Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Fangio Defense, Baker, Tua, and More
Part 2 of the latest offseason SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:
From Dave (@angryvet59):
What sort of addition/subtractions do you see Fangio making to defensive staff? Your choice for OL coach choice would be who?
Hey Dave, well, the Dolphins already are without an OLB coach, backup LB coach and safeties coach are they fired Ty McKenzie, Steve Ferentz and Steve Gregory, respectively. I’m not sure there’ll be any other changes and would think DL coach Austin Clark, LB coach Anthony Campanile and DB coach Sam Madison will be back in 2023.
From Ryan Smith (@Echoes5296):
Were there any interpersonal issues between McD and Boyer that led to his termination or was it only performance-based?
Hey Ryan, never heard anything about any issues, it simply was a matter of McDaniel wanting to make a change after being encouraged (told?) to keep Boyer after he was hired last offseason after the defense took a bit of a dip in 2022 — though injuries certainly played a role in that.
From Rich (@mouldymuffin99):
Tua doesn't get the multi-year extension until he proves he can a) stay healthy and b) win important games in December, right? Right!?
Hey Rich, I think you’re on the right track here and the thing is the Dolphins have some time before they go completely all in for the long haul because Tua is under the contract for 2023, the Dolphins can use the fifth-year option for 2024 if they choose, and then they always could use the franchise tag in 2025.
From Finhead (@Finhead83):
Yay or nay for Baker in Fangio's system? With the ability of the front against the run, I actually think Baker could fit well with the Penny Nickel and use his athleticism to react in zone.
Hmm, I’d never say never, but I’m not so sure about that one. I think it’s just as possible that Baker ends up being released this offseason. I’m not sure he’s a difference-maker at linebacker, and this scheme (any scheme, really) could use an impact player there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR EVEN MORE COVERAGE ON THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, CHECK OUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S MIAMI DOLPHINS PAGE ON SI.COM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Michael Freeling (@FreelingMichael):
Who are the key FAs you expect to target ?
Hey Michael, I think it’s a little too early for that kind of conversation because we don’t know all the players who’ll become available, plus the Dolphins have to worry about their own free agents first and then I’m not sure how much they’ll be able to get done with the limited cap space they’ll have.
From Toby Mulligan (@tmtexas)
With all the talk regarding Brady or whomever being the GOAT, how many Super Bowls would Marino have to have won to be considered the undisputed GOAT?
Hey Toby, man that’s a pretty big jump to go from someone with seven Super Bowl titles to someone with zero. With Brady’s seven, Marino would have had to at least come close to that number, particularly if you’re going to go as far as use the term “undisputed.”
From Keith Strini (@keith_strini):
Who would you like to see as the new O-Line coach that has possible ties to Shanahan system? Do you see Fangio keeping our Safeties/LB/D-line coaching staff. If not, who's your guess for replacements?
As I wrote Friday, I think Mike Munchak looks like a good and logical candidate for the OC spot and he’s familiar with the zone-blocking scheme. The Dolphins already fired safeties coach Steve Gregory, but DL coach Austin Clark and LB coach Anthony Campanile were kept and should be back in 2023.
From Mike Mangaras (@mangaras_mike):
You think Igbo’s career was saved by the hiring of Fangio? I really believe the kid might thrive now; less pressure. Interested in your thoughts, Alain!
Hey Mike, I do think Igbinoghene will benefit from the scheme change because man coverage exposed him a bit to his habit of biting on the first move. I don’t think if he’d go as far as to say he’ll thrive, but I do think he’ll be interesting to watch this summer and fall.
From Brice (@BricefromLA):
Do you expect the team to exercise Tua’s 5th year option?
Hey Brice, that’s an excellent question and I’d be inclined to put it at 50-50 at this point, leaning slightly toward the positive. The reason to do it, of course, is that $22 million is very little for a starting quarterback coming off a very good season. The reason not to do it is the combination of Tua’s injury history and the fact the $22 million becomes fully guaranteed regardless of what happened once it's used, combined with the fact the Dolphins could hold off and then simply tag Tua in 2024 if he performs next season and stays healthy or maybe even at that point consider a long-term extension.
From Reza Hariri (@Therealrezpect1):
How has Crossman held his job? Do you see Miami putting more emphasis on having a true returner on the team?
Hey Reza, I certainly can understand the question because the special teams did not perform very well in 2022, so I’m thinking that Mike McDaniel has figured that there’s nobody available out there who would represent an upgrade. And, yes, I would imagine the Dolphins would make a concerted effort to get a pure returner on the roster next season.
From Lloyd Heilbrunn (@LloydHeilbrunn):
So, did they shoot the OL coach as the messenger for telling the front office what they didn't want to hear about the high OL draft choices? If I recall correctly, the same thing happened to OL coach that wouldn't play Michael Deiter as a rookie.
Hey Lloyd, your reference is to Pat Flaherty, who was let go only days into training camp in 2019. Considering the injuries up front in 2022, I don’t think Applebaum did a bad job as O-line coach, also understanding that OC Frank Smith spent quite a bit of time working the guys up front.
From FinFan20 (via email):
It’s Hall of Fame time again and I’ll never understand why assistant coaches aren’t in the Hall. There are players, head coaches, executives and even media members, but not assistants? People like Bill Arnsparger and Buddy Ryan and others had major impacts on the game without the ultimate honor. What do you think?
Hey there, that's a very valid question and I absolutely agree that there are few assistant coaches who rose above and beyond and should be recognized as such. Arnsparger and Ryan certainly are two who jump out right away, and off the top of my head I think maybe I'd throw in coaches like Joe Bugel and Bill Callahan. While the bar should be higher for assistant coaches, the Pro Football Hall of Fame should be about recognizing greatness. It's the same, to me, as kick returners, for example. Sure, there shouldn't be as many of those as position players, but guys who were dominant and were game-changers because of that one skill — like Devin Hester — should be recognized.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Dolphins news and analysis year-round. Also, you can follow me on Twitter at @PoupartNFL, and that's where you can ask questions for the regular All Dolphins mailbags. You also can ask questions via email at fnalldolphins@yahoo.com.
