Welcome to the latest edition of 5 Questions. This weekly collaboration between SB Nation and other sites previews the Ravens’ next matchups. Kevin Nogle, of The Phinsider, is here to answer Baltimore Beatdown’s questions for Week 6 as the Ravens play the Dolphins this week in Miami.
Check out Baltimore Beatdown for their answers to The Phinsider questions about the Ravens.
1. What is the general sentiment of Dolphins fans regarding TuaTagovailoa or Mike McDaniel. Does the general feeling say that the team should let go of both, or just one? Is one of the partners limiting the capabilities of the other, or has the partnership simply run its course?
They are tired of losing. They are tired to be mediocre. Really, they are just tired. Tagovailoa’s ceiling has always divided the fan base. It is unlikely that he can take over the game by himself. You can win with this type of player but you must make sure that he has the support and skill players to compliment him. Tagovailoa can be a dominant quarterback for the Dolphins when things go well, but when things don’t, they look ugly.
McDaniel was the young, hot guy who revolutionized the game. It was great for two years. Last year, the league caught him up and this year they don’t seem to have made enough adjustments to compete every week. The former San Francisco 49ers run game coordinator, for some reason has had trouble committing to the run at Miami. He did it last week and the results were evident. Will he continue to do that? Will he go back to the old screen pass behind the line of scrimmage every snap?
Dolphins fans have a strong loyalty to their team, and Miami is a football city, regardless of how successful the Heat, Panthers or Marlins are. Fans will come back to McDaniel if the team wins. If this year is anything like the first half, then the calls for a total overhaul of the team and coaching staff will continue to grow. If the Dolphins aren’t succeeding, then it is time for someone else to take over.
McDaniel Tagovailoa and McDaniel can still succeed in the league, but their chances of success in Miami are dwindling.
2. What players can’t be sold by the Dolphins at the deadline?
Patrick Paul, the left tackle, should be the cornerstone of the future team. I’d assume that they won’t want to move De’Von Achane. Chop Robinson, an edge rusher, is likely another player they’d want to keep. However the success he had at the end of last year in his rookie season hasn’t continued.
Some players I believe could be moved but would cost a lot include defensive tackle Zach Sieler, Jaelan Philips and wide receiver Jaylen.
If Miami decides to sell, I believe that linebacker Bradley Chubb and linebacker Jordynn Brooks as well as safety Minkah fitzpatrick are all players the team may consider moving. The team could probably sell everyone else for the right price.
3. Is Sunday’s offensive explosion a sign of things to come or was this the last gasp for Tagovailoa/McDaniel in Miami?
Miami’s offense isn’t going to be as good as what we saw so far in this season, but it should still be a step up from the current state. With players like Waddle and Achane as well as wide receiver Malik Washington and rookie runningback Ollie Gordon II they should be able to at least have an effective offense. We saw it on Sunday.
Miami’s offensive opening is a result of McDaniel consciously deciding to use Achane, Gordon, and third running back Jaylen. Tagovailoa is able to make good use of the play action pass. Miami’s passing game is aimed at attacking the middle of field. Teams have learned that linebackers and safety are best kept in the middle, blocking the passing lanes. When the running game is successful the linebackers move up and this creates the space for Waddle, who can run a slant in the middle and catch the ball while still in stride.
The Dolphins will not be able to perform consistently like they did Sunday. I don’t know what I will see but for the first time I have hope.
4. Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, is well-known to the Ravens. What has Weaver brought to the Dolphins’ scheme since his time in Baltimore as their defensive line coach and what have they carried over from previous defenses?
It’s a good question. I would like to know how Weaver attacks the opposing offenses. Unfortunately, I’m not sure anyone knows. The Dolphins have been at the bottom or close to it in nearly all defensive categories this season. The Dolphins are allowing an average of 145 rushing yard per game. This would have been worse had they not taken the lead on Sunday and forced Atlanta Falcons into a one-dimensional comeback.
Sieler, Chubb Phillips and Robinson were supposed to be the strength of the team, chasing down opposing quarterbacks. Jordyn Dodson and Tyrel Brooks would then reinforce the middle of field and run game. Kenneth Grant, a rookie defensive tackle, would be able eat blocks and create space for the rest of the team. This is not the case.
The secondary is the least concerning part of the defensive unit on a team with five cornerbacks on injury reserve. The secondary is going to make mistakes because it’s young and overmatched, but at least they are effective. Safety Minkah fitzpatrick has helped to solidify the secondary. She has also seen time as a nickel corners.
The Dolphins have also had communication problems throughout the season. Weaver pointed out that the Dolphins’ struggles are due to these errors and the fact that the same players make the same mistakes.
Weaver is tweaking his system, rearranging players and adding more blitzes. There has been an improvement in his new methods, but fans wanted McDaniel fired at the beginning of this season and Weaver appointed interim head coach. The season has progressed and there is no longer a call for Weaver to be appointed interim head coach.
5. The Jalsay/Minkah fitzpatrick deal raised eyebrows in the league due to the Dolphins’ cornerback shortage. How did the trade work out for Miami’s cornerback situation?
Fitzpatrick is a good addition to the team, if only because he brings consistency and calms down the secondary. Fitzpatrick hasn’t been a dominant player, but nobody else on the team has.
It is possible that the biggest benefit of this trade was simply sending Ramsey away. He’s a great player, but he has been on four teams in 10 years. I enjoyed watching him play. But off the field there’s something about drama which seems to attract him and make him want to leave.
Miami won the trade, and I don’t think the Steelers did. Miami won the trade, even if it wasn’t a complete rout of Pittsburgh. It was a win because there is less drama in the secondary and Miami can have a more solidified presence.