The Miami Dolphins at some point this summer received a request from linebacker Kiko Alonso: trade me. And this past weekend, the Dolphins obliged — finally finding a trade partner in the New Orleans Saints to take on Alonso’s contract and send a player back to the Dolphins.
That player, Vince Biegel, is an intriguing youngster who played a role with the Wisconsin Badgers that is fairly similar to a role that exists in Flores’ defense on the edge. Meaning, he may well end up being a scheme fit and a solid contributor for the Dolphins.
On the other hand, it didn’t take long in the new regime for it to become apparent that Alonso wasn’t a fit. According to a report from Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, one anonymous player on the Dolphins said Alonso was “scolded repeatedly in the May/June practices for freelancing or not doing things how the coaches wanted.”
It makes sense in that Alonso could read the writing on the wall and decide he wanted a shift. The Dolphins will run a lot of sub-packages on defense and Alonso’s coverage skills are far from the best part of his game. So between his own limitations and the coaches’ unwillingness to tolerate freelancing on the field, it was time for Alonso to head elsewhere.
The Dolphins willingly obliged — but they will have their hands full finding the balance between empowering players and keeping them disciplined. That, just as much as anything, is why this team is stockpiled with young talent — the kind that won’t push back against a new normal.
