Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Flores a smart bet for Coach of the Year?
After leading the Miami Dolphins to a surprising five wins last season and making a big splash in free agency, at least one offshore oddsmaker is expecting big things from coach Brian Flores in 2020.
Online sportsbook SportsBetting.ag has given Flores a favorable outlook in its latest NFL Coach of the Year odds. Flores is in good company to win the award, joining Philadelphia’s Doug Pederson, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and New Orleans’ Sean Peyton at 25-1 odds.
New England’s Bill Belichick and Tampa Bay’s Bruce Arians are co-favorites at 12-1. The Patriots lost six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady to the Bucs in the offseason.
New York Jets coach Adam Gase, Houston’s Bill O’Brien and Jacksonville’s Doug Marrone have the worst odds at 50-1.
Flores’ leadership and consistency helped the Dolphins overachieve in 2019, serving as the primary catalyst for rallying the undermanned Dolphins.
It makes you wonder what Flores, a Belichick protégé, can do with a vastly improved roster?
The Dolphins’ addition of 11 free agents and 11 draft picks may be one of the best offseason overhauls in recent memory, with Flores and general manager Chris Grier assembling a solid nucleus in the second year of the team’s rebuilding effort.
Miami’s roster has been greatly improved with nearly every position being upgraded.
The Dolphins signed several notable free agents, including Dallas Cowboys Pro
Bowl safety Byron Jones, Buffalo Bills pass specialist Shaq Lawson, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, Philadelphia Eagles running back Jordan Howard, Washington Redskins offensive lineman Ereck Flowers and linebacker Kyle Van Noy and center Ted Karras of the Patriots.
The Dolphins also drafted Austin Jackson (first round), Robert Hunt (second round) and Solomon Kindley (third round) to bolster the offensive line, giving them five potential starters.