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Can't ever remember a Miami Dolphins team with so many moves at roster cut down time. I'm still reeling a bit from the Tunsil trade. I figured he was a player you build around, but I get the strategy to stockpile high draft picks, especially when the all important quarterback issue still hasn't been resolved. Here are some thoughts with the season one-week away.
It's Definitely Not About Wins and Losses in 2019
Well, it's definitely not about wins anyway. I'm looking at this season differently than most. I'm looking for what young players step up, how Josh Rosen performs, what multiple will look like etc. I want to see a more physical team, a team that doesn't make the silly mistakes we've seen over the last decade or so, more disciplined. I want to see the team fight and play hard every week. Prior to the Tunsil trade, I thought the team would go 5-11. Now, I think more like 3-13. It's hard to imagine the offensive being anywhere but bottom five unless....
Will the Running Game Emerge?
I think that's the one area that could save the season. Based on preseason, I'd say Miami will be bottom third in running the football, possibly bottom five. But since then the Dolphins have traded for three offensive lineman and perhaps that could be a positive for the running game. Admittedly, I don't know much about the three newcomers Evan Bohm, Julien Davenport and Danny Isidora. Long-term, I think they are depth-type players, but maybe one or more surprises. Maybe the line becomes better than the sum of its parts. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic. I think Chandler Cox will help the running game.
Is Grier the Guy to Make the Right Picks?
This is one of the most important pieces moving forward. It's great to have a stockpile of draft choices, to have two #1's and two #2's for the next two drafts. However, it means nothing if you don't make the right choices. Getting the quarterback of the future, a quarterback who can be top-10 caliber, is what matters most. It could be Josh Rosen still, but the Dolphins figure to be in a good position if they are convinced on someone in the draft (Tua, Herbert, Fromm, Love). Grier has mostly done a good job on the draft. His first class looks like an A grade with Tunsil, Howard, Drake and Grant. His second draft was probably a D with Harris, McMillan and Tankersley. Fitzpatrick, Baker and Geisicki in his third draft is promising. Baker looks primed to breakout. There have been hits and misses even with high picks and that's the risk with the draft. Have to give Grier credit for some of his front office hires and what looks like an excellent undrafted free agent class this year. Plus, Sam Equavoen looks like a heck of a find a linebacker.
Ultimately it Comes Down to the Quarterback
If the Dolphins can finally solve this everything else should fall into place. The one constant for New England over the last 20 years is Tom Brady. Everything else around him has changed. The Patriots have let great players go, but they've always played the comp pick game and made trades to add draft picks. It looks like Miami is following the same philosophy. It could work with the right player under center.
It's Definitely Not About Wins and Losses in 2019
Well, it's definitely not about wins anyway. I'm looking at this season differently than most. I'm looking for what young players step up, how Josh Rosen performs, what multiple will look like etc. I want to see a more physical team, a team that doesn't make the silly mistakes we've seen over the last decade or so, more disciplined. I want to see the team fight and play hard every week. Prior to the Tunsil trade, I thought the team would go 5-11. Now, I think more like 3-13. It's hard to imagine the offensive being anywhere but bottom five unless....
Will the Running Game Emerge?
I think that's the one area that could save the season. Based on preseason, I'd say Miami will be bottom third in running the football, possibly bottom five. But since then the Dolphins have traded for three offensive lineman and perhaps that could be a positive for the running game. Admittedly, I don't know much about the three newcomers Evan Bohm, Julien Davenport and Danny Isidora. Long-term, I think they are depth-type players, but maybe one or more surprises. Maybe the line becomes better than the sum of its parts. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic. I think Chandler Cox will help the running game.
Is Grier the Guy to Make the Right Picks?
This is one of the most important pieces moving forward. It's great to have a stockpile of draft choices, to have two #1's and two #2's for the next two drafts. However, it means nothing if you don't make the right choices. Getting the quarterback of the future, a quarterback who can be top-10 caliber, is what matters most. It could be Josh Rosen still, but the Dolphins figure to be in a good position if they are convinced on someone in the draft (Tua, Herbert, Fromm, Love). Grier has mostly done a good job on the draft. His first class looks like an A grade with Tunsil, Howard, Drake and Grant. His second draft was probably a D with Harris, McMillan and Tankersley. Fitzpatrick, Baker and Geisicki in his third draft is promising. Baker looks primed to breakout. There have been hits and misses even with high picks and that's the risk with the draft. Have to give Grier credit for some of his front office hires and what looks like an excellent undrafted free agent class this year. Plus, Sam Equavoen looks like a heck of a find a linebacker.
Ultimately it Comes Down to the Quarterback
If the Dolphins can finally solve this everything else should fall into place. The one constant for New England over the last 20 years is Tom Brady. Everything else around him has changed. The Patriots have let great players go, but they've always played the comp pick game and made trades to add draft picks. It looks like Miami is following the same philosophy. It could work with the right player under center.
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