While the selection of Minkah Fitzpatrick has received unanimous praise–from the media to that lying scum Nick Saban–it wouldn’t be DolphinsTruth unless I critiqued this a little.
I have no problem with his skill set, his speed, his smarts. He checks everything you need to be a success in the NFL.
The problem I see in selecting him has nothing to do with him. The problem is that the Dolphins, yet again, chose a player at a position where we need little/no help.
We lost Kong Suh and did not replace him. We lost Jay Ajayi and did not replace him (sorry, but an aging Frank Gore doesn’t count). We lost Lawrence Timmons and did not replace him.
But we lost Michael Thomas, and we did replace him. With Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Out of all the key players and All Pros who we are desperate to replace, Dolphins Management thought that another defensive back was what we needed most?
Insane.
Not with Vita Vea available. Not with Tremaine Edmunds available. No way should we have taken Fitzpatrick. He’s a stud, but not the stud we needed.
Look at the DBs who we have already:
Xavien Howard
T.J. McDonald
Tony Lippett
Walt Aikens
Bobby McCain
Jordan Lucas
Torry McTyer
Tracy Howard
Cordrea Tankersley
Taveze Calhoun
Reshad Jones
Maurice Smith
Trae Elston
Granted, Fitzpatrick is probably better than any one those guys, but that group as a whole is pretty solid.
Compare that to a position that we REALLY need, like linebacker:
Kiko Alonso
Mike Hull
Raekwon McMillan
Chase Allen
Stephone Anthony
Our LB tandem is a couple of undrafted free agents, an untested rookie coming off a severe ACL, and a couple of others whose play deteriorated in 2017.
We had a chance to make a dynamic impact with a top-tier linebacker, and instead we add Fitzpatrick to an already-crowded DB meeting room. The playmaking of Alonso, McMillan, and others was so outstanding that we didn’t need to address it?
I read that the Dolphins were willing to move up to an earlier pick, but GM Mike Grier said the price was too high. Really?
The Buffalo Bills moved up not only once, but TWICE in the first round. And you know what price they paid to move up two different times for two different picks? A couple of future second rounders and a future swap from a 3rd to 5th rounder. That, my friends, is a bargain.
Buffalo 1, Mike Grier 0.
They got a potentially great starting QB and a monster of a linebacker in exchange for a few meaningless picks in the future.
The most interesting thing to me is the Bills were poised to pick 12th, right behind us. But they knew we were interested in Josh Allen, so they jumped a ahead of us. The Dolphins were outsmarted by their division rival.
Adam Gase, aren’t you happy now? You purposely blew the Week 17 game against Buffalo so that we would have a better draft pick than Buffalo, and they outsmarted you anyway.
I know the pundits gave the Dolphins good grades for choosing Fitzpatrick, and I don’t begrudge that. But they’re giving good grades to most everyone. There were no surprises, no risky picks. A very talented draft class means everyone got a good player. But we can’t settle for an A when our division rivals received an A+.
These were my thoughts exactly! Can’t agree more but you forgot that the Dolphins probably did think they were drafting a LB because they will ask Fitz to play as a LB and diminish his playmaking ability as a natural DB/Safty
Again this team will add insult to injury
Me too! We need 2 LBs and we draft a safety who thinks he can be a cover CB in the NFL! WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!
Where will he play? Will he beat Tankersley to start? If he competes even with him, Fitzpatrick starts for obvious reasons. Seriously,we need 2 LBs badly and help elsewhere. After drafting a not every down player last season in the 1st round,I expected better. This back office never disappoints.
You mean ALWAYS disappoints!!
Glad at least some of you see my points. Everyone else is praising this draft choice. He’s a fine DB, but we simply didn’t need him. Word is that TJ McDonald will play a hybrid linebacker, while Fitzpatrick will start art safety.
Dolphins philosophy: Why draft a stud linebacker who’s played linebacker his whole life when instead we can ask a safety to convert to LB and take a few years to learn a new position.
TJ McDonald better not play when there is a running play called-he will get crushed in that hybrid role. So we just signed him to a 3 year contract to be a situation player? WTF x2.
I see all your points. I’m not even sure he’s a cover corner.That’s what we needed at that position but we should NOT have taken a wannabe CB that high. The back office strikes again.
Wow next level bad assessment but ok. This man will be a starting safety on day 1 which will allow TJ McDonald to slide to linebacker in obvious passing situations. Which for some reason confuses you? A lot of teams do it, if u kno you actually watched tape on other teams you might know that. Moving McDonald to a hybrid role which once again is a normal thing on passing downs allows Kiko Alonso to go back to what he does well and will make life easier on the rookie middle linebacker that is coming in. Fitzpatrick will also be the only person on the team that can cover tight ends or wideouts and make plays on the ball. Perfect fit next to Reshad Jones. Also the draft isn’t over and the linebacker class is deep. This pick addresses needs and Fitzpatrick was universally recognized as the best player available.
Every point you make is valid. No arguments. However, I prefer that a linebacker play linebacker. , and a safety play safety. The Dolphins aren’t coached well enough for those tricky schemes to work.
Remember us tricking the opponent by having Cameron Wake drop back to cover WRs?
Remember Bobby McCain coming up to the line of scrimmage to fake a blitz?
It never works.
One thing I disagree with you about is Kiko Alonso. I don’t think moving him will make him any better, just like I don’t think moving him last year made him worse. He’s just not a dominating ballhawking linebacker.
Tremaine Edmunds IS a dominating ballhawking linebacker, and–unfortunately–he is also a Buffalo Bill now.
Those are bad examples of trying to trick teams. Wake is not equipped to be dropping into coverage at his age. And Bobby McCain is just average, McDonald as hybrid is actually much better than playing him at free safety since he really has always been a strong safety. Also Edmunds as good as he is, is either a middle linebacker in the 4-3 which Miami already has a high drafted rookie at (dude was injured all last season so he is a rookie) and a outside linebacker in the 3-4. So if we drafted him he would be asked to play out of position as well. The best player for Miami was roquan Smith but he was gone.
This is exactly what I was thinking. For years everyone complains that we can’t cover tight ends and we face one of the best in the league twice a year. Yet, this isn’t identified as a position of need? Fitzpatrick was the best player available and does fit a need. If Vea was drafted they would have complained Edwards wasn’t picked up and vice versa. And the Bills may have made moves but they gave up a lot of draft capital to move up. One of those positions (LB) they did the same thing a few years ago for Ragland and that didn’t work out so well. Not so clear that they came out that much better.
First of all,KINKOS Alonzo does nothing well! He just does 1 thing average and a few poorly. So lose that angle. I doubt he would start for more than 1 or maybe 2 other teams-he’s that bad. Again,he doesn’t fit a top need.Maybe # 3 on the list of needs but we need 2 LBS,a TE and a Suh replacement more than we needed another safety. I had heard the name Minka (h) years ago and since I could not remember the reference,I googled it. He is the reference I found. http://www.boobpedia.com/boobs/Minka
I’m predicting a tight end taken tonight, and a bunch on LBs over the weekend.
Get away from that “Best Player Available” bullshit. it doesn’t work for us. Good teams take the BPA,not crap teams like us.
TJ McDonald is 6’3 205
Deion Jones is 6’1 220
Jones is one of the best linebackers in the league if TJ gains 10 pounds which I’m almost sure the team will ask him to do he is literally perfect for the hybrid role.
Heck, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m already looking forward to the 2019 NFL draft.
My prediction for the Dolphins 2018 record – 5 and 11.
Hope I’m dead wrong.
I see 6 wins again,just like I said a year ago. Maybe 7 if we get 2 gimmees like we did in our laughable 10 win season, from the 2 worst teams in the league,Cle and SF. The worst part of this is we have FannyHill 2 more years.
I still need to write my blog entry dissecting our upcoming schedule, but for now, I see a 9-7 season.
The main reason is that I don’t think our upcoming opponents are as strong as last year. Yes, I know teams like Minnesota and Jacksonville both went to conference championships, but they are one-hit wonders who won’t repeat. Jax will come down to earth around 7-9. I don’t fear them. No way do the Bills and a rookie QB sweep us again. Bengals, Titans, Texans, Colts?? Three wins for us there, and could be 4.
TJ played that exact role in LA so I beg to differ. Admin we normally see eye to eye and I know that you seek the truth but if it’s true you don’t have to make it sound false. I was a little disappointed to hear your opinion of this as you can’t always jump off a bridge like some of our other fellow fans or so called fans. Bottom line we can’t cover TE’s. Haven’t for years. Finally get a guy like Eric Berry and people are mad? Sorry but that’s ridiculous. TJ will find a role he’s talented enough and proved this with the Ram’s but he could not cover Gronk. I’ll write this again he couldn’t fucking cover Gronk so you want to pick a large LB who probably couldn’t do it either? Seriously? MF shouldn’t have been there but this was a blessing due to the run of QB’S so stop bitching everyone and grab a brain. Worst TE pass D in football wow….
Occasional disagreements are fine, and I’m glad you voice your concerns because I respect your opinions.
A few people like yourself disagree with me, but I’d like to point out that you’re all making a gigantic assumption that our coaches will use Fitzpatrick correctly. Or use McDonald and Alonso correctly.
I do not have that confidence.
If you guarantee me that Minkah will be covering/shadowing Gronk all day long, then he has my vote.
However, I bet you anything that Minkah will be covering Chris Hogan while the coaches ask Kiko to cover Gronk.
Or…worse yet…they will ask Minkah to backpedal into a zone while Gronk simply finds a hole in the zone all day long.
None of this would be Minakh’s fault…it’s the typical Dolphin way of not utilizing a player’s skill set correctly.
You’re comparing him to Eric Berry? That’s laughable. Just happy you beat the Pens 2x. I too am a long-time Flyers fan.
Of course I’m not saying that he’s Berry but every analyst suggests that is his style of play. If he continues to improve he has the tools to be a very good cover FS. Should the Fins not even try to find one or just let gronk run wild on them every year? TJ has also played that hybrid LB role so it sounds like he will be doing it again where he was successful.
Flyers weren’t ready this year but good experience for the young guys. They are building something good there. Couts apparently played with a torn MCL and was dominant!
Arguably a top five overall player in this year’s draft and the easily the best db on the board at 11. I couldn’t believe Cleveland didn’t take him at 4th overall. T.J. will move to the robber role and Minkah should complement the Reshad Jones “riverboat gambler” style extremely well and erase has the speed/range to erase mistakes on the back end. This was a run to the podium pick at 11. It’s hilarious that this is even being debated. This guy shouldn’t have lasted to 11. Cleveland, Tampa, San Fran, and or Chicago could have all used him. He can play free safety, slot corner, and weakside linebacker. Plus can rush the qb, play the run, and is a ball-hawk. He’s like a bigger, more physical Honey Badger. Without the red flags.
That’s laughable as #4.
Ok it looks like we FINALLY got a real TE!
I predicted it earlier. Nice that they finally listened to me. 🙂
No we didn’t! We don’t need a TE that can’t block in the 2nd round. We STILL need to fill 2 LB spots. We don’t stop anybody running the ball and with Suh gone and taking no LBs,they will have a choice of lanes to run in.
Best draft Miami has had in years but ok man keep hating.
We need more than 2 LBs!!! We have no good starters and no depth. A scary combo.
They drafted a linebacker.
ADMIN, you do know your team. I seen this guy Geciski play, and he ain’t bad. Problem is, Tannehill can rarely get the ball to tall open receivers.
And the proof of this is? Miami has never had a good tight end with Tannehill.
When it’s 4th and inches with the game in the line, Adam Gase will call for a 5-WR set, and Gasecki will be on the bench. Gase’s play calling makes duds out of studs
Well the Dolphins picked a position of need in Gesecki but I’m sure the admin will pan this pick also.
Okay Dolphins, if he’s still on the board in the third round, go after R.J. McIntosh, DT, Miami.
No, no. I like this kid. Seems like he cannot block, but did you see him go up for a ball? Nice
Maybe he can teach DeVante Parker how to elevate and fight for a ball
We were poor against the run last year with Suh. He’s gone and we still haven’t taken a LB. Opponents have no need to pass more than 20x this season even in the PASSING NFL.
The commentators were literally laughing at his lack of blocking skills. So he’s another part-time player we drafted. Like our 1st round pick last year.
Hey ADMIN, we might have a chance to steal a decent quarterback.
Which QB is left man ?
Jay Cutler
We are on the clock …
We are gonna give up 500 rushing yards a game if this keeps up
Baker from Ohio state. Finally a LB
Need a few more LBs tomorrow, and some big fat Samoans to play D-line