12 Gifts of ‘Fins-mas’ for Miami Dolphins fans on Christmas Eve

This holiday season the Miami Dolphins can use a lot of help to get this franchise back to the relevancy it once took for granted.

In that spirit, here is a Miami Dolphins take on a beloved Christmas carol.

On the 12th day of “Fins-mas” my franchise gave to me….

12 brand new coaches....

This total includes all team staff.  VP Mike Tannenbaum needs to be gone (and, in fact, should never have been hired) because his only real qualification for the job was that he’s friends with Matt Higgins and Stephen Ross.

Head coach Adam Gase also has shown no reason he should retain his job.  While the Dolphins have been ravaged by injuries so have most teams in the NFL.  The fact is that he’s made poor choices for his coaching staff and alienates players (ex Ajayi, Philips, Jones).  Worst of all, he isn’t doing his job.  Not only is Gase the chief play-caller for a bottom 5 offense but he’s sitting on the bench (literally) when his defense is on the field.

Other coaches that need to go obviously include DC Matt Burke, and DL coach Kris Kocurek.

11 good free agents…

It’s too early to tell which players will be available when free agency begins in March of next year but the Dolphins cannot build a successful team with only returning players and draft picks.  That being said, the team should avoid going the route of 30+ year old free agents that they signed this offseason.

A shiny top 10 offense….

The last time the Miami Dolphins finished in the top 10 in ‘points scored’ (2001) Enron filed for bankruptcy, the FIRST George Bush took office and it was the last season the Dolphins were a consistent playoff contender.

End of “Wide 9” defense….

DC Matt Burke can defend the scheme all he wants but this defense often causes the defensive ends to get pushed past the quarterback and is partially responsible for the gaping holes in the run defense.

8 defensive linemen….

Other than DT Devon Godchaux, there isn’t a single player on Miami’s defensive line that should be assured of returning for 2019.  None of the aging defensive ends on the current roster have had an impact that is equaled to their paycheck.  Whatever route they choose, the Dolphins need to bring in at least four defensive ends and defensive tackles.

7 offensive linemen….

Laremy Tunsil is the only Dolphins lineman that isn’t a liability on this offensive line.  Jesse Davis looked promising last year but for every good run block he provides, he always seems to follow that up with a blown pass block or holding penalty.  RT Ju’Wuan James isn’t worth what he will most likely get in free agency.  Meanwhile Josh Sitton and Daniel Kilgore showed the injury-prone nature that got them jettisoned from their previous teams.  (And don’t get me started on Ted Larsen…)

6 successful draft picks….

While this number may be overly optimistic, we’re talking about a “wish” list, right?  If one wants to be more realistic, how about hitting on 4 of their first 5 picks, including their first round pick?  2016 is the only time in the last 10 years that it can argued this threshold has been reached.

5 SUPER BOWL TROPHIES!!!!

For Stephen Ross to sell the team….

He’s willing to throw his money around to build a winner but he can’t be trusted to make good personnel decisions.  (Something I will delve into further in a future article.)

3 ball-hawking linebackers….

Miami has three above average linebackers but they seem to lack the instincts to capitalize on their gifts.

2  shut down corners….

Good News!  Miami appears to have one on the roster (Xavien Howard) but they need to lock him up long-term; something they seem incapable of doing with their best players in recent years.  Beyond Howard, however, the Dolphins have a 6th round draft pick and a handful of undrafted free agents competing at the outside cornerback position.  Bobby McCain is good in the nickel but has proven he’s overmatched on the boundary.

and 1 QB that can propel this great team!!!!!

The biggest indictment of this organization’s management is that it has sought upgrades at every position on the roster but ignored the most position in the NFL.   Tannehill received the starting job by default in 2012 (promoted due to David Garrard’s injury) and the team hasn’t brought in any ‘real’ competition.

MERRY “FINS-MAS” EVERYONE!