Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Mayfield, O-line Coach, Hall of Fame, and More

Part 2 of the Super Bowl weekend SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:

From Hebert Gutierrez Morales (via email):

Hi Alain, as all the Dolfans, I'm VERY happy because Zach Thomas will be finally inducted in the HOF. Now, who do you think will be the next Dolphin to get that achievement? Obviously I can mention names like Richmond Webb, Bob Baumhower or Tim Bowens BUT I also understand they are not as good as it's required from the voters' opinion. So I think we will wait several years to see another former Dolphin to get inducted. What do you think?

Hey Hebert, of the three players you mentioned, I think Webb would have the best case, but I’d put his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame at 50-50. I’m thinking at this time the former Dolphins player with the best shot is Bob Kuechenberg, who was a nine-time finalist and now has to rely on the Seniors Committee getting him in. Baumhower, Bowens and another like Mark Clayton all were very good players, but I’m not sure they’re Hall of Fame candidates.

From Mike (via email):

Hi Alain, now that reports are coming out Denver stating that players openly mocked and ridiculed Barry (our new OL coach), should our expectations be basement level?

Hey Mike, expectations for what? No, expectations for the offensive line should be the same as they would be had Matt Applebaum be retained. As mentioned, coaching of the offensive line is a collaborative effort that involves OC Frank Smith. It’s not like Barry will come in and be given total control over the offensive line.

From Edgar Rodriguez (@ahtote1):

Is Crossman safe as ST coordinator?

Hey Edgar, it’s getting to the point where if the Dolphins were going to make a move here, they already would have done it … unless they’re interested in an assistant with the Chiefs or Eagles, and that assistant has a contract that runs out after the season ends.

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FOR EVEN MORE COVERAGE ON THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, CHECK OUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S MIAMI DOLPHINS PAGE ON SI.COM

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From steve , (@jujusimba7777):

T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, Gardner-Johnson all Dolphins in FA? If not, which one you like?

Hey Steve, we can’t expect the Dolphins to sign all available free agents. Of the three you mentioned, the best player is Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and he'd be a great addition, but he won’t come cheap to any team going after him.

From Stuart (via email):

Hi Alain, I have really enjoyed reading your mailbag during the season and hope you continue it during the offseason. It was reported that the Dolphins interviewed Dan Roushar, who apparently did well with the Saints as OL coach. I don’t know if they contacted him, but you wrote a piece about the possibility of Mike Munchak, who is known as a great OL coach. I have to say that I didn’t know who Butch Barry was until I found out that he will be our new OL coach. I know that Barry worked with McDaniel in SF, so he must know wide zone blocking. I’m no expert and don’t know how familiar Roushar and Munchak are with the wide zone scheme, but I would have had more confidence in them developing the young players than Barry. Reading about Barry was not encouraging (post-it notes on what to fix without instruction and that the players gave a standing ovation when he was fired). Do you have any insight that will give us a better feeling about Barry other than just trust McDaniel?

Hey Stuart, I don’t have any other insight on Barry, per se, but you should have a better feeling simply by understanding that the coaching of the Dolphins offensive line will continue to be a collaborative effort with OC Frank Smith (a former OL coach) heavily involved. It’s not like the Dolphins are giving Barry the O-line and telling him to make it work.

From Dan K. (via email):

Didn't Applebaum deserve another year? Orlando Alzugaray wrote words I wish I never read. His former players are mocking his skills?????? Please help me stave off the tears. Please tell me the OL coach merry-go-round is going to stop and the next “Bill Callahan” is going to appear on a shiny white horse. Bob Kuchenberg once told me that if it was up to Shula, on the first down, every series, he wants you to just crack the D-lineman with an uppercut to the jaw. It softened them up for second down. I am going to go cry.

Hey Dan, it’s all good, my man. Mike Munchak would have been a great hire, but he made it clear when he left Pittsburgh for Denver in 2019 he wanted to be near his children (and grandchild) on the West Coast and maybe that was an issue again here. The other issue that never should be underestimated is that Mike McDaniel is the play-caller on offense and might be the de facto offensive coordinator and OC Frank Smith, who’s got OL coaching experience, is heavily involved with that group.

From Dan Wilson (via email):

Why can’t the Phins get an OL man like Cooper Beebe? (I know he’s not eligible this year). But the Phins seem to be stuck on mediocre. Seems to me, you get a great OL and it accentuates your run and pass game no matter what talent you have. Just sayin’.

Hey Dan, yeah, great offensive linemen make a great offensive line and, as you mentioned, Cooper Beebe won’t be in the 2023 draft because he decided to return to Kansas State for his senior season. But it’s not like the Dolphins haven’t tried to use the draft to build their O-line after spending a first-round pick on Austin Jackson in 2020 and second-round picks on Robert Hunt in 2020 and Liam Eichenberg in 2021. And they also used free agency to land Terron Armstead and Connor Williams. So it’s not like the Dolphins haven’t tried.

From Keith (via email):

Hi Alain, longtime Dolphin fan. I know I'm in the minority here, but I think Mayfield would be a solid backup to Tua. He would be cheap, push Tua for starter competition and probably knows that no GM is going to hand him a starting job this year. People forget he is only 2 years removed from a 26/8 TD/INT season, (Teddy NEVER had a season like that) one where he played fairly well in the playoffs — which is another bonus: playoff experience. (Teddy NEVER had a season like that). The dude can sling it and he's also pretty tough, playing through a partially torn shoulder. He's not the type to miss a playoff game for a hurt pinky finger. I know there are personality concerns, but it seems McDaniel would be the perfect coach to balance him out. Any word on whether the Dolphins have any interest or if Grier would consider pursuing him? He'd be my #1 choice for backup with Thompson still QB#3. BTW thanks! It's nice to have someone do what you do. I remember Jason Cole of The Miami Herald, used to have a Q&A. He was a bit snarky but he was a hard worker, and he really tried to connect the fan base with their team. Dude must have answered hundreds of questions. Always respected him for that. (He was also a big Springsteen fan and I'm from Freehold, so I have to give him that one as well) Anyway thanks for taking the baton so to speak. It is appreciated.

Hey Keith, it’s too early in the process to get a gauge as to which backup QB the Dolphins might be targeting, but I’ll say I have no issue with your plan — assuming Mayfield is willing to come to Miami on a reasonable contract and with the expectation that Tua will be the starter. And regarding your Jason Cole comment, I do enjoy the interaction with the fans and doing the mailbags and I appreciate the comment. Hope you won’t be too bothered that I’m not necessarily a Bruce Springsteen fan. I do like a lot of his songs, but I wouldn’t qualify as a “fan” to the degree many are. LOL.

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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.