There have been reports from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, who has heard supposed rumblings of the Dolphins letting go of either head coach Brian Flores or general manager Chris Grier in the offseason.
With the Dolphins on a winning streak at the moment after a disastrous start, here is why the Dolphins should not get rid of either of them.
Why Flores Should Not Be On The Hot Seat
Flores’ record as a head coach currently stands at 21-24. This overlooks the past three years. He came into the role with the team in disarray. The team had just let go of head coach Adam Gase, who had traded away Jarvis Landry and Jay Ajayi, and then the team released Suh. These were three essential figures, particularly Landry and Ajayi.
As a result of Gase’s conflicts with big personalities, the team was in rebuild mode. This saw a poor start. While Flores’ fallout with Minkah Fitzpatrick saw the defensive back move on to the Pittsburgh Steelers, you could not see him wanting to leave if the team had an excellent start to the season.
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A 0-7 start saw the Dolphins labeled by many as the worst team in history. A 5-4 run down the stretch saw them finish 5-11. This good end to the season saw them go into the 2020 season with much confidence. The following season, they went 10-6, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
He was a Coach of the Year candidate after last season, which earns him plenty of plaudits. While he hasn’t handled the Tua Tagovailoa situation perfectly, he has guided this team to becoming the first to go 1-7 and then win five straight. Prior to the trade deadline, Flores was constantly asked about Deshaun Watson. He continued to deny reports and say Tua was his guy. It is no coincidence that Miami has not lost a game since the passing of the trade deadline.
There have been many positives and negatives, but the positives massively outweigh the negatives. The defensive-minded coach has seen the Dolphins become one of the best defensive units this past month.
Offensively, things are picking up week by week. He seems to have finally figured out how best to scheme for his QB1.
How The Past Month Has Saved Grier’s Position
When the Dolphins were at the worst part of their poor run this season, Grier was someone who was getting a lot of justified criticism. Jaelan Phillips started slow, Tua was making silly errors, and Jaylen Waddle slow off the books. The draft selections of Grier were heavily scrutinized.
However, in the midst of this excellent run of form, the draft selections from 2020 and 2021 have picked up. 2021 first-round selection Phillips had 1.5 sacks in his first six NFL games. He has recorded seven in his last five games. Each week, he is looking more and more like the defensive stud we saw in college with the Miami Hurricanes.
Jaylen Waddle has been good for most of his 2021 rookie campaign. He recorded his first 100-yard game in the 33-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Jevon Holland has also been excellent in his rookie year, regarded by PFF as one of the best-rated rookies this season.
Dolphins 2021 Rookie Update:
Jaylen Waddle is 15 receptions away from the rookie record (Bolden – 101)
Jaelan Phillips is 6 sacks away from the rookie record (Kearse – 14.5)
Jevon Holland is the 4th highest graded safety in all of football (per PFF)
This class is DIFFERENT. pic.twitter.com/AEuEOzYNKB
— Valley Boys Sports (@VBSofficial_) December 8, 2021
2020 saw Tua Tagovailoa, Austin Jackson, and Noah Igbinoghene was taken in the first round. While Jackson has been hit and miss and Igbinoghene non-existent, Tua is improving week on week. He finally looks to be the reliable quarterback that fans all expected when he was taken fifth overall in 2020.
If there is anything that the past month is proved, is that Grier can actually draft. With the form improving since the end of the Watson talk, someone that it appears only owner Stephen Ross wanted, perhaps the problem is someone higher up than Grier and Flores?
If Flo calls the defense from here on out I’m in.
Fire Grier give Flo total control.
God forbid….Grier has to go!!! His miss on Herbert and the numerous other mistakes are enough. I could have done better throwing at a dart board.
Gotta get a real OC that knows RPO and can help Tua excel. Next, find three solid pieces for the oline, even if all of the $80m in cap space goes to addressing this problem. Keep Hunt and Dieter, add three new pieces, vets, please. Use the draft and find a true RB, (Kenneth Walker) two new WR’s to go with Waddle and sign up Gesicki. Not that tough of a road map really. Balance out the draft with another DE, to go with Ogbah (resign as well) and a thumper LB. The five picks are then LB, RB, WR, WR, DE, not necessarily in that order. Use free agency and fix Oline once and for all. USE THE MONEY HERE.
That’s a joke right. Team is 6 and 7 after a 7 game losing streak. Grier has made really bad decisions and choices. I might give Flo 1 more season on conditions. Grier is gone. Jim Harbaugh is still my choice.
Watson is a great talent but hes also a kinky little freak with legal issues why not give Tua every opportunity to succeed and acquire a stud right tackle either through free agency or the draft and stop ignoring the running back position in the draft and see where that goes?
Flores did get lucky with 3 studs last year but still failed to secure a solid Offensive lineman or RB with a 2 and 2/3. Maybe Liam gets better , Hunter Long ????? Seriously a 5th TE. His previous 2 drafts delivered next to nothing given the treasure trove of picks. HIs Free Agent signings have been disasters, all the trades that resulted in next to nothing. He basically traded 2 1st rd picks for Waddle. I love the guy but value ??? He has spent 150m ? Do we have 1 great or even good starter ? Oh wait we spend $8M so Flowers can start for another team . RB ‘s worst in league and the two of them claim we don’t need a RB . How many years will they ignore the 2nd most important position on offense. If Ross keeps them watch the repeat. Matter of fact I cannot think of one notable contributor except Ogabah and this guy has failed to extend him. Giescki also needs to be extended as does Smythe / See a problem here failure after failure. FLo its simple he cannot put together a staff , no one of quality wants to work for him . The Offense is a disaster top to bottom. Flo cannot develop players. SEE OFFENSEIVE LINE…… Ross always keeps guys too long . If he does not fire everyone in the building they will continue to stick. BTW win streak will grow to 6 but so what against sorry teams. TN and NE will smoke them the last 2 weeks hopefully closing this failed chapter. Also Grier has been around 20 years he lacks the ability to idnetify talent . Anyone could follow a drat guide and grab Waddle , Phillipes and Holland. BUT NO ONE would waste a pick on 5th TE