NFL
By Rick O’Donnell
There’s a problem down in Miami. Despite the teams’ flashy moves in free agency and trading for players such as Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, and Bradley Chubb in the past, it hasn’t led to success for the Miami Dolphins. Sure, there can be plenty of fingers pointed in the organization and most of them will be pointed directly to the coach. However, how many times can we blame it on the coaches before it starts to get directed elsewhere? Some fans have been pointing more fingers at GM Chris Grier. Is it time for us to admit maybe he’s the problem?
To say he’s the sole reason the Miami Dolphins aren’t succeeding wouldn’t be fair. The team had been failing for just as long before he got there. Plus, it’s not as if he’s just sat back on his hands and waited for stuff to fall into his lap. However, some of his moves should draw a red flag. First and foremost, his inability to keep guys around. Out of all the playmakers he’s turned up via the draft, not many have stuck around in Miami. Guys like Jarvis Landry were traded away, while Christian Wilkins and Jevon Holland walked in free agency.
He brought talent in Tyreek Hill. While he’s been a hell of a player but he’s been equally distracting at a time when the Dolphins need leadership the most. He’s a Super Bowl champ as well as one of the more talented receivers in the game. Instead of being a shining example of what a professional NFL player looks like, he’s an example of what not to do with your time.
From not voicing his frustrations in-house and letting his emotions get the best of him after the season finale to a video of him saying he wanted to knock out head coach Mike McDaniel. It gives off the message that it’s Tyreek’s World and we’re all just living in it. If he ever put his head down and put the team first, there’s no telling how good the Dolphins could be. You can’t promote a “culture change” while your top performer is your biggest distraction.
Not to mention the injuries that absolutely decimate the team every season. This is the NFL and it’s a high-impact game. Injuries are going to happen, but it seems Grier is always bargain shopping for players with injury history each offseason. How many times as a Dolphins fan have you said “If only Tua could stay healthy…” or “If Chubb, Phillips, and Chop can get on the field together …” only to see it blow up mid-season? This team relies on the “what ifs” and “if only” and it hasn’t worked out for the past 25 years. Yes, these are all players with tremendous upside, but if they can’t get on the field at the same time, you have to be able to have talent to fill in and Miami almost never does.
No matter who you point the finger at between the coaches, GM, and owner someone will always get the blame. However, if the Miami Dolphins are still struggling with health, long-term deals, and inability to fill the same gaps on the roster, eventually more fingers need to be pointed at the GM. Maybe it’s time to stop taking so many risks and find playmakers who can stay healthy and want to stick around.
