What will Dolphins OC Chan Gailey’s offense look like in 2020? We got an idea Friday
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge is back for a 10th year, building on nearly $33 million raised for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
While the bike ride and fun run isn’t until Feb. 29, the event held its annual golf tournament at the Miami Turnberry Resort’s golf course Friday, featuring Dolphins coach Brian Flores and several players and notable alumni, including Dan Marino.
“The fight against cancer, everyone kind of deals with it in some form or fashion, whether it’s a relative, whether it’s a friend,” Flores told the participants before the shotgun start. “And this is something that’s near and dear to me. My mom passed away from cancer a year ago. I think the support and the donations, they’re so so important. It’s great to see so many people come out and support the fight against cancer.”
The event afforded reporters a chance to talk to a number of returning players about the year the was, and the year that might be in 2020.
Among the topics addressed:
Chan Gailey’s offense
Chan Gailey has yet to speak to the media in the six weeks since he agreed to come out of retirement and run Flores’ offense.
So we’re all guessing a little when trying to determine what system he’ll run in Miami — players included.
Quarterback Jake Rudock, who spent 2019 on the Dolphins’ practice squad, met briefly with Gailey in recent weeks, but said that the chat was an informal get-to-know-you.
What does he know about Gailey?
“I know that Fitz [Ryan Fitzpatrick] loves him, so that’s good enough for me,” Rudock replied.
And does he have a feel for the offense Gailey will run?
“I would venture, let’s look at old film,” of when Gailey coached Fitzpatrick with the Bills and Jets. “That’s the best way to get a grasp for it.”
Fitzpatrick’s 2015 season with Gailey was the most productive of his career. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards and had a career-high 31 passing touchdowns.
Gailey ran a quick-strike system featuring multiple personnel groupings. But he would also dial up the deep ball, resulting in probably the best season of Brandon Marshall’s career.
As for Fitzpatrick’s decision to return for a 16th season? It wasn’t really a surprise to Rudock.
“I knew more than you guys knew,” he said. “I had a feeling, unless he was going to pop out a seventh kid.”
Free agent update
Defensive lineman John Jenkins outplayed his contract in 2019. So it stands to reason he’ll get offered another one in 2020, right?
Even he doesn’t seem to know.
Jenkins made just $800,000 last year despite appearing in all 16 games, starting five, and logging 34 tackles.
But when asked what 2020 holds for the pending free agent, Jenkins replied: “I don’t know. Have you heard anything? At this point, whatever you hear, we hear.”
Jenkins filled a void in leadership on one of the league’s youngest team, a role he’ll be happy to play again, if asked.
“Everybody needs leadership,” he said. “If they bring me in, I already know my role. I knew my role last season. ... Having leadership, and knowing the guys I played with, it’s a good role.. If that’s what they want from me, I’m more than happy to fill that role.”
▪ Linebacker Trent Harris on new defensive coordinator Josh Boyer: “I think Coach Flo knows what he’s doing, what’s best for the team, and I know Coach Boyer has a lot of experience. He knows what he’s doing. He’s very innovative.”
▪ Punter Matt Haack on his Mountaineer Shot touchdown pass winning the NFL’s play of the year: “It was really cool. We went in there with no expectations. We went in there thinking we were up against four or five other plays, and when they announced the award it was, ‘Holy crap, we just won.’ Very humbling.”
