Saturday Dolphins Mailbag: Best Signing, Punters, Wilkins, and More
In this story:
Part 1 of the free agency opening SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:
From Craig M (@Dolfan2334):
How would you grade the job Grier has done to date? Do you anticipate that the biggest offseason help will now come via the draft?
Hey Craig, let’s start with an easy one, huh? Am I grading this offseason? Since he officially became GM in 2016? Since 2019 after Adam Gase, who said upon his hiring by the Jets that he had personnel control? Since 2019 after Mike Tannenbaum exited as VP of Football Operations? I’m going to assume we’re talking so far this offseason (because that’s the easiest one) and I’d say that as I write this Saturday afternoon, it deserves a B, B-minus. The Jalen Ramsey move obviously was huge and I love the additions of David Long Jr. and Braxton Berrios, though there are caveats with Long (can he stay healthy?) and Ramsey (wanted to come here). I actually don’t expect another “big” move this offseason, but rather filling in spots throughout the roster, with the understanding that you never say never with the Dolphins.
From Dave (@angryvet59):
Nothing Grier & Co. do really surprises me much anymore; I expect the unexpected. But that being said with the big trade for Ramsey, all the RBs back & Berrios, should we expect anything much more than depth FA acquisitions until after the draft?
Hey Dave, it’s almost like I cosmically jumped to your question while answering the previous one, right? No, I don’t anticipate any major moves until the draft, understanding that the Dolphins signed Terron Armstead and acquired Tyreek Hill last year in the second week of free agency.
From JoeRay1324 (@joeray1324):
With the roster coming together nicely, the biggest question I have is, what will the Dolphins do when the middle of the field is covered?? It was a huge issue for the offense last year and I'd love to know what you think they will do to fix it.
Hey Joe, yeah, that is a very good question, though I think we noticed it mostly in the games against the Chargers and Packers and not much in other games. This is where screen passes, deep shots around the numbers and maybe more running plays could help the Dolphins discourage defenses from focusing on that area of the field, where the offense made a lot of its money last year.
From Chris Bustin (@ChrisBustin13):
Hey Alain, do you think the additions of Vic Fangio and Jalen Ramsey are enough for the Dolphins to finally supplant the Bills in the division? Thanks!
Hey Chris, yeah, I do think the Dolphins potentially have the pieces in place to dethrone Buffalo atop the AFC East, but it’s going to require some health luck (obviously), the defense progressing as hoped and the offense playing like it did before December last year and not after. Bottom line: There absolutely is reason to be very optimistic about the 2023 season for the Dolphins, while at the same time not assuming anything because of the arrivals of Fangio and Ramsey.
From NY – Fins Up (@azomback34):
Congrats on the new All Dolphins podcast - really great job! As you continue to gain viewers and popularity, aside from @OmarKelly, who was terrific on episodes 1&2, who would be the top 5 guests on your wish list for upcoming episodes (doesn’t only have to be Dolphins related). … I’m still holding out a small amount of hope that Miami shows interest/signs one of these guards. I realize management wants to see Eichenberg succeed and, yeah, he’s still cheap on his rookie deal. But we’re going for it, so go for it! G Dalton Risner (DEN), G Isaac Seumalo (PHI).
Hey there, thanks for the comments on the podcast, which I encourage everyone to check out (next episode coming Sunday). Wish list? Hmm, great question. Would have to give it some thought … so I’ll punt on the question for now. Sorry. Isaac Seumalo is a terrific player, but I just don’t see the Dolphins spending for either him or Risner, to be honest.
From Ken Dasher (@kdash65):
Prog rock Q: Steve Howe, Steve Hackett or Alex Lifeson? Dolphins Q: What is your favorite signing by the Phins so far, not including Ramsey?
Hey Ken, since I’m a huge Genesis guy, I have to go with Hackett there, even though the others probably would be more popular answers. As for the Dolphins question, it’s a tie between David Long Jr. and Braxton Berrios, and the only reason it’s not Long outright is his history of hamstring issues. If he’s healthy, he’s a really good player and a great fit for the Vic Fangio scheme.
From Jay Cutler (@bigbadsmokinj):
Why does this team continue to refuse to build a dominant run game (Bell cow RB, OL reinforcements)?
Hey Jay, I think the better way of phrasing the question is to ask why the Dolphins are reluctant to devote major resources to build a “dominant run game” and the answer is, to me, pretty simple at least as it applies to this current team: The two biggest playmakers on offense, and difference-makers, are Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, so they’re playing to their strengths and making the passing game the focus of the offense. And, no, it’s not realistic to think you can have both. KC is a passing team, so are BUF, CIN, etc. TEN is a running team. The Dolphins are a passing team.
From Mike (via email):
Hi Alain, why did the Dolphins sign Bailey at punter and let Morstead go when Morstead had better numbers last year (by quite a bit) and wanted to come back? Last week I asked you about the possibility of the Dolphins signing Braxton Berrios; now that it's happened, I think that this will be an under the radar signing which will pay huge dividends as he is adept at both receiver (especially slot) and punt and kickoff returns. I remember watching him last year with the Jets and thinking about how much the Dolphins could use a player like him. What say you?
Hey Mike, I addressed the special teams in a story I published Friday and I have to believe it came down to what Jake Bailey did in 2020 and 2021 before he slipped last season when he spent time on IR because of back problems. There also could be something related to hang time with Morstead, who was very good in every department last year except net punting average. Bailey led the NFL in that category in 2020, so maybe the Dolphins were looking for an upgrade there in that department. But, yes, I would have had no issue with Morstead returning. As for Berrios, I’m with you on everything you said. I love the signing.
From Riley Skalik (@Riley_Skalik):
Do you think some fans set unrealistic expectations, especially on twitter, when it comes to free agency? Every year I see so many players, big ticket or not, being talked about by fans and then people get upset when we can't sign them all.
Hey Riley, absolutely, unequivocally, without question, a big yes here. But that’s the nature of fandom. And then there’s the issue of the cap and it being unrealistic to sign everybody of consequence. It’s just not feasible.
From John Kerns (@yitwail):
Will Fins extend Christian Wilkins? Because I would have expected that to take place by now? Thanks
Hey John, I’m with you in the fact that I also had expected a Wilkins extension to have happened by now. And I still have to believe (very strongly) that it’s going to happen sooner rather than later. He’s too good a player not to keep around and, besides, an extension lowers his cap number for 2023 and creates even more cap space.
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