The Dolphins 2021 Season is loaded with big story lines
The Miami Dolphins 2021 Season is the most important season in decades, andit is jammed packed with massive storylines. Talk about high drama!
Now, I still hold to the belief that the most important area of success for this Dolphins team is the growth of their blue-chip talent more than a high win total. Yes, there is certainly a correlation between the two, but it could take until mid-way or late in the season to see that growth of the players. With a tough early schedule and doubt surrounding Xavian Howard, Miami could have a hard early go, while still trending upwards as a team. I also believe we could see these young players take off early, which would make for one amazing season that could shock the NFL. Either way, player growth is my true barometer of success… that is as long as Miami hits that 9-10 win mark in the process. Your 5-Step Guide to Starting a Successful Online Casino.
The Top 5 Phins storylines in 2021
Xavien Howard is my top storyline… even above Tua’s sophomore season. Why? Howard playing or not will be the most critical reason for the Dolphins winning games or giving the regime a mulligan if they don’t. I don’t think Howard will back down and will play the hardest ball he can to get top dollar. Miami is in a real bind jammed up the tailpipe of a pickle! Noah Igbinoghene was drafted to take over as the starting corner for Howard down the road. You can bet with the best payperhead that that time isn’t now. This gives Howard massive leverage because the Phins defense depends on having two high-quality corners. Howard’s 10 interceptions 2020 Season was a major reason for the 10-6 record. Without him, Miami’s defense won’t be the same and it could cripple any legit chances of going for the brass ring this season. Chris Grier must weigh attaching vast sums of guaranteed money to a very inconsistent player who is willing to stick it to the franchise to get what he wants. But, can Grier afford to let him go? What Is a Bookmaker and Why Are They So Important in Gambling?.
The Phins Offensive line needs to show something this season. Chris Grier traded away Laremy Tunsil and invested a 1st RD pick in Austin Jackson, 2nd RD Pick in both Robert Hunt and Liam Eichenberg, 3rd RD pick in Michael Dieter, and 4th Rd pick on Solomon Kindley That’s a ton of ammo in three drafts. It’s time for this O-line to protect the quarterback and open running lanes. Clearly, this regime can find quality football talent… but, they haven’t proven to definitively be able to find talent on the offensive line. This season they must show that this unit can at least produce in the middle of the NFL pack. I put this above Tua because how this unit plays will go a long way towards determining Tua’s success or failure.
Tua Tagovailoa has had time to fully heal and reflect on his rookie season. With a ton of talent around him, the former 5th Overall pick needs to show why he was drafted that high. While Tua doesn’t need to post eye-popping stats, he does need to come up big in the clutch and show an upward trajectory with a high mark at the end of the season. Given everything that worked against Tua last season, I consider this his true rookie season since he is also learning his second playbook as well. However, by year’s end, Tua needs to make it perfectly clear he is the Dolphins’ leader for the foreseeable future.
For one reason or the other, Brian Flores is on his 3rd offensive system and coordinator in three years. This could be a good thing or a bad sign. We’ll know this year as Tua and the offensive line are key storylines and both with be greatly hindered or helped by how promoted running backs coach Eric Studesville and tight ends coach George Godsey perform as co-offensive coordinators. Having two OCs is a unique situation in the NFL 2021 Season, so this will reflect heavily on Flores.
Will blue-chip defensive cornerstone draft picks shine? Christian Wilkens was picked 13th Overall in the 2019 Draft. Chris Grier passed on his college teammate DI Dexter Lawrence, DI Jeffery Simmons, and DE Montez Sweat. All three have had better careers so far with Lawrence and Sweat far surpassing Wilkens. It’s still very early, but Wilkens needs to pop in 2021 or it will have been a big miss. Also, depending on how the Howard situation turns out, Noah Igbinoghene will be firmly in the spotlight. Jaelan Phillips is a rookie so I don’t think his story is a critical one unless he has a tremendous season. But, Wilkens is going into his 3rd season and Noah his 2nd… their floors are expected to be much higher. Everything You Should Know About Sportsbook Betting and Services.
Incredibly, there are a ton more major storylines
Other key storylines are: Can Gaskin carry the run game? How will the tight end group shake out? Will Waddle be worth the price?…
… and there are plenty more.
But, in my mind, if most of my Top 5 shakes out to be positive, the future will be very bright! The time for the big reveal where we’ll find out the truth is just about here! Go Phins!!! What Is a Bookie and How Can You Become One?
I agree that Howard is the big story now. However, I don’t believe that the team can afford to give Howard, Gesecki, & Ogbah raises. Someone (s) will have to go. For my money, as hard as this would be, I say trade Howard while his stock in high and give that money to younger healthier players like Gesecki & Ogbah. The team brought in McCourty who was cut by Pats. McCourty started in the Pats’ last Super Bowl vs. Rams and from what I recently read did a good job. Howard had a tremendous season last year with 10 int’s. However, he as missed most of the last 3 seasons. Add to this his off-field domestic battery incident, and you can see why he might need to be the odd-man out! If the Dolphins wait and see how he performs in 2021, he might not have the motivation and desire as was last year! We could get a 1st round pick for him. That gives two (2) 1st round picks 2022, & 2023! Just my thoughts. I look forward to your comments. Thank you!
Hey, Stephen! ” I don’t believe that the team can afford to give Howard, Gesecki, & Ogbah raises” I agree. I think if the rookie Te pans out Gesicki might be gone too. I think he was a big Fitz fan and some things went on behind the scenes and now he’s a bit on the outside… just my opinion… Howard would be a massive gamble because of his knees and who he is. Very quite, but the domestic stuff, gunfire at his agent’s or friend’s (can’t remember now) house, and now holding the franchise up after they bet big on his balky knees… I hope he does get traded… but, it will be a massive blow to the team this year and next. This regime is in a real bind with Howard… if he decides to play hard ball. Maybe he won’t? If he doesn’t show to camp… OUCH!!!!
MJ,
I agree that Howard is the big story now. However, I don’t believe that the team can afford to give Howard, Gesecki, & Ogbah raises. Someone (s) will have to go. For my money, as hard as this would be, I say trade Howard while his stock in high and give that money to younger healthier players like Gesecki & Ogbah. The team brought in McCourty who was cut by Pats. McCourty started in the Pats’ last Super Bowl vs. Rams and from what I recently read did a good job. Howard had a tremendous season last year with 10 int’s. However, he as missed most of the last 3 seasons. Add to this his off-field domestic battery incident, and you can see why he might need to be the odd-man out! If the Dolphins wait and see how he performs in 2021, he might not have the motivation and desire as was last year! We could get a 1st round pick for him. That gives two (2) 1st round picks 2022, & 2023! Just my thoughts. I look forward to your comments. Thank you!
Hey, Stephen! ” I don’t believe that the team can afford to give Howard, Gesecki, & Ogbah raises” I agree.
I think if the rookie Te pans out Gesicki might be gone too. I think he was a big Fitz fan and some things went on behind the scenes and now he’s a bit on the outside… just my opinion…
Howard would be a massive gamble because of his knees and who he is. Very quite, but the domestic stuff, gunfire at his agent’s or friend’s (can’t remember now) house, and now holding the franchise up after they bet big on his balky knees… I hope he does get traded… but, it will be a massive blow to the team this year and next. This regime is in a real bind with Howard… if he decides to play hard ball. Maybe he won’t? If he doesn’t show to camp… OUCH!!!!