Tuesday Dolphins Mailbag: Tua, Teddy B, Mostert’s Kick Returns, And More

Half 1 of the post-Packers sport SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:

From Reza Hariri (@Therealrezpect1):

I really feel dangerous for Tua, however looks as if concussion protocol in NFL is inconsistent. Pickett has been in protocol twice and performed in per week. Additionally I feel Gesicki would assist this O. I get he’s not an excellent blocker however can stretch the seam, which might open up crossers for Hill & Waddle.

Hey Reza, undecided there’s a query in there, so I’ll simply say this: Concussions are fickle and gamers react otherwise to them, so making use of a blanket strategy won’t work. Hill and Waddle have feasted on crossers all season and I’m undecided how a lot of an influence Gesicki may make there, and it’s apparent Mike McDaniel just isn’t a fan.

From MontrealDolfan 8-7 (@Montrealdolfan):

Who’s the higher coach, McDaniel or Flores?

Salut, that’s not a good query to ask with two video games left in McDaniel’s first season. What I’d let you know is that Flores was so much higher coach than numerous Dolphins followers need to admit. Or are we so fast to overlook the Dolphins went 10-6 and 9-8 the previous two years with an offense that, once more, so many have been fast to criticize. So he clearly did some issues proper.

From willecron (@pancanfinfan):

I can’t recall a QB liable to concussions like Tua. What the heck is happening right here. Is the franchise QB long-term standing in jeopardy?

Hello there, did you view Tua as a long-term franchise QB earlier than this newest concussion-related episode? I feel that’s a good query to ask in mild of the four-game shedding streak and Tua’s efficiency throughout most of it. The sturdiness issue simply provides one other layer to it, the place it’s going to be exhausting for the Dolphins to justify giving Tua a long-term contract with main cash and probably giant ensures.

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From Chris Bustin (@ChrisBustin13):

Hey Alain, for you, what would a “good sport” appear to be for Teddy Bridgewater if he begins in opposition to the Patriots? Thanks!

Hey Chris, that’s a superb query and I feel it begins with avoiding turnovers and serving to the staff convert third downs. That’s extra necessary than statistical benchmarks, however for the sake of it, let’s go along with 250 passing yards, two touchdowns, no picks, Dolphins convert at the very least 50 p.c on third down.

From Javier (@jboy1724):

With one other poor efficiency from Tua & now 3 concussions ought to the Dolphins as a company take into consideration shifting on or is Tua definitely worth the threat? Looks like Miami has a small window with a really electrical offense. In the event that they transfer on, who ought to they aim?

Hey Javier, man, that’s exhausting hitting and proper to the purpose. Whereas it’s troublesome to justify a long-term extension at this level, there’s no have to rush to dump Tua except there’s a greater choice that presents itself and at the moment the outlook for veteran QBs being accessible subsequent spring isn’t nice. And the very fact the Dolphins don’t have a first-round decide in 2023 wouldn’t precisely make it simple for them to commerce for one if that grew to become an choice. Tua is underneath contract for subsequent season and the Dolphins can train the fifth-year choice for 2024 at the price of $22 million (although there’s threat there as a result of that’s totally assured).

From Riley Skalik (@Riley_Skalik):

The protection did not look horrible this week however trying on the season as a complete they’ve been beneath common. Contemplating among the gifted names on D, why do you suppose they appear to repeatedly battle (not together with their depleted  secondary)?

Hey Riley, is it potential that perhaps we’re overestimating the expertise on this Dolphins protection? If I can’t point out the secondary, which has been a giant difficulty with all of the accidents, then I’d must level on the cross rush, which merely hasn’t been constant sufficient — and it’s not nearly sacks however placing QBs underneath duress regularly. The Dolphins have some large names there with Bradley Chubb and Melvin Ingram, however the cross rush merely has not been adequate.

From TC (@WineMixers):

How will we get our 1 learn QB to grow to be a 2 learn QB?

Fairly certain numerous that’s instinctive, although repetition at all times will help with something. It’s additionally not like Tua has by no means hit a cross to a secondary goal, although it’s additionally clear his forte is the fast throw on rhythm.

From Brody (@Brody_)316):

Since two defenses have mentioned that our offense revolves on timing and jamming WRs, what changes could be made to repair that? Extra conventional West Coast offense?

Hey Brody, that’s a superb query, and this can be the place pounding the operating sport could make cornerbacks have to concentrate elsewhere for a change. However being that the Dolphins’ greatest playmakers on offense are Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, it is sensible for defenses to do no matter must be performed to disrupt their routes, even at the price of sacrificing the run protection.

From Rob_Tomato (@TomatoRob):

Is it too quickly to name Brady for subsequent 12 months?!

Hmm, that’s an fascinating query based mostly on what we all know from the tampering the Dolphins have been discovered responsible of. The one factor is there have been much more questions on Tua then than there at the moment are, so does it make sense to usher in a 46-year-old Brady in 2023 for one 12 months as an alternative of seeing if Tua can proceed his transfer ahead.

From FinsUpMass (@paulbdotcom):

Why, for the final 49 years, has this staff killed its fan base?

Hey Paul, I hear the place you’re coming from, however how do you suppose followers of the Lions, Jets or Browns are feeling nowadays?

From Jeffallen782 (@jeffallen782):

Hello Alain. This staff is irritating and inconsistent. Why have they got their RB1 returning kicks? Why so many kick returns this previous sport? It appears to me 31 took a tough hit on the return earlier than his fumble and was not the identical after that. … I believed Tua (Sanders too) appeared very fragile psychologically. Tua continues to indicate he’s not the long-term reply. He can’t learn defenses or recuperate from a foul play. They’ll’t beat anybody aside from dangerous groups, and even these are shut video games. Dolphins — eternally common!

Hey Jeff, whoa! Lot to unpack right here. First, not a fan of getting Mostert returning kickoffs, both. However the Dolphins don’t have a return specialist on the roster, one thing I’d advocate they rectify subsequent season. As for beating nothing however dangerous groups, they do have victories in opposition to playoff groups Baltimore and Buffalo. Calling Tua fragile psychologically is sort of handy after he has a three-pick sport and Sanders had made 11 in a row earlier than his miss. As for eternally common … nicely, can’t argue the very fact they’ve been that for too lengthy (with few exceptions).

From Joe Kirkland (@KirklandJoe):

Why does Mostert look so sluggish and not sure returning kickoffs? Do we actually not have anybody higher?

Hey Joe, as an alternative of sluggish and not sure, he’s in search of a gap to burst via. Not the identical factor. Mostert is something however sluggish. And, clearly, the Dolphins don’t have anyone else they’d somewhat use on kickoff returns, although that needs to be addressed earlier than subsequent season.

From J (@J_Edwards56):

Why does Tua insist on not telling anybody he is concussed?

Quite simple reply to this (as an excellent guess) is that Tua’s signs didn’t present up till later. After the scare he had at Cincinnati, does anyone actually suppose he could be symptomatic however maintain quiet about it? Now, that will be nothing wanting silly.

From Jason Mitchell (@Mr_Ivorian):

Hello Alain, was that the worst second-half efficiency on offense you’ve seen in a very long time? And what’s Miami going to do at QB subsequent season?

Hey Jason, it was the worst second-half offensive efficiency in a bit, although I do recall worse ones — London sport in opposition to the Saints, for one, and there was a second-half or two in opposition to New England simply as dangerous. As for QB for Miami subsequent season, I’d anticipate at the moment it could be Tua except he makes the choice to retire due to the concussion points.

From Goshma Ballzitch (@p_williams83):

If Tua would not have a concussion, simply signs, what do you suppose his likelihood is of enjoying Sunday?

Hey Goshma, I’d think about there’s a chance he performs Sunday — Mike McDaniel didn’t rule it out — if the signs are gentle they usually go away rapidly. I definitely wouldn’t rely on it, although, as a result of the Dolphins are going to be extremely cautious and Teddy Bridgewater will put together because the starter in follow.

From d. Edward (@Syr2Pitt2SD):

What’s with the squib kick?

Yeah, I didn’t like that one bit. This was a response, I’d guess, to giving up a 93-yard kickoff return the earlier time when Jason Sanders kicked into the top zone. It’s not very best, to say the least, as a result of Inexperienced Bay began its drive at its 46 and took benefit of the sector place on a landing drive.

From Dr. Jimmy (@radiohead68):

1. Why do Fins suck yearly? 2. Are Fins fan base most clueless in NFL? 3. Who was President of the USA final time Fins received a SUPERBOWL?

Hey Doc, I feel I might need included your questions as a result of props on the Twitter deal with (love Radiohead, although not fairly as a lot as my spouse does). The Dolphins don’t suck yearly, although they clearly don’t meet expectations or hopes from followers. I’m not conscious of different fan bases, so can’t touch upon cluelessness rankings — and I additionally don’t know what you imply by “clueless” or what you’re suggesting. If reminiscence serves, it was Richard Nixon who was president when the Dolphins final received the Tremendous Bowl.

From Luke Yanka (@lsyanka):

How a lot does the offense change with Teddy B on the helm? And will we be assured with him going into Sunday or ought to we be nervous?

Hey Luke, Mike McDaniel mentioned earlier than Bridgewater was preparing for his first begin in opposition to the Jets that the offense wouldn’t change very a lot in any respect, and there’s no cause for it to alter. And I’d recommend your stage of confidence needs to be the identical or at the very least similar to what it could be if Tua have been at quarterback.

From Anthony Berardo (@berardo_anthony):

Based mostly on current historical past, isn’t the almost definitely consequence losses w/ NE, NY (coupled w/ a NE loss in opposition to Buff, placing NY in playoffs, Dolphins in final place finishing the worst meltdown and collapse in Miami historical past? The place does the ax fall on this possible consequence? Heads MUST roll.

Hey Anthony (or ought to I name you Debbie Downer?), man, speak about gloom-and-doom situation. OK, I’ll play alongside. Sure, it could be the worst collapse in staff historical past, topping the 1993 model as a result of that one got here with the Dolphins right down to their third QB and it featured a five-game season-ending shedding streak and your situation presents a six-game season-ending skid. The place the ax would fall clearly would rely on how the ultimate two video games play out, however the locations to look clearly would come with GM, coach and QB.

From Tim Berton (@BravesFinsUp):

Time to switch Mostert as kick returner? Bumped into the arms of a GB Packer as an alternative of the large gap on the final return. With the season on the road, ought to Hill be again there?

Hey Tim, I’m not essentially an enormous fan of getting Mostert operating again kickoffs once I suppose he’d be higher served with just a few extra carries every sport. However there’s no clear return specialist on the roster, which I feel is a mistake. The caveat to that’s that returns have taken a serious again seat in at the moment’s sport, which is why I wouldn’t essentially put Hill because the KOR as a result of opponents then would kick the ball via the top zone virtually each time, so he wouldn’t get alternatives anyway.

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