Key Players Flores “Can Make Best Version of Themselves”
The success of Brian Flores and Chris Grier’s low-cost process depends on player development
Brian Flores has stated his job is to make his players “the best version of themselves.” This is such a simple and brilliant concept… and yet, it’s oh so difficult to achieve.
All you need to do is look at last season with Adam Gase and how he utilized Raekwon McMillan and Mike Gesicki as prime examples of putting players in position to be the worst versions of themselves. For a refresher, McMillan isn’t best suited to cover the deep middle and Gesicki isn’t best suited to be an inline blocker.
Remember Bum Phillip quote on Don Shula?
“Don Shula can take his’n and beat your’n… Or he can take your’n and beat his’n.”
There are many key components that make a successful head coach such as charisma, character, intelligence, organization, discipline, and communication. But one trait that every successful coach has is knowing how to emphasize a player’s strength and hide his weaknesses. This Sun Tzu philosophy Bill Belichick possesses in spades. The question for the Miami Dolphins fans is will his apprentice, Brian Flores, show a similar aptitude… and if so, to what degree?
Miami has been plagued by many things… mostly by poor coaching
I wrote many times last year that the Dolphins suffered not so much from a lack of talent as a lack of vision by the staff. To expand on this statement would take a dozen article, so I’ll simply touch this lack of vision for players.
- Why did it take all of 2016 to realize DeVante Parker has such poor habits?
- Playing McMillan, who was coming off a leg injury, in coverage so much was putting him at a severe disadvantage
- Why force Gesicki into a key blocking role… especially after Gase made the same mistake with Julius Thomas?
- Ted Larsen is best suited at Right Guard by his own admission, so why depend on him at Left Guard… even as a backup? Why not have a second option behind injury-prone Sitton?
- How could you not know your coach was a complete coke head? Either oblivious or indifferent.
- Why did it take two seasons to figure out Jakeem Grant was more suited to be split wide?
- Moving Kiko from MLB to WLB when coverage isn’t his strength wasn’t thoughtful use of the player.
- Why bring in McDonald who’s skill set matches Jones when neither can play deep coverage?
- Why take a penetrating DT and your most expensive player in Suh and make him soak up blocks in a 2-Gap?
I could go on, but needless to say, Gase had his vision and ran with it… regardless if it suited his players or not. I get it in Year 1. He was a new coach. But, the same ‘mistakes’ happened in Year 3.
Can Coach Flores create a vision for the season that involves his players?
You can bet with the pay per heads like Ace Per Head, that Coach Flores will be far more flexible than Gase. How could he not? This isn’t a total indictment of Gase. Jimmy Johnson was similarly inflexible and he won and won big. The problem with this type of coaching it is hit or miss… and a talent pool like the 90’s Dallas teams comes but once in a generation. So this style is mostly a loser.
Miami’s talent pool wasn’t great under Gase, but the talent would have been more effective with better coaching. By better coaching, I mean knowing what your players’ strengths and weaknesses are and working with them in your overall plan.
1st tier players who Flores can rehabilitate by allowing them to play to their strengths.
Raekwon McMillan had a very ugly 3/4 of the season. The tape was very hard on his play over that stretch… and so was I. Over the last couple of games, his assignments were adjusted and he began to shine. He is better suited inside in a 3-4. I think he came could grow tremendously in 2019.
Charles Harris played outside linebacker in a 3-4 in college and was a raw player. Moved inline as a Defensive End in the 4-5 technique, he was exposed in the run game. Still, while there was a sophomore slump for Harris last year, his limited tape showed that he got better. As an example, he brutalized new Dolphins Jordan Mills in the run game. Outside in 6 technique as an OLB, Harris will rebound… to what level remains to be seen. Similar to Laremy Tunsil, lessons learned playing inside may pay dividends when moved back outside.
Mike Gesicki put on near 10 lbs this offseason, but he isn’t an inline blocker at this point. Also, he has trouble getting off the jam and he is slow early in the stem of a route. He needs to be schemed to get off the line. Play Action, motion, deep pressure to back off the coverage can help him get to the second level. Gase’s overuse of the short game and lack of attacking the middle was a bad recipe for Gesicki.
2nd tier players who Flores help by putting them in a better position to succeed
Cordrea Tankersley was an elite athlete who was thrown into the fire in 2017. Early he looked very good, but he was raw. Pressure, added complexity in his assignments as a starter, and opposing teams watching tape caused him to collapse. A torn ACL in 2018 has put Tankersly at the bottom of his young career. Man press is likely his best technique… unless he has made serious strides in the mental side of his game.
T.J. McDonald dropped plenty of weight this offseason. He seemed to know where to go in deep coverage but was too slow getting there. Can this weight reduction make him more versatile?
Kiko Alonso was very successful in a similar hybrid defense to what Flores will run under Mike Pettine in Buffalo. That defense was Rex Ryan’s 3-4/ 4-3 “Under” defense, so it had some different dynamics to what was run with the Pats… but many concepts for Kiko as the Mike will be very similar.
Jesse Davis would have started as the Right Tackle if the Dolphins didn’t bring back Ja’Wuan James. Inside at Right Guard, his height is a bit of a disadvantage in the run game. Technique and scheme shifts could help him out inside… or maybe a move to RT could have him bloom.
Turning even a handful of these nonfactors into contributors would go a long way in 2019
Every year Bill Belichick turns some ‘garbage players’ into factors for victory. And every year Dolphins coaches get their players to flop. There’s no doubt that this team needs more talent, but if Flores and his staff can even coach up what they have, Miami will take a real step towards success.
In the above players, I didn’t even name all the new additions of talent that have underperformed in light of their abilities elsewhere: Rosen, Fitzpatrick, Mills, Washington, Orchard, Walton, and Rowe. Can Flores turn around even a portion of all these players? If so, then he will have shown himself to be the best coach in Miami since Shula. No, that’s not saying a ton… But it’s a nice start. Go Phins!!!
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“I wanted to mentioned the Art of War someone mentioned above. I thought! We must know our opponents weaknesses and strengths. Considering we lost every game this 2019 season I would be contented knowing that we beat the Patriots both games”
That’s me 🙂
Jarrett Stidham is your guy… you’ve been on him from jump. I’m more excited for this season than any in a while…
Brady will only leave on a stretcher… he’s like Emmitt Smith.
2016 Season should be a lesson to learn from for the Dolphins.
Ajayi is just the fourth NFL player to ever rush for at least 200 yards in three games in the same season, joining Tiki Barber (2005, N.Y. Giants), Earl Campbell (1980, Houston) and O.J. Simpson (1973, Buffalo).
The Dolphins 2015 fifth round draft pick averaged over 5.0 yards per carry the remaining eleven games and finished fourth in rushing yards on the season with 1,272 yards. The running game was not the only phase that saw improvement. After allowing 11 sacks through the first five weeks, the Dolphins offensive line clamped down and finished the season with the tenth fewest sacks allowed, 30.
(2016 Kenyan Drake rush for 179 yards, Tannehill rushed for 164 yards, Damien Williams rushed for 115, Foster rushed for 55 and Isaiah Pead rushed for 8 yards the 2016 season).
The overall offensive line grade is hard to calculate. 2016 was a season we needed the offensive line back-ups to be coached up and to step up. Base on that season I understood that the Center is the key piece to having a positive Zone Rushing attack.
2019 season the Dolphins offensive line and the back ups will dictate how well we play and how many games we will win. We have a Great Coaching staff. Hopefully they can developed this challenging situation.
I’m implying that we can have five 1st round drafted offensive linemen. “But at some time how long can the five stay healthy?
The issues of properly training players is the key to the Dolphins success any season. That’s why the Starting QB’s and the Running Backs must be Stellar type talent.
I’m all about the run game and the line. When I played, I’d sit and watch the OL coach teach the techniques to the OL… loved it. IT’s the key to football… maybe not the run game as much as it used to be, according to PFF. But I think it’ making a comeback. Been watching a little of Mark Walton… not a bad player. Could be a solid addition. Drake was been so poorly utilized… but his weakness in pass protection has hurt him. If he can fix it, it should be a good year for him… don’t think Miami will resign him though.
Re: Admin. comments on OL, etc.
Can you remember the last time we had coaches and FO willing to take a shot with “troubled” players. Seems to me it’s been a while ? Interesting and challenging to say the least. I wish them good luck with their efforts. A very interesting question came up the other day and that is this: Why did it take so long for staff to determine that Parker ( WR ) had terrible work and diet habits ? I personally can’t think of any reason, can you ? I was under the impression that teams have personnel assigned to “troubled” players to sort of “herd” them in the right direction as it applies to work habits, carousing around when they should be home, etc. ? It seems to me that would be difficult to do with young mildly-motivated millionaires ? Separately, I like our 2019 draft picks – so far. I like that Grier and his staff are in a “boom-or-bust” mode. I like that the coaching staff appear to be highly motivated. We’ll see where that takes the Dolphins ? Who among us, at this stage of development, can be against real progress no matter what form it comes in. 20 years of being “snake-bit” is enough ! Onward and upward ! Go Dolphins !
“Can you remember the last time we had coaches and FO willing to take a shot with “troubled” players. ”
Takes strong coaches to help troubled players… and we’ve had two weak coaches back-to-back, Fred. I don’t know how Flores will do, but he’s a strong individual. Gase didn’t even know his line coach was a complete coke head… he was oblivious… he just wanted to call plays on Sunday and have control…
… Rosen, Deiter, and Wilkens and an extra 2nd next year for the blue chips usage was maximizing the chips. I have zero complaints. I think Greir and Flores will do well… not sure the ceiling, but it WILL be better than any regime here in a long time. Snakebit and dipped in venom, Mark…
Wouldn’t it be nice to this come to fruition, even half of mentioned players??? It was like a like a square peg round hole with Gase and company. I don’t know how many times I seen Kiko chasing in coverage, especially the seem, by now I’m used to that, he just struggles do so, adjust/avoid???
Believe/hope that Flores may have the ability to put players in the most optimum chance to succeed. If Flores can get his players to buy into the system/duty/job mentality I think we will be in a lot of close games at average play.
Now if Flores can get a 1/3 of the players mentioned into position where it just comes natural and they can maximize their strengths, this team will not only surprise, but may be in playoff hunt. Nothing new from the previous regime year after year in week 15. Difference will be at half the price and an overall organizational/team plan.
We are due for some good fortune (sure every team can say that), aren’t we? I mean, by accident, choose/guess right. If you can’t beat’e, join them, hoping the patriot way has made its way to South Beach. So far, there seems to be a careful, patient process (blueprint).
“Now if Flores can get a 1/3 of the players mentioned into position where it just comes natural and they can maximize their strengths, this team will not only surprise, but may be in playoff hunt.”
This is the key… but can he? That’s a huge question. IF he can, then Miami’s future is bright. I love the small ball approach, but can this staff develop. Haven’t been this excited to see. I’m def. going to some games this year. Going to try and set a PHinsnews game up. Going to ask Jimmy to come too… My wife amazingly said yes already. Just feel real good about the direction… hope this hope has legs…
The Dolphins 5 starters were healthy and played together for only 4 games.
Weeks 6, 7, 9 and 10
The Dolphins starting offensive line started together.
Jay Ajayi carried 96 for 608 yards and 4 TD’s and 152 yards average, 6.3 yards a carry
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Weeks 2, 3,13,14,15,16,17,18
4 of 5 starters were healthy but without Mike Pouncey:
Jay Ajayi
127 carries for 500 yards
3.9 yards per carry
63 per game
2 TDs
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Week 5 game against the Titans
Missing Brandon Albert and Laremy Tunsil but Pouncey played that game
Carries 13
Yards per game 3.2
Yards Per game 42
Yards per game 42
TD 1
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Week 12 against the 49ers Ranked dead last in defense
Without Mike Pouncey and Laremy Tunsil out
Carry 18
1 touch downs
Yards per game 45 yards
3.2 YPC and YPG 45
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Weeks 4, 11 games
Without Brandon Albert, Pouncey
Carry 22
Yards 110 yards per game
Yards per game 55 yards
0 Touch downs
Depth plays as much a part in success and height of talent… This Oline never had depth and rarely enough talent.
Believe it or not the Miami Dolphins went into 2016 season having one of the Best offensive line on paper.
2016 Miami Dolphins offensive Line Starters:
Branden Albert, Laremy Tunsil, Mike Pouncey, Jermon Bushrod, Ja’Wuan James
LT 15th Branden Albert Two time Pro Bowler 4 games
LG 13th Picked Laremy Tunsil two games with shoulder and angle injuries
C 15th Mike Pouncey 3 time Pro Bowler Missed 12 games hip injury
RG 125th Jermon Bushrod 2x Pro Bowler played every game together
RT 19th Picked: Juan James Played every game together
On paper… I had hope too. Problem was they were thin,Bushrod was done. Tunsil couldn’t run block, and Pouncy went down… we have little luck.
Some one will say that we need offensive lineman before anything. I contend that a prototype QB can assist with the building of an effective Offensive line. Not to take any thing away from the Linemen, I know how important they are. But the QB drives the Vehicles and he can assist in keeping the line dysfunctional or functional by his leadership and how well they believed in his play.
Hand in hand really… but the OL does set the plate.. the QB then turn chuck into Filet Mignone. Tanny was QB who was supported by his OL and rarely bailed them out post-injury. I don’t think he was ever used right. With his mobility he should have been used differently… it was his greatest strength. I really like Flores as a person… I hope he is equally as good a coach and then the good times will roll again…
Nice article Admin!
When you mentioned the coaches who can win with less talented player always put me into mind of Coach Lou Holtz Notre Dame. He coach fundamental, no mistake football.
The key to the Patriots success is that even before Tom Brandy they constantly invested in the QB position until they hit with Tom Brady and possibly could have his replacement in Auburn QB drafted in the 2019, 4th round.
Can you imagine the Patriots continue starting a questionable Quarterback for 6 to 7 seasons like the Dolphins and providing no real QB Competition?
Some one will say we need linemen! Yes we need them also.
I know Lou of course, but never really watched college. Discipline is the key… a team might beat you… but you can never let you beat you. Miami has specialized in this for too long. “Can you imagine the Patriots continue starting a questionable Quarterback for 6 to 7 seasons like the Dolphins and providing no real QB Competition?” NOPE.
Thing with the QB it’s far more a crapshoot than find OL. Trying and missing on QBs is understandable… the same can’t be said of the OL… not to the degree that has gone on in Miami. Let’s hope we’ve turned the corner, brother. Hey, you go to any games?
I would love too make the Dolphins/Patriots games! Not sure I will be in the state of Florida etc.
I wanted to mentioned the Art of War someone mentioned above. I thought! We must know our opponents weaknesses and strengths. Considering we lost every game this 2019 season I would be contented knowing that we beat the Patriots both games.
I was high on drafting Stidham I thought he was a 1st round talent that slipped into the 4th round. But I’m happy with our Dolphins two QB Fitzpatrick and Rosen. The PAT’s had a descent draft but I like our picks better.
You know Admin most think that Tom Brandy is Super Man. On A serious note Tom Brady is being Greedy for Rings. The Best retire when on top of their game. All it takes is for Brady to received the right knocked punched and he is out for the season. Then he retired?
The New England Patriots have drafted Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham with a fourth-round pick at 133th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft Stidham joins a Patriots’ 2019 class, which includes Arizona State receiver N’Keal Harry, Vanderbilt cornerback Joejuan Williams, Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich, Alabama running back Damien Harris, West Virginia tackle Yodny Cajuste and Arkansas guard Hjalte Froholdt.
“I wanted to mentioned the Art of War someone mentioned above. I thought! We must know our opponents weaknesses and strengths. Considering we lost every game this 2019 season I would be contented knowing that we beat the Patriots both games”
That’s me 🙂
Jarrett Stidham is your guy… you’ve been on him from jump. I’m more excited for this season than any in a while…
Brady will only leave on a stretcher… he’s like Emmitt Smith.