POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

The game has taken a back seat to the breaking news out of Miami that Brian Flores has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach of the Dolphins. If you’ve read my post game recaps throughout the season, you won’t be one of the exploding heads out there today. This, though maybe not telegraphed, should not be a shock. The most puzzling aspect is that Grier has managed to keep his position. Last week I laid out a basic litmus test for Flores, stating if he didn’t satisfy me in any of the areas I would let him go. I’m sure Ross did much the same. I’ve read reports this came down to coaching staff changes. If that is the case, more power to both of them. I think Ross is an owner rivaled in his ineptitude only by Dan Snyder, that being said, he is the owner, and a team that went 10-6 the year prior has no business starting the next season 1-7. If Flores couldn’t give him a satisfactory explanation, I too, would have let him go. If Flores was unwilling to part ways with his coaching staff, then I too would have let them all go. So I won’t beat Ross up too bad here, trust me, the last thing my fashion choices need is to be barred from my go to department store. I sent my brother a text basically saying how bad it will suck when Flores wins a Super Bowl before Miami, but the coach is below the owner on the totem pole, and if his line in the sand was beyond Ross’, se la vie. If Ross had made this move before the bye week, no one would’ve batted an eye. The move appears shocking because the Dolphins were coming off a 8-1 record over the final nine games of the season. the problem is, that proficiency only secured a 9-8 record and no play-offs.

Coaching

There are many times this season when I would have and called for the firing of Brian Flores. I believe Grier needs to go, and if I were the owner, I would’ve, in the end kept Flores and relieved Grier. Ross chose differently, and it appears the wedge is Tua. Another piece in the Phins foundation of which I have been critical. He is absolutely not a player I would choose over a promising young coach, for whom the team plays their hearts out. Flores did not make this decision difficult. In three years he has had four Offensive Coordinators, none of which has been particularly efficient. Flores was fired for two main reasons, he disagreed with ownership on the direction of the franchise, and he wasn’t successful enough to be adamant about his position.

Demerit(s): Too early to tell. Flores could very well become a franchise staple and lead a team for many years, or this could be a great move cutting ties with a HC that had more arrogance than ability.

Receiving

What is inevitable with a new coach will be transformation. The WR core will no doubt look vastly different come next season. Seven WR’s (including TE Gesicki) will be free agents this spring. I believe at most, 3 will be back for next season, Gesicki, Hollins, and Williams, Williams is 50/50. Parker has two years remaining on a contract he is clearly getting the best out of in terms of his paycheck to production. Could he even be traded? I’m not sure Miami could get any compensation back and may be better off cutting him if they decide to move on. This is an area Miami was supposed to shore up in last year’s draft, but instead they traded backwards for Waddle letting Chase re-unite with Burrow. Waddle broke records in the most adequate rookie campaign. Maybe a new system or perhaps QB will elevate him, as it stands Miami has back to back drafts in which fans will imagine what could’ve been.

Demerit(s): Anxious to see what will transpire this off-season.

Running Backs

This group was underwhelming. Yes the late addition of Duke gave Miami some lift, but is he the answer? I don’t believe so, a capable 3rd down back that is worth keeping on the roster? Sure. The rest of this group, including Gaskin of whom I had praise this season, could all be let go and not many fans would shed tears. Whether via FA or the draft, Miami needs to find a RB. But, even with the re-incarnation of Barry Sanders, without mending the offensive line, it won’t matter much.

Demerit(s): Next to the QB position and coaching hire, this may be the 3rd most important decision for this team’s future.

QB

“Miami doesn’t have a starting QB right now, they have two backups.” I said this a couple weeks ago, and I believe it still today. This isn’t to say “they need to dump Tua immediately and trade for Watson” but they need to be realistic with what they have. The Eagles won a Super Bowl with a back up, the Ravens won their first with less. It isn’t impossible to win with a subpar QB, but to do so, the rest of the team needs to be stellar. Because of his rookie contract and value, Tua probably isn’t going anywhere baring a trade, if Miami can secure a veteran in FA, they should. I was all for Watson, at the right price, prior to his dalliances’. I believe him to be toxic and wouldn’t give him a roster spot on my team. Wilson or Rodgers? If they really do move on, perhaps they’d be worth a flier.

Demerit(s): 2 that is the level of importance figuring out this position is for this franchise. Behind only the HC.

The Trenches

Miami needs a lot of improvement on the offensive side of the trench. At the end of the first round, this may not be a draft to address this need. They should look at a RB option and try to shore up the line via free agency and/or trade. Funny that an O-Line trade gave them the picks they used to build this mediocre team, now with most of that capital spent, how will they fix their line needs? They have space under the cap, perhaps FA is the best solution.

Demerit(s): 4 that is where the offensive line fits in my priority structure.

Secondary

This group could be run back as is, if Holland continues to progress. They will have an All-Pro Safety and Cornerback, (X). Those are pieces you can build around. The linebackers are good enough, and the defensive line lead the league in sacks last season. Miami can win with this D if they address the deficiencies on offense. With Tua, this unit will have to be better ala the 2000 Ravens to have any shot at a deep post season.

Demerit(s): I would run this unit back.

Special Teams

This unit, specifically Sanders, took a step back this season. Hopefully that can be corrected. Sanders % went from the 80’s to the low 70’s. That is not good enough. If he can’t get back on track, Miami will need avail themselves to other options. They did bring in a return specialist from the CFL, maybe that can give some spark to the punt return unit and the kick return on those few occasions they don’t let the ball bounce in the end zone.

Demerit(s): If Sanders gets back to form, not much need here.

Overall

Miami hasn’t sniffed post season success since 1984 when they lost to the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX. Miami is banking on a new coach for the 12th time since Shula retired to right the ship. The candidates mentioned thus far have not been awe-inspiring, especially the presumed front-runner, Brian Daboll who while with the Dolphins earlier in his career orchestrated a bottom tier offense, as he did at Cleveland, and Kansas City. Any hire, even a proven HC, doesn’t guarantee similar results, but why choose someone that while with you had middling success?

Demerit(s): 1. Find the right Head Coach. This will dictate the next 3-5 years. Will they finally get the next Shula? Or will they find another Gase?