Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Tua, Tight Ends, Eichenberg, and More

Which players have the most to prove in 2023? What does Tua need to do to get a higher "tier ranking"? Who could be signed after June 1? Those and other questions from Miami Dolphins fans
Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Tua, Tight Ends, Eichenberg, and More
Sunday Dolphins Mailbag: Tua, Tight Ends, Eichenberg, and More /
In this story:

Part 2 of the latest SI Fan Nation All Dolphins mailbag:

From Reza Hariri (@Therealrezpect1):

Which FA do you see Miami signing after June 1st. Any particular names at TE, LG, DE & DT?

Hey Reza, putting me to the test, huh? First off, don’t see a DE needing to be signed because the Dolphins have a lot of depth at that edge defender spot with Chubb, Phillips, Ogbah and AVG. At the other spots, understanding that health and financial considerations will be major factors, the names I would throw out are TE Cameron Brate, LG Rodger Saffold and DT Akiem Hicks.

From Olive Gron Jon (@Owlizee):

The stats show that when Tua played last season he was good but he continues to get knocked by the media. In a recent TV article a certain TV presenter had Tua as a tier 6 QB below the likes of Jimmy G. What does he have to do to prove he’s a good QB?

Hey OGJ, I’m not going to be worried about revealing the guy who had Tua as a Tier 6 QB; it was Kyle Brandt from “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network. Now, to address your question, for Tua to gain universal respect from the national media (beyond those who already have sung his praises), what he’ll need to do beside the obvious of staying healthy and finishing the season is to maintain the level of play we saw last year through November once the final weeks of the regular season arrive. Looking at this objectively, no, Tua should not have been ranked at Tier 6 or behind Jimmy G, but the fact remains that his passer rating in December was 80.5 and if that changes, you’ll see his national rankings change as well.

From Dixon Tam (@DixonTam):

In your opinion, why is there only one punter in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? And who is the best punter to ever play for the Dolphins, and why is it Reggie Roby? (Used to love to watch him in training camp.)

Hey Dixon, I think the simple answer as to why only one punter in the Hall of Fame is that those guys, no matter how good at their job, just can’t impact the game the way a position player can. It’s the same argument with kick return specialists and why Devin Hester might have to wait a bit before he gets in, even though I’d argue he absolutely was a game-changer. And I, too, used to love watching Reggie Roby punt, not only because of his regular boomers but also because of the fact his plant foot never left the ground when he punted — something I haven’t seen with any other punter.

From Darryl Hinton (@Hinton7Darryl):

Hey Alain, I think with the limited number of picks, the Dolphins had. Would it have been better to draft for need instead of BPA this year? Your thoughts?

Hey Darryl, I hear where you’re coming from, but drafting for need is dangerous because that’s how you wind up reaching for a player and making a mistake. I’m always for getting the best player available and if he happens to fill a need, all the better.

From Csonked Out (@csonked0:

Are we looking to add another tight end or is the team thinking Saubert and Smythe along with one of the young guys as sufficient?

Hey Csonked, the Dolphins absolutely will be adding at the position because you can’t go into training camp with only four tight ends. But I’m not sure whether the additions will be players with a legitimate shot to make an impact or camp fillers.

From Elliott Guzmon (@ElliottGuzman):

What player or players do you think will benefit most on the defensive side now that Fangio is here?

Hey Elliott, I know a popular answer here is Bradley Chubb because of his experience playing for Fangio in Denver, but I keep going back to safety Jevon Holland, who should thrive in a defense that should feature more zone coverage. I also think Fangio’s scheme has the best shot of bringing out the potential in Noah Igbinoghene, who simply doesn’t possess the instincts to play man coverage.

From Jordy page (@jordanpage3313):

Can you explore where Liam said in the past he is more comfortable in the right side. If I remember he played decent at RT. Why is this not being explored? He was a tackle in college, correct?

Hey Jordy, Liam Eichenberg played left tackle at Notre Dame, but he’s been moved around in Miami. I’d have to do some research about him saying he preferred the right side because right now I’m thinking what he said was he preferred not switching sides. My recollection of his work at right tackle isn’t nearly as positive as yours, and I strongly believe that guard is where the Dolphins need to give him his shot at becoming a bona fide NFL starter.

From MAKE THROWBACKS PERMANENT (@THROWBACKS4EVER):

How much longer until the Dolphins make throwbacks permanent?

Hmm, here’s a question I’ve never seen before … I mean, like 57 times. As I’ve said before, don’t hold your breath. There’s been nothing simmering to suggest it’s happening anytime soon.

From Dan Marino jr (@BanannaBombs):

What players on offense and defense have the most to prove this year?

Hey DJ, we have to go with Tua on offense, right? I mean, see the previous question about his “tier ranking” and there’s also the durability issue. Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg get honorable mention here. On defense, I think that honor goes to Bradley Chubb, who needs to justify the draft capital and big contract the Dolphins gave up to get him.

From Todd Newton (via email):

Hi Alain, shortly after Vic Fangio was hired, he sat down for an interview (I can’t remember who with), but he mentioned in his year off he has come up with a new coverage idea. I see a lot of people talking about how Cam Smith wasn’t a smart selection because of the strength of the position already on the team. I’m wondering if the new coverage scheme Fangio is cooking up might require more capable corners on the field, and if the Cam Smith pick is an opportunity to really see what the new scheme can do. Thanks for your input, and keep up the great work.

Hey Todd, Fangio’s scheme is going to involve a lot of different looks, some of which will require multiple cornerbacks and I absolutely do expect Smith to be part of those packages. I’d go as far as to say it would be a major disappointment if he weren’t involved right away.

From Chris Robinson (via email):

I appreciate the site and the mailbags. You and Omar have a great podcast too. I read that Cam Smith was a bit handsy in college and that he would frequently get called for pass interference if he continues to be handsy in the NFL. I’m fearful being handsy might be hard to unlearn but I don’t have any proof of that. Is being handsy something easy to unlearn or do we need to anticipate a number of pass interference calls this year on Cam Smith? Do you know successful player comps who were handsy in college and are not in the NFL?

Hey Chris, being handsy isn’t a problem, it’s getting called for being handsy that’s an issue. And the Dolphins happen to have on their coaching staff a former cornerback who was a master at being handsy without being handsy (if you catch my drift) with Sam Madison. But, yes, it can be taught, mainly in keeping hands and arms close to the body to make it less obvious when you’re being handsy. When you extend and slow down a receiver, that’s going to get called pretty much every time.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Dolphins news and analysis year-round. Also, you can follow me on Twitter at @PoupartNFL, and that's where you can ask questions for the regular All Dolphins mailbags. You also can ask questions via email at fnalldolphins@yahoo.com.


Published
Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of Miami Dolphins On SI and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press and the Dolphins team website. In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books, such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.