Don’t Blame Raekwon McMillan, Blame the Old Front Office

Raekwon McMillan is a class act… but not a 3-down middle linebacker

The Miami Dolphins drafted Raekwon McMillan hoping he’d end the poor middle linebacker play kneecapping the defense since the retirement of Zach Thomas a decade prior. Unfortunately, as we all know, McMillan tore his ACL on the first play of his first preseason game and never got on track after that. Now he’s been traded to the Raiders and his Phins career is over. But, fans shouldn’t label McMillan a bust. NOPE! His failure to meet expectations lays squarely on Phins’ old Front Office, not on him.

Why blame the former Front Office, you say?

Leading up to the draft, McMillan had a glowing neon sign above him saying ‘lack of speed and agility’. Miami thought they knew better and drafted him in the 2nd Round anyway because of his loved his ‘prototypical size’. They got it wrong… but wrong was a major theme of the Phins 2017 Draft.

Zach Thomas was the very rare exception

Some quipped when McMillan was drafted, ‘Miami Dolphins’ legend Thomas was also slow too, but he played on 3-downs!’ Couldn’t McMillan have at least become a poor man’s version of Thomas?

First, Thomas was a 5th Round pick with little expectations on him other than playing backup and special teams. Secondly, he played in a completely different era. Thirdly, Thomas had Hall of Fame play recognition. Even from Training Camp his genius football IQ was on full display. It was that near-instant play diagnosis that powered his subpar size and athleticism to an elite level. Sadly, even the NFL Hall of Fame undervalues this amazing accomplishment.

Get it together, please… and give Thomas his due!

On the other hand, McMillan was billed as Miami’s next leader of the defense, is playing in an era of speed, and has– at best–average play recognition. From McMillan’s 1st preseason game I was very concerned because his instincts/ play recognition was very concerning. Big, slow, and decent football IQ isn’t enough to be an every-down player in modern football. None of these things can be blamed on him because this is who McMillan was in college.

Times have change and many old recipes no longer work

These say generals fight the previous war. This was how the previous regime built their teams… under Bill Parcells blueprint that generated great success in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. Unfortunately, his draft strategy was already stale by the time he ran the Dolphins.

Thankfully, Brian Flores and Marvin Allen appear to have updated the mindset.

The 2017 Front office is gone… well mostly

The Grier / Tannenbaum Front Office was trapped in the ‘Bill Parcells’ evaluation of players based on a hard recipe of standardized size prototypes. It’s not to say this regime doesn’t have physical prototypes, but the mental makeup is the highest priority and the scheme allows more types of hybrid players.

Times have changed dramatically. If nothing else, the modern middle linebacker must have at least average speed to be a 3-down player. And even then, in order to play at a competent level in today’s game, that average speed needs to be backed by good short-area quickness and play diagnosis. McMillan was ‘who we thought was’. Everyone knew the scorecard. The previous Front Office was well aware of his lack of speed and pedestrian football IQ, and not only did they reach for McMillan in the 2nd Rd because need, but they also chose to pass on ILB Zach Cunningham, who was drafted three picks by the Texans. BTW: Cunningham has averaged a PFF grade of 67.0 as a 3-down LB since he was drafted.

Miami missed on McMillan for many reasons.

Miami was desperate for an inside linebacker and over-drafted due to need.
McMillan was put into a Wide-9 scheme that left LBs on an island with a huge range to cover. A 3-4 with McMillan playing primary run duties should have been his initial scheme.
The ACL injury sapped the little speed and agility he had,
Miami could have had a comparable player using a later pick. Phinsnews liked Josey Jewel in 2018, who went in the 4th Rd. Jewell has been a well priced 2-down LB for the Broncos.
Miami saw exactly who McMillan was in camp before his injury and was either slow to evaluate. They didn’t bring in any real competition. This is a great difference in the Brian Flores era who cut bait quickly and move on.

Something from nothing, instead of overpaying for nothing

First, Miami is receiving a 4th Rd pick from Las Vegas for McMillan and a 2021 5th RD pick they sent to Las Vegas. Not bad compensation for a player who wasn’t going to make the team. This new Front Office and staff continue to salvage something from nothing.

This is a good sign for the future.

Yes, the Ballage trade was nixed due to a failed physical, but they have repeatedly picked up something for players heading out the door. Fans should like this overall trend a lot, though. It’s far different from the 2017 Front Office and staff.

Chris Grier appears to be at his best handling the macro as far as organization, delegation, and wheeling and dealing… instead of being a primary talent evaluator. It also seems that Allen has an eye for talent and Flores knows what he wants. You can bet with the pay per head review sites that the 2020 Draft will be better than the historical disaster that was the 2017 Draft.

How much better?

Only time will tell…

… But, I can’t shake the feeling that this regime is on the right track. We will see I guess.

Raekwon McMillan is a good guy and a quality teammate. The main problem for McMillan’s career was that the former FO and staff didn’t set him up for success… starting with over-drafting him. I knew this would be a big camp for McMillan and didn’t think he’d make it through. Still, there wasn’t a drop of malice because he is such a good kid. I wished it had worked out here in Miami… just as I hope it works out with the Raiders. Sometimes good guys finish last. This is one such case. Thanks for giving everything, Raekwon McMillan. Go Phins!!!

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