Nightmare in the Trenches

Nightmare in the Trenches

Oh well, we had so much confidence in General Manager Chris Grier’s choices in the 2025 draft.

Grier finally decided to shore up the trenches by drafting offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.

Both draft picks are massive human beings and were expected to immediately contribute to strengthening the Miami Dolphins’ “soft” reputation on both sides of the ball.

The reality is that both players did contribute, but to the opposing team.

When Rico Dowdle, a relative unknown thus far this season, runs for over two hundred yards through cavernous gaps in the defense, we must ask the question: Where are those draft picks?

And where is the defensive line?

Other than linebacker Jordyn Brooks, is there anyone else who can tackle?

I sincerely hope that the poor play of both Savaiinaea and Grant is merely a reflection of rookie mistakes.

I somehow believe that is wishful thinking that borders on delusion.

The fact is that, thus far this season, the Dolphins’ trenches are not just inadequate; they are lousy and an embarrassment.

The Dolphins rushed for a measly 19 yards, with De’VonAchane for a whopping sixteen yards on ten carries.

And Tua Tagovailoa ran for five yards on a scramble, producing almost a quarter of the total rushing yards.

This loss hurts in many ways.

The Dolphins came into the game fully expecting to depend on the running game to attempt to compensate for the loss of Tyreek Hill.

It didn’t happen.

And to make things even worse, the Carolina Panthers are a terrible team and did their best to dig themselves into a hole with two turnovers leading to an early 17-0 lead by the Dolphins.

What a disaster.

Sunday’s performance was again a reflection of not building a competitive team this past offseason.

Understandably, we have discussed the many reasons Chris Grier’s hands were tied by the financial constraints he created; however, when he did have to decide on draft picks, it appears that Grier struck out yet again.