Baltimore Beatdown
Welcome back to another edition of 5 Questions, a weekly collaboration with other SB Nation sites to preview the Ravens’ upcoming matchups. This week, the Ravens are playing the Dolphins in Miami, so Kevin Nogle of The Phinsider is on hand to answer Baltimore Beatdown’s questions about Week 6.
Also, check out Baltimore Beatdown’s responses to The Phinsider’s questions about the Ravens!
1. What is pulse of the Dolphins fanbase regarding Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel? Is the overall sentiment that the team should move on from both or just one? Does one of the two limit what the other is capable of, or is it simply a partnership that has run its course?
The fan base is just tired of losing. They are tired of being mediocre. They are just tired, really. The fan base has always been split on Tagovailoa and what his ceiling really is. He is not the type of quarterback who can just take over a game on his own – you can win with that type of player, but you need to make sure he has the protection and the skill players that compliment him. When things are right, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins can dominate, but when they are wrong, ugly probably is not even a strong enough word.
McDaniel came in as the hot young guy who was revolutionizing the game. For two years, it was awesome. Then last year the league caught up to him, and this year it does not seem like they have made enough of an adjustment to compete each week. For some reason, the former San Francisco 49ers’ run game coordinator has struggled to commit to the run in Miami. Last week, he did and the results were there. Will he keep doing that? Will he revert back to calling screen passes behind the line of scrimmage on every snap?
Dolphins fans are an extremely loyal bunch to the team – and Miami, despite the success of the Heat, the Panthers, even the Marlins, is a football town. If the team starts to win, the fans will be back on board with McDaniel and Tagovailoa. But, if this year continues like much of what we have seen through the first half of the year, the calls for a complete overhaul of the team, the coaching staff, and the front office will only continue to get louder. It is all about seeing the Dolphins succeed, and if they are not doing it, it is time to get someone else in who will get them there.
Personally, I think McDaniel and Tagovailoa can still be successful in the league – but they are running out of chances to do it in Miami.
2. If the Dolphins are sellers at the deadline, which players are absolutely untouchable?
Left tackle Patrick Paul should be the cornerstone around who the team builds for the future. I would assume they will not want to move running back De’Von Achane. Edge rusher Chop Robinson is...
