Dave Hyde: Dolphins have articulated a good plan — now can it come alive in draft?
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan wasn’t just answering a question this past week in saying, “That’s the beautiful part about our culture, the competition that’s going to be at the forefront of everything we do. ” He was also articulating part of this new regime’s philosophy in that answer. Just like when saying if there’s debate between coaches or scouts and himself on a draft pick, “The final decision comes down to me, and I’m going to do what’s best for this place.
” Or, earlier this offseason, in talking about signing quarterback Malik Willis, “His character aligns with our culture. ” What use is a plan if you can’t articulate it? That’s been one of the Dolphins varied problems of late.
They couldn’t express their a plan, or it sounded wrong in ways that eventually proved it all wrong. Just look at this: The last time the Dolphins rebuilt in the ambitious manner they’re doing now, ownership and the front office said they were tanking while hiring a coach, Brian Flores, who refused to do so. And then Chris Grier mixed even more signals by signing a just-good-enough-to-win veteran quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Grier also took a wasted 2019 season to set up an arsenal of draft picks like this current regime did in this first offseason. So, this rebuild is already a year ahead of that last, failed one. Sullivan isn’t just articulating his plan if you listen closely.
He’s acting on it. “We’re going to be a draft and develop team,” Sullivan said. Does it succeed or fail?
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