To keep their sanity, Phins fans must keep one eye on this season and one on the future
One of the best rebuilds in recent memory was put together by the Seattle Seahawks beginning in 2010. We can only hope that this Phins regime gets even close to that level of success. But, remember that it wasn’t until midway through Year 3 that they proved to be a success. Seattle went 7-9 in back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011 before drafting Russell Wilson in 2012. At the midway point of the 2012 Season, Seatle was 4-4 before a winning streak that took them to the playoffs. The Hawks then went on to win the 2013 Super Bowl and have been a factor in the NFL every year since.
So, what does all this ‘blah-blah’ have to do with the Dolphins?!
Phins fans, keep in mind that success in Seattle was touch and go for nearly 2 1/2 seasons. So– I know it’s tough–but a little more patience is needed in South Florida before we either anoint or condemn this regime.
Without keeping one eye on the long game, it’s easy to say after the Dolphins 0-2 post a terrible 5 win season that this is this another failed regime. Now, the sober truth is though that most regimes fail. The odds are that the Grier / Flores regime won’t pan out. So, I’m not saying all will be -peachy-keen’, either. But, the Seahawks went 0-2 in Carroll’s second season against the 49ers and Steelers and then went on for a second ‘ho-hum’ 7-9 season.
Miami faced two top teams to open last season and were obliterated. It doesn’t take the best pay per head reviews to see the stark contrast in the Phins two close losses this season. This does point to year-over-year growth.
Wins are easy to evaluate at this stage of the rebuild.Loses though aren’t as clear an indication. So, let’s take a step back and assess the situation for both the long and short term. A good sign though is that Brian Flores has the Phins ranked with the 4th least penalties committed after being 6th least last year. This appears to be a very important positive trend that will continue.
But, there are more good signs than this:
The Good News about Phins players
Christian Wilkens is playing at a high level. Unbelievably, some in the media don’t see it. Wilkens has 9 tackles, with 1 stuff, and 2 passes defended. In mostly a 2-Gap role, these types of numbers are expected. The film is clear though that his 80.1 PFF Grade ranking him as the 8th best interior D-linemen isn’t fluff.
PFF ranks Mike Gesicki as the #1 tight end in the NFL with a 92,0 grade! Some are saying he isn’t a tight end but rather a big receiver. Well, he has 20 run blocks for an eye-popping 84.6 PFF grade, which ranks him the #1 run-blocking tight end.
BTW: Durham Smythe is ranked the 6th run-blocking tight end and ranked 23rd overall also.
Myles Gaskin is legit. Behind a weak run-blocking Oline, Gaskin is the 14th best running back in the NFL. Gaskin is ranked 29th in pass blocking with a 67.5, but has triple the number of pass blocking plays of nearly all those ahead of him. His 15 pass-blocking reps rank #1 in the NFL for an RB with 12,10, and 6 the next three highest reps behind him. If Gaskin had been drafted in the Top 3 Rounds, he’d be all the talk.
DeVante Parker has matched up excellent talent with excellent play and excellent toughness. His statement that his balky hamstring won’t keep him from any more action is very encouraging. Parker, Williams and, Gesicki will be a potent triplet in 2021.
Brandon Jones has started right out of the box and with 117 reps has posted a decent 65.1 grade… while wearing Minkah Fitzpatrick’s old number, who is currently posting an ugly 43.8 grade this season.
At this stage, evaluating rookies and the Head Coach are the biggest pieces of the puzzle. Miami is doing better than year’s past, but they need to turn it up a couple of notches for real success. It’s early… so, we’ll see.
Now, it’s not all a bed of roses…
Many of the expensive Free Agent purchases of this year have been more miss than hit. Also, the offensive line, while better, is still an unknown. How this unit develops will be nearly as crucial to success and how Tua develops. So far, the signs aren’t bad, but neither are they great. Also, will these new coordinators be the right guys for the job? I feel good about OC Gailey. Boyer on the other hand not so much. But, again, it’s very early.
Then there is how does a Brian Flores team respond in clutch moments? Can Flores get his team to win the big games? Well, tonight is a very big one for the 2020 Season. Can’t wait to see what this team is made of! Either way, we are still a ways off till Judgement Day. Go Phins!!!
No time to panic. There have been some positives as you point out in the article. However, it is very disappointing how bad the defense played against the Bills. Hopefully, after review of the film, Josh Boyer will learn something about making adjustments during the game. I did not have much hope of seeing the Dolphins in the playoffs this year. I was hoping for an 8-8 season followed by a solid draft to complete the roster. I think the Dolphins are a stud DE and LB away from having a top 15 defense. Patience!
We did well, Fritz!!! Boyer did an excellent job last night. I like plenty of his calls… we need a real Linebacker. Baker isn’t good inside. He needs a WSL role. Too small and gets thrown all over the place. Maybe if we had a dominant DL to keep him clean… as it is now, he are hurting at LB. Roberts is a place holder as well. LB is the biggest need in 2021… and Corner too. Howard looks okay so far. Not sure if he’ll ever get back to form. Maybe… but maybe not.
I totally agree. The team is still very young. Jags and Dolphins youngest teams in the league. However, we spent $250 million this off-season to upgrade the defense. I know that playing defense is harder than playing offense, but this unit needs to start to live up to it’s potential and expectations! I like you, see many positive trends, and we are after all, only just starting year 2 of the re-build process. Tonight is a big game. If the Fins can win tonight, then with 10 days off, we might be in a better position to be ready for a tough Seattle game. Going in against the Seahawks with a win under our belt will be big at home! I still hope for a winning record or at least 500. However, a loss tonight likely means another loosing season.
That was a good showing and the 10 days off will be a big help. This was a big win, Stephen. Jags are a weaker team though. Still, on the road, against the wall, and on a short week, this was a good win. I hope we play the Seahawks tough… with watching them yet, I’d expect the Phins to lose, but they could win the next couple of games. San Fran is ravaged by injuries and the Chargers and Broncos are winnable. 3-3? That wouldn’t be too shabby… not at all. Felt good not to have a nailbitter…
Hi Fins news, I have been reading your column now for the past three years. I never has written any post…but today is different but unless Flores starts getting this team fired up this team going nowhere this year. He needs to call the defense. the defensive coordinator doesn’t have a clue what plays to call. Its sad because I have been a fan for over forty years. Grew up in Miami in the 70s and got to watch all the superbowl years as a thirteen year old. Now my kids who are in the teens wont even watch the games with me because they haven’t won in the last three years. Its sad I cant enjoy football with my kids like I did with my father. Those were great Sundays together …we all bonded as a family.
Hey, Barry… sorry about the delay of the post Jimmy has a wonky system here and new commenters need to get approved the first time. I was under the weather and didn’t check to the site after I published my article. First, thanks for reading us… Well, you got your wish. The Jaguars looked bad last night, so I don’t take this as we are now world-beaters, but it was a big win and the staff was on point all the way around. They showed a ton and it does breathe life back into the fans. I still think 7-9 wins is the range if we can stay healthy. But, that’s a solid floor to spring from in 2021.
Yeah, my son doesn’t want to watch the Dolphins and he is always surprised when they win… it bothers me. Tried to get my wife into the Dolphins when we were married 16 years ago… she couldn’t stand to see them crushed every week. Hasn’t watched a game with me in a decade. Jimmy is a younger guy… think he really started watching in the late 90’s or so with his father. I’m around since 78 basically weaned on the tail-end of greatness and raised on Marino. I really believe that Flores is a good coach… it’s the best foundation that we’ve had since Shula. not sure if he is great or that the talent acquisition will be great either… but again, this does feel different. So, far it feel that we are growing slowly rather than a quick splash and quick descent. Well see, Barry. Like you, I’ve been pretty bummed out being a Phin fan for some time… especially since I started writing about the Phins for Jimmy. Nothing like when I was young… though they weren’t the glory days like you witnessed, they were good ones…
No time to panic. There have been some positives as you point out in the article. However, it is very disappointing how bad the defense played against the Bills. Hopefully, after review of the film, Josh Boyer will learn something about making adjustments during the game.
I did not have much hope of seeing the Dolphins in the playoffs this year. I was hoping for an 8-8 season followed by a solid draft to complete the roster.
I think the Dolphins are a stud DE and LB away from having a top 15 defense. Patience!
Hope for a competitive game tonight. GO DOLPHINS!
We did well, Fritz!!! Boyer did an excellent job last night. I like plenty of his calls… we need a real Linebacker. Baker isn’t good inside. He needs a WSL role. Too small and gets thrown all over the place. Maybe if we had a dominant DL to keep him clean… as it is now, he are hurting at LB. Roberts is a place holder as well.
LB is the biggest need in 2021… and Corner too. Howard looks okay so far. Not sure if he’ll ever get back to form. Maybe… but maybe not.
MJ,
I totally agree. The team is still very young. Jags and Dolphins youngest teams in the league. However, we spent $250 million this off-season to upgrade the defense. I know that playing defense is harder than playing offense, but this unit needs to start to live up to it’s potential and expectations! I like you, see many positive trends, and we are after all, only just starting year 2 of the re-build process. Tonight is a big game. If the Fins can win tonight, then with 10 days off, we might be in a better position to be ready for a tough Seattle game. Going in against the Seahawks with a win under our belt will be big at home! I still hope for a winning record or at least 500. However, a loss tonight likely means another loosing season.
That was a good showing and the 10 days off will be a big help. This was a big win, Stephen. Jags are a weaker team though. Still, on the road, against the wall, and on a short week, this was a good win. I hope we play the Seahawks tough… with watching them yet, I’d expect the Phins to lose, but they could win the next couple of games. San Fran is ravaged by injuries and the Chargers and Broncos are winnable. 3-3? That wouldn’t be too shabby… not at all. Felt good not to have a nailbitter…
Hi Fins news, I have been reading your column now for the past three years. I never has written any post…but today is different but unless Flores starts getting this team fired up this team going nowhere this year. He needs to call the defense. the defensive coordinator doesn’t have a clue what plays to call. Its sad because I have been a fan for over forty years. Grew up in Miami in the 70s and got to watch all the superbowl years as a thirteen year old. Now my kids who are in the teens wont even watch the games with me because they haven’t won in the last three years. Its sad I cant enjoy football with my kids like I did with my father. Those were great Sundays together …we all bonded as a family.
Hey, Barry… sorry about the delay of the post Jimmy has a wonky system here and new commenters need to get approved the first time. I was under the weather and didn’t check to the site after I published my article.
First, thanks for reading us… Well, you got your wish. The Jaguars looked bad last night, so I don’t take this as we are now world-beaters, but it was a big win and the staff was on point all the way around. They showed a ton and it does breathe life back into the fans. I still think 7-9 wins is the range if we can stay healthy. But, that’s a solid floor to spring from in 2021.
Yeah, my son doesn’t want to watch the Dolphins and he is always surprised when they win… it bothers me. Tried to get my wife into the Dolphins when we were married 16 years ago… she couldn’t stand to see them crushed every week. Hasn’t watched a game with me in a decade. Jimmy is a younger guy… think he really started watching in the late 90’s or so with his father. I’m around since 78 basically weaned on the tail-end of greatness and raised on Marino.
I really believe that Flores is a good coach… it’s the best foundation that we’ve had since Shula. not sure if he is great or that the talent acquisition will be great either… but again, this does feel different. So, far it feel that we are growing slowly rather than a quick splash and quick descent. Well see, Barry. Like you, I’ve been pretty bummed out being a Phin fan for some time… especially since I started writing about the Phins for Jimmy. Nothing like when I was young… though they weren’t the glory days like you witnessed, they were good ones…