MIAMI GARDENS \u2014 So far, the start of this new Dolphins era has a different feeling. It has the feeling of doing things right. It has the feeling of trying to win games rather than trying to be fun and entertaining.<\/p>\n
The recent moves by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley indicate that Club Mike<\/a>, the resort-like atmosphere the Dolphins basked in for the previous four seasons, is truly coming to an end<\/a> and this franchise is about to return to serious, hard-nosed football.<\/p>\n On the other hand, it was only a few weeks ago that owner Steve Ross<\/a>, who foolishly OK\u2019d quarterback Tua Tagovailoa\u2019s four-year, $212 million contract extension in 2024, totally bungled the firing of ex-coach Mike McDaniel. Ross awkwardly interrupted McDaniel\u2019s exit meeting with tight end Darren Waller to inform McDaniel, who was led to think he\u2019d have a voice in selecting the new general manager, of his dismissal. The entire episode reeks of everlasting ineptitude.<\/p>\n So the Dolphins haven\u2019t totally escaped their buffoon-like past with Ross at the helm. Based on that fact, a few more years mired in mediocrity remains a possibility.<\/p>\n However, recent moves such as cutting wide receiver Tyreek Hill<\/a> and guard James Daniels and reportedly cutting edge rusher Bradley Chubb<\/a> indicate it\u2019s a new day for the Dolphins. These moves aren\u2019t a direct rebuke of the previous way of doing things, but it\u2019s close. And that\u2019s a good thing.<\/p>\n Obviously, there\u2019s a long, long way to go with the new Dolphins regime. And I\u2019m nowhere near drawing conclusions.<\/p>\n Remember, the goal is winning a Super Bowl. Having a winning season, which the Dolphins haven\u2019t done since 2023, and winning a playoff game, which the Dolphins haven\u2019t done since 2000, are merely stepping stones on the path to the goal (you\u2019ll notice I didn\u2019t list having the league\u2019s No. 1 offense).<\/p>\n So let\u2019s not get ahead of ourselves with these recent good vibes.<\/p>\n For now, we\u2019ll just say things appear to be heading in the right direction with the Dolphins.<\/p>\n The good thing that Sullivan and Hafley did with these recent moves is they sent a message.<\/p>\n The Daniels move sends a no-nonsense message about keeping a guy who only played three snaps last season due to a pectoral injury. There were whispers the Dolphins wanted Daniels to return at some point last season, but he allegedly balked. Now he\u2019s gone. The Hill and Chubb releases send a message about keeping high-priced 30-somethings during a rebuild. That\u2019s not happenining, so they\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n These moves aren\u2019t what the previous regime would have done, and that\u2019s perhaps the best indication that things are headed in the right direction under Sullivan and Hafley.<\/p>\n Ross started this new era correctly by seeking an outside voice \u2014 Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman \u2014 for the general manager and head coach hiring committees. Word has it that there are no plans at this point for Aikman to play a further role in this franchise.<\/p>\n Of course, Ross, patient zero when it comes to Miami\u2019s failures, remains the Dolphins owner. Few things he\u2019s done in that role have worked out well so let\u2019s wait and see on this new regime.\u00a0To this point, Ross\u2019 fingerprints on a Dolphins decision have resembled evidence of a crime rather than a budding success.<\/p>\n Still, the cuts by Sullivan and Hafley make you think it\u2019s truly a new day in Dolphinsland, that winning will now be more important than entertaining or being friends with players.<\/p>\n The key for Sullivan and Hafley is to keep delivering on the smart moves. Bigger tests are on the horizon.<\/p>\n Running back De\u2019Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, all key players a year ago, will likely want contract extensions because each is headed into the final year of his deal.<\/p>\n There are also questions about what to do with injury-prone right tackle Austin Jackson, who could save the team $13.7 million if he\u2019s released, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who could save the team $12.9 million if he\u2019s cut.<\/p>\n And Miami still must figure out its quarterback situation, whether that means signing Green Bay quarterback Malik Willis to a multi-year deal or finding another solution.<\/p>\n After that, there\u2019s pressure to deliver relative immediate results such as what recently transpired in Seattle, New England, Chicago and Denver. If not, Sullivan and Halfey could be looking for new jobs in three or four years.<\/p>\n But again, let\u2019s take this one step at a time.<\/p>\n Through five weeks, the new Dolphins regime gives you the feeling that things are now being done the right way, and that\u2019s different for this franchise. Simply put, that\u2019s encouraging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"MIAMI GARDENS \u2014 So far, the start of this new Dolphins era has a different feeling. 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