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?

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.