Players the Miami Dolphins have failed: Who, why and what can be done
By Kevin Hood
Who
The Miami Dolphins started the 2019 NFL season trading away or letting most of their talent on the roster. Countless media outlets and fans started calling the constant losing to begin the year “Tank for Tua.”
The electric quarterback started the 2019 NFL season as the number 1 draft-eligible quarterback. It wasn’t until the emergence of quarterback Joe Burrow who was in his second year at LSU, that changed.
Miami ended up winning five games that crazy year, which moved them out of the top pick. But Tua was still available when the Dolphins were on the clock. As a Miami Dolphins fan, there was optimism about the athletic left-handed quarterback from Alabama.
While at Alabama, Tua excelled at running the RPO (run, pass option). He always had a stout offensive line and multiple backs to lead the running game. Those two elements on offense allowed Tua to distribute the ball to open receivers due to the space created by defenses having to be in a position to play the run or pass on every down.
Why
Fast forward to 2021. Seven games into the season, Miami has neither a stout offensive line nor running game. The lack of a true downhill runner is apparent when looking at the roster on paper. No back is over 210 lbs, and the most productive, Myles Gaskin, is better suited for 3rd down duty as he is an average runner and excels in the passing game.
Miami’s long flirtation relationship with the possibility of adding Deshaun Watson has been a huge black eye on the organization. This gross mismanagement of Tua’s mental and emotional health has been embarrassing to watch. The lukewarm denials have not been enough to show commitment and care for the Miami signal-caller.
What can be done?
The Miami Dolphins could remove Jesse Davis and Austin Jackson from the starting lineup along the offensive line. Also, Miami could move Robert Hunt back to his natural right tackle position along with swinging a trade for a player who could play left guard, right guard, or right tackle. They could also find one of every position.
Miami could also allow Myles Gaskin to get more snaps to focus on being a run-first team. Establishing the run would allow the pressure to be removed from Tua. Miami could also swing a trade for one of many running backs available on the trade block to install a run-first offense. But the predictable nature of the Miami offense has limited Tua’s success. Removing the run option from the run-pass option attack doesn’t sound like putting yourself in a position to win.