Vance Joseph really is the truth. He and Gase can mask a lot of deficiencies in Miami's personnel.
2016 Miami Dolphins: Amazing Gase
- Thread starter sodenj5
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So many tough aspects to this loss. Stills wide-open TD drop. Franks' missed FG from PAT distance. Tanny, for some reason, not QB-sneaking on the 4th and 2-inches call in the 1st half.(Did he change the call? A simple quick-snap would have given him the first-down easily.) But despite all that, it was the unfortunate circumstances of having to go into that final Seahawks' drive minus Williams (concussion), Wake (hurt?), and Mitchell (hammy), in addition to a clearly less-than-100% Phillips. There WAS no D-line pressure as a result, which happened to be the most effective unit the first 3 quarters of the contest.
You have to put a lot of that on the offense, though. Seattle completely owned the time of possession. Miami's D was out there for a long time. They had them in a few critical third and fourth downs but couldn't hold.
I think you have to take 3 points in the road in that situation as well. I like that Gase is aggressive, but the savvy thing to do is take the points.
having Tony Lippett on the field on a fourth and four did not help either. Baldwin torched him and it was basically over after that
And, they cannot run the ball. PEriod. the o-line has four pass blocking tackles on the starting line and they just don't ever get second level push
good game, good effort. same old Dolphins. They'll lose again next week in the same fashion
edit: I think Gase and Jackson are a clear upgrade over anyone they've had on the sidelines since Jimmy Johnson. Its just the stink of the franchise
And, they cannot run the ball. PEriod. the o-line has four pass blocking tackles on the starting line and they just don't ever get second level push
good game, good effort. same old Dolphins. They'll lose again next week in the same fashion
edit: I think Gase and Jackson are a clear upgrade over anyone they've had on the sidelines since Jimmy Johnson. Its just the stink of the franchise
Baldwin just killed them on that last drive. He was basically uncovered the length of the field.
So now that I've had a few hours to digest the game,
four guys on defense stood out to me:
Isa Abdul-Quddus
He seemed to be flying around the ball all game and had the INT on Wilson's chuck under pressure. He was sort of an unknown coming into this game, but I would say he's a big improvement over Aikens/Thomas from last year. He was really solid and actually earned PFF's highest grade for Miami. Miami doesn't need a superstar opposite Jones, but IAQ looked really solid yesterday. Very encouraging.
Mario Williams
When he was in the game, he was giving Seattle fits. He was in Wilson's face a lot, recording a sack. The line lacked some omph once he left the game in the second half for a concussion. Hopefully he's a go vs. NE, because the Wake/Suh/WIlliams D-Line was looking really good when they were on the field together.
Xavien Howard
Not a bad showing for his first game in a really tough environment. Seattle went his way a bunch. I thought he was solid and showed he's a pretty good tackler as well. Didn't get roasted and held his own. Definitely an encouraging sign of things to come. Should get better with more reps and practices under his belt.
Jordan Phillips
Welcome to the show, young man. He was a physical presence inside, completely blowing up Seattle's interior, forcing Wilson to make an awkward pitch early, blowing up the RB and forcing a fumble. That's the kind of impact Miami envisioned him having when they drafted him in the second round last year. He went down twice in the game. Hopefully he's a go, because he and Suh were really dominating in the middle. Seattle is a monster rushing team, and I think Miami did an excellent job of keeping them bottled up most of the game.
four guys on defense stood out to me:
Isa Abdul-Quddus
He seemed to be flying around the ball all game and had the INT on Wilson's chuck under pressure. He was sort of an unknown coming into this game, but I would say he's a big improvement over Aikens/Thomas from last year. He was really solid and actually earned PFF's highest grade for Miami. Miami doesn't need a superstar opposite Jones, but IAQ looked really solid yesterday. Very encouraging.
Mario Williams
When he was in the game, he was giving Seattle fits. He was in Wilson's face a lot, recording a sack. The line lacked some omph once he left the game in the second half for a concussion. Hopefully he's a go vs. NE, because the Wake/Suh/WIlliams D-Line was looking really good when they were on the field together.
Xavien Howard
Not a bad showing for his first game in a really tough environment. Seattle went his way a bunch. I thought he was solid and showed he's a pretty good tackler as well. Didn't get roasted and held his own. Definitely an encouraging sign of things to come. Should get better with more reps and practices under his belt.
Jordan Phillips
Welcome to the show, young man. He was a physical presence inside, completely blowing up Seattle's interior, forcing Wilson to make an awkward pitch early, blowing up the RB and forcing a fumble. That's the kind of impact Miami envisioned him having when they drafted him in the second round last year. He went down twice in the game. Hopefully he's a go, because he and Suh were really dominating in the middle. Seattle is a monster rushing team, and I think Miami did an excellent job of keeping them bottled up most of the game.
On offense, there was less of an impressive showing, but still some very positive takeaways:
Ryan Tannehill
I think by now, everyone knows not to question his toughness. He was taking some monster shots throughout the game, but kept hanging in there. In an environment where even the best QBs struggle, I think he conducted the offense well. That drive where he punched it in at the goal line is exactly what we've been waiting to see from him for 5 years. Coming off a drive where Franks' FG was blocked, they could have easily been deflated and given up. They came right back and went the length of the field, with Tannehill punching it in himself. He did more than enough to win the game. Was it a Pro Bowl/MVP type performance? No. But running a new offense in that environment and nearly scratching out a win after a lot of things going wrong for them is the type of fight Miami hasn't had in a long time.
Arian Foster
There weren't many running lanes for him, but Foster showed he still has something in the tank, making Earl Thomas whiff several times in the game. Riding him like that all season long probably won't work. Ajayi needs to get his head out of his ass. Foster was a plus from my perspective.
Anthony Steen
Again, making your debut at a position you haven't played much, I think he handled himself very well. No botched snaps, no penalties. He showed well for himself. Definitely a high quality backup should Pouncey miss an extended amount of time.
Ryan Tannehill
I think by now, everyone knows not to question his toughness. He was taking some monster shots throughout the game, but kept hanging in there. In an environment where even the best QBs struggle, I think he conducted the offense well. That drive where he punched it in at the goal line is exactly what we've been waiting to see from him for 5 years. Coming off a drive where Franks' FG was blocked, they could have easily been deflated and given up. They came right back and went the length of the field, with Tannehill punching it in himself. He did more than enough to win the game. Was it a Pro Bowl/MVP type performance? No. But running a new offense in that environment and nearly scratching out a win after a lot of things going wrong for them is the type of fight Miami hasn't had in a long time.
Arian Foster
There weren't many running lanes for him, but Foster showed he still has something in the tank, making Earl Thomas whiff several times in the game. Riding him like that all season long probably won't work. Ajayi needs to get his head out of his ass. Foster was a plus from my perspective.
Anthony Steen
Again, making your debut at a position you haven't played much, I think he handled himself very well. No botched snaps, no penalties. He showed well for himself. Definitely a high quality backup should Pouncey miss an extended amount of time.
From the coaching staff's perspective:
Adam Gase
Certainly a questionable call to go for it on fourth and short instead of taking three on the road. He's a young coach trying to prove something. A new mentality and mindset for this team. There's a difference between being aggressive and being smart though. I think Gase is very smart and he may reconsider that decision in the future. Seemed to find his groove playcalling in the second half. Miami moved the ball pretty effectively the last two drives. Will be interesting to see how his gameplan varies week to week. Definitely encouraged by his first showing.
Vance Joseph
Boy, someone said earlier, Vance Joseph is the truth. Miami's D looked like a completely different unit. The D made big stops when Miami needed them. I think Miami's D was worn down by the end of the game and I have a hard time hanging the loss on them. Definitely a great showing from the D. They played much better than anyone expected.
Adam Gase
Certainly a questionable call to go for it on fourth and short instead of taking three on the road. He's a young coach trying to prove something. A new mentality and mindset for this team. There's a difference between being aggressive and being smart though. I think Gase is very smart and he may reconsider that decision in the future. Seemed to find his groove playcalling in the second half. Miami moved the ball pretty effectively the last two drives. Will be interesting to see how his gameplan varies week to week. Definitely encouraged by his first showing.
Vance Joseph
Boy, someone said earlier, Vance Joseph is the truth. Miami's D looked like a completely different unit. The D made big stops when Miami needed them. I think Miami's D was worn down by the end of the game and I have a hard time hanging the loss on them. Definitely a great showing from the D. They played much better than anyone expected.
Fahey's twitter feed is always a good read. But these bits concerning Tannehill's performance are encouraging:
And to no one's surprise:
https://twitter.com/Cianaf/status/775420103231991809
And to no one's surprise:
https://twitter.com/Cianaf/status/775420103231991809
This article is a bit less glowing in their praise for Tannehill.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/quick-reads/2016/week-1-quick-reads
Sunday's game against Seattle was not a stellar one for the Miami offense. The Dolphins' first ten drives resulted in 46 plays, seven punts, five three-and-outs, six first downs, and only 145 yards of offense. And that total is grossly skewed by one 50-yard reception -- Miami averaged 2.1 yards on their other 45 plays in that stretch. The 11th drive was much better, gaining 86 yards and a touchdown that actually put the Dolphins ahead because Seattle's offense was hardly doing any better.
How bad was it for Miami? Ryan Tannehill had the worst DYAR of any quarterback on Sunday, while Arian Foster had the third-worst DYAR among any running backs.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/quick-reads/2016/week-1-quick-reads
Sunday's game against Seattle was not a stellar one for the Miami offense. The Dolphins' first ten drives resulted in 46 plays, seven punts, five three-and-outs, six first downs, and only 145 yards of offense. And that total is grossly skewed by one 50-yard reception -- Miami averaged 2.1 yards on their other 45 plays in that stretch. The 11th drive was much better, gaining 86 yards and a touchdown that actually put the Dolphins ahead because Seattle's offense was hardly doing any better.
How bad was it for Miami? Ryan Tannehill had the worst DYAR of any quarterback on Sunday, while Arian Foster had the third-worst DYAR among any running backs.
That's an electric take, except:
I'm gonna go with Fahey's thoughts on the proceedings.
That's where I'm at as well. On the surface, the numbers for Miami's offense were underwhelming, but they played on the road in maybe the toughest environment possible against one of the best defenses in the league. The offense played well enough to win, the defense played well above anyone's expectations. Those are two huge steps in the right direction.
What I'll be interested to see is how does this staff change their game plan week to week. How will the offense look against New England instead of Seattle? New England has a very good defense, but they go about it a different way than Seattle does. How does Gase counter? What did he learn about himself and his team after his first game?
How does Joseph plan to attack the Pats? Will he find a way to try and neutralize Gronk?
What I'll be interested to see is how does this staff change their game plan week to week. How will the offense look against New England instead of Seattle? New England has a very good defense, but they go about it a different way than Seattle does. How does Gase counter? What did he learn about himself and his team after his first game?
How does Joseph plan to attack the Pats? Will he find a way to try and neutralize Gronk?
Was looking through some of PFF's grades this morning. Kiko Alonso is graded as their #7 LB, and has the highest grade against the run out of all LBs. Not saying that a one week sample size means a ton, but definitely a big step in the right direction from him, another year removed from injuries. I think having Suh and Phillips up front occupying bodies allows him to run to the ball much easier.
Well apparently Fahey was really impressed with Tannehill:
Full article here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2663202-nfl1000-ranking-the-top-1000-players-from-week-1/page/3Maybe the most surprising performance of Week 1 was that of Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill lost a huge touchdown throw to a Kenny Stills drop early in the game but later ran for a touchdown. His offense didn't score many points. That wasn't Tannehill's fault, though. What made Tannehill's performance so impressive was his consistency throwing with accuracy against impending hits while making good decisions. He felt pressure well, recognizing when the Seahawks blitzed and when they rushed three. Against the toughest defense in the league, Tannehill might have had the best performance of his career.
In the same game, Wilson struggled massively. He was responsible for two turnovers, both awful decisions on his part. The first was a wildly overthrown interception when Mario Williams wouldn't let him escape the pocket, the second a fumble on a running play where he pitched the ball to his running back while being tackled. Wilson got it to his running back, but the RB was expecting the ball to be placed in his chest, so he never grasped it. Those two rash decisions, combined with being limited with an ankle injury, meant Wilson was the biggest faller from our preseason rankings last week.
Mario Williams is back in practice and should be a go for Sunday.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2016/09/mario-williams-expected-to-play-at-new-england.html
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2016/09/mario-williams-expected-to-play-at-new-england.html
Huge news, obviously. Just as important, in my opinion, is the news that Parker's on track to play, also. He's the X-factor for this offense. He makes it a lot harder for teams to key in on Landry, and he's someone you have to account for in the RZ. I expect to see his number dialed up a few times. at least, tomorrow.
Brady out. Gronk out. Hightower out. Rowe out.
Meanwhile for Miami, Mario Williams will be on the field, Parker will suit up, and aside from Pouncey, they're surprisingly healthy.
Sounds like a recipe for a huge near-upset. Look for the potential game-winning touchdown pass to bounce off Kenny Stills' helmet straight up into the air and float gently through a wide-open-in-the-end-zone Jordan Cameron's hands.
Meanwhile for Miami, Mario Williams will be on the field, Parker will suit up, and aside from Pouncey, they're surprisingly healthy.
Sounds like a recipe for a huge near-upset. Look for the potential game-winning touchdown pass to bounce off Kenny Stills' helmet straight up into the air and float gently through a wide-open-in-the-end-zone Jordan Cameron's hands.
Yup. This franchise continues its run as an epic and fraudulent disaster. Last week they seemed to give all they had. That added up to 10 points scored and a bitter loss. And that may prove to be the high point of the season. At least they didn't string us along until the 10th or 11th week, like usual.
Time to go get a look at projected top draft picks.....
Time to go get a look at projected top draft picks.....
In fairness to me, it's not like I predicted a Miami win. That's gotta count for something.
O-line did well today in pass pro. Even down Hightower and half of Collins is think the Pats will have a good pass rush and they protected Tanny second half. Parker looks decent too which does give them an assortment of wideouts.
Defense looks atrocious.
Defense looks atrocious.
Woof. Let's get one thing straight: if Jimmy G doesn't leave the game, that's likely an ugly, ugly loss. I don't know how much positives. You can take away from the game. The Pats clearly had a plan for Miami's D. They neutralized Miami's front 4 by getting the ball out of Jimmy's hand at break neck speed.
Miami had no answer and they were quickly down 21-0. Joseph finally made an adjustment and started bringing pressure, which finally seemed to slow NE down, but you cannot wait until you're down 21 points on the road against a division rival to make an adjustment. Joseph was one step behind McDaniels.
The offense finally seemed to find itself in the second half going up tempo. Again, hard to tell how much was Miami making adjustments and how much was the Pats letting off the gas. The offense looked completely different though. You could see the Pats were on their heels and if Miami had another timeout or another minute, they might pull that out.
Realistically, when you looked at the schedule, you knew there was a good chance Miami was starting the season 0-2. However, you could argue that their toughest two games of the season, at Seattle and at New England, are now behind them. They had a CHANCE to win both games.
I don't want to be overly dramatic, but next week home against Cleveland is as close to a must win in Week 3 as there is. If Miami can win, I think they can hang with Cincy on a short week, and then they have 4 straight at home.
Come out of these first 4 games 2-2, and I think they're in good shape.
Miami had no answer and they were quickly down 21-0. Joseph finally made an adjustment and started bringing pressure, which finally seemed to slow NE down, but you cannot wait until you're down 21 points on the road against a division rival to make an adjustment. Joseph was one step behind McDaniels.
The offense finally seemed to find itself in the second half going up tempo. Again, hard to tell how much was Miami making adjustments and how much was the Pats letting off the gas. The offense looked completely different though. You could see the Pats were on their heels and if Miami had another timeout or another minute, they might pull that out.
Realistically, when you looked at the schedule, you knew there was a good chance Miami was starting the season 0-2. However, you could argue that their toughest two games of the season, at Seattle and at New England, are now behind them. They had a CHANCE to win both games.
I don't want to be overly dramatic, but next week home against Cleveland is as close to a must win in Week 3 as there is. If Miami can win, I think they can hang with Cincy on a short week, and then they have 4 straight at home.
Come out of these first 4 games 2-2, and I think they're in good shape.
That was pathetic. We've been subjected to some awful football the last 10 years but that first half might have been the worst I've seen. Not even competitive.
For me, I don't see how you can take anything positive away from that performance. Parker looked alright, but he also dropped a would be TD at the end of the half that you need to have.
For me, I don't see how you can take anything positive away from that performance. Parker looked alright, but he also dropped a would be TD at the end of the half that you need to have.
This team isn't winning on a short week in Cincinnati and they're not recovering from a 1-3 start. Let's be realistic, their ceiling is a 3rd place finish in the AFC East. And that assumes they find a way to beat a Buffalo team that has owned them recently. Is it too early in Tannenbaum's tenure to consider him the next organizational scapegoat?
I mean they're literally two weeks into a complete offensive and defensive overhaul. I expect them to have highs and lows and growing pains for the first few weeks, but they've played some pretty stiff competition these first two weeks, and I think that has made their lows look very low. They literally just played the two teams that may well end up in the Super Bowl, on the road, in consecutive weeks.
If the team comes out flat and can't put up points for a half against a bad Cleveland team in the home opener, I'll be a bit concerned.
Also, Cody Kessler will be getting the start.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17588241/josh-mccown-cleveland-browns-miami-dolphins
If this isn't a win, I'll be seriously questioning a lot of things.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17588241/josh-mccown-cleveland-browns-miami-dolphins
If this isn't a win, I'll be seriously questioning a lot of things.
My earlier rant and limited credibility aside, and with all due respect, you may need to have your rose-tinted glasses checked. They lost game 1 to a team that just scored 3 points in their second game (to add to the whopping 12 they scored v. us). In game 2 they played their worst half of football in recent memory (and that's saying something) and lost to a team forced to use their #'s 2 and 3 QBs, and which was missing its best offensive weapon. I'm not giving up on the season yet--because football--but I'm not buying the "they've looked worse because of the stiff competition" argument either.
It's funny, too, because Tanny is showing some flashes of improvement, as is the O-line. Funny in a sad, pathetic, here-we-go-again sort of way.
Eh, I think you have to give them time to get their feet under them. Seattle's defense is still elite and it's still and extremely hostile environment to try and run an offense in.
NE still has BB and McDaniels and you know that they are absolute masters at taking away your biggest strength and exploiting your weaknesses. Miami didn't counter fast enough and was down 21-0 before anyone could blink. Obviously a terrible situation, but I do have faith that Gase is taking all of this in and learning and adapting on the fly.
The reality is he's a rookie head coach. I like what I've seen so far, it just has to get better and faster. The adjustments need to come quicker. The gameplan has to be better to start. They can't come out and go three and out their first three series again. They're hanging the defense out to dry. They've played well on both sides of the ball in spurts. They need to put together a complete game now. Start well, play well, finish and close out the game.
Sure, I expect some incremental improvement in execution across the board, both offensively and defensively. But how is this unique to Miami? I would expect that for just about every other team in the league. Even if you're expecting a higher-uptick than the league average (due to the coaching and scheme changes), its fair to question: exactly how high are these highs you're envisioning? I mean they just got absolutely steamrolled by the Patriots JV offense.
They are a bad football team right now. Do they do anything well? They have no semblance of a running game and can't stop their opponents on the ground (outstanding combination), LB play overall is miserable and the most expensive unit on the team (DL) was a zero in their first divisional tilt (surprise!). Through 2 games, the Gase-led offense has opened games as lethargic as they did under Philbin.
At the end of the year, they might be better than one of the NY teams. But certainly not both.
My expectations for the 2016 Dolphins is growth.
What does Tannehill look like after 16 weeks in Gase's system? Does he look like the same guy that trended upwards for three years before falling backwards last year? He's learning his third offense in five years, I think it's ok to give him more than two weeks before declaring the season a failure. Does he take a step up from being an average QB to being an above average QB? Does his consistency improve? I can already tell you that he made throws in that game yesterday that he would not have made in years 1-4, the Cameron TD immediately comes to mind.
How do Gase and Joseph handle their first seasons? Gase looked shitty his first go around vs New England but how does he look in Week 17 when they face off again? What does he do differently? What is the team's identity then?
The harsh reality is this team was 6-10 last year. They went 6-10 and hired a rookie head coach. I'm not sure what everyone was expecting, but I would personally consider 8-8 a success if it means they've made strides in areas I mentioned above. I think a 2 win improvement with a rookie head coach is a large step in the right direction. Will it feel like "here we go again, we're 8-8 again" to some? Sure. I expect them to be competitive and not get blown out like they nearly did in NE. I also expect them to at least be in the hunt for a wild card spot this year. I don't expect them to be terrible this year like some are already proclaiming.
We're two weeks in. Give it some time.
What does Tannehill look like after 16 weeks in Gase's system? Does he look like the same guy that trended upwards for three years before falling backwards last year? He's learning his third offense in five years, I think it's ok to give him more than two weeks before declaring the season a failure. Does he take a step up from being an average QB to being an above average QB? Does his consistency improve? I can already tell you that he made throws in that game yesterday that he would not have made in years 1-4, the Cameron TD immediately comes to mind.
How do Gase and Joseph handle their first seasons? Gase looked shitty his first go around vs New England but how does he look in Week 17 when they face off again? What does he do differently? What is the team's identity then?
The harsh reality is this team was 6-10 last year. They went 6-10 and hired a rookie head coach. I'm not sure what everyone was expecting, but I would personally consider 8-8 a success if it means they've made strides in areas I mentioned above. I think a 2 win improvement with a rookie head coach is a large step in the right direction. Will it feel like "here we go again, we're 8-8 again" to some? Sure. I expect them to be competitive and not get blown out like they nearly did in NE. I also expect them to at least be in the hunt for a wild card spot this year. I don't expect them to be terrible this year like some are already proclaiming.
We're two weeks in. Give it some time.
1) When Miami's '16 schedule became public, did any sane Miami fan see this team beginning the year anything other than 0-2? There isn't, literally, a more difficult start for a team than beginning the year on the road versus Seattle and New England.
The only reason why we're bitching and moaning is because we were actually in a position to steal both games. In Seattle, it was the Stills' drop and the Franks missed chip-shot. And yesterday, Garappolo gets injured after picking the secondary to pieces; but Ajayi fumbles, facilitating New England's lone TD of the 2nd Half. I seriously believe that if it wasn't for that fumble, Miami comes back and wins that game. They merely ran out of time.
So, yeah, it's frustrating. Miami should at least be 1-1 right now.
2) This isn't Gase and VJ's team yet. We're very flawed.
Sure, we have some play-makers -- Suh, Jones, Wake, etc. -- but we're still extremely thin at LB, CB, DT. On offense, Foster's a quality back when healthy (which isn't often), but on what other team is Ajayi and Pead getting carries? Losing CJ to the Broncos has proven to be very painful.
3) If it wasn't for bad luck ...
Mario was knocked out of game 1. DeVante finally saw the field yesterday after a 4-month long hamstring injury. Pouncey's on the shelf. Foster already missed a game. Earl Mitchell's on the DL.
Combined with a new coaching staff and limited depth, this type of shit really makes it difficult for a team to start off fast. I know many of us live in NE and are used to seeing the well-oiled, "next man up" BB machine, but that of team/culture takes time to build.
As was mentioned already, I want to see growth, week to week.
The only reason why we're bitching and moaning is because we were actually in a position to steal both games. In Seattle, it was the Stills' drop and the Franks missed chip-shot. And yesterday, Garappolo gets injured after picking the secondary to pieces; but Ajayi fumbles, facilitating New England's lone TD of the 2nd Half. I seriously believe that if it wasn't for that fumble, Miami comes back and wins that game. They merely ran out of time.
So, yeah, it's frustrating. Miami should at least be 1-1 right now.
2) This isn't Gase and VJ's team yet. We're very flawed.
Sure, we have some play-makers -- Suh, Jones, Wake, etc. -- but we're still extremely thin at LB, CB, DT. On offense, Foster's a quality back when healthy (which isn't often), but on what other team is Ajayi and Pead getting carries? Losing CJ to the Broncos has proven to be very painful.
3) If it wasn't for bad luck ...
Mario was knocked out of game 1. DeVante finally saw the field yesterday after a 4-month long hamstring injury. Pouncey's on the shelf. Foster already missed a game. Earl Mitchell's on the DL.
Combined with a new coaching staff and limited depth, this type of shit really makes it difficult for a team to start off fast. I know many of us live in NE and are used to seeing the well-oiled, "next man up" BB machine, but that of team/culture takes time to build.
As was mentioned already, I want to see growth, week to week.
With the emotions of yesterday's loss subsiding, I agree with and appreciate the effort your making to provide some perspective. Upon looking at the brutal 1st quarter of the schedule, expecting anything better than 2 - 2 would have been silly, and 1 - 3 was a reasonable prediction. And who could reasonably expect them to go better than 7 - 5 beyond that? If that's how the season ultimately played out (and it still could), you could make a case that progress was made. Obviously, many variables would warrant scrutiny before proclaiming "success," starting with the points above about Gase's growth as head coach, but that's a scenario we could presumably live with.
That said, with regard to the point I highlighted, the means by which this team has induced madness over the past 15+ years is eerily redundant, despite the coaching & QB carousel over that period. Whether it's the team seemingly disappearing for significant stretches (as they did from that last Seattle drive last week through the 2nd half yesterday), or the ridiculous number of "lost opportunities" or "almosts" we've endured, the Dolphins' inevitable failure to close teams out seems to have seeped into their DNA. I guess a loss is a loss and you could identify similar patterns in any given losing franchise, but for the love of sweet humanity.....
I mean, did you really think for a second yesterday, no matter what sort of epic attempt at a comeback they made, they would pull it off in the end? Ran out of time? I don't think so. More time just provides more creative ways for them to fuck up. What makes my blood boil even more is that they were such putty in Belichik's hands prior to that, forcing them into that situation. Gase can be forgiven for being outcoached by the best, but he does have a staff and experienced players around him who you would think could adjust a bit quicker. Anyway, despite this latest new era of Dolphins football, we've already witnessed the entire range of failure that embodies The Dolphin Way just two games into the season. And it's making me tired.
Wake doesn't even play. Hard to say he's a playmaker when he has fewest snaps of the d linemen. Probably will end up being a waste of $$ to resign him.
Tunsil graded out as worst lineman? Is that correct? The inability to run the ball is because four of the linemen are finesse tackles. It's just a bad combination. Next year they'll again need two new guards.
I think maxwell and the rookie have been ok. As have been the safeties. Lb? No idea. I suspect Alonso has been ok.
Tannehill has had one great drive in a meaningful spot so far under Gase. Still too early to tell if there is any hope
Tunsil graded out as worst lineman? Is that correct? The inability to run the ball is because four of the linemen are finesse tackles. It's just a bad combination. Next year they'll again need two new guards.
I think maxwell and the rookie have been ok. As have been the safeties. Lb? No idea. I suspect Alonso has been ok.
Tannehill has had one great drive in a meaningful spot so far under Gase. Still too early to tell if there is any hope
PFF's top 10 rookies so far:
8. Laremy Tunsil, LG, Dolphins
The Miami offensive line has been lightyears better than its 2015 form in pass protection, and Laremy Tunsil is one of the big reasons why. He’s been beaten for three total pressures and no sacks in 87 pass-blocking snaps over two games—quite the upgrade over the lowest-graded pass blocking guards in the league last season.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-top-10-rookies-through-nfl-week-2/
Not bad for a guy playing his first two weeks at a new position. Dude is going to be a stud.
Again, it's been two weeks. Step away from the ledge.
Does anyone else feel better about the Patriots loss after watching the Texans attempt to stop them? I do. They completely neutralized Watt and shutout an offense with Lamar Miller and Deandre Hopkins.
BB is on a different planet in terms of strategizing and game planning week to week.
Just wanted to reemphasize that losing by one possession with a chance to win it at the end is probably a lot closer than a lot of teams that will be going into New England this year.
BB is on a different planet in terms of strategizing and game planning week to week.
Just wanted to reemphasize that losing by one possession with a chance to win it at the end is probably a lot closer than a lot of teams that will be going into New England this year.
Too bad I don't have the photoshop skills to do a banner saying "lost by one possession with a chance to win it at the end."
But seriously, division opponents don't have that same intimidation factor heading to Gillette. Those games always have more potential to go off the rails.
But seriously, division opponents don't have that same intimidation factor heading to Gillette. Those games always have more potential to go off the rails.
I was basically trying to emphasize that winning in Gillette is damn hard and losing by one possession isn't an indicator that your season is over as some thought in this thread. The Texans might be a playoff team and they just had their ass handed to them.
Also, Bill O'B has been out scored 54-6 his last two meetings against the Patriots.
No, I don't feel better about it. It was a 30 minute effort against a divisional opponent. For someone touting 'improvement,' this performance in particular should be grating. Ultimately, it was the same old shit we've seen for the last 15 years.
BOB gets a pass on these forums, don't know if its cause he's a local guy or his Patriots ties. Either way he's a shitty HC.
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To illustrate just how hard a time AFCE teams have had winning in NE, Patriots' record in home division games during Brady era:
'16 1-0
'15 2-1; loss wk 17 to the Bills, JG takes most of the snaps at QB
'14 3-0
'13 3-0
'12 3-0
'11 3-0
'10 3-0
'09 3-0
'08 1-2; losses to MIA and NYJ (in OT), both with Cassel starting at QB
'07 3-0
'06 2-1; 17-14 loss to Jets*
'05 2-1; week 17 loss to MIA with Cassel taking most of the snaps at QB
'04 3-0
'03 3-0
'02 2-1; loss to NYJ
'01 2-1; loss to NYJ, game started by Bledsoe
On the other hand, getting NE at home without Brady is the best time to win:
2-4 record when Brady doesn't take most of the QB snaps.
38-3 record when TB12 takes most of the snaps at QB (and 34-1 during 2003-2016).
* Jets win vacated by NFL commissioner after NYJ were caught videotaping from the sidelines. (IIRC.)
'16 1-0
'15 2-1; loss wk 17 to the Bills, JG takes most of the snaps at QB
'14 3-0
'13 3-0
'12 3-0
'11 3-0
'10 3-0
'09 3-0
'08 1-2; losses to MIA and NYJ (in OT), both with Cassel starting at QB
'07 3-0
'06 2-1; 17-14 loss to Jets*
'05 2-1; week 17 loss to MIA with Cassel taking most of the snaps at QB
'04 3-0
'03 3-0
'02 2-1; loss to NYJ
'01 2-1; loss to NYJ, game started by Bledsoe
On the other hand, getting NE at home without Brady is the best time to win:
2-4 record when Brady doesn't take most of the QB snaps.
38-3 record when TB12 takes most of the snaps at QB (and 34-1 during 2003-2016).
* Jets win vacated by NFL commissioner after NYJ were caught videotaping from the sidelines. (IIRC.)
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This team is an embarrassment. You have to hope they go 2-14 at this point. But I've been saying that for years.
They can't run. At all. Can't stop a big WR. Can't stop the run. And they are healthy. Once they get some injuries the complete lack of depth will show up and it will get worse.
The two Tannes need to go
They can't run. At all. Can't stop a big WR. Can't stop the run. And they are healthy. Once they get some injuries the complete lack of depth will show up and it will get worse.
The two Tannes need to go
Jesus Christ they got taken to OT? Yikes. I took Miami in my survivor pool and thought that was a lead pipe lock.
Cleveland missed a last second Fg to win it in regulation
James was benched on the last drive
Tannehill sucks. There is no hope he will ever be "good".
They should look to trade Wake. And Suh. And Albert. And Tannehill.