Phins Phorward
Edition #16
Let’s put those Phins Phorward! As the South Florida sun beats down on the Baptist Health Training Complex, I’m buzzing with anticipation for the Miami Dolphins’ 2025 training camp to start. It’s not just the start of another season, but it feels like a pivotal moment for a franchise desperate to shed the weight of last year’s disappointment and their extensive playoff win drought. The 2024 season was a gut punch, going 8-9, with no playoffs, and a string of injuries that exposed our lack of depth.
However, as I look ahead to July 26, when the first public practice takes place, I see reasons to believe that this team can surprise us, diehard Miami Dolphins fans.
First, let’s talk about the much-discussed culture shift. The word “culture” can sometimes ring hollow, but Tua’s comments in June resonated with me. He spoke of a tangible change in the locker room, a player-led drive to rewrite the narrative.
Losing veterans like Calais Campbell and Terron Armstead may sting, but it’ll force younger players to step up. I’m excited to see if this new energy translates when pads go on.
If Tua stays healthy, and that’s always a big if given his injury history, this offense could rediscover its 2023 magic. His 72.9% completion rate and 19 touchdowns in 11 games last year remind me why he’s the key to our success.
The running game gives me even more hope. De’Von Achane is a human highlight reel, averaging 5.6 yards per carry since 2023. Pair him with Jaylen Wright, who showed flashes of power last season, and new addition Alexander Mattison, and we’ve got a backfield that can keep defenses honest.
Mike McDaniel’s challenge to Wright to “nonverbally communicate his hunger” stuck with me. I’ll be watching to see if Wright’s ready to seize a bigger role, especially in short-yardage situations where we really struggled last year.
On defense, the return of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips from injury is massive. If they, alongside potential breakout star Chop Robinson and mammoth first-round pick Kenneth Grant, can stay healthy, our pass rush could be ferocious.
The secondary, though, keeps me up at night. Trading Ramsey for Minkah Fitzpatrick was a bold move, and while Fitzpatrick’s a Pro Bowl talent, our cornerback depth, think Kader Kohou and Storm Duck, feels very shaky. Training camp will be critical for these young DBs to prove they can hang with NFL receivers.
Then there’s the tight end room, reshuffled with Darren Waller’s arrival and Jonnu Smith’s departure. Waller, coming out of retirement, is a wildcard. His 2019-2020 Raiders tape, over 2,300 yards, shows what he’s capable of, but can he stay healthy at 32 going on 33 after being away from the game for a year?
I am, however, intrigued by undrafted rookie Jalin Conyers, whose 260-pound frame and combine explosion could make him a camp standout.
Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier are under fire after last season’s collapse. McDaniel needs to show he can keep this younger roster focused. The “playoff win or bust” narrative feels real, and if they don’t deliver, changes will come. Training camp is about more than just X’s and O’s.
It’s about grit, growth, and gelling as a team. This Dolphins team isn’t a Super Bowl favorite, but with a healthy Tua, a dynamic run game, and a hungry defense, they’ve got a shot to make some noise in the AFC. I’ll be there rooting my boys on as always!
