The Miami Dolphins have been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity for a while now, and as a life long fan, it has been tough to watch to say the least. For the last 5 years I have watched this team have countless 7-9, 8-8, and 9-7 seasons never quite making it over the hump to become a playoff team. That all changed last year when the organization decided enough was enough. The Miami Dolphins brought in General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Brian Flores, who was fresh off a Super Bowl win as Defensive Coordinator for the New England Patriots, hoping to start a new era in Miami. Unfortunately for fans, rebuilds take time, which means a lot of losing seasons, and trading away veteran players for draft picks.

This rebuild kicked off in the 2019 season, and was off to a very rocky start, losing their first 2 games 59-10 to the Baltimore Ravens and 43-0 to the New England Patriots. These losses had some of the players questioning why they were even there, and there were even reports of players contacting their agents to look for trades. The first big trade of the season was former first round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins traded Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with a 2020 fourth-round pick and a 2021 seventh-rounder, for a first and fifth round pick in 2020 and a 2021 sixth round pick.

The trades didn’t stop there for the Dolphins. Later in the year, the Dolphins traded another former first rounder in Laramy Tunsil, along with WR Kenny Stills to the Texans.

The Dolphins shipped Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills, a fourth-round pick in 2020 and a sixth-round pick in 2021 to Houston. In return, they will receive a pair of first-round picks — in 2020 and 2021 — a 2021 second-round pick, cornerback Johnson Bademosi and tackle Julien Davenport.

After an 0-7 start to the season, Brian Flores turned the team around, winning 5 of the last 9 games and even knocking off his former team and Tom Brady in New England to end the year. With a 5-11 record and a lot of momentum, the Dolphins went into the 2020 draft with 3 first rounders, including the 5th pick. All eyes were on the Dolphins, but they had their guy. Tua Tagoviloa, National Champion Quarterback out of the University of Alabama. They finished out their first round with LT Austin Jackson out of USC and DB Noah Igbinoghene from Auburn.

Tua was sidelined with a devastating hip injury that was similar to the injury that ended Bo Jackson’s football career. It left people wondering whether Tua would ever be the same player. But the Dolphins took the chance that he was looking for, and he now has a chance to show the world what he can do.

The Dolphins started the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter, who posted 1,535 yards, 10 Tds, 7 Ints, and an 80.5 QBR with a 3-3 record in their first 6 games. Heading into the bye week, news broke that Brian Flores was to name Tua Tagoviloa the starter in week 8 against the Rams. Tua had made a garbage time appearance in the teams 24-0 win over the Jets in week 6, completing his first 2 NFL passes.

Tua won his first career start, although he did not have to do much. He didn’t play bad by any means, but the defense and special teams are what really shined in their 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Dolphins defense forced 4 first half turnovers, including 2 interceptions by Safety Eric Rowe and Defensive Tackle Christian Wilkins. Along with a pair of strip sacks by Edge Rushers Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson, and one that led to a 73 yard scoop and score by Andrew Van Ginkel. Wide Receiver Jakeem Grant finished out the exciting first half with an 80 yard punt return for a Touchdown, the first one of the NFL season.

Tua went 12-22 for 93 yards and a TD in his first career start, and that was all that was needed to get the win. With the off season acquisitions in Ereck Flowers, Byron Jones, Emmanuel Ogbah, Shaq Lawson, and Kyle Van Noy the Dolphins have improved in all aspects of the game. Currently having the number 1 defense in points given up per game, the Dolphins look to improve their offense as they head into Arizona with a 4-3 record and hopes that a playoff run may be in their future.

 

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