Saturday Dolphins Mailbag: Tua, White, Hill Trade, Wilson, and More
Part 1 of the latest SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:
From TheFishTank (@TheFishTank81):
In your entire tenure covering the Dolphins, who was the most entertaining press box attendee?
First off, let me just say it is an honor getting a question from you guys, though you’re making me work my memory bank here big time. And my entire tenure covers a long, long time since the first game I wrote about professionally came in 1985 (21-17 Dolphins win over the Jets). If it looks like I’m stalling trying to come up with an answer, it’s because I am. As the risk of wimping out, I’ll go with those guys with whom I always enjoyed conversing and/or whose opinions I respected, and those would include Tim Graham, Dave Hyde and Greg Bedard. Not sure if that properly answers the question, but it’s my best shot.
From Dixon Tam (@DixonTam):
Two questions related to the offense last season. First, why was Mike McDaniel unable to maximize Mike Gesicki's skills and find a role for him? Gesicki and Tua seemingly had good chemistry the previous year. Second, why was Cedrick Wilson a no-show & can he rebound this year?
Hey Dixon, on the first question, I’m not sure it’s a question of McDaniel not being “able” to maximize Gesicki’s skills so much as not being willing to make concessions to get him touches. Along with Gesicki’s well-chronicled blocking shortcomings, another issue is that Gesicki operates best down the middle of the field and the Dolphins pretty much had that covered with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. As for Wilson, he simply was outplayed by Trent Sherfield in camp and lost snaps to him. Now that Sherfield is gone, it’s up to Wilson to show why the Dolphins dished out a big contract to get him from Dallas.
From Greenview Construction (@CrispyChicken30):
Did you see Wilkins or Sieler getting an extension before season starts?
Hey there, I’m actually surprised that it hasn’t happened yet with Wilkins because it not only would reward and lock up one of the foundational pieces of the team, it also would reduce his salary cap for 2023. There’s no such urgency for Sieler in terms of the cap, though I do think the Dolphins want to get something done with his contract sooner rather than later.
From Chris (@NKNG1305):
Is there any objective measure in which you could determine that Tyreek Hill trade was failure by the Dolphins? IE - loss of draft capital?
Hey Chris, no, there is no objective measure for that because even if we matched up the stats of the five players the Chiefs eventually get with the five picks for Hill, you can’t measure just how valuable Hill was in 2022 in terms of opening the field for the passing game along with what his consistent public support of Tua Tagovailoa did for Tua’s game.
From Crash Jensen (@Sngly):
Is it possible the Dolphins signed an uninspiring backup QB in Mike White in order to make it easier to ring up Tom Brady mid-season if Tua goes down for an extended time?
Hey Crash, I’m someone who never says never, but it would be an awfully big gamble to base any decision like that on the possibility of being able to convince Brady to come out of retirement. Now, is it possible the Dolphins call Brady if something bad happens to Tua in, say, August, September or October? Absolutely. But I have a hard time buying the notion they brought in White without thinking he can get the job done if he’s called upon.
From Olive Grove Jon (@Owlizee):
Alain, If we are in a 2 year window to challenge for a Super Bowl, why not trade for Henry or Cook?
Hey OGJ, that is an interesting and valid question, and my best guess is a stubborn confidence that the offense can operate at peak efficiency with the running backs in place. There’s also the issue of having only so much money (cap space) to spread around and the decision being made it’s better spent somewhere else.
From Darren Poole (via email):
The Dolphins picked up Tua 5th year. That means he will be under center starting next season. I'm worried about all the head injuries he has taken throughout his short career. Do you think one more concussion ends it for him?
Hey Darren, I get the question, but the thing with concussions is everybody is different and every injury is different, so it’s difficult to make any kind of declaration. Having said that, another concussion in 2023 would be a major problem for Tua and the Dolphins.
From Gene Hauze (via email):
Hey Alain ... I understand you're a Genesis fan. I am a nut. I saw them 4 times in concert and Phil another 3 times. My favorite live song is the “Old Medley” (1987), but “Domino” is a close second. Have you seen them in concert? What's your favorite live song? About the Dolphins, with Baker and now Long at ILB, do you see them taking an ILB in the draft? What about Jack Campbell, Iowa, in the second round? Thanks for taking my question.
Hey Gene, I’m a huge Genesis fan, but with a heavy emphasis on the ‘70s or until like the Duke or Abacab albums. Genesis and Supertramp were my two favorites. While I got to see Supertramp in Montreal in 1979, I never got the chance to see Genesis in concert. Off recordings, I’d tell you “The Musical Box” (off the album Genesis Live) is spectacular to me. As for the Dolphins question, yes, I could Campbell being in play at 51, though I think he’ll go before that.
From Marco A. Briceño (@marco091090):
Who are they bringing to compete with Austin Jackson?
Hey Marco, my best guess is they’ll be bringing back Brandon Shell after he did a solid job for them last season.
From Rich McQuillen (@rkmcquillen):
We've had a lot of turnover at OT. Since pre-season last year, we've lost Kellen Diesch, Larnel Coleman, Eric Fisher, Greg Little, Brandon Shell. Do you expect us to address this position in the draft or FA or both? There are still 13 Dolphins who are free agents, 7 over 30. Do you think we will sign any of them?
Hey Rich, I’ll answer both questions in one shot, I think the Dolphins will end up re-signing Brandon Shell to compete with Austin Jackson at right tackle. And, no offense to anybody mentioned, but calling Diesch and Coleman “losses” when we’re talking about two UDFAs who have never played in a regular season game is a bit of a stretch.
From Dan Ford (@CaribbeanClark):
Bonjour, Alain. Off the wall question: what is the logo on the white hat that Chris Grier always wears?
Hey Dan, somebody asked me a while back and I looked into it, and was told it’s a golf apparel company, if memory serves.
