Miami Dolphins

Monday Morning MD — Better Teams Deal with Injuries Better

We’re 10 weeks into the season, so, no team is healthy. Yet, it is the teams that can compensate for injuries that will prevail down the stretch. A good example of this is there were several teams with multiple starting offensive linemen out. Some went on to find ways to win, while others floundered.

The Redskins had four out of five starters injured with three not playing and two done for the year last week. Washington started a player they just signed off the street this week. Yet they found a way. They only put up 13 offensively generated points, but the defense stepped up big. The Buccaneers gained over 500 yards but were minus three on turnovers and with five red zone appearances, only came away with three points. Add to that two missed field goals and the Redskins prevailed by allowing a paltry three points.

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Miami Dolphins’ Curious Case of Reshad Jones

Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones pulled himself out of Sunday’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets during the first quarter after playing 10 defensive snaps. He was reportedly frustrated with the plan of rotating safeties in an effort to get 2018 first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick more playing time. The nine-year veteran didn’t return to the game.

Jones has been playing through a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder, but his absence doesn’t appear to be injury related. He had been on the field for all 265 of Miami’s defensive plays since returning to the lineup after missing two contests during the latter part of September because of the shoulder prior to removing himself.

Head coach Adam Gase said at yesterday’s news conference that he and Jones were “on the same page” after a Sunday night meeting Jones’ initiated. Jones will not be suspended. He will play on November 11th against the Green Bay Packers. Gase indicated that any discipline Jones might be facing would be handled internally.

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) allows the Dolphins to fine Jones for up to four weeks salary for conduct detrimental to the team. This type of fine would cost Jones as much as $215,294.

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Monday Morning MD: — Sloppy fields means fewer injuries

“The field is horrendous,”

“It’s a complete shit show”

These were the words used to describe the Dolphins home field before kickoff.

After rain and a Miami-Duke college game Saturday night, field conditions were less than ideal. In the end, it was a sloppy game on a sloppy field but the field did not influence the game. This was the second straight year the Jets had to play on a less than idea field versus the Dolphins.

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More Brock Osweiler magic – Numbers say Don’t Bet on it

Even though the NFL is doing everything to protect quarterback, football is a physical sport and players will get hurt.

Fortunately, injuries have forced team to go to backup quarterbacks only 12 times. But the injury pace is picking up. Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins is going to miss his second game with a right shoulder injury. Jeff Allen of the Buffalo Bills will miss at least two weeks with an elbow injury.

One of the surprising stat for backup quarterbacks so far is how well they are doing and how many points they are scoring. Backups are 6-6 and averaging 23.8 points a game. This is in a league in which teams are averaging 24.15 points a game, the fastest scoring start in NFL history.

While starting quarterbacks are expected to sustain the offensive onslaught, don’t expect backups to maintain the early level of scoring and efficiency.

This goes back to the old theory presented by long-time NFL coach Ted Marchibroda. He preached that a good backup quarterback can win three games for a team, but if you start that quarterback six games, he could lose you three.

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What Teams are Favorites to Land Oregon QB Justin Herbert

OK, it’s just the middle of October and there is plenty of NFL to be played this season.

Yet, because this is an ever-trending forward league, it’s always relevant to look toward the future and it appears were will have another intriguing offseason.

The 2019 draft appears to be loaded. There are several unit-changing defensive players available. However, this has always and will always be a quarterback-driven league. Quarterbacks especially rule in the draft.

While defenders like Nick Bosa and Ed Oliver will have plenty of draft house, there appears to be one name to keep the closest eye on – Justin Hebert of Oregon. Yes, the quarterback.

Scouts are talking Herbert up as a special talent and better than all of the high picked quarterbacks of recent years. If that’s the case, there will be plenty of teams jockeying to get him beginning prior to the February combine, which is not too far away.

So, let’s look at some of the early contenders for Herbert, presented in alphabetical order:

Denver: This may be one of the favorites. The Broncos are 2-4 and probably headed for another top-five pick. Herbert has been compared to John Elway. I’m sure Elway would like to get someone like him on his team. Case Keenum isn’t working out and he has a short contract. I can see Elway trying everything he can do to get a new quarterback.

Jacksonville: A longshot because the Jaguars would have to trade a lot to get this done. But the Jaguars are pretty set other than at quarterback. It would be worth it.

L.A. Chargers: Another longshot. Philip Rivers will turn 37 in December. But he is still playing at a high level. But Chargers could try to spend big and get some excitement going for the future in the new stadium. They are going to be roommate, the Rams’ caddie. They need to build some excitement in L.A.

Miami: Another longshot. But if the Dolphins decide Ryan Tannehill isn‘t the guy, they could make a bold move.

New England: Tom Brady isn’t going to be there forever, right? At some point, Bill Belichick is going to make a big move.

New York Giants: Another favorite. The Giants could get the No. 1 pick. They would have to take Herbert, right? Eli Manning is done. The Giants could be in good shape for the future with Herbert, Saquon Barkley and OBJ.

Oakland: They have Derek Carr, right? Well, with Jon Gruden running the show that might not matter. If the Raiders get the No. 1 pick and Chucky, a sucker for quarterbacks, falls for Herbert, Gruden will trade Carr and take Herbert.

San Francisco: The 49ers love Jimmy Garoppolo. But his injury could cause the 49ers to get the No.1 pick. If Kyle Shanahan decides he loves Herbert more than Jimmy G., he could get a huge return for the veteran. Just something to think about.

Dr. Chao Fantasy Friday – Should You Worry About Ryan Tannehill

Here are my Week 6 injury thoughts going into the weekend. I am utilizing my NFL team physician experience and analysis of video and available information to make an informed opinion on whether key players will play and how effective they might be. Note, players already ruled out earlier in the week (like Leonard Fournette) will not be discussed here:

Aaron Rodgers seemed to be re-injure his left knee MCL in the first quarter of last week’s game, but finished the game. He may be in a bigger brace again and back to exclusively shotgun/pistol but there is no doubt that he will play. And he should be 100% in November.

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Drew Brees — The Failed Physical That Changed Franchises

Congratulations to Drew Brees, the NFL’s new all-time passing yards leader. This is a story about how medical matters and how hard work makes a difference. In this case a failed physical changed the course of the two franchises, helped resurrect a hurricane-ravaged region and changed the landscape of college football.

I feel like an ESPN 30 for 30 on the topic is coming one day. In the meantime, here is my biased take on what took place. I was the head team physician for the Chargers during Brees’ five-year tenure in San Diego. I was there when he was drafted and there to put his shoulder back in place on the field after it dislocated on his last play with our team.

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