Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Did Miami Dolphins off-season moves bring “culture change?”

By Brian Miller

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Adam Gase of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Adam Gase of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 06: Johnathan Cyprien
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 06: Johnathan Cyprien /

Albert Wilson

The Dolphins added Albert Wilson at the start of free agency but the move was announced a day earlier on social media. Wilson is a fast product who can play out of the slot and when added to an already speed mix of Jakeem Grant and Kenny Stills, the Dolphins could have one of the fastest teams in the NFL from the receiver position.

Wilson loves to play football and comes at an average price that is both good for the Dolphins and for Wilson. Miami needs a receiver that can absorb coaching and Wilson is that type of player. He takes direction well and can apply it to the field. Wilson is also used to strong coaching egos as he comes from an Andy Reid coached team.

Wilson is going to be more than a possession receiver out of the slot. He is going to provide Miami with some speed from the position that is going to force opposing teams to account for. Where Landry was very good at creating space with his route running, Wilson can create space with his speed. He won’t have the same production as Landry in terms of stats but he could show a better yard per catch average.

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 03: Julius Thomas
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 03: Julius Thomas /

Julius Thomas and Lawrence Timmons

The Miami Dolphins did what everyone has expected them to do since 2017. They released two of the biggest free agent bust of the last few years. Thomas was unable to replicate anything close to his production in Denver even with Jay Cutler back as his quarterback. Thomas wasn’t misused he simply wasn’t good.

Miami took a gamble with paying Thomas a lot of money thinking he would fit back into the Gase system but he often looked as though he wasn’t trying or didn’t care. From dropped passes to poor blocking, bad route running, and a couple of highlight reel catches, Thomas simply didn’t belong and Miami recouped $6 million cap space by cutting him.

Timmons was supposed to be an answer at linebacker but instead of bringing his high tackle counts to Miami he brough an attitude and off-field issues. Timmons left the team week 2 last season and was suspended for a few games. It was fortuitous for the Dolphin who were able to get back all but $2 million of his fully guaranteed 2018 contract because of his suspension.

Timmons save the Dolphins quite a bit of cap space but his inability to improve the defense left a hole at linebacker that the Dolphins need to fill.

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