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<\/a><\/p>\nMB: Absolutely! I think the sky is the limit for Rodriguez after his stellar pro debut. He is second in the entire NFL in tackles \u2014 unfortunately, Anthony Hill Jr. of the Tennessee Titans is first, and he\u2019s also a rookie. When JRod gets some forced fumbles with his \u201cPeanut Punch,\u201d his counting stats will look even more impressive, which should help his case.<\/p>\n
KN: Completely agree. He has taken on the responsibility of being the play caller, getting the entire defense into position, and he is doing really well at it. He has already shown he can be a tackling machine and he is doing that while still adjusting to the speed of the game. Sacks and interceptions are the sexy stats that usually get the attention when people vote for major awards like this, but if Rodriguez can keep playing like he did against the Raiders, he can definitely be in the conversation.<\/p>\n
MB: I don\u2019t think I was surprised, but I do expect him to use his legs more going forward. On Thursday, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik called Malik\u2019s mobility his \u201csuperpower,\u201d so I would assume some conversations about him scrambling took place after Week One\u2019s showing. Let\u2019s just hope he avoids big hits so that he can stay on the field.<\/p>\n KN: I feel like there is a push for Willis to prove he can be a drop-back, pocket passer. Based on Slowik\u2019s comments, I think it is probably an internal thing for Willis, consciously or subconsciously. He wants to prove he is a starting NFL quarterback, so he wants to make all the throws like a pocket passer. I think we see that with all quarterbacks known as \u201cdual-threat\u201d or \u201cmobile quarterbacks.\u201d I think there were times when Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, and others were all trying to prove they could sit in the pocket and throw the ball, which led them to wait too long to decide to run. I think Willis will get back to using his legs as well as his arm as he gains comfort and trust that the coaches want him to be the starter, and with continued reminders from the coaching staff that they want him to run.<\/p>\n MB: Bobby Slowik helped CJ Stroud win Rookie of the Year in Houston, so he does have that on his resume, but those questioning Week One\u2019s play-calling have a legitimate gripe. I felt Slowik coached the second half like the team was down 30 points and needed to throw it downfield every play to catch up \u2014 which wasn\u2019t the case. I\u2019m hoping for more Achane touches this week and every week throughout the rest of the season.<\/p>\n KN: I think that is a fair assessment – the team definitely went away from De\u2019Von Achane and tried to throw the ball way more than needed in the second half. It did feel like a Mike McDaniel game plan, where the talk was all about the run game but the execution fell back to the passing attack. I also think that is where the criticisms and complaints come in – Slowik is a holdover from McDaniel\u2019s staff, so seeing things that feel like the McDaniel era does not sit well with the fans right now.<\/p>\n Slowik does come from the same tree as McDaniel, based in the Shanahan-McVay-Kubiak West Coast offensive style. That offense does work, but after the last couple of years of McDaniel\u2019s offense sputtering, Dolphins fans are not going to be comfortable seeing the same thing happening under this new coaching staff. I think it will be fine, but that assumes Slowik realizes his mistake in going away from Achane last week and corrects it starting this week.<\/p>\n MB: Jalen Tolbert is not a building block for the Miami Dolphins. Their rookies \u2014 Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr. \u2014 are. I think it\u2019s as simple as that. They are focusing on the future and not necessarily on the \u201chere and now,\u201d and I think that\u2019s a sound strategy. I\u2019d rather our young guys get the reps they need now so that they can be meaningful contributors when the team is better in 2027 and 2028.<\/p>\n KN: Exactly. I think they believe in the young players, and they want to get them on the field and gain the experience they need to overcome the NFL learning curve. I do not think there was any point during the game I thought Tolbert would have made a difference.<\/p>\n MB: I would focus on pass rushers, cornerbacks and defensive tackles. The first two are probably obvious answers, but the last one may surprise. Unfortunately, despite the success of Zach Sieler in the past, age is catching up to him and I can\u2019t see him being a member of the Dolphins beyond this season. Miami\u2019s three second-year defensive tackles didn\u2019t have a positive impact on Week One\u2019s game (Kenneth Grant is on IR currently).<\/p>\n KN: I think edge is going to be a huge focus for the team. Head coach Jeff Hafley\u2019s defense is all about the edge rushers creating havoc, and I think the Dolphins will look to address the position early (and possibly often) next year. Like you said, cornerbacks are the second priority because they have to keep building the position. If Storm Duck can come back this year and prove to be a starter once again, maybe they feel a little better about the position moving forward, but even then I think they are looking to add another piece to the group.<\/p>\n I will turn to the offense for my third spot. I think tight end becomes a need for next year. Greg Dulcich is a free agent after the season and, while he is fine for this year and can be a solid all-around tight end, they could look to add a young, dynamic pass catcher at the position. If you have an offense with Achane out of the backfield and have Caleb Douglas, Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman, Jr., reach their potential, then add an upper-level tight end, the weapons are suddenly there to attack in multiple ways.<\/p>\n Of course, all of that assumes Malik Willis is the guy at quarterback. The scouts have to keep an eye on quarterbacks until the front office and coaches have their answer on Willis as a franchise quarterback for Miami.<\/p>\n MB: Coaches have recently said that joint practices are more important than preseason games. I don\u2019t know if I agree with them. There\u2019s something about an actual game that feels more beneficial, in my opinion, and I could see coaches placing more importance on preseason game reps in the years to come.<\/p>\n KN: I think coaches around the league are really starting to move away from the preseason games for their starters. Obviously, plenty of starters around the league got playing time this summer, but as you said, joint practices are becoming more important than preseason games. The reluctance to put things on film, injury concerns, and the desire to get extended looks at younger players lead to limited playing time for starters. Did I think the Dolphins would have used their starters more during the preseason this year? Absolutely. But I do not think it makes or breaks this season either way.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n