Dolphins Challenge Cancer rides to major victory over weekend

Dolphins Challenge Cancer raises over $12 million.

The 2024 NFL offseason is underway, yet, over the weekend at Hard Rock Stadium, One Team came together for One Fight, which is more important than what you can find on a scoreboard or boxscore.

Dolphins Challenge Cancer held its 14th annual event on Saturday, and it was a massive hit. The DCC stands as the largest fundraising event in the NFL and represents the largest known philanthropic pledge in all professional sports.

The #OneTeamOneFight mentality has the Miami Dolphins partnered with the University of Miami and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as thousands of participants and donors.

Thanks to the outstanding efforts by the Dolphins organization, the DCC, as well as countless fans who helped this cause with their fundraising and awareness efforts. Most notably for many, superfan Lisa Siegel. Siegel has always been a die-hard Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes fan and her ties to both organizations run in her family. Her father began working at the University of Miami in 1966, and she followed in her dad’s footsteps, as she’s worked for the university since 1989.

Her connection to the DCC deepened when her mom was diagnosed with stage IV Peritoneal Cancer. Siegel lost her mother just 17 days after she was admitted to the hospital. She is one of the many “Heavy-Hitter” fundraisers, and she alone was responsible for raising over $26,000 for this year from 530 donations, in part of the $12 million total that was raised this DCC to combat cancer.

Whether it was riding a bike, running, or walking to support this cause, the Miami Dolphins family was in full force, with ownership, current and former players, and, of course, a Hall of Famer or two.

Sending the bikers off on the 54-mile ride was none other than number 54 himself, Zach Thomas. Miami’s latest enshrine to Canton, as well as fellow immortals Dan Marino, Larry Csonka and Jason Taylor, all had their respective numbers match certain legs of the rides, those being 13 miles, 39 miles and 99 miles.

To no surprise, Thomas was dressed, ready to ride and among the best finishers. He even had time to mess around with unrestricted free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. Following the rides, Thomas and Wilkins laughed it up, as participants had a chance to relax after their rides and mingle with Dolphins past and present.

Of course, the metaphorical elephant in the room is what will happen with Wilkins contractually. While that is a conversation for another piece, seeing Wilkins participate was not just encouraging for his potential return but also a testament to the quality person he is.

The same can be said about former Dolphin Mack Hollins, who again participated as a bike rider, as he did last year. Recently let go defensive assistant coach and Dolphins legend Sam Madison also rode in support on Saturday. Legendary wide receiver Mark Duper returned to the event while owner Stephen Ross, president Tom Garfinkel and head coach Mike McDaniel were all on hand as well.

If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation on top of all of this dedication, look no further than Jaelan Phillips. The edge rusher who suffered a torn Achilles against the New York Jets on Black Friday in November was at the DCC, walking, talking and being the fantastic person he has proven to be.

Phillips stopped by to chat with Dolphin podcasters Seth Levit of “The Fish Tank” and Travis Wingfield of “DriveTime,” and his mere presence was a jolt of energy for Dolphin fans eagerly waiting for his return to the field.

Levit summed up the conversation, saying, “Jaelan is truly a special individual. Because of his upbringing, as well as the adversity he’s had to face with respect to overcoming some significant injuries, we’re seeing a guy with a much broader perspective than most people have at 24 years old. As a result, you’ve got a young player who is one of the most gifted and relentlessly driven athletes you will find on a football field, yet he somehow manages to bring that same energy to his work in the community. It’s uncanny, and we are all very lucky to have him representing the Miami Dolphins.”

In regards to the DCC, Levit added, “This year’s DCC was electric. Thousands of people flooded Hard Rock Stadium for one altruistic reason, and it was a beautiful sight. From the F1 starting line to the integration of the Paddock garages to seeing Dan Marino, Zach Thomas, of course, my guy O.J. McDuffie, and so many others come together for a singular purpose was inspirational, to say the least. How can we not appreciate the Miami Dolphins for building the largest fundraising event in the entire National Football League?”

Through all the fundraising and awareness, the DCC could be looked at as one of sports most successful and important philanthropic events and entities. The 2024 DCC increased that overall fundraising total to over $75 million since the event began in 2010, and kudos to Executive Director Javier Sanchez and his team within a team.

In addition to Siegel, pillars of the event like past Fans of the Year, Ian Berger, Marc Angelo and Allie Goodman were present and integral in helping spread awareness and are constant supporters and advocates of the DCC and all things Dolphins philanthropy. Also in attendance was the founder of one of the top fan groups in this base, Danny Johnson of The Positive Porpoise.

Berger, who represented the Dolphins as 2020 Fan of the Year and continues to be a beacon for this fanbase, is a consistent advocate of the DCC. “Dolphins Challenge Cancer represents the best in all of us,” he said in a direct message. “Thousands of participants raising funds that could potentially help millions is an emotional and rewarding experience!”

Angelo, the 2021 Dolphins Fan of the Year, heads the NorCal DolFan Club, a proud fundraiser for DCC riding for Team Positive Porpoise. He said, “TPP is almost to $71,000 raised this year and $280,000+ in the four years supporting DCC.” The NDC has supported DCC for nine years and has been on Team TPP for the last three years, riding in the event.

Goodman, the 2022 FOTY for the Dolphins, also known as “Dolphreaky,” said, “The way this community comes together in the fight against cancer is second to none! To see people from all walks of life riding and walking amongst those who have fought and actively fight cancer is so rewarding.”

A great advocate of the team and their endeavors, Goodman added, “The Miami Dolphins did an absolutely fantastic job creating a top-notch event that was even better than in years past. The DCC continues to grow every year, and everyone should consider getting involved!”

In a sport where wins and losses on the field judge success, sometimes, the best victories come off the field. In the case of the Miami Dolphins and the DCC, 2024 was another major win.

Congratulations to the Dolphins, Sanchez, the DCC, as a whole, and all who participated.

WATCH: Dolphins LB Jaelan Phillips provides update from Achilles rehab

Miami’s star LB provides an update during Achilles rehab.

On Saturday, the Miami Dolphins hosted their annual “Dolphins Challenge Cancer” event – one of the biggest fundraising events across the NFL.

Owner Stephen Ross, head coach Mike McDaniel and a number of players were in attendance, including linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who is usually is participating in the ride but is recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered during the season.

Phillips spoke to members of the media on Saturday and shared some updates on his rehab and recovery process.

All players are different when recovering, and positions ask different things from a player’s body, but the Dolphins did have cornerback Nik Needham recover from the same injury last year. He suffered the injury in Miami’s Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and made his return against the New England Patriots in Week 8.

If that timetable is the same for Phillips, which is completely unknown, at this point, he’d be back for Week 14 in 2023.

Both the linebacker and the team are hoping that he continues to recover well and returns to full strength as soon as possible.

New Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver had incredible reaction to seeing Jaelan Phillips

Miami’s star LB has impressed his new DC already.

The Miami Dolphins have made a big change this offseason, replacing Vic Fangio with Anthony Weaver as the team’s new defensive coordinator.

Despite being hired earlier this month, Weaver is already in the building putting in work and mingling with the guys he’ll be leading this offseason.

One guy Weaver will get to mold is linebacker Jaelan Phillips, who has been around the building while rehabbing from the torn Achilles he suffered late in the season.

Speaking to the media for the first time on Thursday, Weaver shared his incredible reaction to seeing Phillips without his shirt for the first time.

“I saw Jaelan Phillips with his shirt off the other day, and he made me want to go put a sweater on,” Weaver said. “That guy is chiseled.”

Phillips’ physique has been impressive since he entered the NFL in 2021 as a first-round pick. Last year, a photo from OTAs made its way around the fanbase through social media, and let’s just say that Weaver likely isn’t the only person to feel that way when looking at the former Miami Hurricane.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsovZIegOgv/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=75350ebf-82a2-49e3-a3b3-90d4898868d7

It will be very interesting to see how Weaver uses Phillips when he’s fully recovered, but that might not be for some time.

A mock financial future for the Miami Dolphins

What Miami could do to set themselves up on a good financial path in the coming months.

The 2023 NFL season is officially in the books after Super Bowl 58 concluded Sunday night in an overtime walk-off win for the Kansas City Chiefs, their second title in a row and third in the last five seasons.

For the San Francisco 49ers, the other thirty NFL teams, as well as even the dynastic Chiefs, organizations will now have a few days to catch their collective breaths before officially turning to league business as early as next week. A week from Tuesday, February 20, the franchise and transition player tag window opens.

Before going into any mock preparation, the Miami Dolphins are currently in the red for their 2024 salary cap at roughly $51 million over. With a number of pending unrestricted free agents that will become officially open market players on March 13, the Dolphins and their salary cap guru Brandon Shore, mixed with general manager Chris Grier, of course, have plenty of work to do.

The Dolphins administration will have to clear cap space, and before doing that, two dominoes may have to fall before the other trimmings proceed, leading into re-signings and, ultimately, new signings.

Christian Wilkins and Tua Tagovailoa are major pieces, contractually, that could be the first points of business for Miami. An extension for Tagovailoa could create a bit of 2024 salary cap space, while as the overall number increases across the league, the Dolphins can be very strategic here.

In the model used on Over The Cap, the Tagovailoa mock contract was a tad south but mirrored that of Joe Burrow’s deal, which recent rumors have speculated is the target range the sides are looking at.

The Wilkins saga, while having a number of potential outcomes, a few staying in Miami either long-term or for one more year. Either way, if Wilkins is either tagged or re-signed, his cap number will be approximately in the $21-23 million range for 2024.

While it’s been rumored more money is wanted, with the league cap increasing all the way to $284 million in 2026 and $314 million in 2027, Miami could very well flood those years with money for both Wilkins and Tagovailoa.

Mixed with a number of other contracts long gone at that point, these two moves, if each long-term deal could set the table for cap restructures, with names like Bradley Chubb, which could save a cool $14 million for 2024.

The next move could be another veteran restructure in Tyreek Hill. That’s another $12 million dollars, and all of a sudden, the Dolphins have cut their negative cap figure in half, essentially, with two contract re-workings.

Kicking the financial can further down the road, which in this case, is still looking fiscally responsible in 2025 and beyond so far, a restructuring of Jalen Ramsey can create upwards of $18 million in 2024 space.

All of this is, obviously, contingent on the ability of an owner to cut the checks needed to front-load with bonus money. And, in Miami’s case, Stephen Ross has never, ever been shy of that.

Between these restructures, and for argument’s sake, a Wilkins long-term deal finally getting done, the cap would be, in a very unscientific approximation, of now negative $27 million in 2024 thus far and in the red $26 million in 2025.

Now, Miami would need to cut, potentially trade and simply move on from a few players, and let’s say it’s a veteran defensive back like Xavien Howard. There’s about $18 million that could be saved, as long as a cut or trade happens post-June 1. A move like this would create substantial “dead money,” at around $7 million, increasing the Dolphin’s overall dead cap to around $17 million.

With a new defensive coordinator in Anthony Weaver, it’s a mystery at the moment of his plans, but indicating his approach to coaching, welcoming in new staff and parting ways with several Dolphin defensive assistant coaches, the former NFL player could want input on potential ability to have influence and outsource and/or draft a certain skill set.

Players like Emmanuel Ogbah and Jerome Baker are two that come to mind. While the Dolphins are extremely thin of contracted/healthy edge rushers, the veteran Ogbah could simply save Miami too much money to keep in South Florida.

Cutting or trading Ogbah after June 1 would mean a cap savings of about $15 million and add a few million dollars to the dead cap ledger.

With this move, Miami now gets to about $6 million dollars on the good side of the line and just under $2 million in the red for 2025. A few more “cap casualties” of role players could generate another $10-12 million dollars in salary cap savings.

As for Baker, drafted a Dolphin, the team leader could work extremely well in the heavy-blitzing mindset that Weaver and his hires seem to have. A possible tweaking of his contract could create another $5-6 million of wiggle room.

Lastly, what to do with Terron Armstead? Should the often banged-up offensive lineman return, a potential restructure here could create another $8 million.

With sites such as Spotrac and Over the Cap, it’s clearly not an exact science, and all must be taken with a grain of sea salt. However, given a margin of error of a few million dollars, these several moves created about $30 million in wiggle space in 2024 to re-sign players like Andrew Van Ginkel and Robert Hunt and perhaps a few other role players.

It’s important to realize here that there would be a 2025 negative cap number of around $10 million in this model, yet 2026 would be at around $40 million in free space, and then with a very new majority of the roster, Miami would have $193 million in cap space, but would have a franchise quarterback locked up, a few defensive cornerstones and the flexibility to work with fifth-year options, and potential extension opportunities with 2021 first-round picks, Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips. That deadline for those option designations sneaks up on May 2.

After all this, players who are intriguing to speculate about their futures would be unrestricted free agents like Connor Williams, Brandon Jones, Raekwon Davis, Nik Needham, DeShon Elliott, Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft, to name several.

Further down the line, specifically offensive, players like Robert Jones, Kendall Lamm and Isaiah Wynn are all UFAs, and each is a valuable depth piece, and all proved to have starting potential from the 2023 season.

Realizing this is just a speculative, fun exercise, and it does indicate that it is plausible for the Dolphins to create continuity in their core group, which could open that “window” slightly more in Miami’s ultimate plan and attempt for postseason success.

WATCH: Dolphins LB Jaelan Phillips shares video of his rehab from Achilles tear

No. 15 shares progress video of his recovery and rehab.

The Miami Dolphins had a number of players suffer serious injuries throughout the 2023 campaign, including linebacker Jaelan Phillips who tore his Achilles late in the Black Friday victory over the New York Jets.

Phillips was on his way to a career year after sustaining injuries earlier in the season, as he had recorded 43 tackles, 11 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed and an interception in just eight games.

Now, he has a long road back to the playing field in 2024, and it all starts with the rehab and recovery process.

On Wednesday, Phillips took to social media to share footage of him walking without a boot for the first time since he had surgery.

Everyone’s recovery time is different, and different positions require different things, but the Dolphins did see cornerback Nik Needham return from an Achilles injury this season in Week 8 after suffering the tear in Week 6 the prior season.

Using that same timetable would Phillips on a trajectory to return to action in Week 10 in 2024. But, again, everybody is different.

What influence will Anthony Weaver have on the Dolphins defense?

What will Weaver’s arrival in Miami bring?

The Miami Dolphins have hired former Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver as their new defensive coordinator after moving on from Vic Fangio after just one season.

Weaver played in the NFL for seven years as a defensive lineman himself, and now has over 10 years of coaching experience. This will be his best opportunity to show what he is capable of in a coordinator role.

Weaver’s first chance as an NFL defensive coordinator was with the Houston Texans during the 2020 season. If fans judge the Weaver hire over this singular season, they will not be impressed. Weaver’s defense ranked near the bottom in every statistical category, and not a single defensive player was named to the Pro Bowl.

However, the Texans, in 2020, were in shambles as an organization. Head coach Bill O’Brien was fired after an 0-4 start which was preceded by many questionable roster decisions in the offseason. The Texans finished with a 4-12 record, and Weaver was hired by the Ravens as defensive line coach the following season.

A positive trend about Weaver’s resume is his history of bringing the best out of talented players. The first example of this came in 2013 when Weaver was the defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills. This Bills defensive line produced Pro-Bowl seasons from defensive end Mario Williams and defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. Buffalo’s defense finished second in the NFL in sacks with 57 on the season.

Weaver had the privilege of coaching legendary edge rusher J.J. Watt on the Texans from 2016-20. Watt was unfortunately on the back end of his prime and struggled to stay healthy. 2018 was the best season Watt had with Weaver on the coaching staff, recording 16 sacks as he was named an All-Pro for the fifth and final time. It could be argued that Weaver helped squeeze the last bit of All-Pro football that Watt had left.

Weaver has spent the last three seasons in Baltimore where he has built an impressive resume worthy of head coaching consideration. Weaver spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach to John Harbaugh. The Ravens had a dominant defensive line a season ago, featuring breakout star defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. Madubuike recorded 13 sacks in his fourth season, more than doubling his career best, as the Ravens produced a league-best 60 sacks in 2023.

Another interesting storyline on the Ravens in 2023 was the resurgence of former Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who was coached by Weaver for three years in Houston. The former first-overall pick was listed as a linebacker for Baltimore, but his role was consistently on the edge, and he tied his career-high with 9.5 sacks. Three out of Clowney’s four highest sack seasons came with Weaver on the coaching staff. In fact, Clowney has never been named to a Pro Bowl without coach Weaver.

It’s difficult to predict what exactly Weaver’s scheme will look like since he doesn’t have a long resume as a defensive coordinator. He has been involved in a wide variety of defensive schemes during his career. Since he tends to bring out the best in linemen, it is likely the pass rush and stuffing the run will be focal points. This should be an easy transition for the Miami front seven since Fangio’s scheme featured heavy rushes and pursuit.

The Ravens ranked 25th in the league in blitz percentage this past season. According to Pro Football Reference, the Ravens blitzed on just 21.9% of the time. This wouldn’t be much of a change for the Dolphins’ defense, as they blitzed an almost identical 21.5% of the time.

On the other hand, Weaver’s 2020 Texans defense blitzed quite often. They ranked seventh in the league in blitz percentage at a 35.9% clip. This leaves a bit of a mystery as to how much emphasis will be placed on the blitz in Weaver’s scheme.

Considering the personnel on the Dolphins, it is likely Weaver will lean toward the scheme Mike Macdonald used a season ago in Baltimore. Weaver’s defensive line was dominant enough that the Ravens could occasionally utilize linebackers in coverage. A scheme like this will address some of the issues that the Miami secondary faced last season. Remaining in a 3-4 defense would still make a lot of sense if the roster doesn’t drastically change.

Hopefully, the Dolphins are able to work out a deal with defensive tackle Christion Wilkins in order to pair him and Zach Sieler with Weaver. Considering the season Madubuike just had in Baltimore, it should further incentivize the front office to keep Wilkins around. Linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb will also be major players in the pass rush once they are able to return from injury.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who worked with Weaver on the Cleveland Browns in 2014, discussed player development being a cornerstone in the continued success of the franchise. Numerous players on the Dolphins front seven displayed a relentless pursuit of excellence last season, many of them posting career years. Weaver is undoubtedly the right coach to take the drive of these players to the next level.

While Weaver will almost certainly bring the best out of the pass rush and run defense, the Miami secondary was the main concern during the late-season collapse. Cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey will hopefully both be healthy to start the season, allowing Weaver to focus on the development of last year’s second-round pick Cam Smith.

After a long search that included numerous interviews with candidates, it seems like the Dolphins have found the right coach for the defense. Coming from a well-run organization in Baltimore, he will be a key component in keeping the Dolphins in championship contention. Weaver is the right coach to take the drive and development of these players to the next level.

Grading the Dolphins linebackers after their 2023 season

A look at Miami’s linebackers, and the year they had in 2023.

The Miami Dolphins finished their 2023 campaign with an 11-6 record and made the postseason for the second time in as many years under head coach Mike McDaniel. Unfortunately, it came to an end with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round.

While other teams are in the midst of their playoff run, it’s time to do some reflecting on the team in South Florida.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be reviewing and evaluating different positions for the Dolphins in 2023. Today, we’ll look at the linebackers.

Dolphins signing veteran LB Justin Houston

Miami adds veteran help on the edge.

The Miami Dolphins have had some real issues on the edge, as they’ve lost Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel and Cameron Goode for the season to injury.

That has left the team with just Emmanuel Ogbah, Quinton Bell and Melvin Ingram between the active roster and practice squad, so it makes sense that they’d be looking for help.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Dolphins are signing veteran linebacker Justin Houston for their playoff run.

Houston, 34, has been in the league for 13 seasons, spending his first eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs. With Kansas City, he earned one All-Pro nomination and Pro Bowl honors four times. Since 2019, he’s spent two years with the Indianapolis Colts, two years with the Baltimore Ravens and part of this season with the Carolina Panthers.

In seven games in 2023, he’s recorded nine tackles (two for a loss), a pass defensed and a half-sack, but in his career, he’s amassed the third-most sacks of any active player (behind only Von Miller and Cameron Jordan).

Houston may not be the edge rusher that he once was, but he could certainly help a group that’s in desperate need of assistance.

Mike McDaniel discusses the usage of Dolphins S Jevon Holland

McDaniel discusses the workload of safety Jevon Holland during the loss to Buffalo.

Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland played just 27 of the team’s 78 defensive snaps in the loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18.

Holland was downgraded to questionable before the game after being listed as a full participant in practice on Friday, as he’s battled knee injuries during the second half of the season.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was asked in his postgame press conference whether the lack of snaps for Holland was due to him suffering setbacks during the game or if it tied into him being downgraded before the game.

“He’s been battling for a while,” McDaniel said. “We’re trying to keep him involved without having him have more setbacks. He was battling through it tonight for sure. What he’s been working back from was not the easiest and he’s diligent about it. If there were any (setbacks) tonight I’m not aware of them.”

A healthy Holland is one of the most consistent performers in the Miami secondary. The injuries that he’s suffered likely cost him a lot of consideration for the Pro Bowl. For a defense that has now lost linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb to season-ending injuries, the decreased role of Holland has become more apparent.

The Dolphins will have a short week to prepare for their playoff matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, which doesn’t bode well for Holland being able to get back to 100% health. It’ll be interesting to see how McDaniel and the Miami coaching staff manage Holland’s workload ahead of the game this weekend.

3 keys to a Bills victory vs. the Dolphins in Week 18

3 keys to a #Bills victory vs. the #Dolphins in Week 18:

The Buffalo Bills (10-6) take on the Miami Dolphins (11-5) on Sunday during a pivotal stretch of Buffalo’s season as the team is trying to hold on to their playoff hopes.

After beating the New England Patriots in Week 17, the Bills have a small margin of error the rest of the season. Buffalo is facing an opportunity to beat Miami and take home the 2023 AFC East title.

However, the Bills could still miss the playoffs entirely. It’s quite the strange situation ahead of Buffalo this week.

With that, here are three keys to the Bills beating the Dolphins in Week 18 at Hard Rock Stadium: