T.J. McDonald Surprise Release Clears the Picture Up

T.J. McDonald never lived up to expectations

The news that the Miami Dolphins had released Safety T.J. McDonald came as a surprise…

… sort of.

McDonald had been injured on and off and didn’t flash in practice. For a team based on competition and proper valuation, a marginal player with a high price tag is a death sentence.

Just as McDonald didn’t fix Burke’s scheme, it seemed he wasn’t a fit in Flores’ either. McDonald quite often knew where to be, but just wasn’t fast enough to get there. He had dropped his weight down quite a bit to improve on his speed and agility as if realizing his shortcomings. Add to all these challenges, the Safety group was quite crowded.

While he might have stuck if not for the injuries, I’m not so sure it would have made a difference.

Miami made a second serious move today telling Reshad Jones that he won’t be traded or cut.

Both these decisions clear things up quite a bit.

Safeties who’ll make the cut and be on the 2019 Dolphins roster

Minkah Fitzpatrick, though he’ll also play Nickel and boundary corner as well.
Reshad Jones who is too expensive to be cut and doesn’t have any trade value… until next year that is.
Phinnews thought Bobby McCain at Safety was a major storyline and this has turned out to be the case. McCain is the single high/ ‘cover Safety’. Although, he’ll come in the box for blitzes from time to time on passing downs.
Jomal Wiltz will play reserve/situational both high and low Safety and Nickel corner. Despite some mental errors he has had an impact, is young, appears to learn… and is cheap.

Safeties on the cusp

Montre Hartage came in as backup when McCain went down. He’s either on board or close.
Not confirmed, but I think Walt Aikens makes it too due to his ST play and how good he looked when given more duties. Injuries could turn this the other way though as other STers are making their presence known.

You can bet with the pay per head services like www.AcePerHead.com that the emergence of linebackers Jerome Baker and Sam Eguavoen didn’t do McDonald any favors. Both are as big as McDonald with similar range and coverage skill. And actually, Baker is faster and more agile and Equavien is bigger.

Beyond clarifying players, McDonald’s release confirms the staff’s character and adherence to the process

Brian Flores has said his process of team building is based on character, intelligence, development, and competition. Big talk till an expensive vet fails to measure up. McDonald’s release shows Flores isn’t about lips service, but rather commitment equal to what he expects from his players.

The Dolphins are now leaner in decisions that need to be made and their salary cap.

Phinsnews saw demotions of vets and Flores having the discipline to cut dead weight as a positive sign. We continue to be impressed at the character and commitment Flores has shown. We might just have a good one here, ladies and gentlemen. Go Phins!!!

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