Phins told Dion Sims they want him back as the #1 TE

ROTOWORLD wrote:Impending free agent TE Dion Sims says he's been told by Dolphins coach Adam Gase that the team wants him back as a starter.
"He told me he wants me back as a No. 1," Sims said. "I want to be back. I have obviously proven myself to be a starting tight end in the league and want to continue in that role. I’ve done some great things this year and improved a lot." We don't doubt what Sims was told, but Sims isn't suddenly going to be a big-time pass catcher. He has 74 grabs across 56 career games, and averaged a woeful 9.4 yards per catch. He's primarily a blocker. Tight end is a position of need for the Dolphins after Jordan Cameron busted in monumental fashion.

Not at all happy with Sims as the #1 TE moving forward. He's a classic #2: mostly a blocker, but can be used as a short-yardage and red zone receiver at times. What this offense really needs is a big-time receiving threat at TE, someone that can dominate between the 20s, but I guess we're staying with the status quo.

I not too excited about that either. I would have rather not tell him and make him fight for the position with Gray and dude apart of the practice squad.

I wouldn't read too much into that. Coaches tell half truths all the time. He wants him back as his No. 1, sure, but he'll still have to earn it, and if they so happen to find someone better, well, he's not their No. 1 anymore. It's classic Bellichickian psychological economics.

Kind of makes sense given the needs elsewhere. Way too many needs. TE to me is a want.

Birdmond wrote:Kind of makes sense given the needs elsewhere.  Way too many needs.  TE to me is a want.  

I think TE is a major need. This offense sucks on third down, and a big pass-catching threat at TE could be a solution. If we could somehow find someone like a Travis Kelce or Greg Olsen, it would take the passing game to another level.

Degarmo wrote:I wouldn't read too much into that. Coaches tell half truths all the time. He wants him back as his No. 1, sure, but he'll still have to earn it, and if they so happen to find someone better, well, he's not their No. 1 anymore. It's classic Bellichickian psychological economics.

I could be wrong, but I highly doubt that Belichick promises #1 jobs to #2 players...seems like that goes completely against everything else he does. Plus, I do think Gase is a straight-shooter - if he tells Sims he wants him as #1, I think he wants him as #1. Now, maybe a better TE falls in our lap, but it sounds like Gase is not going to actively look for one.

JMP wrote:What this offense really needs is a big-time receiving threat at TE.

i agree that's what WE would like to see, but is that in Gase's offensive plans? i think Gase prefers the 1 back - 3 wide formations where the TE is essentially an extra blocker. traditionally teams that use the 2 wide formation have a halfback to run and a fullback to serve as the blocker with the TE having the option to be the 3rd receiving option. without a fullback, i think our TE's primary role will usually be as a blocker in the base 1 back - 3 wide formation.

mercury22nathan wrote:

JMP wrote:What this offense really needs is a big-time receiving threat at TE.

i agree that's what WE would like to see, but is that in Gase's offensive plans?  i think Gase prefers the 1 back - 3 wide formations where the TE is essentially an extra blocker.  traditionally teams that use the 2 wide formation have a halfback to run and a fullback to serve as the blocker with the TE having the option to be the 3rd receiving option.  without a fullback, i think our TE's primary role will usually be as a blocker in the base 1 back - 3 wide formation.

Well, looking at Gase's past history as an OC, he used the TE as a receiver a lot more in Chicago and Denver than he did this season. Martellus Bennett had 53 catches and 3 TDs (in just 11 games) under Gase in 2015, and in two seaons under Gase Julius Thomas had 108 catches and 24 TDs. Sims had just 26 catches, with 4 TDs. Under Gase, Bennett averaged 4.8 catches a game, Thomas averaged 4 catches a game, and Sims averaged 1.8 catches a game. I get that Gase is working with what he has, but I think this highlights the need