DAVIE, FL – FEBRUARY 04: Stephen Ross Chairman & Owner, Brian Flores Head Coach, Chris Grier General Manager of the Miami Dolphins pose for the media after announcing Brian Flores as their new Head Coach at Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southern University on February 4, 2019 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The NFL has whacked the Miami Dolphins and owner Stephen Ross with one of the harshest penalties ever handed out for a rule violation. And it directly involves the New England Patriots and ex-quarterback Tom Brady.
As first reported by Adam Schefter Tuesday morning, the Dolphins were stripped of their 2023 first-round pick and 2024 third-round pick for “violating the integrity of the game.” In addition, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was fined $1.5 million and suspended through Oct. 17.
According to a memo from the league, the team was found to have “had impermissible communications” with Tom Brady in 2019-20, starting while he was still under contract with the Patriots. Those talks apparently continued after Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Dolphins were also found to have violated the league’s tampering rules with former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, who was still coaching there during the 2021 season. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the Dolphins’ tampering violations were “of unprecedented scope and severity,” which is certainly the case when you consider the caliber of player and coach involved.
The whole thing stinks of a cover-up. Two high draft picks, a $1.5 million fine, and a suspension for the owner over tampering? A series of phone calls to Brady, Don Yee, Sean Payton? It feels too much like the real violation was the tanking part, and the league is simply doing its best to distance itself from it.
Last thing the league wants is for fans, gamblers, and media alike to think teams are throwing games. Even Patriots fans can live with tampering, even if Brady was plotting his escape from New England while still under contract, and played the 2019 season with one foot out the door.
Could fans get over the idea of a team losing on purpose? Especially if it cost them money in some form or fashion? That brings us back to the Schefter report. The Dolphins violated the “integrity of the game.” Does tampering really fall under that umbrella? Paying coaches to lose games certainly would.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Mac Watch, Day 6: Jones admits Patriots offense still not on the same page
Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) calls a play during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
FOXBORO — When Mac Jones and the Patriots offense compete in 7-on-7 drills, they look pretty much unstoppable. But when the lines come on the field for 11-on-11, Jones simply hasn’t looked like the same player.
It sounds like there are a lot of factors at play with the Patriots’ offensive struggles at training camp so far. But at times, the issues have led to Jones taking off with the ball instead of throwing, which is rarely going to be ideal. As Jones himself suggested during his press conference after Tuesday’s practice in Foxboro, they’ve had a hard time getting all 11 guys to execute properly at the same time. That’s obviously the key to American football, the ultimate team sport.
“I think we have a lot of room to grow here,” Jones said. “The goal for me is to not run the ball and throw it so, I think our offensive line is doing a good job, and we just have to get on the same page.”
The problem is, the offensive line hasn’t entirely done a good job. On Tuesday alone, multiple defenders were credited with “sacks” or “tackles for loss,” sometimes breaching the offensive line untouched. Jones has had good-enough protection at times, but he’s also had a couple of miscommunications with his receivers. His red zone accuracy has been spotty. Plays have been made, to be certain, but the consistency definitely isn’t there yet.
But Jones’ comfort is evidenced by the smooth operation of the offense that we’ve seen in 7-on-7 drills. Ditto 1-on-1 plays between the receivers and defensive backs, often with deep balls. Rookie Tyquan Thornton and Nelson Agholor made back-to-back one-handed catches in those drills. Agholor, in particular, had his best day of camp. Jones has also clicked early with off-season addition DeVante Parker.
“He’s a great receiver and he’s played a long time in this league and he understands how to attack the football,” Jones said of Parker. “We got a lot of guys who do a lot of different things. My job is to hit them in the hands and they’ll make the plays. So, that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
The problem is, it’s just not as crisp when it jumps to 11-on-11, especially when it’s starters vs. starters. The individual talent jumps out more and more by the day, but even with schematic changes expected, the Patriots still need to be on point with their timing and protections in order for Jones to succeed.
Jones has seemed sped up or indecisive when he has a pass-rush coming his way, but it could also be a case of the receivers not going where he’s expecting. That’s what it looked like when he threw a gimme interception to cornerback Terrance Mitchell, as Thornton appeared to run the wrong route upfield, while Mitchell sat in his zone and received the ball like he was the intended target.
Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Leftover Notes…
Jul 29, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws the ball during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
— Don’t be surprised if the Patriots incorporate Thornton as a rookie by giving him a handoff here and there. That’s one way to utilize his speed out of the gate. Thornton made a one-handed grab against Jalen Mills during 1-on-1’s and looks more and more like a legit candidate to start Week 1.
— The Patriots ran what I like to call the “slappy drill.” It’s a ball-carrier attempting to run about half the width of the field against two defenders trying to knock the ball loose. The only fumble came from Agholor, and it looked like an as-yet unannounced new player wearing No. 36 who made the play. According to Mike Reiss, it’s former Notre Dame defensive back Jalen Elliott. Marcus Jones was the other DB in on the play.
— The run game couldn’t get much of anything going in the first day of full pads, but gained a little more traction on day 2. They were able to open a few holes inside. Damien Harris had a nice run to the left edge as left tackle Trent Brown took Judon for a ride. Call it 1 percent better. But like the passing game, we have yet to see a big jump.
— The punt returners on Tuesday were cornerback Myles Bryant, running back J.J. Taylor, and Marcus Jones. The latter should end up returning punts eventually. Safety Jabrill Peppers, who returned from PUP on Monday, was present for this session, but only observed. He figures to get some actual looks as a punt returner in the days ahead, as the team eases him back in.