Miami Dolphins' Chris Grier: We'll be younger, faster, closer. It is enough? | Schad

MIAMI GARDENS — We'll start at the end of Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier's news conference, because that was the most jarring moment.

"I've gotten some colorful emails from a couple people, including hoping my kids die of cancer, which is a fun one," Grier said.

Abhorrent. Disgusting. Inexcusable.

Nobody in their right mind would or should think that's OK, no matter how concerned you are about Grier's draft history or the players in the offensive line and cornerback rooms.

The Dolphins have less talent than they did at this time last year. But Grier and coach Mike McDaniel and owner Stephen Ross are hoping a soft reset makes the sum-of-parts perform better than the team did last year.

Grier was very open in his preseason press conference.

"At some point you say okay, all right enough is enough," Grier said, when discussing a culture that needed to be changed.

Miam shipped away Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland and others and the Dolphins are hoping that they now have more of the "right players."

Odell Beckham was added before last season; but did not last the season.

We'll see how much has changed.

Miami Dolphins GM: Enough was enough with some players

Grier spoke about resetting how Miami spends and how much they spend on outsiders. And how at some point, the team needed to change its composition.

Younger, faster, closer, Grier explained.

The Dolphins believe they have done that.

Asked if the team needed to make the playoffs or win playoff games to have a successful season, Grier did not take the bait. He's not going to set up a scenario where he's basically conceding he should be gone if they don't.

Common sense suggests he would be gone. But we have not heard from owner Ross Boss since he issued a post-season statement.

If the Dolphins don't make the playoffs in 2025, and Vegas odds are stacked pretty heavily against it, Grier has to know change could occur, including vacancy of his current role.

He's banking on young players to flourish quickly. He's banking on what appears to be a more committed locker room to do more of the little things right.

There isn't much that separates 7-10 from 10-7 in the NFL. The right or wrong injury here or there. The wrong missed assignment here or there.

Subdued Dolphins GM Chris Grier makes no bold statements

Grier had no grand proclamations in this news conference. He seemed intentionally subdued. Does he not truly feel great about what's the come?

Or does he quietly think the team is poised to exceed lowered national expectations?

It's hard to say. But Grier knows the Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since the 2000 season.

"We want to win games," Grier said. "We want to win playoff games. We want to win Super Bowls. So none of us are happy that it hasn't happened."

Not long ago, the Dolphins welcomed Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito and star Matthew Tkachuk to Miami Gardens.

The Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups. They spoke about how the "uniqueness and closeness of a locker room is so important," Grier said.

Younger, faster, closer.

Maybe. Will it be good enough?

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Chris Grier: We needed culture change; need to be better