Tag Archive for: Chris Grier

Mike Tannenbaum

Former Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum offers baffling insight

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Hindsight is always 20/20. It’s easy to look back and see what you should or should not have done in any given situation. That is a concept that every single person on this planet can relate to. This, of course, includes NFL executives. So when former Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum went on Twitter to offer insight on the NFL’s quarterback situation, some eyebrows were raised.

Obviously, stating that teams should draft a quarterback every year is ironic coming from Mike Tannenbaum. He acted as a consultant for the team during the 2014 season, and then was hired to be the team’s Executive VP of Football Operations in 2015. He was essential to the Dolphins landing Ndamukong Suh that same year. However, aside from that, Tannenbaum’s Miami tenure was filled with skepticism from fans and analysts.

This is where he dropped the above gem, regarding drafting a QB every year. However, if this is what Tannenbaum truly believes, then why did he not push harder for Miami to do the same? Even if the Dolphins truly believed Ryan Tannehill had what it takes to be a franchise quarterback, that should not have stopped them from drafting QBs if this is Tannenbaum’s philosophy.

Miami drafted only one QB during Tannenbaum’s tenure. In 2016, they selected Brandon Doughty out of Western Kentucky. He was selected in the seventh round, 223rd overall. That is not exactly a high ceiling pick.

Perhaps this adds credence to the reports that Chris Grier was ultimately in charge of drafting, and not Mike Tannenbaum. If so, hopefully Grier has learned a valuable lesson, as he’s in charge of rebuilding the Dolphins from the ground up.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Should the Miami Dolphins make a move for Jalen Ramsey?

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Jalen Ramsey could be an option for the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins aren’t the only team who has disgruntled super stars.

During Jacksonville’s 13-12 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, fiery cornerback Jalen Ramsey found himself in a heated exchange with his head coach, Doug Marrone.

In the aftermath of the exchange, the former first-round pick has requested a trade from the Jaguars.

It seems like the bridge has been burned in Jacksonville. The Jaguars would like two first-round picks for the 2017 first-team All-Pro.

The Miami Dolphins are on track to be the worst team in NFL history. However, they are loaded with draft capital for both the 2020 and 2021 drafts.

His impact won’t be seen in 2019, but should the Dolphins trade for Ramsey to pair with Xavien Howard in Miami’s secondary?

Ramsey is under contract through 2020, meaning he could re-up with the Dolphins after a trade.

Miami is scheduled to have $122 million in cap space next season.  General Manager Chris Grier said yesterday that the team plans to be aggressive in the 2020 off season.

Keep in mind, aggressiveness isn’t limited to signing unrestricted free agents. The Dolphins could find themselves in the running to make a move for some disgruntled superstars and Jalen Ramsey fits the bill.

If Jalen Ramsey remains in Jacksonville through the regular season, the Dolphins could make a move for the cornerback. If price starts to drop and we discover the value of Miami’s picks, the Dolphins should be aggressive in trading for a talent like Ramsey.

Ross tried to keep Minkah Fitzpatrick

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Last night it was announced that the Dolphins would send Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 2020 fourth-round pick and a 2021 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2020 first-rounder, 2020 fifth, and a 2021 sixth.

The Miami Dolphins have done it again.

In a league where trading, especially top-tier talent, is rare, the Dolphins have moved another player for future draft picks.

The organization did try everything to convince the former Alabama stand-out to remain with the team.

Keep in mind, Fitzpatrick was a fan of Miami’s coaching staff.

However, he wanted to be put in the best situation to succeed, instead of a changing role on a week-to-week basis.

Moving the 2018 first-round pick should mark the end of Miami’s wheeling and dealing of current players. However, if one thing is for certain about the 2019 Miami Dolphins ⁠— anyone is available at the right price.

Vincent Taylor Release

Dolphins release DT Vincent Taylor

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No one is safe when it comes to the 2019 Miami Dolphins roster. After trading Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills and Kiko Alonso, then releasing longtime long snapper John Denney, Miami’s purge continues with the release of Vincent Taylor.

With that release, only 22 players who were on the 2018 squad remain, and it’s possible more moves are on the way.

What makes this move so surprising is that Taylor was clearly productive during his two season tenure.

In his 21 games, he made 45 tackles, hit the QB three times, made four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and his real claim to fame is blocking field goals. He has a strange knack for that, but he ended 2018 on injured reserve with a foot injury. Perhaps that has something to do with his lack of production in preseason.

New Face

To replace the 25-year old, the Dolphins signed veteran nose tackle John Jenkins, who spent his first four seasons with the Saints after being drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was a top performer at the combine that year, and unlike Taylor, the 30-year old Jenkins fits a niche role that’s necessary for Miami’s 3-4 defensive alignment.

Since being released by New Orleans in 2016, Jenkins has spent time with a different team each following year. In 2016, he played with the Seattle Seahawks. The next year was spent with the Bears, and in 2018 he was a member of the New York Giants. He played seven games for the Giants, and contributed almost nothing. No tackles, no sacks. To be fair, however, nose tackles aren’t meant to put up stats. They’re meant to clear the way for other defenders. If he can do that, then his contribution will be on tape, not on a stat sheet.

So is this the end of Vincent Taylor with the Dolphins? Not necessarily. Should he clear waivers, Taylor is still technically eligible for Miami’s practice squad. He could be brought back that way. But if not, some team somewhere is going to get real bang for their buck. Taylor isn’t the most well-conditioned player, but when he’s on the football field, he makes things happen.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Dolphins send Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to Texans in massive trade

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Laremy Tunsil seemed safe. It seemed like he was going to remain a member of the Miami Dolphins. Then the front office pulls the rug out from under everyone. The Houston Texans sent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to the Seahawks. That should have been it. But then the Dolphins sent the Texans young star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills. They also added a fourth round pick for 2020.

In return, Miami received a 2020 first round pick, a 2021 first round pick, a 2021 second round pick, cornerback Johnson Bademosi and offensive tackle Julién Davenport. With that, the Dolphins officially topped the massive trade that the Raiders pulled off, sending star defender Khalil Mack to the Bears last season. The compensation for the 25-year old tackle and a solid wide receiver is huge, and GM Chris Grier is undoubtedly satisfied with his work.

But this does mean that now, the offensive line is without its best player. Which means that in 2019, both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen may spend most of the season running for their lives.

The Future

As large as this trade is, it does send a message loud and clear to the fan base and the remaining players in the locker room. 2019 is not intended to win games. In spite of everything head coach Brian Flores is saying, winning is not something Miami expects to do a lot of. Not that they will ever admit it publicly. All attention now needs to be placed on the next two drafts. The Dolphins are in a prime position to earn the first overall pick and have their quarterback of choice. Then with that extra first rounder, there’s no telling what they could do.

But there’s one thing that needs to be said now. Grier has to make sure he hits on these next two drafts. Many are saying that the Dolphins are taking the path the Cleveland Browns took. That path was a long one, and even with all the picks they’ve had over the last several years, only now are they actually a good football team on paper. Most importantly, his next selected quarterback needs to be a superstar.

2019, more than ever, is going to be about development. Miami has a young core on defense. Undoubtedly, they will add more in the coming seasons. It’s the offense that needs a lot of work. Unless Michael Deiter, Shaq Calhoun and Isaiah Prince develop, the Dolphins will need to overhaul the line again. Wide receiver has Jakeem Grant and Preston Williams. There’s no telling whether Albert Wilson will return after 2020. Wide receiver will need investing. And what of Josh Rosen? Will he get a chance to prove himself? Or is this Arizona all over again and he’s merely trade fodder or backup material? 2019 may not provide the answer. 2020 might.

There might even be more draft picks coming for the rebuild, if the Dolphins trade Kiko Alonso as expected. Who knows what will come of that? All that can be done now is to monitor the situation closely.

Prepare for pain before the pleasure. Rebuilding is never a fun process, but if Miami gets it right, then the next several years after the storm could be glorious.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Dolphins acquire Josh Rosen for two picks

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Over the past 15 years, under four different regimes, the Miami Dolphins have spent second-round picks — either in the draft or in trades — on five different quarterbacks.

A.J. Feeley.

Daunte Culpepper.

John Beck.

Chad Henne.

Pat White.

Hopefully, the sake of Chris Grier — who has been here all this time — this will go better.

After trading down out of the No. 48 overall spot (second round) to accumulate more picks (including this year’s No. 62 plus a 2020 second-rounder) from the Saints, Grier send that No. 62 slot to the Arizona Cardinals for Josh Rosen, drafted No. 10 overall out of UCLA just last spring. The Dolphins also threw in a 2020 fifth-rounder, which was contrary to initial reporting.

Rosen — who struggled badly with a terrible team — will now compete with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job in 2019, and perhaps carve out a long-term position on the team, though it may not be as a long-term starter if the Dolphins are bad enough to draft an elite quarterback in 2020.

Chris Grier addressed the media shortly after the trade.

Here are the key quotes:

This might make this tryout palatable to fans:

 

And here’s a factoid: