Miami Dolphins should ride Adam Gase and Ryan Tannehill in 2019
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have been a hotbed of speculation for a coaching and quarterback change this off-season but 2019 should be the final season.
When the 2018 season ends, barring a complete and utter meltdown the Miami Dolphins should head into the 2019 off-season retaining both Adam Gase and Ryan Tannehill. This has nothing to do with the “Miami Miracle” from last Sunday but instead with the play and coaching of both.
Adam Gase has not had a lot to work with this year offensively given the injuries that have destroyed his receiving corp and the injuries on the offensive line. Changes are going to be made but for the head coach and quarterback, the 2019 season should be the final year to see what they can do.
Excuses aside, the Dolphins are a team that has the abilities to compete but defensively there are problems that need to be fixed and the draft this year should help with that. The right free agent moves could help that as well. Offensively the Dolphins should be fine but there needs to be consistency improvements as well.
Adam Gase’s play calling has been questioned all year and while he called a very good game against New England last Sunday there are times when the game seems to be too much. Sometimes it is execution and other times are pre-snap penalties. There are also bad decisions being made by Tannehill. Holding the ball too long and an inability to recognize the blitz and finding the open receiver when a blitz comes.
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Jim Harbaugh’s name has been mentioned but he recently said he was staying at Michigan. This is where it gets interesting. If Harbaugh is staying at Michigan and if Stephen Ross wants Harbaugh should Gase not work out, then 2019 should be given to Gase and Tannehill. If they can’t get the team to improve, there is the opportunity to make changes following that season and getting the guy he might want to run the team.
Regardless of whether that coach would be Harbaugh, Ross should tie the futures of Gase and Tannehill together. If Miam can’t be successful in 2019 then both should go and the next head coach would be able to pick his quarterback to start his term with the Dolphins.
Making a change this off-season seems unlikely at this point and a decision won’t be made until after the season concludes because the Dolphins are in the thick of the playoff chase. Tannehill is playing well and while injuries are starting to be a concern he has moments that showcase he is capable of being a franchise quarterback.
At some point the Dolphins have to find his replacement through the draft but this year that may be hard given the talent pool in the draft at the position and Miami’s likely draft slot. Concentrating on the defensive side of the ball would be smart. Miami’s offense should be much better if they can stay healthy. The rash of injuries this year were mind boggling.
One thing is for certain, the Dolphins are starting to show some signs of excitement on offense but again, consistency in the final three weeks will be important and failure to make the playoffs could ultimately sway Stephen Ross’ decision but it appears that 2019 could be the make or break season that many have been talking about. All of this however really depends on how well they play the last three weeks.