Under the current rules, real success in the NFL is centered on having an elite quarterback. Since the dramatic rule changes to help the passing game in 2008, only the Raven and Eagles have won it all with less than ‘top-shelf’ quarterbacks. The odds with the pay-per-head bookie software sites to win a Superbowl is best with a game-changing signal-caller. So, despite all the good that has been achieved by this Phins regime, their success and failure will hinge on how the quarterback position plays out. But, the problem may be even more compounded if Deshaun Watson has his way and gets traded to the Jets. With Watson AND Josh Allen in the AFCE, the division will be very crowded with elite QB making a Dolphins return to the playoffs much more difficult.
Having the better QB makes winning much easier
If Watson does end up in the AFCE, it will be tougher sledding for Miami to claim the division or just make it to the postseason, unless the Phins have quarterback play equal to or greater than both the Jets and Bills. Yes, there is a lot that goes into winning. But, if all things are equal or near equal, having the better quarterback is a huge X-factor. Smarter franchises never want to be the team that is underpowered at quarterback… especially in their own division.
As it stands right now, the road to the playoffs in the AFCE looks to be a tough ride. And depending on the moves of the Pats and Jets at quarterback, it could be even more difficult. This makes the rise of Tua even more crucial. The fates of this regime will be tied to the success or failure of their young QB.
Bills are currently the class of the division with an elite QB and coaching staff. While they are down a 4th RD pick for the Diggs trade, they have plenty of ammo in this draft. They are hovering around the middle of the pack for cap space at 18th.
Patriots have their best 1st RD pick in forever. They lost a 3rd RDer for the filming of the Bengals practice but are getting a few compensatory picks as well. They do have the 4th most cap space and could be a player for Mathew Stafford as there have been reports of their interest in him for a couple of seasons. Also, they have arguably the best coach in history. Is he past his prime? I wouldn’t write Belichick off just yet, especially if they land a high-level Qb in FA or the draft.
The Jets have a ton of firepower in this draft– even more than Miami. The team does have plenty of holes and we don’t know who will coach them. But, add Watson and a good HC, along with a Darnold trade to add some more picks, and they could be a pesky team. They have a tremendous amount of cap space as well with the 3rd most, so this could help them along even faster.
The Phins are primed for success, but….
… They must not lose the quarterback arms race in the AFCE.
There’s no way, Belichick isn’t going all-in for an impact QB this season. Whether the Jets trade or draft, they have the potential to get an elite QB as well. Phins fans could be looking at facing Allen, Watson, and Stafford a total of six times in a season. This scenario would create even an even greater demand to have the Phins quarterback position top have major production in 2021 and beyond.
While we don’t know if Watson will go to the Jets or Stafford to the Pats, the Bills DO have Allen and plenty of talent around him. Right now Miami is looking up at both the team and their quarterback. With or without Watson and Stafford in the division, Tua must raise his game to an elite level and get help around him to take the AFCE title.
Hope you are feeling better and have recovered from Covid 19 Virus! I agree, need that elite QB to be a solid contender! Tua performed fairly well considering the OL is still a WIP, no “bell-cow” running back, and a depleted WR corps. Not to mention Gailey handled Tua like a baby, while give Fitz the green light to spread the ball all around! Gailey resigned, but I think it was much more of a mutual feeling. Flores was not happy with how he handled Tua. Need to focus on offensive weapons early on in the draft. (2) top notch WR’s, and stud RB are needed, as well as, a top flight RT. Then in rounds 3 and beyond we can draft to the defense. A good MLB is also needed because we don’t know if Elandon Roberts will be back next year? He sustained a significant knee injury and the rehab may take a year or more. Need to get rid of more dead weight to make room for more cap. On defense will need (2) more solid DL to help stuff the run and push the pocket. another pass rusher would be good to compliment Ogbah. Shaq Lawson has spurts of being disruptive, but not enough. Maybe this is why Flores fired the DL coach? Which brings me to the fact that Flores is certainly burning through a good amount of his coaches. Gailey, DL, OL, QB Coach just in this season alone. I like the fact that if you don’t perform, you don’t stay attitude. However, some of this may not all be on the coaches, but rather a lack of talent in certain areas too! MJ, what is your opinion as to why Flores has fired so many coaches in the past 2 seasons? Some I think have been Gase or even Philbin hold-overs? Your thoughts on all this?
Still a bit under the weather… been lingering on me and my wife. Thankfully the kids didn’t get it. Wasn’t a killer, but it just wipes you out enough to be near useless.
“Tua performed fairly well considering the OL is still a WIP, no “bell-cow” running back, and a depleted WR corps.”
I disagree. In some instances he did. But, for the most part he was poor. His velocity and footspeed was far less than in college. This might have made him uncertain. The velocity was a serious issue… very serious. He had other issues… but, reps and time can fixed them. He didn’t have a strong arm in college, so he didn’t have a lot of wiggle room. Now his arm is weak. Kid can’t help it. The injury was a career ender and he even said he’d never be the same. How close can he get to his college level? No one knows. Yes, more help with certainly get him to produce better, but Fitz made this talent go. Some of it was his exp and some his talents. Tua has a long way to go. We all love the kid and want him to be great, but I think many fans aren’t seeing the film clearly. Again, trying to finish my study up… trying to be very thourough as a ton of fans will get angry if I’m not. It will be clear though that Tua has a long way to go and it wasn’t mostly about Gailey or the talent. If the strength comes back… I think he’ll have a good shot. If not, he won’t make it.
“MJ, what is your opinion as to why Flores has fired so many coaches in the past 2 seasons? Some I think have been Gase or even Philbin hold-overs? Your thoughts on all this?”
Edwin had the same question above… I’m going to brainstorm and see if I can write something so we can all chat about it. I do think it’s a host of reasons and not just one.
We must also get Tua more offensive weapons We desperately need a great Right tackle ; a slot receiver; a safety and a Running back Maybe a second good tight end too. I would not be surprised if we get 2 maybe even 3 receivers this draft Get rid of Ford – too many dropped passes not good enough
Certainly, more weapons will help, Ralph. Some of those drops by Ford weren’t drops, but he did have some. He’s not a front line player for sure either way. Thing will Tua is he needs to make major strides, too. Some of this improvment he can control… and some he can’t. His footspeed and velocity on the ball was less than it was in college… and these two issues were huge hindrances this year. If they pick up with extra healing, Tua will get on track. If not, I don’t see a path for success for him. The poor kid had a devastating injury and it’s so unpredictable as to what he’ll heal back into. No one knows. Miami must get the weapons around him in case he does get back to full or near full strength. But, his throwing velocity in 2020 was comparable to Chad when he was here and that isn’t enough. I gotta believe it will get better… but how much? The rest of his issues as far as anticipation, reading, and pocket presence will improve with time and reps… but, the hip is a huge unknown… I think you are right we could use another RT and move Hunt inside. I think this would be more important than an RB with a blue chip. The run blocking needs to improve and that will help this O a ton.
MJ,
Hope you are feeling better and have recovered from Covid 19 Virus! I agree, need that elite QB to be a solid contender! Tua performed fairly well considering the OL is still a WIP, no “bell-cow” running back, and a depleted WR corps. Not to mention Gailey handled Tua like a baby, while give Fitz the green light to spread the ball all around! Gailey resigned, but I think it was much more of a mutual feeling. Flores was not happy with how he handled Tua. Need to focus on offensive weapons early on in the draft. (2) top notch WR’s, and stud RB are needed, as well as, a top flight RT. Then in rounds 3 and beyond we can draft to the defense. A good MLB is also needed because we don’t know if Elandon Roberts will be back next year? He sustained a significant knee injury and the rehab may take a year or more. Need to get rid of more dead weight to make room for more cap. On defense will need (2) more solid DL to help stuff the run and push the pocket. another pass rusher would be good to compliment Ogbah. Shaq Lawson has spurts of being disruptive, but not enough. Maybe this is why Flores fired the DL coach? Which brings me to the fact that Flores is certainly burning through a good amount of his coaches. Gailey, DL, OL, QB Coach just in this season alone. I like the fact that if you don’t perform, you don’t stay attitude. However, some of this may not all be on the coaches, but rather a lack of talent in certain areas too! MJ, what is your opinion as to why Flores has fired so many coaches in the past 2 seasons? Some I think have been Gase or even Philbin hold-overs? Your thoughts on all this?
Still a bit under the weather… been lingering on me and my wife. Thankfully the kids didn’t get it. Wasn’t a killer, but it just wipes you out enough to be near useless.
“Tua performed fairly well considering the OL is still a WIP, no “bell-cow” running back, and a depleted WR corps.”
I disagree. In some instances he did. But, for the most part he was poor. His velocity and footspeed was far less than in college. This might have made him uncertain. The velocity was a serious issue… very serious. He had other issues… but, reps and time can fixed them. He didn’t have a strong arm in college, so he didn’t have a lot of wiggle room. Now his arm is weak. Kid can’t help it. The injury was a career ender and he even said he’d never be the same. How close can he get to his college level? No one knows. Yes, more help with certainly get him to produce better, but Fitz made this talent go. Some of it was his exp and some his talents. Tua has a long way to go. We all love the kid and want him to be great, but I think many fans aren’t seeing the film clearly. Again, trying to finish my study up… trying to be very thourough as a ton of fans will get angry if I’m not. It will be clear though that Tua has a long way to go and it wasn’t mostly about Gailey or the talent. If the strength comes back… I think he’ll have a good shot. If not, he won’t make it.
“MJ, what is your opinion as to why Flores has fired so many coaches in the past 2 seasons? Some I think have been Gase or even Philbin hold-overs? Your thoughts on all this?”
Edwin had the same question above… I’m going to brainstorm and see if I can write something so we can all chat about it. I do think it’s a host of reasons and not just one.
We must also get Tua more offensive weapons
We desperately need a great Right tackle ; a slot receiver; a safety and a Running back
Maybe a second good tight end too.
I would not be surprised if we get 2 maybe even 3 receivers this draft
Get rid of Ford – too many dropped passes not good enough
Certainly, more weapons will help, Ralph. Some of those drops by Ford weren’t drops, but he did have some. He’s not a front line player for sure either way. Thing will Tua is he needs to make major strides, too. Some of this improvment he can control… and some he can’t. His footspeed and velocity on the ball was less than it was in college… and these two issues were huge hindrances this year. If they pick up with extra healing, Tua will get on track. If not, I don’t see a path for success for him. The poor kid had a devastating injury and it’s so unpredictable as to what he’ll heal back into. No one knows. Miami must get the weapons around him in case he does get back to full or near full strength. But, his throwing velocity in 2020 was comparable to Chad when he was here and that isn’t enough. I gotta believe it will get better… but how much? The rest of his issues as far as anticipation, reading, and pocket presence will improve with time and reps… but, the hip is a huge unknown… I think you are right we could use another RT and move Hunt inside. I think this would be more important than an RB with a blue chip. The run blocking needs to improve and that will help this O a ton.