The Miami Dolphins continued to make moves yesterday by trading with the LA Rams for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. It will likely be a much-needed improvement.
The 2022 version of their defense ranked in the top six in terms of rushing yards against them, but their secondary was a different story. They coughed up a dismal 3992 passing yards and were ranked near the back of the pack at #27.
This move will be a definite upgrade
This Jalen Ramsey interception 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cz2dbkXh5a
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) January 9, 2022
Ramsey should help tame that wild front immediately, assuming they don’t lose important pieces in other places. He’ll be joining a secondary with veteran Xavien Howard and up-and-coming cornerback Kader Kohou, who played amazingly for a guy who wasn’t drafted until round seven.
The Dolphins haven’t been afraid to make headlines this off-season. They’re planning to release longtime cornerback Byron Jones on March 15th. Though Jones was a solid player for years, this move will be a definite upgrade for them.
They found out who they had back there
Was Ramsey the player they needed to get them to the next round of the playoffs or even further? It is undoubtedly a leap in the right direction. With this defense intact, the idea of a Super Bowl run is absolutely plausible.
Last season was a near-miss in terms of advancing in the playoffs. Their secondary got lit up for 352 yards and they were using the third-string quarterback in a snowy away game against the Bills. That’s no easy task for anyone. Aside from the narrow loss, it wasn’t such a bad thing. They found out who they had back there throwing the rock around. Thompson not only has grit, but he seems more than an adequate backup, particularly after he had a game under his belt.
It also appears the Dolphins are gearing up to let their backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater hit free agency. He threw as many touchdowns as he did interceptions and didn’t maximize his weaponry. Bridgewater’s numbers were assumedly not good enough to re-sign him for the money he demands.
Miami is giving former Jets’ QB Mike White a two-year deal worth up to $16 million, per source. pic.twitter.com/NTSnFxAvgc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
The Dolphins went fishing for a backup quarterback who may be a better fit in their system. Mike White, the Jets backup quarterback, hinted at going back home and possibly playing for the Dolphins as well. They have signed him just today. Things appear to be going swimmingly.
Asking himself the same question
The AFC East is one of the toughest divisions in the league. Each opponent seems tougher than the last one, and there’s always a Josh Allen or a Bill Belichick looming. Even the Jets who were once the leagues laughingstock aren’t to be taken lightly anymore. The only way forward is to go directly through them.
Mike McDaniel may be considered a player’s coach, but his 9-8 regular season record proved he knows how to manage a team. As mentioned, he did it in an absolutely brutal division which speaks for itself. He managed to do it while battling injuries to his most important player, the starting quarterback. What happens if he’s got even more skill at the position behind the oft-injured Tagovailoa? Until today he’d likely been asking himself the same question. Now that situation seems firmly in control.
The Miami #Dolphins don’t exercise Tua Tagovailoa’s 5th year option if they expect Tom Brady to come out of retirement or have plans to trade for Lamar Jackson after the draft
We can put those rumors to rest now
MIA QB1: pic.twitter.com/yMNp0ejgEj
— Colin McTamany (@Colin_McT) March 10, 2023
Tagovailoa has rare ability. He can launch the long ball and place it in there with delicacy like few others. That’s by far not his only skill. The team knows all about him. They just recently picked up his fifth-year option. There is no doubt they believe in him. They just don’t want a repeat of 2022 when the dream died after his injury.
The draft is still over a month away, but this team isn’t waiting. The Fins are already making a splash.
