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Grier Seems to be Learning

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by tirty8, Mar 17, 2020.

  1. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    I gotta say, it sure does feel like Grier has learned from the mistakes of the past.

    One of the things that I am most impressed with is his ability to sign younger guys who are scheme versatile and 3 years deals. Everything about this screams intelligence. First of all, it is a given that no GM will hit on 100% of his free agents. From the outset, it appears that most of the deals have the first two years guaranteed meaning we can get out from these contracts fairly easily. Gone are the days in which we have to hang on and keep hoping that eventually these guys can turn it around. Moreover, many of these guys were first round picks (the talent is clearly there) that seem to be coming around as of late. That being said, there is a real up-side potential. I also think that these players are in good situations too. Most of these guys will get paid again (probably not by us), so they are highly motivated. If you look at a lot of the two and three year contracts we gave, they are around the $10 million mark. If these guys perform, they could stand to make significantly more. I don't expect to see the Mario Williams of the world where they get paid and essentially pack it in. Also, you are seeing Flores's mark being made on this team as he is signing a lot of guys with position flexibility.

    A couple other things I wanna talk about:

    The Big Gamble - Byron Jones did break the bank, but I do think I would have rather had Bradberry's contract. I do think that this is the one contract that we did sign that could really wind up hurting us if it is a disaster. That being said, Jones has had a longer track record that Braberry. He has essentially been solid since he entered the league. Jones has the position flexibility that Flores likes, and he does not seem like the diva that many top corners are. The downside is that I do not think he is elite like Revis or Patrick Peterson in their prime. He is a solid corner, but he is paid like he is elite.

    Van Noy - I think that this was Flores's gift for having to go through last season. We slightly overpaid, but I think this is exactly who Flores wants on his team. I think if you are going to overspend, this is exactly how you do. He is the guy you want, the overpaying is not excessive, and he will be a cornerstone of your team.

    Howard - I think that this was sneaky good for Grier. I fully expect us to draft multiple running backs. I think Howard is an insurance policy that if we miss out on RBs because we need to trade up to get a QB, or our rookies are not ready to start, he can be a short term starter. We did not sink a ton of money into Gordon when plenty of solid backs are gonna be available. I imagine he will be around for one season, but if he really lights it up, he might see that second year.

    Where I am on edge - I think Flowers was the worst of our signings. I did not like the thought of signing a guy who has been good for half a season his entire career. I know it is very, very early, but I am not thrilled how we have addressed the line to date. I know, people are going to rightly say, "Watch us hit it big on the draft." This is where I think that this is not Madden. I think there is an advantage of having solid vets on the line. Hopefully, we make moves in the second wave of free agency. I would like to see if we could work something out with Trent Williams. If it was a 3 this year and a conditional 4 next year, even if we had to overpay, I would be down.
     
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  2. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    I share some of your concerns. What I tell myself is he got a group of ragtag misfits to perform way beyond their ability last year so what he can he do with better talent, even if they weren’t performing at optimal levels?
     
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  3. DOLFANMIKE

    DOLFANMIKE FOOTBALL COACH 32 YEARS Luxury Box

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    Keep in mind Flowers struggled at OT... Last year under Callahan he flourished at OG and had a great season. I think we plan to start Flowers at RG.
     
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  4. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I certainly think that they will kick him to the inside. There are been a fairly decent amount of busts that entered the league as tackles that went on to find success as guards. The Redskins were trying to get him back as well, so we know that we were not the only team that saw his improvement.

    This is definitely the one I am most scared about though.
     
  5. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    There is zero doubt in my mind that this team is already significantly better than last year's team, and I think we are still only 30% done with the offseason. I would just like to see more done on the o-line. I would also like to sign Danny Shelton.
     
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  6. Etrius24

    Etrius24 Well-Known Member

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    Flores is the wildcard. Grier has always been willing to listen to his coaches on signings and draft picks. The reason we are getting guys that are versatile and fit the scheme here is the impact Flores is having on the front office.
     
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  7. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    Damn, dude. You're on a roll. Nicely put!
     
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  8. Patster1969

    Patster1969 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I doubt he plays RG when he played and looked better at LG - why would he switch him, doesn't make sense. If he shows promise in OTA's and is receptive to coaching, maybe but I would say that he is now the LG starter
     
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  9. AGuyNamedAlex

    AGuyNamedAlex Well-Known Member

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    I've said this before, its infinitely easier to get guys fighting for their careers to buy in than guys with talent who have been coddled by coaches their entire life because they have special talent.

    FWIW I'm not saying Flores cant do it. I'm saying I don't think good discipline last year necessarily equals good discipline this year and beyond.
     
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  10. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    I think we all can expect one or two of those first round draft picks going to OL depending on who's available and their perceived value. I'd love to see us take Wirfs #5 and then get whatever QB falls to 18 or consider trading 18 and some other picks to move up a bit. I know most of the draft pundits expect to us to QB at 5, Tua or Herbert. I'm not in love with either one of them there.
     
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  11. Etrius24

    Etrius24 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the kind words... (O:
     
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  12. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Shelton signed with the Lions. At least another part of the Pats is gone.
     
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  13. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    Saw that. Bummer.
     
  14. DOLFANMIKE

    DOLFANMIKE FOOTBALL COACH 32 YEARS Luxury Box

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    Would it make more sense if we already had one of our two starters at LG? Deiter.
     
  15. Patster1969

    Patster1969 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Don't think they are completely sold with Dieter at LG though. Training camp will be interesting, as Dieter could find himself as the swing interior man, particularly if they get one of the top C's (hopefully) - Flowers at LG, rookie at C and Karras at RG
     
  16. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I thought Dieter did well in the run game last season and he definitely improved with pass blocking as the season progressed. Maybe he's not a lock at LG for next season, but I think he did well for a rookie overall and he has a future in Miami. Maybe he is in the rotation next year instead of a 4-down starter and that's fine....he seems like a keeper anyway though.
     
  17. Patster1969

    Patster1969 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Do agree Key. He wasn't helped last year by the turnstile nature at LT or the poor play at C but there are still some concerns - certainly something to work with though and if he improves, that's only good for us
     
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  18. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking about this last night. As far as our offensive line goes, I realistically think that only Flowers is guaranteed a starting spot.

    We can look at Karras and Davis as "very likely to start," but their contracts are both low enough that it would not be all that difficult to bench them if rookie talent is anywhere close to their level of play. I am anticipating that we will be drafting fairly heavily at the offensive line position. Realistically, none of our offensive linemen are so good that they can be written in with pen. Davis seems to stand out because of his versatility. Depending on how the draft goes, he could be RT or RG.

    Based on his performance last year, my guess is that Dieter is likely not to crack the starting lineup. That being said, if he looks significantly better, he has a chance. I feel confident that there will be a ton of competition.
     
  19. Etrius24

    Etrius24 Well-Known Member

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    Dieter did make improvements and I think with Flores as the head coach... Development and improvement... Working your *** off through the week in practices... He has a future here no matter what happens in the draft.

    Flores is a consistent man... He just showed guys like Dieter what happens when you work your *** off improve and become part of the system... We just inked Karras and brought him in... Now 4 million dollars is not a huge sum by NFL standards.. ( To me it is a lifetime of earnings. ) But it shows that there will always be a place for Dieter if he keeps going.

    Honestly if Dieter makes the same amount of improvement this season as he did last season he will suddenly become a heck of a football player...

    We have lacked the ability to draft coach up and develop offensive linemen... It is one of the reasons we have sucked for 25 years. Seeing Dieter become an above-average guard in the NFL would mean a lot to me... and it would possibly signal the turning of the corner for the Dolphins. We do not have to just overpay for offensive linemen in free agency or use our highest draft picks either. To be able to turn 3rd, 4th and 5th round picks into above-average offensive linemen would make Miami a powerhouse in a few years.
     
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  20. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    ^^^THIS^^^
    I have joked around about this for a long time and even advocating Grier or Ross to hire an OL consultant with a better than the average track record. The point you are making about us having to overpay for FA OL is spot on! Those resources could be used elsewhere. Hopefully, Flores and his staff will do better. I would be curious to know if Flores specialized in an area during his years in personnel. Fingers crossed that he knows what he is looking at on the OL.
     
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  21. Etrius24

    Etrius24 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks man... Good to see we are on the same page.
     
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  22. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    I know we have signed some decent guys and I am naturally excited about all of them because I think they all can contribute. After reading up on his draft profiles some more, one guy I a really excited about is Flowers. The dude is a mauler in the run game and probably best suited for RG. I love that we are addressing the OL. Now if we can keep it up in the draft. I realize we will probably go LT with one of our top two 1st rounders, but I hope we continue to add more. I am guessing we will go either OC or OG depending on how things unfold. I also wouldn't be opposed to us addressing the other side of the line, too. We could use some beef over there, too. Woot! Getting excited about our team and what the future may hold. The arrow is pointing up.
     
  23. Etrius24

    Etrius24 Well-Known Member

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    I think Deiter is going to be fine... Flowers and Deiter is a solid pair inside. We need to bring in a Tackle in the draft... Adding a center also would be nice. Cushenerry and Prince Wanegho.... ( Yes Please )
     
  24. Patster1969

    Patster1969 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Several good centers in the draft - draft one plus at least 2 tackles. You've then got Rookie LT - Flowers LG - Rookie C (Ruiz/Hennessey/Cushenberry) - Karras RG - Davis RT to start, with Davenport and Dieter as swing and rookie RT to challenge Davis, who will then be able to cover both RG & RT
     
  25. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    IMO the biggest factor in our OL struggles over the years has been our lack of continuity. I'm hopeful that Flores will bring us that continuity. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Dieter or Calhoun or somebody else develops into an above average or better lineman. That's just the way most great OLs are built. It's about a group learning to play together as a unit. There are obviously no guarantees. And building an OL is difficult. But I generally like their approach with the interior OL. I would like (and expect) to see them bring in one of the top 6 OT prospects in the draft.
     
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  26. Drizzy

    Drizzy Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    he's got a long way to go to be "fine." He was abysmal last year, literally one of the worst lineman in the entire league. I don't know how much improvement he had late in the year considering he was benched late in the year. He won't be handed a starting job early this time, he'll have to compete at RG with Jesse Davis and/or a couple rookies or we might trade for an established guard... chances are Deiter will be a reserve this year.
     

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