The popular phrase for what the Miami Dolphins are currently engaged in is “tanking”. But — as Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback (MMQB) columnist Andrew Brandt points out, it isn’t really the most accurate depiction of what Miami is doing. Because many have pointed out that the Dolphins players haven’t bought into the prospect of “tanking” and while the coaching staff may know they signed themselves up for struggles, they’re still coaching to try to win games.
And so Brandt would like to rephrase Miami’s current journey. “Processing” is a more appropriate phase for Miami’s current situation, according to Brandt. It makes sense — this is the closest we’ve seen an NFL team come to the drastic overhaul implemented by the Philadelphia 76ers several years ago and when applying the theories of former 76ers GM Sam Hinkie to the Dolphins, there sure are a lot of parallels.
Brandt grilled Hinkie on his team building philosophies.
“(Hinkie) had learned through research and analysis that playing on the fringes of the playoffs amounted to being on a never-ending treadmill, your team going nowhere fast. Thus, the Hinkie strategy: tear down the structure and create a new foundation, mortgage present assets for potentially more valuable future assets, and create an opportunity to onboard transcendent players,” wrote Brandt.
Yes. That’s exactly where Miami has found themselves for two decades — on the perpetual treadmill of 7-9 and rarely in a position to acquire blue chip talents. That problem? It’s officially solved. Five 1st-round picks over the next two years and a roster that needs to be brought back off life support this winter will provide Miami plenty opportunity to target “transcendent” talent for the first time in a long time. There’s no guarantee it works — but at least Miami has a chance to get it right.
