective I would counter with these:

1) We have a first time HC, and 2 first time coordinators. I do feel the schemes and ability to adapt/change strategies week to week will be huge advantage going forward, but I think we will have quite a few growing pains with the rookie coaches.

2) A running game can't succeed without a competent O-line, which we still do not have.

3) A QB can't succeed without a competent O-line, which we still do not have.

4) Nothing can be worse than Burkes scheme so I am with you here, but do we have enough pieces to run the defense they want in 2019?

6) Unpredictable either way
So true on all accounts. I think the run-blocking on the offensive line could improve with Deiter and Reed and the addition of Cox at fullback. I have more questions regarding pass protection. I think the scheme will help some there.
 
The other thing to consider is what have we lost honestly?

Cam Wake = Agreed tremendous player in his PRIME. But more times than not Mr.Wake wasn't getting to the QB
Branch? Please!
Tannehill? Enjoyed the guy but he's not the difference between competitive and suck
Gore?
James? Certainly a loss.

My point being when you look at what we lost you have to ask yourself are those players taking 4-7 wins with them? The answer should be obvious!

Yep I agree. On another front you could make a pretty convincing argument that our current group of coaches is a significant upgrade over crazy eyes Gase and no scheme Burke. Caldwell and all the former GMs we have in our front office have to be an upgrade over what we had behind Gase as well.
 
So many tanking stories I am trying to adjust and live with that.
Best to me is let Rosen develop. If OL is awful keep Rosen on the bench (my apologies to Fitz) and if OL a surprise let him start by mid season.
Get a top 5 pick and trade down.
 
We just got the QB that lead his team to 14 ppg last year and the first overall pick. People will try to excuse that away but that is absolutely atrocious. FOURTEEN POINTS PER GAME.

We had the 31st ranked offensive line which we lost our second best olineman off that unit last year. We brought in a bunch of backups to add competition there.

We had the 29th ranked defense last year and we brought in Christian Wilkins who will be a decent player.

We lost ALL of our pass rush from last year which was not good to begin with. We filled that with AFL dudes and a 5th round draft pick.

Our linebackers are uninspiring. We added nothing there.

Our WRs are ok. Two of the top three are coming back from serious injuries. We resigned Parker which I am sure he will be injury free this year. Preston Williams maybe the goods though if he can just not be a shithead.

TE - Giraffe legged Gesicki is our only hope. well we picked up Dwayne. He was good 3 years ago.

Secondary - Can be good but wont see the true potential because QBs will have plenty of time back there. Jones and McDonald need to be replaced. We dont really have a number 2 unless Minkah plays there which I think turns a positive into average. We brought in Rowe.

In conclusion, there is a reason why this team has gone from a win total of 5 to 4.5 after the draft and Rosen being picked up.
 
We can't eff around. We need a WD40 mister over the opponent's locker room door.
 
We can over-achieve because we are projected to be 32nd. Our overachievement won't be very spectacular. More like they didn't suck as bad as we imagined type of thing.
 
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