Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Tua Topics, Baker, Byron Jones, and More

This edition of the All Dolphins mailbag covers topics ranging from Tua (of course) to Jerome Baker, with plenty others in between.

From Brandon Quinn (via email):

Hello my friend, saw your answer about how we can fix our offense to make it harder to defend (throws outside the numbers). Got me thinking. With all of the next-gen stats available, does anyone track/chart throwing velocity? Is there a measure on how quickly Herbert or Rodgers can get the ball to a receiver on a 5-yard out compared to Tua, for example? Because all I picture when I envision Tua throwing that ball, that’s essential to a two-minute offense btw, is a nice long pick-six…

Hey Brandon, I have to tell you that I’ve never seen that stat anywhere, though I would think it would be available considering they can track how fast players are running on certain plays. Having said that, I think it’s safe to assume that Herbert and Rodgers would be in the top 10 in terms of throwing velocity and Tua would be in the bottom 10 — though there's clearly more involved in passing success.

From Gary (via email):

Hi Alain, lots of talk regarding Jerome Baker’s future. Personally I'd play him more as an outside linebacker using his speed in more space and rushing the QB where I think he could be productive. With the possibility of AVG leaving in free agency, do you think Baker stays?

Hey Gary, Baker is under contract, so the only way he doesn’t stick around is if the Dolphins release him or trade him. That said, I’m not sure he’s a great fit for the new scheme that Vic Fangio will be bringing in and he does carry a pretty sizable cap number, so that’s something to watch. As for the idea of moving him out, he just doesn’t have the physical traits of a 3-4 outside linebacker and the comparison to Van Ginkel doesn’t really apply IMO.

From Earl Gottfried (via email):

Hello Alain, PFN likes to put out speculation of trades and moves with a current speculation being the trade of Justin Fields since Chicago has the top pick. He certainly is a versatility upgrade over Tua and adds a few elements (stronger arm, running/scrambling ability) not resident in Tua. He would be a durability upgrade over Lamar Jackson and presently less expensive. something that would be interesting given Ross' desire to meddle (read tamper) and previous interest in Jackson. As for backups, what about a flier on Baker Mayfield? Or even Matt Ryan if the Colts let him go? Both can start and would be upgrades over Teddy, though Ryan is a bit more statuesque in the pocket. Even going back to Ryan Tannehill could be a good thing with a much better offense surrounding him than when he was dumped. What do you think?

Hey Earl, I’ll be honest, I don’t get the idea of the Bears trading Justin Fields. I mean, the guy was playing tremendous football in the second half of last year. If they do trade him, they’re going to ask for a lot in return and the Dolphins don’t have a lot of draft capital to trade. So I don’t see that one. As for your backup suggestions, I think all three of them would be solid backups, but would they be content with the role and come to Miami knowing that Chris Grier already has proclaimed that Tua will be the starting QB for the team in 2023? I’d personally doubt it.

From Todd (via email):

Hi Alain, with Flores getting the D coordinator job with the Vikings, do you think they’ll make a run at any Dolphins defenders? Is there any player they might trade for or any impending free agents who you think they might value higher than the Dolphins?

Hey Todd, it’s a very interesting point and there definitely are some players I would see Brian Flores looking to reconnect with. The first obvious one is linebacker Elandon Roberts, who’s a pending UFA. Safety Eric Rowe would be another possibility, and if the Dolphins do make a move with Jerome Baker, it’s easy to envision the Vikings going after him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Thomas Hudson (via email):

Hi Alain, I really want to ask some crazy QB questions like: What do you think about PFF listing Tua as the #4 QB for 2022? Or: What do you think of the Jets reportedly telling Carr he would be a sure Hall of Famer with them. But you said something in a recent mailbag that prompted a question. Someone joked about Byron Jones playing this week, and you responded with a comment about Will Fuller. Which brings up this serious question: Byron Jones had surgery, and then his recovery reportedly stopped at some point. How possible is it that Jones will end up having to retire because he just never gets better? Have you heard anyone associated with Jones or the team say anything about his availability for the 2023 season?

Hey Thomas, all great questions and I’ll answer all of them. PFF’s ranking was done using their grades for the 2022 season and Tua scored really high with his stats. I’m not sure I would have put him fourth in the NFL among QBs for 2022, but I also don’t have a major issue with it. As for Carr being a Hall of Famer, I respect the Jets’ confidence in him or their willingness to throw that out there while recruiting Carr, but he’s got a ways to go (and that’s being polite). As for Jones, the question was asked before his well-publicized tweet Saturday and he kid of answered the questions. While later reports quoted a source saying he was not retiring, the words in his tweet sure made it seem as though he's done. Either way, it's very difficult to envision him being with the Dolphins in 2023.

From Big Ern McDolphin (@dana_buice):

Hello my friend, been hearing a lot clamoring for Bobby Wagner. He was a free agent last year. He didn’t get the same buzz at that time. He Had a fine season last year, but he’s a year older now. Why do you think that people have more interest this time around?

Hey Dana, great to hear (read) from you again. Unless my memory is failing me, there was a buzz about Wagner last offseason, too, but it became obvious pretty quickly that he was going to join the Rams, so it died down. And, by all accounts, Wagner actually had a very good season in 2022.

From Tony Giles (@Tgiles1968):

Great content as always Alain! Now, outside of college scouting, how much scouting is done by the team (or teams in general) when it comes to scouting "fringe" league players (USFL, CFL, Arena, etc.). Cam Wake was a fantastic find, and surely there are others, right?

Hey Tony, oh yeah, the Dolphins and other teams evaluate players whenever and wherever they play. The Dolphins have had good luck with the CFL with (in addition to Wake) Mark Dixon and Marcus Thigpen, among others, but players coming out of those leagues to succeed in the NFL still remains rare.

From Dave (@angryvet59):

They seem to be set wanting Eichenberg/Jackson to at least compete for starting positions. OL depth in draft? Defense emphasis 1st couple picks?

Hey Dave, yeah, I think it’s fair to say the Dolphins would love it if Eichenberg and Jackson took a step forward in 2023 and locked down the left guard and right tackle spots. I would think defense would be more the focus in the draft, though I wouldn’t dismiss the offense entirely.

From mikethewreck (@mgcroteau):

Which coaching positions still have to be filled with the Dolphins, and are there any rumors as to who will fill them?

Hey Mike, based on the staff from last year, the two spots that still need to be filled are outside linebackers coach and assistant linebackers coach. And, no, there haven’t been any names floating around for those spots.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.