Right here’s the most recent installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, the place South Florida Solar Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins reply questions from readers.
Q: As an alternative of pondering of how to maintain a gradual, weak-armed qb wholesome… why not simply get a brand new qb? Only a thought. Lol. — Richard Thompson on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
The Dolphins (8-8) are financially married to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (and huge receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey). He’s not going wherever anytime quickly. However I perceive the sentiment. The most effective plan is to construct a powerful group round Tagovailoa and put money into a veteran backup, probably a former starter, who may begin for an prolonged interval (Tyrod Taylor, and many others …).
By the best way, I’m not a Tagovailoa apologist. However he’s a Professional Bowl-caliber quarterback and the Dolphins can win a Tremendous Bowl with him and/or coach Mike McDaniel. The secret is constructing a whole group (assume San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore) and spreading the accountability as a substitute of placing a lot on Tagovailoa’s left arm and well being.
Q: What’s up guys? Do you notice Tua’s been out a 1/3 of the season. Sure, he’s a great participant however that assertion, too, has its personal asterisk beside it. Could be time to look in any other case for a QB1 — PrettyBoy FPV on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
Tagovailoa is unlikely to play this week due to the hip damage that saved him out of final week’s 20-3 win at Cleveland. He’s missed 5 of their 16 video games, and it’ll probably be six of 17 video games at season’s finish. That is the third time in three seasons, as our assistant editor, Steve Svekis factors out, that Tagovailoa has sustained two accidents that induced him to overlook a minimum of one begin.
In 2021, he missed three begins (Raiders, Colts, Buccaneers) as a result of a ribs damage and one begin (Texans) as a result of a finger damage.
In 2022, he missed two begins (Jets, Vikings) as a result of a concussion after which three begins (Patriots, Jets, Payments in wildcard) as a result of a second concussion.
In 2024, he missed 4 begins (Seahawks, Titans, Patriots, Colts) as a result of a concussion and one begin (Browns) as a result of a hip damage.
Q: What do the Fins acquire for successful this weekend? Do the playoffs actually make a big distinction with the franchise shifting ahead??? — Callofdoodie1 on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
They’re higher off making the playoffs. This can be a veteran group that opened the season with Tremendous Bowl aspirations. It’ll probably finish wanting that aim, however to not even make the playoffs means the aim was by no means even attainable. It will imply the season was a failure. In the event that they make the playoffs, that means they’d end the yr by successful seven of their ultimate 9 video games within the common season, the season could possibly be referred to as a disappointment however not a failure contemplating the end.
Nevertheless, within the third yr of the “win-now” plan, the Dolphins can’t miss the playoffs. And but there’s an opportunity they may miss them.
Q: I’m within the NY NJ space. The climate is meant to drop this week into the higher 30s, however in Buffalo within the mid 20s. No approach Tua wins. — Legend on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
That is fascinating. You’re proper. The temperature at MetLife Stadium for the 4:25 p.m. kickoff on Sunday is forecast to be round 35 levels. I don’t purchase into the concept the Dolphins can’t play in chilly climate. Tagovailoa is unlikely to play, so you possibly can in all probability take away him from the cold-weather fears.
As for the remainder of the group, I maintain preaching this: there have solely been 4 video games within the coach Mike McDaniel-Tagovailoa period (since 2022) wherein the kickoff has been 45 levels or under at kickoff.
The Dolphins are 0-4 as a result of they performed higher groups — Buffalo in 2022 (misplaced 32-29), Buffalo in 2022 wild-card spherical playoff sport (misplaced 34-31), Kansas Metropolis in 2023 wild-card sport (misplaced 26-7), and Inexperienced Bay in 2024 (misplaced 30-7).
The Dolphins wouldn’t have received any of these highway video games in the event that they had been performed in September, October or November. The opponent was superior. These losses had completely nothing to do with the temperature.
And the result of Sunday’s sport received’t have something to do with the temperature.
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Q: McDaniel makes us straightforward to outcoach as he by no means brings new wrinkles and McDermott is simply that bit sharper relating to exploiting our weaknesses – e.g. tight finish protection. — Peter McDowell on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
That is based mostly on a speaking level of the present wherein I requested whether or not Buffalo coach Sean McDermott outcoaches McDaniel. McDermott is 6-1 in opposition to McDaniel, together with a playoff victory. And McDaniel is 0-4 at Highmark Stadium.
I believe McDermott has outcoached McDaniel. And I believe McDaniel should broaden his play-calls. However to broaden his play-calls, McDaniel should broaden his personnel (workhorse working again, improved slot receiver, improved guards) and technique.
I don’t know if I’d say McDaniel makes the Dolphins straightforward to outcoach, however he should enhance his philosophy and technique as a result of what he’d been doing hasn’t been working effectively sufficient, significantly in opposition to the higher groups on the Dolphins’ schedule.
Q: Is Tua hip damage the rationale ever since Tua got here again from the concussion he’s been dinking and dunking, no energy to throw down the sector — Slick movies on Dolphins Deep Dive w/Perk
No, the hip damage has completely nothing to do with the dink-and-dunk offense. The offense needed to change as a result of groups found out in the event that they shut down Hill, the Dolphins would wrestle to attain.
Because the begin of final season the Dolphins are 11-0 when Hill has 100 or extra yards receiving and 7-15 (.318) when he has 99 or fewer yards.
This season the Dolphins are 3-0 when Hill has 100 or extra yards and 5-8 (.385) when he has 99 or fewer yards; final season they had been 8-0 and 2-7.
Groups play the two-high security scheme, which mainly permits them to make use of their safeties to double-team Hill and Waddle. However additionally they jam each gamers on the line of scrimmage, which disrupts the essential timing ingredient of the Dolphins’ passing sport.
So, the Dolphins needed to go to the dink-and-dunk offense. They weren’t outfitted to run the ball 25 occasions a sport or keep a deep passing sport with Waddle because the featured menace. Their present offense is a big fallback place.
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