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WR Isaiah Ford finally makes his mark with Miami Dolphins

12/10/2019

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,hen you’re a 7th round pick, your chance to shine in the NFL may never come. When it does come, you have to be ready to step into your role as if you’ve been doing it your whole career.

And when you’re Isaiah Ford, whose rookie season was ruined by a knee injury before it even started, you have to work hard to keep the attention of the coaches and staff, so you can hang onto a roster spot in hopes of someday getting your chance to step on the field and shine.

Ford has done just that, impressing two Miami Dolphins coaching staffs enough that he’s hung on to the fringe of the roster through three seasons, and finally got a chance to show what he can do when two wide receivers went down to injuries Sunday against the New York Jets.

Head coach Brian Flores says he constantly tells players to accept the role they have and stay focused.

“Early on, we tell them, ‘look, it’s going to be a small role and your role will grow," He said. "The opportunities you get will be the ones you create for yourself.’”

Ford has seen spot duty in the past two seasons, bouncing from the active roster to the practice squad after twice being cut. Before Sunday, he’d appeared in five games, with two catches to his name. He tripled that with six catches for 92 yards on Sunday, and impressed Flores.

“I thought Isaiah - he stepped in,” said Flores. “Played every position from a receiver standpoint, got some (defensive) guys lined up, made some big catches and made a nice run after catch there in the third quarter. I thought he really played solid overall. Young guys stepping in, getting an opportunity, stepping up, making plays - that’s always good, and hopefully we can build on that.”

The “I can’t believe I am doing an Isaiah Ford thread, but I am happy it’s happening thread.” pic.twitter.com/SL2EqYVjib

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 9, 2019

​With three games left to the season, and wide receivers Albert Wilson and DeVante Parker expected back in the lineup, Ford may not see the opportunities that he got on Sunday for a while, but he appreciates finally having a chance to show what he can do, and hopefully earn an increased role in a crowded wide receiver room. In addition to Wilson and Parker, Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams, both on IR with injuries, will likely return next year as well, which could push Ford back to the edge of the roster.


Or maybe he showed enough to solidify a more stable spot on the roster. Ford certainly hopes that’s the case.

“Any time you get the opportunity, you want to make the most of it,” Ford says. “I think that I’ve prided myself on preparing and studying and practicing as if I was the starter, so when that time came that I would be prepared. So I think (my performance) was a reflection of that.”

Work hard. Do your job. Be ready. Yep, sounds like a Brian Flores kind of player, doesn’t it?

And in true starter fashion, Ford takes a team-first stance when asked if his performance reflected a moral victory for him personally.

“There’s no moral victory. We lost the game, got the corrections from it. Now it’s time to move on.”

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter: @EJFootball
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Dolphins CB Nik Needham expresses frustration over controversial call reversal

12/9/2019

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Sunday was frustrating for many Miami Dolphins fans, players, and coaches. But one player in particular felt the most frustration postgame.

When asked by reporters about his thoughts on the overturned DPI call on a 3rd and long play, Nik Needham did not mince words.

“Honestly, it’s just trash," Needham said. "Like, we had a chance to win the game, and so, that’s it…”

It’s not the fact there was evidence of defensive pass interference on the play. Replay does show Needham wrapping his arm around the receiver's shoulder pads. It was the manner in which the penalty was called.

The Jets were faced with 3rd and long, nowhere close to field goal range, no timeouts. In other words, almost no chance of getting into position to win the game. However, in odd fashion, the game clock stopped, and the referees seemed to take a lot of time to get the ball back to the line of scrimmage, and wait for a signal to restart the clock for the Jets to run their inevitable 4th and long Hail Mary.

Keep in mind, the game was played in New York. Guess where the replay officiating crew is headquartered? Just saying. But I digress.

After what seemed like an eternity, the officials stop the clock and review the play for defensive pass interference. To the complete dismay and shock of Coach Brian Flores and the rest of the Dolphins, the call was overturned. Not only did this give the Jets extra yardage, but more importantly, a brand new set of downs to help Sam Darnold get the Jets into field goal range to kick the winning field goal.

Needham added that officials “didn’t call anything all game until the last play,” and many will note the inconsistency of NFL vice president of officiating Al Riveron, citing “clear and obvious” evidence of interference on this play when so many other replay reviews have allowed similar no-calls to stand.

However, Coach Flores understands that wins and losses aren’t based on just one play.

“Yeah, it was a tough game, hard-fought by our team." Flores said. "I’m proud of the way our guys played. They played hard. We had some guys go down, we had guys step in and make plays. We just didn’t make enough plays to win.”

Officiating has been under scrutiny since the beginning of the season. The Dolphins have not been the only team that have been hurt due to overturned calls, or in some cases, lack of overturned calls that maybe should have been.

In the end, Miami falls to 3-10 on the season. But it was a game that may go down as one with an asterisk for many Dolphins fans, especially against the rival New York Jets. This game may be a hard pill to swallow, but the Dolphins have two winnable games against Cincinnati and the Giants to look forward to. Both teams have losing records, and essentially, fighting for the #1 overall pick in April’s draft.

“Like Coach Flo said after the game, it’s a lot of other stuff,” Needham said. “We can’t just blame two plays or blame one person or blame one other guy. We could’ve all had a great game and not even have the game close like that.”

This story was written by Ozzie Delgado. Follow him on Twitter: @ozziedelgadojr
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Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders breaks team record held by Olindo Mare

12/9/2019

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The Miami Dolphins have had their share of troubles this season, but kicking isn’t one of them. Kicker Jason Sanders set a new team record for the most field goals in a game on Sunday.

The sophomore kicker, drafted in the 7th round of last year’s NFL draft, lined up for eight field goal tries against the New England Patriots, making seven of them to break a 20 year old team record for field goals in a game. Olindo Mare kicked six field goals for the Dolphins on October 17, 1999, coincidentally on the same field as Sanders’ feat (feet?).

“I think I’m confident with how I’m hitting it." Sanders said last Thursday. "I try to avoid all of the numbers and take it one week at a time. Quite honestly, I don’t even know what my percentage is right now and I don’t really want to know. I want to go out each week and treat it like a new week and build off the kicks that I’ve had like going into Sunday, building off that 51-yarder I had in this last week and use that confidence to get you through this week.”

Coming just one week after scoring the winning touchdown reception on a trick play against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders may very well be in line for player of the year for the Dolphins, as the one constant the team has been able to count on week in and week out.

"(We had) a lot of field goals. I think we moved the ball well today, but didn’t execute when we got down in the red area." said QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. "I think he did a great job all day. Seven is a pretty remarkable number of field goals in a game. Every time we really needed it, he kept hitting them, especially that last one. That was a great kick.”

To put Sanders’ day in perspective, he was just the third kicker in NFL history to attempt eight field goals in a game, and the eighth in NFL history to connect on seven field goals in one game. It’s a team record that is sure to stick for many years to come.

Another cool coincidence: Sanders wears lucky jersey number seven.

This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter: @EJFootball
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Why the 2020 NFL Draft is insignificant for the Miami Dolphins

12/8/2019

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This article could honestly also be titled: Why we should stop worrying about "The Next Dan Marino."

It’s April 23, 2020. Miami Dolphins are on the clock. Roger Goodell is walking over to the podium, card in hand. The envelope is opened.

“With the (fill in the blank) pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select…”
 
And every die hard Dolphins fan collectively takes a deep breath, holds it…holds it…a little longer…
 
The next few words that come next from Roger Goodell’s mouth may be the most overrated and magnified few words you will hear for our fanbase. From the start of training camp, we have been hoping, praying, hanging everything on drafting the next Dan Marino. Is it Tua Tagovailoa (God I hope so)? Is it Justin Herbert (God I hope not)? Is it Jake Fromm? Is it Jordan Love?
 
So let me pose this question for you all…
 
What if the player that the Commissioner names comes in the form of a non-QB? Will there be mutiny in South Florida? Will there be fans calling for the heads of Stephen Ross and Chris Grier? I don’t know the answer to that, but what I will tell you is that our front office (Grier in particular) knows a thing or two about this beautiful game we call football.

So does Brian Flores. You know, the former scout for several years before he got into coaching.
 
They know the staff. They know the players. They know the schemes. They have the vision of what this team will look like in 2-3 years when we are competing for an AFC Championship. Brian Flores is more than a coach. He is a leader of men. He is a developer. He is, at his core, a teacher. Flores doesn’t need the best QB in the draft (whatever that means, completely relative) in order to win and create a culture of mental toughness and discipline.
 
Yes, the QB is the most important position in any sport. They are the drivers, the motivators, the leaders of the locker room and the huddle. Players gravitate towards their QB when they need inspiration and leadership. They look for that grit, that toughness, that cold-blooded mentality, that “get it done by any means necessary” attitude.
 
By no means whatsoever am I saying that we should not draft a QB in this upcoming draft. On the contrary, I love the approach the Dolphins took back when they drafted Rick Norton with the 2nd pick overall in 1966, and then came right back and drafted Bob Griese with the 4th overall pick in 1967!

Keep picking until you find your man! I actually love Khalil Tate from the University of Arizona. Tons of experience, huge arm, very mobile out of the pocket, and accurate when given time. Needs to clean up some things, but I will take a flier on him all day long in Round 5 or 6, even if we get a QB in round 1, and develop him for 2-3 years.
 
However, I am a huge believer in not settling for anything in life, and that includes the QB that you believe can turn the future of your franchise around for the next decade. Miami believed Rick Norton was the guy. Then they believed Bob Griese was the guy. The common denominator is that they believed one of those guys were elite, and can turn around a franchise. I’m of the belief that Tua is that guy. He’s smart, high character, great leader of men, perfect footwork, elite eye manipulation to sway defenses, good arm, very mobile, the list goes on and on. To me, Tua is the perfect combo of Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. If I was Chris Grier, I am not settling for anything less. It’s Tua or bust.
 
This draft is just the beginning. Why, you say? Well, to start, we have the luxury of three 1st round picks. THREE! Guess what? If Tua is not there when we pick, I continue to build. Trade back for someone that is desperate for a QB like Herbert. (Man, does that guy have “bust” written all over him. JaMarcus Russell type of bust). Pick up their 1st round pick this year, 1st next year, and throw in a 2nd or 3rd rounder this year to boot. Build the OL, DL, and secondary. Pick up an elite starting running back (J.K. Dobbins please?). Continue to develop our existing players. This WR class is so deep, we can pick up a WR2 or slot guy in round 4 or round 5.
 
Oh, and by the way, we also have over $120M+ in cap space, so that helps. Bring in players like Matt Judon, Brandon Scherff, and Byron Jones. Veterans like that, especially in the trenches, will do amazing things for the confidence and development of our young guys like Dieter, Wilkins, Taco, and those we draft this year.
 
Last point, and arguably the most important to this article, as to why this draft is not as significant as people may think: the presence, mental toughness, discipline, knowledge, work ethic, and competitiveness Brian Flores and our new staff bring to the table is something that cannot be measured. It is something that is invaluable to the future of our franchise and our fanbase.

Flores, only 3/4 of the way into his 1st season as head coach, is already in the same tier as Mike Tomlin in my book. After “The Gase Experience,” I cannot tell you how much of a breath of fresh air it is to see a coach that not only knows what he is doing, but has the command of an entire group of men. Not only did he implement his culture change within three months into the season, he also has the buy-in from everyone else in the building, specifically Grier, the scouting staff, and Steve Ross.

Remember that time in training camp when reporters said there was trouble in the locker room, and that players were basically going to riot for trading all the top players we had? Old news. Remember when “analysts” on ESPN said we were being immoral for tanking? Yeah, eat crow. Flores turned all of that around. Flores turned this franchise into a respectable one that will be a staple in the NFL for a long, long time. Similar to that team up in the northeast, where Flores came from? Yeah, would be nice to take over that title when the head ball coach retires in 2-3 years. No one better or more capable to do it than Head Coach Brian Flores.
 
So why is this draft insignificant? Why should we stop worrying about who our next Dan Marino is? It’s simple: Brian Flores, Chris Grier, unlimited cap space, and the unwavering support from our owner, Stephen Michael Ross.

The combo of all of that has me nothing short of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the next decade. With Flores at the helm for the next decade (quite possibly more), it has never been a better time to be a Miami Dolfan (with the exception of that ’72 year.

That was a pretty good year, from what I hear).

This story was written by Ozzie Delgado. Follow him on Twitter: @ozziedelgadojr
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Buffalo Bills (6-3) at Miami Dolphins (2-7) Week 11 Preview

11/17/2019

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The once winless Miami Dolphins will seek an unexpected three-game winning streak Sunday afternoon vs. the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick pounded in a score against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, leading a 16-12 upset victory. These two AFC East divisional squads met October 20 in Buffalo, where Bills quarterback Josh Allen led a 31-21 second-half comeback victory after trailing 14-9 at the break.

DATE: Sunday, November 17
TIME: 1:00 p.m. ET
SITE: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida.
LINE: BUF - 6.5; O/U: 40.5
TV: CBS
RADIO: Dolphins Radio Network, KISS 99.9 FM, 560 WQAM, 1210 WNMA (Spanish)
Radio Announcers: English broadcast - Jimmy Cefalo, Bob Griese, Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper; Spanish broadcas t- Raul Striker Jr., Eduardo Martell.
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Players to Watch

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1. Bills QB Josh Allen - In Buffalo’s 31-21 come-from-behind win over the Dolphins on October 20, Allen finished 16-for-26 with 206 passing yards and two second-half touchdown tosses. Keeping Allen inside the pocket will be critical for Miami’s defense, as Allen has shown his running capability once scrambling outside.

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2. Dolphins RB Kalen Ballage - Ballage, serving as the Dolphins’ top running back due to Mark Walton’s four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, gained 43 yards on 20 carries last Sunday against Indianapolis. Ballage’s longest gain on his 20 touches? Seven yards. That is not a very pleasing statistic.

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3. Bills WR John Brown - Brown hauled in a touchdown reception in the October 20 meeting in Buffalo and should create some space Sunday, as the Dolphins will be without cornerbacks Ken Webster and 2018 Pro Bowler Xavien Howard.

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4. Dolphins WR DeVante Parker - Once again, Parker led the Dolphins receivers in yards last Sunday, picking up 69 on five receptions. Parker will continue to have an increased role in the offense, with Preston Williams sustaining a season-ending knee injury and the lack of production from both Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson.

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5. Bills RB Frank Gore- Gore, who suited up for the Dolphins a year ago and a former Miami Hurricane, will return to Hard Rock Stadium Sunday. Gore gained a team-best 55 yards on 11 carries October 20. 

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori
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The Miami Dolphins and Perception Bias – Are You Guilty Too?

10/29/2019

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When it comes to the Miami Dolphins 2019 season, there is no shortage of opinions. Just glance at Twitter or Facebook and you’ll see opinions posted on every topic you can imagine about the team, some by people convinced that their opinions aren’t just opinion, but should be chiseled in stone as fact.

Annoying? Yep. Especially to those like me whose opinions are always right (just don’t tell my wife I said that; she has this eye-roll thing she does and, well anyway…).

After watching the Monday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, even the national media weighed in on their perception of the Dolphins, especially after an all-out blitz on a 3rd-and-20 play resulted in an easy touchdown for the Steelers just before the half.

And that got me thinking: I'm convinced we as fans all suffer from something called perception bias. And before you quit reading and go post something about what a dumbass thing that is to accuse you (and you, and you, and even you) of, let me explain.

Think back to recent seasons and take a look at how you felt about a polarizing topic like, say Ryan Tannehill as the Dolphins quarterback.

If we hated Ryan Tannehill, then we spent every game dissecting his every play, noticing his flaws and picking out his mistakes. For every argument that Tannehill was a top-12 QB (as he was in 2016), there were ten arguments showing how he lacked pocket presence and took too many sacks.

If we loved Tannehill, we noticed every great play and every perfect throw. If someone criticized Tannehill in a post, we jumped in to say that no one would succeed behind that sieve of an offensive line, or posted a video showing a 50-yard throw that hit the receiver perfectly in stride for a touchdown.

And no matter what was said, no matter what happened in games, your opinion never wavered.

My point is, regardless of which side of the argument you stood, you viewed every game with that perception guiding your thoughts and opinions.

And that brings us to 2019, where nothing is more polarizing than the Ever-Loving Season of The Tank.

The same thing is happening this season. If you are convinced the team is tanking down to the coaching level, then every play that doesn't work is your evidence of that; every mistake proves your point.

If (like me) you believe the tank is only in the front office, denying good talent to a team that is otherwise doing all they can with the tools at their disposal, you look at that 3rd-and-20 play in that Monday night game and see that if pressure from the defensive blitz had gotten there a half-second sooner, Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph might have rushed the pass and thrown off-target, as he'd been doing throughout most of the night to that point when pressured. It was good play call; it just didn’t work as planned.

That is just one example, but I think it’s enough to make my point. I’m guilty of it, you’re guilty of it, everyone’s guilty of it. It’s not wrong or right, but it is something to strongly consider as you watch the rest of this season play out, and see discussion on which player is most deserving of the first overall pick in the NFL draft next April. See, you have a strong (and deeply biased) opinion on that too, don’t you? Told ya.

This season in general, every detail is being scrutinized through biased opinions, both by us and by local and national reporters. And if you approach a situation with a biased opinion, you'll only see what substantiates that opinion.

Think about that previous paragraph.

And keep that in mind the next time you watch the Dolphins play.

​This article was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter @EJFootball.
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Fourth quarter dooms Dolphins in Buffalo in 31-21 loss

10/21/2019

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All odds were stacked against the Miami Dolphins in their Week 7 battle against the Buffalo Bills and yet the Dolphins almost pulled off a stunner. Prior to kickoff Sunday, head coach Brian Flores announced the Dolphins would be without two elite players on the defensive side: Reshad Jones and Xavien Howard.

As for the offense, Miami induced a backup center in the lineup, too, with Daniel Kilgore inactive. Throw in rookie first-rounder Christian Wilkins, who was tossed after two plays in the first quarter for throwing a punch. Unable to protect a third quarter lead, Bills quarterback Josh Allen tossed two touchdown throws in the final quarter, in part of a 22-7 fourth quarter scoring output, leading Buffalo to a 31-21 victory at New Era Field.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, who got the nod under center over a struggling Josh Rosen, gave the Dolphins every opportunity for an upset win, as Buffalo opened 17-point favorites. Fitzpatrick moved the football early and often, followed by Mark Walton, who started over Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage for the second consecutive week. Walton continued to surprise Miami’s coaching staff, as the former Miami Hurricane closed with a team-high 66 yards on 14 carries.

The Dolphins held Buffalo to three Stephen Hauschka first-half field goals, but had trouble in the second half containing Allen, as the former Wyoming product completed 16-of-26 for 202 passing yards. Fitzpatrick kept the Dolphins alive, however, finding Preston Williams and DeVante Parker on a consistent basis throughout drives.

Williams led Miami in receptions (6) and receiving yards (82), whereas Parker hauled in a touchdown reception for the second time in as many weeks. Buffalo was able to secure victory after Micah Hyde recovered an onside kick attempt and ran 45 yards for the score. Brian Flores, in a quick and calm manner postgame, stated Fitzpatrick will start next Monday night against the 2-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dolphins’ lone primetime appearance.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori 
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Miami Dolphins (0-5) at Buffalo Bills (4-1) Week 7 Preview

10/20/2019

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Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolphins were two yards shy of picking up win number one under first-year leader Brian Flores last Sunday vs. the Washington Redskins at Hard Rock Stadium. After replacing a struggling Josh Rosen, who threw two interceptions, Fitzpatrick found DeVante Parker in the endzone with six seconds remaining, cutting Washington’s lead to 17-16.

Electing to try a two-point conversion, Fitzpatrick’s intended target, Kenyan Drake, dropped a bubble screen pass, keeping Miami winless through six weeks of play. Now they are going to try again against Buffalo, with the players hoping that they can finally put a one in the wins column.


DATE: Sunday, October 20
TIME: 1:00 p.m. ET
SITE: New Era Field, Buffalo, New York
LINE: BUF - 17; O/U: 41.5
TV: CBS
RADIO: Dolphins Radio Network, KISS 99.9 FM, 560 WQAM, 1210 WNMA (Spanish)
Radio Announcers: English broadcast - Jimmy Cefalo, Bob Griese, Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper; Spanish broadcast - Raul Striker Jr., Eduardo Martell
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3 Players to Watch

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1. Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Brian Flores announced earlier this week Fitzpatrick, who was a member of the Bills from 2009-2012, will get the nod under center Sunday. Fitzpatrick was Miami’s starter Week 1 vs. Baltimore and Week 2 vs. New England, before Rosen took command at the position Week 3, Week 4 and Week 6.

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2. Bills QB Josh Allen: Surprisingly, Allen has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (5). Allen was effective on the ground during the two meetings last season against the Dolphins.

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3. Bills RB Frank Gore: A 36-year-old Frank Gore is still a dangerous player. The veteran running back should have an explosive outing Sunday against a weak Miami defensive unit that allows nearly 170 rushing yards per contest. ​

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori
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When will the Dolphins get their first win?

10/20/2019

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The Miami Dolphins are off to an 0-5 start for the first time since 2011, and that was during the Tony Sparano era. The Dolphins lost by one point to a winless Washington Redskins team last Sunday, and the Dolphins had a chance to win the game when first-year head coach Brian Flores decided to go for the two-point conversion.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins missed the conversion and fell to 0-5. Josh Rosen started the game at quarterback and was 15/25 for 85 yards and two interceptions. Head coach Brian Flores decided to bench Rosen, and Ryan Fitzpatrick would come into the game and was 12/18 for 132 yards, and one touchdown pass.


The last time the Dolphins got off to this bad of a start was back in 2004, and that was during the Wannstedt era, and he re-signed midseason. The Dolphins also had a similar start in the 2007 season and finished that season with one win, but Cam Cameron's way of coaching caused the Dolphins troubles that season.

​We also can't forget the 0-6 start in 2011, and that led to the firing of the late Tony Sparano. The Dolphins will travel to Western New York Sunday to play AFC East rival Buffalo, and the Bills are off to a really good start, but they are a beatable team.  


The Dolphins have some winnable games in the 2019 season, but when do they get their first win? I thought the Redskins game was going to be their first win, but that game was a loss, but you have a Monday Night Football game at Pittsburgh that is winnable. The Jets will come to South Florida on November 3rd, a trip to Cleveland on November 24th, and a trip to MetLife against the Jets on December 8th.  All of those games are winnable.

The Dolphins will stay in Newark for another week against the Giants on December 15th, and with their uncertainty with the quarterback position between Daniel Jones and Eli Manning, I think that is a winnable game. The most winnable game on the schedule will be the home finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 22nd, and the Bengals are winless also.

The Dolphins will get their first win of the season soon, but will that be Sunday against Buffalo? I sure hope so because the Dolphins can't relive the 2007 season all over again.

This story was written by Zach Blaine. Follow him on Twitter: @TheMiamiGator
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Dolphins could have vision beyond 2020

9/29/2019

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It is safe to say that the Miami Dolphins this year, are not very good. Then again, for a little while the Dolphins haven’t been good. Upper management decided enough was enough, and blew it up.

via GIPHY

Old news here, the Dolphins traded away starting QB Ryan Tannehill to the Tennessee Titans, traded Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills for a king's ransom, shipped Minkah Fitzpatrick out as well, and from the outside let everyone that had at least a little bit of talent go.

But what if, and hear me out, what if it was for a good reason? What if it was to help bring back a winning tradition to a once proud franchise, and what if the Dolphins front office was playing a little sleight of hand on us all? Let’s explore!


This team has a ton of holes. The most glaring hole seems to be the quarterback position. What’s the answer? Who’s the answer? The most obvious answer is to obtain the number one overall pick, and select Tua Tagovailoa with it. He has all the makings of a franchise quarterback. Strong, accurate arm. Makes great decisions. Really seems to be in command of his offense at all times. It was reported yesterday, that Chris Grier was in Alabama yesterday to watch Tua play. This screams that the Dolphins will take him first overall. But what if that wasn’t the case? What if this is the sleight of hand?

The Dolphins own three first round picks this year. What if I told you that none of them would be spent on a quarterback? You’d think I’m crazy! But what if I wasn’t? Let’s take a look at the direction the Dolphins could be going right under our noses without us all even knowing.

#1 overall pick: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

Chase Young rushes ½ a man, knocks the blocker's hands down, finishes with a rip & gets the strip sack. @youngchase907 is a beast! #Buckeyes #PassRush pic.twitter.com/4TxOb4sXDF

— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 29, 2019

In terms of pass rush here, this guy has it all. A dominant edge rusher with the ability to get to the QB. Taking a look back at his last 16 games played in college, he has 16.5 sacks in those 16 games. He will provide the pass rush we need to help solidify the defense. Christian Wilkins would benefit from this pick, as teams may try to double team Young, which could free him up to make big plays.

#7 overall pick: Any offensive line position

Taking a look at CBS sports top prospects for this coming draft, there are five offensive line prospects inside the top 30, and several more just on the outside. The Dolphins are in desperate need of offensive line help and taking a lineman here could be more than beneficial.

Before Miami selects a quarterback and makes an investment, they should solidify the insurance.

#20 overall pick: Any offensive line position

Talk about a shocker right? The Indianapolis Colts struggled in terms of offensive line for two years. In the draft before last season, the Colts selected two offensive lineman in the first round. All that did was bring them back into the top ten in the league in terms of the line. Miami uses this formula to help protect the quarterback. Being able to protect the quarterback leads to better offensive production.

Three first round picks, no quarterback selected. I know what you're thinking. Who’s going to play QB? The answer to that question is already on the roster.

QB Josh Rosen gets a second season to develop and prepare as the starter.

Some of you don’t believe that Rosen is the answer. It’s hard to ignore that he’s been victimized by two bad franchises, zero offensive line help, and a lot of dropped passes. Rosen, behind two first round picks on the line and some free agency retooling of the receiving corps, should blossom into the QB the Dolphins need. And if he doesn’t, then Miami has the draft capital to then go and select QB Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson. Some are considering him the second best QB prospect behind Tua Tagovailoa.

It’s going to be a long season folks, but there will be bright spots. There is a light at the end of this very long dark tunnel. His name just happens to be Young and not Tagovailoa.

This story was written by Dakota Gabel. Follow him on Twitter: 
@DakotasForrest
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Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers - Week 4 Preview

9/29/2019

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The Miami Dolphins played a competitive first half last Sunday on the road against the Dallas Cowboys, before the game got away from them in the second half. Quarterback Josh Rosen, in his first official start as a Dolphin, racked up 200 passing yards on 39 attempts. Rosen, however, played turnover-free football and nearly tossed a touchdown to Preston Williams in the right corner of the endzone during one-on-one coverage in the second quarter, but Williams was not able to come down cleanly with the catch.

Entering Hard Rock Stadium Sunday is Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen and the high-octane offense in the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have lost back-to-back games since defeating the Indianapolis Colts at home in overtime Week 1.


DATE: Sunday, September 29

TIME: 1:00 p.m. ET

SITE: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

LINE: LAC -14.5; O/U: 44.5

TV: CBS

LINE: RADIO: Dolphins Radio Network, KISS 99.9 FM, 560 WQAM, 1210 WNMA (Spanish)

Radio Announcers: English broadcast- Jimmy Cefalo, Bob Griese, Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper; Spanish broadcast- Raul Striker Jr., Eduardo Martell
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What to watch for

1. Time zone could play a large role: The Chargers will travel across the country prior to Sunday’s contest, which could spell some trouble. January 2, 1982 was the last time the Chargers knocked off the Dolphins on the road, a string of eight consecutive losses in Miami.

2. Philip Rivers winless in Miami: Drafted in 2004, Philip Rivers has yet to secure a road victory against the Dolphins. Facing a depleted secondary that is dealing with the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick (traded to Pittsburgh) and an injured Reshad Jones (questionable for Sunday), Rivers should end the streak Sunday.

3. 
Josh Rosen’s second start: Rosen faced a tough Dallas squad in his road debut as a Dolphin and will face a tough Chargers defense in his home debut under center. Featuring Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the defensive line, Rosen will have to play clean, turnover-free football to give Miami a legitimate shot at a win Sunday.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori 
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Bettor taking $3,400 gamble on Miami Dolphins going winless in 2019

9/19/2019

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Making bets can be a dangerous game. Make the wrong one, and you could find yourself in serious debt. Make the right one, and you're instantly a rich person.

There are plenty of ways to learn how to determine what bets to make as a Miami Dolphins fan. But some individuals evidently have a much grander plan.

According to Darren Rovell, one bettor has placed a total sum of $3,400 on the Miami Dolphins not winning a single game all season long.

A bettor has bet $3,400 on the Dolphins to go 0-16. If it happens @DKSportsbook will pay out a net of $102,000.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 13, 2019

The Dolphins odds of going 0-16 have been set at +500, which equates to a 16.7% chance (as 
stated by SBD). Their best chances to pick up a win will be home games against the Redskins (Week 6), Jets (Week 9), and Bengals (Week 16).

But if those games were happening this weekend, the Miami would be sizable underdogs in each. The Jets starting QB, Sam Darnold, should be back from the mono diagnosis that is currently sidelining him. As a result, it's likely that Miami is more than a field-goal underdog in every game this season.


Nevertheless, making a bet like that belies a confidence that the Dolphins are simply so bad that there's no chance they could beat anyone in 2019. There's proof to support this, as Miami is on course to set a franchise worst in point differential. So far, they've been outscored 102-10 in the first two games, and there are no signs that will improve anytime soon.

"The thing is, I just try to keep a positive mindset through all of it." DT Christian Wilkins said on Wednesday. "The good, the bad, the ugly, I just feel like it is part of the process. Whether I have a good play, a bad play, a good game or a bad game, whether we win or we lose, it’s just all a part of the process. Just have that mindset that it’s just a part of being a pro now. I’m going to be exposed to different things I’ve never been exposed to, be a part of different things I’ve never been a part of. You just have to keep a mindset of you’re here to get better."

It's been tough on the players, hence the mass exodus of talent. Minkah Fitzpatrick, now traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a first round pick in 2020, made it clear he wanted to leave Miami. One could speculate it had more to do with the apparent intention to lose than his position, but it's his position that is on the record.

Will things get better in 2019? Unlikely. And GM Chris Grier seems unconcerned with the now, choosing to look at the big picture.

“We’ve talked about building this long-term with sustained success right away, and for us, we’ll be very aggressive." He said. "We’re not going to sit here on a bunch of money or anything. The plan is to build a winner here. No one likes losing. We’ve talked about building a team that’s going to win and compete for championships for a long time instead of being in this one year, and then you fall back for two or three. Again, it is a long-term vision, but we will be aggressive.”

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So the future, if all goes well, will be bright. But for now, that bettor seems to be on course for a huge payday. Then again, all it takes is one win for that all to be ruined. So make sure you use discernment and do research before taking that kind of a leap of faith.
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Patience required while Dolphins 'fail forward fast'

9/16/2019

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“I’m such a baby ‘cause the Dolphins make me cry.”

Darius Rucker said it best and it’s never been more fitting. Being on the wrong side of 102-10 over the last two games - albeit against playoff teams. Normally there is a green shoot somewhere to latch on to but all I see is a Sahara wasteland with humidity.

From all the fans I know and talk to on the daily, many are upset but they are also doing their best to buy into the program. If it were anyone else other than a Belichick disciple I think it would be even tougher to take, but that’s all we really have right now, a singular vision of New England South!

That plan doesn’t always work out and I would even say most of the time it hasn’t worked. Even Josh McDaniels failed miserably in Denver but somehow in New England he’s a genius. Is it because he is under the wing of the greatest modern-day coach? Or is it because he has a selfless QB in Tom Brady who is all in on being the greatest spinner of the football for generations to come?

I’ll go with the latter and remind everyone that Brady has never broken the salary cap bank. He is smart with his body, mind and money. Tom Brady makes $15 million a year, not even enough to break the top half of paid quarterbacks. The Patriots plan is to pay above average and good players in mass and not typically set contract records. Tom Brady allows them to fill the roster with support. That just doesn’t happen and may never happen again.

But I digress, we don’t have to be Patriots South. But we do need a quarterback. Stephen Ross is a businessman. He doesn’t like losing money but with the Dolphins he is so desperate to bring a winner to town that he has given the keys to the franchise to his guys. You must understand that in Miami we have to be competitive to sell tickets. The strategy of years past has always been bring in a couple of overpaid free agents not to fill holes but rather sell tickets.

Taking this approach is a losing one. Revenue is somewhere in the $400 million-dollar range. Ross has essentially written a $200-$300 million-dollar check to get this thing right over the next couple of years. What fans are buying jersey’s right now? Season Tickets? Parking Passes? For that matter, how excited are South Florida transplants to come to the games?

Stephen Ross deserves all the credit in the world for throwing the kitchen sink at getting this thing right!

There are few owners with the resources of our owner and many that do aren’t willing to go to this extreme to bring the Lombardi home to a franchise with lots of rich history. We host all the Super Bowls; it’s been a very long time since we had one and Ross for damn sure is trying. You can bitch and moan about the process and micromanage the decisions as expert Monday morning quarterbacks but none of us have real world capital on the line.

To be honest, we might as well say the Miami Dolphins are living under the curse of Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. We literally drafted a RB with an average career of 2.57 years and a Left Tackle that never even made it to his second contract. Parcells once said he didn’t want to give top overall pick money to a quarterback. Think about how dumb that sounds now? Saved $10-$20 million on a draft pick so that we spend hundreds of millions on multiple team rebuilds?

Let that sink in for a minute.

Mike Shanahan proved that you can get a running back anywhere, yet the Miami Dolphins took a prototype that wasn’t even the main starter in college. Oh, wait we did that with Drake too. At least he wasn’t the second pick overall. But back then the fan base was thrilled! That excitement didn’t age well.

At this point, I want to give every young guy on the roster a chance to be veterans on this team in a few years. We have a few pieces to build around and the year should be considered preseason from here on out. Josh Rosen, Preston Williams, DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki, should all be lined up on offense. Sign some other teams practice squad guys, take a shot on some Offensive Lineman that are way down on the depth chart on teams that are loaded. Don’t buy any jersey’s this year, wait till next. We will have our franchise quarterback soon. Just survive and put your knives away. Trust the process.

Cam Cameron said it best, “Fail forward fast!”

This story was written by Steven Paulsen. Follow him on Twitter: @SarcasticPhin
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Patriots shred Dolphins 43-0

9/15/2019

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Forget about the Miami Miracle, please. Label this contest “The Miami Massacre.”

​The New England Patriots’ defense pitched a shutout Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium, blowing past the Miami Dolphins, 43-0. It is the first time Miami laid zero points on the scoreboard since a 40-0 drubbing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens October 26, 2017, who whacked Miami to open the regular season, 59-10.

In recent memory, quarterback Tom Brady has struggled in South Florida, but Brady proved the doubters wrong Sunday. The former Michigan standout tossed two touchdowns, one to newly acquired wideout Antonio Brown, and threw for 264 yards, finishing 20-of-28. “I thought our team gave a good effort today.

“Obviously, Miami was ready to go and they gave us some problems early, but we were able to work through that and played 60 minutes and finished the game,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said postgame.

Running back Sony Michel, who attended Plantation’s American Heritage High, opened the scoring for the Patriots, as Michel punched the ball in from a yard out. New England defenders suffocated quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and even Josh Rosen, totaling seven sacks and four interceptions, including two pick-sixes in five plays.

“It’s a tough way to start a year with the two losses back-to-back at home like they were. They’re not the way we envisioned it going, but there is nothing to do but to go back to work and try to get better,” Ryan Fitzpatrick said.

Rosen entered the game in the fourth quarter, as the Dolphins trailed, 37-0. Rosen worked a 10 play, 39 yard drive, but was unable to put points on the scorecard. Despite being limited to just three offensive series, Rosen finished with a better statline than Fitzpatrick, as the former UCLA product compiled 97 passing yards, 1 interception, finishing 7-for-18.

The Dolphins have opened the season with a -92 point differential, being outscored, 102-10, and the season just might get uglier before better. Miami will begin their road slate against Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys, who took care of the Washington Redskins Sunday, 31-21. 

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori
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Breaking down the Dolphins trade fiasco

9/11/2019

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The Miami Dolphins are coming off of not only one of the worst games in franchise history but possibly even league history. Even though the score of the game was a blowout, the score still did not represent how bad the game was actually.

As many Dolphins fans know, the Dolphins were outmatched in every aspect of the game. In addition to being outmatched, the Ravens never let their foot off the gas pedal. For example, up 35-3 with three minutes left in the first half, Miami finally made the Ravens offense punt, or so we thought. Baltimore decided to do a fake punt and gained 60 yards which eventually led them to score another touchdown before halftime.

A lot of Miami’s players looked lost or potentially even fed up with what was happening.

 
Moments after the game, reports came out that multiple Dolphins players talked to their agents about a possible trade. The reasons for players requesting to be traded varies from believing the coaching staff and front office is not serious about winning and that the team only cares about the future.

While most fans are frustrated by these reports and say trade them away, everyone needs to understand why a majority of Dolphins players are unhappy with the state of the franchise. 

Releasing/Trading The Wrong Players

Days before the start of the regular season, Miami traded away two leaders, Kenny Stills, and Laremy Tunsil.

Tunsil, who was told he was not going to get traded and was supposedly deep in extension talks with Miami, was the best player on the offensive line and one of the best young left tackles in the league. Stills was a locker room favorite by both the media and players and managed to have 24 touchdowns in four years.

When reports first surfaced about a potential Tunsil trade, other reports came out that players would revolt if Tunsil was traded. Once the Tunsil trade was finalized, it came clear that Miami truly has no intention of winning this year. Even though Miami got a lot of draft picks in return, head coach, Brian Flores, showed he would rather risk drafting players compared to letting established leaders teach the younger players how to play and act like pros.

During the Dolphins final offseason cuts, they released players such as Vincent Taylor and Nate Orchard. Both players were considered starters and were prepared to have breakout years for Miami. The reasoning for the players to be cut was because of “scheme fit” but, if you have two players who were considered some of your best at their position you find a way for them to fit your scheme.

The biggest surprise cut that even got a lot of fans mad was longtime long snapper, John Denney. Denney was a very respected player in the Dolphins locker room and even a fan favorite. Cutting a player like Denney shows that Flores wants to build a team of players he knows instead of a team of players that the team already knew.

Releasing or trading away players that can help you win games and are highly respected in the locker room is not a smart move for any team. When you do that it shows the players that are still on the team that you are not serious about winning and the tank is serious.

Miscommunication 

Coming from New England and introducing the new TNT Wall players had to run to when they made a mistake, many people thought this would be the most disciplined football team Miami has had for a while. That was not the case. Throughout the whole game, many fans say the only bright spot was Preston Williams getting his first touchdown catch. Fans and the media roasted the Dolphins secondary and the offensive and defensive lines, as they were by far the worst three position groups.

After the abysmal Ravens game, not only did some players want out, but some players were unhappy with the coaching staff as well. Players feel like the coaching staff is not good at adjusting mid-game and putting players in the wrong position to be successful.

Two players that played below expectations on Sunday were Bobby McCain and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Both players are now playing safety when they both played corner last year. McCain was considered one of the top slot corners in the league while Fitzpatrick was saw as a top young corner. Now both players are adjusting to a new system and position while their previous position (cornerback) is considered one of the worst position groups on the team, outside of Xavien Howard.

The Dolphins now have a locker room full of players who: do not believe in the coaching staff already, are mad the team is not serious about winning for future success, tired of playing out of position, and most importantly, are not having fun. After taking a look back at everything can you blame for the players for getting mad, or for requesting a trade?

This story was written by Tanner Elliott. Follow him on Twitter: @Elliott302Tj​
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Postgame thoughts - Dolphins vs. Ravens

9/9/2019

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Defense

1. I was looking forward to seeing Lamar Jackson have to pass the ball this game. Unfortunately there was little reason for him to have to do it early. The Dolphins run defense was extremely poor to start. The defensive linemen couldn’t keep the blockers off of the linebackers and they were not free to move to the ball. This is essential to the success of the Dolphins defense.

2. I was, perhaps, most disappointed with the defense up the middle which, coming out of the preseason, I had as a Dolphins strength. Needless to say, they have some roster building to do here.

3. Once the Dolphins started to concentrate on stopping the run, it opened up the passing game for Jackson. And he did not disappoint his defenders. He had a great game passing the football. He dropped some beautiful deep passes for touchdowns this game. A mobile quarterback who can really throw an accurate ball could change the game. Looking forward to watching him against a better defense.

4. Dolphins pass coverage was really poor. They gave up a deep ball in the first half rushing 3 men with the other 8 in coverage. And yet, the Baltimore receiver still go behind the defense. Everyone not named “Howard” was culpable. Jomal Wiltz, Eric Rowe, Walt Aikens, Bobby McCain. All had poor fundamentals in coverage at some point. This has to be cleaned up.

5. I’ll give this much to the Dolphins defense. They didn’t give up. They were still fighting for pride in the 3rd and 4th quarters despite the blowout. That’s encouraging.

Offense

1. Baltimore came out putting pressure on a suspect Dolphins offensive line. It was obvious that the plan was to hit Ryan Fitzpatrick as often as possible. No quarterback likes to be hit but the older quarterbacks really, really don’t like it and they tend to get gun shy. To a certain extent this strategy worked. Fitzpatrick’s interception in the first quarter came with no one really in the vicinity.

2. Having said that, Fitzpatrick didn’t really fall apart under pressure. once the Ravens built a big lead and backed off just a bit late in the second quarter, he was given more room to work and he took advantage. He was reasonably accurate under those conditions and the Dolphins started to move the ball just a bit.

3. I thought it was interesting that the Dolphins thought they could beat the Ravens defense by attacking the edges. They came out with some passes to the outside to Kalen Ballage and to Albert Wilson on the wide receiver screen. Baltimore quickly adjusted and shut it down. But I think it's an indication that the Dolphins, at least, think they might have a bit more speed to the outside than people think.

​4. If you are going to have Albert Wilson in the wildcat, could you at least be more creative than a run right up the middle?

5. Kudos to DeVante Parker with a nice catch in the second quarter. The Dolphins need him to make more of those - indeed, have needed him to make more of those for years now.

Miscellaneous 

1. Special teams were poor, Jakeem Grant had a flashback to the stone hands he had his rookie year as he fumbled away a punt return deep in Dolphin territory. A Ravens fake punt gave them the ball on the Ravens ten yard line. They converted that into a touchdown.

2. Preston Williams had an awful drop in the endzone that cost the Dolphins four points as they settled for a field goal. Allen Hurns had a big drop in the second quarter. That needs to be cleaned up.

3. Other than Grant's bobbled punt, we also had the Fitzpatrick interception. Baltimore had no turnovers. Poor start with Josh Rosen as he threw an interception on his first set of downs as a Dolphin. Marlon Humphrey made a good play on the ball.

4. What is the deal with the defensive holding calls on the Dolphins? Time after time these penalties killed them this game. Again, that needs to be cleaned up.

5
. I understand that the Dolphins are out-manned on the field and I’m willing to cut them some slack because of that. But there is no excuse, no matter what the talent level, for poor fundamentals. Poor tackling, penalties, turnovers, poor technique in coverage. These things go beyond talent. The one thing that Dolphins fans have to look forward to is seeing the improvement in the play of their young players. And there’s a lot here to improve on.

This story was written by Tom Shannon. Follow him on Twitter: @bearingthenews
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Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens - Week 1 Preview

9/8/2019

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The Brian Flores Era will open against Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram and the Baltimore Ravens, who were crowned AFC North Champions last season after a nail biting Week 17 win against Cleveland.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will get his first start under center as a Dolphin, after beating out second-year man Josh Rosen, who was acquired in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft from the Arizona Cardinals. After trading away Ryan Tannehill, Cameron Wake, Ja’Wuan James, Robert Quinn, Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, Danny Amendola and Frank Gore, not much is expected in South Florida heading into 2019.


DATE: Sunday, September 8
TIME: 1:00 p.m. ET
SITE: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: CBS
LINE: Baltimore -6.5; O/U: 40
RADIO: Dolphins Radio Network, KISS 99.9 FM, 560 WQAM, 1210 WNMA (Spanish)

Radio Announcers: English broadcast - Jimmy Cefalo, Bob Griese, Joe Rose, Kim Bokamper; Spanish broadcast - Raul Striker Jr., Eduardo Martell

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Game Prediction

Temperatures are slated to reach the upper 90s prior to opening kick Sunday, which will give the Dolphins a slight advantage. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, a Pompano Beach native, returns to South Florida, and will likely give the Miami defense headaches, due to his running ability when escaping the pocket. Expect a close contest, with Ryan Fitzpatrick tossing two touchdown passes and securing a season-opening victory under new leader, Brian Flores.

Dolphins 20 - Ravens 17

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori


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Dolphins vs. Ravens - Week 1 Recap

9/8/2019

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On the opening play from scrimmage, 1st and 10 from the Baltimore 11, newly acquired running back Mark Ingram scrambled for a 49-yard gain, beating several Dolphins defenders. One play was able to tell the ultimate story of this contest.

Lamar Jackson’s five touchdown throws paved the way, as the Baltimore Ravens (1-0) pummeled the Miami Dolphins (0-1) Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium to open the 2019 campaign, 59-10.

“It’s never good to be embarrassed like that, especially at this level,” quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said post-game.

Baltimore capitalized with four touchdowns on their first four offensive possessions, including two from first-round selection, Marquise Brown. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s first series resulted in an interception, after Fitzpatrick’s throw on 2nd-and-6 from the Miami 37 was intercepted by Earl Thomas, who was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in an offseason move.

“It happened. Earl made a nice play. We tried to get Kenyan down the seam and Earl came out of center field and picked it,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick finished 14-for-29, 185 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Fitzpatrick dialed in his first touchdown as a Dolphin to undrafted rookie receiver Preston Williams, cutting Baltimore’s lead to 42-10 before the conclusion of the first half. Wideout DeVante Parker was one of the few bright spots for the Dolphins Sunday, finishing with a team-high 75 yards on three receptions, including an acrobatic grab above two Ravens defenders on a deep ball from Fitzpatrick.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson, a Pompano Beach native, had himself day to remember in his return to South Florida. Jackson was pulled from the contest with 14:54 remaining in the final quarter, finishing with 324 passing yards and a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

“It was hot, very hot,” Jackson said postgame with a laugh. “I feel our offense, defense and special teams came out to play. We have been working so hard- OTAs, camp and we grind together and shine together.”

Baltimore out-gained Miami, 265-21 on the ground and 378-179 in the air. Miami’s defense coughed up an abysmal 643 yards. As the game continued along, fans inside Hard Rock Stadium began heading for the exits early, showing a clear sign of disappointment and frustration.

​The Dolphins will host the New England Patriots next Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, welcoming Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Antonio Brown, who was acquired this past Saturday evening on a one-year contract. Brown was released from the Oakland Raiders early Saturday morning.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori 
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Dolphins trade LB Kiko Alonso to Saints for LB Vince Biegel

9/1/2019

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Less than 24 hours after sending Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans in exchange for a large number of draft picks, the cracking of the roster continued early Sunday morning for the Miami Dolphins, trading linebacker Kiko Alonso to the New Orleans Saints for linebacker Vince Biegel, according to league sources.

Due a base salary of $6,485,000 in 2019, Alonso was a force on the defensive side in three seasons with Miami, starting every contest he played in and missing only two games, totaling 354 tackles and five interceptions.

It was reported earlier in the week the former Oregon product requested a trade after missing most of training camp and preseason. As the team rebuilds and is fixing up their new schemes, Alonso found himself without a starring role, as speed and coverage - his weak points - became a much stronger need. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins also paid about $1,000,000 of Alonso's contracted salary for the Saints to take him.

As for Biegel, he was a fourth-round choice of the Green Bay Packers in 2017. Appearing in nine games as a reserve rookie, Biegel spent most of last season on New Orleans’ practice squad. He's a better scheme fit for the Dolphins, projecting to be more of an Andrew Van Ginkel type player.

Alonso had his ups and downs with Miami, but he was always fun to watch. Hopefully he finds a role he's happy with as a part of the Saints defense.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori
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Ryan Fitzpatrick wins Dolphins starting QB job

8/31/2019

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A question that has been brewing since the acquisition of Josh Rosen during the 2019 NFL Draft in April has officially been answered.

Concluding the Dolphins 16-13 preseason-finale victory against the New Orleans Saints Thursday night, head coach Brian Flores announced to media members that Ryan Fitzpatrick defeated Josh Rosen in the quarterback competition, resulting in Fitzpatrick getting the start under center Week 1 September 8 vs. Baltimore at Hard Rock Stadium.

Rosen will backup Fitzpatrick on the depth chart. “We are going to name Ryan Fitzpatrick our starter for game one. I told both quarterbacks I feel like that’s the best situation for the team, puts us in the best position to win. That’s how we are going forward,” Flores said postgame Thursday. “After a thorough evaluation of OTA’s, training camp, games, practices, we felt like this was the best move for this team going into this season. Ryan has done a really good job from a leadership standpoint, from an execution standpoint, and we feel like that’s the best thing for this team.”

Fitzpatrick is entering his 15th season as a professional, having played for Buffalo, Cincinnati, New York Jets, then-named St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay, Houston and Tennessee. “I’m excited. I’m excited to get out there and lead this team and do the best I can out there. It’s a situation I’ve been in for multiple franchises. I’ll lean on my experience a little bit and try to get the guys out there, everybody on the same page and great communication and playing with a lot of excitement,” Fitzpatrick said postgame Thursday.

The Dolphins leaned on Ryan Tannehill for seven seasons, dealing the former first-round selection to Tennessee this past March due to inconsistency and injury issues. Fitzpatrick was then signed to a two-year, eleven-million dollar deal, keeping the former Harvard standout in Miami until the 2020 campaign. The Dolphins open the regular season with back-to-back home games, facing the New England Patriots September 15.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori 
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Miami Dolphins trade Kenny Still and Laremy Tunsil to Texans

8/31/2019

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In a move that took both fans and peers by surprise, the Miami Dolphins traded away two players that had been seen as essential parts of their rebuilding process. Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins first round draft pick in 2016 and just 25 years old, and Kenny Stills, the 27-year-old wide receiver who was arguably the most consistent part of the team’s wide receiving corps, were traded to the Houston Texans.

In exchange for Stills and Tunsil, as well as a fourth round draft pick in 2020, the Dolphins received the Texans 2020 first round draft pick, their second round picks in 2020 and 2021, and two players viewed as role players in linebacker Johnson Bademosi and offensive lineman Julien Davenport.

Tunsil, whose draft stock famously fell in the 2016 draft when a video of him smoking pot surfaced as the draft began (Tunsil claimed his phone was hacked), and Stills, who ruffled the feathers of owner Stephen Ross with criticism on equality front, were both still considered young enough and good enough to be part of the rebuilding process the team in undergoing. But ultimately, every player has his price, and the Texans came calling with an offer that couldn’t be ignored.

The move leaves the Dolphins with concerns on the offensive line, a unit that has yet to see five consistent starters on the field together. But the Dolphins had a plethora of wide receivers, making departure of Stills easier to absorb.

The Dolphins now have a total of 22 picks in the next two NFL drafts, including at least 13 in next year’s draft, which is viewed as QB-heavy by most experts. But the on-field talent for 2019 is viewed as one of the weakest in the league.

Buckle up, Dolphins fans, it’s going to be a long year.

​This story was written by Eldon Jenson. Follow him on Twitter: @EJFootball
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How to determine bets for the Miami Dolphins 2019 season

8/29/2019

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​There are those who believe that the Miami Dolphins will win only one game in 2019. Then there are those who believe this team can win more games than anyone's expecting. Who's right? Only time will tell, and the emergence (or failure) of Josh Rosen will likely have a lot to do with how bettors decide to approach the season.

With the recent increase in sports betting, trying to figure out how to make a profit isn't as easy as just deciding who will win week in and week out, there's way more to it than that. That's what this primer is meant to do: give an idea of what kind of bets there are to make and what works best for anyone looking to place a bet.

But this is where things get interesting. If the Dolphins are truly as bad as everyone is predicting, then betting on Miami any given week could potentially lead to big winnings if the gamble pays off. However, what sort of things should factor into making that decision?

Young defense developing

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If there's anything to really look forward to in 2019, it's the growth of a young defense. The Dolphins have young players who are emerging as potential superstars, as well as Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, who himself is also a young player in his own right.

Take into account the play of Jerome Baker, and apparent hidden gem Sam Eguavoen. Between those two, Miami has a linebacker duo who can go from sideline to sideline, cover running backs and tight ends, and shoot gaps in pass rush. All these traits were displayed in the preseason, and could give opposing offenses a reason to respect the Dolphins defense.

Then you have Minkah Fitzpatrick, who's projected to play in his best spot, at slot cornerback. True, it moved Bobby McCain to free safety, but with the exception of a few moments where his physical limitations got exposed, McCain has handled the transition admirably, while Fitzpatrick gets to focus on becoming the playmaker he was at Alabama.

The only true weak point for Miami is the pass rush. Charles Harris has shown improvement, but he's still nowhere close to meeting the expectations placed on him as a first round draft pick. As for Tank Carradine and Nate Orchard, they have something to offer as depth players, but not as true starting material. The Dolphins pass rush will have to be schemed in order to be effective, unless Miami does something drastic like trade for Texans rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

Offense trying to adapt

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​This should come as a surprise to no one, but the offense is not firing on all cylinders. Once again, Miami's offensive line is a disaster, and the scheme has to adapt to the inability to protect the quarterback and open up holes for running backs. That isn't easy to do no matter who's in charge.

Rookies Michael Deiter and Shaq Calhoun have struggled at the two guard positions. Frankly, that's putting it mildly. However, they are young and learning. Perhaps in time, they will figure it out. But for right now things are going to be difficult for the Dolphins to put points on the board. That should be taken into account if one wants to place a bet.

However, things are not hopeless. The weapons Miami has at their disposal are fairly impressive. Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage are a good duo of running backs, while Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant, and up and comer Preston Williams is a corps loaded with potential.

Truly, this offense hinges on how well the quarterback, whether it's Josh Rosen or Ryan Fitzpatrick, adapts to pressure they'll be facing. The weapons can bail them out of jams if necessary, but they'll have to improvise around the pocket a lot for the team to find success scoring points.

Competent coaching

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​A lot of losses the Dolphins have suffered over the past several years have been due to coaching that was...less than ideal. But so far, this new coaching staff has done more good than harm. Philosophies are being put into place that demand excellence, but don't come off as arrogant.

Brian Flores can do himself a favor by naming Rosen the starter at quarterback, since he's outplayed the veteran Fitzpatrick this preseason. From the very beginning, Flores has said that the best player will start, and that appears to be Rosen at this point, based on performance.

The offense and the defense's new schemes and how they're executed will have a lot to do with how bets should be placed on the Dolphins in 2019. Perhaps, it would be safer to bet small until there's some idea of how the team is going to come together. With their first regular season game being against the Baltimore Ravens, that's a huge first challenge.

Maybe you're not much of a betting person, but it's always a good idea to learn more about how the NFL views things from different perspectives. There's a reason Las Vegas always puts odds on teams. And scarily enough, they're right more often than not. If that's the case, maybe there's something to be gained by keeping an eye on these sorts of things.

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Dolphins extend wide receiver Jakeem Grant for four years

8/23/2019

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The Miami Dolphins signed explosive wide receiver Jakeem Grant to a four-year extension worth up to $24 million dollars.

The contract was finalized Wednesday morning, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. A sixth round draftee from Texas Tech in 2016, Grant was entering the final year of his rookie deal, and in each season, Grant consistently produced on the football field, but suffered a major setback this past year.

Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 10 of the 2018 regular season, Grant sustained a season-ending Achilles injury, missing the final six games. Grant shared the wideout position with Albert Wilson, who also missed most of last season with an injury.

Grant’s new deal will keep him in Miami until the 2023 campaign. Recording 583 yards on punt returns, including two for touchdowns and 1,453 yards with one score on kick returns in three seasons, Grant was a dominant force on the special teams side, too.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori
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5 things the Dolphins-Buccaneers experience taught us

8/21/2019

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Joint practice always offer unique insights that cannot be had anywhere else. True, it hasn't seemed to make a difference in the Dolphins annual results, but it's never a bad thing to test skills against opponents other than one's own teammates.

So with that in mind, as Miami prepares for their season dress rehearsal against the Jaguars, here are the top five things we learned from watching the Dolphins practice and play against the Buccaneers.

1. Sam Eguavoen is the real deal

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Just when it seemed like the Dolphins would never be able to find another CFL star after Cameron Wake (and that isn't for a lack of trying), enter linebacker Sam Eguavoen, whose aggressive play style and ability to get from sideline to sideline has earned him a spot with the starters.

In practice he was all over the place, and in the game he did the same, even forcing a fumble with a hard hit. Between him and Jerome Baker, the linebacker corps for the Dolphins seems bright. But he needs to continue these strong showings to give some extra insurance. Flashes are just that, until they become consistent.

2. Preston Williams may be a diamond in the rough

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To be fair, Williams received a fairly generous pre-draft evaluation by NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, comparing him to Martavis Bryant. In his first preseason game against the Falcons, Williams was a playmaker, earning him an instant cult status among Dolphins fans.

In practice against the Buccaneers, that status was protected. Williams was solid, breaking the proverbial ankles of Tampa Bay cornerbacks in one on one drills. But things took a sour turn during the preseason game. Williams was targeted several times by Josh Rosen in that game, only to drop three of the passes thrown his way.

It would be foolish to assume Williams has nothing to offer after one bad game. His undrafted status came as a result of a miserable pro day, but his film had some considering him a first round talent. He has some things in his game that need cleaning up, but Miami has plenty of time to make that happen.

3. Kalen Ballage has starting RB potential

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It's always been said that Kalen Ballage was underutilized back in his college days. All it took was a practice injury to Kenyan Drake, and suddenly ​Ballage was speeding into the endzone like a bat out of hell. Both days of practice, Ballage scored multiple touchdowns while Drake was seen on the sidelines in a walking boot.

​Frank Gore's departure requires Miami to find a new workhorse back. Ballage is starting to show more physicality in his running style. If he stays on that path, he could become the clear-cut top back in the Dolphins offense.

4. Second cornerback spot needs an upgrade

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This should come as a surprise to no one, but the second cornerback spot is a mess. Between Eric Rowe, Jomal Wiltz, and the much-maligned Nik Needham, no one has stepped up to prove they deserve the privilege of starting opposite Pro Bowl CB Xavien Howard.

Even Howard, to some extent, struggled against the Buccaneers in practice and in their preseason matchup. Should that in itself be a cause for alarm? Not necessarily, no cornerback is perfect. Even Deion Sanders got beat sometimes. But when the opposite starter is literally being used as fodder for a quarterback to abuse, there's a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

5. Offensive line STILL isn't good

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It doesn't seem like it matters who's in charge. Miami has had Jim Turner, John Benton, Chris Foerster, Jeremiah Washburn, Pat Flaherty, and now Dave DeGuglielmo returns for his second stint as the Dolphins offensive line coach after Flaherty's firing. All remains the same, however. The Miami Dolphins offensive line is not good, it's not even average. It's bad, very bad, and it feels like it's been very bad for over a decade.

Why? After investing in countless first round picks, talented young players with potential to be unleashed, it wouldn't be a stretch to say Miami should have found success by now. Nevertheless, the answer is no. All three of Miami's QBs ran for their lives throughout the Tampa Bay practices and preseason game, and that is going to make evaluation of the skill players a challenge.


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Dolphins at Buccaneers: Preseason Week 2 - What To Watch For

8/16/2019

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The Miami Dolphins opened the Brian Flores era this past Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium versus the Atlanta Falcons, securing a close 34-27 victory. Preseason games, nonetheless, revolve around consistency and taking a closer look at specific key players who are seeking a spot on the fifty-three man roster when the regular season kicks into gear September 8.

​Here are five key objectives to look for when the Dolphins take the field Friday night at Raymond James Stadium to battle Bruce Arians’ Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1. More Josh Rosen?

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Concluding day one of joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tuesday morning, head coach Brian Flores told reporters he expects Ryan Fitzpatrick to open under center Friday night. Fitzpatrick worked the first two series against Atlanta, finishing 2-for-5 with 20 yards passing.

​Rosen is expected to work for most of the time, allowing Miami’s coaches to further evaluate Rosen’s progression, but the ultimate question remains as to whether Rosen will see more time with the first, second or third team offense.

2. Offensive Line

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Stop if you have heard this before: the Dolphins offensive line has a lot of improving to do. Well, that is still the case. Miami’s offensive line was shattered against Atlanta this past Thursday night and it was mainly Atlanta’s backups performing the majority of the work.

Yes, it was the opening preseason contest, meaning Laremy Tunsil was absent from the left tackle spot. Rosen faced heavy pressure on a consistent basis, escaping the pocket a few times. This is an issue that has haunted the Dolphins since the Joe Philbin days and if this problem does not get cleaned up in a hurry, expect a disastrous season.

3. Preston Williams

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Williams, an undrafted receiver out of Colorado State, shined Thursday night versus the Falcons, totaling 97 receiving yards on four receptions, a team-high. Williams’ 97 yards came at the hands of Rosen, so the two have presented great communication thus far.

​Williams is shooting for a starting role in this offense, so each exhibition contest is crucial for Williams. Look to see how Williams adjusts Friday night against Tampa Bay, and if he gets an opportunity to work with Fitzpatrick.
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4. No Kenyan Drake

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Dealing with a foot issue, Drake is expected to sit out the remaining three exhibition games. Drake was spotted Wednesday morning in a walking boot, and with the regular season opening in less than a month, that spells trouble.

Drake’s absence will result in extra playing time for Kalen Ballage, a 2018 fourth-round draft choice and Mark Walton, who is listed as the third string running back on the depth chart. Both have shown full capability handling the running game thus far.
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5. Containing Mike Evans

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Evans, a former Texas Tech standout, is slated to play approximately 3-4 offensive series Friday night, so it will be interesting to see how Miami’s secondary not named Xavien Howard can slow down Evans, who presents great speed when getting off the line of scrimmage.

This story was written by Brandon Liguori. Follow him on Twitter: @BrandonRLiguori
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