MIAMI GARDENS — The honeymoon is over for Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley. Time flies.
But the rebuild is still steaming ahead at full speed, and all things considered, it’s still looking good. That’s significant, and that’s what matters most.
With the Dolphins’ befuddling No. 12 pick of the NFL draft on Thursday — Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor — Sullivan and Hafley brought an abrupt end to the rollicking fun and sky-high optimism they’d ushered in with their hires in January.
Sullivan and Hafley, who traded back with Dallas from No. 11 to No. 12, and later traded up with San Francisco from No. 30 to No. 27, regained a measure of credibility by selecting San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson at No. 27.
However, a number of fans (we don’t know whether it’s the majority) were frustrated that the Dolphins didn’t select the hometown kid, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., with the No. 12 pick. He went No. 15 to Tampa Bay. Other fans were frustrated that the Dolphins didn’t stay at No. 11, where they could have selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
It’s a bit of a momentum-killer for the rebuild and the good vibes that Sullivan and Hafley were sending.
And to be honest, I’m a bit skeptical of Miami’s two biggest moves so far — quarterback Malik Willis, their big free agent signee, and Proctor, the new regime’s first draft pick.
But I still have faith in Sullivan and Hafley. And I still have faith in the rebuild. Perhaps this is only a speed bump.
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If nothing else, one draft pick is far from the bottom line with the Dolphins.
Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft continued the massive changes that are going on for the Dolphins organization.
The Dolphins’ rebuild is deep and thorough, perhaps the most thorough of any South Florida sports team in the past three decades. Well, a team still trying to win (which excludes the 1998 world champion Florida Marlins).
And from all indications, the rebuild, at this early stage, is working.
The Dolphins cleaned house among the GM (Chris Grier), assistant GM (Marvin Allen), the top two people in player personnel (Anthony Hunt and Adam Engroff), the coach (Mike McDaniel), most of the coaching staff, the quarterback (Tua Tagovailoa), the top two wide receivers (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle) and the top two edge rushers (Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips).
That’s many of the most visible and high-profile people in the organization.
But the rebuild doesn’t stop there.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Perkins, Furones on Miami’s first-round picks | VIDEO
For those who complained that Dolphins owner Steve Ross has always listened to the wrong people, consider the change that’s happening now.
Ross, who previously listened to a NFL executive Carl Peterson, the former Kansas City president and GM, as his guiding voice, and then football people (Jeff Ireland, Dennis Hickey, Mike Tannenbaum and Grier), has changed course.
Ross is now listening to non-front office people in Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL analyst, and Daniel Sillman, Ross’ son-in-law and co-founder and executive chairman of Ross’ Relevent Sports company.
Credit Ross for making necessary changes. This is a good thing.
Ross wants to win. Badly. Make no mistake about that.
Yes, he acknowledged he makes more money on a F1 weekend than on Dolphins season tickets than he makes on a Dolphins season.
But he wants to win with the Dolphins.
The rebuild shows Ross’ heart and mind are in the right place.
Thursday was another step in a long process.
Friday’s Day 2 of the draft is yet another step, followed by Saturday’s Day 3.
So far, each step in the rebuild has moved the organization forward.
We’ll see what happens with Proctor. It usually takes two or three years to know whether a player will succeed.
All we know right now is that Sullivan and Hafley aren’t afraid to follow their conviction instead of following the crowd.
To me, that means the rebuild remains on track.