2016 Miami Dolphins: Amazing Gase
- Thread starter sodenj5
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The talk in the week 15 thread about playoffs or bust in 17...the Dolphins will have $$ under the cap but need a DE, DT, two starting LBs and maybe a safety. On offense they have to get another guard or tackle. And see where pouncey is. And resign Stills.
Urbik was highest rated o lineman by far last night. The rest of the line graded out pedestrian manner.
Urbik was highest rated o lineman by far last night. The rest of the line graded out pedestrian manner.
It is amazing the Phins are going to be in the playoffs. +1 point differential but the schedule over the past 9 weeks was set by a benevolent God who loves Miami, the sun, oranges, Versace, and the Rock.
Kind of feel like losing to Cinncy and Tennessee should have ended the season at 1-4 but then I'm sure the team looked at the coming games and thought, "We might not lose two of these."
Kind of feel like losing to Cinncy and Tennessee should have ended the season at 1-4 but then I'm sure the team looked at the coming games and thought, "We might not lose two of these."
Miami went through the meat grinder the first 4 weeks. They also beat Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and beat SD before Rivers imploded and they were actually playing well.
Obviously they had a soft middle portion, but the Jets and Bills weren't supposed to implode. Pats also feasted on the same schedule, so the whole "Miami has a soft schedule" is pretty moot.
Pats have had an easy schedule, too. But this isn't about the Pats. It's about the Dolphins. I'm not saying the Phins shouldn't be 9-5, I'm just impressed they didn't throw in the towel at 1-4.
edit - although to note, the Pats are +119 in point differential, with untested starting QBs for their first 4 games. So, yes, they've played the same schedule and the Pats have gone through it with much more effectiveness.
Large amount of credit goes to Gase. At 1-4 and a games against Pittsburgh and Buffalo, they could have easily went into the tank and ended up 1-6. Winners of 8 of their last 9 instead.
Again, no one is saying Miami is the Patriots. Or on the same plane as the Patriots. Every fan likes to mention that. No one here has said Miami is as good or better than New England. Not once. Everyone can stop pointing that out. We get it. New England is a better team.
Miami was a six win team last season. They're at least three wins better this year and possibly a playoff team while changing head coaches and missing major contributors which in the past would have derailed a season. For Miami fans, that's a big deal. Obviously for a team with a sustained run of success, simply making the playoffs seems trivial. We get it.
Because everyone wants to dismiss Miami's record as the product of a weak schedule.
It is the product of a weak schedule. The Pats have been helped by this too, but it's really difficult to ignore the point differential.
That Pittsburgh game was really an amazing pivot point for the Dolphins. Going in 1 - 4 against an upper tier team--the only win at that point being in OT v. Cleveland, for cripes sake--with all the baggage that went with it, led to many of us throwing in the towel, if we hadn't already. Instead, they got healthy at the right time, drew up an excellent game plan, executed it well, and dominated.
The streak since then has been anything but pretty. Scratching and clawing against mostly mediocre competition, relying on a few defensive and ST miracles, giving up big leads, etc. But 8 out of 9 is an impressive run by any account, and as several folks have mentioned, this season has been a win for Miami and its fans. This territory has rarely been charted in 15 years, and the future looks fairly bright.
As for NE and its point differential and general superiority across the borrd......duhh? Shit, I'd love to say the Dolphins are knocking on your door, so watch out, but we fans are just happy they're finally on the same block. Meanwhile, we've been so busy watching our guys win ugly and desperately jockey for a "lously" 6 seed, the Patriots have been about as irrelevant to us as the Dolphins are to you.
That is, until today. Go kick some ass, Patriots.
The streak since then has been anything but pretty. Scratching and clawing against mostly mediocre competition, relying on a few defensive and ST miracles, giving up big leads, etc. But 8 out of 9 is an impressive run by any account, and as several folks have mentioned, this season has been a win for Miami and its fans. This territory has rarely been charted in 15 years, and the future looks fairly bright.
As for NE and its point differential and general superiority across the borrd......duhh? Shit, I'd love to say the Dolphins are knocking on your door, so watch out, but we fans are just happy they're finally on the same block. Meanwhile, we've been so busy watching our guys win ugly and desperately jockey for a "lously" 6 seed, the Patriots have been about as irrelevant to us as the Dolphins are to you.
That is, until today. Go kick some ass, Patriots.
Also, aside from NE, and maybe Oakland and KC, how many teams are truly really good that have strong victories against consistently tough competition? There's a shitload of mediocrity in 2016. If being just good enough to rise above most of the other mediocre teams gets Miami in, so be it.
Is this a bad time to bring up the Patriots again? Haha, they did there job in Denver yesterday, making Saturday's contest in Buffalo a gigantic opportunity for Miami. How's everyone feeling about this one?
Miami should be rooting for the Colts and Pat's this week. A raiders loss to Indy and a pats win vs the Jets means then Pats have nothing to play for in week 17. I don't think Bill would mind dropping that game to see Denver miss the playoffs.
I know I mentioned it before, but the job that Lippett and Howard did against the Jets can't be praised enough, particularly Howard coming in after a long layoff due to injury. Brandon Marshall was completely taken out of the game, locked up in man coverage all night. I guess we shouldn't be doing cartwheels that Miami was able to hold off Bryce Petty, but the plays those two made were legitimately good plays in tough coverage, regardless of who is throwing the ball. Great to see and bodes well for the future.
I think Miami can beat the Bills, however McCoy scares me. Miami gave up about 300 yards to Powell. They need their linebackers to play better or McCoy will eat them alive on Saturday.
Make stopping McCoy your #1 and #2 priorities. Control the clock with Ajayi. Moore has shown he's more than capable of hitting the big pass downfield if teams stack 8 or 9 in the box. Don't deviate from the successful formula.
One more thing to add, Matt Moore absolutely torched the Jets vs. the blitz. I think that bodes well for Miami going into Buffalo. You know Rex is coaching to save his ass, and you know what he's going to do. Bring pressure. I think Miami hits a few big plays vs. the blitz.
I think Miami can beat the Bills, however McCoy scares me. Miami gave up about 300 yards to Powell. They need their linebackers to play better or McCoy will eat them alive on Saturday.
Make stopping McCoy your #1 and #2 priorities. Control the clock with Ajayi. Moore has shown he's more than capable of hitting the big pass downfield if teams stack 8 or 9 in the box. Don't deviate from the successful formula.
One more thing to add, Matt Moore absolutely torched the Jets vs. the blitz. I think that bodes well for Miami going into Buffalo. You know Rex is coaching to save his ass, and you know what he's going to do. Bring pressure. I think Miami hits a few big plays vs. the blitz.
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How concerned should we be about how they're running the ball? The Dolphins had a 6th lineman blocking on almost a third of their plays, and ran 2 TE sets on over half. All of that amounted to 67 yds/2.5 per carry, continuing a 4-game trend that started v. SF.
Not very. Obviously the running attack has not been as successful since Pouncey left the lineup. However Ajayi is still running hard and churning out YAC. That's all Miami really needs to be successful.
Would it be nice if he could have 200 yards against the Bills? Absolutely. But if teams want to stack 8 or 9 in the box to stop the run, Miami needs to make them pay with single coverage and play action, which they have. The threat of the run and Ajayi is enough for Miami to be effective on offense. Teams choose to stop Ajayi and force the passing game to win. Miami has been consistently doing it for weeks now. No need to reinvent the wheel now.
Not that any Miami fans should care, but after yesterday's game, and after Miami's solid thumping of the NYJ, I am completely rooting for Miami to get the wildcard over Denver. Between Wolfe, Ward, Talib, and Harris, there's not enough bad things that can happen to those guys.
Please beat Buffalo. There's not enough bad things that can happen to the Ryans either.
Please beat Buffalo. There's not enough bad things that can happen to the Ryans either.
Soden, I'm just as excited over the development of Lippett and immediate success of Howard. Of course, Xavien comes back and Maxwell immediately gets hurt. It's been that kind of year.
Miami's defense has been better at home. Taylor and McCoy will present significant challenges to the defense on the road, but I'm less concerned about Watson -- a player who's crushed the Fins the last couple seasons -- due to the emergence of our two young, big corners.
That said, Buffalo has a ton of options. Clay's been impactful recently, and in addition to Watson and McCoy, Woods, Goodson, and Hunter can make plays.
I think we're in for a tough game.
Tom and Tims', I'm right with you guys. I have no shame. If Week 17's a gimme game, I'll take it.
Miami's defense has been better at home. Taylor and McCoy will present significant challenges to the defense on the road, but I'm less concerned about Watson -- a player who's crushed the Fins the last couple seasons -- due to the emergence of our two young, big corners.
That said, Buffalo has a ton of options. Clay's been impactful recently, and in addition to Watson and McCoy, Woods, Goodson, and Hunter can make plays.
I think we're in for a tough game.
Tom and Tims', I'm right with you guys. I have no shame. If Week 17's a gimme game, I'll take it.
Agreed. Even though it's a longstanding, divisional rivalry, I can't think of any reason to hate the Dolphins. Have they or their fans ever said or done particularly crappy to the Pats? Seems like they're always fairly hard fought but clean games, and besides their undefeated team, there's not much chirping ever. So long as Suh doesn't act up, I'm cool with the baby whales.
They are +35 in the last 9 games, but that includes a 38-6 loss to the Ravens. As someone who is more a baseball fan than football fan, is point differential as a huge a deal in the NFL as MLB? With 16 games a year, one or two bad games can skew things pretty greatly so I'm curious how it holds up. Like TB was outscored by 51 points in their first 4 games but since then are 7-3 and +42. Plus in baseball, run differential usually predicts next season's record better than this season's anyway.
Not so fast. In one of the 1972 games, the Dolphins had a 38-0 lead after 3 quarters and Shula decided two more touchdowns were needed. So, a final of Dolphins 52 Patriots 0. Sure, the memory has faded a lot, lot of great water under the bridge in the last 16 years for the Pats and us fans, but still, that game. It is only a Shula thing though, not the Dolphins.
Marino was Marshall Faulk in his analysis of the Pats during the early run before there was a Marshall Faulk. And they used the wildcat, which just wasn't very nice at all.
I'm enjoying this spontaneous Phins lovefest by those of you Pats fans chiming in here. That is, if declaring you can't find a reason to hate them counts as love. Whatever--it's so very heartwarming.
Which is what makes me so sad to bring up the Richie Incognito Bullygate situation from 3 years ago. Who among us on both sides didn't find that team eminently unlikable? Interestingly, that team still managed a very impressive 4 - 1 stretch during the immediate aftermath of that shitshow, only to gag away the last two games to the Jets and Bills to bring that season to a merciful end.
This year's Dolphins have a bit of 2013 Red Sox feel about them. It's incredibly refreshing.
Which is what makes me so sad to bring up the Richie Incognito Bullygate situation from 3 years ago. Who among us on both sides didn't find that team eminently unlikable? Interestingly, that team still managed a very impressive 4 - 1 stretch during the immediate aftermath of that shitshow, only to gag away the last two games to the Jets and Bills to bring that season to a merciful end.
This year's Dolphins have a bit of 2013 Red Sox feel about them. It's incredibly refreshing.
What is crazy about my feelings for the Dolphins is that they have beaten the Pats way more over the last 15 years than the Bills and Jets. By that measure I should hate them most of all our division opponents. But I hate those teams a lot more. In fairness the Bills hate has a lot to do with Rex. Before Rex they were just sad.
I've actively rooted for Suh to break Brady's legs, but beyond that, none that I know of. Lol. The reality is Miami has been a joke since Marino retired and the fan base hasn't had anything to say in 20 years. But during the Shula era, I'm pretty sure the Pats fans hated Miami more than any other team. It's just not a rivalry anymore so there's not much animosity. Plus, the Jets and Bills have had more reasons to dislike them over the past 10+ years, so the Dolphins seem benign in contrast.
I think it's also important to remember that while Gase might be a QB whisperer, Vance Joseph absolutely is a DB whisperer. He's worked magic with Miami's secondary this year. He's taken Maxwell, Lippett, a rookie coming off two knee surgeries this year, a guy that wasn't even on the team half way through the year in Rambo, and lost his star safety in Reshad Jones, and made them into one of the better secondaries in the league, and the team with the best third-down defense in football.
Howard was Joseph's hand picked DB and it looks like for good reason. He's a great fit in Miami's scheme and he showed why on Saturday.
Pretty nice read on Gase, albeit too many references (one) to Saban for my taste:
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/12/20/nfl-maimi-dolphins-adam-gase
Obviously this would depend on how these last two games unfold, but is Gase a contender for coach of the year? There seems to be a lot of great candidates this year.
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/12/20/nfl-maimi-dolphins-adam-gase
Obviously this would depend on how these last two games unfold, but is Gase a contender for coach of the year? There seems to be a lot of great candidates this year.
Gase is absolutely a candidate, however Garrett in Dallas is the heavy favorite. However it's a great change of pace from having your coach continuously on the hot seat.
So, the Bills are at home. McCoy's healthy. Bennett and Sammy's back. Revenge factor. Playing for Rex.
This one has a Ravens' game type of intensity/physicality feel to it.
Miami's going have to play very well and find a way to win at the end.
Edit: Note of interest: Omar Kelly just tweeted out the following --
Dolphins CB Byron Maxwell and LB Jelani Jenkins are not playing against the Bills. Leonte Carroo isn't active. Reshawn Scott is playing.
Interesting seeing Scott get the nod over Carroo. Leonte saw 9 snaps last week.
This one has a Ravens' game type of intensity/physicality feel to it.
Miami's going have to play very well and find a way to win at the end.
Edit: Note of interest: Omar Kelly just tweeted out the following --
Dolphins CB Byron Maxwell and LB Jelani Jenkins are not playing against the Bills. Leonte Carroo isn't active. Reshawn Scott is playing.
Interesting seeing Scott get the nod over Carroo. Leonte saw 9 snaps last week.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Miami clinches a playoff berth:
1) MIA win + DEN loss or tie
2) MIA tie + BAL loss + DEN loss + HOU loss or tie
3) MIA tie + BAL loss + DEN loss + TEN loss or tie
Miami clinches a playoff berth:
1) MIA win + DEN loss or tie
2) MIA tie + BAL loss + DEN loss + HOU loss or tie
3) MIA tie + BAL loss + DEN loss + TEN loss or tie
Awful decision by Matt Moore, leading to that pick before the half. Take the 3, go into the half up 10, and you get the ball to start the 3rd quarter.
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it was a remarkably bad pass and reminds why Moore is not a starting QB. He's Brett Favre without a good arm...not a good combo generally speaking
I didn't breathe for an hour. Ajayi is a monster. The D stood up when the season was on the line. Go Chiefs and let's ride into the playoffs.
Not going to lie, I had zero confidence in Franks making that kick at the end of regulation. What a roller coaster that game was.
Not going to lie, I had zero confidence in Franks making that kick at the end of regulation. What a roller coaster that game was.
Huge props to Franks, who nailed the 50+ yarder with the game clock ticking down, close to zero. Meanwhile, Carpenter, a pretty solid kicker, ended up missing 2 40-yarders in the same direction Franks missed his attempt. The wind was clearly a factor. So, I probably owe him an apology for this game; but considering Gase's use of Franks this year (Only 5 FG attempts over 39 yards), the coaching staff's confidence in him is clearly lacking.
Aside from a loss, my biggest fear heading into this one was a physically costly win. This figured to be an intense game, and despite Miami's win, a couple of key players left the game. Isa's wearing a sling right now, Phillips left the game with a shoulder injury, and Ajayi appeared to also tweak a shoulder.
I'd love to clinch the playoffs this weekend. Go, KC. Go, Indy.
Aside from a loss, my biggest fear heading into this one was a physically costly win. This figured to be an intense game, and despite Miami's win, a couple of key players left the game. Isa's wearing a sling right now, Phillips left the game with a shoulder injury, and Ajayi appeared to also tweak a shoulder.
I'd love to clinch the playoffs this weekend. Go, KC. Go, Indy.
Y'all can basically thank me for that win. I skipped church to stay home and watch the end of the game while the wife & kids went on without me. Normally, you would think that would incur God's wrath and ensure a Dolphins loss. Except that this year, I've been a very good boy. You are all very welcome.
For real, though: Jiminy Christmas (still trying to stay on God's good side here). I'm with you, pdaj, I was 100% certain Franks would miss that last chip shot. Especially after they called time out. One of these weeks, I may accept the fact that this is a very different year.
So many things to say about that game, good and bad. As always, I'll let the rest of you break down the finer points when you get a chance. For now, though, I'd say the game ball has to go to the O-line as a unit, with honorable mention to Ajayi for imposing his own will.
Mercy.
For real, though: Jiminy Christmas (still trying to stay on God's good side here). I'm with you, pdaj, I was 100% certain Franks would miss that last chip shot. Especially after they called time out. One of these weeks, I may accept the fact that this is a very different year.
So many things to say about that game, good and bad. As always, I'll let the rest of you break down the finer points when you get a chance. For now, though, I'd say the game ball has to go to the O-line as a unit, with honorable mention to Ajayi for imposing his own will.
Mercy.
P.S pdaj, why Indy? Isn't the fall back clincher if Denver wins out, KC getting swept? Unless you're talking about seeding--a place I can't bring myself to go quite yet.
Ajayi ran hard as he had all season. The Bills are awful at tackling and it turned several average plays into huge gains like Drake and Parker breaking tackles for long TDs.
Miami not only has a damn good shot at the playoffs, they have a legit shot at the 5 seed and would face the winner of the AFC South instead of Baltimore or Pittsburgh. I personally hope that they clinch tomorrow and can get a few guys, like Ajayi, Suh, Wake and Albert, some rest after that pounding of a game. If they can grab the 5 seed, amazing, if not, get ready for another war with either Baltimore or Pittsburgh.
Miami not only has a damn good shot at the playoffs, they have a legit shot at the 5 seed and would face the winner of the AFC South instead of Baltimore or Pittsburgh. I personally hope that they clinch tomorrow and can get a few guys, like Ajayi, Suh, Wake and Albert, some rest after that pounding of a game. If they can grab the 5 seed, amazing, if not, get ready for another war with either Baltimore or Pittsburgh.
Indy because if the Raiders lose, NE is the 1 seed and presumably would rest or pull starters against Miami next week.
Correct. I think if Denver loses tomorrow, Miami might do what you wish, Sod', and rest up the gang of beat up troops vs. NE next week. Doesn't look like an Indy win is going to happen. (Side note: Luck's having perhaps his best season statistically, but Indy's loses to Jax and Hou (sweep!), have me itching to scream, "Overrated!")
Miami's coaching staff knows this isn't a SB team, but VJ said this week what I've been saying to my buddies all year long. The playoffs is good for process, i.e. player buy-in. It's much easier to change behavior (and culture) when it leads to success. With a strong FO off-season, the Fins are the clear up and coming team in the division behind the Pats.