Dolphins offseason vision should avoid “checking boxes” in depth chart

The Miami Dolphins should make their offseason plan of attack features investing in positions, not just addressing needs.

The Miami Dolphins’ 2020 offseason campaign is going to serve as a critical stretch for general manager Chris Grier, head coach Brian Flores and the rest of the team — the signings and selections made in year two will technically serve as the opening influx of talent. It will set the tone. And, if it done correctly, the Dolphins will not check every box of needs on their roster. If that sounds like a bad thing, it is not.

Here’s why.

Miami’s operation and talent acquisition needs to operate with the intent of investing in the future and investing in problem areas on the roster. For a long time, the Dolphins tried to check boxes and fill every void and vacancy in a single offseason. Not only did that approach prove to be ineffective, it also prompted Miami to wastefully spend a lot of extra cash. Miami needs to resist the urge to just “check boxes” in the starting lineup and rather use this time and opportunity to genuinely invest into critical areas that need improvement.

This may come in the form of drafting multiple players at the same position. We’ve seen some teams have success with this method in the past. One of the most notable instances of this was when Washington double dipped to draft Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins in the same draft. Griffin has a brilliant but short starting tenure as a starter before injuries took their toll and soon it was Cousins’ ship to steer.

For Miami, the list of needs is so vast, it would be irresponsible to simply try to find a new starter in each and every single one of these areas:

  • Quarterback
  • Running Back
  • Left Tackle
  • Center
  • Right Guard
  • Right Tackle
  • Defensive End
  • Defensive End/Rush LB
  • Cornerback
  • Nickelback 
  • Free Safety 

Make no mistake, Miami can realistically find pieces to plug into these roster spots — but they shouldn’t expect to have the long-terms answers at every spot after just a few months. Instead, Miami needs to identify the biggest area of weakness relative to their vision for the team — and attack that relentlessly this offseason. Don’t just address needs, invest in fixing issues.

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Report: Ex-Giant Mike Shula likely to re-join Pat Shurmur in Denver

Former New York Giants OC Mike Shula is expected to re-join Pat Shurmur on the staff of the Denver Broncos.

There seemed to be a substantial disconnect between former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur and offensive coordinator Mike Shula during their two years in blue, but as the saying goes, perceptions can be deceiving.

Shurmur and Shula apparently had a better working relationship than was let on during press conferences because Shula is currently working out a deal to re-join Shurmur in Denver.

Mike Klis of 9News reports that the Broncos are Shula are finalizing a deal to make him the team’s next quarterbacks coach.

Incoming Giants head coach Joe Judge did interview Shula for the team’s offensive coordinator role, but that ultimately went to Jason Garrett.

Prior to joining the Giants, Shula served as the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator from 2013-2017. He was also the head coach at Alabama from 2003-2006.

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Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock draft, post-Senior Bowl

Here’s a post-Senior Bowl mock draft.

With the Senior Bowl officially in the books, the draft eyes now turn their focus to Indianapolis and the Scouting Combine. It’s also a good time for a fresh mock draft for the Cincinnati Bengals after they’ve had the chance to work with about 60 prospects throughout the week in Mobile.

 

1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Jan 13, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, the Bengals just spent all week with Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. But the odds still favor the Bengals taking the Heisman winner with the first pick and for good reason. Burrow didn’t have much to gain being in Mobile. There will be narratives that Herbert increased his chances to be the pick after this week, but Burrow is still likely on his way to Cincinnati.

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Analysis: How much change does the Panthers offensive line really need?

Fixing the unit will fall on Pat Meyer, who is expected to be named the team’s new offensive line coach according to Field Yates at ESPN.

The Panthers offensive line has been a sore point since at least Super Bowl 50, when Cam Newton got pummeled by the Broncos pass rush. The unit has been steadily in decline since and nothing the front office tries to improve it seems to work out.

Fixing the unit will fall on Pat Meyer, who is expected to be named the team’s new offensive line coach according to Field Yates at ESPN. Meyer has a tough task ahead of him, but the front line does not require the total rebuild some people are calling for.

Let’s break down the offensive line one spot at a time.

1. A new coach is the best way to improve

The best way this unit is going to get better in 2020 is benefiting from fresh leadership. The big challenge for Meyer will be how to break the group out of its bad habits while continuing to encourage what it does well. Mainly, he’ll want to keep the strong run blocking going while improving the pass protection across the board. If Meyer can do that, it will make a far bigger impact than any one (or two) new linemen can.

2. Matt Paradis isn’t going anywhere

A major key to turning things around is Paradis, who had as disappointing a season as any Carolina player. He signed a three-year, $27 million deal and we expected him to be an upgrade over Ryan Kalil. Instead, Paradis was a liability in pass protection and never seemed to settle in. Many fans want him cut, but that would be short-sighted and also come with a significant dead money penalty. Remember, Paradis was coming off a broken leg from 2018 and it may take another offseason to fully recover. If Paradis gets back to being the lineman he was in Denver early in his career, many of the unit’s issues (chiefly interior pass protection) will be solved.

3. Taylor Moton and Trai Turner are perfectly fine

The left side of the line is another story, but the right tackle and right guard spots are fine the way they are. Today, Turner will be playing in his fifth Pro Bowl and Moton has been the team’s most consistent lineman for a while. Moton should get a contract extension and Turner still has a few years left on his.

4. Left guard is easy to upgrade

If there’s one position the Panthers really do need to upgrade, it’s left guard. Greg Van Roten is a solid run blocker and teammate, but there’s a reason he has been a backup most of his career. Daryl Williams is not worth bringing back for this spot, either. If general manager Marty Hurney can find a solid young starting-quality guard in the draft or free agency, it will plug a huge hole and make Paradis’ job much easier.

5. The Panthers have 2 left tackles

Now we come to the great elephant in the room: what to do on the blindside? Since Jordan Gross’ retirement, this has been a problematic position. The good news is the Panthers have two promising options here. Greg Little and Dennis Daley are true left tackles who both flashed at times during their rookie year. Ideally, Little will stay healthy and wind up as the long-term starter. That would allow Daley to play one of the other spots (perhaps LG?). A lot of fans want a tackle in round one or two, but Carolina should give these guys at least another year to prove themselves. Patience is understandably tough given the way things have gone for this group in recent years. In this case, the solution (a true franchise left tackle) could already be on the roster.

The Panthers could definitely use more depth up front. Then again, that’s also true of practically every other NFL team. As bad as this unit looked last year, a couple tweaks and some better coaching could make a world of difference.

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After UFC on ESPN+ 24 win, Curtis Blaydes willing to wait for title shot – but not too long

Curtis Blaydes, who won by second-round TKO at UFC on ESPN+ 24 by utilizing his “Plan Z,” finds himself in a precarious position.

RALEIGH, N.C. – [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] won by second-round TKO at UFC on ESPN+ 24 on Saturday by utilizing his “Plan Z.”

The wrestle-heavy fighter usually resorts to grappling, but he struggled to take former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos (21-7 MMA, 15-6 UFC) to the canvas. While it wasn’t his first, second, or even his third option, Blaydes (13-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) used his punching power to pick up the victory.

“I just used my wrestling to set up my hands,” Blaydes told MMA Junkie post-fight. “After that first round where I went 0-for-8 in the shots, we knew he was really committed to not letting me get him to the ground. We used those openings I created with the pump fakes and the high-lows. We capitalized with the overhand.

“… That’s the best path to victory. I don’t like getting hit in the face. I know if I put you on your butt, you can’t hit me. I don’t mean to be mean to the fans. I know they want me to stand and bang, but it’s not ever going to be my gameplan. It’s always going to be wrestle, wrestle, wrestle, wrestle, wrestle. Plan Z is strike.”

With the win, Blaydes has picked up three straight victories. A winner of seven of his most recent eight fights, Blaydes could be on the verge of a title shot. However, the top of the division is crowded. Former UFC heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier, former title challenger Francis Ngannou, and surging big man Jairzinho Rozenstruik all loom.

Is Blaydes next? It’s not his decision to make, he said.

“I don’t know,” Blaydes said. “I don’t make the rules. I’d like that to be a title shot, but you never know. I hope. That’s all I can do is hope.”

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Blaydes said he’d be willing to sit on the sidelines if it means a title shot would be next. However, the Team Elevation product doesn’t want to wait too long, either.

“Eight months is way, way too much,” Blaydes said. “I like to be active. I like to get in at least three fights a year. I could wait five to six months, but nothing I say tonight is in stone. It literally just happened. Who knows what happens with Ngannou, Rozenstruik, DC – I don’t know what’s going on.”

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7 standout draft prospects from the 2020 Senior Bowl the Ravens should be interested in

The Baltimore Ravens might have had to change up their draft board after a handful of 2020 NFL draft prospects stood out at the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is one last chance for NFL scouts and general managers to get a live look at draft prospects practicing and playing before the 2020 NFL draft. A bunch of the top players in the country all facing off against one another, it’s a great test for some prospects that might have been previously ignored or undervalued.

As happens every year, a handful of prospects really shined above the rest and likely helped their draft stock. With general manager Eric DeCosta now in charge of the Baltimore Ravens, those that drew the spotlight could draw the attention of the team come draft night. Let’s take a look at seven standouts at the 2020 Senior Bowl that the Ravens should be interested in drafting.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

EDGE Bradlee Anae, Utah

Anae proved how athletic and disruptive he can be after posting three sacks in the Senior Bowl, including two on mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts. Even when Anae wasn’t registering sacks, he was in the quarterbacks’ faces and creating big plays elsewhere like this interception that came from his pressure.

Pass rusher is easily the biggest concern for Baltimore heading into this offseason. With how Anae performed in live game action, he might have cemented himself as a Day 2 prospect Baltimore can grab and immediately use as a situation pass rusher.

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As heel improves, Clint Capela blocks more shots for Rockets

The health of Rockets center Clint Capela seems to be improving, as evidenced by a rapid increase in his blocked shots over the past week.

In a development that seemingly points to improved health, Rockets center Clint Capela has blocked significantly more shots in the past week.

During Houston’s current two-game winning streak over Denver and Minnesota, Capela has blocked five shots in each game — even against a pair of former All-Star centers in Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns.

In four games played since Jan. 18, Capela has blocked three shots or more three times. That follows a 10-game stretch in which Capela did not have three or more blocks in any game.

The timeline suggests that Capela’s downturn was related to injury, and most likely a lack of explosion due to an ailing foot. Since his last game absence on Jan. 11, Capela hasn’t been listed on the team’s injury report, and his defensive showings have improved considerably.

Over his first 23 games of the 2019-20 season, the 25-year-old averaged 2.0 blocks per game, and he had eight games with three or more blocks.

Then, in 10 games from Dec. 19 through Jan. 15, Capela’s blocks per game sank to 1.1. That’s the identical period in which the Swiss big man missed three games due to a right heel contusion, and head coach Mike D’Antoni explained in early January that the injury was still nagging.

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But between occasional games off and multiple breaks in the schedule allowing for consecutive off days, the 6-foot-10 Capela appears to have regained his explosion over the past week — with an average of 3.5 blocks per game over his last four appearances.

That’s a much needed development for the Rockets (28-16), since Capela has averaged 2.3 blocks per game in wins and 1.1 in losses.

For the 2019-20 season overall, Capela is averaging 14.4 points (63.3% shooting), 14.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 33.4 minutes per game as Houston’s starting center. His rebounding total ranks fourth in the NBA.

Capela will look to keep his recent momentum rolling Sunday in another star-studded matchup against Jokic and the Nuggets (31-14). Tip-off from Denver is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central time.

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Jack Del Rio speaks on the impact of defenders like Chase Young

One Redskins coach knows how special an elite pass rusher can be.

New Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio happens to know just how important a good pass rusher is to a successful defense in the NFL.

Naturally, Del Rio is already getting plenty of questions about this because his Redskins are in a position to take Chase Young at No. 2 in the 2020 draft.

“Having a guy like Von Miller or a guy like Khalil Mack, who are premier pass-rushers, they put a lot of pressure on the offense and help the defense,” Del Rio said, according to ESPN’s John Keim. “It all starts for us with the penetrative, disruptive defensive linemen.”

Del Rio has experience with both Miller and Mack, not to mention elite edge players like Julius Peppers. But he’s made it pretty clear he won’t publicly share his opinions on Young from an evaluation standpoint.

While Del Rio has largely stressed speed on defense as his main desire when it comes to adding players and he knows the importance of pass rush, he’s clearly walking quietly here just in case the Redskins decide to go a different direction at No. 2.

But as has been well advertised lately, Del Rio just happens to have a great history of being around when NFL teams draft some historic pass rushers.

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How to watch the 2020 Pro Bowl

The info you need to watch the last game before the Super Bowl.

The Pro Bowl is the last football game before the Super Bowl next week. The AFC and NFC all-stars will compete in a friendly game of football that is all fun. Two Arizona Cardinals will be there as starters — safety Budda Baker and outside linebacker Chandler Jones.

There is money at stake for the players, so things will get competitive in the fourth quarter if the game is even. The players on the winning team get $74,000 and the losing team’s players get only $38,000.

The AFC has won the last three Pro Bowls and has a slight 24-22 lead all-time.

If you are planning on watching it, here is the info you need.

What, when, where

2020 Pro Bowl

Sunday January 26, 3 p.m. Eastern time (1 p.m. Arizona time)

Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)

TV

The game will air on ABC, ESPN and Disney XD.

Odds

The AFC is favored by 1.5 points.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 256

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Ep. 255

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Jets legend Joe Namath: Eli Manning has ‘done far more than I ever did’

New York Jets legend Joe Namath says the Eli Manning Hall of Fame debate is BS and that the Giants QB did more than he ever did.

The New York Jets took out a full page ad in the New York Post to congratulate New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning on an “extraordinary career” on Saturday, but that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to kudos from Gang Green.

Jets legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Joe Namath, took things to the next level, heaping an almost unbelievable amount of praise on Manning.

“I was pretty good and did some things. Eli, I marveled at. He was remarkable,” Namath told the New York Post. “I wouldn’t compare myself to Eli. He’s done far more than I ever did on the field.”

Questioned about Manning’s Hall of Fame eligibility and whether or not he’d be given consideration if not for the two Super Bowl titles, Namath became a little extra vocal.

“If, if, if. It’s [expletive]. The games played. The durability. The playoffs. I remember early on he was getting some heat, he didn’t always smile much, but every player that’s ever played with Eli swears by his work ethic and his character,” Namath said.

Namath also took a moment to praise Eli’s father, Archie, saying he’d have ended up in the Hall of Fame as well if the New Orleans Saints ever surrounded him with a competent team.

“[If he] ever had a team, he would have been the first Manning in the Hall of Fame. He never had a team,” Namath said.

What more can even be said? Broadway Joe has spoken.

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