With the regular season over and done with, the Miami Dolphins went 9-8, their second-straight winning season, but also missed the playoffs with a winning record for the second consecutive year. This is also Miami’s fifth consecutive season missing the playoffs, and then the third under head coach Brian Flores.
Miami Parts Ways with Head Coach Brian Flores
With that said, Miami decided to part ways with their third-year coach despite a 24-25 record and the two winning seasons under his belt as the team’s head coach.
“I was in the facility just doing my exit meetings and stuff, just going through the out-process and everything (when I) got the news – and it’s just the nature of the beast,” defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said. “I got a lot of respect for ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores). He’s a great guy, great leader. We essentially came in together. I was his first drafted rookie so I got a lot of great things to say about ‘Flo’ and think kindly of him as a person and as a man and as a coach.”
Wilkins continued, “All those other things that go on, those decisions made and things like that, that’s out of my control. I can only control essentially what I do and who I am every day and how I approach just being the player that I am.”
The mood of the overall locker room from the team seemed to mirror Wilkins.
“Yeah, I was definitely surprised,” outside linebacker Jerome Baker said. “I woke up and my phone just kept ringing and kept ringing, and that’s when I found out. I was definitely surprised.”
Dolphins Shouldn’t Have Finished a Half-Game Back of Pittsburgh
There were a lot of disappointments for the Miami Dolphins this season, including the fact that they were one of three teams in the AFC that were just a half game behind the 9-7-1 Pittsburgh Steelers who happened to make the playoffs.
It’s easy to say that a large contribution to the Dolphins’ struggles this season was the seven-game losing streak they went on after starting the season 1-0 after a win against the New England Patriots.
Rushing Woes Again Doom Dolphins
Their losing streak was largely due to their inability to run the ball, as they finished the season as the 30th ranked rushing offense in the league, averaging only 92.2 rushing yards per game. And even that number is skewed due to the resurgence of yards at the end of the year thanks to signees off of waivers or their own practice squad. It just seems like the same deadbeat on the same old drum for Miami.
With no player on the team rushing for more than 625 yards on the season, running back Myles Gaskin was the team’s leading rusher with 612 rushing yards, despite the 330 rushing yards Duke Johnson Jr. put up in just five games to end the year.
There wasn’t too much else holding the Miami Dolphins back this season, though. But when your team struggles to run the ball, they also tend to struggle to control the clock.
Miami Made Mediocre Headlines in Other Team Categories
The Dolphins’ play everywhere else tended to be pretty mediocre, with the 15th ranked defense in terms of total yards allowed and 16th in terms of points allowed, the 17th ranked passing offense in terms of yardage, it would just seem their rushing offense underperformed the rest of the team. While Miami tried to make up for those woes elsewhere on the field, that rushing attack was too much to overcome.
Additionally, the team also took bad losses on the season, with one being detrimental.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Last-Second Loss to Jacksonville Could Be What 2021 is Known for
After finishing a half-game back of Pittsburgh, after the Dolphins lost on a last-second field goal to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars, their inability to close out that game will likely haunt Flores no matter what the rest of his coaching tenure(s) hold. The other, another last-second field goal against the Atlanta Falcons.
Jaylen Waddle is Largest Bright Spot
The largest bright spot of the Miami Dolphins this season, however, was their rookie wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle. Waddle was taken No. 6 overall in the NFL draft and had 1,015 receiving yards this season as well as six receiving touchdowns.
And to top it off, Waddle broke the rookie NFL record for receptions with 104, breaking Anquan Boldin’s former record of 101 set back in 2003.
“It was a challenge. I think they challenged me every week to learn a new role. They put me in different spots, put me all over the place to learn that – it was challenging,” Waddle said. “But it shows they have trust in me and just that I go out there, I can learn it real fast and go out there and compete, try to put it in motion.”
Stephen Ross Doesn’t Have Clear Direction
Finally, Miami’s owner Stephen Ross, said at the time of Flores’ firing, he had no plan for its next head coach. Not a great move for a struggling organization. However, Ross did say he wanted a more offensive-minded coach to help take advantage of the Dolphins’ youthful roster.
Around FPC
NFL: Game Recap: Bengals Defeat Raiders 26-19
NFL: Home Field Advantage in NFL Remains a Big-Time Mystery
NFL: If You Like NFL History, the 2021 Playoffs Are For You
NHL: NHL Power Rankings: Florida Panthers Remain Number One
Wrestling: WWE Once Again Chooses To Go Back To Brock Lesnar
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 28: Bengals and Bills Advance; Wild Card Weekend Preview and Predictions
– Christian Chappell is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @cmoneypc Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 102: Remembering John Clayton With Former Seahawks PR Director Gary Wrightby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Former Seattle Seahawks PR Director Gary Wright joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
Ep 227: Rookie QB and TE classes of 2022by Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 7:45 pm
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics game seven win over the Bucks and Jayson […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and Bucks upcoming game six, Joel Embiid […]
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Ian and John talk Celtics/Bucks and the NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's new […]
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA playoffs and their current officiating […]
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
Ian and John react to the Celtics Game two win over the Bucks in Boston.
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
Ian and John discuss horror movies, the Deandra Hopkins suspension, and […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Bruce There He Is - May 17, 2022by Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Ep. 37: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutionsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Episode 47 Criss Partee discusses the disappearance of James Harden and the latest NBA Playoffs newsby Full Press Coverage on May 15, 2022 at 4:10 am
-
Ep 113: Wade Barrettby Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 130: Packers UDFA Talkby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm
-
5/13 - NBA Playoffs, Tom Brady's New Deal, NFL Schedule Releaseby Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:21 pm
-
5/9 - NBA Playoffs; Officiating In Professional Sportsby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 5:46 pm
-
Celtics Tie The Series Against Bucksby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:52 am
-
5/4 - Horror Movies; Deandre Hopkins Suspension; Celtics Bounce Backby Full Press Coverage on May 5, 2022 at 5:03 am
-
Celtics/Bucks Game 1 Reaction (5/2)by Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 1:45 am
-
5/2 - Pt. 1 - NFL Draft Talk; Patriots Reactionby Full Press Coverage on May 2, 2022 at 9:38 pm