Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Dolphins introduction includes a major focus on fixing one of Miami’s longest-standing problems
Talk about getting things off on the right foot…
The Miami Dolphins fan base got to formally meet the new most important face within their organization on Sunday. The team’s new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, had a sit-down interview with the team’s in-house media personality, Travis Wingfield, for a 15-minute exclusive conversation.
There were no shortage of promising quotes from Sullivan included, ranging from the team’s draft philosophy, cultivating and creating a team culture, how to build a winning roster, and how the team’s collaborative process is balanced with the decision-making process. But one quote from Sullivan stood out above the rest in promising
Jon-Eric Sullivan is aiming to solve your longest standing complaint about the Miami Dolphins
“We will build this team — it starts with the quarterback. Then we will build this team inside-out. We’ve got to be dominant on the offensive line. Dominant on the defensive line. And then explosive and athletic on the perimeter where we can attack all three levels of the field and give that offensive coordinator flexibility to call the game the way that he wants to call the game; most importantly, in any element,” explained Sullivan.
It was just a few years ago that former Dolphins general manager Chris Grier chuckled and insisted that the outside world was “more worried about the offensive line than we are”. And, to be fair to Grier and that 2023 Dolphins team, Miami did win 11 games that season and did so while seeing backups take more snaps than the primary starter in four spots along the offensive line due to injury. That’s not all that bad, all things considered.
But the offensive line has generally been a sore spot for the Dolphins for years. And a fan base that’s been bred to expect dominance is weary of the struggles. The good news? There are strong staples to build around in left tackle Patrick Paul and center Aaron Brewer — Sullivan shouted out both players as ‘building blocks” and “nice pieces” for the roster moving forward during his interview with Wingfield. But the right side of the line is a major question. The left guard spot will almost surely need competition as 2025 rookie Jonah Savaiinaea needs a push to help spur needed growth.
Jon-Eric Sullivan’s Miami Dolphins ‘building blocks’
- RB De’Von Achane
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- OT Patrick Paul
- OC Aaron Brewer
- LB Jordyn Brooks
Think about all the best iterations of the Dolphins’ franchise throughout the years. The dynasty years of the 1970s had multiple Hall of Famers in the lineup up front. By the time Dan Marino came around, another Hall of Famer was at center in Dwight Stephenson. The heart of Marino’s career in the early 1990s? The line was anchored by Richmond Webb, Keith Simms, and Jeff Dellenbach.
There’s a robust history of offensive line greatness in South Florida. And although Jon-Eric Sullivan hasn’t been a part of the heritage of offensive line play in Miami throughout his 20+ year career, some things transcend single franchises. Winning up front allows you to win, as Sullivan pointed out, in any element. Rain, wind, snow, or shine.
The execution of this plan will ultimately define whether or not Sullivan’s time in Miami is deemed a success or not. But in his introduction to the Dolphins’ fan base, he’s certainly saying the right stuff to inspire some hope for a return to the standard in South Florida.