Josh Rosen: The Historical Miami Dolphin Steal

Why Josh Rosen
Written by: Joe Tarell (Quadzilla)

All the reasons he can be the starting QB in 2020 and win a Super Bowl

The second of a two part series –

This analysis will not spend much time with Arizona Cardinals because frankly, what I saw was a really poor example of an NFL franchise. Winning three games was a masterpiece playing for that dysfunctional team. The only good decision Cardinal GM Steve Keim made, was realizing quickly how badly he had botched the decision to hire former head coach Steve Wilks. If you want to see a highlight, the only video to watch is the victory over the Green Bay Packers that got Mike McCarthy fired.

Let’s start with the obvious; check out this video of his game against Texas A&M in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H_BQAimYfA.  If this is not enough, you aren’t paying attention.

His footwork in eluding the rush, his ability to throw while being hit, the pump fakes and leading defenders away with his eyes to allow another receiver to get open, are the very definition of an NFL QB. Now, granted the TXA&M defense gave up 30.7 points per game and finished 87^th of 109 schools in that category, but a 34 point 3^rd quarter deficit is the 2^nd greatest comeback in the history of the NCAA.

I believe he can be a high percentage passer in the NFL. In his final season at UCLA, without much talent around him, he completed 62.5% of his passes and that included 63% against the blitz and 31 dropped passes. He did all this while getting sacked 26 times in 11 games and taking many more hits. Add in the drops and he is at 69.4% for his last season at UCLA.

While draft pundits looking for flaws will say he does not have the strongest arm, he can make all the throws, but just occasionally underthrows the deep ball. His mechanics are as good as anyone I have watched coming out of school. Take a look at some other film and you see the same things from the Texas A&M game. He climbs the pocket exceptionally well and though he is not fast, he has the footwork that you might see from a Marino or a Brady while in the pocket.

Another good piece of film to watch is Josh versus Washington in 2017 playing against two DB’s, two LB’s and a DT who were drafted into the NFL; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRUJpey8Yhc  He gets hit and harassed throughout this game. In the first seven plays shown, he get hits on five of them, two sacks, a roughing call, and a scramble but sticks in there. Washington has an exceptional defense and is 6-1 and ranked when they play. At the 2:08 mark check out the footwork in the pocket that results in a throw away, but is followed by a TD pass where he threads the needle.

Another game I watched was this against USC in 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ZIFvl6L84  He demonstrates his toughness again as they come after him throughout the game. I especially like the two deep passes he throws in the first 2:15 of this video, especially the second one where he drops a dime, so much for not having a strong enough arm. In this video you will see him lead players perfectly to catch the ball in stride, you will see him as a willing blocker on a reverse and also see some of those drops we referenced earlier. Now we see plenty of tipped balls, one of those fumbles and an interception on this film too, so there are some good reference points for evaluation, including plenty examples of his toughness.

I realize I am asking for you to invest some time watching these video breakdowns, but they are very telling and this is the kind of detail we all need to make an evaluation of his skills as a quarterback.

Playing QB, to paraphrase Liam Neeson, requires a very particular set of skills. I believe that Rosen has those skills in spades. He throws with anticipation and demonstrates very good spatial awareness. He sees players and knows where they will be and where others around them will be when the ball is traveling at a particular velocity to arrive at the point he has chosen.

As you will recall from my pre-draft article, this is one of the key defining traits of an elite NFL QB. But if you read my draft musings you also know that the first two traits mentioned were leadership and competiveness. These are the traits everyone questions about Rosen.

I looked at these three particular pieces of film for a reason. I was looking for leadership and competitiveness. A 34 point comeback takes leadership, playing a tough defense that has your players overmatched and playing your clearly superior rival that is 9-2, requires competitiveness and the toughness to never backed down in the face of adversity.

None of us were in the locker room, nor on the practice field where we can tell how the players around him treat him and react to him. I thought his departure from AZ showed some growth in this regard, particularly his video message. But also no one spoke up, even anonymously to say anything negative about him as a teammate or a leader.

Let me add this from a personal experience perspective. My career has been spent leading sales teams, coaching and training future leaders in our company. I believe leadership is not something you have at birth. It can be taught and we do it all the time. Mitch Trubisky spent a bunch of time after his first year reading and learning about how to be a better leader. Let’s all hope that Josh is doing the same thing because the evidence supports that he has been trying.

Another thing I will mention about Josh that can’t be overlooked; he is smart as hell and he is a really good athlete, from a strong athletic background. He may not be a Manning, but his bloodlines and his exploits of youth (high school state champion, top ranked tennis player) serve notice that he can and will understand how to perform in the moment.

Leadership is the only thing we still want to see and that high school state championship gives us a little hope, but he needs to prove this every day. How he competes with Fitzpatrick, how the team arrives at that final decision after the competition. These will be things to watch for, especially what is not said or what the body language of his teammates tells you after it all shakes out. Does he win the locker room?

All of this points to someone who damn sure could be a future leader of an NFL franchise. What stands out and what else do you see that tells YOU he can be a Super Bowl winning QB in the league?

A New Era Begins for the Miami Dolphins

When the Miami Dolphins traded Ryan Tannehill, the next era of the franchise officially began. Stuck in neutral, the Dolphins could never rise into the league's upper echelon, yet were never horrible enough to consider drafting Tannehill's successor. An NFL quarterback is either the savior or the bane for the entire organization surrounding him.

The list of casualties is extensive, Philbin, Campbell, Gase, Ireland, Hickey, Tannenbaum, throw in all the coordinators and position coaches and it's easy to see how one player can affect the lives of every person associated with a professional football team. The incredible difficulty and importance of the quarterback position places the rest of the organization squarely on the shoulders of a single player.

Many pundits do not believe the fate of so many resides in success at one position, but the "Fired Football Coaches Association" may disagree. Obviously, teams with great QBs are in the mix every year and teams without sometimes get there, but everything must fall perfectly into place. It is also the reason fans and writers spend so much time and energy on the quarterback position.

Brian Flores and Chris Grier begin their journey through the minefield with singular purpose; their jobs depend on finding a quarterback. Coming from the house of the GOAT, Flores knows what it looks like. He has an advantage Adam Gase was never given, he doesn't have to attempt whispering mind tricks to coax a Lamborghini out of a Chevy. Chevy's aren't bad, a Corvette is a Chevy, but even a Corvette will never be mistaken for a Lamborghini. It's when a team invests $50 million dollars in that Chevy that it damn well better become a Lamborghini or the "Fired Football Coaches Association" awaits.

It all means, Flores and Grier either find that player, or eventually join the esteemed FFCA. The Dolphins purged the entire team, divesting older highly paid players in salary cap maneuvers. Ever wonder what kind of text messages those guys sent Tannehill when his inability to raise the team brought the hatchet down? Maybe Miko Grimes wasn't so wrong after all...

There is no time for the I-told-you-so folks to pat their own backs, its time to move on. This leads to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen in what should be a single season tryout, not a seven-year project. There is no doubting what the Dolphins have in Ryan Fitzpatrick, he's a placeholder until the real deal presents itself.

Grier knows the FFCA quite well, he watched the demise of all the names above first hand. He knows implicitly that his future resides on the throwing arm of the next Miami Dolphins franchise QB. The trade for Josh Rosen could go either way, but that depends solely on play of Josh Rosen, not the hope of Josh Rosen. Grier placed Miami and Rosen in a great position to be successful. Grier doesn't stand to lose much if Rosen busts and Rosen is no longer burdened with being the 10th pick of the draft.

Miami can only lose by playing the Tannehill game and thinking a QB that has never been a winner can somehow find the Midas touch. History for Rosen is not necessarily great, his UCLA teams never achieved greatness, but that is not a huge concern. UCLA last won the NCAA football championship in 1954. It is not as if the Bruin's are annually churning out national powerhouses. Rosen is in the NFL because he has an NFL caliber arm and has exceptional intelligence to play the position.

What Miami needs to figure out in short order is whether Rosen can win when surrounded by NFL caliber talent. The Arizona Cardinals had a fair offensive line in training camp. Then Center A.Q. Shipley tore an ACL before the season, right guard Justin Pugh tore an ACL in November, right tackle Andre Smith was released in November for non-football reasons, left guard Mike Iupati injured an MCL on Dec. 3, and then left tackle D.J. Humphries re-injured a knee on Dec. 5 and they all missed the remainder of the season.

Rosen will now get a second chance with a Dolphin team that may not be much better than those Cardinals. It will not be easy to judge whether the kid can actually play with a decent team around him. Rosen must display the illusive "IT" factor even if his team is simply not good enough to beat quality NFL opponents.

In the event that Rosen plays the Tannehill opossum and shows just enough to tease, the Dolphins should open the 2020 NFL draft with a QB. This is what the 2019 Miami Dolphins season comes down to, the Rosen audition. It doesn't mean he has to set the NFL afire, it means he has to show beyond any doubt that he has what it takes to be a great NFL QB.

In the coming days, Quadzilla will use his exceptional skills to give Dolphinshout his exclusive Josh Rosen evaluation. Please tune-in and learn the good, the bad and the ugly about Josh Rosen.

2015 Negative Tendencies Doom Miami Dolphins Game, Season.

Other than in a few of what have now become glorious victories. From the seasons opening kickoff the Miami Dolphins have been schooled in shallow waters with an expected tide to return. Slow starts, play calling, penalties, injuries, bad snaps, offensive line play, no running game conviction, receiver drops, quarterback indecisiveness, defensive line play, tackling, coverage skills, and special teams blunders have coagulated into a mammal consuming blob.

The BLOB became even larger and more unidentifiable today as all the above combined took place again when the Dolphins made an appearance in New York to face Ryan (Joe Willie) FITZPATRICK and the inner-division rival Jets. A single target of fault cannot be painted on any one Dolphin individual for this particular games disgraceful display. Unless the artist had already named the rendering before kickoff, as only an ill Jarvis Landry executed efficiently exciting Miami Dolphin football.

All-Pro Center Mike Pouncey left the game early due to a foot injury while being replaced by rookie guard Jamil Douglas who has never played a game at center and proved as much in forcing Ryan Tannehill to pick the ball off his shoelaces in at least 15 instances. The timing of the quarterbacks first read often came with his eyes, from hip level, looking at his feet in trying to secure the snap off of his toes.

However, even before Pouncey went down. The Dolphins and their quarterback were off to their usual slow start as their first two series (of which both started in enemy territory) ended in three & out, and a Tannehill interception at the goal line. Miami ran the ball for a grand total of eight yards over the entirety of the first half with only four more second half rushing yards. The absence of Pouncey while (for a fourth straight game) the injured Ju'Waun James was replaced (cough, cough) at right tackle, and a lack of cohesion as well as untimely penalties have minimized offensive line efficiency in both the run & pass game of Miami.

On defense the Dolphins accrued one measly sack of the Jets quarterback with zero turnovers while Brent Grimes' stride and jumping ability resembled that of a waddling little person versus the Jets unworthy to be named big receiver. Fitzpatrick threw four touchdowns as two of them (along with a multitude of the plays along the way) made Grimes look oddly silly while the Dolphins defensive line and linebackers allowed 137 yards rushing on 34 attempts, and 411 total yards.

Needless to say as it has become the norm. Miami was down 14 - 0 at halftime, and 21 - Zipp twelve-plus minutes into the third quarter before a light finally flickered on their side of the scoreboard. Upon the previously mentioned lone interception of Tannehill's day, the Jets drove 72 yards on 12 plays to score their first quarter touchdown toss, and another 11 play 92 yard possession for their second touchdown toss that ended the half.

Miami's backup return man opened the third quarter with an ill-advised 19 yard return to the Dolphins 12. The Dolphins punted 16 yards and five plays later while the special teams again blundered in allowing a 58 yard return to the Miami 25. Seven plays later (Joe Willie) threw his third touchdown of the day and the score was 21 - Zilch.

Two Dolphin possessions later Miami in six plays drove 69 yards (49 of which belonged to Jarvis Landry), and scored their first "flickering of lights" seven on the day via Tannehill to that same Landry. The Jets final 3rd quarter series rolled over into the 4th quarter and ended with another scorching of number 21 to put the home team up 28 - 7. New York drove another 55 yards in 3 plays and scored a 35th point on a 31 yard run up the Miami gut. To end an 80 yard drive in 14 plays Tannehill threw a five yard touchdown to Greg Jennings (his first of the year), and the quarterbacks second touchdown pass of the day. A Jets field goal for a score of 38 - 14 preceded Tannehills third touchdown of the day, and a career first (with some nice moves) for rookie receiver Devante Parker.

Parker was second in receiving with 4 catches, 80 yards and a touchdown to Landry's 13 receptions for 165 with a touchdown while another rookie in running back Jay Ajayi was third with an impressive 4 receptions for 52 yards. The Dolphins season receiving leader Rishard Matthews was eliminated from the game (due to injury) on the opening series, and AGAIN, Miami ran for 12 yards over the games entirety! Tannehill was sacked three times, and (for the most part) scanned the field from within a gopher hole (due to bad snaps and pressure) while completing 33 of FIFTY-EIGHT attempts for three touchdowns and an interception. He also threw (from his own 40) an absolutely beautiful, perfectly placed 60 yard pass into the end zone to Kenny Stills who tried to fancy pants it with one hand for a blatant drop rather than ceasing the continued perception that number 17 can't hit the deep ball touchdown.

One would guess that come February? Someone new will inform offensive coordinator Bill Lazor that this is the NFL where everyone was a college star, and that he nor any other NFL team has a player so superior to all others on the field who can catch a two or fewer yard pass and consistently be expected to run circles around the opposition to gain another 8-plus yards for a first down! And his play calling (for the most part) expects as much from whomever the ball may be thrown to! It's beyond understanding! Why in long yardage situations do he and/or the quarterback rarely call for routes beyond the yard markers?

The Dolphins have now been beached, and once again have suffocated themselves with their last gasp for a turn of the tide!

Ohhhh-Well, guess there's always next year, like every other year to blow the entire world up, and start all over again? Just hope to survive it!

The 2016 search for and/or evaluations of administrative staffs, coordinators, coaches, players, free agents, and draft prospects has officially begun!

Thanks for reading, and we can't wait for your reasonably viable 2016 suggestions!

BRING-ON February, GOFINS!!!


Over the last couple of weeks the Patriots have lost three of their top four offensive weapons, and today a first time starter in Denver upended the mighty Tom Brady to knock them out of the undefeated conversation! Only offensive coordinator (hint, hint) Mike Shula's Panthers remain an undefeated threat! HAIL TO THE 72 MIAMI DOLPHINS!!

Another No-Show by the Miami Dolphins

The no-show Miami Dolphins went bumbling and stumbled into Wembley Stadium against the NY Jets and left with more questions than answers. Again, the offense looked lethargic. Ryan Tannehill threw wild uncatchable passes in the face of the same blitz repeated continuously the entire game. The Dolphin offensive brain-trust was incapable of altering the protection to account for the CB blitz.

On defense a vaunted Miami defense line featuring Ndamukong Suh allowed Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick to slip away without a single sack. Journeyman running back Chris Ivory ran for more yards than any game in his career. The Dolphin defense had no answer for the running game and never found an alignment to pressure the quarterback.

The pathetic Miami Dolphin coaching staff was exposed for the fourth straight week, looking more incompetent in each game. Exasperated fans tuned out and went about enjoying their Sundays as the football game was over in the first ten minutes. Steven Ross showed no inclination to make changes after the game even though a team thought to possess many talented pieces once again did not perform for the coaching staff.

The wrath of the fans has turned from the inept coaches to the bungling ownership unfit to make decisions in the NFL. At what point, fans wonder, will the owner look at the collection of talent and understand the coaching staff has lost the team. Without making wholesale changes, Steven Ross is proving his ignorance in the game of professional football. The Miami Dolphins have become a toy he parades before his ultra-rich friends and clients while they laugh in his face.

There is no explanation of the regression at QB, other than the coaching staff is completely over its head. Ryan Tannehill went from promising franchise QB to looking worse than Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyrod Taylor, Blake Bortles and Kirk Cousins. Miami has yet to play a top tier team. A fandom hoping for a 6-0 start prior to the season is now left with the distinctly possibility of not winning another game.

The ownership and coaching staff has again left a once proud franchise to wallow with the dregs of the league waiting for the first pick in the draft. It is completely shameful Miami's 2015 season is over in four weeks. It is inexcusable that nothing has been done to rectify the mistakes continuously compounding as the early season flounders on to the torture of the loyal fans.

Kevin Coyle has taken the 5th ranked defense in the NFL on a progressive decline to bottom of the league. Bill Lazor has been unable to make in-game adjustments to stop a blitz package that was run over and over again to the point of ridiculousness. Joe Philbin is completely over-matched and clueless at how to get his team prepared and emotionally ready for a football game.

Ryan Tannehill looks worse than his rookie season, never seeing the same blitz over and over. Never adjusting protections or identifying the CBs creeping into the box. With each horrendous overthrow the emboldened defense moves closer and closer to the line of scrimmage. Tannehill never gives his receivers a chance to catch a long pass as the onslaught continues. Tannehill was given a contract extension prior to the season leaving Miami fans to wonder at the wisdom of this decision.

It seems the ownership in Miami is completely clueless. Unable to select a coaching staff, unable to select a personnel department, willing to pay huge contracts to unproven players, spending absurd money on free agents, supporting a management and coaching staff unable to build a team through the draft.

Miami fans can no longer be expected to support this team. Though the true and loyal fans will face the disappointment with gritted teeth and shattered expectations, they will tune out.

The fans have had enough...

Banners will begin to fly, but there is no Ireland or Sporano to place in the cross hairs. The wrath belongs completely on the shoulders of the owner. The staff, from the coaches on down were the owner's choice. He can no longer blame Bill Parcells for his ineptitude. Steven Ross, this is an indictment against you. These are your people and they have failed and consequently Mr. Ross, so have you.

Enjoy your billion dollar toy.

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