Dolphins news wasn’t pretty, but all that matters is a win over Raiders!
The Miami Dolphins has a crazy week with out of left field news and a critical game on a short week against the Las Vergas Raiders on deck. I don’t know about you, but I was surprised by all the stories this week: David Long Jr. getting released, ex-Dolphins Desaun Elliot calling most of the team soft, Jalen Ramsey having a knee injury in practice then it is disappearing the next day, and now Terron Armstead not practicing all week with a knee issue.
Quite a mouthful of things to swallow for Phins fans!
I guess we should be used to it.
While all that matter now is the Dolphins handle their business and come away with a victory, these storylines deserve discussing!
So, let’s have at it!
Phins wild headlines leading into Week 11
Team captain David Long Jr. getting released hot on the heels of his demotion was a shocker, but it was the right move now. Long struggles in coverage, doesn’t get off blocks well, and tends to guess the hole in the scrum. This defense needs better coverage and Anthony Walker and recently acquired Tyrel Dodson off waivers brings a better skillset than Long.
The problem is how didn’t we evaluate these issues in an offseason where we let Andrew Van Ginkel walk in Free Agency? You can bet with the best pay per head that Van Ginkel would have been much better value for a few pennies more. Even if Van Ginkel wasn’t the play Grier wanted, then he should have moved off Long and found a better replacement. Long’s struggles replaced with better play may had earned us extra wins. The biggest issue I see is our GM is once again a day late and a dollar short on his moves.
It sure seems like this 2024 team has had a load of poor moves from Grier.
I wonder if ‘Mr. Teflon’ Chris Grier will ever be held accountable?
‘Soft’ and more practice injuries?
Deshon Elliot was a good player for us and his play against the Dallas Cowboys last year saved our season. Elliot called the Miami Dolphins soft in a recent interview and that isn’t good. Elliot’s take could be easily dismissed as sour grapes if it weren’t for his replacement Jordan Poyer saying we are viewed as ‘soft’ and Jalen Ramsey having an impassioned speech about being ‘soft’.
Three data points equal a trendline.
Also, we fans have witnessed with our own eyes that this team mostly wilts in key moments. I think this team having been ‘soft’ in the past is hard to deny. But all this team should care about is how they handle critical moments in the future.
The Dolphins have clearly been ‘soft’ in some regards. How can you deny it?
In my book, these last 8 games should be viewed as a final exam on all things. Succeed and this regime should continue, flop and flounder like a fish on dry land and scrap this thing starting at the top.
Injuries continue to plague the Phins
Now, it sure won’t help this team’s chances if they can’t stay healthy.
Jalen Ramsey being ‘hurt’ in practice really surprised me, but the shock that it was gone a day later was equally surprising. I’m elated that Ramsey is good, but that was an odd one-day swing.
Unfortunately, some concerns about Terron Armstead’s knee have sprung up and the key piece to our suspect offensive line is now somewhat in question.
Armstead hasn’t practiced all week, and some appear concerned. I don’t know. While it certainly isn’t good news, Armstead has missed whole weeks of practice before and played well. Considering the Ramsey injured and miraculously healing event, I’ll wait to be worried when Sunday’s inactive list is released.
If Terron does miss this week or worse longer, it will be devastating to this team’s chances to prove they aren’t ‘soft’.
In the end, I’m just waiting to see this season through to make my final evaluation. Whatever happens, I just want this Miami Dolphins team to finally start winning something more than moral victories! Go Phins!!!
Grier has brought in a good amount of talent over the years, but he historically negates the OL & DL, although he did draft Wilkins, Davis, and brought in Seiler. This past off season, we needed to focus on the trenches and we did not. Yes Wilkins and Hunt got monster contracts that the team could not match or should. However, signing Tua to a long-term deal instead of letting him play out his 5th year option like the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson was a big mistake. That extra money could have been used to help solidify the trenches. Alas, we did not and will come back to haunt this team. We also have no real edge rusher other than Chop Robinson now. Not sue when or if Chubb will return? Maybe the most critical move or no-move was not signing a quality veteran QB to be with the team in July and not September like Huntley! Loosing Tua for 4 games may have just cost this team the season. Beating the Raiders and Patriots will be nice, but it won’t matter when we play teams that are playoff calbier like the Packers on Thanksgiving Day. Hearing that this team is “soft” even from former All Pro Dolphins players like Larry Czonka is concerning. Not sure McDaniels is a true HC? He needs to add toughness and grit to this team along with talent in the trenches and ede. It is easy to say fire McDaniels but the fact is we have had 3 HC’s in about a 10-12 year span. Add to that Anthony Weaver is our 5th DC in 5 years. The best teams like Chiefs, Ravens, etc. have stability at their key coaching positions. But I agree that if we fold and end up with a horrible loosing record at the end of the season, somethings need to be done and that most likely woudl be firing McDaniels (just got a new 5 year deal) and Grier. Maybe give Anthony Weaver a shot at HC. Many thought while in Baltimore he would be a HC candidate. I wish I had some answers but I feel a 7-10 or 6-11 season looms big. I hope I am wrong. Disgusted once again!
Grier has brought in a good amount of talent over the years, but he historically negates the OL & DL, although he did draft Wilkins, Davis, and brought in Seiler. This past off season, we needed to focus on the trenches and we did not. Yes Wilkins and Hunt got monster contracts that the team could not match or should. However, signing Tua to a long-term deal instead of letting him play out his 5th year option like the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson was a big mistake. That extra money could have been used to help solidify the trenches. Alas, we did not and will come back to haunt this team. We also have no real edge rusher other than Chop Robinson now. Not sue when or if Chubb will return? Maybe the most critical move or no-move was not signing a quality veteran QB to be with the team in July and not September like Huntley! Loosing Tua for 4 games may have just cost this team the season. Beating the Raiders and Patriots will be nice, but it won’t matter when we play teams that are playoff calbier like the Packers on Thanksgiving Day. Hearing that this team is “soft” even from former All Pro Dolphins players like Larry Czonka is concerning. Not sure McDaniels is a true HC? He needs to add toughness and grit to this team along with talent in the trenches and ede. It is easy to say fire McDaniels but the fact is we have had 3 HC’s in about a 10-12 year span. Add to that Anthony Weaver is our 5th DC in 5 years. The best teams like Chiefs, Ravens, etc. have stability at their key coaching positions. But I agree that if we fold and end up with a horrible loosing record at the end of the season, somethings need to be done and that most likely woudl be firing McDaniels (just got a new 5 year deal) and Grier. Maybe give Anthony Weaver a shot at HC. Many thought while in Baltimore he would be a HC candidate. I wish I had some answers but I feel a 7-10 or 6-11 season looms big. I hope I am wrong. Disgusted once again!