{"id":20635,"date":"2025-01-20T03:41:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T03:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20635"},"modified":"2025-01-20T03:41:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T03:41:32","slug":"breaking-some-hard-decisions-to-be-made","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20635","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING : Some Hard Decisions to be Made"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Miami Dolphins\u2019 playoff hopes now behind them, it\u2019s time for general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel to come together and assess the team\u2019s roster, identifying areas in need of improvement. While Grier will ultimately have the final say on personnel decisions, it\u2019s crucial that he works closely with McDaniel to build a team that not only fits the coach\u2019s vision but also forms a cohesive and talented unit. However, shaping that roster will require making some difficult decisions\u2014some of which may involve parting ways with fan-favorite veterans.<\/p>\n

These players have earned the respect of their teammates and coaches, but for the team\u2019s future success, it may be time to move on. Among those potentially on the chopping block are former All-Pro left tackle\u00a0Terron Armstead, running back\u00a0Jeff Wilson, linebacker\u00a0Duke Riley, wide receiver\u00a0Braxton Berrios, safeties\u00a0Jordan Poyer\u00a0and\u00a0Jevon Holland, and guard\u00a0Liam Eichenberg.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a tough reality, but these decisions are necessary. Moving on from someone like Terron Armstead is especially difficult. When healthy, he\u2019s one of the league\u2019s top left tackles, but injuries have limited his availability, and his play this past season didn\u2019t meet the high standards that we\u2019ve come to expect from him.<\/p>\n

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Similarly, Jordan Poyer, a veteran who has been a leader in the locker room this past season, saw his performance slip, making it harder for the Dolphins to justify keeping him on the roster.<\/p>\n

Jevon Holland, who entered the season as a player many expected to receive a contract extension, may also be on his way out. While I still believe in his potential as a player, his performance this season was underwhelming, and it\u2019s unclear if that potential will be realized in Miami.\u00a0That said, I\u2019d be open to seeing him return on a short, \u201cprove-it\u201d deal, hoping that this past season was merely an anomaly.<\/p>\n

On a more positive note, there are several players I\u2019d like to see the Dolphins retain.\u00a0Tyrel Dodson\u00a0was claimed off waivers earlier in the year and proved to be a reliable linebacker, making several key plays down the stretch. He\u2019s earned the chance for a new contract.<\/p>\n

Another player I hope returns is\u00a0Calais Campbell. At 38, Campbell is far from a spring chicken, but his on-field impact and leadership in the locker room are undeniable. I\u2019d love to see him back next season to continue his role as a veteran presence on this defense.<\/p>\n

Similarly,\u00a0Emmanuel Ogbah, who joined the team after some key players got hurt, still demonstrated his ability as a talented pass rusher. Given his effort and versatility, I think he deserves another contract. Lastly,\u00a0Anthony Walker\u00a0Jr. made significant contributions as a complementary defensive player, stepping up when called upon. I\u2019d like to see him return as well.<\/p>\n

Miami needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror and seriously evaluate the identity they want to establish as a franchise. Do they want to continue as the flashy, high-energy team that occasionally falters in the face of adversity, or do they want to become a disciplined, technically sound squad that plays with toughness and resilience? To reach the next level, the Dolphins must commit to a team-first mentality, focusing on execution, consistency, and mental toughness.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s not enough to rely on talent alone; they need to build a culture of discipline and grit, one that strikes fear in opponents and competes with unwavering determination week in and week out. This shift will require tough decisions and a collective commitment to a new standard of play.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the Miami Dolphins\u2019 playoff hopes now behind them, it\u2019s time for general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel to come together and assess the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\nBREAKING : Some Hard Decisions to be Made - 24\/7 News America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20635\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BREAKING : Some Hard Decisions to be Made - 24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With the Miami Dolphins\u2019 playoff hopes now behind them, it\u2019s time for general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel to come together and assess the...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20635\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"24\/7 News America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-01-20T03:41:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-92.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"337\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20635\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=20635\",\"name\":\"BREAKING : Some Hard Decisions to be Made - 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