Miami, FL
Friday Dolphins Mailbag: Assistant Coaches, Tua Runs, Houston Game, and More
Half 2 of the Thanksgiving week, pre-Texans recreation SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:
From Evan Blouin (through e mail):
Joyful Holidays Alain, Recognize & Get pleasure from your protection/opinion of the Miami Dolphins#1. FINS UP! Dwelling within the coronary heart of Patriot Nation (Massachusetts) I’ve held my very own for a pair a long time as a diehard Fins fan. Particularly across the holidays (after we’re normally trying mediocre), nothing could be sweeter than to tote a shiny 2022 title over these bandwagoneers boastful heads. Apologize. I digressed. I’m feeling greater than optimistic with this squad they usually’re placing it collectively in opposition to whoever they line up throughout. Playoffs are good but, it’s Tremendous Bowl or bust for me at this level. My query for you is that this: What staff would you wish to see the 305 match up with within the AFC Championship and Tremendous Bowl? When you say Titans (21) and Niners (85) for revenge functions I’ll need to play the lottery.
Hey Evan, love the optimism. And fascinating query. And, to be trustworthy, I’m undecided I even care who they’d play underneath your state of affairs. However to select a staff, for the AFC Championship Recreation, let’s see … how about Buffalo? Or the Bengals or Chargers (for a matchup of 2020 draft QBs). As for the Tremendous Bowl, Eagles could be cool for a Tua-Hurts matchup or the 49ers for the apparent McDaniel-Shanahan angle.
From Bellal73 (@bellal73):
Who will get one of the best shot to be a head coach or interview for a HC job subsequent 12 months on this employees?
Hey there, that’s an excellent query, and the 2 names which were talked about by nationwide reporters thus far have been offensive coordinator Frank Smith and QB coach Darrell Bevell. With Bevell, it’s vital to notice he’s had two stints as an interim head coach, which actually may assist him in getting a job. They’re the 2 who clearly stand out on this employees, however issues can get difficult for both of them as a result of head coach Mike McDaniel is also the play-caller.
From Huge Ern McDolphin (@dana_buice):
The Dolphins are going through most likely the worst staff within the NFL, at residence, after a bye week. I really feel like except the Dolphins set some kinda staff or NFL report it should perceived as a disappointment to many. How ought to the Dolphins gauge success and failure on this recreation?
Hey Dana, the Dolphins have received 4 in a row and have performed ok soccer for the previous month that I’m undecided they should do something on this recreation apart from win. Positive, a blowout could be good, however let’s even be sensible and perceive groups aren’t going to function a peak effectivity each week. It’s additionally a straightforward recreation for the Dolphins to look previous contemplating Houston’s report and the truth that the 49ers await every week from Sunday.
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FOR EVEN MORE COVERAGE ON THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, CHECK OUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S MIAMI DOLPHINS PAGE ON SI.COM.
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From Jorge boyd (@raga1922):
Hello Alain, thanks for all of the mailbags they’re enjoyable to learn and really entertaining. Do you suppose the Dolphins will be capable to run extra in opposition to groups that defend the run nicely? Will this recreation assist them sooner or later within the working recreation?
Hey Jorge, sure, stats recommend the Dolphins ought to have success on the bottom on this recreation contemplating how unhealthy Houston is in opposition to the run, however the one situation with the run recreation at the moment is the truth that Raheem Mostert is coping with a knee damage and didn’t apply both Wednesday or Thursday. The working recreation little question ought to be capable to assist sooner or later, however how a lot success it will probably have in opposition to a run good protection nonetheless must be decided as a result of Cleveland doesn’t have a superb run protection.
From Rodney Keister (@LeftyRod):
Will Coach Boyer be fired?
Scroll to Proceed
Hey Rodney, quite simple reply: Why would he be? Final I checked, the Dolphins are 7-3 and the protection was largely answerable for the wins in opposition to New England and Pittsburgh and likewise fairly an enormous position in opposition to Buffalo (gave up a variety of yards however solely 19 factors). Oh, and don’t overlook that just about each vital long-term damage the Dolphins have handled thus far this season have come on protection. So, no.
From Mike Mangaras (@mangaras_mike):
Joyful Thanksgiving Alain, grateful for what you do for us, a lot appreciated. After Houston we face the gauntlet; I imagine we win 2 of three. Do you imagine since overlaying this franchise that is one of the best staff for the reason that Marino years, and might this staff win the SB?
Hey Mike, it was a really pleasant Thanksgiving, hope yours was as nicely. I usually don’t wish to make grandiose statements like this, however at the moment, if pressed, I’d say that, sure, this staff appears to be like like one of the best Dolphins staff for the reason that peak Marino years. Can this staff win the Tremendous Bowl? Because you’re asking me in the midst of a four-game successful streak and after a fairly flawless efficiency in opposition to Kansas Metropolis, it will be nearly foolish of me to dismiss the chance. I do suppose we’ll have a greater thought there after that three-game gauntlet you talked about, the highway stretch in opposition to the 49ers, Chargers and Payments.
From Chris Bustin @ChrisBustin13):
Hey, Alain. Do you suppose 11 wins is totally vital for the Dolphins to make the playoffs? Or do you foresee some 10-win groups making it within the AFC Convention? Thanks!
Hey Chris, I completely could be shocked to see no staff within the AFC playoffs with a 10-7 report. The convention appears to be like a bit extra unfold out than final 12 months, however don’t overlook that Pittsburgh received into the postseason in 2021 with a 9-7-1 report.
From Present Em Tua (@Blue42Dolfan):
Any developments on his new staff?
Hello there, yeah, fairly generic query we received right here. Sure, the event was the signing of defensive deal with Justin Zimmer to the lively roster Tuesday. He stuffed the spot left open after Emmanuel Ogbah was positioned on injured reserve. Hope that satisfactorily solutions your query.
From Giancs13 (@Giancs13):
First-time asker right here: Does Tua’s concussions/damage danger restrict the Dolphins playbook in time period of QB sneaks or working up the center a la Josh Allen. Seems like in the event you don’t need to defend that, then that’s one much less factor. But nobody has discovered our offense, so right here we’re.
Hey there, I don’t suppose Josh Allen is an effective instance right here to make use of as a comparability. Allen is listed at 6-5, 237; Tua is listed at 6-1, 217. That’s apples and oranges by way of dimension. Tua’s forte is passing and he’s extra constant at it than Allen, whereas Allen brings this added dimension of having the ability to do a variety of harm together with his working. Even when it does eradicate one factor for opposing defenses to have to fret about, it is not sensible to me, given Tua’s dimension and damage historical past, to have him run QB attracts and I’m additionally not a fan of utilizing him on sneaks.
From Tom Reinhardt (@tsrcontractin):
My query is do you suppose which are offensive sequence are too quick and our protection is on the sector an excessive amount of? Coach will get pass-happy every now and then.
Hey Tom, I’d agree with you if the offense wasn’t getting the job achieved, but it surely’s powerful for me to search out a lot to complain about after three straight video games with 30 factors or extra. Sure, ideally, you’d wish to have that nice run-pass steadiness, however the backside line is placing factors on the board and if which means throwing the ball loads, then that’s what the Dolphins ought to do. And at this level, the passing recreation is means forward of the working recreation.
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Thanks for studying. Ensure that to bookmark this website and verify again each day for the most recent Dolphins information and evaluation year-round. Additionally, you possibly can observe me on Twitter at @PoupartNFL, and that is the place you possibly can ask questions for the common All Dolphins mailbags. You can also ask questions through e mail at fnalldolphins@yahoo.com.
Miami, FL
Trade Proposal: Miami Heat Acquire Star Forward From Brooklyn Nets
It doesn’t seem like those Miami Heat rumors will slow down anytime soon.
The Heat are one of many teams newly linked to Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson. With speculation surrounding star Jimmy Butler, the Heat could make a move for Johnson. He was a 2019 first-round pick.
A potential trade between the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets could look like:
Miami Heat receive: F Cam Johnson, G Shake Milton
Brooklyn Nets receive: G Terry Rozier, 2029 first-round draft pick
For the Heat, Johnson becomes a consistent strong presence at forward. This season, he is averaging 20 points while shooting near 50 percent from the field for a rebuilding Nets team. The good thing about trading for Johnson is he isn’t just a half-season rental. He is on the books through the 2027 season. In this trade, the Heat also acquire guard Shake Milton, who has provided numerous solid games throughout his career. He could serve as a backup guard for a team that just lost Dru Smith for the season.
For the Nets, they are in a rebuild since moving on from their Big Three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. They traded Dennis Schroder to the Warriors last week, signaling they’re willing to move significant pieces prior to the trade deadline. Acquiring Terry Rozier could give the Nets a scorer who has shown he can perform at a high level. However, the big piece of the deal is the unprotected 2029 first-round draft pick, which could be valuable down the line. The Nets could start stockpiling on draft picks by moving more players.
If the Heat make a move for Johnson, he could help the team re-establish themselves as contenders in the East.
Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.
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Miami, FL
Jalen Suggs leads Orlando Magic in loss to Miami Heat
After carrying the load offensively all night for a shorthanded Orlando Magic squad, the only thing Jalen Suggs could do was watch Tyler Herro as he sunk the game-winning shot for the Miami Heat to cap off a thriller from the Kaseya Center Thursday night.
The former Kentucky star spoiled a big night from the Gonzaga standout. Suggs finished with a game-high 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the field, but it wasn’t enough as the Heat stormed back in the second half to beat the Magic, 89-88, on a 19-foot jumper in the final seconds from Herro.
“Sometimes you’ve just gotta tip your cap,” Suggs said of Herro’s go-ahead basket. “Even the last possession, I thought TQ [Trevelin Queen] played great defense, good contest, tough shot. So sometimes you’ve just gotta give the guy some props.”
The Magic leaned heavily on its 6-foot-5 guard from start to finish — as has been the case lately without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in the lineup due to injury. Suggs came into Thursday averaging 18.4 points in 29.5 minutes over his last five contests. The Heat had a track record of stifling No. 1 options as of late, though that certainly wasn’t the case when trying to slow the Magic’s go-to guy.
Suggs and company scored the first 14 points of the night and took a commanding 22-5 lead after the former fifth-overall pick knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers in the first quarter.
The Heat chipped into the Magic’s lead heading into the second quarter before Suggs checked back in for the final minutes of the first half. He helped push the lead back to 14 points with a midrange jumper to make it 40-26, followed later by a 23-foot jumper. With just over a minute remaining, Suggs connected with Goga Bitadze on an alley-oop to make it 50-40 in favor of the Magic.
Orlando led by 10 going into the fourth quarter before the Heat scored six points in a 45-second span to make it 71-67 with 11:14 to play in regulation. Alec Burks went 3-for-3 at the charity stripe upon drawing a foul from Anthony Black while shooting from long distance. Burks connected on his next try from 25 feet on the ensuing possession.
After former UCLA standout Jaime Jaquez Jr. made it a 1-point game, Burks put the Heat out in front 77-76 with 7:42 left. Suggs scored four points in a row to tie things at 80 apiece, but from there it was all Miami down the stretch.
Herro finished with a team-high 20 points. Jaquez Jr. had 15 points while Burks and Terry Rozier combined to score 31 points off the bench for the Heat (15-13).
Tristan da Silva tallied 18 points and Bitadze recorded a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double but the Magic (19-13) suffered a loss for the fourth time in its last six contests.
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Miami, FL
Jim Larranaga's retirement opens 30-day transfer portal for Miami basketball
Jim Larranaga stepped down as Miami men’s basketball head coach on Thursday, ending a 14-year stint with the Hurricanes. The 75-year-old head coach is nearly two years removed from bringing the Hurricanes to their first Final Four appearance.
Miami has lost eight of its last nine games, touting a 4-8 record to open the season. Larranaga’s abrupt, mid-season decision surprised many. On3’s Joe Tipton reported that players found out the news on social media.
Larranaga’s departure triggers the 30-day transfer portal window for Miami players. NCAA rules allow athletes on a team with a coaching change to enter the portal the day after the change. In this case, Miami athletes can start entering Friday.
According to the NCAA, an athlete who transfers after enrolling at a school cannot transfer during that same year and compete for a new school. Grad students could transfer if they don’t play in any games this fall and be eligible in the spring.
The former Bowling Green and George Mason head coach cited NIL as part of the reason for his retirement.
“At this point, after 53 years, I just didn’t feel that I could successfully navigate this whole new world that I was dealing with because my conversations were ridiculous with an agent saying to me, ‘Well, you can get involved [with a prospective player] if you’re willing to go to $1.1 million,’ and that would be the norm,” he said at a news conference on Thursday.
The college basketball transfer portal is scheduled for 30 days during the spring of the 2024-25 academic year. According to the NCAA, the portal opens for business on Monday, March 24, and closes on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The national championship game will be played on April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Athletes would still be given a 30-day window to transfer after a head coach’s departure.
The college basketball transfer portal is starting to mirror the NBA’s free agency. Last spring alone, 1,962 Division I players tested the portal waters. According to college basketball analytics expert Evan Miyakawa, for the first time in history, more than half of the points scored in Division I men’s college basketball will be scored by players recruited through the transfer portal, not from high school in 2024-25.
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