HOUSTON — The numbers are ugly. The frustration runs deep.
The query is how the Miami Dolphins and proprietor Steve Ross will select to handle the state of affairs and transfer ahead in 2025.
After Sunday’s 20-12 loss at Houston to the Texans, the Dolphins are 26-24 (.520), together with playoffs, below coach Mike McDaniel.
You’re what your file says you’re, and on this case that’s an enormous, considerably predictable disappointment.
The Dolphins have by no means been excellent below McDaniel — and so they’re getting worse.
Change is clearly needed. In any other case the Dolphins are losing their time, which is what seems they’ve been doing since 2022.
I’m not saying somebody — normal supervisor Chris Grier or McDaniel — have to be fired. However modifications undoubtedly have to be made. A brand new method is important.
If there’s not a new method for 2025, it’ll definitely be time for somebody, or some folks, to lose their job.
That is ridiculous.
The Dolphins (6-8), who’ve executed the identical factor in 2024 as they’ve executed in 2023 and as they’ve executed in 2022, are virtually out of the playoff image this season.
The three-year file alone is nearly sufficient cause for McDaniel and Grier to each lose their jobs.
Heck, Tampa Bay is 25-25 (.500) since McDaniel took over the Dolphins in 2022. Jacksonville is 23-28 (.451).
Worse, the Dolphins, who characteristic a poorly-constructed roster, solely have two playoff appearances in three seasons and no playoff wins.
At the very least Jacksonville and Tampa Bay have every gained a playoff sport since 2022.
Jacksonville is 1-1 within the playoffs since 2022, Tampa Bay is 1-2, the Dolphins are 0-2.
Who would you may have reasonably been since 2022, the Dolphins, Jaguars or Buccaneers?
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Somebody should drive modifications on the Dolphins.
The Dolphins can’t go on dwelling this manner. It’s loopy.
They’re regressing as a result of they refuse to vary.
This season the Dolphins are 0-5 in opposition to playoff groups and the typical rating is Playoff Group 27, Dolphins 14.
Final season they have been 1-6 in opposition to playoff groups. Two years in the past they have been 2-6 in opposition to playoff groups.
The Dolphins proceed shifting backwards and placing up ugly numbers.
Since 2022, the Dolphins are 3-17 (.150) in opposition to playoff groups.
The Dolphins should make modifications.
There have to be modifications in personnel (an enormous working again, a big-bodied large receiver, an improve at slot receiver, extra assistance on the inside line of defense).
There have to be modifications in method (McDaniel should alter his midweek routine in an effort to be a greater offensive play-caller and head coach).
The Dolphins should turn out to be harder, extra aggressive, extra bodily on each side of the ball and particularly on the line of scrimmage.
These are all issues we’ve talked about for the previous two seasons but nothing has modified.
The Dolphins have an excessive amount of expertise to be so disappointing.
They have to make modifications.
And when the Dolphins begin serious about modifications they have to first understand what they’ve, and as I’ve instructed you beforehand, they have to understand that neither McDaniel nor quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is “particular”.
They’re each good, and you’ll win a Tremendous Bowl with each, or both. Little question.
However McDaniel and Tagovailoa each want rather more assist than they’ve been given, and presumably extra assist than Grier and McDaniel understand they want.
The Dolphins have to be trustworthy with themselves to maneuver ahead in 2025.
They want an offense that does greater than put up empty numbers.
For instance, the Dolphins rushed for greater than 100 yards six instances this season. They went 1-5 in these video games.
The Dolphins want an offense that wins massive video games.
The Dolphins at the moment are 5-11 (.313) in December/January video games since 2022.
The Dolphins want an offense that has a 1-2 punch as a substitute of only a “1” punch (large receiver Tyreek Hill on the deep route) or only a “2” punch (a dink-and-dunk offense that struggles to supply touchdowns).
I like Grier, I like McDaniel, I like Tua.
None of them have been ok since 2022.
The Dolphins have to do one thing in another way in 2025.
At this level, I’d preserve the band collectively — Grier, McDaniel and Tua — another yr.
Power modifications on them.
And if the outcomes don’t change after the 2025 season, I’d seize a brush and sweep out your complete group.
