Miami, FL
Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Biggest Weakness, Tua ‘Redemption Plan,’ RB projection, and More
Third and closing a part of this week’s SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:
From JaSoN (@JWhat13):
With the rumor that Flores had all younger coaches on the crew and no veteran coach to lean on, who would you say in McDaniel’s present workers can be his go-to man for that veteran teaching recommendation/expertise?
Hey Jason, effectively, first off, Chan Gailey was the offensive coordinator in 2020 and he definitely would qualify as a “veteran coach.” To reply your query, there’s not likely a “veteran coach” on the workers within the sense most individuals apply, however a lot of the coaches have been round for some time.
From Brice (@BricefromLA):
What do you suppose would be the greatest weak point on the crew in 2022?
Hey Brice, good query, and I’m considering off the highest of my head the run protection is the world the place I may need essentially the most concern. I feel we’d even have to have a look at the offensive line as a result of regardless that I count on it to be significantly better, that also has to materialize on the sector.
From Ouch (@whyPhinswhywhy):
Seeing as you have been the very first native reporter out on Tua, what’s your plan of redemption when Tua proves to be a participant value investing in? Can we arrange a dunk tank or one thing ?
Hey Ouch (factors on originality right here), let’s begin by defining “out on Tua.” Until I’m forgetting one thing I mentioned or wrote, I’ve NEVER as soon as used that time period, nor mentioned definitively that he’s a bust or something to that impact. What I’ve mentioned is that I wasn’t an enormous fan when he was popping out of faculty (bodily shortcomings masked by an all-star supporting forged) and have seen nothing prior to now two years to make me change my thoughts, so till confirmed in any other case, I’m going to have doubts as as to whether he can turn into an elite quarterback. Second, plan of redemption? That’s humorous. A part of my job is to supply evaluation, and I don’t want redemption if I occur to be improper on a participant projection as a result of — and I do know this can come as a shock — that occurs sometimes. Lastly, “dunk tank,” certain, sounds enjoyable, however we’ll should cost cash for the chance and we are able to donate the cash to charity. And since I feel that sort of factor would generate little to no curiosity, you’d should accept one thing like me writing, “Properly, seems that Tua has turn into a greater NFL quarterback than I had anticipated.”
Scroll to Proceed
From Ken R (@krixter):
Which 2nd 12 months participant will make the largest impression? Who will hunch?
Hey Ken, I feel I would keep watch over Liam Eichenberg as a second-year participant able to make a giant leap in 2022. As for who will hunch, man, that’s a downer of a query. One of the best ways to reply that is to begin with the gamers who had nice success as rookies in 2021, and that may be Jaylen Waddle, Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland. Now, as a substitute of predicting who will “hunch,” let me handle this by as a substitute telling you who I feel may have essentially the most tough time repeating what he did final season and I feel that distinction may go to Waddle if for no different motive than there are extra choices on offense this season, so his variety of targets subsequently probably will lower.
From Jamie Bazdaric (@BazdaricJamie):
0-4 is just too quickly, 2-12 is just too late…What number of losses would you expect we’re at earlier than we hear STRONG Teddy requests? I’m nonetheless scarred from the 1-7 begin final 12 months and am additionally assuming no accidents.
Hey Jamie, right here’s one other query that’s going to go over actual effectively with a variety of Dolphins followers. Perceive first that any change of this type wouldn’t be strictly the results of wins and losses, understanding that quarterback play clearly performs a component in that. So, to reply query, I’m unsure I can provide you a definitive reply apart from I definitely would suppose it will be nearer to 0-4 than 2-12 that the Dolphins would make a change, however it may be very early if the crew is shedding and Tua is placing up good numbers.
From Chip Turner (@ChipTurnerPA):
Of Gaskin, Ahmed, Mostert, Michel, Edmonds, Doaks and White, which RB do you consider make the crew, and what number of will they keep it up the 53?
Hey Chip, let’s begin with what number of they’ll carry and my greatest guess at this level can be 4, plus fullback Alec Ingold. Then I’d say that Gaskin, Michel and Edmonds are fairly protected bets to be on the 53-man roster. The wild card right here will probably be Mostert as a result of he’s getting back from a significant knee damage that required surgical procedure. If he’s good to go for the beginning of the common season, that may be the fourth.
From Jake McVay (@JakeMc945):
There cannot be a sooner huge receiver duo ever in league historical past than Waddle & Hill, proper, Alain? Why am I so rattling excited? Perhaps 30 years of disappointment? Yeah, no have to reply the final query.
Hey Jake, unsure I can reply that definitively, however the risk definitely does exist it’s the quickest huge receiver tandem ever as a result of these two have some sort of velocity. And go forward, be excited. The probabilities are thrilling certainly.
Miami, FL
Setting the Stage for the Week 17 Dolphins-Browns Matchup
The Miami Dolphins will look to get back to .500 for the first time since September when they face the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday in a game that might or might not have playoff implications.
Here’s all the pertinent info for this Week 17 Dolphins-Browns matchup.
Additional content:
— Is the end near for big-name Dolphins?
— Rain, not cold, could be challenge in Cleveland
— What the Christmas results mean for the Dolphins
Regular Season Series History: Dolphins lead 10-9
Last Five Meetings:
- November 13, 2022 at Miami — Dolphins 39, Browns 17
- November 24, 2019 at Cleveland — Browns 41, Dolphins 24
- September 25, 2016 at Miami — Dolphins 30, Browns 24 (OT)
- September 8, 2013 at Cleveland — Dolphins 23, Browns 10
- September 25, 2011 at Cleveland — Browns 17, Dolphins 16
Series Superlatives:
Connections:
Heading into Week 17, it appeared likely the Dolphins would miss the playoffs after being in the postseason last year and the other AFC team in that position is the Browns. Yes, the Browns made the playoffs in 2023, even though that seems crazy considering how bad their 2024 season has gone. While the defense certainly hasn’t been great, it’s the Cleveland offense that’s most to blame for the collapse, and pointing the finger at QB Deshaun Watson probably wouldn’t be out of line since the Browns made their playoff run while he was on IR last season and Joe Flacco was running the offense. Cleveland was so bad on offense with Watson, it didn’t reach 300 total yards in any game until Week 7. Maybe the weirdest part about the Cleveland season is that two of its three victories have come against playoff-bound Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
Cleveland is down to its third quarterback with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who still needs to show he can more than a third option for a team. The Browns won’t have Nick Chubb, who’s on IR, or injured tight end David Njoku in this game and scored 13 points in their past two games combined. The Dolphins defense has been good in recent weeks and it’s easy to envision it completely shutting down the Browns in this game.
The biggest X-factor in this game is whether the Dolphins will have anything at stake in terms of playoff ramifications. If they have been eliminated because the Chargers and Broncos both won Saturday, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Dolphins come out flat even if they want to finish the season with a winning record regardless. The elements also could be an issue, particularly if it becomes rainy and windy, and a wet ball on a wet field always can be a great equalizer.
This will be the Dolphins’ fourth and final shot at getting back to .500 this season for the first time since September and they can keep alive their streak of consecutive seasons with a winning record by defeating the Browns before turning their attention to the New York Jets in Week 18. Cleveland will play hard in this game, but injuries have left them talent-deficient on offense. The Browns committted 18 turnovers in their past five games and we can see at least a couple more in this one. This is the kind of game the Dolphins have managed very well over the past couple of years, and there’s no reason to think this will be different, regardless of weather or playoff scenarios.
Final Score: Dolphins 23, Browns 9
Miami, FL
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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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X: @SeanKJordan
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