Part 1 of a Miami Dolphins On SI Bye Weekend Mailbag:
From Jason Kirkland (@1bigdad424):
Hi Alain, everyone is excited that Miami won, but in my opinion they didn’t do anything except beat the worst team in the league, barely. The racing game? Jonnu? Let’s see these things happen against an NFL team before we say Miami has found something. Your thoughts?
Hey Jason, I totally hear what you’re saying and I can’t disagree that the Dolphins didn’t necessarily accomplish anything significant with that win over the Patriots, except that it was absolutely a not in the right direction because of the running game, Jonnu, etc. And that certainly beat the alternative of having lost that match. So let’s call it baby steps. towards a potential playoff run.
From Lee Chaulk (via email):
Hello Alain, I really enjoy your coverage and insights on the Dolphins, you are my go-to for most Dolphins news. I have a question for the next mailbag on your SI messages. When will the Dolphins move on from Dan Crossman? He should have been fired last year after his lackluster performance on special teams; now it seems to be getting worse this year (penalties, blocked punts, muffed snaps, etc.). Special teams can make or break a team, and with the team struggling the way it is, we need special teams to step up and score points, without costing us points we can’t afford. to lose. THANKS.
Hey Lee, I totally understand the fans frustration with special teams and Crossman being held accountable, but the reality is if the Dolphins had decided to make a move there they would have done it after the last season, when they were. 31st in Rick Gosselin’s annual special teams rankings based on team results in 22 special teams categories.
From Jake McVay (@JakeMc945):
Hi Alain, have the Dolphins brought in any safeties since Holland is injured or do they think Maye, Poyer, Campbell and Needham are enough with McMorris leaving Illinois soon as well?
Hey Jake, I haven’t heard of the Dolphins bringing in any safeties and I think they have enough depth at the position even if Holland has to miss some time.
From Mike (via email):
Have a nice day Alain. Is it too early to remove a man from the technical staff?
Ha! I see what you did there. As I explained earlier, yes, it’s too early. And special teams aren’t hurting at all because Jason Sanders has three field goals of 50+ yards, including the game-winner against Jacksonville, and Braxton Berrios is among the league leaders in punt return average clearance.
From FinFanFoster (@ChathamDolfan):
If Jevon Holland is out for a while and Poyer is already injured and not performing to expectations, is there a possibility Patrick McMorris could be activated off the IR. Did he have a good pre-season?
McMorris will definitely be back at some point, which is why the Dolphins had him on the initial 53-man roster before putting him on injured reserve. He was eligible to return last week, but it didn’t happen at that time. But he should come back as soon as possible.
From Brandon Quinn (via email):
Should we be jealous or make fun of the Jets? Firing a defensive coach when the defense has been solid for a while, while Rodgers and his hand-picked OC continue to be comically bad, is pretty funny. But at least their owner has the stones to act. We can’t even fire the worst ST coach in the league in recent years.
Hey Brandon, I don’t really see a question here, but yeah, it seemed clear that something was wrong with the Jets. There is a difference with the Dolphins, however, in that they have made the playoffs, while the Jets haven’t seen the playoffs since 2010.
From Terry Nelsen (@TKN_OHIO):
Is there any indication that Tua is experimenting/adapting to another helmet or cap?
Hey Terry, understand that Tua already wore a quarterback specific helmet that was deemed even safer than the Guardian cap. Sure, sure, he could put the Guardian cap on that helmet, although I haven’t heard that’s a direction he’s heading in because it’s not time to discuss it yet.
From Dan Ford (@CaribbeanClark):
Why are fandom and objectivity considered by most to be mutually exclusive?
Hey Dan, that’s a great question and I guess it’s because emotion gets in the way of critical thinking. But I don’t know why you can’t be emotionally all-in on a team and still be able to objectively discuss it, or other opposing teams or players.
From Luis Rodriguez (@Elfrijol3232):
Hello Poupe! Looking for tickets or jets? I’m leaning towards the Jets so all three teams (ends) have 3 losses. What are your thoughts?
Hey Luis, it’s funny, you should ask: Bills-Jets was actually the #1 game in my Dolphins bye week rooting guide that I posted Friday morning. I’ve gone through all the games scheduled for Sunday and Monday with a rooting call, so I’ll encourage everyone to take a look, but I’ll just say here that you’re not wrong.
From Bob Curvelo (@curvelo13):
Hello Alain, keep up the good work, it’s always a pleasure to read this weekly. With the injuries and the OL’s poor play, do you see Miami making a trade before the deadline, whether for an O-lineman or another position?
Hey Bob, I’d say the chances of the Dolphins making a trade before the November 5th deadline are probably slightly better than 50-50, although I’m not sure it will involve an offensive lineman. I still think the Dolphins aren’t as concerned as the media or fans are about their IOL, and this group is coming off a good game against New England.
