“Dolphins Fans Seek Answers: QBs, Armstead, Wilkins Watch, and More Discussed in Sunday’s Mailbag”

Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: QBs, Armstead, Wilkins Watch, and More

Chris Grier’s Evaluation as GM

Dolphins fans have been voicing their criticism of General Manager Chris Grier on social media, but it’s important to take a balanced view of his performance. Grier deserves credit for bringing in high-end talent to the roster, such as first-round pick Christian Wilkins in 2019. However, it’s crucial to provide context for the acquisitions of players like Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey, as they wanted to come to Miami and their teams were willing to trade them due to financial considerations. Additionally, there have been some draft misses, and the 2020 draft with three first-round picks is still being evaluated. Ultimately, it’s premature to call Grier’s performance “exceptional” without a playoff win.

The Philosophy of Quarterback Practice

A question arises about whether a quarterback can turn on his aggression during practice and then turn it off during games. In practice, repetition is key for mastering certain plays and getting a feel for what works in a game situation. However, for a quarterback like Tua, who relies more on efficiency than athleticism, decision-making should be the priority. It may be more beneficial to drill into him the idea of giving up on a play in practice rather than trying to force something that is unlikely to work in a game setting.

Terron Armstead and the Running Back Room

Fans express concern about Terron Armstead‘s practice regimen and its possible effects on the chemistry of the offensive line. While Armstead‘s frequent absences may temporarily disrupt chemistry, his talent far outweighs any chemistry concerns. The Dolphins‘ offensive line is significantly better with Armstead on the field, and his presence compensates for any lack of chemistry. As for the running back room, the Dolphins have capable backs, although it will likely be a back-by-committee approach rather than relying on a bell cow back like Dalvin Cook.

The Dolphins‘ Approach to Extending Wilkins

Fans question why the Dolphins haven’t extended Christian Wilkins yet. It’s possible that the team believes his salary demands are currently higher than what they consider him worth. They may also want to see him become more of a factor in the pass rush during the regular season before committing to a long-term extension. The Dolphins‘ offense will always face adjustments and scheme challenges, but it’s up to the coaching staff to find ways to create space for players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and to develop counters when opposing defenses make that difficult.

Backup Quarterbacks and Offensive Line Issues

There are questions regarding the quality of the Dolphins‘ backup quarterbacks and who will start at left guard in Week 1. While the Dolphins‘ backup quarterbacks may not be Super Bowl-winning caliber, the team stands a better chance of success without Tua than some other teams without their starting quarterbacks. As for the left guard position, it is still a matter of evaluation and roster management during preseason. Additionally, signing veteran tackle Jason Peters is not recommended, as he may not be reliable due to age and the Dolphins already have a capable left tackle in Terron Armstead.

Cornerback Depth and Line Evaluation

Concerns are raised about cornerback depth and the evaluation of the offensive line. While playing in a zone scheme may improve the overall performance of the cornerbacks, it’s not as simple as assuming that zone equals better corners. Each cornerback has a unique skill set that may be better suited for certain schemes. As for offensive line evaluation, it’s important to take a balanced view and not make judgments based on one poor performance. Overall, pass protection is not the same without Terron Armstead, and the importance of his presence cannot be debated.

Conclusion

In assessing the performance of the Miami Dolphins, it is crucial to find a balanced viewpoint. While there have been successes in talent acquisition and draft picks under General Manager Chris Grier, there have also been missed opportunities and the absence of a playoff win. The team needs to prioritize decision-making in practice for quarterbacks like Tua, balance the running back room, and acknowledge the impact of key players like Terron Armstead. Improvement in situational decision-making and evaluation during preseason will be vital for the team’s success in the regular season.