In spite of all the evidence to the naked eye, Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores insists his team isn’t tanking the 2019 season.
In fact, he finds the idea disrespectful to the game.
“This game means a lot to me,” Flores told the Miami Herald. “I wouldn’t disrespect the game with that. Again, no, we’re not. We’re going to try to win every game. I think that’s disrespectful to even to say that. … It’s disheartening to hear people talk about it, to even say that. For a guy who respects the game as much as the game has done for me, when people say that, it’s extremely sad.”
Dolphins coach Brian Flores denies tanking: 'This game means a lot to me. I wouldn't disrespect the game with that.'https://t.co/0k6sWvdW7B pic.twitter.com/2QaBWh4knD
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 2, 2019
Now, here’s the thing. What else is he going to say? Miami has shipped starters out the building by the handful and traded one of the best left tackles in the game, Laremy Tunsil, for a boatload of picks. “Tanking” might be disrespectful to the league, but the Dolphins wouldn’t be the first team to do it.
The good news for Flores is, no matter how well the team does this year, his job is safe. Regardless of what he thinks, general manager Chris Grier sure is running the team like it’s tanking and ownership has likely signed off on all of it. With the high, possibly No. 1 pick coming in the 2020 NFL Draft and no need at quarterback, Miami could turn this tank job into a Cleveland Browns style rebuild with multiple first rounders for years to come.
TRANSACTIONS
- B.J. Goodson was acquired in a trade by the Green Bay Packers from xxxx. To open the roster spot, the team cut linebacker James Crawford.
- Running back T.J. Logan was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after getting cut by the Arizona Cardinals.
- The Tennessee Titans added defensive back Chris Milton off the waiver wire after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts.
- Speaking of the Colts, they claimed cornerback Ryan Lewis, which necessitated cutting Milton.
- Fullback Nick Bellore will be rejoining the Seattle Seahawks. In a corresponding move, they cut linebacker Austin Calitro.
- The Washington Redskins claimed linebacker Tanner Vallejo off wavers from the Cardinals.
