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Saturday Dolphins Mailbag: Tindall, Tight Ends, Tua, and More

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Saturday Dolphins Mailbag: Tindall, Tight Ends, Tua, and More


Half 2 of the newest SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:

From yolli71 (@yolli71):

I do know it’s early, however what could be your plan to improve the roster for subsequent yr?

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Whoa, man, that’s an all-encompassing query proper there. For a fast reply at this level, I’d say add a sturdy backup QB, re-sign a number of of the RBs, add an OL, get a TE, add a playmaking LB, add a CB. Whether or not all that may be completed is one other subject.

From Javier (@jboy1724):

These questions are all based mostly on the excessive chance of Jones being reduce however right here goes.. When is the proper time for Jones being reduce? Additionally, what sort of cap house could be created to get a superb nook reverse of Howard and who’re some names on the market that Miami ought to think about?

Hey Javier, it’s too early to speak about what cornerbacks may very well be thought-about as a result of some gamers will change into obtainable earlier than free company opens who are usually not obtainable but. Cameron Sutton from the Steelers is one participant I’d establish at the moment, although I might suppose Pittsburgh will re-sign him. As for creating cap house, there’s all the time a option to get that completed with restructured contracts and a few gamers getting reduce. Oh, and the proper time for Jones to get reduce (if it is going to occur is post-June 1 as a result of it will be loads much less painful on the cap).

From Paul Z. (through e-mail):

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Alain: first time writing; very long time Phin fan (my brother and I had season tickets in 1965 and later). Thanks for all of your perception on the group. Watching the 2nd spherical video games it was apparent how necessary a receiving TE was for the winners. Do you’re feeling Coach McD will change his offensive philosophy and incorporate a giant receiving TE, like Kelce or Kittle?

Hey Paul, in a perfect world, McDaniel completely would like to have any individual like Kelce or Kittle, however we even have to know they may very well be the 2 greatest TEs within the league. So it’s not so simple as wanting an elite tight finish; discovering one is much more troublesome.

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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 Chris Bustin (@ChrisBustin13):

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Hey, Alain. This season, we misplaced each recreation in December and squeaked into the playoffs. How can the Dolphins greatest put themselves ready to clinch a playoff berth earlier than Week 18 subsequent season? (That’s, making the playoffs comfortably as a substitute of sweating bullets.) Thanks!

Hey Chris, this merely will change into a matter of being a greater group. Earlier than accidents grew to become a serious drawback within the closing weeks, the Dolphins confirmed some flaws once they misplaced at SF, LAC and BUF (even when they performed an in depth recreation there). So whereas it was a playoff season for the Dolphins, it’s clear they had been a notch beneath the groups that didn’t should sweat out making the playoffs, like KC, BUF and CIN.

From Dion Gardiner (@dantegardiniore):

It looks as if X prefers to play man and be left alone on the market. How do you suppose he and the opposite gamers will react if there’s a change to the system?

Hey Dion, I’d should think about the brand new defensive coordinator would have conversations with each participant and I’d additionally think about the brand new DC could be good sufficient to make use of his gamers to do what they do greatest.

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From marc rainford (@marcrainford):

What’s the view on LB Tindall? Dangerous choose and wish free agent improve or simply wants time?

Hey Marc, I feel it’s too early to be calling Channing Tindall a foul choose, however I’d additionally say the actual fact he virtually didn’t play in any respect on protection additionally was very disappointing. I’d say the 2023 season is a giant one for him and he must take a giant step ahead.

From Dolphin Blade (@blade1323):

Does Byron Jones stick with a brand new DC, or has that bridge been burned?

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That’s an excellent, legit query, however there’s one other issue at play, and that’s Jones very huge cap quantity. I wouldn’t shut the door on a return, but in addition woudn’t essentially rely on it.

From Brian Knipp (@knipp_brian):

Do you suppose that Miami will let higher free brokers stroll with the intention of gaining compensatory picks to assist shoulder the burden of final yr’s offseason spending spree? I assume that Grier will take it straightforward on the spending in FA to maximise the quantity of picks we get.

Hey Brian, no, I don’t purchase the concept of letting free brokers depart strictly to get compensatory picks. For instance, the Dolphins will let Mike Gesicki depart (most likely) as a result of he’s too expensive for his place within the offense greater than for the concept of getting a comp choose. And I wouldn’t anticipate a slew of massive free agent signings just because the Dolphins don’t have the cap house to be huge spenders.

From breadman (@breadslippers):

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What about Byron Jones; will he be an element for us subsequent season, or ought to we (the followers) transfer on from him? What about Xavien Howard’s damage standing, ought to he be advantageous by coaching camp?

At this level, I’d are inclined to consider that Byron Jones has performed his final down for the Dolphins. As for X, sure, he must be advantageous and lengthy earlier than coaching camp.

From Brice (@BricefromLA):

What strikes do you anticipate to enhance the cap?

Hey Brice, I’d anticipate a Christian Wilkins extension, a contract restructuring or two or three, and some gamers beneath contract for 2023 getting reduce (Keion Crossen, Cethan Carter, amongst others).

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From Earl Gottfried (through e-mail):

Howdy Alain, with most of the key gamers on the Dolphins having damage histories once they arrive, is it hopeful optimism, blind religion or a deadly flaw that they appear to maintain including to the damage historical past checklist with most of the gamers they add, whether or not via commerce, free company or draft? Who would you wish to see as the subsequent DC, and why do you suppose the STC was saved?

Hey Earl, relating to the problem of signing/drafting gamers with damage histories, I’ll go along with “all the above.” I personally don’t have a problem with it, besides when there’s a serious funding concerned. Chris Grier all the time brings up Curtis Martin, who was a really sturdy again after having damage points in school, however leaves out the actual fact he was a third-round choose. That’s a sound gamble. It’s additionally completely different from giving an enormous contract to gamers like Terron Armstead and Bradley Chubb. And I am unsure why Danny Crossman was saved after a very robust yr for the particular groups.

From Woodturner (@woodturning_art):

Will McDaniel proceed to be the play caller? And, if that’s the case, who’s accountable for recreation administration points just like the clock? Appears to have been a steady drawback final yr.

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There have been zero indicators that McDaniel is seeking to transfer on from play-calling duties, although we simply completed the season. As for who’s accountable for the clock, I’m unsure who his right-hand man was, however in the end it’s his duty.

From Bman (through e-mail):

Hey Alain, first off, I recognize your method to journalism. Whereas most everybody else is in search of the subsequent clickbait article, you’re taking a extra pragmatic method to your writing…. On to extra Tua stuff!!!… Whereas most are involved with Tua’s sturdiness, I’m extra involved together with his confidence. I feel we’ve been fooled into believing that Tua has turned a nook on this respect. When in reality, it was simply the coach’s schemes that had Tua getting the ball out quick so he didn’t should make choices. I consider Tua will get too caught up in making the flawed choice and worrying about failing his group. And fairly frankly I’m additionally questioning Skylar’s confidence as nicely. I see each of those children being “lambs” greater than “lions.”

Hmm, fascinating premise. I can see the place it seems that method, however I’m unsure whether or not Tua’s hesitation when the play has to go off schedule has to do with confidence or perhaps the place his bodily limitations come to play. As for Skylar, I’m unsure I noticed a insecurity a lot as I noticed a rookie who generally beginning pondering an excessive amount of when issues went off monitor (which is completely regular).

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Thanks for studying. Be certain to bookmark this website and verify again day by day for the newest Dolphins information and evaluation year-round. Additionally, you’ll be able to comply with me on Twitter at @PoupartNFL, and that is the place you’ll be able to ask questions for the common All Dolphins mailbags. You can also ask questions through e-mail at fnalldolphins@yahoo.com.



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Miami, FL

Heat finding new landscape in NBA draft preparation, particularly with second round

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Heat finding new landscape in NBA draft preparation, particularly with second round


MIAMI – As the Miami Heat work through the pre-draft process, the team’s front office and scouting staff find themselves working in a new environment on several levels, including one created by the NBA and one by the NCAA.

A significant but minimally mentioned element of the new NBA collective-bargaining agreement is a change that could have an impact on the way business is conducted in the draft’s second round.

Starting this year, a team that purchases a second-round pick, which has stood as a routine element of the process over the years, automatically becomes hard capped for the following season. In essence, the typical flier taken by buying a pick in the second round now comes at a potential impact of the way a team must conduct business over the following 12 months.

While the Heat hold the No. 43 pick in the June 27 second round, maneuvering through the second round this year and going forward could prove more a case of bartering than buying or selling for Heat President Pat Riley and his staff.

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“It definitely factors in,” said Adam Simon, the Heat’s vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager. “and you have to look at the big picture and what business you’re doing. And, so, that’ll come into play.

“But doing something that’s going to hard cap you, you definitely have to take that into consideration.”

For teams further from the hard cap figure than the Heat, it is a twist that creates less trepidation. The Heat currently are not set up to be hard capped for 2024-25, with that salary limit at $189.5 million for 2024-25. The Heat, however, are facing a prospective payroll in excess of $180 million, leaving little wiggle room if they were to be hard-capped. For teams already operating above the 2024-25 hard cap, they now are prohibited from buying such a second-round pick.

“But every team is set up differently within their building,” Simon said. “Some are already there. Some aren’t there.”

Then there is an external factor that will be in play until the NBA’s June 16 withdrawal deadline.

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With NCAA name, image, and likeness money keeping prospects in college longer, with such NIL payments now in the millions, domestic talent in the second round no longer may be as youthful or as available.

To Simon, it is a tradeoff nonetheless welcomed.

“I think it’s better for us to have players be more developed when they come to the league,” he said. “And I would like more players who aren’t ready to come to the NBA to be ready. I’d rather develop a player’s skill set that has a skill set.”

As it is, there is no guarantee that the Heat retain the player selected with their No. 15 pick in the first round or that they don’t trade their second-round pick, with the Heat lacking several picks in both rounds in future drafts, potentially opting for replenishment in that regard.

“Obviously my job is to prepare for the draft and make the recommendations to Pat and the organization,” Simon said. “So having picks are a good way to try to help build our team. But those picks have to be used sometimes for other business.

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“We’ve used them over the years in trades, to acquire players, to get off of players for different reasons. That’s just the hand that we’re dealt, and we make the best of it. Whatever year we have a pick, we’re excited to use it. And come draft night, who knows what could happen?”

So, for now, the scouting remains focused.

“We are going out to L.A.,” Simon said of this week’s agency workouts. “We are going to see as many players as we can in person.”

Heat second-round machinations in recent years:

2024: Heat hold No. 43 pick.

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2023: No second round pick.

2022: No second round pick.

2021: No second-round pick.

2020: No second-round pick.

2019: Acquired rights to No. 32 KZ Okpala in a trade with Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers; selected Bol Bol at No. 44 and traded to Denver Nuggets.

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2018: No second-round pick.

2017: No second-round pick.

2016: No second-round pick.

2015: Selected Josh Richardson at No. 40.

2014: Selected Semaj Christon at No. 55 and traded to Charlotte Hornets.

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2013: Acquired rights to No. 50 James Ennis in a trade with Atlanta Hawks.

2012: Acquired rights to No. 45 Justin Hamilton in a trade with Philadelphia 76ers.

2011: Selected Bojan Bogdanovic at No. 32 and traded to Minnesota Timberwolves for draft rights to Norris Cole.



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Miami, FL

Leonardo Campana! Inter Miami saved by unplanned super-sub | MLSSoccer.com

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Leonardo Campana! Inter Miami saved by unplanned super-sub | MLSSoccer.com


“It’s one of those substitutions you make to see if something happens, like it did tonight,” Martino said postmatch, freely admitting he had no intentions of even playing Campana once he subbed in fellow attacker Robert Taylor for Benjamin Cremaschi in the 56th minute.

But Campana, who’d gone over two months without scoring, made the most of his unexpected chance to secure a massive result for Miami and improve his 2024 stat line to 3g/1a in 441 minutes.

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“It’s very important for players [like Campana] to be doing well,” Martino said. “It’s very important because if they’re not doing well, we can’t maintain what we’re doing with the players who’ll be with their national teams [over the summer].”

And yet those players, specifically the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, were held mostly ineffective by a D.C. United side seconds from taking a well-earned draw from South Florida.

“I think a 0-0 would’ve been a fair result” Martino admitted, praising the effort from Troy Lesesne’s squad.

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However, Campana only needed one magical moment to put everything in the right place for league-leading Miami.

“When a team is on the right path, you can find a way to win. And it happened today,” Tata said. “Imagine there had been no concussion, [Campana] wouldn’t have entered the match.”

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Police: Video shows driver of a stolen car in Miami-Dade jumping from expressway ramp

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Police: Video shows driver of a stolen car in Miami-Dade jumping from expressway ramp


DORAL, Fla. – Florida Highway Patrol troopers released dash cam video of a recent police chase related to pending cases in Miami-Dade County court.

The 19-minute-long video shows Melina Logan’s reckless maneuvers in Miami-Dade while trying to get away from police officers in a stolen car.

Logan, 27, of North Carolina, was in a 2024 Honda Civic that the South Miami Honda dealership on South Dixie Highway had allowed her to test drive.

Logan was involved in hit-and-run crashes.

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The high-speed chase affected drivers on the Palmetto Expressway.

Logan stopped near 25th Street. She jumped out of the damaged Honda Civic, ran, and dived into a pond in Doral. She was topless when police officers rescued her and arrested her on May 9.

County inmate records show Logan was at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Saturday in Doral facing charges in two pending cases and five warrant cases.

In one of the pending cases, she is facing two counts of battery on a police officer and third-degree grand theft of a vehicle. In the other, she is facing charges of aggravated fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of a crash, and resisting arrest.

The five warrant cases are for charges of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage.

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