Six Reason Why Dolphins Can Overachieve

[SF Dolphin Fan]

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.

 

[dolfan91]

Good analysis. The 1st two on your list are what I think will make Miami over achieve. Both Sparano and even Gase in his 1st year had good running teams. That's the last time Miami had winning seasons, where the offense seemed balanced. I'd like to add, physical toughness as another trait that could help Miami surprise the league.

 

[coalesce]

We all live in hope (although there are always some who live to complain).

 

[ANUFan]

Lol, I've been staying quiet on this front. But i KNOW the team is going to surprise and be a lot better than people expect....

 

[phinking]

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.

The Injury bug maybe the biggest of all. This team can win if the injuries can be kept to a minimum.

 

[Mach2]

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 like the breakdown, and agree on all points, and have had many of thr same thoughts.


Reading it though, I was painfully aware that it's really all just hope, with nothing concrete to point to.

Every point had a very valid "but", that could be used to refute the statement.

The good news is, even a few if them "pan out", we could be a middle of the pack team.

The bad news is, most are dependent on others, except for #5, of course.

Give me good coaching, and the following three will come.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I like the breakdown, and agree on all points, and have had many of thr same thoughts.


Reading it though, I was painfully aware that it's really all just hope, with nothing concrete to point to.

Every point had a very valid "but", that could be used to refute the statement.

The good news is, even a few if them "pan out", we could be a middle of the pack team.

The bad news is, most are dependent on others, except for #5, of course.

Give me good coaching, and the following three will come.

It's so hard to predict the success of a first year coach. But I like the staff that Flores has assembled. I didn't feel the same way about Gase's staff.

I do agree that it would be easy to make an argument on the other side as well. Pass rush and the right side of the offensive line are huge questions.

 

[Mach2]

It's so hard to predict the success of a first year coach. But I like the staff that Flores has assembled. I didn't feel the same way about Gase's staff.

I do agree that it would be easy to make an argument on the other side as well. Pass rush and the right side of the offensive line are huge questions.

It's so hard to predict the success of a first year coach. But I like the staff that Flores has assembled. I didn't feel the same way about Gase's staff.

I do agree that it would be easy to make an argument on the other side as well. Pass rush and the right side of the offensive line are huge questions.

It would hard to be a worse HC than Gase. He had no decernable defensive philosophy. In fact, he distanced himself from the D to the point of not taking responsibility for it's failures. What kind of leader does that? Better question, what were the Jests thinking. I don't even think he is all that good offensively, when left to his own devices.

If Rosen is "the guy", and I think he may be, we are on our way, with a bag full of picks next year.

 

[ANUFan]

It's so hard to predict the success of a first year coach. But I like the staff that Flores has assembled. I didn't feel the same way about Gase's staff.

I do agree that it would be easy to make an argument on the other side as well. Pass rush and the right side of the offensive line are huge questions.

Indeed! But I trust and i suspect you trust, as well, that this coaching staff won't try and make the talent do what it can't. If the pass rush sucks and right side is deficient in some area then i don't see this staff forcing the issue. Rather i expect them to coach to the players strength and I believe their collective and diverse coaching experience puts them in a position to do that.

This,imo, was one of Gase biggest faults. Either because of stubborn pride(I'm going to do it this way no matter what) or lack of staff experience etc(How to deal with an ego-manic coach, lack of proper teaching) he routinely put the team/players in positions setting them up more to lose than win.

We have no idea if coaching will be better. But on paper and even in the structure of how things are set up it does seem like it will be better.

I like the fact that Flores looks like he will operate as a pure "head coach" and not an HC/DC, HC/OC etc.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

It would hard to be a worse HC than Gase. He had no decernable defensive philosophy. In fact, he distanced himself from the D to the point of not taking responsibility for it's failures. What kind of leader does that? Better question, what were the Jests thinking. I don't even think he is all that good offensively, when left to his own devices.

If Rosen is "the guy", and I think he may be, we are on our way, with a bag full of picks next year.

Gase got off to such a good start with Miami, but the team regressed in virtually every offensive and defensive category over the next two years.

Getting away from the running game might have been his biggest failure. I also agree that he needed to put his stamp on the defense. Seemed disinterested in that side of the ball.

It will be interesting to see how Gase does with a second chance in New York. His talent is in developing quarterbacks. Not sure there's much more to him.

 

[ANUFan]

Gase got off to such a good start with Miami, but the team regressed in virtually every offensive and defensive category over the next two years.

Getting away from the running game might have been his biggest failure. I also agree that he needed to put his stamp on the defense. Seemed disinterested in that side of the ball.

It will be interesting to see how Gase does with a second chance in New York. His talent is in developing quarterbacks. Not sure there's much more to him.

Getting away from the running game was so aweful. He wanted to pass it all over the field with an OL that was inept at that particular task.

There were times we were gashing teams with 4+ yards and it was obvious we found something. Then the genius coach named Gase would, unexplicitly or maybe because of ego, stop running the damn ball. The guy has no idea how running the ball complemented the team, its level of talent and the Florida environment.So frustrating!

It goes without saying his feel for the game and his team was crap!!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Indeed! But I trust and i suspect you trust, as well, that this coaching staff won't try and make the talent do what it can't. If the pass rush sucks and right side is deficient in some area then i don't see this staff forcing the issue. Rather i expect them to coach to the players strength and I believe their collective and diverse coaching experience puts them in a position to do that.

This,imo, was one of Gase biggest faults. Either because of stubborn pride(I'm going to do it this way no matter what) or lack of staff experience etc(How to deal with an ego-manic coach, lack of proper teaching) he routinely put the team/players in positions setting them up more to lose than win.

We have no idea if coaching will be better. But on paper and even in the structure of how things are set up it does seem like it will be better.

I like the fact that Flores looks like he will operate as a pure "head coach" and not an HC/DC, HC/OC etc.

The Caldwell hire showed me that Flores understands having a veteran presence. Bringing in someone who had success as an NFL coach might be intimidating for some young coaches. I like the recent hire on the offensive line as well.

I think player development is a big part of the puzzle that has been missing here and that starts with good coaching.

 

[McMichael]

Lol, I've been staying quiet on this front. But i KNOW the team is going to surprise and be a lot better than people expect....

quoted one of your posts before about this topic and agree....after seeing the full schedule and how we handled the draft I honestly think we go 7-9 or better. 6-10 wouldn't completely shock me but 3-4 wins is way off imo..If I had any extra money to play with I would put my money where my mouth is and bet the over on wins all day if it was set at 3.5-5.0

 

[ANUFan]

The Caldwell hire showed me that Flores understands having a veteran presence. Bringing in someone who had success as an NFL coach might be intimidating for some young coaches. I like the recent hire on the offensive line as well.

I think player development is a big part of the puzzle that has been missing here and that starts with good coaching.

There's no way ego Gase would have hired someone "clearly" more qualified than he was. The types of hires like Caldwell truly allows Flores to be a pure HC that delegates responsibilities to his coaches (OC, DC, ST etc) and unlike Gase watch those units carefully and step in when he needs too.

 

[ANUFan]

quoted one of your posts before about this topic and agree....after seeing the full schedule and how we handled the draft I honestly think we go 7-9 or better. 6-10 wouldn't completely shock me but 3-4 wins is way off imo..If I had any extra money to play with I would put my money where my mouth is and bet the over on wins all day if it was set at 3.5-5.0

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!