The Miami Dolphins are undoubtedly one of the NFL’s most intriguing teams heading into 2020. Few teams would consider a 5-11 record a success, but that was exactly the case for Miami in 2019. Brian Flores overhauled a struggling franchise and looks to have steered the ship back to success down South. Key signings, draft picks, smart trades and a change in culture, along with a wide-open AFC East, present new opportunities for Miami.

The first test comes in 2020, as numerous players look to cement a role with Miami deep into the future. That will leave three players without a roster spot this offseason.

3 players who won’t be on the Dolphins roster after 2020 season:

Allen Hurns of the Miami Dolphins (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

3. WR — Allen Hurns

Hurns signed a two-year extension with the Dolphins to lock him up through 2021, but he is likely to make his way out of Miami that offseason. A breakout star in Jacksonville, Hurns delivered a 1,000-yard season in his sophomore campaign but has been unable to replicate that magic since. A short stint in Dallas never found its legs and his first year in Miami was largely forgettable, starting in just 7 games with 417 receiving yards.

Place that beside the rise of DaVante Parker, who has emerged as a star receiver after his dominance in 2019. Add in a budding Preston Williams, return specialist Jakeem Grant and wideout Isaiah Ford, and Hurns will not find enough time on the field.

Albert Wilson looked to be the first receiver out of Miami due to his massive salary, but a restructured contract puts him in a place to carve out a role as a third option at an affordable price. His production toward the latter half of 2019 means he is trending upward as well, which is not so much the case for Hurns.

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An AFC East coach doesn’t see Cam Newton starting Week 1 for the Patriots.

Apparently, there’s an AFC East coach who doubts Cam Newton‘s starting abilities.

According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, one AFC East head coach she spoke with doesn’t think Newton will even be the starting quarterback for the Patriots when the season starts.

While Russini is just doing her job, this is precisely why the New England Patriots have won the AFC East 17 times in the last 19 years. During his two decades of dominance, Bill Belichick is a major reason the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets have run through head coaches like Larry King does wives. New England has made those three franchises look so stupid.

If there was a division you’d hear a quote like this emanating out of, it would be the AFC East -1000 if a Las Vegas sportsbook wanted to set a line for this kind of inherent dysfunction. By saying Newton’s not going to start Week 1, that means he’s going to start Week 1 and single-handedly destroy everything you hold sacred on the football field. Yes, Belichick is that petty.

Whether you want to call it an investigation or what it really is, a witch hunt, we’re absolutely going there in trying to find out which AFC East head coach was dumb enough to text that to Russini. Surely, that source has been burned after he’s now swimming in a pool of three. So which of these three amigos said it: Sean McDermott, Brian Flores or Adam Gase? We need to know!

Which AFC East coach doesn’t think Cam Newton will start Week 1?

Sean McDermott

Head Coach Buffalo Bills

Sean McDermott used to be on the Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff.

When Sean McDermott’s name comes up associated with this type of nonsense, the first thing you think of is to immediately cross his name off the list. His Buffalo Bills were, and still may be, the favorites to win the AFC East this year. What he and general manager Brandon Beane are building in Orchard Park has the potential to be something truly special.

One would think McDermott and his Bills are too focused on winning to worry about what the Patriots are doing. However, no team has been owned more shamelessly by the Patriots for the last two decades than the Bills. Buffalo going 0-for vs. New England is a Western New York rite of passage. Plus, let’s not forget where McDermott used to work before he came to Buffalo.

McDermott was the defensive coordinator under Ron Rivera with the Carolina Panthers. They are the former employer of both McDermott and Newton. While Newton was insanely talented, a hard worker and a likable guy, his reputation for being high maintenance and a lot of work have stuck with him throughout his 10-year NFL career out of Auburn. McDermott may have some thoughts.

Buffalo had every opportunity to bring Newton in as Josh Allen’s backup. They are of a similar Ben Roethlisberger prototype as starting quarterbacks. Yet, the Bills decided it’ll be either Matt Barkley or Jake Fromm who back up Allen this year and that’ll be good enough. McDermott and Leslie Frazier’s defense can game plan against Newton, but McDermott too smart to say this, right?

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The Buffalo Bills should still be the favorites to win the AFC East in 2020

With Cam Newton signed, sealed and delivered to the New England Patriots, fans in Boston are already dreaming of another trip to the postseason and potentially to the Super Bowl. With all due respect to Newton, a former NFL MVP, are those fans kidding?

While there’s plenty of excitement surrounding Newton and his move to the AFC East, let’s not pretend like the Pats are immediately the favorites to once again bring home the division title. You simply can’t just write off the Buffalo Bills, folks.

FOX Sports radio host Colin Cowherd thinks Newton will help the Patriots win nine games and finish behind the Bills in the AFC East that suddenly could be a compelling race.

“Sports are fun if you win… Nobody in New England is going to have fun winning 9 games and finishing second to the Buffalo Bills.”@ColinCowherd reacts to comments from Randy Moss that Patriots offense will have more fun with Cam Newton: pic.twitter.com/9xUHTMlUsI

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 1, 2020

Injury concerns will surround Cam Newton throughout the season in New England

Are we forgetting that the Bills had an unreal campaign in 2019, and are only going to get better on offense after trading for stud receiver Stefon Diggs? Last fall, Buffalo shocked plenty of NFL fans, going 10-6 and earning a Wild Card spot. The Pats finished 12-4, of course, leading to their AFC East crown.

However, just because Newton is in town, that doesn’t mean New England is going to be as electric as we’re used to seeing. The big question mark surrounding Newton is if he’ll be able to stay healthy for a full season, something he hasn’t been able to accomplish since 2017.

There’s a reason the Pats only signed him to a one-year contract. With all of his injury concerns, there’s a worry he could get banged up again. If that’s the case and the Pats need to turn to presumed No. 2 quarterback Jarrett Stidham, there’s just no way New England will cruise to an AFC East title.

Regardless of who’s the starter for the Patriots, Buffalo only got stronger this offseason and is poised to send a strong message to the rest of the AFC this campaign. While Pats nation might be riding high right now with the Newton signing, Josh Allen, Devin Singletary, Diggs and others will be ready to silence them in the coming months.

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 26: Austin Jackson #OL25 of the USC Trojans speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local caption *** Austin Jackson

The Miami Dolphins have what it takes to win the AFC East division in 2020.

The Miami Dolphins will win the AFC East for the first time since 2008.

The Phins finished last in their division at 5-11 in 2019. However, they did go 5-4 in their final nine games. This offseason, the Dolphins have revamped their roster and gave their fan base five reasons to feel optimistic heading into 2020. The Dolphins have a golden opportunity ahead of them to win the division for the first time in 12 seasons.

Why the Dolphins can win the AFC East in 2020

5. Improved options on O-Line

An area the Dolphins needed to improve this offseason was their offensive line. Through the draft and acquiring undrafted free agents, the Dolphins certainty have given themselves more options for 2020.

Most notably, the Dolphins drafted offensive tackle Austin Jackson in the first round. The former starting left tackle at USC was named First-Team All-Pac 12 before forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. Miami also drafted a guard known for his run blocking in Robert Hunt from Louisiana-Lafayette in the second round. Those two athletes have the potential to be impact players right out of the gate.

General manager Chris Grier also spent $30 million over three seasons on veteran guard Ereck Flowers. While the move has been panned by some, Flowers did show some talent on the interior with the Washington Redskins.

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Tua Tagovailoa admitted Shania Twain is his celebrity crush in a recent Dolphins Q&A.

Life is good for former Alabama Crimson Tide signal caller Tua Tagovailoa. After being selected with the No. 5 overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft, he’s seen his fame go through the roof in Florida. Fans are fired up for his future leading the team.

In fact, his status is so high right now, even his celebrity crush has reached out to him on social media to show him some love. That crush, of course, would be none other than… Shania Twain?

Guilty pleasure?! You should be proud of your good taste @Tua 😂😘 https://t.co/S2Md13T7KM

— Shania Twain (@ShaniaTwain) June 21, 2020

Shania Twain and Tua Tagovailoa had an incredible interaction with one another on Twitter

In a pretty humorous clip posted by the Dolphins, Tagovailoa answered all sorts of fun questions in a Q&A session. This included being asked who his favorite guilty pleasure singer is, and the left-handed signal caller didn’t hesitate in saying Shania Twain. Moments later, he was also asked who his celebrity crush is. Once again, no time was wasted in saying Twain.

Tagovailoa went on to ask Twain to start messaging him back moving forward. For those keeping track at home, Twain is 54 years old, while Tagovailoa just turned 22. Hey, who says age matters when it comes to matters of the heart, though!

While Tagovailoa was certainly joking, Twain was a great sport about things and decided to respond to him on Twitter. Don’t think for a second Tagovailoa didn’t get back to her.

“You’re still the one” @ShaniaTwain

— Tua. T 🇦🇸 (@Tua) June 22, 2020

Once the 2020 season rolls around, it looks like the Dolphins will have a new big fan in Twain. You better believe she’s going to support her good friend Tua throughout the entire campaign.

For Tagovailoa, he’ll look to win the starting job during his rookie season, while Ryan Fitzpatrick will look to delay his debut. Regardless, big things are on the way for the former Alabama star.

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Tua Tagovailoa has to be ready to start Week 1 for the Miami Dolphins.

Could the Miami Dolphins start No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1 this season?

While starting a rookie quarterback Week 1 is always a tricky proposition, it’s become more commonplace in the NFL in the last decade-plus. Ever since Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco came into the league back in 2008, very rarely do we see first-round picks ride pine for the duration of their rookie years. Tagovailoa will be no different.

On Monday’s episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the national sports talk radio host believes it’s time for Tagovailoa to start Week 1 for the Dolphins, as opposed to sitting him behind Ryan Fitzpatrick as a rookie. He addresses five key things playing in rookie quarterbacks’ favor in recent seasons, which is all the more reason Tagovailoa should get the nod over Fitzpatrick.

“You know now within 10-12 games if they’ve got it or not. Better to learn that in year one than in year two,” said Cowherd on FS1 during Monday’s show. He believes reasons to start Tagovailoa Week 1 over Fitzpatrick include NFL offenses more closely resembling the college game, the rules are more in favor of offensive play than ever before and he’s not playing on a massive rookie deal.

The sooner Tua Tagovailoa starts for the Miami Dolphins, the better.

Cowherd makes a lot of fair points in his argument. However, there are four things working against Tagovailoa on his quest to start Week 1 for the Dolphins. Those are Fitzpatrick’s working relationship with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, Tagovailoa coming off a serious hip injury, Fitzpatrick’s proven track record as a stop-gap starter and there being a global pandemic.

If Dolphins head coach Brian Flores specialized on the offensive side of the ball, it would go a long way towards Tagovailoa starting Week 1. Having an offensive-minded head coach is a big reason Joe Burrow will start Week 1 for the Cincinnati Bengals under Zac Taylor, as well as Anthony Lynn potentially giving Justin Herbert early-season opportunities with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Let’s not overlook the Dolphins bringing in Gailey either. During Fitzpatrick’s greatest statistical season as the 2015 New York Jets’ starting quarterback, Gailey was Gang Green’s offensive coordinator. The Jets were nearly a playoff team and Fitzpatrick played at a near Pro Bowl-level throughout the campaign. In short, the journeyman quarterback flourished in this system.

Had Tagovailoa not succumbed to a career-ending injury during his junior season at Alabama, he might have been the No. 1 overall pick by the Bengals. If that were the case, of course, he’d be starting Week 1. If he was still by some miracle still a Dolphin, that would have helped his case, too. As for the pandemic, we’re all dealing with every day, so he’s not alone there.

But as Cowherd said, there really is no downside to starting Tagovailoa Week 1 for Miami, assuming his medicals check out alright. It took about a dozen games or so for his teammate Josh Rosen to be exposed as not the answer for Arizona Cardinals football. The Cardinals bailed on him after a year, drafted Kyler Murray with the top pick and are better for doing so.

That’s not to say Tagovailoa will be a bust in this league, but if his athleticism is overstated and his durability remains an issue, the Dolphins can move on from the Sam Bradford they drafted without having had to pay him St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford money. The sooner the Dolphins learn if Tagovailoa is their guy, the quicker this rebuild down in South Beach can end.

Starting Tagovailoa Week 1 makes the Dolphins interesting and will get us to a television set.

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10 most underrated players in Miami Dolphins history? You bet they are!

Over the course of the decades since 1966, hundreds of players have donned the Miami Dolphins aqua and orange. We know the superstars but we don’t quite know the underrated players who made the wheels turn and the cranks grind.

For every superstar, there are a dozen no-name players who have made their mark by supporting those who got the ESPN highlights or went to the Pro Bowl. We are talking about guys that should be on the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame or maybe even a couple who are that most fans wouldn’t know them without looking them up.

Can you name 10 players from Dolphins history that are so underrated that their names are lost in history or at the very least not recognized without some degree of thought? We are going to try and bring ten of the most underrated players in Dolphins history to light. We are going to, for a brief moment, give them some long-overdue kudos.

There are no parameters for this task. Simply players who had good to excellent statistics who are not mentioned among the greatest in Dolphins history. Players I hope you will look up to see what all my hubbub is.

Here are 10 of the most underrated players in Miami Dolphins’ history.

10. Howard Twilley, WR

In the 12th round of the 1966 draft, Miami Dolphins coach George Wilson, Sr. drafted a small wide=receiver out of Tulsa. At 185 pounds and 5-foot-10, Howard Twilley was far from the six feet plus receivers we see in Today’s NFL.

It is rare in today’s NFL to see a player drafted in the seventh round make an NFL roster and in 1966 when the draft lasted 16 rounds, it was even tougher for a player to make an impact. Howard Twilley, well, he made an impression.

Twilley not only made the team, but he performed well enough to survive the coaching change from Wilson, Sr. to Don Shula in 1970. He was good enough in his job to not only clear that coaching change but put in another seven seasons.

For 11 years, his entire career in the NFL, Twilley wore the aqua and orange. He appeared in 11 playoff games and all three of the Miami Dolphins Super Bowls, including of course the ’72 undefeated season.

Statistically, Twilley isn’t in any record books. The Dolphins were a run-first, run second, and pass third type of team during the Don Shula 70s. Consider that in his 11 seasons, he totaled only 3,064 yards on 212 touches. He averaged 14.5 yards per reception, however, still impressive by today’s standards without question.

In 1972, Twilley averaged a whopping 18.2 yards per catch on 20 receptions. Consider that in the same season, HOF receiver Paul Warfield only had 29 receptions all year long.

His longevity and contributions to the team are often overlooked but Twilley was a vital part of the Dolphins’ success in the early ’70s.

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The Miami Dolphins may be inclined to keep Josh Rosen, but these five teams can give him the fresh start he really needs.

As the 10th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Josh Rosen walked into an Arizona Cardinals’ situation that was in decline under first-year head coach Steve Wilks. So it’s hardly shocking he struggled, with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 14 games (13 starts) while taking 45 sacks.

The Cardinals earned the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, and selected Kyler Murray. Rosen was then shipped to the Miami Dolphins for two draft picks. In six games (three starts) for Miami last year, Rosen completed just over 53 percent of his passes with one touchdown and five interceptions. He didn’t throw a pass after Week 6, as Ryan Fitzpatrick took the reigns and never gave them back.

The Dolphins were in line to draft a quarterback with the fifth pick in April’s draft, and they indeed took Tua Tagovailoa. Fitzpatrick may open the season as the starter, but if Tagovailoa is healthy he has a good chance to see time as a rookie.

It’s a different situation in Miami, but Rosen is the odd-man out again. Michael Giardi of NFL Network reported this past week the Dolphins have gotten calls about Rosen, but are “in no hurry” to trade him. There’s a case for Miami to keep him, with two years of cheap contract control left before a fifth-year option for 2022 that they’re not going to pick up themselves.

In any case, Rosen still has the talent that made him a top-10 pick. He has literally landed into two of the worst situations a young quarterback can land in, though the Cardinals and Dolphins are on their way up heading into the 2020 season. There’s a strong case for him needing a fresh start more than player in the NFL.

Rosen is almost surely headed for his third team in as many NFL seasons, eventually. These five teams can give him the fresh start he sorely needs.

5 trades to save Josh Rosen’s career

5. New Orleans Saints

Upon signing his one-year deal with the Saints, Jameis Winston said it himself.

“Being a part of the New Orleans Saints, being a part with Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Sean Payton, coach Joe Lombardi, coach Pete Carmichael. When you think about that room, that’s like a Harvard education in quarterback school,”

Brees may be heading into his final NFL season, and the Saints seem ready to anoint Taysom Hill as the successor to the future Hall of Famer despite minimal evidence he’s a capable quarterback. Winston could show himself as a future option, or follow the Teddy Bridgewater path to a lucrative contract with another team next March. In a nutshell, exactly who the Saints’ quarterback will (or should?) be in 2021 is a question.

At this point in time, the Saints aren’t very likely to trade for Rosen and that knocks them down this list. But there’s a chance the idea lands on their radar during the coming season, and there may not be a better place for him to reset.

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Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Dan Marino is the best Miami Dolphins player ever, but who else joins him on the Miami Dolphins Mount Rushmore?

If you are a younger NFL fan, then you only know the Dolphins as perpetual losers. If you are a bit older, maybe you can recall the early 2000s, late 1990s playoff years. Point being, there are not too many recent fans who know the Dolphins as winners.

Long-time fans have seen the Dolphins dominate the NFL. Under legendary head coach Don Shula, the team won 257 regular-season games, won the division 12 times, won two Super Bowls and had the only undefeated NFL season in league history.

Yes, the Dolphins once owned the same division that they continuously finish third or fourth in today.

1995 was the last season Shula coached the team. Jimmy Johnson, known for winning multiple championships with the Dallas Cowboys, was the head coach from 1996-1999. He brought the team to the playoffs three times.

After Johnson, Dave Wannstedt wore the coach’s headset and made the playoffs in his first two seasons in 2000 and 2001. He was named head coach in 2000 and held that position until the two sides parted ways during the 2004 season.

Since then, it has been a lot of dreadful football with only two playoff teams since 2002. Before we highlight the top four players to wear the team’s uniform, let’s talk about some honorable mentions.

Offensive linemen Larry Little was a member of the Shula Dolphins. He played for the team from 1969 until 1980, making himself into one of the best linemen in the league. He was named to five Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams apiece and won two Super Bowls with the team.

Secondly, Larry Csonka. The Hall of Famer is the team’s all-time rushing leader with 6,737 yards, playing on the Dolphins from 1968-1974. He made five Pro Bowls, was named an All-Pro twice and won two Super Bowls.

Now, who made the Miami Dolphins Mount Rushmore?

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Sure, barbershops are down, but Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t received a proper haircut in years.

Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t give a damn about how he looks, having reached peak age and performance for such things. The Dolphins QB has proven himself as a professional athlete and in his personal life, having married his wife Liza in 2006.

No one should be okay with how his whiskers turned out in just a few months without a proper trim. As it turns out, though, his beard-haircut combo is downright Fitzmagical in quarantine.

Gandalf? If that you?

Fitzpatrick has always had a unique look, to say the least, dating back to his days in Tampa Bay. Former Bucs WR DeSean Jackson once decked him out in all sorts of bling, making him almost unrecognizable in a hilarious public display. The Harvard man’s appearance is intentional this time around, however.

He’s since moved on to Miami, and resembles a Florida man in every since of the word. Fitzpatrick is expected to battle for the starting QB spot with rookie Tua Tagovailoa, and if the Dolphins know what’s best for them, they’ll allow the 37-year-old to begin the season under center while the oft-injured rookie holds a clipboard for now.

Placeholder is a role Fitzpatrick is comfortable with. The only issue during quarantine, however, is that Fitzpatrick may be a little bit too comfortable.

We believe Fitzpatrick fully when he says his neck hair has reached levels of no return. Thankfully, he didn’t feel the need to show us personally.

Fitzpatrick is scheduled to make $8 million in 2020. If that can’t afford a decent haircut, we don’t know what will.

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