Tuesday Dolphins Mailbag: QB Questions, Hill as Returner, and More

Half 1 of the post-Patriots recreation SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:

From Miami Dolphins Québec (@Dolphins_Quebec):

Howdy Alain. To start with, Blissful New Yr. Well being and success for you and your loved ones in 2023. How are you going to clarify the dearth on enchancment on the O-line, particularly within the working recreation. Armstead’s accidents wanted to be anticipated, so it isn’t an excuse for me. Thanks!

Blissful New Yr to you! I truly did see enchancment this season, and Armstead completely was a giant a part of that. I’d say the O-line has been common this season, which is a reasonably important enchancment over final 12 months. It’s not nice, however once more it’s higher than it was. And it definitely was adequate for the Dolphins to get to 8-3 at one level.

From Large Ern McDolphin (@dana_buice):

Hey my buddy, Connor Williams moved from guard to heart this season. General he’s been nice. Nonetheless, he’s identified to ship a number of excessive snaps a recreation. I believed he’d enhance on this over time. That hasn’t occurred. Why do you assume that’s, and what can they do to repair this drawback?

Hey Dana, yeah, undecided repair that type of drawback aside from repetition. I additionally don’t assume it’s been horrible this season, identical to I’m undecided I’d use the phrase “nice” to explain his season. I feel he’s been fairly good, with out query.

From Greg Creese (@GregCreese):

Only one query: Are we there but?

Hey Greg, ha! Large query is: What’s “there”? If it’s again to the place they have been, no, they clearly usually are not “there.”

From Mike Mangaras (@mangaras_mike):

Blissful New Yr Alain, wait is that this a brand new 12 months? Looks as if Groundhog Day. Query: I’m betting that Tom Terrific is gonna wish to end his profession in Miami; do you assume Ross pulls the set off and if that’s the case, are Tua’s days numbered (I certain hope not) butdontyouthinkitruinshim?

Hey Mike, all the time anticipate the surprising with the Dolphins, and that definitely would come with going after Brady once more. I’m undecided if that will “destroy” Tua, nevertheless it definitely would recommend the Dolphins don’t assume he’s adequate to get them the place they wish to go and it might appear to recommend some extent of no return with him.

From Cliff Wagner (@HerePromotions):

I see McDaniel as a caring, good, respectful particular person, and loves how he talks about his gamers and appears interviewers within the eyes and gives considerate solutions, not like many different coaches. Very curious you probably have any perception as to how the gamers really feel about McDaniel as a coach?

Hey Cliff, from all I’ve gathered this season, Dolphins gamers respect McDaniel and positively admire the best way he pertains to them, which is sort of a distinction from final 12 months. In addition they acknowledge McDaniel is quirky, however total it’s about their respect for his intelligence and soccer acumen.

From brandon groepper (@brandongroepper):

Is it time to place the Cheetah again to return punts? Want a shot at extra explosive performs with the backup QB and the season on the road …

Hey Brandon, I requested McDaniel that very query final week and McDaniel advised me the concept of getting both Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle returning kicks has been mentioned in latest weeks, although the Dolphins haven’t carried out something in that path. I completely assume that is one thing the Dolphins can do as a result of they’ve gotten little or no out of their return recreation and they should discover methods to assist themselves.

From Jason Mitchell (@Mr_Ivorian):

Hey Alain, completely satisfied new 12 months. That loss harm large time, why does it appear we are able to’t get the offense taking part in effectively the identical time the protection does? I do know Teddy received injured, however they have been there for the taking. And are we jinked on the QB place as a result of it definitely feels prefer it? Cheers.

Hey Jason, completely satisfied new 12 months. They’ll’t marry the offense and protection recently, however the Bridgewater damage was a crusher in opposition to the Patriots. As for the QB place, I’m not going with the “jinxed” thought as a result of the Dolphins even have made the incorrect determination at each flip for some time now.

From Pete z (@PZicky):

How does Grier keep employed when he put collectively this oft-injured roster, and traded away all of the belongings and workforce has damaging cap area subsequent season? Additionally, the place might the franchise probably go for GM with out firing McDaniel, which I don’t help btw.

Hey Pete, you actually must cease mincing phrases and being so wishy-washy. JK. I definitely get the frustration and it’s tough to defend all of the strikes which were made, but in addition perceive that Stephen Ross could be very loyal to Chris Grier. It’s additionally not extraordinary for a workforce to rent a brand new GM and conserving the coach in place.

—————————————————————–

FOR EVEN MORE COVERAGE ON THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, CHECK OUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S MIAMI DOLPHINS PAGE ON SI.COM

——————————————————————————–

From Dustin Houlton (@putter1013):

Who do you view as a practical defensive coordinator alternative for Boyer at 12 months finish? % likelihood he’s retained or let go?

Hey Dustin, I haven’t actually studied who might grow to be a defensive coordinator candidate as a result of we’re not there but, although I do assume it’s most likely 50-50 at this level the Dolphins may very well be available in the market for one after the season given the disappointing efficiency of the protection this season, understanding that accidents within the secondary clearly haven’t helped.

From Chris Bustin (@ChrisBustin13):

Hey, Alain. Blissful New Yr. If the Dolphins miss the playoffs, which one of many following do you assume is extra probably: 1. Steve Ross makes a change on the place of Chris Grier, Mike McDaniel, or Tua Tagovailoa…or…2 Mr. Ross sticks with the established order and retains all three males?

Hey Chris, that’s an fascinating query and even a legitimate one, however for those who’re asking me which of the 2 choices is extra probably, I’d go together with conserving all three.

From Chris Roney (@ChrisRoney0):

Josh Boyer will probably be the autumn man for the workforce’s meltdown this 12 months. Do you assume Mike McDaniel can persuade Vic Fangio to come back to Miami? It was rumored he had curiosity in having him on employees when he was employed.

Hey Chris, Vic Fangio completely is a reputation to look at if the Dolphins do make a change for defensive coordinator, although I’m undecided I’d categorize something as “probably.”

From It’sTuaClockSomewhere (@MigzSwervin):

A considered why our offense digressed after 3/4 of the season. I nonetheless imagine that Tua might be our beginning QB. However, is the digression extra to do with our opponents studying to defend what he does greatest? ie; throw to a spot precisely, anticipate, transfer defenses along with his eyes …

Hey there, Tua operates greatest when he can go on rhythm and the timing is there — and, by “transfer defenses along with his eyes,” you imply trying off a receiver (which is primary Qbing 101 — and he’s not as efficient when he’s thrown off schedule. That’s what opposing defenses began doing a number of weeks again, and it performed into Tua’s shortcomings. 

—————————————————————————

Thanks for studying. Make certain to bookmark this web site and verify again every day for the most recent 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.