In a surprising turn of events, the Miami Dolphins are being urged to prioritize winning as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. This directive comes from team owner Steve Ross despite the Dolphins” disappointing record of 2-7, which raises questions about the organization”s direction.
Six years ago, the Dolphins made a misguided attempt to tank their season, a strategy that ultimately failed. Now, with a similar situation unfolding, Ross”s demand for the team to “compete” and “try really hard” seems contradictory to their recent actions, which included firing general manager Chris Grier and trading away their standout pass rusher, Jaelan Phillips.
This week has not centered around winning; instead, it has focused on the Dolphins” struggles and the lack of trading interest for many players on their roster. With the pressure mounting, Ross has made it clear that a shift is necessary starting with the game against the Bills if jobs, including that of head coach Mike McDaniel, are to be saved.
This leads to the question: Should McDaniel”s position already be under threat? If winning is the goal, what significance do the final eight games hold? Observers may wonder if now is the time to embrace a tanking strategy, even if the organization has previously shunned it.
A parallel can be drawn to a past conversation with former Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, who referenced his love for the “Seinfeld” episode “The Opposite.” In this episode, the character George Costanza realizes that his life decisions are consistently wrong, prompting him to do the opposite. Perhaps the Dolphins should consider this approach, particularly regarding their draft decisions over the years.
The Dolphins have made several questionable choices in the draft, such as selecting Tua Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert and choosing Jaylen Waddle while allowing Penei Sewell to slip away. These decisions illustrate a pattern of missteps that have contributed to their current struggles.
As the Dolphins head into their matchup against the Bills, the focus is on more than just the score. McDaniel emphasized the need for the team to maintain effort and discipline, stating, “This week the main objective for me was to clearly paint the picture of the way we have to play.” He understands that the Bills thrive on their opponents” mistakes, making it essential for Miami to minimize errors.
The Bills recognized Josh Allen as a franchise quarterback in the 2018 draft, while the Dolphins overlooked his potential. As the season continues to unravel, the Dolphins find themselves at a critical juncture. With a record of 2-7, the pressure is on to deliver results, not just for the sake of pride but to secure the future of their coaching staff and management.
