The NFL’s annual meeting commenced in Orlando, FL this past Sunday, March 25. This gives NFL coaches their first opportunity to talk about moves that were made since the season ended. Each coach approaches it differently with some opting for a more serious tone while others like to use the time to socialize with colleagues around the league. Dolphins coach Adam Gase was in attendance and offered insight into the offseason, the team, and the upcoming draft.

During interviews, Gase brought up the team culture frequently. He believes the recent moves have cleansed the negative attitudes from the team and hopes the new veteran additions can come in as leaders and create a better locker room environment. It is unclear exactly which players were causing issues in the locker room, but Gase did note his confidence in the culture change moving forward:

“You got some alpha dogs going in there. You got guys that aren’t going to accept a lot of the bullsh-t that’s gone on in the past.”

On Amendola signing: “He’s a winner…. I think he’s going to be a great example for the rest of our locker room.”

Following up on this take, Gase brought up how this team feels more like his than anytime before.

Adam Gase says this is the closest the Dolphins roster has looked to what he ideally wants. Inherited a lot of pieces/contracts when he took the job in ‘16. Finally has his fingerprints on it. — Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) March 27, 2018

Despite the recent moves that are resented by many Dolphins fans, it is intriguing to hear Gase say that the current roster is the closest to what he had envisioned when taking the job in 2016. It also appears that unlike previous years, Gase will take more control over the drafting decisions come April. With Gase’s reputation as being an offensive guru and his increased roster control, this year will prove critical to his standing as the Dolphins’ head coach. Miami’s offense has been less than spectacular during his tenure to say the least. These recent moves certainly take away many excuses for Gase if the offense can’t perform in the 2018 season with his “ideal” roster setup.

Moving on to the draft, Gase seemed to continue to tease the idea of the Dolphins selecting a quarterback. From Gase:

“I’d like to get a quarterback as much as anybody else,” when he’s asked if team is definitely drafting one. But … “We’re not going to pick a quarterback to pick a quarterback. We have to make sure we get the right one for us.”

Personally, this was great to hear as I was concerned the Dolphins would make the mistake of drafting whichever QB was available if one slipped to them. I am a firm believer in Gase’s philosophy here with ensuring any QB you draft is “the guy” and one that he could potentially see under center for the Dolphins after Tannehill. Once again, the one quarterback Gase was consistently asked about, Baker Mayfield, was brought up. Gase seemed to be very high on him and even reflected on the similarities he seems between Mayfield and himself.

Adam Gase says he and Baker Mayfield are “close in personality probably.” He calls Baker’s personality “infectious to other guys … Whatever it is he wants to win. He always wants to do a little bit more … I’ve enjoyed the amount of time I’ve spent with him.”

This does seem to indicate Mayfield is Gase’s guy in this year’s deep quarterback class, and it brings up the issue of what to do since he probably won’t be around at 11. The Dolphins have to decide at what price they’re willing to trade up into the top 6 to go get him. If they decide against trading up, favorites are linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Roquan Smith, at the 11 spot.

Despite losing many big names this offseason, Adam Gase seems to be confident in his team for the upcoming year. As always, fans can expect Gase to bring his passion week in and week out and hopefully in-turn lead the phins to their first division title since 2008.

Credit: Armando Salguero for interview quotes