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Dolphins Q&A: Is Miami still looking to trade for RB? Will team move on from kicker Jason Sanders?

david furones, south florida sun-sentinel
·4 min read

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.

Q: Imagine if Jonathan Taylor was on this team, and with Ramsey, Armstead and Phillips to come back. Wowsers this team is loaded. Think Taylor or Josh Jacobs could be in play for a trade? — Rajveer Garcha on X

Got some other questions about potential trades, too. Can we just enjoy what this team is doing right now with the current roster?

Specifically, at running back, we just saw Raheem Mostert rumble for 121 yards and two touchdowns vs. The Patriots. This run game is good when it is being utilized. It just depends on coach Mike McDaniel getting the looks up front he wants to run against, but if the box is stacked, he’s going to have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing downfield to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

And then you have to consider that Miami is without Jeff Wilson Jr. right now, and the Dolphins haven’t had four-time Pro Bowler Terron Armstead, a bulldozer of a downhill run blocker, present yet to anchor the left side of the line.

I say play this thing out with the roster as currently constructed, and issues will either arise due to performance at a position or injury. Then, once you identify those deep into October, you can look for a trade piece, but the organization doesn’t need to look for any drastic change right now.

Besides, Miami is already in line to get the greatest mid-to-late season roster addition there will be in the league this year, when cornerback Jalen Ramsey comes back from the meniscus surgery on his left knee.

Like any other time, I’m sure the Dolphins will do their due diligence, and if there’s a reasonable opportunity to upgrade, you go for it.

Q: Is there a willingness within the staff (McDaniel) to move on from (Jason) Sanders? He got the benefit of the doubt last year but this is getting ridiculous. — @RarefiedLevin on X

I don’t see a move happening right now, but kicker Jason Sanders’ seat has got to be getting warmer.

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All in all, special teams coordinator likes having continuity with his specialists. He was happy to get his long snapper signed to a long-term extension, and he hopes Sanders and punter Jake Bailey are together for the foreseeable future.

Sanders told our Chris Perkins in the locker room postgame in Foxborough that he feels he’s kicking the ball well, so it’s not something fundamental that he needs to break down and change. Sometimes you just flat-out miss.

Besides, a 55-yarder is supposed to be tough to make anyway. Albeit, these days, kickers are expected to convert from 50-plus regularly, something Sanders was 2 of 6 on in 2022 and already 0 for 1 this year. The blocked kick, you can’t blame that on Sanders. It was a tremendous play design by the Patriots’ special teams unit.

But, it is two weeks in a row now where missed kicks — an extra point the previous time — could’ve been costly had the Dolphins defense not come up with a stop. Give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but that doubt could soon turn into clarity that change is needed if misses keep happening.

Q: Are we seeing the signs of what possibly this offense in the first year was missing a dual threat TE that stays on the field all 3 downs? — @nupe942001 on X

Indeed. Now, it’s all Durham Smythe. He played all but two offensive snaps in Sunday’s win over the Patriots, after playing every single one in the opener.

McDaniel always seemed uncomfortable having to work in Mike Gesicki last year, when his blocking didn’t fit everything the coach wanted to do with the tight ends, especially with the outside-zone runs. Six receptions for 67 yards in those two games, too. Watch for him to top his career receiving highs this season, assuming he stays healthy.

Q: Like your content. Pats fans are saying (Sunday’s) game is a blueprint on how to defend fins? I disagree. Too simplistic. Your thoughts? — Max Lopez on X

The last time everyone said that was off the Chargers’ 2022 game plan against the Dolphins. Sure, Miami got exposed in that one, but McDaniel, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense bounced back as soon as the next week in Buffalo. And then it had a superb game the next time against the Chargers in Week 1.

I’m certain there will be elements stolen from the game plan, but it’s nothing McDaniel doesn’t have ready-made adjustments for, including utilizing the aforementioned run game.

Have a question?

Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on X (Twitter).