Jason

Previously Staff Editor @LockedOnPhins - #MiamiDolphins #NewYorkMets

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

We’re about 3 years overdue, but Chris Grier needs to be fired the moment the Miami Dolphins are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. And if Mike McDaniel is a subsequent casualty, oh well. This team has mightily underperformed for years. Time to change the narrative

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@FBGreatMoments Nate Washington

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@flasportsbuzz The only Pro Bowlers that Chris Grier has drafted in his 8+ year tenure are Xavien Howard and Tua. And X was drafted the year lots of people like to attribute to Tannenbaum

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@heykayadams Coming Tuamerica

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

Contracts of notable defensive players drafted shortly after Christian Wilkins in 2019:

Wilkins (13th overall pick) - UFA
Brian Burns (16th) - UFA
Dexter Lawrence (17th) - 4y, $90m
Jeffery Simmons (19th) - 4y, $94m

Burns, Lawrence & Simmons have all made multiple Pro Bowls

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

Some notable salary cap jumps (from 2023 to 2024) for Miami:

Armstead: $9.2m 🔺 $20.6m
Hill: $12.8 🔺 $31m
Tua: $9.6 🔺 $23.1
Chubb: $7.5 🔺 $26.9
Howard: $10m 🔺 $25.9
Ramsey: $2.9 🔺 $27.2
Sieler: $3.3 🔺 $10.7

Dolphins’ Notable 2024 UFAs:
-Hunt
-Williams
-AVG
-Davis
-Wilkins

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@OmarKelly The Mahomes’ and Kelce’s may be the most famous example. That said, the WAGs section of the stands is typically where it’s at

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@Matt_Pot Jets beat BUF and PHI (lost to KC by 3) with Wilson, why can’t we play a complete game against any of them? I agree, it’s not about awards. But it would be nice to step up. That said, Miami has an HC for the next 30 years & a QB for the next 15. They’re in a great spot

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

This loss isn’t entirely on Tua, but when he had to rise to the occasion he failed. Tua hasn’t beaten a winning team since Weeks 2-3 (Ravens & Bills) in 2022. He will be in the MVP conversation all year, but the fact Miami can’t topple a winning team will keep Tua from winning it

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@WingfieldNFL Never feel guilty enjoying leftover ice cream cake. The only crime here is the fact that there was leftover ice cream cake to begin with

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@CrunchEV Shell was pretty solid (this isn’t to knock him). I would much prefer we re-sign him compared to someone like Fant (or someone else of that caliber). That said, I would love a stud protecting Tua’s blindside. Losing any star player hurts, but losing Tua would tank the season

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

To provide some context, Jesse Davis had a 52.5 pff grade in 2021

George Fant ended 2022 with a 48.4

This move is for depth, which is absolutely fine. But Grier still needs to find a stud at RT. Whether that’s via trade or in the draft, Miami can’t go into 2023 with the same OL

[Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz]

Per source, Dolphins have shown interest in George Fant, who has 60 NFL starts at tackle for Seattle and Jets. Started 36 of 37 games for Jets past three years. He's one of multiple OTs with whom they've been in contact. As I've noted, I expect RT competition for Austin Jackson.

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@MarcosVieiraNFL Would prefer him to Fant for sure. Either way, Miami needs much better production from the RT position

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@CrunchEV Tua’s pocket presence & shiftiness prevented a lot of sacks as well. Armstead, Williams & Hunt are all pretty good, but you can’t risk Tua’s health. Why they would leave his blindside virtually unprotected the past 3 years is mind-boggling. Doing it again in 2023 is pure insanity

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@PapaBear343 While Amstead, Williams and Hunt are all pretty good, LG and RT are a complete turnstile. I figure RT would have been priority #1. Unless they have something planned with the draft, they can’t just cross their fingers and hope Jackson works out (and Tua isn’t hurt)

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@peteydercs Post June 1st saves cap quite a bit of space for 2023, but it pushes that $$ into 2024 - and there will be quite a few major cap hits coming that year (Chubb, Hill and Armstead) along with any new contracts. Kinda like “pick your poison”

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

In 2023 Byron Jones will cost $14.8m in dead cap if he’s released (vs. $18.85m cap hit). That $4m savings may not be enough to warrant releasing him

Also, X isn’t going anywhere. His cap hit is $11.07m while his dead cap is $33.08m. Miami is not going to absorb that extra $22m

[Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz]

Though Dolphins don't generally permit IR players to speak, they would have permitted Byron Jones to speak with reporters if he had chosen to. Byron, a thoughtful guy, hasn't shown interest in doing that, which is very much his right. If he's cut, big cap hit unless post June 1.

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@MoneyMike1326 It helps Miami in 2023, but it rolls most of those $$ forward to 2024. And there are going to be some big hits coming that year. Grier is going to have to do some restructuring - the problem is, that’ll also roll the ball forward in terms of $$

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

@DougDaniells Post June 1st would save them a bit in 2023, but it also rolls it forward to 2024. Lots of big cap hits coming that year as well. Grier might have to get creative and restructure some of these (but that also rolls the ball forward some more)

[Jason @MiamiDPunx]

The year is 2055: Zach Thomas finally made the HOF, the Laremy Tunsil trade tree has grown its last branch, Ross’ kids are forced to sell the team to Fergie, throwbacks have been permanent for 25 years, & Chris Grier, fresh off of firing his 15th HC, is still searching for an OL