NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
Well, it was fun while it lasted. While the Miami Dolphins had the top offense in the NFL just a few short seasons ago, it looks like the team is right back in all-too-familiar territory: rebuilding. It’s hard to fathom that a team that made two postseason appearances in a row, pushed for a division title, and had a top-ten defense last year is in rebuild mode, but here we are.
The Dolphins haven’t had the offseason they’d hoped for. They lost out on bringing back team leadership, such as Calais Campbell, who chose the Cardinals over the Dolphins. They lost a staple along their offensive line in Terron Armstead, who chose retirement over attempting another season. Now, star defensive back Jalen Ramsey is exploring options on a trade. Not to mention, despite their terrible poker face, the rumors of Tyreek Hill being traded simply will not go away.
Which begs the question, what the hell is going on with the Miami Dolphins?
What is it about this once-proud franchise that simply cannot pull their heads out of their backsides? This 25-year playoff win drought is longer than a large portion of their fans have been alive. Despite the Miami hotspot, a winning history, and an all-too-loyal fanbase, the Dolphins can’t seem to hang on to star players. Most of whom, want out after a season or two.
GM Chris Grier, the other day again tried to sell the media on the guys they brought on in the offseason were going to be great replacements for the leadership they lost … umm, who? Who did they bring in that was a bona fide starter and not competing for a starting spot or filling a reserved role?
They’re once again relying heavily on their draft to fill voids, and they haven’t been that good at drafting. Not to mention the fact that young players take time to adjust to the speed of the NFL, learn their roles, and need veteran leadership to get them to the next level. The Miami Dolphins can’t afford to wait for them to develop 2-3 years down the road before their window for a playoff win closes.
Grier stated he’s fully aware of fans opinions and wants to win, but what has he done to improve this team since he got here? They still have questions at all the same spots. They’re thin on the OL, still. There’s inconsistency at LB, still. They’re struggling to run the football, still. One great defensive back (who wants out) and they can’t find consistent CBs or safeties, still.
The Miami Dolphins need to take a good, long look in the mirror and start making drastic improvements to this team. The “gee golly, we’re misunderstood” approach isn’t working. They had an embarrassment of riches in terms of both cap space and draft picks under the current regime and still haven’t made a postseason run.
Last year, the Miami Dolphins took a step backward from the playoff team they were, and it seemed like the team gave up and threw in the towel, and that’s the problem. No matter how much talent you get, draft picks you waste, and salary cap space you spend freely on, it starts with leadership top to bottom. No one for the Miami Dolphins, from the owner, GM, coaches, or players, seemed like they didn’t give up on the season. Here we are, a few months removed, and everyone wants out. Something’s wrong in Miami.
