2018 NFL Power Rankings: Vikings, Raiders start preseason with flare
By Randy Gurzi
30. Miami Dolphins (30)
This is going to be a big season for more than one member of the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Adam Gase is one of those people that need to put together a good season after the debacle that was 2017. While he could be forgiven because of the team being without Ryan Tannehill, he did seem to lose some control of the locker room.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
In an effort to fix the moral issue he was facing, Gase shipped off running back Jay Ajayi in season and after the year was done, the moves continued. Receiver Jarvis Landry was sent to the Cleveland Browns and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, as well as center Mike Pouncey, were released.
Gase has to hope that his play for better chemistry works. He also has to hope the other big-name Dolphin needing a huge 2018 stays healthy. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill missed the playoffs following their 10-win 2016 season and then suffered a knee injury early last year that cost him all of 2017. While they’re clearly a better team with Tannehill under center than they were with Jay Cutler, he needs to show improvement to ensure he stays the starter long term.
While the young quarterback has improved throughout his career, he has never made that ‘next step’ to get himself mentioned among some of the better quarterbacks in the game. He threw just six passes this week, but it was a big step as he looks healthy. The Dolphins also appear to have a better running game, and that even without seeing Frank Gore hit the field yet.