Dolphins future hinges on tempering (Tua) expectations

/1 Comment/in /by

This story is not here to tell you you’re wrong.

It is not here to argue against the plan.

This story is not here to take shots at any particular player.

Anyone who follows me on social media believes me to be critical of Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. I’ve made uninformed comments regarding his skillset that I have since corrected. Nevertheless, my personal philosophy leads people to believe that I am a “non-believer” of sorts. I make comments regarding what I have coined the “Cult of Tua,” because of the relentless hype surrounding this one quarterback. Not since Andrew Luck’s final year at Stanford has there been such a fanfare about a quarterback who has yet to join the ranks of the National Football League.

My frustration, such as it is, can be summed up from one GIF that I see on a regular basis while browsing Twitter.

That wink.

At this moment, it’s necessary to reiterate that my issue is not with Tua the football player. That GIF of him winking by itself is not what fills me with trepidation. It’s what it represents by those who use it. The hype machine that has surrounded Tua is where I take issue, because I can see where this could go horribly wrong for the Dolphins.

There are those who remember how things are. I applaud you if you’re one of them. But for those who are already crowning Tua as the savior of the franchise, I urge you to open your minds. Tua may very well be the next elite NFL quarterback. He may become Miami’s next Dan Marino, and maybe even surpass him. We don’t know, and that’s the entire point. Remember to temper expectations.

Tua’s Potential

Without a doubt, Tua Tagovailoa is the best QB Alabama has seen in a very, very long time. The word “transcendental” is used to describe his potential. All that is well and good. No argument here. But consider what will happen when Tua leaves his college world where he reigns supreme and enters a much bigger pond. If Miami’s plan is indeed to draft him, then the level of talent around him – resources to replenish or no – will not equate to what he had in college.

That is important.

Tua may not struggle at all, he may just be so incredibly elite that he’ll light up the NFL the moment he steps foot on a football field. If that’s the case, the Dolphins hit the jackpot. But it’s unwise to assume that will be the case or even get hopes up for that. If there’s one thing that’s been made clear, it’s that fanbases are notoriously impatient. Dolphins fans especially so. Certainly, there are those who will be disappointed when/if Tua fails to perform up to the remarkably high standards he set at Alabama. They may even turn on him, calling him a bust because he didn’t do as a rookie what he did in college.

You may now be saying to your screen that you feel you’re being talked down to. Of course you don’t believe Tua will be the same player in the NFL that he is in college. Again, I applaud you for your open-mindedness. There are growing pains to be had, adjustments to be made. Indeed, Tua may not even win the starting job to begin the 2020 season. But it is imperative that no matter what happens, patience prevails.

History says?

Consider the QB prospects that have come out in recent memory.

Sam Bradford had every tool required to be an elite NFL QB, but it never materialized due to injuries.

Cam Newton was touted as one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks ever coming out of college. He’s made it to a Super Bowl, put up staggering numbers and highlights. But now as he begins to struggle, the Carolina fanbase is turning sour on him.

Andrew Luck, the ultimate can’t-miss prospect. He was the chosen one, chants of “Suck for Luck” rang loud and clear throughout Miami as fans desperately wanted the Dolphins to do what they’re doing now – tanking – to get their hands on him. However, he instead replaced Peyton Manning, the previous most can’t-miss prospect, in Indianapolis. No one questioned Luck’s skillset. But his most successful seasons? His first three. Indianapolis went 11-5 his first three seasons, and it went downhill from there. The Colts only ever made it as far as the Conference Championship. Luck is now retired as his body is breaking down.

Speaking of Peyton Manning, perhaps he is the most appropriate example of all. Manning’s rookie season in 1998 was a miserable experience to watch. Oh, he showed his potential to be sure, but it was not pretty to watch him go through his growing pains. Naturally, in 1998, social media was not a thing. There was no Facebook, no Twitter, no platform for fans to speak their minds like there are now. But after that season, what would fans think of their young quarterback who was supposed to be the face of their franchise? Undoubtedly, they would think he’s a bust.

Manning went on to win two Super Bowls. But it took a little time for the success to materialize.

Temper Expectations

It’s okay to get excited about a new face, especially one as supremely talented as Tua. But it is imperative that fans and media alike refrain from putting him on a pedestal he has yet to earn. That is what leads to disappointment and heartbreak. Tua’s status as an elite college QB and NFL prospect is unquestionable. What he does once he reaches the NFL is not only up to him. Even Dan Marino, arguably the greater passer in NFL history, never won a Super Bowl.

Many have said that there is no such expectation being placed on Tua, it’s all in our heads. However, there is also the simple fact that everyone said they were ready for a tanking season. Now, many of those same individuals are unhappy because they didn’t know what tanking would entail. There are many of you who read this and are nodding sagely. Then there are those of you who feel that this story didn’t need to be written. There are even some who think that all this is wrong, that Tua is the savior and nothing can or will change your mind.

That’s fine, I’m not trying to change your mind.

Go on believing that Tua is the answer to Miami’s problems. He might be. But, remember to temper your expectations and not give up on him too soon if he struggles at the beginning. Tua’s wide receivers are some of the best in Alabama’s history, and his offensive line certainly exceeds the Dolphins. That factors into his success, believe it or not. It may not be the same for him when he arrives in Miami.

Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Don’t allow your heart to be broken again.

Josh Rosen could get his chance to start soon, but he won't be able to turn around lost season for Dolphins. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

There’s no quick fix for tanking Dolphins mess

/0 Comments/in /by

How many more weeks of this?

Right. The tank-travesty of this Dolphins season is only two games in and already pushing historical levels of ineptitude.

It would be difficult to recall a more incompetent showing, particularly on offense, than Sunday’s 43-0 drubbing by the Patriots. That is, if memory was limited to less than a week and you’d already forgotten the Ravens running it up 59-10 against an all-but-invisible Miami defense in the opener.

Two first downs through the first three quarters against the Patriots. Two pick-sixes allowed (one of them should be charged to the receiver, not the quarterback). Seven sacks allowed.

So, 102-10 in the first two weeks at home. That’s how far this once-proud franchise has retreated in a strategic rebuild that must have been masterminded by Col. Klink.

Granted, an organization stuck in the throes of mediocrity for two decades needed to try something different. But in a league in which the system is geared for parity it should never be necessary for a team to strip itself to this depth.

For those who have bought into the process of rebuilding through the draft, it’s delusional to think these threadbare Dolphins are going to rise from this mess by stockpiling a handful of extra draft picks.

The way this season is going, there’s nothing for Dolfans to look forward to until next April 23 — draft night. But this isn’t a one-draft fix.

The Dolphins have turned themselves into an expansion team.
Early in my career I covered the Tampa Bay Bucs’ 2-26 first two seasons. That is what we’re looking at here.

Many holes to fill

There are no guarantees in the draft, anyway, particularly for an organization with a subpar record of picking talent, dating to the previous century.

Now there are so many holes to fill, and they seem to have no qualms about digging more.

Yes, they need to find a stud quarterback. But if you can’t put a team around him, what do you have? You have Josh Rosen last year in Arizona. Or this year in Miami.

Trading away a young left tackle like Laremy Tunsil seems counterproductive, regardless of the return of high draft picks.

Now there are indications of willingness to trade DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, another recent first-rounder, and perhaps running back Kenyan Drake as well.

If coach Brian Flores can’t figure how to make productive use of these talented young players, I’m beginning to question his aptitude as head coach. Can only imagine what his players are thinking.

The Flores era couldn’t have gotten off to a rockier start.

Sunday’s game looked like what happens when a major college team faces an outmanned FCS opponent.

Like Bethune-Cookman did against the Hurricanes on Saturday, the Dolphins hung with the Patriots for awhile in the first half.

But even when it was still close, it felt as if the Patriots could do whatever they wanted. Especially when the Miami offense could do nothing at all.

Miami Miracle distant memory

“I thought they played hard,” Flores said of his defense. “I thought the communication was better, the tackling was better. I thought they played hard, and it’s a good [New England] offense. We got them off the field a couple times.”

Can’t knock the effort of the defensive players, especially in the first half. Later, when the runaway train gathered steam, that unit was gassed.

On New England’s final touchdown, a 10-yard screen to James White, the Fort Lauderdale native had four blockers escorting him to the end zone. None of them could find a single white jersey to block.

By then, the memory of the Miami Miracle had morphed to the South Florida Sham.

In the fourth quarter, the TV camera showed Dan Marino, who looked like he’d eaten bad fish at halftime. With good reason.

Is there any logical explanation for Kalen Ballage flubber-handing a routine swing pass into a pick six?

And what’s with a receiving corps with an aversion for the ball? Rosen, in mop-up duty, put deep balls right on the mark to Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams, and neither made the catch. Earlier, DeVante Parker was unable to outwrestle a defender for a spot-on long throw from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Give Rosen a chance

As for the quarterback situation, there’s no question Rosen should be the starter going forward. He’s more mobile and showed the arm strength and ability to deliver the ball on target down the field.

Not to say Rosen could rescue this already lost cause — or that Fitzpatrick is necessarily to blame for the offense’s woes.

If this miserable season is going to achieve anything, why not find out what the former 10th overall draft pick (of Arizona in 2018) Miami traded a second-round pick for can do and get him some experience?

After the game, Flores said Fitzpatrick is the starter, for now. That could change before next week at Dallas.

Maybe it’s not even in Rosen’s best interest to play, considering the inability of the line to protect either passer. He nearly blew out his knee scrambling out of bounds.

But it’s madness to keep beating one’s head against the same door and expecting it to open.

How many more weeks of this?

​

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

More from Dolphin Maven

Please check out our site, dedicated to bringing you Dolphins news, insight and commentary year round.

That’s Bill! The Canes swamp Bethune Cookman

/0 Comments/in /by

In his lastest Front Facing Two-Minute Drill (TM), or whatever it is he calls it, our Billy O’Rourke recaps the Miami Hurricanes’ manhandling of Bethune Cookman.

We didn’t post this right away…. because it was Bethune Cookman.

Look for more from Mr. O’Rourke every week (or so) on our wrestling podcast, Smark Your Territory.

Five Hurricanes players to look forward to in Week 3

/0 Comments/in /by

The Miami Hurricanes finally get to play at home for the first time this season after a road game at North Carolina and neutral site showdown with Florida. Saturday’s matchup against Bethune-Cookman of the FCS ranks is the first of five consecutive home games. While the game is expected to result in an anti-climatic blowout win for Miami, here are five players fans should keep an eye on. 

Thunder and Lighting

Through Miami’s first two games, running backs DeeJay Dallas and Cam Harris have combined for 41 carries, 276 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. They call themselves “Thunder and Lighting.”

“He’s Thunder, I’m lightning,” Harris said with a wink.

They have a similar perspective towards running the ball, which bodes well for the offense. Miami offensive coordinator Dan Enos emphasized running down hill and both backs have demonstrated the ability to do that. 

“You gotta have that mentality of ‘me vs. you’ in every play,” Dallas said. “When you step in front of me, that’s disrespectful to me because I feel like I’m superior to you.”

Gregory Rousaeau 

Despite starting the season 0-2 for the first time in 40 years, Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker likes how his defense has been able to rush the passer.

However, redshirt freshman Gregory Rousaeau stands as the only Miami defensive lineman to have recorded a sack this season. He had to redshirt last season due to injury but has flashed in minimal snaps against Florida and North Carolina. At 6-feet-6 and 255 pounds, Rousseau is a special athlete in his position with length and agility. 

Who is Miami D-lineman Gregory Rousseau?

“Sometimes those guys are a little bit stronger and a little less athletic and more like heavy guys who want to just pancake you,” said Rousseau, a Coconut Creek native who missed most of last season with an ankle injury. “It’s really different, but it’s really the same thing because you’ve just got to come off the ball fast, get extension, be physical and just get after it every single play. Just like D-end, just kind of a different spot.”

Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker said Rousaeau will get more snaps in the near future. He’s also earned the respect of his veteran teammates, especially redshirt senior Scott Patchan, who referred to Rousseau as “a gift from God.”

“I think being hurt has allowed him to stick more time and investment in the weight room and he’s definitely benefited a lot from that,” Patchan said. “I mean, he’s leading us in sacks right now.”

Bubba Baxa

Some fans would argue that if it wasn’t for sophomore Bubba Baxa missing the field goal at the end the game, the Hurricanes would have won that game. Obviously there’s more to it but in two games, Baxa is 4-for-7 in field goals and seven points have been the difference between going 2-0 and 0-2, where Hurricanes currently are.

Unlike in the NFL, the Hurricanes can’t simply cut Baxa and bring in the next kicker they can find. There are only two courses of action Miami can take; hand the reigns over to Camden Price or Turner Davidson, or rally around Baxa and hope for the best. Miami head coach Manny Diaz went with the ladder.

“It’s not a thing you get to do it 20 times in a game like you’re shooting free throws. It’s kind of a one-shot deal,” Diaz said. “The only thing he can do and anybody can do is continue to work, continue to trust himself and just fully commit to every kick.”

The main reason behind Diaz sticking with Baxa is his leg power. His kickoffs usually results in touchbacks and he nailed his first 50+ yard field goal attempt against UNC.

“The more he feels us around him and the more he feels our support, and I said this the other day, he’s going to miss a kick again. It’s going to happen. We can’t demand perfection. But like we talk with all our guys, ‘am I improving and am I finding the way to become the best version of myself?’ ”

Jarren Williams

UM quarterback Jarren Williams mentioned before the UNC game that he has improved his pocket presence and it showed with a 30-of-39 performance for 309 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. While many were easy underneath throws, completing more than 75 percent of his passes is still impressive for a freshman starting quarterback. Against Bethune-Cookman the deep ball is the next area in which Williams must show improvement on.

“My deep ball is something I got to work out every day if I want to be efficient in that and that comes with time and building that chemistry,” Williams said after Wednesday’s practice. “That just comes with me working hard all day on Greentree [Practice Fields] and practicing it every day and just getting that timing right and getting a good feel for the deep ball.”

Brevin Jordan

Sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan started the season as the first player on the team to wear the new touchdown rings. Against UNC, he was one of three UM receivers to net over 70 receiving yards. As impressive he as been as a receiver, his contribution to the running game as blocker is something that gives him added value to the offense.

Hurricanes meet the press: Week 3

“I mean, I pride myself in blocking,” Jordan said. “I don’t want to be a tight end that’s 6-7 and can just block or a short tight end who just runs routes. I wanted to be a guy that’s versatile and can do it all. That’s the whole point. I want to be an in-line tight end that can block and be a guy that can be put outside and run vertical.”

He’ll have plenty of opportunities to do both against Bethune-Cookman, so what he does he enjoy more? Jordan was asked on Tuesday to compare the feeling he gets from making a great block to making a great catch.

“Truthfully, I like the ball in my hands. I’d rather make a great catch,” Jordan said, “but giving a great block, throwing somebody on the floor and then seeing [running backs Cam’Ron Harris] or DeeJay [Dallas] run past me, I mean, that’s just as good. It doesn’t get better than that.”

Hurricanes meet the press: Week 3

/0 Comments/in /by
Marlins outbreak

Harold Ramírez y su nueva mecánica de bateo

/0 Comments/in /by

Harold Ramírez hace un recuento de lo que ha sido su primer año con los Marlins de Miami, con los altibajos individuales y colectivos, y haciendo énfasis en los cambios en su mecánica de bateo:

Five takeaways from Hurricanes coaches press conference

/0 Comments/in /by

On the Monday of every regular season week, Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz and his coordinators give a State of the U type press conference recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one. Having attended it, here are my takeaways from what they said.

1) Diaz’s approach to recruiting

When Manny Diaz became the head coach, one of the first things he did was establish “The New Miami” rebrand in an effort to excite the base and modernize a throwback identity. That rebranding is at the forefront of recruiting, which Miami should have a natural advantage given it is in the apex of prime talent real estate. It hasn’t been easy, however. Miami has led the nation with 19 decommitments in the last recruiting cycle and has lost 13 this time around. A majority of those decommitments came from prospects that gave a verbal pledge to Miami early in the process only to later change their minds and put out a statement on twitter via notes app that ends with some combination of “PLEASE RESPECT MY DECISION!” and “NO INTERVIEWS!” That has led to a new approach from Diaz.

“What I will tell you broadly is that there’s some things we are changing in terms of what we will do to take a commitment,” Diaz said. “Not all of those things are necessarily grandfathered, but there are some things going forward. What it means to be committed to Miami and a series of criteria that has to happen for that happen. There’s a series of criteria of what happens once you are committed to Miami that’s never been in place in the past.”

He compared recruiting to sales during the presser, using his podium microphone as a metaphoric example.

“I have to create value and I have to make you want this, but before you value it, I have to value it,” Diaz said.” Part of that is not tolerating people not respecting the University of Miami, not respecting their hometown team. That’s something very personal to me. I want it to be personal to our staff and I want it to personal to our players. And that’s OK. Other people can go other places and that’s why there are 130 schools, but the University of Miami is going to get back where it needs to get back to with players that love the University of Miami. They love what it means to be a Miami Hurricane and they understand that value.”

Diaz had a little more polished version of Mike Singletary’s “I want winners!” speech during his first game as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

2) Moneyball Manny

Diaz went for it on a 4th-and-1 in the third quarter against North Carolina. While it came up short and the Hurricanes turned the ball over on downs, Diaz did not second guess his decision because it was backed up by data, which is an important element to his coaching style.

“I’m big into data,” Diaz said. “The Moneyball effect has filtered into football. I equate it to playing blackjack. We know we want a team that wants to be aggressive and go for it on fourth down. Once you understand the data, you trust you’ve made the right decision. It’s been calculated.”

That’s not to say that he’ll go for it in every fourth-and-short situation. Diaz said that those decisions “depends on score, time of game, depends on the opponent.” 

“Your kicking game has to factor in as well,” Diaz said. “How often does any college kicker make a kick from 37 yards? All of that goes into the science of it.”

3) The quickest way from point A to point B is…

The Hurricanes gained 179 rushing yards against North Carolina and DeeJay Dallas looks to be a future NFL running back after back-to-back impressive performances this season. Enos mentioned where the Canes offense want to go on the ground during his press conference.

“We’re gonna run north,” Enos said. “When we get the ball, we’re not gonna be an east/west team. We’re gonna run the ball downhill.”

Cam’Ron Harris gained 60 yards and a touchdown in 10 carries against UNC, giving Miami a one-two punch to Enos’ liking.

“One thing that happens with running back in my experience, have been around some really, really, good ones, is when one’s on the sideline watching the other one run hard, he kind of realizes ‘when I get out there, I better run as determined and just as hard.'” Enos said. “That’s what we tell the guys. If you want more carries, you got to earn more carries.”

4) The more the merrier for Dan Enos

Against North Carolina, nine different Canes players recorded a reception and two running backs received double digit carries. Miami offensive coordinator Dan Enos emphasized playing a large amount of players on offense during the first two games. With the home opener against Bethune-Cookman expected to be a blowout early, plenty of players can expect to see the field on Saturday.

“It’s a lot better for your moral when you have more guys playing from a mental standpoint,” Enos said. “Coming over to practice for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, they all come over with maybe a little bit of jump to their step, knowing that they’re gonna have a chance to play.”

5) Why you should go to the Bethune-Cookman game

After a neutral site game and road game to start the season, Miami will be home for the next five games. In fact, from now until the last game of the season, the Hurricanes only game outside of the state of Florida is on Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh. The home opener against Bethune-Cookman and the Central Michigan matchup afterwards are expected to be a anti-climatic blowout where the fans would naturally leave once the tailgate buzz wears off. Diaz offered some valid reasons to come to game despite the expected outcome.

“These next five weeks are going to say a lot in terms of where this team is and what happens in our season in the ACC Costal,” Diaz said. “I would come just to watch Cam Harris and DeeJay Dallas run the ball. I’d come to watch Jarren Williams play and I know for a fact, I’d come watch Shaquille Quarterman, Mike Pinckney and Zach McCloud play their last run of games at home because those are guys that you want to say five years from now, ten years ago, that every time I had a chance to watch Shaq Quarterman play, I watched him play. And if it happens, come watch Lou Hedley punt. That might be worth a ticket too.”

Honorable mention: UM defensive coordinator Blake Baker on his defensive personnel

“Talent is not going to be out issue, I think experience is our issue and there’s going to be some growing pains.”