Phins Early Moves Opposite Philosophy Of Gase

Gase favored finesse & Flores appears to be focusing on physicality

No one can say whether Brian Flores will do any better than the Adam Gase…

… But given all the moves so far, it’s clear that this regime has a polar opposite philosophy of the previous one.

Beyond the flurry of moves a few days ago, WR Danny Amendola was released halfway through his contract. Also, TE Dwayne Allen was ‘signed’ to a 2-year deal totaling $7 million.

The Amendola release proves Flores doesn’t need a security blanket ‘his’ guys. Amendola has a strong relationship with both Flores and Dolphins OC Chad O’Shea from their time with the Pats. This move is a departure from Gase, who needed players he was ‘comfortable’ with. While these familiar players brought Gase comfort, they didn’t bring the Dolphins much help.

Now Allen is a known quantity to Flores. But Amendola’s release makes Allen’s acquisition appear a calculated decision… not an uncontrollable impulse.

If Grier and Flores can stay away from Trey Flowers, then we’ll have strong evidence that Flores is more rational in this department than Gase… unless they can magically get Flowers at a great price. In this case, it could be a prudent decision, for say $12 million a year. This isn’t a likely scenario though.

Free Agency starts tomorrow, so we’ll know soon enough ‘what is what’ very soon.

Why acquire Allen? What gives?

Initially, Miami’s interest in Allen was a head-scratcher considering the investment of picks on Tight Ends in the 2018 Draft. But after little extra consideration, the method in the ‘madness’ is more clear: Physicality and toughness is a key tenant for this regime.

Notice the first series of moves all revolved around the trench play. This regime’s first move was on the grunts. Let’s hope this focus continues into Free Agency and the draft. In contrast, Gase was more focused on the skills. At least as far the O-line was concerned, Gase believed that chopped liver could be turned into filet mignon by adding a dash of Spam.

Both Tight End Nick O’Leary and Dwayne Allen are quality run blockers with a PFF rating of 61.1 and 61.8 respectively at this skill. This is a marked increase over Durham Smythe’s 50.3 and Mike Gesicki’s horrific 42.2.

Does this make Gesicki or Smythe expendable? No, I don’t think so.

Spending a small bit of cash for a quick upgrade and to allow time to review to the current TE’s for a season or two is better than a lack of flexibility and depth in 2019 or immediately investing more picks on the position. Both Gesicki and Smythe are Free agents in 2022 and Allen’s contract runs out at the end of 2020. Allen is an excellent bridge to development, evaluation, and replacement at the position.

Power formations on offense are back in South Florida

Allen and O’Leary combined offer both blocking depth and versatility. O’Leary showed an ability to play the H-Back, so in power, two-back formations, Allen would play on the line of scrimmage and O’Leary would be in the backfield. And in a heavy formation, Smythe would come in as the 2nd inline blocker.

The pay per head software bets Allen’s acquisition bodes well for a serious commitment to a scheme-flexible run game in 2019.

Under Gase last season, it was confusing why we didn’t see more of O’Leary at H-Back… especially given the success he had there. The run game had one look most of the season. This should change in 2019.

Square peg in a round hole was often Gase’s philosophy

This leads to another difference between Gase and Flores: The philosophy of “making players the best versions of themselves”. Gase was inflexible. It’s one reason why he was so slow to adapt to situations. Gase has proven he can be a successful OC… when he has ‘his’ tools to run ‘his’ system. But, Gase often took weeks to transition into adjustments forced on him by injury or being out schemed. More often than not Gase just put his head down and made players play a role—whether it suited their strength or not. A prime example is Julius Thomas and Mike Gesicki. They couldn’t block a lick, but he made them do it anyway… regardless of how poor the results were.

Assessment this Tight End group

• Dwayne Allen: drops passes, solid blocker in the pass and run.
• Mike Gesicki: potential in the passing game, terrible blocker.
• Nick O’Leary: effective at everything though stellar at nothing.
• Durham Smythe: poor run blocking, decent receiver, above average pass blocker.

I expect Flores to give each of these players an opportunity to prove they can overcome their weaknesses… but if not, they will play a role suited to their strength.

Putting your player in the best position to succeed is the key to good coaching… and the key to success.

Does anyone remember a guy named Rob Ninkovich?

Quality coaching can turn mediocre players into effective ones when you allow them to play to their strengths.

The real litmus test is at hand

So far, so different. But it’s still extremely early and big decisions are looming in FA and the draft. Remember, Adam Gase’s regime was on the right track at one point. Will this regime have the fortitude to hold the course in the face of fierce winds? It starts gusting tomorrow… let’s hope we head in the right direction. Go Phins!!!

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