Here's What I Would Do....

[SF Dolphin Fan]

First off, I'm not looking at any magical potions, no expectations for turning this season around in a big way. But, I think there are a few things that could help moving forward. Here's what I would do.

Stick with the running game -- Teams are selling out, pinning their ears so to speak to rush the quarterback. Why? Because they know Miami can't run the ball. I believe there are big plays available in the running game, but Miami needs to stick with it. Force it a bit if you have to, but don't give up on the run. The Dolphins had a bit of success late in the first half versus Tennessee, but went away from it quickly even when they weren't behind by much.

Get Grant, Parker More Involved --- Grant showed in pre-season that every time he touched the ball a big play was possible. It was only a matter of time before he returned a kick for a touchdown. Simply put, Grant may be Miami's best big play threat and the Dolphins need to find creative ways to get him the ball. Isn't creativity Gase's thing? Time to show it. Parker also has that big play ability and the team needs to find out if he's legit moving forward. So far, Parker has flashed immense talent. It's time for him to deliver and the game plan should include more targets his way.

Fire Christensen and Forrester --- Miami's talent on offense exceeds it's production. The offensive line has four first round picks, the wide receiver unit is talented, Tannehill is at least an average quarterback. Pro Football Focus, which I think does a pretty good job with rankings, had Tannehill 11th two years ago and 19th last year. That's a two year average of 15 out of 32 starting quarterbacks. So yes that's average. The running back position is certainly unsettled and injuries have hurt (again) the offensive line. Still, there's no reason for the kind of struggles the offense is facing. The players are responsible for sure, but got to point fingers at the coaching staff as well. There has been no creativity on offense (Christensen), and poor play on the offensive line (Forrester).

Look to Trade Veterans --- This is a tough one because the NFL is not baseball and veteran players don't usually bring back the kind of value fans might expect. That said, I'd explore moving some veterans like Albert, Wake and maybe even Pouncey. Wake deserves a chance to play for a contender. Albert is talented when healthy, but the team could move Tunsil to left tackle. Pouncey could bring value because he is one of the better centers in the game. I hate that he's always injured.

Re-Examine the Wide 9 --- I'll be honest, I don't know what changes can be made on defense but Miami has to figure out a way to stop the run. The wide 9 doesn't seem like a great defense against the run. It's time for Vance Joseph to step up and come up with some better schemes. I know there's not a lot of talent on defense, but it could be better utilized. Get creative from game-to-game.

 

[MelMayock]

Realistically there's 4 players worth keeping and one of those is due to contract. Suh, Landry, Parker and R Jones. Tunsil I suppose but this dumpster fire of an organization has no clue how to teach and develop OL.

I'd suggest the Cleveland approach of this year trying to horde picks. Unfortunately you have a GM that gave up future picks for L Carroo. Wake and M Williams should be traded. I'd say Pouncey too but hard to deal on overrated, now injury prone C.

None of these moves matter if the owner and GM are the same though.

 

[jazz015]

Realistically there's 4 players worth keeping and one of those is due to contract. Suh, Landry, Parker and R Jones. Tunsil I suppose but this dumpster fire of an organization has no clue how to teach and develop OL.

I'd suggest the Cleveland approach of this year trying to horde picks. Unfortunately you have a GM that gave up future picks for L Carroo. Wake and M Williams should be traded. I'd say Pouncey too but hard to deal on overrated, now injury prone C.

None of these moves matter if the owner and GM are the same though.

It's hard to trade for picks when this team can't draft good players, use those picks on positions of need and whenot Mike T always trades away picks for foolish Mike T reasons.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Realistically there's 4 players worth keeping and one of those is due to contract. Suh, Landry, Parker and R Jones. Tunsil I suppose but this dumpster fire of an organization has no clue how to teach and develop OL.

I'd suggest the Cleveland approach of this year trying to horde picks. Unfortunately you have a GM that gave up future picks for L Carroo. Wake and M Williams should be traded. I'd say Pouncey too but hard to deal on overrated, now injury prone C.

None of these moves matter if the owner and GM are the same though.

The Carroo trade means a high 3rd and 4th rounder to Minnesota. Carroo is going to have to deliver and be a big-time player for Miami

I like what I've seen so far from Howard as well, but yes agree not a lot of top end talent.

 

[royalshank]

John Denney is also worth keeping. Matt Darr as well. So we're up to 6 or 7 players.

Seriously, these guys all can't be that bad. Coaching and scheme have to be major factors in this **** show we are seeing.

 

[maralieus]

Realistically there's 4 players worth keeping and one of those is due to contract. Suh, Landry, Parker and R Jones. Tunsil I suppose but this dumpster fire of an organization has no clue how to teach and develop OL.

I'd suggest the Cleveland approach of this year trying to horde picks. Unfortunately you have a GM that gave up future picks for L Carroo. Wake and M Williams should be traded. I'd say Pouncey too but hard to deal on overrated, now injury prone C.

None of these moves matter if the owner and GM are the same though.

Pouncey, Sims, Howard, Alonso, Drake, Grant, Steen.

 

[dlockz]

First off, I'm not looking at any magical potions, no expectations for turning this season around in a big way. But, I think there are a few things that could help moving forward. Here's what I would do.

Stick with the running game -- Teams are selling out, pinning their ears so to speak to rush the quarterback. Why? Because they know Miami can't run the ball. I believe there are big plays available in the running game, but Miami needs to stick with it. Force it a bit if you have to, but don't give up on the run. The Dolphins had a bit of success late in the first half versus Tennessee, but went away from it quickly even when they weren't behind by much.

Get Grant, Parker More Involved --- Grant showed in pre-season that every time he touched the ball a big play was possible. It was only a matter of time before he returned a kick for a touchdown. Simply put, Grant may be Miami's best big play threat and the Dolphins need to find creative ways to get him the ball. Isn't creativity Gase's thing? Time to show it. Parker also has that big play ability and the team needs to find out if he's legit moving forward. So far, Parker has flashed immense talent. It's time for him to deliver and the game plan should include more targets his way.

Fire Christensen and Forrester --- Miami's talent on offense exceeds it's production. The offensive line has four first round picks, the wide receiver unit is talented, Tannehill is at least an average quarterback. Pro Football Focus, which I think does a pretty good job with rankings, had Tannehill 11th two years ago and 19th last year. That's a two year average of 15 out of 32 starting quarterbacks. So yes that's average. The running back position is certainly unsettled and injuries have hurt (again) the offensive line. Still, there's no reason for the kind of struggles the offense is facing. The players are responsible for sure, but got to point fingers at the coaching staff as well. There has been no creativity on offense (Christensen), and poor play on the offensive line (Forrester).

Look to Trade Veterans --- This is a tough one because the NFL is not baseball and veteran players don't usually bring back the kind of value fans might expect. That said, I'd explore moving some veterans like Albert, Wake and maybe even Pouncey. Wake deserves a chance to play for a contender. Albert is talented when healthy, but the team could move Tunsil to left tackle. Pouncey could bring value because he is one of the better centers in the game. I hate that he's always injured.

Re-Examine the Wide 9 --- I'll be honest, I don't know what changes can be made on defense but Miami has to figure out a way to stop the run. The wide 9 doesn't seem like a great defense against the run. It's time for Vance Joseph to step up and come up with some better schemes. I know there's not a lot of talent on defense, but it could be better utilized. Get creative from game-to-game.

Not sure its fair to fire forester or christianson when the defense gets shredded by Tennesee. I say Fire Tannebaum and tell all the coaches to take a damn hike along with Grier then sell the team to somebody who gives a damn

---------- Post added at 01:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:42 AM ----------

Pouncey, Sims, Howard, Alonso, Drake, Grant, Steen.

I wouldnt keep poouncey at his salary or current production and injury prone ness

 

[NorFlaFin]

Sign a true FB and another blocker TE and go with 21 personal as base, ala the Denver Broncos.

Gase is going to have to swallow his pride though.

 

[Beach Bum]

Win or lose, stick with the offense as designed. Maybe next year our guys will finally understand what to do.

 

[zucca]

Something is wrong with the pass blocking scheme if your right tackle ends up blocking the invisible man while the defensive end kills the QB. Its happened at least once a game. James did not look clueless in previous years. Why can't he understand who he's supposed to block? Is he that dense or is the scheme flawed?

 

[Eesti]

If you're looking to assign blame to coaches then Shawn Jefferson sits atop my list. The entire group is not playing well. For all his rah-rah, strap on the pads BS, what good has it done? What receiver in Tennessee performed well when he was there? A TE was the leading receiver his final year.

 

[Danny]

Something is wrong with the pass blocking scheme if your right tackle ends up blocking the invisible man while the defensive end kills the QB. Its happened at least once a game. James did not look clueless in previous years. Why can't he understand who he's supposed to block? Is he that dense or is the scheme flawed?

But he keeps getting beat even when he's trying to block somebody. He's been just as bad as turner and thomas

Ozzy rules!!

 

[zucca]

But he keeps getting beat even when he's trying to block somebody. He's been just as bad as turner and thomas

Agreed. But I think its a combination of both. Guy seems like he's thinking too much. Probably because he's got no clue who he's supposed to block half the time.

 

[artdnj]

Nice post OP and follow up responses. I think we can agree that change is needed but very unlikely. We have obvious issues with Tannenbaum but lets face it, he is not going anywhere anytime soon. We have issues with coaching and it's unlikely that Gase will fire anyone in my opinion in fact I am not sure (cause I have yet to see it) that he will make any useful adjustments to utilize players air change scheme.

I think this season will be another miserable long one where we win maybe 3 and suffer through a long off season. My only hope is Tannenbaum gets the axe at season end and that means the demise of the entire coaching staff which doesn't seem too catastrophic imo. For us fans it's more instability and false hopes for the off season. I don't see how this story can end any other way and if Gase all of a sudden finds the inner Shula I will applaud him, love life, and continue to root for the Fins but I won't hold my breath.

 

[Dolph N.Fan]

Screw Pouncey. Keep the 2015 and 2016 draft classes, Suh, Landry, Jones, Steen, and Darr and get rid of everyone else, whether via cut, trade whatever just get rid of them.