As the Dolphins continue to line their wide-open roster with players from the defunct AAF league, it fills one with hope and optimism. This roster, you see, is one void of immense talent. It has been stripped to the bone of pricey vets and left with few blue chip players to build a foundation upon.
For all intents and purposes, Miami will be an expansion franchise in 2019. New coaches. No QB to hang its hat on. Minimal depth at really any position.
Why is this hopeful and optimistic?
Well, before the seven announced AAF signings on April 9th coupled with the international addition of big defensive tackle Durval Queiroz Neto, the Dolphins boasted 32 open roster spots to fill before the seven draft picks the team currently holds. That means the team will bring in a multitude of undrafted free agents and unsigned veterans post-draft. It will be paramount for Flores and his staff to develop this talent, because many of these camp bodies will likely make this 53-man roster out of pure necessity.
The AAF, though failing in longevity, succeeded in handing second chances to players who fizzled in their first attempt in the NFL. This doesn’t guarantee success, obviously, as many of these players still exemplify “raw.” That is where quality player development plays an integral role in this sport. That is where good coaching comes in.
Here’s the kicker — what fans of “Tank SZN” need to realize. If Flores and company are good coaches, they will coach their way to a few wins, regardless of the dearth of talent . It’s the nature of good coaching. Losing all your games and being good at your job are mutually exclusive. You can’t think these were good hires and think the Dolphins are going winless on the season at the same time.
Game by game, player to player, Flores will be tasked with milking the most out of his young roster. One only has to look back to last year’s Indianapolis Colts teams as one which exceeded expectations based on coaching. They also, of course, have their franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck. But that is a youthful team that was infused with quality coaching — they quickly became exciting to watch.
As a man who’s been lauded as an excellent teacher, this roster is where the rubber will meet the road for Brian Flores. In that, there is hope for the Miami Dolphins.
