Does Miami have a plan?

I'm not sure what they are doing.

Crater for Trevor?

I think they know exactly what they are doing. They are going to get a buttload of picks and start all the way from scratch.

Would he not be worth our 2020 No. 1? He is a plug and play stud at a good price.

Does Miami have a plan?

I'm not sure what they are doing.

The acting GM will also probably lose his job at some point because no team has the fortitude to stick w/such a plan over the long haul.

j/c:

I have a different take on the Miami situation.

I feel bad for the coaches because they all will be fired when the losing reaches ridiculous proportions. The acting GM will also probably lose his job at some point because no team has the fortitude to stick w/such a plan over the long haul.

I also feel sorry for the players who love to compete and really care about winning. Being stuck in such a situation has to be demoralizing. The game should not be played like this.

There already have been a ton of grumbling by the players in Miami and they were shellacked in week one by the Ravens. I have vowed not to talk about Hue and is coaching staff, but I am going to make an exception this one time and say something similar to what Joe Thomas did awhile ago. To keep a team believing in itself and playing hard week after week while knowing your FO is tanking and not trying to win is actually quite remarkable. I'm not going to debate this w/anyone, but I feel strongly about it.

Oh, the irony is pouring out here. Too much for a Friday morning.

On a side note, while everyone feels bad for the players and coaches, I feel bad for the fans.

Football is a short, fast season with a limited number of games. Fans spend 8 months of anticipation only to have it over week 1.

That sucks.

Would he not be worth our 2020 No. 1? He is a plug and play stud at a good price.

they have been having him play SS

he doesn't want to play safety, thats why he wants traded

Clever for Trevor? Trade whoever for Trevor? Abhorrence for Lawrence?

Feel sorry for the whole franchise. The 'Phins were a favorite of mine with Csonka, Shula, Morris and that group. They certainly deserve better than this season will bring. Later in the season, I expect things to grind them down. This isn't what The Game should be about is insightful.

j/c:

If they aren't able to get at least one high pick for him, then they shouldn't do it. The whole point is to accumulate as many 1st and 2nd rounders as you can early on.

Never have seen a team so blatantly tanking.

We had that plan for 20 years. It never worked for us.

We got lucky with Dorsey. Hopefully they find a good gm.

The problem is we didn't have that plan until a few years ago. Then we acquired multiple picks that Dorsey was able to build his team.

Have you been watching the Browns the past few years?

Browns never tanked, but watch this can of worms, our head coach just wasn't very good.

Never have seen a team so blatantly tanking.

ummm see the Browns a few years ago.

We tanked just as hard.

We tanked but the Dolphins are taking it to a whole ‘nother level. We didn’t trade Joe Thomas and he was near the end of his career. The Dolphins are trading all their players even if they’re on their rookie contract.

identify your young talent and keep it, then trade away anyone that isn't in your long term plans for future picks.

Browns never tanked, but watch this can of worms, our head coach just wasn't very good.

He stunk. And so did the team he was given to work with. Neither the HC nor the de facto GM have any excuse for their performance.

What are you trying to say.

Are you trying to say the Browns have not been trying to win the Super Bowl but rather stockpile draft picks, as if that was the whole point?

Of Course I've been watching the Browns, you know I have, you know we all have.

I'll say it again, The point is to win the Super Bowl.

In 2016 here are the QB's who took snaps at some point during the season....

Cody Kessler, Kevin Hogan, Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III, Terrelle Pryor, and “Clipboard Jesus” Charlie Whitehurst.

I rest my case.

Rest your case??

Again you said nothing.

Are you trying to say the Browns were not trying to win the Super Bowl in 2016??
IF so then Come out and Say it!

ummm see the Browns a few years ago.

We tanked just as hard.

Never have seen a team so blatantly tanking.

The Steelers are 0-2 and playing with their backup QB who has never played before. The Steelers might’ve just traded away a top ten pick.

Please, the Browns let all of their good players walk and started RG3 and Deshone Kizer.

I don't recall too many GMs trading away a player they drafted in the first round the previous year. We didn't do it. The Cardinals did it with Rosen, but that's a little different. This is a stud defensive player you can use to build your team.

Just bizarre.

That wasn't a cheap price.

He was unhappy.

Hate to see the Steelers acquire talent, but better Minkah than Jalen Ramsey. ANd now the Steelers don't have a 1st next year.

He was unhappy. You need to clear out the old negative energy to get all the new players to buy into winning. I doubt they would've let him go without getting a 1st rounder which can most likely replace a slot CB/safety. If he were a Myles Garrett they'd probably keep him to build around later.

We have acquired a 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 sixth-round pick from Pittsburgh in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 2020 fourth-round pick and a 2021 seventh-round pick.

https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1173948783408877569

I'm surprised some members on the board aren't singing the praises of Chris Grier.

I'm surprised some members on the board aren't singing the praises of Chris Grier.

Lol thats an unreal amount of draft ammo

I doubt that they will be picking in the top 10. They played two very good teams. Fitz was picked at number 11 overall. I don't see this as a bad trade for the Steelers unless they play him out of position.

The ones that understand what he is doing get the process and appreciate it.

I think it just goes to prove that anyone can sell off enough assets to gain cap space and draft capital. It doesn't take a genius.

I think this move tells everyone what the Steelers think of Rudolph.

I think it just takes someone willing to fall on the sword.

I doubt that they will be picking in the top 10. They played two very good teams. Fitz was picked at number 11 overall. I don't see this as a bad trade for the Steelers unless they play him out of position.

The thing is, a GM has a guaranteed contract. It's not like the players who only have the guaranteed portion of the money guaranteed. So even if you tank and are out on your ass in two years, most contracts are four at least four years. So you're going to get paid anyway.

And if your resume doesn't quite add up to what the league is actually looking for in a GM, that makes the temptation even sweeter.

I think it just goes to prove that anyone can sell off enough assets to gain cap space and draft capital. It doesn't take a genius.

Thank you, John Madden.

I do see this as a bad move, it reeks of desperation and I have no idea why.

The Steelers lost AB, they lost Bell, Ben is gone for the year, 4 of their 5 starting OL are over 30... and if Ben does come back will only have a year or two left in the tank.. they have some decent young talent but they are entering into a bit of a rebuilding phase and just gave away a ton of draft picks..

I think this move tells everyone what the Steelers think of Rudolph.

Tells me they think he is ready to perform, and are bolstering their Def to make a run.

It also could mean that Tomlin is feeling some heat (and their GM) and want to remain as competitive as possible to avoid a big falloff

I'm surprised some members on the board aren't singing the praises of Chris Grier.

Now they don't have a #1 Pick to draft a real QB which IMO Rudolph Isn't ...

I'd say somewhere between 10 and 20. Let's face it, if there are great QB's in this draft class, those in need of a QB are either such bad teams they are in the top 5-10 picks, or it will take a team with a lot of draft capital to move up in order to draft one of them.

I don't think the Steelers fall into either of those categories.

jc -

For those arguing this is a good trade for the Steelers - and I'm not saying it is or isn't - would you support trading next year's first for Ramsey? It seems you can apply the same arguments I'm reading here supporting the Fitz move.

I would however trade a next years first for a 22 year old stud Tackle or Guard right now.

How about next year’s first (#32 overall) for Quentin Nelson

I didn't comment on Ben/Mason.

I think the Steelers made a move to acquire a player that is a proven commodity and almost assuredly better than the first round pick they gave up to get him.

Like I said before, think of some of the Brown's first rounders. Gilber, Manziel, TRich, Weeden, Njoku, Peppers, Mingo, Phil Taylor, Big Money, Leon, etc. A couple of those guys are decent, but most sucked and I would not take any of them over Fitz.

Is it the same Fitz, are you sure we are talking about the same guy?

He sucked in Miami has a CB, was moved to safety/hibrid to try to get something out of him, and he requested a move...

He is far from having proved he is a stud, I would put in the Gilbert,Peppers level, lots of potential and lots of question marks.

We have acquired a 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 sixth-round pick from Pittsburgh in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 2020 fourth-round pick and a 2021 seventh-round pick.

https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1173948783408877569

Man, I gotta tell you, I'm thinking that a team like Pittsburgh with an aging QB who may or may not return next season, might have wanted to hang onto to their 1st pick next season..

I'd say somewhere between 10 and 20. Let's face it, if there are great QB's in this draft class, those in need of a QB are either such bad teams they are in the top 5-10 picks, or it will take a team with a lot of draft capital to move up in order to draft one of them.

I don't think the Steelers fall into either of those categories.

Man, I gotta tell you, I'm thinking that a team like Pittsburgh with an aging QB who may or may not return next season, might have wanted to hang onto to their 1st pick next season..

How Nick Saban feels about Miami Dolphins’ Minkah Fitzpatrick

Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama holds the trophy while celebrating with his team after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs to win the CFP National Championship (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Nick Saban’s Miami Dolphins tenure didn’t exactly work out the way anyone would have liked, but he is arguably the greatest coach in college football history and he is a straight-shooter with NFL officials when it comes to his prospects.

Thus it is no surprise that Miami coach Adam Gase enjoys sharing a story or two about his time working for Saban at Michigan State and LSU. Or that executive vice president Mike Tannenbaum was huddled with Saban at this year’s Senior Bowl.

Did Kenyan Drake come up? Perhaps. Did Minkah Fitzpatrick? Seems likely.

The Dolphins selected Fitzpatrick because it’s easy to see his unique talent on film. But also because Saban clearly endorses every intangible aspect of Fitzpatrick’s fiber. Saban really likes Fitzpatrick the player and really, really likes Fitzpatrick the person.

Let’s take a look at some of the things Saban has said about Fitzpatrick over the years:

On Fitzpatrick’s versatility as a corner and a safety:

“We have six different positions in the secondary and he’s played every one of them,” Saban said. “I don’t ever remember having anybody that’s played all the roles he’s played here and done it as well as he’s done it.” (Associated Press/September, 2017)

On Fitzpatrick’s psychological makeup:

“Does he think about football the way I would like a player to think about football? Absolutely, because he’s not a guy who’s trying to memorize what he does,” Saban said. “We like, I like, conceptual learners. Guys that understand the concept of what you’re doing and then they can apply those concepts to things that happen.” (Associated Press/September, 2017)

On Fitzpatrick’s strengths off the field:

“He’s very conscientious, pays attention to detail, very disciplined, understands the importance of preparation. He’s not one of these guys that just thinks he can go out there and make plays without doing things the right way. He sets a great example in terms of his work ethic and how he practices and what he does every day. So there’s not a lot of things that you can say that Minkah doesn’t do exactly like you would want him to do as a coach and what you try to get all of your players to do.” (Montgomery Advertiser/January, 2018)

On Fitzpatrick contributing as a freshman:

“He played when he was a freshman, and has played in almost every game since he’s been here,” Saban said. “We had high expectations for what he would be able to accomplish and what he would be able to do here. I can’t say that we’re disappointed in any area. He’s probably exceeded those expectations because of the consistency that he’s been able to play with.” (Montgomery Advertiser/January, 2018)

On Fitzpatrick’s discipline, eye control and preparation:

“I think that he ends up making plays because of it,” Saban said. “I think some of our other guys, they want to make plays, but they have to understand there has to be attention to detail, you have to look at the right things, you have to put yourself in the right position, and then you’re going to give yourself the best opportunity to make plays.” (Anniston Star/October, 2016)

On why he gave Fitzpatrick multiple position responsibilities:

“He’s very versatile and he’s bright, he’s smart, he’s very conscientious, he works hard every day,” Saban said. “So if there’s anybody who can do it, I think he’s certainly the right kind of guy to do it. That may be how we end up this year.” (Decatur Daily/August, 2016)

On why he loves Fitzpatrick so much:

“Minkah does it as well as anybody I’ve ever coached, in terms of how he works every day, how he finishes plays, his conditioning level, just phenomenal,” Saban said. “Pays attention to detail. It’s important to him. Makes sure he knows what to do.” (Anniston Star/August, 2017)

On the example Fitzpatrick set at Alabama:

“A lot of players that are good players I’ve heard them say, ‘I’m saving it for the game.’ Every one of those players, and all those teams that I’ve been on that the players say that, none of them are worth a s—,” Saban said. “He doesn’t do that. I hope we have more and more players who work like him, because when you have players that do that, you usually have a pretty good team. He sets a great example.” (Anniston Star/August, 2017)

http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.c...ah-fitzpatrick/

Not arguing, but your "rue the day" comment begs the question...

Why then, did the Dolphins goof around with his position on the field so much? I think it's weird to play around so much with such an important player.

Why does that org. do anything ... they’ve been a mess for at least 5 years ...

Why did they gift us VG ...

Why did they trade tunsli?

I think it just takes someone willing to fall on the sword.

But hey, at least with the Dolphins it looks like they are managing to do it all in one year instead of dragging it out longer.

Tells me they think he is ready to perform, and are bolstering their Def to make a run.

I really don't think you watch too much of him.

btw, does baker still have a noddle arm?

CFR says he was a very good slot CB, no he wasn't very good, and for sure he wasn't good enough to play CB,like I said so to start. Also no may teams in the NFL even use slot CB's or star players, that why most of the elite start players in Saban's scheme fail when they reach the NFL.

Among the 34 defensive players with 200 or more coverage snaps in the slot last season, he ranked first in completion percentage allowed (51.3%), first in passer rating allowed (53.4) and tied for ninth in coverage grade (76.7).

https://www.pff.com/news/pro-miami-doesnt-need-to-get-creative-with-minkah-fitzpatricks-usage

I know PFF isn't gospel but I trust it over rastanplan.

although I continue to consider that he does not have the arm to make all NFL throws, specially to his left side, outside the numbers.

Agreed. As well as he def. said baker had a noodle arm.

I trust the evaluation of the Steelers.

They would not trade a first without in depth knowledge.

The last time they traded a first rounder was in the sixties.

I respect their ability to find players who fit their schemes.

I just want to point to the fact that defensive players who cover the slot, aren't called slot CB's... actually its usually a position the NFL does not use in a normal formation.

Teams in the NFL runs defensive plays out of the nickel something like 70% of the time.

Who does?