El ingrato Real Madrid lo hace de nuevo: Keylor Navas ya es portero del PSG

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El Real Madrid y Keylor Navas vivieron muchos momentos felices durante sus primeras temporadas con el equipo blanco.

El costarricense llegó desde un equipo pequeño como el Levante, y se ganó a punta de excelentes atajadas, su puesto como el guardameta titular de uno de las instituciones deportivas mas importantes del planeta.

Sin embargo, el Real Madrid lo volvió a hacer.

Dejó ir por la puerta de atrás a un referente, a un hombre sinónimo de títulos y de una era inigualable de campeonatos europeos consecutivos, que quizás no veamos mas nunca en la historia.

El Real Madrid con Keylor Navas en la portería consiguió diez títulos: tres Ligas de Campeones de Europa, cuatro Campeonatos Mundiales de Clubes, una Liga Española y tres Supercopas de Europa.

Sin embargo, no fue suficiente para ganarse el respeto de Florentino Pérez, quien tras el mundial de Rusia 2018, decidió traer a Thibaut Courtois.

El Real Madrid repitió lo que hizo con Raúl González, Iker Casillas y Cristiano Ronaldo, por nombrar algunos casos en los que el llamado club mas importante del mundo no mostró sus mejores modales para despedir a sus figuras.

Está dejando ir a una pieza fundamental en una era inolvidable para el madridismo, sin el reconocimiento que se merece, por el enésimo capricho del presidente Pérez.

El Madrid necesitaba refrescar el mediocampo y la delantera, y ficharon a un guardamenta. Dos porteros élite compartiendo la posición, mientras poco a poco se fue sacando a Keylor del puesto que se había ganado.

El regreso de Zidane fue la última señal para Navas. Florentino fue bien claro en ese sentido: el titular era Courtois, y apuesto que muchos fanáticos del Real Madrid se estarán lamentando de esta decisión por un buen tiempo.

Ahora, se fue a Paris con el PSG y muy pronto estará visitando el Santiago Bernabéu con otra camiseta, pues ambos equipos coincidieron y se enfrentarán en la fase de grupos de la Champions.

¿Aplaudirán a Navas cuando el PSG les gane?

Se escucharán seguramente muchos murmullos en el estadio cuando Keylor demuestre porque llegó a ser el mejor portero del planeta en su momento.

No se extrañen. Así, así, así trata el Madrid…

 

Disfrute de la cobertura del fútbol europeo en Cinco Razones Deportes Network, con los podcasts Deportes 3-0-Cinco y 90 + Cinco haciendo click aquí. 

Dolphins coach Brian Flores says will be in for a long season in 2019 with young, inexperienced Dolphins team.

As Dolphins get drunk on draft picks, expect dreary 2019 season

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Trading away Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills for an impressive haul of high draft picks erases any doubt that Dolphins management is fully focused on the future and this season is just an annoyance to endure.

If you’ve invested in season tickets for 2019, tanks a lot.

The Dolphins have gone all in on a classic teardown, and now in possession of a pair of first- and second-round draft picks for each of the next two years, have the assets to deal into position to land whichever quarterback prospect they are targeting.

That could be Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert in 2020, or perhaps Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence in 2021.

When you look at Miami’s roster stripped of most recognizable names and loaded with undrafted free agents and a staggering influx of players who have yet to even practice with the team, it appears likely they won’t need to trade up at all to get the pick of the draft litter next April.

As he always does, in a Sunday afternoon media call coach Brian Flores took exception to the suggestion that the Dolphins are tanking the 2019 season.

He assured that the objective of coaches and players will be to win every week. But there was a sense of resignation in his voice and his words lacked conviction.

On weighing potential trades, Flores said, “My reaction is always the same, does this help this organization? … In this instance I felt this trade would help this organization.”

The only way to reach that conclusion is through the scope of a distant objective. Certainly not in the interest of being competitive right now.

The philosophy of rebuilding through the draft is sound, and the Dolphins had a rare opportunity to acquire two first-round picks and a second-round pick in the deal with the Texans. Some argue Miami fleeced a team that doesn’t have a true general manager.

But they did so at the expense of one of the essential, cornerstone positions in giving up left tackle Tunsil, who is regarded as one of the league’s ascendant offensive linemen and is under contract for the next two years.

Flores in tough spot

Asked why a player like Tunsil didn’t figure in the rebuild, Flores said, “I like him, but at the end of the day we just felt that this was the best move for us.”

In building back up, they will need to expend one of those precious high picks or a boatload of money to acquire someone comparable.

What the Tunsil trade tells us is:

•The Dolphins are determined to do whatever it takes to land an elite quarterback;

•They are writing off being at all competitive over those next two seasons.

As for the season that begins Sunday against the Ravens, it will be grim and bear it.

Not only for fans but especially for the designated sacrificial lamb, aka quarterback.

The stripped-down roster makes it irrelevant that 36-year-old journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick was selected to start initially over Josh Rosen.

Whoever is back there stands little chance operating behind the patchwork line of LT Julien Davenport, LG Michael Deiter, C Daniel Kilgore, RG Shaq Calhoun and RT Jesse Davis.

Davenport was inadequate with Houston, Kilgore is aged and coming off injury, Calhoun is an undrafted rookie and Davis is out of position. Deiter, at least, is a third-round pick with potential, but he’d look a lot better with established line mates to mentor him.

Starting out with Fitz will give this group an opportunity to seek some footing before tossing in Rosen for trial by fire. But it’s apparent management has concluded that the 10th overall pick in 2018 isn’t the answer.

The preseason showed Rosen has talent, but not the makings of something special, which is what GM Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores are staking their careers on ultimately obtaining.

So what we’re watching is the painstaking process of rebuilding in all its misery.

Following Browns’ model

It’s what the Cleveland Browns are just coming out of in constructing what they believe will become a contending team this season.

That required a 1-31 slog through 2016 and 2017.

The Browns have proven nothing yet, and there is no guarantee of success. They did get their franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield.

The Dolphins are intent on following a similar blueprint. They are drunk on acquiring draft picks, and may not be done.

Dealing elite cornerback Xavien Howard is being mentioned if it would bring a ridiculous return.

They will ask everyone to trust the process — players, fans and media. But this management has yet to earn unwavering faith.

It’s one thing to acquire draft picks and quite another to succeed in building a winning team with them. The Dolphins’ draft history is sketchy. Grier still has a lot to prove.

S. Florida teams waiting for … when?

Meanwhile, South Florida’s sports landscape is a vast construction site. These Dolphins haven’t even laid a workable foundation.

It’s too early to tell if the Hurricanes and Marlins are on the right track. The Heat is constrained by bad contracts. The Florida Panthers appear to be in the best shape, but they’ve been rebuilding for two decades.

A week away from the opener at Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins’ roster remained a volatile mix. They were busy signing other teams’ castoffs. Veteran linebacker Kiko Alonso joined the exodus out of Miami on Sunday.

As of Sunday afternoon they had acquired 10 players through trade or signings since Thursday’s final exhibition game. The roster churn can be expected to continue into the season.

It’s roster chaos, is what it is.

Want to get a look at the Dolphins’ future? Best bet this season may be to watch Alabama or Oregon or even Clemson.

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

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Marlins have won the Giancarlo Stanton trade

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Don Mattingly has said it numerous times about Starlin Castro that guys who can hit, will eventually hit.

It two all the way up until August for it to happen, but it finally came true for one of the Marlins veteran leaders.

Castro has batted .314 with six home runs and 25 RBIs through the month of August and could potentially finish the season with 20 home runs for only the second time in his nine year carer.

Castro’s hot streak certainly came in bad timing for the Marlins. Had he’d been this hot in April or May, the Marlins’ season may have gone in different direction, or a contender would be willing to send a prospect over for him in the trade deadline.

However it is becoming clear that the Marlins have won the trade that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees after winning the 2017 National League MVP. The long term injury status of Stanton has tipped the scales in the Marlins favor but Castro’s two solid years were only the tip of the iceberg. The two other prospects that were packaged are the true jewels.

Jorge Guzman pitched a strong season in Double-A (3.50 ERA, 127 SO) and if it weren’t for his 138.2 innings, he’d probably get September call-up consideration. He’ll be 24 next season and could end up making his big league debut at some point.

Jose Devers is only 19 years old and led the High A Jupiter Hammerheads with a .325 batting average and has been selected to partake in the Arizona Fall League, which is a sure sign for prospects who have a future in the big leagues.

It’s actually a trade similar to when the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Dan Haren (former Marlin) to the Los Angeles Angels for Joe Saunders, Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin in 2009. The Diamondbacks got a couple solid seasons out of Saunders while Skaggs eventually turned into Mike Trumbo and Corbin pitched for six years in Arizona realizing his potential in the recent years.

When the Marlins turn the corner on their rebuild project, Guzman and Devers will emerge and make their presence known. Meanwhile, the Yankees will have Stanton on their immense payroll through the 2027 season.

 

Preseason

Preseason: Dolphins at Saints – Top 3 players to watch

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After the Miami Dolphins made some surprising releases after the third preseason game, the nature of the 2019 season came into focus. It’s obvious that in spite of head coach Brian Flores’s insistence they want to win every game, the Dolphins front office is more focused on 2020 and beyond. Most already surmised that, but now there’s no hiding it. Miami is carrying a Brink’s Truck worth of dead cap space with them into the season, over $40 million worth. Those bad contracts coming off the books can only help the Dolphins future, but the painful present still has to be endured.

2019 is going to be about developing players for the future, a youth movement like no other, unless the drastic happens and Miami trades Laremy Tunsil for Jadeveon Clowney. But that’s a story for another time.

With a long list of players expected not to play against the Saints, here is the best of the rest worth watching.

Patrick Laird, RB

Strange though it may seem, Laird has been Miami’s best running back this preseason. Yes, that includes Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage. Laird is shifty, determined, and can catch passes out of the backfield. His numbers so far rank him fifth overall in the preseason, running the ball 19 times for 101 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards a carry. True, the defenses he plays against by the time he sees the field aren’t impressive. But with how terrible the Dolphins offensive line is projected to be, it’s still worth mentioning.

Clearly, the battle for the third and possibly fourth running back spots are still up for grabs. The only ones not playing against New Orleans are Drake and Ballage. So this is Laird’s (as well as Walton and Gaskin’s) last chance to prove they deserve to make the team. If things go the way everyone thinks, that means Laird will make it on.

Nate Orchard, DE

In a stunning turn of events, the preseason leader in sacks is none other than five-year veteran Nate Orchard. He currently ties with Panthers rookie pass rusher Brian Burns with four. With Charles Harris sitting the final preseason game, it’s clear he’s one of the starters as a pass rusher. So this final game will decide who gets to start alongside him. Right now, Orchard seems to have a solid lead over fellow veteran Tank Carradine, but there’s still time for that to change.

Both Orchard and Carradine’s careers have been plagued by unfortunate circumstances. Whether it’s injuries or just a lack of roster space, their talent hasn’t had a chance to shine. Is there more to them than meets the eye? 2019 may be their audition for other teams, or an opportunity to stick long term as a depth player.

Josh Rosen, QB

It’s honestly sad that this is still being discussed. Nevertheless, Josh Rosen is not listed among the many, many players scheduled to sit out the final preseason game. So it’s very possible he will play. For what purpose? Perhaps to give him more reps and practice. Maybe the coaches believe he still has some kinks to work out. But if that’s the case, it’s also likely that coach Brian Flores has made his decision as to who will start the regular season.

If it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick, then the argument will be made that the best man didn’t win. Most fans believe he’s earned the right to start the season after his preseason performances. For some reason, the coaches seem to disagree. It is Flores’s first year as a head coach, maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. But all of these rumors swirling around the team, paired with questionable decisions like this one…things could unravel quickly.

Header for Laremy Tunsil story

5 LIVE: How far do you go to get Jadeveon Clowney?

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Rumors are beginning to intensify as the Houston Texans continue to shop elite pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney. And although no one can say for certain what a trade may entail, there’s plenty of gossip as to what a potential trade might look like.

In fact, several key names have already been linked in a potential trade. And whether that includes a play-making wide receiver, draft compensation, a starting running back, or the most important position on the offensive line, there’s plenty of possible trade scenarios.

We asked some of our writers to weigh in on the situation, and tell you how far they would go to get the Texans defensive end.

Alfredo Arteaga

Two Questions.  How bad do you want Jadeveon Clowney?  Bad enough to give up a 2nd round pick, and “allow” the Texans to take the WR of their choice in Kenny Stills or DeVante Parker.  That’s it.  Is he worth Laremy Tunsil?  Absolutely NOT.  If you believe the replacement cost charts (A guide by which the odds that a certain pick can replace the player you are trading equalizing transactions) then you have to ask for Two 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick,and Clowney for Tunsil while the Texans also take 2020 salary from non-essential personnel in the form of a Kenny Stills or Kiko Alonso, or both.  If THAT deal is made, you can reasonable expect to replace Tunsil while rolling the dice on Jadeveon Clowney wanting to stay in Miami on an extension.

Jake Mendel

The idea of Jadeveon Clowney on the Dolphins is tempting. However, what is the price? If the Dolphins could get him for a skill position player (Kenyan Drake or Kenny Stills) and a mid-round pick? Sign me up. It is also important to wonder if Clowney actually wants to play in Miami. Worst case, if the Dolphins get him and he decides to leave, you still have a third round comp pick coming back. No chance am I trading Tunsil for Clowney.

Luis Sung

It’s no secret Miami is in need of someone reliable to rush the passer. Scheming it in can only go so far, and with the departure of Cameron Wake, there’s no one to take pressure off the secondary. Enter Jadeveon Clowney, one of the most hyped pass rushers to come out of college in recent history. He wants out of Houston, and the Dolphins are the favorites to land him, But at what cost?

Supposedly, the Texans want Laremy Tunsil. The only way I’d be willing to give him up is if they gave up Clowney, a first round pick, and maybe a little more. Tunsil is too valuable to give up for Clowney alone. However, if Houston is in need of weapons, then a package dealing Kenny Stills, Kenyan Drake and maybe a mid-round pick for Clowney (and a mid-rounder for 2021) would be acceptable. If Clowney is really willing to sit out regular season games, then that gives Miami some leverage. Hopefully, they use it.

Josh Houtz

For me, it comes down to whether or not you view Clowney as the missing piece on defense. Which I absolutely do believe he has that type of impact, and would work wonders in Flores’ hybrid front. But at what cost? I like Clowney, but I would NOT trade away a 1st round pick, or an elite 25-year old LT like Laremy Tunsil. But guys like Kenny Stills and Kenyan Drake, would absolutely be available in a trade. Coupled with a mid-round pick, might be enough to pry away the disgruntled DE.

In the end, a second-round pick as a stand-alone is the highest draft compensation I would part with. The toughest decision would come down to whether or not the Texans would get crazy, and part with a top draft pick in addition to clowney. Would you then make the trade for Tunsil? For a team with such little hope on the offensive line, I don’t think I would…

 

Ethan J. Skolnick 

As far as you can without giving up Laremy Tunsil. You. Do. Not. Do. That. Not unless there’s no chance of re-signing him. It’s a premium position, just as pass-rusher is. So by giving up Tunsil, you’ve taken from Peter to pay Paul, which makes no sense at this stage, and will have collateral damage in the locker room. It’s difficult enough for Brian Flores to win over the room in the midst of a tank (er, rebuild). Now trade one of the most popular and productive players, at a position of need? Nah. So I’d give up Kenyan Drake and either Kenny Stills or DeVante Parker. And maybe a pick. Or maybe one of them and a second rounder, if you know Clowney will stay long term. But that’s it. No Tunsil. No way.

Kenny Stills is among the veteran Dolphins with uncertain futures. (Photo/Tony Capobianco)

Which Dolphins veterans will follow T.J. McDonald out the door?

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DAVIE – There is nothing shocking in T.J. McDonald’s release by the Dolphins. It’s the way of the NFL that veteran players become expendable before their shelf life expires.

He likely won’t be the last familiar name to be discarded this week by the Dolphins.

There is considerable speculation regarding players such as Kiko Alonso, Kenny Stills, Reshad Jones and John Denney with the cutdown of rosters to 53 players looming Saturday at 4 p.m.

I wouldn’t be surprised if any or all of them are gone before the opener.

While other teams will be cutting veteran players, a key consideration for the Dolphins is determining which players will be able to help them when they are ready to compete for the playoffs.

That’s why veteran linebacker Alonso is at the top of the list of established players likely to join the exodus out of Miami that began this past offseason.

Jones, a two-time Pro Bowl safety and Miami’s highest-paid player ($13 million base salary) is 31 and has missed most of training camp with a foot injury following offseason shoulder surgery.

Denney, in his 15th season as long snapper, is 40 and has rookie Wesley Farnsworth nipping at his heels.

Stills, the team’s most productive receiver over the past three seasons, is a bit of a different case after criticizing owner Steve Ross regarding hosting a fund raiser for Donald Trump.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores on Monday revealed little about the move to part with McDonald, a starter the past two seasons.

Bobby McCain has taken over as the starter at free safety. But McDonald still had a role as a hybrid linebacker-safety in Flores’ defense, though he has been dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Naturally, there is savings in salary cap and real money, which is a factor to varying degrees whenever teams part with players who still have value.

“Putting a roster together, there’s many variables, salary cap being one of them,” Flores said. “That’s just one part of the equation that goes into making these decisions.

“We’re going to do what we feel is best for the team from a salary cap standpoint , from a performance standpoint on the field, from an overall team standpoint.”

As for what tilted the equation against McDonald, Flores said, “I think he’s a guy who has a good skill set, one that has been productive in this league. But there’s a lot that goes into putting a team together.

“I think with T.J., at the end of the day it just wasn’t the right fit and we as an organization decided to move on.”

Who will follow him out the door?

Asked if there is a place on a team looking to the future for players with six or more years of experience, Flores said, “Good players and productive players and guys that we feel fit what we’re trying to do offensively, defensively and the kicking game, we’re going to try to keep them around.”

Keep that response in mind as cut-down day approaches and see if upcoming moves match those words.

The Stills situation will be most interesting to watch, given the off-field issues. Flores revealed after Thursday’s game that he played a string of Jay-Z songs at practice as a challenge to get Stills to focus more on the field.

“I think he’s responded well,” Flores said. “I think he’s practiced well. I think he’s a guy who’s got mental toughness and he works hard and the game’s important to him. I think he’s responded well.”

Alonso and Jones have returned to practice after injury absences and Flores says he’s glad to have them. If remains to be seen if he and the front office decide to keep them – and other veteran mainstays – around.

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

(Video: Dolphins coach Brian Flores discusses T.J. McDonald and his view on how veteran players fit into the rebuilding plan.)

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Five questions with Marlins rookie pitcher Jeff Brigham

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Jeff Brigham is in his second season with the Miami Marlins but is still considered a rookie because he only threw 16.1 innings as a starting pitcher in 2018. He’s a reliever now for the first time of his professional career and has been called up from Triple-A New Orleans four times this season. He played college ball at the University of Washington and came to Miami in a 2015 mid-season trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We discussed his experiences leading up to and throughout his rookie season.

5R: What was your first minor league experience like?

JB: The Pioneer League, especially Ogden gave me the full minor league experience. I like to joke around, we had a former Cy Young winner in “Blackjack” McDowell as our manager and some of those towns were tough. It was tough travel, not the best towns. I had a bunk bed with a roommate sleeping below me that entire summer. It was a really special experience. Wouldn’t want to go back and do it but it kind of developed me into the player I am today.

5R: You were on a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes team that won the California League title in 2015 and was loaded with future Major League talent, from Cody Bellinger to Alex Verdugo and Tim Locastro. You were traded to Miami before the Trade Deadline. How did you find out were getting traded?

JB: I got pulled out in the third inning. I think it was on a Tuesday. The trade deadline was Friday. I ended up finding out Thursday afternoon on Twitter, on social media I think and then they called me the next day and say, “Everything you’e seen is true. You’re going over to the Miami Marlins.

5R: What’s the process like for someone to be repeatedly called up and sent back down to Triple-A in a single season?

JB: It’s definitely been a hectic last few months for me. You get called up, they tell you to come up and you pack everything up, call your parents saying you’re coming up and then a couple days later they send you back down. It’s just a lot of traveling, building up a ton of airline miles. I joke a lot with Donnie [Mattingly] about that is the airline is starting to know my name. It’s definitely been an experience. I mean, there’s worst things to do for sure.

5R: This is your first year as a reliever. What is the difference being preparing for this role and being a starting pitcher?

JB: The biggest difference is finding a routine that works. As a starter, you have every set five days, you exactly what you’re gonna do every single day. You’re gonna know how many throws you’re gonna make, when you’re off the mound. As a reliever, it’s kinda more by feel. You got to prepare to pitch every single day. You gotta find a day to get your lifts in, gotta just be ready to pitch. So that’s really been the main difference, just preparing every day to pitch.

5R: This was your first Trade Deadline period while on a big league club. Three players were traded during that day, all of whom were fellow pitchers. How did you experience that?

JB: They definitely came out of the blue, all three of them to be honest. Those were three of my best friends on the team so it was definitely a tough pill to swallow. I am excited for the other guys who got called up with me because of these past couple trades but it definitely was tough to see my friends go.

Preseason

Top 3 performers from preseason Week 3 – Dolphins vs. Jaguars

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The Miami Dolphins dress rehearsal preseason was not a pretty one in the first half, and it’s clear Brian Flores has some personal evaluations to do. But even when the overall performance is disappointing, there’s still a few players who stand out for good reasons. Here are the top three performers.

Jerome Baker, LB

It seems that any given preseason game, either Baker or Sam Eguavoen makes this list. The second-year linebacker out of Ohio State stood out more than his teammate against the Jaguars, and for once the numbers match the eye test. Baker was all over the field, chasing running backs, shooting gaps and bringing players down behind the line of scrimmage, there was nothing he couldn’t do on Thursday.

If anything has been made clear, it’s that this defense goes through Jerome Baker. He’s now the captain of this defense, and it can even be argued he’s the best player on that unit. Miami finally found a third round gem. It’s likely the Dolphins won’t be all that successful in 2o19, but it’s not all bad. Everyone will have the privilege of watching the defense slowly evolve into a solid – perhaps more – unit. Baker will be leading the way there.

Eric Rowe, CB

While the former Patriots cornerback wasn’t perfect on Thursday, credit needs to be given where it’s due. Rowe made solid plays, making five tackles, two pass deflections, and even coming back to jump a route and make an impressive interception to redeem himself after he’d previously made a costly mistake.

Making plays like that is always a surefire way to get noticed. From the very beginning of the offseason, Rowe was the favorite to win the other starting job opposite Xavien Howard. Injuries kept him off the field at times throughout camp, but now that he’s back, he’s making up for it somewhat this preseason. Is Rowe the number two cornerback of the the future? Who can say? This coaching staff presumably wants to develop young talent, and Rowe fits that mold.

But it’s possible that in the future, Miami will still look to find a more talented and reputable corner to pair with Howard. Rowe can try to prove that’s not necessary with a strong (and healthy) 2019.

Josh Rosen, QB

This, more than anything, should force head coach Brian Flores to be looked at with scrutiny. From the very beginning, since Rosen was acquired, he’s said that the best quarterback will start the season. Early on, that was veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. As time passed, Rosen closed the gap, and on Thursday, it seemed he’d firmly surpassed Fitzpatrick, leading a 99-yard touchdown drive down the field after Fitzpatrick and the starters were unable to do much of anything until the Jaguars sent in their backups.

That’s something to take into account. It took Jacksonville putting in their second team defense before Fitzpatrick could lead the starting offense to a touchdown. Then what’s the first thing Rosen does? Marches down the field from endzone to endzone for a score, making incredible plays on the way. Rosen’s night had him throw only seven passes, completing five of them for a total of 59 yards. Unimpressive numbers on the surface, but that’s what film is for. And Rosen archived some impressive film.

It feels like the obvious choice at this point is to start Rosen and see what he can do. If he does well, then the Dolphins have a potential franchise quarterback. If he doesn’t, then there’s no reason whatsoever not to draft a quarterback next season. But, Rosen has to actually start, and coach Flores seems hesitant to do so.  Why? That’s a very, very good question. Flores is now under scrutiny for many things. He can help his case by making the right decision with Rosen after this preseason.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores says will be in for a long season in 2019 with young, inexperienced Dolphins team.

Davis: Brian Flores’ stance on Kenny Stills’ invites scrutiny of his coaching style

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The most extraordinary Dolphins performance didn’t happen on the field Thursday.

It came after the 22-7 win against the Jaguars when coach Brian Flores disclosed that he used the Jay-Z hit parade at practice earlier in the week to motivate wide receiver Kenny Stills.

It was eye-opening and emotional as Flores made it clear that he supports the social justice protests that Stills and other NFL players have staged the past three years.

It was unlike anything we’ve seen from a Dolphins coach, and in that way it was revealing.

It provided insight into Flores’ approach to leadership, including his handling of quarterback Josh Rosen, who made his strongest case for the starting job yet in Thursday’s game – more on that later.

Flores brings a personal perspective that is atypical of the NFL coaching fraternity. Yes, it is partly the Belichick influence but also indicative of his background and personal experience.

He framed his support of the player protests in the context of, “I’m the son of immigrants. I’m black. I grew up poor. I grew up in New York during the stop and frisk era, so I’ve been stopped because I fit a description before. So everything that these guys protest, I’ve lived it.”

It was raw. It was riveting. It was real.

At the same time, Flores opened himself to valid questions about his coaching methods: Does it make sense to publicly challenge a veteran player who has been the Dolphins’ most productive receiver over such a hot-button issue?

Stills has 21 touchdowns since 2016 – the most on the team – during the period he has taken the controversial stance of kneeling for the national anthem and dealing with all of the fallout that has brought him.

So, does calling out Stills for substandard performance during the preseason strengthen his command of the team?

Some of predecessor Adam Gase’s heavy-handed attempts at motivation didn’t turn out so well.

Meanwhile, the gauntlet Flores has presented to Rosen is working. The second-year quarterback is getting better.

It is easy for many of us on the outside to say, start Rosen now!

I am in that camp because I don’t see this team achieving anything significant with Ryan Fitzpatrick. That is not to say Rosen will lead them to the playoffs this season, but he’s shown enough progress that I want to see what he can become.

Granted, the 99-yard touchdown drive Rosen led Thursday came in the fourth quarter against second- and third-team defenders, many of whom won’t be playing in two weeks. Fitzpatrick also led a touchdown drive in the second half against backups after accomplishing nothing in the first half when he faced Jacksonville’s starters.

But Rosen’s resourcefulness is intriguing. He seems at his best avoiding trouble and finding – and connecting with – receivers while on the move. The talent that made him a first-round draft pick is becoming more evident.

He’s also exhibiting much better “body language” that Flores called him out on recently, which relates to commanding the offense on the field.

Flores does send mixed signals about the quarterback competition. Prior to Thursday’s game, he made it seem the starting job was Fitzpatrick’s and that the results of one performance wouldn’t be conclusive.

Afterward, he said, “We’re still evaluating both guys.”

So which is it?

All coaches have their ways of pushing players and cajoling them to maximize their ability.

I think Flores has determined a certain level of competency that Rosen must meet, and is willing to wait as long as it takes.

Fans and media fixate on who starts the season opener. Flores is looking at a bigger picture.

At the same time, the rookie head coach is also under scrutiny. So far this century, we’ve seen several others in his spot fall by the wayside in Miami.

We haven’t seen anything quite like Flores.

It will be fascinating to watch if he can translate the winning ways he learned in New England to a franchise that hasn’t won anything notable in decades.

His methods may be open to question, but the conviction of his beliefs is clearly firm.

Will that make him a winner?

All we know right now is this Dolphins coach is no pushover.

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

(Video: Prior to the Dolphins’ third preseason game, Brian Flores discussed what he needs to see from Josh Rosen)

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Josh Rosen should be the Dolphins’ starting QB. Now.

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All offseason long, Brian Flores and the Dolphins’ coaching staff continued to motivate Josh Rosen, for better or worse.

And although Flores chose not to name a starting quarterback heading into Miami’s dress rehearsal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, it was clear Ryan Fitzpatrick was team’s starting quarterback moving forward.  After all, Flores and his staff spent much of OTAs and training camp, stacking the odds against the 22-year old QB from UCLA.  So if Rosen wanted to be the man, he had to beat the man.

And that’s exactly what he did.

During the summer months, Rosen continued to get better, each and every day.  And for a team that has started 19 different QBs over the last two decades.  It was always in their best interest to find out what he can be, sooner rather than later.  Unfortunately, it was never that easy.  And as we saw over the first three weeks of preseason, Flores and Co. are doing whatever they can to assure Fitzpatrick is the week 1 starter.  Even if he looks more like a QB battling Jake Rudock for the back-up job, as opposed to the most important position on an NFL roster.

Which makes you wonder, why?

Why are the Dolphins trying to do whatever it takes to assure Rosen is not the starter week 1 vs Baltimore?  Why have the continued to use the media and other outlets, to motivate their young QB?  No one knows for sure.  But a quick glance at Miami’s first four weeks of the season, could give you a pretty good indication of what is going on behind the scenes in Davie.

At first glance, the Dolphins play four playoff teams to start the 2019 season.  Those teams include the Ravens, Patriots, Cowboys and Chargers.  And although Rosen may look like the guy in Miami.  It is possible Flores believes it’s in the team’s best interest to throw the veteran Fitzpatrick to the wolves, behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. Maybe they believe that if Rosen begins the year vs those top-tier teams, they may not get a chance to evaluate him properly.  And that would be bad.  Because as we learned early on, Miami’s entire 2019 season – aside from developing players- is to get a full evaluation on Rosen.

And whether he is the day one starter, or the team transitions to him during their Week 5 BYE, he will have every opportunity to showcase he can be the long-term answer in Miami.  Even if that means taking a backseat to guy known by many as ‘FitzMagic’.  The problem, however, is this.  EVERYONE knows who Fitzpatrick is.  He’s a player that has done everything right in the league and to this day, continues to get paid lots of money to play a game he loves.  But the verdict is out on the man known as ‘FitzMagic’.  However, the same can not be said about Rosen.  Who in 2018, played behind the worst team in all of football.  And as we mentioned time and time again, has continued to progress throughout the summer month-proving he has what it takes to be a viable starting QB in the league.

In the end, Coach Flores is going to make the decision that he feels is best for the team.  And whether that means naming Fitzpatrick the week 1 starter, or to hand the reigns over to the younger QB with more potential, Flores is going to do things his way. And if there is one thing we’ve learned about Coach Flo during the early stages of his tenure in Miami, it’s that he’s a no BS, straight-forward head coach.  A head coach that has preached all offseason long that the best players would play.  If that is in fact true, the QB competition is over.  Finished.  Done.  Rosen is far and away the best QB on the roster and unlike the 17-year veteran Fitzpatrick, has just scratched the surface of his true potential.

The battle was fun while it lasted, but this is Josh Rosen’s team.  And it would be in the Dolphins best interest to find out what he can become, as soon as possible.  Because if Rosen can be the man in Miami.  They can use the treasure trove of draft picks and plethora of cap space, to build a sustainable winner around him.  Rosen has the tools to be a franchise-caliber QB  and when the dust settles, could go down as one of the best trades in Miami Dolphins’ history.   After all, they don’t call him ‘The Chosen One’ for nothing.

 

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is on social media all day, posting the stuff you retweet. Or ignore.