In his first seven months as the Dolphins’ football czar, Mike Tannenbaum(with the help of general manager Dennis Hickey) signed the NFL’s best defensive tackle (and marquee free agent), struck long-term deals with Ryan Tannehill and Mike Pouncey, upgraded the receiver corps, procured a former Pro Bowl tight end, bolstered the team’s infrastructure and sports sciences department and spoke with everyone from Jimmy Johnson to tennis Hall of Famer Ivan Lendl in his thirst to broaden his knowledge and gain a competitive edge.
Over the next five months, the tangible results of Tannenbaum’s work will take shape. He points to myriad reasons why Dolphins fans should feel excited about this team.
“I’m optimistic. We have a defense that can rush the passer, which is critical,” he said. “When you look at the top eight defensive linemen, it’s a good group.” He’s a huge fan of Tannehill and likes the depth and talent of the weapons around him.
But the first reason for optimism that Tannenbaum cited was this: “We have an incredible organization, starting with our owner. There is no limit on the resources we can spend on our players to give them every possible chance to win. He has been absolutely incredible.
“We have added talent, no question. We had a productive offseason. [But] the biggest part of any team improvement is Ja’Waun James being better in 2015 than 2014, Lamar Miller being better, the Mike Pounceys getting better. These guys will play better and that’s where the lion’s share of improvement will come from.”
Tannenbaum said when he arrived, his goal was to construct a team that is “tough, physical, one that can be explosive scoring points. You’ve got to score points in this league to win.”
He believes steps have been taken to achieve that, but he doesn’t want merely a quick fix.
“Dennis, coach and myself --- we always talk about sustainable success.”
There are obvious concerns (guard, cornerback, third linebacker), but Tannenbaum said “there are some young players I’m really excited to see [at those positions]. It’s going to sort itself out. We’re encouraged. Our encouragement is based on how these guys have looked.”
A few thoughts from Tannenbaum from our conversation this past week:
### On whether the team believes Tannehill can become a top 10 quarterback: “I don’t like to sit around a bar and say he’s top 8, top 10. He has shown incredible consistency, durability and trajectory of going up. We can win a lot of games with Ryan as our quarterback. If we get him enough players around him, Ryan’s a guy we can win with for a long time.”
### On what looms as the most difficult roster decisions: “Corner. Maybe keeping three quarterbacks. The last DB spot. The last running back spot, Damien Williams or LaMichael James.” (It's possible that both Williams and James could make the team if Miami keeps four backs.)
### On why the team didn’t add a high-level middle linebacker to enable Koa Misi to move back to strong-side: “We were trying to make the best decisions with the resources we have. Going back to the first few days of free agency, it was Jordan Cameron, [Ndamukong] Suh, a lot of moving pieces. There’s really a strong feeling for Koa in this building.”
### Chris McCain, a strong candidate to start at strong-side linebacker, excites everyone with his pass rush ability, “his length. He has a real chance to contribute this year. It’s going to be up to Chris.”
### He feels comfortable with what the Dolphins have at cornerback beyond Brent Grimes.
“Jamar Taylor has quickness, competitiveness. He has ability. He just has to be more consistent. Brice McCain played well for Pittsburgh. I like our depth there.
“Will Davis has a ton of physical ability and I’m really rooting for him. If he’s healthy, he can help us. Tony Lippett, there is a lot to like to about him --- his length, athleticism.”
### The way the game is played now, Tannenbaum said “it’s important” to have big, skilled pass-catching tight ends who can be red zone threats. He believes he has that in 6-5 Cameron and 6-4 Dion Sims.
“That puts more pressure on the defense when the field gets compressed. They’re big bodied, big target, big-catch-radius guys. I’m really excited about tight end.”
### Tannenbaum believes this receiver group will complement Tannehill’s skills especially well.
“Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills… have a long ascension in front of them. [With] Greg Jennings, it’s properly balanced [between young players and veterans]. Hopefully, that nucleus can stay together for a while.”
### Is suspended Dion Jordan in the plans for 2016? “Right now, he’s unavailable. When he does [become available], we are always looking for good players that can help us win.”
### Tannenbaum said he will always be on the lookout to improve his team during the season --- he made a Week 3 trade for Braylon Edwardswith the Jets --- and noted the importance of finding late-round gems.
“If you go back to the Super Bowl teams of last year, New England had 30 players that entered the league as fifth, sixth, seventh-round picks or free agents. The Seahawks had 35.”
### In recent months, Tannenbaum picked the brains of San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, J.J. in Johnson’s Islamorada restaurant and others such as Lendl and Yankees GM Brian Cashman at a leadership conference.
“It was tremendous,” Tannenbaum said. “You get years and years of wisdom about leadership, making decisions. Took [copious] notes. With Jimmy, you [learn] how he orchestrated the draft. Talking to R.C. Buford about culture… If I’m challenging our staff to get better, not to be happy with the status quo, then it starts with me. I put myself in a vulnerable position and uncomfortable position.”
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2015/08/seven-months-into-job-tannenbaum-assesses-where-dolphins-stand-marlins-heat-canes-trump.html[/url]
Over the next five months, the tangible results of Tannenbaum’s work will take shape. He points to myriad reasons why Dolphins fans should feel excited about this team.
“I’m optimistic. We have a defense that can rush the passer, which is critical,” he said. “When you look at the top eight defensive linemen, it’s a good group.” He’s a huge fan of Tannehill and likes the depth and talent of the weapons around him.
But the first reason for optimism that Tannenbaum cited was this: “We have an incredible organization, starting with our owner. There is no limit on the resources we can spend on our players to give them every possible chance to win. He has been absolutely incredible.
“We have added talent, no question. We had a productive offseason. [But] the biggest part of any team improvement is Ja’Waun James being better in 2015 than 2014, Lamar Miller being better, the Mike Pounceys getting better. These guys will play better and that’s where the lion’s share of improvement will come from.”
Tannenbaum said when he arrived, his goal was to construct a team that is “tough, physical, one that can be explosive scoring points. You’ve got to score points in this league to win.”
He believes steps have been taken to achieve that, but he doesn’t want merely a quick fix.
“Dennis, coach and myself --- we always talk about sustainable success.”
There are obvious concerns (guard, cornerback, third linebacker), but Tannenbaum said “there are some young players I’m really excited to see [at those positions]. It’s going to sort itself out. We’re encouraged. Our encouragement is based on how these guys have looked.”
A few thoughts from Tannenbaum from our conversation this past week:
### On whether the team believes Tannehill can become a top 10 quarterback: “I don’t like to sit around a bar and say he’s top 8, top 10. He has shown incredible consistency, durability and trajectory of going up. We can win a lot of games with Ryan as our quarterback. If we get him enough players around him, Ryan’s a guy we can win with for a long time.”
### On what looms as the most difficult roster decisions: “Corner. Maybe keeping three quarterbacks. The last DB spot. The last running back spot, Damien Williams or LaMichael James.” (It's possible that both Williams and James could make the team if Miami keeps four backs.)
### On why the team didn’t add a high-level middle linebacker to enable Koa Misi to move back to strong-side: “We were trying to make the best decisions with the resources we have. Going back to the first few days of free agency, it was Jordan Cameron, [Ndamukong] Suh, a lot of moving pieces. There’s really a strong feeling for Koa in this building.”
### Chris McCain, a strong candidate to start at strong-side linebacker, excites everyone with his pass rush ability, “his length. He has a real chance to contribute this year. It’s going to be up to Chris.”
### He feels comfortable with what the Dolphins have at cornerback beyond Brent Grimes.
“Jamar Taylor has quickness, competitiveness. He has ability. He just has to be more consistent. Brice McCain played well for Pittsburgh. I like our depth there.
“Will Davis has a ton of physical ability and I’m really rooting for him. If he’s healthy, he can help us. Tony Lippett, there is a lot to like to about him --- his length, athleticism.”
### The way the game is played now, Tannenbaum said “it’s important” to have big, skilled pass-catching tight ends who can be red zone threats. He believes he has that in 6-5 Cameron and 6-4 Dion Sims.
“That puts more pressure on the defense when the field gets compressed. They’re big bodied, big target, big-catch-radius guys. I’m really excited about tight end.”
### Tannenbaum believes this receiver group will complement Tannehill’s skills especially well.
“Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills… have a long ascension in front of them. [With] Greg Jennings, it’s properly balanced [between young players and veterans]. Hopefully, that nucleus can stay together for a while.”
### Is suspended Dion Jordan in the plans for 2016? “Right now, he’s unavailable. When he does [become available], we are always looking for good players that can help us win.”
### Tannenbaum said he will always be on the lookout to improve his team during the season --- he made a Week 3 trade for Braylon Edwardswith the Jets --- and noted the importance of finding late-round gems.
“If you go back to the Super Bowl teams of last year, New England had 30 players that entered the league as fifth, sixth, seventh-round picks or free agents. The Seahawks had 35.”
### In recent months, Tannenbaum picked the brains of San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, J.J. in Johnson’s Islamorada restaurant and others such as Lendl and Yankees GM Brian Cashman at a leadership conference.
“It was tremendous,” Tannenbaum said. “You get years and years of wisdom about leadership, making decisions. Took [copious] notes. With Jimmy, you [learn] how he orchestrated the draft. Talking to R.C. Buford about culture… If I’m challenging our staff to get better, not to be happy with the status quo, then it starts with me. I put myself in a vulnerable position and uncomfortable position.”
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2015/08/seven-months-into-job-tannenbaum-assesses-where-dolphins-stand-marlins-heat-canes-trump.html[/url]
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