Miami Gardens, FL.- We are ten days away from Miami Dolphins Training Camp!
After a very successful off-season, there has never been more hype leading into August. As the ‘Fins faithful patiently await the start of open practices (July 28), there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the franchise.
Today, I’d like to dive into the five biggest storylines surrounding the Miami Dolphins, and my personal take on them!
1: Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract
After displaying MVP caliber numbers over the past two seasons, one could infer that Tua Tagovailoa should’ve received the pay he deserves. Unfortunately for QB1, he’s still in the contract negotiation purgatory (for now).
Reports have come out for months saying both Tua and the Dolphins were “nearing a deal”, yet no dice. Despite not having a deal *currently* finalized, both parties seem eager at the thought of getting the deal done. This off-season, twenty-three gunslingers received new contracts, with guys like Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield receiving extensions while Kirk Cousins, Gardner Minshew and Russell Wilson found new homes.
During the 2023 season, Tagovailoa led the league in passing (4,624 yards), was top five in touchdowns (29) and was top ten in QBR (60.8).
If the Quarterback market stands as is, Tagovailoa’s future contract is currently projected at team friendly 4 years, $210.4M. If taken, this deal would likely be backloaded and incentivized and Tua would be 11th in total contract value. Like previously stared, his contract would have to be team friendly, because Miami also still needs to work on longterm deals with Jaelen Phillips and Jevon Holland before they hit the market.
2.: EDGE depth
The Dolphins’ playoff push took a very unexpected turn thanks to a series of unfortunate injuries late in the season. Multiple Miami defensive starters faced season ending injures, crippling the front-seven.
Miami’s string of defeating injuries were headlined with the losses of Jaelan Philips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (Knee). Both veteran pass-rushers were en route to Pro-Bowl caliber seasons, when suddenly their season ended in a flash. Going into the Post-Season, depleted would be a nice way of describing the ‘Fins front seven.
The Dolphins tackled this dilemma by adding talented rushers Chop Robinson and Mohammed Kamara during the Draft, while also signing Calias Campbell in Free Agency. I’m very interested to see how these three pass-rushers will impact this defense early on, as Phillips and Chubb get brought back on a limited snap count.
3.: Running Back Room
Everyone’s quite familiar with the depth in the Dolphins’ WR room. While receivers are definitely the flashier position, one could argue Miami’s RB room is just as good.
Last year, Miami’s RB1 on a “pass first” offense, Raheem Mostert surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and led the league in rushing TD’s (18). As if things couldn’t get any more annoying for opposing defenses, Miami’s RB2, De’Von Achane racked in another 800 yards and 8 scores, in ONLY five games played.
Miami doubled down on their Olympic class track meet of a backfield by selecting Jaylen Wright during this Draft. I’m very interested to see how touches are spread to this elite three headed monster.
4.: Getting out of the Third Trimester of the Season
I so do not want to talk about this.
For Dolphins fans, the past two seasons were like being in a relationship. Everything’s beautiful and amazing at the start, you’re on top of the world, bragging to your single (Jets fans) friends and you’ve got your eyes set on a ring. But as the weeks go on, thing’s aren’t as it seems. Eventually thing’s turn to the worst, people get hurt and you’re left crying on your couch reminiscing on what could’ve been.
In all seriousness, Miami has started off red hot both seasons, and then unfortunate late injuries to key stars take over, killing the season. Obviously I can’t say “just don’t get hurt” because that’s part of the game, but we still need to be able to execute in December and January.
5.: New Defensive Schemes
Last year featured a quite questionable defensive scheme from former DC Vic Fangio. Following Fangio’s dismissal from the squad, numerous players expressed their extreme joy in the current vacancy. I noticed that Fangio’s scheme did NOT play into the team’s unique athletic abilities, rather reducing them to glorified Pop Warner players.
Shortly thereafter, Miami hired Anthony Weaver to become the program’s newest defensive coordinator. Weaver spent a lengthy career in the league as a player, before bouncing around as a coach. During his most recent stint in Baltimore, Coach Weaver’s defense primarily featured a 3-3-5 scheme, and dominated the league.
If Miami rocks Weaver’s previous schemes, I think he’d play into the elite athleticism that guys like Jaelan Phillips, Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland possess, making this team even scarier. My biggest beneficiary for this new scheme is without a doubt LB David Long. I think his snap count will continue to rise this season, allowing him to run wild on defense.
Well there we have it ‘Fins fans! My top five biggest storylines leading into Miami Dolphins Training Camp and the beginning of the season.
What else would you add? Comment below!