Miami Dolphins may have changes ahead but likely not what you think

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Owner Stephen Ross of the Miami Dolphins talks to the media about the NFL's investigation of locker room practices before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 11, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Owner Stephen Ross of the Miami Dolphins talks to the media about the NFL's investigation of locker room practices before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 11, 2013 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Adam Gase of the Miami Dolphins looks on ahead of their game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Head coach Adam Gase of the Miami Dolphins looks on ahead of their game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Adam Gase

Here is the biggest question of all, will Adam Gase be retained after the season? That is the question on everyone’s mind this Monday morning. When “black Monday” arrives a week from now, there will likely be rumors of his exit.

The question with Gase is this. If the Dolphins had a healthy offensive line, a better defensive system, and a better quarterback, would Gase be a better coach? Would he be more successful? The fact that he has been able to take the team to the post-season in 2016 and stay competitive long enough to stay in the post-season chase the last two years can’t be discounted.

Injuries have plagued the team the last two seasons and regardless of whether you have thrown the excuse card out or not, those are facts. As mentioned earlier who is responsible for the depth that is on this team? The depth that could not step up and play at an at least serviceable level? If Gase had to rely on Grier or Tannenbaum to make those decisions for salary cap reasons, then perhaps Gase is trying make chicken salad out of chicken poop.

On the other hand Gase’ play calling has been horribly inconsistent. Lack of trust in his quarterback? Offensive line, or receivers? Perhaps run blocking? It’s hard to say why simple adjustments are not consistently being made to off-set or answer changes to the defensive schemes. If a team is consistently blitzing your quarterback should you not have hot routes or plays designed to move your quarterback out of the pocket?

Then there is the subject of personnel and attitudes. Jay Ajayi, Jarvis Landry, Jordan Phillips, and Reshad Jones. Gase jettisoned three of them for locker room issues but overlooked the issues with Jones who quit on his team during a game.

I suppose the biggest question is who do you replace Gase with? The coaching options are not great this year but can Ross convince a Harbaugh to take the team over? Is there a college coach who is ready or a coordinator whose time has come? Maybe the answer is Darren Rizzi.

Will he leave?

I would put Gase’s future around 60/40 in favor of staying through the 2019 season simply because I don’t think Ross really wants to go through an exhaustive search for another head coach.