Rocky Landing

I suppose you guys are referring to me. But, I'll just reiterate what I said earlier. He has things he does well, and I'll add that McDaniel put together an offensive scheme that plays well to his strengths-- quick release, accuracy, and timing especially. But, he also has some glaring deficiencies. If he gets flushed from the pocket, and has to scramble, he has a hard time keeping his eyes downfield. He has trouble extending a broken play. And yes, he has trouble staying on the field. These things are important. I'm not alone here. A quick search has him ranked in the bottom half of starting QBs. That's not a hot take.

I do actually watch a fair amount of their games. Jets, and Patriots* too. We do have a difference of opinion here, but I don't actually think we're that far apart. The team being lost without Tua, and Miami having a culture problem aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, one could make the argument that the former is a symptom of the latter.

He's walking around in street clothes watching all his teammates play football. What would you expect his body language to look like???

The Dolphins are better with Tua than they are with whomever is their backup. That's true of every team in the league. So, Tua's better than... Skyler Thompson. So what? But, ten times better? No, I don't think that's accurate. I looked it up. Tua's career win percentage is 64%. The Dolphins win percentage over that time without Tua was 35%. That's less than 2x better with Tua. Even that might sound like a lot, but name a team in the NFL that doesn't suffer when their starting QB goes down? Personally, I think Tua is very good at certain things-- accuracy, fast release, timing throws; and abysmal at other things-- extending plays, operating under pressure, working out of the pocket, and yes, staying on the field. But none of this has much to do with the perceived culture problem in Miami. I haven't heard anybody talking up Tua's leadership abilities, and I haven't heard any description of Miami's poor practice habits, or lack of accountability, or lack of respect towards McDaniel only occurring when Tua was injured. And he sure as hell didn't look to be inspiring his team in that last playoff loss to KC. They played like they had their bus idling in the parking lot.

Well.. you have a much higher opinion of Tua Tagovailoa than I do.

I just don't see any circumstance in which week one would be considered "our biggest game of the year," especially vs. a non-divisional opponent.

This is not a "preseason narrative." The reports of low accountability, lazy practices, poor work ethics, a lack of respect towards the coaching staff were coming out in the middle of last season. Several players were fined multiple times for being late to meetings, including Tyreek Hill. McDaniel acknowledged towards the end of the season that the fines weren't as effective as he'd hoped they'd be. Imagine such reports coming out of Buffalo under McDermott? Miami has a culture problem.

"Week one is a liar."

Meatloaf is the Tyrell Shavers of entrees.

Shakir does not need another minute of practice before the season starts. I hope they don't let him back on the field until he's 100%, even if it means missing the first game or two. Better to miss some early games than have this injury linger.

OK, then... The most exciting thing in there, to me, is all the mention of Travis Clayton. I have expressed my hope (a half dozen times, or more, since he was drafted) that Clayton will, at some point, be used as a sixth lineman in jumbo packages. This is a 6'7, 310lb monster, who ran a 4.79 40, and, as a former supermarket shelf stacker who played a bit of rugby at the weekend, knows how to catch a ball. Imagine him in as a sixth lineman, declared as an eligible receiver, catching a Josh Allen pass in stride, and trucking anyone who dares tackle him! How much fun would that be?

Is it me, or is there a subtle dig on McDaniel in this clip? "... That accountability piece is something that we needed... also pushing us every day..." The Dolphins have a culture problem, and if half the anonymous reports coming out of that organization are true, it's systemic. I doubt the new WR coach is going to be able to fix it.

Very well, but I remain undeterred. I've edited my post to "rugby player," and maintain my point. The Bills use that sixth-lineman jumbo package so frequently, but I can't remember an O-lineman catching a pass since Tommy Doyle.

I can't see Dane making it over Cam Lewis.

The most exciting thing in there, to me, is all the mention of Travis Clayton. I have expressed my hope (a half dozen times, or more, since he was drafted) that Clayton will, at some point, be used as a sixth lineman in jumbo packages. This is a 6'7, 310lb monster, who ran a 4.79 40, and, as a former rugby player, knows how to catch a ball. Imagine him in as a sixth lineman, declared as an eligible receiver, catching a Josh Allen pass in stride, and trucking anyone who dares tackle him! How much fun would that be?

Tre trying to swap jerseys with Keon, there...

Bills: Keon Coleman takes that next step we’re all hoping for, but still finishes fourth in receptions behind Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, and Elijah Moore, who leads the team in receptions. Tre White makes the pro bowl, and comeback player of the year. (Declines the prowl for obvious reasons.) KJ Hamler is elevated at least twice from the PS, and gets at least one TD. AFCE: Patriots get a wild card. Dolphins and Jets finish below 500. Dolphins fire Grier, or McDaniel before the end of the regular season. (Whichever one they don’t fire, gets fired after the regular season.) Rest of league: Bo Nix finishes top ten in MVP voting. Aaron Rodgers, and Mike Thomlinson get into a shouting match during a game. Cowboys miss the playoffs, and Dak Prescott calls it quits.

That is the trainer checking his ACL.

They both missed an opportunity, because they couldn't see the Forrest for the Tre's.

Not just the number, mind you. They have to occur within 48 hours of the start of camp.

Travis Clayton. He's going to make the 53 get put in as the sixth lineman in jumbo packages, and declare as an eligible receiver. He'll catch a pass from Allen, and absolutely pancake whomever's in front of him. It will take a minimum of three defenders to take him down. He will change the way opposing teams defend the jumbo package. I mean, it's a cool fantasy, right...?

A "10 speed." You're dating yourself again!

The article does have the odor of ginned-up outrage. This is the era of click-driven news.