Jonnu Smith, Jordan Poyer, ‘Advertunities’ and more

Part 2 of the pre-Rams game Miami Dolphins On SI mailbag:

From Chris Shields (@shieldsc_):

If the Dolphins lose on Monday at the trade deadline, what changes can be expected? At what point do you worry about locker room morale turning? Way too early biggest need to address in the offseason?

Hi Chris, I don’t know that you can do a whole lot in terms of changes now that the trade deadline has passed, but I could maybe see some changes to the lineup if the playoffs are no longer feasible. But I would expect the status quo while there is still hope. I think the mood in the locker room could take a bad turn with a loss to the Rams because the loss in Buffalo at least showed that the team was competitive. As for the biggest position of need, how about the backup quarterback? If not, I think safety is a big need and it would be nice to have a play-making off-the-ball linebacker, more depth at defensive tackle, a stud at guard, another wide receiver…

From Lloyd Heilbrunn (@LloydHeilbrunn):

If this team had any real accountability, shouldn’t Poyer be benched like Long, or even cut?

Hi Lloyd, I absolutely can’t disagree with your point because honestly Poyer hasn’t played up to par. I would like to see Elijah Campbell get a shot at safety at some point. But I also believe that the Dolphins coaches play the guys that they feel give the team the best chance to win. As you mentioned, if the Dolphins can put Long, who was a team captain, we shouldn’t believe they keep Poyer in the lineup just because he’s an established veteran.

From ChrisS (@Dolphinshilight):

Is Jonnu Smith a long-term fit? He looks good finally got them to use the position as a mismatch generator.

Hi Chris, yes, in the role he is being used as a receiving specialist, Smith is someone the Dolphins should keep beyond this year. Let’s just not be surprised when there are matchups where he doesn’t get the most snaps at the position because he’s not as good a blocker as say. Julian Hill.

From Chris…Grier fan account (@cgc5783):

How many more advertunities does the team need to get over the hump?

“Advertunities” is a pretty awesome term. Well done! Given their 2-6 record, I’d say the Dolphins are pretty close to running out of them if they actually want to get over the hump in 2024.

From Jayco (@ljc7975):

Alain, in your opinion, which player has been the biggest underperformer and who has overperformed?

That’s a good question, but it also depends on your expectations for the season. To answer your question—and I’m leaving out explanations, but rather going strictly out of production—I’d say the biggest underperformer has to be Tyreek Hill, simply because this is the two-time team MVP, a guy who was a difference- maker the past two seasons, but hasn’t been that guy in 2024. As for overachievers, I’m tempted to say Calais Campbell because what he’s doing at 38 is truly remarkable. But then again, he’s been a stud his whole career, so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised. Perhaps Kader Kohou, who has rebounded very well after what was a rough 2023 season.

From Dave Lowe (@DKL_II):

Will it take 10 wins to get the 7 seed? If so, what do you see as our path to 10? Thank you for your daily work on our fins!

Thanks Dave. In the three seasons (2021-23) since the NFL went to a 17-game regular season schedule, at least one team has been a wild card with a 9-8 record each year, and the Dolphins were one of those teams in 2022 . Denver is currently seventh in the AFC standings and they are 5-5 so I think 9-8 can get it done. That means the Dolphins would have to go 7-2 down the stretch. From where I sit, the Dolphins “should” win against LV, NE and CLE based on how bad those teams are. That means the Dolphins need to finish 9-8 to go 4-2 against LAR, GB, HOU, SF and the two Jets games. Because Green Bay and Houston are on the road, it illustrates why the Rams game is so important — and also because we can’t really talk about making a late-season run if the Dolphins lose because they’ve been on a four-game streak losing streak.

From john Dillon (@yomptons_finest):

How will the defense adjust to cover a very capable passing attack that the Rams will present? It looks like guys all year have been running exposed and I’m sure McVay saw the Bills party downstairs and in the flats. Thanks, Pop. Love your stuff.

Thanks John. First, it’s absolutely not true that guys have been “running exposed” all year. And make no mistake, a big part of the problem the last two games was the lack of a pass rush or getting to the quarterback — in part because Kyler Murray and Josh Allen could buy extra time. Matthew Stafford is not that kind of QB. So it’s not about adjustment against the Rams, it’s about getting pressure on Stafford and making him uncomfortable and rushing some throws.

From Richard Hulme (@RichardHulme7):

With the Rams pass defense, do you expect this game to be the one we finally see another explosive passing game?

Hi Richard, yes I would absolutely make that prediction. The Rams’ pass defense isn’t very good, but their pass rush is. So it will come down to the offensive line giving Tua Tagovailoa some time to take a deep shot. But I see a few deep shots in this game.

From Luis Rodriguez (@Elfrijol3232):

Hey Pop. Heard you and Perk advocate the explosive plays on the podcast, but with our iffy D, aren’t the non-explosive drives better for the ultimate goal of winning?

Hi Luis, in the end it’s how the drives end that matters, but the problem with the time-consuming drives is that they require more plays, and more plays means more chances to make a mistake (turnover, penalty). That’s why some defensive coordinators like the bend-but-don’t-break approach.