Steelers get Minkah Fitzpatrick from Dolphins

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The Dolphins are making no secret that they’re tanking, while the Steelers are trying to get better even after losing Ben Roethlisberger.

Miami defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has been traded to Pittsburgh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The trade includes a first-round draft pick, although it’s unclear whether that’s the entirety of the trade.

The Dolphins just drafted Fitzpatrick with the 11th overall pick last year, but since then they’ve gone into major rebuilding mode and are selling off all their assets. The Steelers, on the other hand, are eager to improve their secondary with a talented young player.

Given the Steelers’ 0-2 start and the season-ending injury to Roethlisberger, their first-round pick in 2020 could be a high pick. Right now the Dolphins care more about high picks than wins, and they may have added another high pick, while the Steelers added a player who can help them win.

153 responses to “Steelers get Minkah Fitzpatrick from Dolphins

  1. Great, more talent for Tomlin to waste. . .

    I swear this franchise no longer has a coherent plan. Grasping at straws.

    Tomlin won the lottery when the Steelers hired him. He inherited a SB winning coaching staff and roster.

    No one has done less with more talent than this guy. Should have been fired years ago.

  2. So they lose their 38 year QB for the season to Tommy John surgery. Figuring they are likely to only win 4-6 games.. they trade their next years first round pick (likely top 10, possibly top 5) for a Safety.. not even an All-Pro one.

    Makes sense.

  3. I get the concept of blowing the team up but you drafted this guy last year. What’s the point of building a roster if you’re gonna get rid of every good young player you have?

  4. Steelers are in panic mode. Where do they think they’re going? Last thing they should do is trade high draft picks. Despite their attraction to continuity, it’s time to blow it up. Coach and GM 1RST

  5. Pitt used there last 5 1st rd picks on the defensive side of the ball and now traded away this years first rider for another defensive player making it 6 consecutive years using the pick on that side of the ball. The bad thing is so far that defense has let up 30 points and 400 plus yards a game so far so while this will help doing it the same time u lose ur HOF QB for the season is beyond puzzling to me.

  6. Say the Steelers pick ends up top 10. You take Tua #1 and his WR teammate Jerry Jeudy with the other pick to ease his transition. Then with the $130 mil+ in cap space, pay for two premier OL (emphasis on RT for Tua’s blindside) and use either the other 1st round pick (HOU) or one of the three 2nd round picks (MIA, HOU, NO) on another OL.

    Invest in Tua’s health and let the rebuild play out over the next 2-3 years.

  7. On the one hand, why would the Steelers do this with Ben gone? They are going nowhere. They might have been better off keeping that pick. On the other hand, they get a guy who will instantly upgrade that secondary (wouldn’t be hard because it’s so bad) and they get him pretty cheap. His salaries for the next three years are ~$1.2M, ~$2M and ~$2.7M. The Dolphins already paid him his salary bonus (over $10M) and I would think that now gets charged against their cap. Not like it matters since they are tanking anyway and probably have lots of cap space.

    I almost feel sorry for the Dolphins players…almost. Let’s face it, a lot of guys would like to win but they are just as happy cashing their paycheck. They are still getting paid TONS of money. Most of those guys get paid more in one year than a normal person will make in their entire lives. It’s hard to feel sorry for them.

  8. kd75 says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:28 pm
    Not like the Steelers might need a 1st round draft pick for a QB of the future of anything…

    Carry on.

    ———————-

    Rudolph was solid yesterday in relief of Ben in case you didn’t get the memo. Beefing up the defense to support the talented young QB is the correct and logical thing to do.

  9. This does not make sense at all. Absolutely would have loved my team I cheer for that is lacking talent at the FS position to trade for him in a playoff run.

    But an 0-2 team that just lost its franchise QB for the year?? This could be a top 10 pick coming to the Steelers and they trade it away.

  10. Foles outshined Wentz to win Super Bowl MVP Then Wentz went 5-6 last year and everyone blamed the supporting cast until Foles stepped in and went 4-1, then won a playoff game Then in the offseason, a bunch of Eagles teammates slammed Wentz for his lack of leadership ability.

  11. jurere_internacional says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:28 pm
    So that’s five 1st and four 2nd round picks in the next two years? The offseason is ours!

    —————————————————————————————–
    It’s an exciting thought until you realize that will mean that 9 high-priced contracts will all come due in four years and there won’t be enough cap space on any team to pay that. To build a solid franchise you do it in groups of three excellent players every draft while utilizing veteran talent in one and two-year contracts as needed- not 9 players in one year. Still, it will be fun to watch.

  12. Fitzpatrick was drafted last year in the first round. Isn’t that exactly the sort of asset you want to stockpile when you are rebuilding? This makes no sense even when put into the context of tanking.

  13. Someone forget to tell the Steelers you make this Trade when you have an Elite type QB and is close to Contending.The Dolphins made out like bandits on this one.

  14. “What’s the point of building a roster if you’re gonna get rid of every good young player you have?”

    The Pats style defense Flores is installing requires players to play multiple positions in any given series and this guy doesn’t want to change up.

  15. I’ve said it all along. Flores is the death penalty for the Dolphins. Taking them checks from Kraft though I bet.

  16. Miami continues to baffle me and I am betting they are not done yet either. So far I think that makes 3 or 4 1st rounders next year and I think 3 second round picks. Damn shame the kid from Clemson cant come out next draft

  17. The Phins stink now, but it’s all part of the long term plan.
    The NFL might as well move the draft show to So. Fla because that is where all of the action will happen the next two years.
    Hoping my team has been working on their talent evaluation so all of these picks don’t get wasted.
    On a side note, any chance Gase is already on the phone to get “Smokin Jay” Cutler to come out of retirement for a cool 10M?

  18. One of the dumbest trades in NFL history. You will pay more for his services than be rewarded.

    Ben is done, old, etc, and you are rebuilding and throw away a 1st rd pick for a quitter, generic Safety who is not even that good?

    Simply dumb.

    Miami winning these deals left and right.

  19. If the fins screw this up I will be lost for words 1st pick I’d go Tua 2nd pick I’d trade up grab Grant delpit 3rd pick we need weapons on offense I’d grab tua a familiar weapon in Henry ruggs or laviska O line I will address in free agency as we have the cap space for any O line men 2nd round of the draft id go defensive heavy

  20. Right now the Dolphins care more about high picks than wins, and they may have added another high pick, while the Steelers added a player who can help them win.
    __________________________

    How, does Minkah play QB too?

  21. PITTS and others seen the value. Minkah can play, just give him a position to play. Gase and Company moved him around and the new HC Flores kept doing the same.

    His true value will be found with a franchise that has a penchant for fielding stout defenders.

  22. harrisonhits2 says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:44 pm

    The Pats style defense Flores is installing requires players to play multiple positions in any given series and this guy doesn’t want to change up.
    ————————————————————————————
    I don;t believe that. I think Fitzpatrick is a a great player. he may not be top 5 in the draft great though, and that could be what the Steelers just traded away.

  23. At this point any player in any team in the NFL steps out of line threaten him if he doesn’t listen I’ll send you to the Dolphins. Its like parents with troubled kids they threaten them to send them to military school.

  24. Dolphins are a shambles they’ve got rid of young starting LT, WR and FS/CB.

    When you tank you’re trying to dump old overpaid players, not young starters.

    Why did they waste a 2nd on Rosen with no one to block or get the ball to?

    The only way I can see this ending well is if they multiply these picks by trading down for more/future higher picks and truly multiplying their value. They are so devoid of talent everywhere that they can amass picks and go BPA, not specific players or positions.

    But I’m quite sure they’ll ruin pretty much every player on the team. No one will care or work hard, they will just expect and accept losing, become what the Browns were.

    Also who is going to be drafting these picks? The same guy who built this irrelevant team?

  25. Minkah wanted out so bye bye. Scouting report on him coming out was he was a Swiss Army knife type player yet didn’t want that role with dolphins as Flores was trying to turn him into a Eugene Chung type player. His mom likes to tweet to so good luck with that Tomlin. Miami’s gonna have $150 million minimum in cap space and as of right now 14 picks for 2020. If we get right qb, this could turn around big time in 2021.

  26. Minkah is an extremely versatile player in the secondary. His best position is slot corner and he was already one of the best at it last season as rookie. If any of you guys are judging his play by what you’ve seen this season you are mistaken. He is a legit ball player and the Steelers are lucky to have him. Now as long as Grier doesn’t blow all the resources he has at his disposal next year and the year after the Dolphins may actually be worth watching again soon.

    As a Jaded Dolphins fan, I have my doubts.

  27. tylawspick6 says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:52 pm
    One of the dumbest trades in NFL history. You will pay more for his services than be rewarded.

    Ben is done, old, etc, and you are rebuilding and throw away a 1st rd pick for a quitter, generic Safety who is not even that good?

    Simply dumb.

    Miami winning these deals left and right
    ++++++++++++++
    Miami lost when they signed a guy from the Belichick loser coaching tree.

  28. I guess nobody watched Mason Rudolph sling it yesterday. Hard to replace a HOF’er, but he looked poised, was accurate, and threw a better deep ball than I’ve ever seen Ben throw. Kid has a strong arm and the team didn’t miss a step with him in there. He threw a couple touchdowns in basically a half of football and his lone pick wasn’t his fault at all (it was actually a perfect pass). Our top need at the moment isn’t quarterback — it is wide receiver. Moncrief can’t catch a football and the rest of the corps is young.

  29. blorjr says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:58 pm

    Another top 10 pick for the Dolphins . Now they have to use them right.

    1

    0

    ———–

    They essentially control the upcoming drafts.

  30. At some point in the next 2 years Fin fans will enjoy the repeated sound of “The Dolphins are on the clock.”

  31. ktimmmtb says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:27 pm
    Congrats Pittsburgh, you also get his crazy wife!

    I think you’re confused, he’s not married. Are you thinking of Brent Grimes?

  32. If Rudolph pans out, it might not be too bad of a trade. After all, first round QB’s aren’t a lock to be successful. So, I guess, they think Fitzpatrick can help them right now, and if Rudolph doesn’t work, they can pick up a vet QB in free agency or via trade. However, it doesn’t address the largest problems that the Steelers have: Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff, in general. I personally have nothing against MT, but a change of scenery will benefit both sides. IMO. The Steelers need a fresh minds, and a fresh start.

    BR says he wants to keep playing, but I think it will be pretty tough. Even if Rudolph doesn’t do well, I look for an injury settlement, and retirement for BR.

  33. Why? Why give up a top 3-5 pick for this guy now? I understand they’ve been terrible with their secondary since polamalu retired but now? Their 2 best players wanted out, their 3rd best player is now on injured reserve and the rest are just a bunch of guys. I think the Steelers overpaid for Minkah frankly especially giving up a 2020 1st round pick because there is simply no way they won’t have a top 5 pick this year. Great player but too expensive a price. They should’ve offered a 2021 1st round pick because once Ben gets back next year they’ll be a good team again. But, hey I rejoice every time the Steelers make a bone headed move, because I am a true Ravens fan.

  34. I personally think this move was to appease the fan base after a lost season essentially losing Ben for the year and I don’t know the deal with Conner. So, this is a financial move to keep the crowds showing up for home games. They’re just trying to prove they are still trying to win I guess, but fans aren’t idiots. So I suspect they gave up a top 5 pick next year.

  35. So…without a 2020 first rounder, Pittsburgh will enter that season with these QBs:
    38-year Old Big Ben coming off elbow surgery

    And Mason Rudolph with less than one full year of starting experience

    GOOD LUCK with that!

  36. Lotta people dissing the Steelers QB situation, but I’ll take Rudolph over Lamar, Rosen, Baker & Allen

  37. I see everyone bagging on the Dolphins for these trades but I’m not upset about what they’ve done. It was going to be a tough year to begin with. Tunsil fell to us in the draft and has not been the superstar everyone thought he would be. Fitzpatrick fell and last year’s regim grabbed him up. He is a player without a position that was not a smart pick so why not flip him for draft capital. Heir is the man making choices now and we have to give him and Flores a chance in next year’s draft. The line had been horrible but your talking about guys that have been there since a week before the season started. It’s gonna be ugly and the media is going to jump all over the team because it’s an easy headline but we have tremendous draft capital over the next 2 seasons and $160 in cap space so I’ll stick it up, keep rooting on my team wait to see how these moves pay off.

  38. Really don’t understand all the teeth gnashing over giving up a first rounder. Which QBs coming out next year are locks: none, not even Tua? So, why not go for Fitzpatrick? If the terms I saw are correct, it’s a decent trade, one that would allow for trading up, or trading for a vet QB if Rudolph doesn’t prove to be the answer. The big question is, can Tomlin change his ways, and take advantage of Fitzpatrick’s talents?

  39. First off any sports writer that calls what the Dolphins are doing “tanking” should to never be allowed to publish another column. Is this guy so ignorant to not know what rebuilding is? What an embarrassment.

    On paper this looks like a win/win. Minkah is a stud, that is just simply being severely misused in Miami’s scheme. Like asking a WR to play RB. If the Steelers do believe in this QB, who I personally think we be better then Ben SOON, this is not as bad of a move as most say. They are getting a young, pro bowl caliber DB that fits their scheme. No different then you’d expect from a 1st round DB pick.

  40. The only way this makes sense is if the Steelers feel that Mason is a future star at QB and therefore they don’t need to worry about taking a QB in the loaded 2020 draft.

    If they believe that, then it would make sense to trade next year’s #1, because they (a) wouldn’t need to spend it on a QB and (b) that QB will win enough games this year to make that a back-end first round pick, rather than a top ten.

  41. rid of every good young player you have?”

    The Pats style defense Flores is installing requires players to play multiple positions in any given series and this guy doesn’t want to change up.

    He actually was willing to but Flores misuses him. Flores is out of his league. Miami is 3 years away from being 8-8. This is a rebuild gone wrong and will only get worse. Buffalo did the rebuild the right way.
    Another failed project from New England. Typical.

  42. Pittsburgh you know your team sucks so why not take on another player that hates the game! Keep Tomlin and Ben I like watching you lose!!! I really like how the media was sucking up to Big Ben today. Oh well he is going to be with the team for their support. If I was being paid 27 Mill to be a bench warmer at least I would bring the coffee and donuts sometimes!!!

  43. Lotta people dissing the Steelers QB situation, but I’ll take Rudolph over Lamar, Rosen, Baker & Allen

    You don’t football, do you? If you did, you’d see how well Lamar and Allen have played this year. That doesn’t mean Rudolph can’t be good, but he won’t be better than Allen

  44. Great move by the Steelers. Rudolph will make that pick a late, late 1st-rounder, probably #32, That’s a steal for MF’s services.

  45. Trade the houston first rounder for Jalen Ramsey and grier will look like a straight up genius.. basically trading average Minkah Fitzpatrick for the best 24 year old lockdown corner in the NFL straight up

  46. Its a good move by Miami and a real bad done by the Steelers. Fitzpatrick is good and on a rookie deal but by the time they get good will want to get paid. Steelers might not win 5 games and make this a top 10 pick. Now it is up to the GM to do something with the 3 picks he has next year. 4 of which could be top 33.

    Steelers roster isn’t very good and the D needs more than a safety. Don’t know what they are thinking as they are going to be rebuilding as well. Now without a 1st round pick.

  47. Shocked anyone would give up a first. Have to make that trade if you’re Miami, especially with Ben out for the year. Decent chance that ends up being a higher pick than the one they used on Fitzpatrick in the first place.

  48. I have said it a few times, if the Dolphins knew how to draft well, they would have found Marino’s replacement by now, instead they used 1st round picks on guys like Tedd Ginn Jr. Dion Jordan, Tannehill, and Paker.

    I would like to hope they hit on at least two of those first round picks but they clearly have struggled, and while its easy to point at individual players and bad mouth them for wanting out in Miami or quitting, the average NFL career is 3 years, and if you don’t want to spend one of those seasons putting your body at risk for a team that obviously doesn’t care how they perform this season. I don’t think you can really blame them.

  49. Another spoiled player who requests a trade and gets it. This trend will continue until the owners quit caving.

  50. I never figured the Steelers would make such a stupid move. Are they going back to the Buddy Parker days? Their first round pick next year could be in the top ten. They have had a first round pick since 1968. They always built through the draft.

  51. Vaphinfan, do you really want to talk about loser coaches? How about:

    Adam Gase

    Dan Campbell

    Joe Philbin

    Tony Sparano

    Cam Cameron

    At least Flores and Grier have a gameplan. They are following the Belichick model of building through the draft and factoring in value and players with position flexibility. They are not trying to sign high price free agents nor are they kidding the fans with a “win now” promise. They will likely turn picks into multiple picks and be solid along the line of scrimmage.

  52. When your franchise has gone 20 years, winning the division only once (with Brady injured and only by a tiebreaker), maybe giving Flores and Grier a chance makes sense.

  53. Great talent, normally I would applaud this move. However, Steelers need a long term QB and there are several good ones coming out next year, which they will no longer be able to get. Short sighted.

  54. Pitt had golden opportunity to get a high pick and be in position to pick (with a small trade up perhaps) another qb that would secure their relevancy for the next 15 years. They passed on that in hopes Ben recovers from major arm surgery at 38 and a 3rd round qb. For a good secondary piece at low price. Seems like steep price to me

  55. This is very simple guys. Rudolph plays fairly well and the Steelers are picking in the 20s, this is a great deal. If Rudolph does not play so well and they’re picking in top-five the deal is terrible. Anything in between can be discussed either way

  56. Quite simple when you acknowledge the reality that the Draft is a pure crapshoot from Pick One. Getting a player(Tunsil,Fitzpatrick) etc. who have shown they have the skill,mentality and work ethic to be successful players beats the hell out of any prospect,any day of the week. One in the hand beats wish and hope in the bush.

  57. So this guy is a starter on a defense that averages giving up 40+ points in two games & you give them a first round pick???

    I thought only the Jets did this sort of thing?

  58. To the uninformed: The Steelers planned for this day. Mason Rudolph is the QB. He’s smart, poised, and he can sling it. There is no plan to trade for a starting QB or draft one with a #1. The biggest weakness was FS, which is now upgraded. The Steelers will compete for a playoff spot this year. This is the truth haters, now post responsibly!

  59. Now if Rudolph can just stink it up our draft pick will be a top 10 variety (three picks in the first round whoa!). Nice working with ya Pittsburgh.
    Ross: “We told you this wasn’t going to be easy”
    Buckle up that chin strap phin fans. The night is darkest just before the sunrise.
    PHINS UP

  60. I think Miami will be just fine with 4 tops in the top 33 and 140 Million in cap space along with 2 first rounders next season. This is how you tank

  61. sumkat says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:43 pm
    This trade made a ton of sense for the Steelers….36 hours ago

    With Ben out for the year, not so much
    ———————————-
    Why are the Steelers so automatically done? Rudolph has been developing as his successor for a while now so now they move on the succession they had been preparing for all along. (IMHO Ben’s rehab/recovery eats up the rest of his career which was almost done anyhow). And Rudolph did look good himself in that game (showed improvement over Ben) so Im not sure how that adds up to being the end. It has actually looked like the Steelers might be fine at qb (but get a depth guy) but that problems elsewhere on the team would still limit them. So here they are addressing those problems. Thats hardly the end.

  62. Why dont people understand the Steelers do not tank. They support their backup QB who was drafted to be groomed into the eventual starter. Adding fitz, full steam ahead with Rudolph, stay tuned and stay informed. You guys thought the steelers were dumb for the AB trade also… lol

  63. knaste says:
    September 16, 2019 at 11:56 pm
    Just watch…Tua and/or Hebert will declare they refuse to play for Miamu.
    ——————————-
    If they used those draft picks to put good protection in front of a talented rookie thats a huge step. Get that core team in place and then start upgrading the weapons. A team all stacked that way using high draft picks is not a bad gig for said talented rookie.

  64. I guess the thought process is winning only zero to two games will give the lacking in overall talent Dolphins a lot of draft capital and rookie talent. Tanking for a top franchise quarterback is common practice. Offensive Tackle Tunsil will be the most difficult player to replace. However what if the Dolphins find out that Josh Rosen is their guy as a franchise QB. Then they will only need to surround him with talent. That could be an interesting option but most fans will not want to envision this process playing out in that way.

  65. I hope this would happen and I am glad it did. For the people criticizing the move, here are a few tidbits. First, there are no guarantees with first round picks, the Steelers know this. With, Medenhall, Burns, etc subpar first round players. Second, Minkah can play and he is a great leader. Third, the Dolphins already paid his bonus when he got signed, so for the next few years, the Steelers will get a great talent for about $1.5 million. This trade was a no brainer. Finally, whether the Steelers make the playoff this year is irrelevant, the Steelers get a player they can add to the growing crop of young up-and-coming talent. Awesome pickup.

  66. This deal is done for one reason ..to Help Mike Tomlin keep his job…this defense has horrible saftey play since Troy P….this kid is a player..and will be one of the top players in the league..as far as missing out on the top qb..Miami was going to get that anyway…they will have the worst record this year…don’t forget teams draft Mitch T. ahead of Pat Mahomes…so there is still foolishness out there..the Steelers will be fine with Mason R…

  67. I’m starting to recover from the disappointment because I had counted on Minkah being one of the cornerstones of the team in the future. However, if he was this unhappy, then it’s better to have unloaded him now. Later on, the Dolphins would have received far less compensation for trying to get rid of a malcontent.

  68. A lot of haters and hopers on this site, Obvious a lot of commenters have been beaten by the Steelers in the past years. They got a player they needed in a position needed, odd how other teams do the same and not a peep heard. Being the Steelers and Pats hated by all must be fun for those tow fan bases.

  69. The mighty Steelers just officially traded places with The Cleveland Browns and will now commence to become the ‘new’ factory of sadness in the AFC North!!!

  70. Hahaha. Gottta love all the Steeler fans trying to defend this dumpster fire of a team this year. The new name of the team is the Pittsburgh Swiss Cheese. More holes to fill than you can count!! Cut it out with the smoke and mirrors fans, this team is a mere shell of itself. At least you can look forward to a top ten pick in April!!

  71. Its not going to be Tua or Herbert. Rosen is going to get this season and next to prove he can be the guy if not its Lawrence in 2021. Draft linemen in 2020 and parlay excess picks for 2021 picks. I like the plan we’ll see how good it gets executed

  72. Is Miami going to trade its GM and scouting department because they have missed on most of the draft picks over the past few years…with their current drafting of talent most if not all those picks will be busts or “don’t fit.”

    Flores needs to start pushing for a trade of his own. Maybe with the Jags they seem to be the first inline to can their current coach.

  73. Hahaha. Gottta love all the Steeler fans trying to defend this dumpster fire of a team this year. The new name of the team is the Pittsburgh Swiss Cheese. More holes to fill than you can count!! Cut it out with the smoke and mirrors fans, this team is a mere shell of itself. At least you can look forward to a top ten pick in April!!

    Reading comprehension is obviously not your strong suit….they trade away their first round pick so the rest of your troll is pretty obviously worthless as well, but keep hating

  74. Fitzpatrick is a great player but I didn’t like this move for the Steelers for one reason. That reason is Big Ben is old and at the end of his road, he’s very close to retirement and the 2020 draft is Loaded with a handful of VERY GOOD QB Prospects. The Steelers aren’t going anywhere or winning anything with Mason Rudolph this season so why not play for 2020 and draft his replacement in the 2020 draft sitting him as a rookie before starting him in 2021. Now the Steelers can no longer due that now that Miami has their pick, a pick that is very likely to be a top 10 pick a top 15 pick for sure. Steelers should of kept and drafted a QB.

  75. So the Steelers traded for a guy that gave up 3 TDs against receivers on the Ravens and now have to play that same team twice this season? Good luck with that!

  76. Why trade that for a DB??

    I guess you haven’t watched their secondary play. Once you review the stats from the first two games its obvious….please try to keep p.

  77. Tomlin was a defensive coordinator before becoming head coach. He won 2 Super Bowls with Big Ben and dominating defenses. Yet in recent years the Steelers have had bad defenses. They lost a high scoring shootout with Blake Bortles in the playoffs a couple of years ago. It is obvious they need help on the defensive side if they are going to be contending for the playoffs again. Big Ben is scheduled to return next season. Tanking their way to an early pick for one of the top QB prospects is not their plan.

  78. bornsteel62 says:
    September 16, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    Lotta people dissing the Steelers QB situation, but I’ll take Rudolph over Lamar, Rosen, Baker & Allen

    ———————————————————

    This take is so delicious, I had to get a glass of milk to help while I enjoyed it.

  79. omeletpants says:
    September 16, 2019 at 10:37 pm
    Minka was a disappointment for the Dolphis, so why do the Steelers think he is worth a 1st rounder
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    No he wasn’t. He was a good rookie with HUGE potential that Flores played out of position. He took Minkah and moved him from is natural position of FS and put him in as a SS where his skills are wasted and his flaws are highlighted. Then he took a very good slot/nickel CB (McCain) and put him at FS where Minkah should have been. I’m starting to believe there was a reason Belichick never named Flores as “Defensive Coordinator”. This defensive minded coach has made some bad decisions and his defense gave up 102 points in 2 games.

  80. Michael says:
    September 17, 2019 at 9:17 am
    I’m starting to recover from the disappointment because I had counted on Minkah being one of the cornerstones of the team in the future. However, if he was this unhappy, then it’s better to have unloaded him now. Later on, the Dolphins would have received far less compensation for trying to get rid of a malcontent.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    That’s the thing. He was not really a malcontent. He was unhappy for two reasons. His coach and GM WANT to lose and in doing so they put him in a position that diminishes his value to the team and towards his first big contract. He was a model player last year when they plugged him in at just about every DB position throughout the year. Even after he asked to be traded, he was one of the few Dolphins that was noticeably hustling on any given play. The kid’s story is a good one and Saban said he was the best football player he has ever coached. You do NOT give up on your previous 1st round draft pick who is on year 2 of 5 of a relatively cheap contract. If the Steelers play him at FS they will eventually be very happy he is on their team (unless their QB situation is irreparable).

  81. Essentially the Steelers got their 1st round talent that has already proved he can play. This would be better then picking up another artie burns. Tomlin cant draft em so sign em elswhere. Nice move Steelers.

  82. I like how the Dolphins think they’re winning with these trades, when they are dealing away good, young players for future draft picks. Minkah Fitzpatrick was your 1st rounder a year ago, but sure getting a 1st rounder in 2020 for him is a great deal. Laremy Tunsil was our 1st rounder 3 years ago and is rounding into an elite LT – let’s get as many picks as we can for him.

    Chances are that you aren’t going to hit on all of those high draft picks. Whether it’s a result of players not living up to expecations, or having injury issues, or whatever, I don’t see this strategy being bullet-proof for the Dolphins. You are essentially saying that you want an entire core of players to mature together, and you hope like hell that you hit on the draft picks. You need a tackle and a safety in the next draft, and you just hope and pray that they are better than Tunsil and Fitzpatrick.

  83. Stacking picks so we have the ammo to trade up to get Lawrence in a couple of years… 2020 will be an O line year and 2021 is Lawrence

  84. I love all the idiot comments who think they no more than the NFL GMs. LOL keep flipping your job flipping burgers boys! You have no idea how to run a team, keep your day jobs boys.

    Wouldn’t it be great if the media reported on your job and we all got to comment on you? That would be awesome! Because you are all such freaking geniuses we could scrutinize everything you do. Such fun!

    I’m not going to pretend I know more than them, just going to sit on the couch and watch the game. Try to remember to enjoy football once in a while, even with its flaws there is no better game on earth.

  85. FinFan68 says:
    September 17, 2019 at 12:21 pm
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    That’s the thing. He was not really a malcontent. He was unhappy for two reasons. His coach and GM WANT to lose and in doing so they put him in a position that diminishes his value to the team and towards his first big contract. He was a model player last year when they plugged him in at just about every DB position throughout the year. Even after he asked to be traded, he was one of the few Dolphins that was noticeably hustling on any given play. The kid’s story is a good one and Saban said he was the best football player he has ever coached. You do NOT give up on your previous 1st round draft pick who is on year 2 of 5 of a relatively cheap contract. If the Steelers play him at FS they will eventually be very happy he is on their team (unless their QB situation is irreparable).
    ——————————————————————————
    He’s a model player now, but if he wouldn’t have been traded, he would have turned into a malcontent and would have bolted after his contract would be up and then there would be little compensation. Grier has said that he was adamant about leaving.

  86. What a wasted move by the Steelers. They aren’t going to be competitive this year (and it will be a looooong time before they are competitive if Rothlisberger retires). They are giving up their future as though they think they still have a window in which to make a run. Silly. The Dolphins on the other hand keep racking up the picks. I hate that they are allowed to tank, and it could be that they end up wasting their picks. But if tanking is the way forward, they are doing it right.

  87. bornsteel62 says:
    September 16, 2019 at 11:38 pm
    Lotta people dissing the Steelers QB situation, but I’ll take Rudolph over Lamar, Rosen, Baker & Allen

    ———————————

    Against weak teams, to be sure, but Lamar is lighting it up right now. And you’d take Rudolph over Baker? Listen, I hate the guy but that take is insane. As a Pats fan, I’m loving all these moves their rivals are making.

  88. The Cowboys are grinning all over the place knowing they are playing the Doll finz this week. Chalk up an automatic win for them and those arrogant yahoos are once again feeling superior in this cakewalk. Meanwhile thee “Tank for Tua” parade continues in bottomest city in the Country..

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