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Phins Veteran Demotions Will Be Positive Sign

A few surprise Phins veteran demotions will be a good sign for the future

Over the course of the past few regimes, the rare event of a Phins veteran getting demoted in Preseason combined with the Dolphins thin roster meant deadwood was on deck.

Sadly, that dead wood wasn’t much worse than the veteran. Poor drafting, schemes, philosophies, coaching, evaluation, and vision has been a limiter on the Dolphins success.

I can still remember my shock and smile when Jimmy demoted Jack Del Rio for teeny-tiny Zach Thomas. Still, have the issue of Dolphins Digest that reported it.

Since then, even if the vet played poorly in Training Camp, they were kept in the starting role going into the season. Unless he was hurt or his play utterly collapsed during the season, the conservative and ‘safe’ play was Miami’s formula. Occasionally a coach has rolled the dice, but for the most part, competition in Training Camp has been a cute slogan and not much more.

With the rookies reporting tomorrow, this may change and maybe, just maybe, competition will make a return…

… This is the only hope that the best bookie software gets 2019 wrong.

Now, I’m not talking about forcing rookies or under the radar Free Agents into roles they can’t fill. But, given the philosophy of this regime’s process and the roster assembled, some ‘unknowns’ must win over the ‘knowns’ for this team to have a healthy start. Yes, there will be some lumps from knocking off their ‘greenness’. The hard truth is it’s better than the lumps received from beating a dead horse.

Long-term success must be cemented in the understanding that a player’s pedigree, salary, reputation, and past successes doesn’t dictate their role is essential for this regime to thrive.

2nd Tier Phins vets who have a bullseye on their backs
1st Tier Phins vets who should be looking over their shoulders
Young guns that could take vets reps
Young Phins vets that might surprise

Brian Flores and Chris Grier are building a squad that’s based on depth, Cap responsibility, smarts, discipline, and character. Competition is the key to all of this. Every player must fear for their job and prepare every day according. Having players capable of unseating a starter is essential. But rewarding those players who do by actually giving them the role must be an unbreakable contract.

Adam Gase showed some guts in 2016 by benching and cutting players who deserved it. Unfortunately, he followed this up in 2017 by folding like a cheap lawn chair on Cutler, Thomas, Timmons, Maualuga, and Bushrod… and the team folded with him.

Tomorrow begins the smell test to see if Flores and his regime are made of sterner stuff than flaky Gase. Go Phins!!!


 

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