Phins hierarchy may not be exciting, but it’s being put together coherently
This Phins regime has been thoughtfully built
Given the last twenty years, most Phins fans are justified to have little hope that the Miami Dolphins can even screw in a light bulb correctly.
But, if you ignore the last two decades of idiocy, and just focus on THIS regime and how it’s being assembled, it’s hard not to see a coherent plan.
The ‘harmonious picture’:
Grier, Flores, and Allen came up through the ranks as scouts.
Grier has a successful GM Asst. supporting him in Allen.
Flores has a successful HC Asst. supporting him in Caldwell.
Graham, Flores, and O’Shea came up under the same coach and system with the Patriots.
Flores and Graham are former Linebackers coaches that ran a similar 3-4 /4-3 hybrid system.
Flores, Allen, and Grier have very similar drafting and talent acquisition criteria. High value is placed on patience, back-end picks, and ‘player makeup’ over measurables.
Now, will ‘in theory’ translate into actuality? That tale has yet to be told. But, enacting a coherent plan with leadership that jives is the only way to build successfully.
No coke head this time or the owner inserting ‘business model’ contagion into football decisions.
Yes, experience and snappy personality are in short supply with this crew…
… But, as far as I can tell, charm has never won a game and experienced coaches are not guarantees to winning.
What matters is having a talented and well-built roster run by smart, disciplined, and prepared coaches keeping everyone from the GM to the ball boy on the same page.
This regime is being built on talent evaluation skills
While having the more talented roster doesn’t assure a win over a lesser talented team (great coaching can do a lot), no fan or coach will ever complain about having excess talent.
Truth is, an elite roster can make average coaches look brilliant… (and conversely, good players can’t overcome poor coaching). If this staff can assemble a quality talent pool and even be average at X’s and O’s, the future in Miami will be brighter than it has been in a long time.
The intended strength of this regime, what will make it or break it, is talent evaluation and acquisition. Experience and wins gained by the staff may change this profound draft dependency down the road… but the initial trial by fire will only be crossed with a few successful drafts out of the gate.
The three most important figures of this regime come from a scouting background: Grier, Allen, and Flores.
Adam Gase couldn’t evaluate players well… and neither could Mike Tannenbaum. With Gase controlling the final roster, but Ross and Tannenbaum having input along with Grier and his staff, the last regime was a convoluted mess.
So, let’s use Chris Grier’s first official hire, Assistant GM Marvin Allen, as Exhibit A:
Add to this Exhibit B: Brian Flores rose from scouting assistant to pro scout to coaching to play caller under Bill Belichick.
Say what you want about Belichick… the man’s a genius and a master of detail. The scouting ladder isn’t climbed into coaching under his watch for anything other than success… every step of the way.
The reality of NFL football
Most NFL regimes fail. This is the bottom line. Most never even reach the Superbowl before they are fired. But, that destiny has a long way yet before it’s written. We can only assess and speculate on the information and history available.
Here’s a Win / Win: If this regime ends without winning a championship but brings respectability, talent… and a quality QB to South Florida, then this will have been a very positive move. Go Phins!!!
Patrick Graham As coach: Wagner (2002–2003) Graduate assistant Richmond (2004) Defensive line coach Richmond (2005–2006) Tight ends coach Patrick Graham Defensive Cooridinator: Notre Dame (2007–2008) Defensive graduate assistant New England Patriots (2009) Defensive coaching assistant New England Patriots (2010) Defensive assistant coach New England Patriots (2011) Linebackers coach New England Patriots (2012–2013) Defensive line coach New England Patriots (2014–2015) Linebackers coach New York Giants (2016–2017) Defensive line coach Green Bay Packers (2018) Linebackers coach & run game coordinator Miami Dolphins (2019-present) Defensive coordinator Career highlights and awards Super Bowl champion (XLIX)
Brian Flores As coach: New England Patriots (2004–2005) Scouting assistant New England Patriots (2006–2007) Pro scout New England Patriots (2008–2009) Special teams assistant New England Patriots (2010) Assistant offense & special teams New England Patriots (2011) Defensive assistant New England Patriots (2012–2015) Safeties coach New England Patriots (2016–present) Linebackers coach Career highlights and awards 3× Super Bowl champion (XXXIX, XLIX, LI)
GM Career history As executive: Miami Dolphins (2007–2015) Director of college scouting Miami Dolphins (2016–present) General manager As administrator: New England Patriots (1994) Intern New England Patriots (1995–1999) Regional scout Miami Dolphins (2000–2002) Area scout Miami Dolphins (2003–2007) National scout/assistant director of college scouting
Here we go taken from the Fin Heaven on Allen only.
Allen is greatly respected across the NFL for his scouting and talent, and before joining the Bills last season, he spent four years with the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2016) as their Director of College Scouting (which means he likely had a hand in drafting players like Travis Kelce, Eric Fisher, Dee Ford, Marcus Peters, Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes), and now brings his expertise to the Dolphins to assist Grier as the team rebuilds after years of desperately trying to patch holes.
“Marvin started in the 90’s. He’s most recently been a college (scouting) director so he’s sat in that seat,” Bills GM Brandon Beane said when he brought in Allen in 2017. “He’s going to be a great resource not only for me, but for all our college scouts.”
Before his tenure with the Chiefs, Allen spent time with the Falcons as a national scout (2009-2013), and before that, spent around 16 years with the New England Patriots, not only as a scout, but as a running back from 1988-1991, which is likely where he and Grier first connected.
A load of info thanks! Marvin Allen brings a lot of confidence to my hopes. This regime will desperately need good drafts early to support confidence. Experience can be had if they get the talent in here, especially at QB. My take: total mulligan in 2019 and a basic mulligan in 2020. 2021 is where the pressure to produce more than 6-7 wins starts. They need to use these free passes wisely. I do like the vibe though… but it’s very easy to say that at this stage. I think my biggest concern is the abilities of the OC and DC. Can they gameplan and make adjustments at a high level? This is going to be exciting for sure! Hopefully, they don’t screw it up in Year 1 with a huge overreach for a QB… unless it’s for Haskins or Lock… even still… QB reaches are more miss than hit… QB in 2019 and 2020 would be nice!
For me the QB selection would be Tyler Murray. He has the talent to carry the Fins when need too.
The other Qb’s that the expert’s have going in the first round are gamble’s we cannot afford. Haskins is good. But Tyler will come up on top every time. Alabama still did not stop him.
Me too… but he makes me nervous. That is a massive hit or miss player. It could sink a regime or make them fly… working on an article about it now… still doing a ton of study for it. But half of my agree 100% 🙂 if you feel me on that, Steve.
This is what we know!
Patrick Graham
As coach:
Wagner (2002–2003)
Graduate assistant
Richmond (2004)
Defensive line coach
Richmond (2005–2006)
Tight ends coach
Patrick Graham Defensive Cooridinator:
Notre Dame (2007–2008)
Defensive graduate assistant
New England Patriots (2009)
Defensive coaching assistant
New England Patriots (2010)
Defensive assistant coach
New England Patriots (2011)
Linebackers coach
New England Patriots (2012–2013)
Defensive line coach
New England Patriots (2014–2015)
Linebackers coach
New York Giants (2016–2017)
Defensive line coach
Green Bay Packers (2018)
Linebackers coach & run game coordinator
Miami Dolphins (2019-present)
Defensive coordinator
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLIX)
This is what we know!
Chad O’ Shea
As coach:
Houston (1996)
Graduate assistant
Houston (1997)
Wide receivers’ coach
Houston (1998)
Tight ends & special teams coach
Houston (1999)
Tight ends coach, special teams coach & recruiting coordinator
Southern Mississippi (2000–2002)
Special teams coach & recruiting coordinator
Kansas City Chiefs (2003)
Volunteer assistant
Kansas City Chiefs (2004–2005)
Assistant special teams coach
Minnesota Vikings (2006)
Offensive assistant
Minnesota Vikings (2007)
Offensive assistant & wide receivers coach
Minnesota Vikings (2008)
Offensive assistant, wide receivers coach, assistant special teams coach
New England Patriots (2009–present)
Wide receivers coach
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI)
This is what we know!
Jim Caldwell
As coach:
Iowa (1977)
Graduate assistant
Southern Illinois (1978–1980)
Wide receivers coach
Northwestern (1981)
Offensive assistant
Colorado (1982–1984)
Wide receivers coach
Louisville (1985)
Wide receivers coach
Penn State (1986–1992)
Quarterbacks coach
Wake Forest (1993–2000)
Head coach
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001)
Quarterbacks coach
Indianapolis Colts (2002–2008)
Quarterbacks coach & assistant head coach
Indianapolis Colts (2009–2011)
Head coach
Baltimore Ravens (2012–2013)
Quarterbacks coach & offensive coordinator
Detroit Lions (2014–2017)
Head coach
XFL (2018–present)
Consultant[1]
Career highlights and awards
2x Super Bowl champion (XLI, XLVII)
This is what we know!
Brian Flores
As coach:
New England Patriots (2004–2005)
Scouting assistant
New England Patriots (2006–2007)
Pro scout
New England Patriots (2008–2009)
Special teams assistant
New England Patriots (2010)
Assistant offense & special teams
New England Patriots (2011)
Defensive assistant
New England Patriots (2012–2015)
Safeties coach
New England Patriots (2016–present)
Linebackers coach
Career highlights and awards
3× Super Bowl champion (XXXIX, XLIX, LI)
Chris Grier
This is what we know!
GM Career history
As executive:
Miami Dolphins (2007–2015)
Director of college scouting
Miami Dolphins (2016–present)
General manager
As administrator:
New England Patriots (1994)
Intern
New England Patriots (1995–1999)
Regional scout
Miami Dolphins (2000–2002)
Area scout
Miami Dolphins (2003–2007)
National scout/assistant director of college scouting
Hello Dol-fans
Here we go taken from the Fin Heaven on Allen only.
Allen is greatly respected across the NFL for his scouting and talent, and before joining the Bills last season, he spent four years with the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2016) as their Director of College Scouting (which means he likely had a hand in drafting players like Travis Kelce, Eric Fisher, Dee Ford, Marcus Peters, Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes), and now brings his expertise to the Dolphins to assist Grier as the team rebuilds after years of desperately trying to patch holes.
“Marvin started in the 90’s. He’s most recently been a college (scouting) director so he’s sat in that seat,” Bills GM Brandon Beane said when he brought in Allen in 2017. “He’s going to be a great resource not only for me, but for all our college scouts.”
Before his tenure with the Chiefs, Allen spent time with the Falcons as a national scout (2009-2013), and before that, spent around 16 years with the New England Patriots, not only as a scout, but as a running back from 1988-1991, which is likely where he and Grier first connected.
A load of info thanks! Marvin Allen brings a lot of confidence to my hopes. This regime will desperately need good drafts early to support confidence. Experience can be had if they get the talent in here, especially at QB. My take: total mulligan in 2019 and a basic mulligan in 2020. 2021 is where the pressure to produce more than 6-7 wins starts. They need to use these free passes wisely. I do like the vibe though… but it’s very easy to say that at this stage. I think my biggest concern is the abilities of the OC and DC. Can they gameplan and make adjustments at a high level? This is going to be exciting for sure! Hopefully, they don’t screw it up in Year 1 with a huge overreach for a QB… unless it’s for Haskins or Lock… even still… QB reaches are more miss than hit… QB in 2019 and 2020 would be nice!
Yeap!
For me the QB selection would be Tyler Murray. He has the talent to carry the Fins when need too.
The other Qb’s that the expert’s have going in the first round are gamble’s we cannot afford. Haskins is good. But Tyler will come up on top every time. Alabama still did not stop him.
Me too… but he makes me nervous. That is a massive hit or miss player. It could sink a regime or make them fly… working on an article about it now… still doing a ton of study for it. But half of my agree 100% 🙂 if you feel me on that, Steve.