Miami Dolphins need to make defensive changes as well
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins sent a strong message to their team today when they cut four players from the offensive side of the ball. Will the defense get a free pass?
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There was little question that the Dolphins offensive line was a massive disaster through five weeks of the season and this week it will get worse when they have to keep Ryan Tannehill off his back against Pittsburgh. Defensively however, no one should be getting a free pass and Adam Gase needs to make some changes.
A great question was posed on Twitter by Chris Kouffman.
I wonder if Adam Gase is trying to cut Byron Maxwell and getting push back. Not saying so based on any inside info.
— Chris Kouffman (@ckparrot) October 11, 2016
Gase and Vance Joseph have already demoted Maxwell and thus far have gotten nothing in return from putting him on the spot. Perhaps he should be released because he has done nothing so far. Of course his salary is guaranteed so that is probably why.
The defense is ranked dead last in stopping the run. It was a problem last year and the year before and the year before that. Mike Tannenbaum has had two year to fix the front and nothing has worked. Surely some heads must roll on that side of the ball.
Micheal Thomas is a name that comes to mind. His play this year has been worse that I could have imagined. In fact, Thomas has regressed after a promising first season two years ago. Mario Williams has the big name but he can’t stop the run, has done nothing in pass rush and frankly hasn’t done anything in pass coverage.
Defensive end Jason Jones has been a liability as well and two penalties against him have extended drives. Maybe it’s time to give full time work to Terrence Fede and let Cameron Wake play all three downs and earn his $8 million dollars. Where is Julius Warmsley? He has something to prove, Mario Williams does not.
The reality is that the Dolphins are not even close to being a good football team and Adam Gase needs to reel them in now or he will lose this team for good. It’s always tough for a new head coach, even a coach with experience. Gase has no head coaching experience and he did himself no favors by surrounding himself with coaches who have little experience in their new roles. Like Vance Joseph as a defensive coordinator.
On thing is for certain. If Adam Gase is going to make a statement on offense, he has to make the same statement on the leagues worst defense.