What's the plan for the rest of the season?

[Denver2]

Nothing has changed with an ugly win against lowly New England (sorry Hoodie). I still think the Dolphins will be fortunate to win 6 games this year. I'll be very happy to admit I was wrong if they make the playoffs, but I just don't see it happening at this point in the season. An awful lot of things would have to change in my opinion least of all would be Tua being fully healthy for the rest of the year. I see too many issues besides QB right now. If things do go south and they win 6 or less, expect big changes in the off season. That could be a coaching change, trades, maybe even a change at General Manager. Hold on because I think we are in for a bumpy ride in 2024 and a potential rebuild for 2025.

Well it’s never easy to get a win against a division rival ( no matter how lowly ) in their home stadium on your third QB.

You may be right, consensus certainly is that Miami is doomed to a bad season.

I think Mostert’s return might help a lot.


We will see.

[Downunder Dolphan]

One other key thing that I think should happen post the break - McDaniel should seriously consider handing over the play calling to the Offensive Coordinator.

Even before Tua got hurt, he had a history of taking way to long to get the plays in which led to problems (especially in hostile territory where there's a lot of noise).

If he's going to persist with this (especially with our back up QBs) then he has to find a way to get the plays in a lot quicker. Maybe that means running a hurry-up offense more often than not which would at least buy our QB a little more time.

[Spider-Dan]

I didn't watch the NE game, but my understanding is that the ball was being snapped with plenty of time to go, so the plays were getting in much quicker.

[masterfins]

I didn't watch the NE game, but my understanding is that the ball was being snapped with plenty of time to go, so the plays were getting in much quicker.

I would agree he's gotten better at getting the plays in quicker, but he should still not be calling all the offensive plays.  If McDaniel wants to be an OC then he should go do that and step aside from being a head coach.

[Pappy13]

McDaniel isn't the problem really. His play calling is fine, the problem is that this team is so soft in the trenches. They will never be able to hold a lead. He takes blame for part of that because he helps construct the roster. Next draft they should draft nothing but offensive and defensive lineman, but I don't have much faith they would be able to pick the right guys anyway so it probably wouldn't matter.

[Downunder Dolphan]

McDaniel isn't the problem really. His play calling is fine, the problem is that this team is so soft in the trenches. They will never be able to hold a lead. He takes blame for part of that because he helps construct the roster. Next draft they should draft nothing but offensive and defensive lineman, but I don't have much faith they would be able to pick the right guys anyway so it probably wouldn't matter.

Forget this season. It's over.

We're through the softest part of our draw and we're 2-5.

We've got to win something like 8 of the last 10 to be a chance at a wildcard. Hell, if we do it, we would have earned it... but this is the Phins who struggle to win in December.

McDaniel is a major part of the problem. The team is soft and selfish because of his personality and philosophies. It can't protect a lead when it counts, it never could.

He needs to have a serious look in the mirror and find a mean bone, and bring it to the team next season.

[masterfins]

Well this season is over, there's no way they win in Buffalo next week.  They need to look at trading some players before the deadline in a week.  They need to accumulate as many picks as possible and start the re-build now.  That means trading some players with high salaries now, and trading any players with upcoming high salaries.  This re-build is over and there's no point in dragging it out trying to salvage what isn't there.  Need to start rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines and maybe in 2 or 3 years they may be able to compete.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Well this season is over, there's no way they win in Buffalo next week.  They need to look at trading some players before the deadline in a week.  They need to accumulate as many picks as possible and start the re-build now.  That means trading some players with high salaries now, and trading any players with upcoming high salaries.  This re-build is over and there's no point in dragging it out trying to salvage what isn't there.  Need to start rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines and maybe in 2 or 3 years they may be able to compete.

Can we feasibly do that much? Before the recent contract restructures Tyreek, Tua, Waddle and Ramsey may have been attractive to some team in need, but I can't see them offering much in the way of a trade and now be lumped with all that guaranteed money to pay out. Speaking of which... how much dead money would we be possibly up for?

We are in an awful predicament with Chubb - no sign of a return soon from injury, and I read that he alone is slated to take up 10.5% of the total team salary cap next season!

So who's left to trade that a team would want? Or on the other had, who else do we let walk out this time when their contract's up? Holland? Achane? Phillips?

[Downunder Dolphan]

So who's left to trade that a team would want?

It seems like some teams are expressing interest in Calais Campbell, who has been a good acquisition this season.

It's only a one year, $2M contract, so would we be better keeping him around as one of our better players on defense to help Chop Robinson continue to improve before the end of the season? Or will there be a pick good enough to let him go?

[Pappy13]

It seems like some teams are expressing interest in Calais Campbell, who has been a good acquisition this season.

It's only a one year, $2M contract, so would we be better keeping him around as one of our better players on defense to help Chop Robinson continue to improve before the end of the season? Or will there be a pick good enough to let him go?

It would have been a huge mistake to let Calais Campbell leave. He's been one of the bright spots in a rather disappointing season. I'm actually Ok with Miami standing pat through the trade deadline. Looking back at the last 3 drafts, I'm actually ok with most of what has happened. The biggest thing that hurt us was losing 1st and 3rd round picks for tampering. They've traded away a lot of picks but they've brought in some good players with those trades. Pick some beefy guys for the offensive line and front 7 on defense next year and make this a team that can hold up in December and they might actually be a decent team next year if Tua can stay healthy.

[Downunder Dolphan]

It would have been a huge mistake to let Calais Campbell leave. He's been one of the bright spots in a rather disappointing season. I'm actually Ok with Miami standing pat through the trade deadline.

I agree. He's one of the rare few who have played at a consistently high standard this season, and we're better off with him than a token draft pick in return.

Last week I said Achane would be miles ahead of everyone in the team MVP race, but on reflection Campbell would be close... after those two, there should be a lot of daylight though.

[Dolfanalyst]

The plan for the rest of the season is to continue to underachieve because the team is being led by someone with a personality only slightly different from Pee Wee Herman's.

And I sounded that alarm way back when he was hired.

[Downunder Dolphan]

It would have been a huge mistake to let Calais Campbell leave.

Apparently, they were very close to letting him go for a 2026 5th rounder. I am glad they came to their senses and didn't do it.

https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-hc-mike-mcdaniel-nixed-calais-campbell-deal-to-ravens-ahead-of-nov-5-trade-deadline

[Downunder Dolphan]

Let's not get too ahead of ourselves... the last two wins were against two of the top four tanking for the highest pick in next years draft.

https://www.tankathon.com/nfl

Next week on the road at Green Bay will be a massive test as to whether we are any chance or none. Drop that, and we honestly don't deserve one.

[masterfins]

^^^  I agree; beating a team as bad as the Patriots at home is nice, but nothing to get too excited about.  Miami did that all last season but when the tough matches came at the end of the season the offense didn't show up.  Now if they can go to GB on a short week, for a cold night game, then that would be a significant win.  A win like that carries over and gives the organization the confidence they can win tough games.