Howard Resolution Magnifies an Already Promising Camp
While there have been bumps, this Phins Training Camp just feels smoother than the past
The Miami Dolphins 2021 Training Camp is bringing plenty of news with more highs than lows, thankfully. While it’s hasn’t all been ‘peachy-keen’ in the early goings, this season is certainly kicking off on a positive note. Tua is looking healthy, the Xavien Howard contract situation is resolved, and the offensive line is showing some good signs. That’s a trifecta of seriously good news for Phins fans! The Rewarding Benefits of Becoming a Bookie.
So, let’s put together a list of all the big news that is making this 2021 Training Camp a promising one:
Phins & Howard find common ground
Xavien Howard made concessions in his demands and the Dolphins relented as well. With both sides happy, the elite cornerback will be playing for the Dolphins in 2021.
According to CBS sports:
“The NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo first reported the deal, which includes a $1 million Pro Bowl incentive and additional $3.5 million in incentives bringing his maximum value for 2021 to $16,285,294 — about $20,000 more than Stephon Gilmore, the league’s highest-paid cornerback. In 2022, Howard would receive $500K in per-game roster bonuses and $100K in workout bonuses. Assurances were made that the two parties would re-negotiate a deal “in line with market-based on health and 2021 performance” in February or March.”
The fact that much of this money is tied to performance-based incentives in 2021 is perfect for the Phins franchise because it ties the extra money around Howard’s greatest weakness: injury-related absence.
No ‘playee’ no ‘payee’ is just what the doctor ordered!
Just as this extra money doesn’t hogtie the Dolphins’ financial future to the uncertainty around Howard’s knees, it also doesn’t leave the 2021 team exposed on the boundaries in a critical season by trading Howard. Really this ‘new money brings the best of both worlds. A lot of credit needs to be given to Chris Grier who held his ground and pulled the negotiations into the Phins’ favor without damaging the relationship with Howard.
Go Phins!!!
Tua IS appears healthy
I’m not saying Tua has been a ‘lights-out superstar’ in camp, but he IS looking healthy and his throwing motion is being reported as ‘smooth’. Really, this is all you can ask from him at this juncture. Last year, he clearly wasn’t healthy after a year and a half packed with surgeries and recovery. And to add insult to injury, the NFL season and his insertion into the starting role were both messes that compounded the situation.
Tua is getting a far different roll-out this season.
I put together over 2 1/2 hours of Tua evaluation starting with how to frame his evaluation (here) and then a long Philm study beginning in his 2018 season and leading up to the Week 17 Bills game (here). The tape clearly shows his health degraded as last year progressed and Tua wasn’t 100% by the end of last season. By Week 17, Tua’s mechanics and throwing motion were starkly different than his 2018 fresh-faced look. So, in essence, Tua was playing with one arm tied behind his back for much of the season.
The foundation of any reasonable evaluation is the health of the player. My #1 Training Camp key for Tua was seeing his mechanics and throwing motion resemble his 2018 form creating improved velocity. So far, it has–fingers crossed! While only time will tell whether his health will degrade again and his throwing motion and mechanics with it…
… But as it stands, there isn’t any better news for the future of the Miami Dolphins organization and Phins fans than a healthy Tua.
Two for two so far on the top three stories! Go, go Phins!!! 5 REWARDING REASONS TO BECOME A BOOKIE.
A healthy Tua & an improved offensive line?!
… In the early goings, the signs are pointing positive.
- Rookie offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg appear entrenched at left guard and is making hay at the position
- Third year pro Michael Dieter is also solidifying the center position and this is good news on two fronts: A blue chip 3rd round pick is making good & the center position is getting filled by a young player
- Robert Hunt is transitioning to RG from RT and his strengths will be accentuated. Miami could have pro bowl play on the inside of the O-line sooner rather than later
- The offensive line isn’t getting any talk of being ‘offensive’ as it has in the previous Training Camps. This is a huge sign that the trajectory of the Phins’ play in the offensive trenches may soon be pointing up
Some other news from Camp:
- Rookie Tight End Hunter Long was carted off the field with a knee injury
- Interior Olinemen Durval Neto is seeing some heavy looks on offense and special teams
- Defensive Lineman Zach Seiler is showing up big practice after practice
- Receiver Isaiah Ford is having an amazing camp
- Safety Jevon Holland has been the starter for three days now
- 2nd year Noah Igbinoghene has been marooned in the 3rd team defense
The feeling that the 2021 can do damage is getting stronger
With my three biggest question marks getting turned in exclamation marks, the confidence I have that this year’s Phins can make serious hay is growing quite bold. Now, while I’m going to pull the reins in a little to keep grounded, things are looking really good so far folks–about as good as can be expected at this stage. A Guide on Finding Clients as a Bookie.
Can’t wait to get some film from the 1st Preseason game to get a 1st hand account of the situation… but it’s looking real good folks! Go Phins!!! The Complete Guide That Makes Starting Your Own Online Sportsbook Easy.
