2017 Dolphins: On the Right Track
- Thread starter sodenj5
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Focusing on what's happening on the field, Miami's defense looks, dare I say, dominant. Their run defense is a complete 180 from last season. Kiko looks far better at WLB this season than he did at MLB. I think Timmons looks really good as well. He's covering backs out of the backfield and laying big hits in the running game. Maualuga played and didn't look bad either.
Up front, Wake continues to defy time and is on the TB12 regimen. Charles Harris is slowly getting better every game he's out there. He's making his presence felt and came up with a huge sack on third down to essentially seal the W.
There are still coverage concerns in the secondary, but Reshad Jones looks like he's back to 100% after a shaky start to the season. Great heads up play by him to scoop that fumble and take it to the end zone amid the confusion on the field.
The offense is still a complete train wreck. Ajayi is getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on nearly every rush. Miami STILL cannot line up and snap the ball without the play clock being at 3 or under. I don't know if that's on players not knowing assignments, or Cutler not communicating effectively, but the majority of these players are in year 2 under Gase. There's no excuse for not knowing where you need to be on the field and getting there quickly.
Gase's playcalling continues to look suspect as hell. Stop with the screens. Stop wasting downs trying to run wildcat plays. I know he's trying to spark the offense, but it's killing drives and I can't remember once in the last two years where they've dialed up a screen and it's made an impact. Just stop.
Finally, Jarvis Landry looks like he does not give a shit out there on the field. For a player that typically plays with so much emotion on the field, he literally looks like he's going through the motions out there. I don't know if he and Cutler just aren't on the same page, or if his contract status is effecting him mentally, but he doesn't look like the guy we've seen for the last three years.
Up front, Wake continues to defy time and is on the TB12 regimen. Charles Harris is slowly getting better every game he's out there. He's making his presence felt and came up with a huge sack on third down to essentially seal the W.
There are still coverage concerns in the secondary, but Reshad Jones looks like he's back to 100% after a shaky start to the season. Great heads up play by him to scoop that fumble and take it to the end zone amid the confusion on the field.
The offense is still a complete train wreck. Ajayi is getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on nearly every rush. Miami STILL cannot line up and snap the ball without the play clock being at 3 or under. I don't know if that's on players not knowing assignments, or Cutler not communicating effectively, but the majority of these players are in year 2 under Gase. There's no excuse for not knowing where you need to be on the field and getting there quickly.
Gase's playcalling continues to look suspect as hell. Stop with the screens. Stop wasting downs trying to run wildcat plays. I know he's trying to spark the offense, but it's killing drives and I can't remember once in the last two years where they've dialed up a screen and it's made an impact. Just stop.
Finally, Jarvis Landry looks like he does not give a shit out there on the field. For a player that typically plays with so much emotion on the field, he literally looks like he's going through the motions out there. I don't know if he and Cutler just aren't on the same page, or if his contract status is effecting him mentally, but he doesn't look like the guy we've seen for the last three years.
Should be a no-brainer hire for Jim Irsay.
Edit: This probably warrants a thread title change.
2017 Dolphins: Whose Line Is It Anyway?
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With yesterday, and now seeing this story, I’m realizing that I’ve reached the stage of complete apathy for this team.
I'm not really a Dolphin fan but I have Ajayi on multiple fantasy teams so I've been stuck watching them a few times this year. I watched the game yesterday and I completely agree on the last paragraph.
There was a 3rd down play where Landy ran an out at the sticks and Cutler was a little late hitting him and the defender broke in front of Landry and broke up the pass. Landry's reaction was like he didn't give a fuck at all. Was kind of jarring to see honestly. My immediate reaction was "Holy Shit, he hates Cutler"
In Week 1 Cutler missed Landry for a wide open TD. Overthrew him on a maybe ten yard route. Cutler immediately took the blame on the field and looked mad he missed the throw. In Week 2, Landry was once again wide open when he ran a post route into the end zone. Cutler seemed like he was anticipating a corner route and threw it to Landry’s right after Landry cut left to the post and was wide open. After that throw, Landry seems to be heated, demonstratively pointing as they were walking off the field. I think Landry has zero confidence in Cutler. I think Landry is partly upset that Cutler’s poor play is effecting Landry and his future contract negatively.
It’s 100% clear he isn’t playing with his trademark intensity and passion.
Seriously though, you can't blame the poor bastard - that was the only good line he's seen all year.
The model who released the tape said she did so in response to the Dolphins' anthem policy:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/even-snorting-dolphins-coach-scandal-stuck-anthem-protest-debate-222118261.html
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/even-snorting-dolphins-coach-scandal-stuck-anthem-protest-debate-222118261.html
Wow, there sure are a lot of models in Vegas. I had no idea there was so much work there!
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Former coach is married; his wife is a nurse who is involved with addiction issues.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article177849991.html
I hope the "model" is enjoying her 15 minutes. She is out of the married clientele business.
Safe side pieces do not exist. Period. It does not matter whether they are single, married, or pros. There is no such thing.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.miamiherald.com/entertainment/article177849991.html
I hope the "model" is enjoying her 15 minutes. She is out of the married clientele business.
Safe side pieces do not exist. Period. It does not matter whether they are single, married, or pros. There is no such thing.
Am I misreading the tone of this post? Yeah, it's probably me.
FWIW, Greg Bedard on F&M yesterday said "based on some stuff I cannot possibly say on the radio, I remain shocked Foerster was employed by anyone. His issues are well known around the league."
Another dynamite job by the Dolphins HR department.
No need to be a scold. According to Sports Illustrated, Foerster and his wife have been separated since 2004. And not sure why the Miami Herald decided to send people to his wife's LinkedIn post, except as clickbait.
I am not a marriage counselor, but when asked my advice generally is to try one's best to make things work and avoid if at all possible walkin' on the cheatin' side of town.
Now it turns out he was married only legally. The "model" nevertheless underscores the dangers.
Meh. I'm sure her career wI'll be fine. I don't think there's that stringent of a vetting process in this line of work.
You say that as if the community at The Erotic Review isn't more judgmental than the patrons of a gay gym.
This offense is embarrassing.
Can I go back to my initial Cutler take? Because i don’t know why I softened and developed some hope leading into Week 1.
I don’t know how you keep running him out there.
Edit* anow they’re doing their best to make me look wrong...Apparently I should have bitched about Cutler and the Offense earlier.
Can I go back to my initial Cutler take? Because i don’t know why I softened and developed some hope leading into Week 1.
I don’t know how you keep running him out there.
Edit* anow they’re doing their best to make me look wrong...Apparently I should have bitched about Cutler and the Offense earlier.
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Simply a gigantic win; one, in which, is hopefully a catalyst going forward. Cutler still doesn't look 100% comfortable, evidenced by his in consistent mechanics, but the 2nd half of this one was a huge step in the right direction.
This defense is legit. Cordrea Tankersley might already be the best corner on the team. The run defense continues to shine. One busted play resulting in a long TD was pretty much the lone black eye for the defense.
The offense showed a pulse! Ajayi got going. Landry looked fired up. Stills caught a few balls including a TD. Cutler missed a few balls on poor mechanics fading away on his throws or throwing off his back foot. One thing Tannehill always did was step into his throws and take a beating.
This was a game they should have lost. They finally looked like the team we saw at the end of 2016. Huge, huge win.
The offense showed a pulse! Ajayi got going. Landry looked fired up. Stills caught a few balls including a TD. Cutler missed a few balls on poor mechanics fading away on his throws or throwing off his back foot. One thing Tannehill always did was step into his throws and take a beating.
This was a game they should have lost. They finally looked like the team we saw at the end of 2016. Huge, huge win.
This was a terrific win for the Phins. After the Foerster fiasco, it seemed impossible to come back from a 17-0 deficit playing at Atlanta.
Who’d have thunk that the OLine coach blowing lines before meetings would have a negative impact on the team? First time all season Ajayi wasn’t getting pummeled behind the LOS.
Miami with a big game next week against the Jets.
As maddening and baffling as this team has been all year, a 3 - 2 record compared to last year's 1 - 4 at this point is a welcome sight. That said, they're putting the lie to "it's the journey that matters, not the destination." This journey has been torturous.
One issue that still nags for me above several is Cutler's mechanics. Despite his solid 2nd half, he still seems out of whack. Hopefully a revived o-line will allow him to settle down moving forward, but man is he all over the place.
One issue that still nags for me above several is Cutler's mechanics. Despite his solid 2nd half, he still seems out of whack. Hopefully a revived o-line will allow him to settle down moving forward, but man is he all over the place.
With Cutler, it’s a combination of always having poor mechanics but a huge arm and not trusting the O-Line. He’s never been a passing savant but he’s always had enough arm to throw any pass whenever needed. He no longer has the arm to throw a 10 yard wheel route to Ajayi off his back foot, but when he actually sets his feet and fires, he 100% still has an upper tier NFL arm.
I can’t remember the exact play, I want to say a slant to Landry where Cutler had an actual decent pocket, still back peddled, and threw the ball low to Landry. If he plants and throws, that’s an easy completion. The line needs to give him a cleaner pocket for him to work with and he needs to not bail every time someone comes near him.
Also just for perspective, Miami was a 12.5 point underdog going into this game. Going on the road, facing a team coming off a bye, after the week they had, and to comeback from a 17 point deficit at the half is monumental. Hopefully this gets the offense jump started and the defense keeps rolling.
For some historical context, this is only the second time in the NFL since 1940 this has happened, with this spread (or larger) and halftime deficit (or larger). The other time was 10/18/87. It was also -17 at the half, also involved the team up 17 with a -12.5 spread, and involved Atlanta. However, the shoe was on the other foot as the Falcons came back to beat the Rams, 24-20.
That’s a really cool stat; thanks for sharing it.
I was surprised to learn that every team the Jets have faced thus far this season, apart from the Dolphins, have managed to run the ball down their throats. I’m looking forward to how Miami resolves this issue on Sunday. If NY continues to load the box and/or send CB pressure, Culter needs to make them pay.
It goes without saying, but I hope Parker is able to suit up.
Fun little hidden stat at the bottom of Mando's latest blog:
Then again it also conjures up a bit of an "if a tree falls in the forest..." analogy with regard to our own Jay Cutler: if an NFL offensive line provides reasonable protection for its QB, but its QB is unable to capitalize on it....
With the swirl of adversity surrounding the O-line since ....forever, this was a surprise. Doesn't fully capture its overall performance during that time, I realize, but it does induce a fresh perspective and a degree of optimism.
Then again it also conjures up a bit of an "if a tree falls in the forest..." analogy with regard to our own Jay Cutler: if an NFL offensive line provides reasonable protection for its QB, but its QB is unable to capitalize on it....
Matt. Fucking. Moore.
The offense comes alive for Moore. He looks 1000% more comfortable running the offense than Cutler ever did.
On the Kenny Stills long TD, Moore did exactly what Cutler has not done a single time. He correctly identified the coverage, knew he was going to have man coverage with no safety help, set his feet, threw Kenny Stills open, and took a hit in the process. He didn’t bail. He didn’t back pedal. He didn’t hold the ball forever. Caught the snap, set his feet, threw to Stills before he was out of his break and open. Perfect execution.
After the defense got scorched the first two drives, Burke seemed to make the correct adjustments at half time and they were able to clamp down on McCown.
Also, thank you Josh McCown for turning back into a pumpkin and making an inexcusable mistake throwing that INT.
The offense comes alive for Moore. He looks 1000% more comfortable running the offense than Cutler ever did.
On the Kenny Stills long TD, Moore did exactly what Cutler has not done a single time. He correctly identified the coverage, knew he was going to have man coverage with no safety help, set his feet, threw Kenny Stills open, and took a hit in the process. He didn’t bail. He didn’t back pedal. He didn’t hold the ball forever. Caught the snap, set his feet, threw to Stills before he was out of his break and open. Perfect execution.
After the defense got scorched the first two drives, Burke seemed to make the correct adjustments at half time and they were able to clamp down on McCown.
Also, thank you Josh McCown for turning back into a pumpkin and making an inexcusable mistake throwing that INT.
Nice that they’ve turned things around and managed to give some hope with two straight National TV games coming up.
Now I can actually look forward to those...just hopefully I don’t have to see Cutler under center.
Now I can actually look forward to those...just hopefully I don’t have to see Cutler under center.
isn't this the difference between the guy plays in practice versus a game? Cutler: great in pracrtice, cannon arm, makes all the throws, knows the offense. But is terrified of taking a hit and falls apart in games under pressure. Moore: all over the place in practice, gunslinger, throws down the field when he should check down. Moore steps up in games, not afraid to make plays or take hits but will often make a bad mistake trying to be too aggressive.
sounds like Cutler couldn't lift his arm after the game and Moore still be starting thursday
sounds like Cutler couldn't lift his arm after the game and Moore still be starting thursday
In a way, I’m relieved that Cutler is injured. It relieves Gase of the responsibility of having to make a decision on who the QB is. Because I don’t have a lot of faith in him being able to pull the plug on Cutler. It looks bad for Gase, hand picking Cutler to come in and play above Moore, and stubbornly sticking with Cutler when it seemed obvious to everyone that he wasn’t the answer.
It seems pretty obvious that Moore will start Thursday on the short week with Cutler hurt. If Miami plays well, Gase can either ride the injury card or just say that he’s going to play the hot hand and they can write off Cutler as a 10 million dollar mistake.
No question, the passing game came alive with Moore pulling the trigger. They may get Parker back, which can only help on a short week.
It seems pretty obvious that Moore will start Thursday on the short week with Cutler hurt. If Miami plays well, Gase can either ride the injury card or just say that he’s going to play the hot hand and they can write off Cutler as a 10 million dollar mistake.
No question, the passing game came alive with Moore pulling the trigger. They may get Parker back, which can only help on a short week.
I know the Ravens are not the same team as in the past, but that team owns Miami. Hopefully Tunsil is not hurt too bad and can play.
the schedule is still brutal, but games against Denver and Oakland don't look impossible anymore. Playing NE and Buffalo four of the last six will not be fun, especially when KC is one of the other two games. Basically they have to beat Ravens, Carolina and Tampa to have a shot at the playoffs.
the schedule is still brutal, but games against Denver and Oakland don't look impossible anymore. Playing NE and Buffalo four of the last six will not be fun, especially when KC is one of the other two games. Basically they have to beat Ravens, Carolina and Tampa to have a shot at the playoffs.
Ravens game should be a winnable game. I’m expecting a slogfest where 15 points could win it. Luckily Miami wins those types of games. Baltimore’s offense might be as bad or worse than Miami’s and their D isn’t playing lights out.
Moore also said he gets zero first team snaps, so if that’s what Miami’s offense can do with zero prep or game plan with Moore, they should be in decent shape, even on a short week on the road.
If Miami can beat Baltimore, they would be 5-2 and heading into the closest thing they’re going to have to a bye this year.
Moore also said he gets zero first team snaps, so if that’s what Miami’s offense can do with zero prep or game plan with Moore, they should be in decent shape, even on a short week on the road.
If Miami can beat Baltimore, they would be 5-2 and heading into the closest thing they’re going to have to a bye this year.
I don't think Moore can be ignored any longer. Yesterday's performance aside, this is a guy who has continually stepped in and produced when called upon, in circumstances that were less than ideal. His success has occurred within 3 coaching regimes; and in all of these instances, he's at one point or another out-produced the starter. How good is Moore? I don't know. But I'm at least comfortable enough to call him a solid QB who is capable of making big plays, especially when surrounded by a capable supporting cast.
We know he's tough (Pittsburgh), we know he can keep defenses honest (NYJ in '16 and '17), and we know the team responds well to his presence (yesterday). At this point, I think Moore has a legit chance to take the starting role from Cutler, if he continues to play well in the next couple of games. Based upon Cutler's history, I'm not expecting a quick recovery. Moore will have at least 3 games, if not 4, to make his case.
Those games will be @Balt, Oak, @Car, TB. 3-1 or better, and it's a lock; 2-2 with good offensive play, and it's also possible.
I'm really interested to see how the next few games go.
I expect Miami to win Thursday, and that’s usually a dangerous place to be.
That said, I could see them losing and it consists of the following...
1. Moore has more than one turnover.
2. The Secondary has a breakdown and Wallace (or some no name) gets a 30+yd TD
3. Flacco dumps it off to J.Allen all game and Allen winds up with 8-12 receptions, most extending drives. (Seems Covering backs has been an issue for nearly a decade...last week didn’t ease those concerns)
Avoid those 3 things and I think they’re good.
Hopefully it will actually be fun watching them Thursday. It may be faulty memory, but it does feel like all their recent nationally televised games have been disasters...so I’d like to be able to watch them and feel good for once.
That said, I could see them losing and it consists of the following...
1. Moore has more than one turnover.
2. The Secondary has a breakdown and Wallace (or some no name) gets a 30+yd TD
3. Flacco dumps it off to J.Allen all game and Allen winds up with 8-12 receptions, most extending drives. (Seems Covering backs has been an issue for nearly a decade...last week didn’t ease those concerns)
Avoid those 3 things and I think they’re good.
Hopefully it will actually be fun watching them Thursday. It may be faulty memory, but it does feel like all their recent nationally televised games have been disasters...so I’d like to be able to watch them and feel good for once.
A bit of a surprise but not a complete shock, Miami pulls the plug on Byron Maxwell, cutting him to sign QB David Fales. Schefter thinks there will be a market for him, so hopefully Miami doesn't eat the entirety of his guaranteed money.
The writing was on the wall for Maxwell, and everyone knew he wasn't going to be here next year. Still seems surprising that they would cut bait, even if only for depth purposes. If Howard or Tankersley gets hurt, it's Verner and then who knows, Michael Thomas or Walt Aikens in a pinch, I suppose.
It speaks volumes of how quickly Tankersley has come along. He got picked on twice last week, but he actually had pretty good coverage on the long ball over the top and very, very nearly broke that ball up, and the other seems to be a complete miscommunication between he and Jones. I agree with letting the young guys play and learn on the fly versus starting the veteran that is presently not better than the rookie and will be off the team in 6 months.
The writing was on the wall for Maxwell, and everyone knew he wasn't going to be here next year. Still seems surprising that they would cut bait, even if only for depth purposes. If Howard or Tankersley gets hurt, it's Verner and then who knows, Michael Thomas or Walt Aikens in a pinch, I suppose.
It speaks volumes of how quickly Tankersley has come along. He got picked on twice last week, but he actually had pretty good coverage on the long ball over the top and very, very nearly broke that ball up, and the other seems to be a complete miscommunication between he and Jones. I agree with letting the young guys play and learn on the fly versus starting the veteran that is presently not better than the rookie and will be off the team in 6 months.
If Howard or Tank goes down, I hope McTyer gets a shot. He's a dude that really impressed in the PS, and Miami has clearly made efforts to keep him on the active roster.
Posted in week game thread that over last 17 games, MIA is 13-2 versus NFL other than BAL and 0-2 vs BAL, being outscored 76-6. Can't understand this league.
Adam Gase with a pretty harsh indictment of his offensive players here: "We’re not putting the work in. Guys should take this stuff home and study it. We’ve got to find guys who will actually put forth effort. Really it starts with our best players." He says he's been dealing with this for 2 years and it's not the OL.
Adam Gase with a pretty harsh indictment of his offensive players here: "We’re not putting the work in. Guys should take this stuff home and study it. We’ve got to find guys who will actually put forth effort. Really it starts with our best players." He says he's been dealing with this for 2 years and it's not the OL.
Gase has said a number of times he’s had to water down the offense because the players weren’t capable of executing the plays. We still see it. It takes the team the full play clock to get lined up and in position, and even then, players don’t know their assignments and are freelancing routes and are out of position.
Part of it is on the coaching staff, which Gase acknowledged. They have to be able to teach the offense and the schemes. But players own the responsibility of putting in the work outside of the building, committing the playbook to memory and knowing their responsibilities.
Gase essentially put the entire offense on notice, seemingly throwing Landry, Ajayi, and/or Stills, and Parker under the bus. Gase typically speaks highly of Stills and advocated for his signing in the offseason, so part of me wants to think he’s exempt from Gase’s ire.
I have to say, I know the game was basically over, but when Drake was in the game in the 4th quarter, he was running the ball effectively, taking 4-5 yards at a clip and running hard. Gase specifically seemed to point the finger at Ajayi for trying to take every run to the house instead of taking the consistent gain.
We all clammored for Moore and seemed willing to throw Cutler under the bus, but I think Gase was right. Cutler isn’t the reason they have the worst offense in football. Moore isn’t the reason. It doesn’t matter who is under center when they’re running a watered down college offense because the players have no idea where they’re suppos3d to be on a given play.
I would also venture to say the surprising lack of a Landry extension is directly tied into what Gase was talking about yesterday.
Part of it is on the coaching staff, which Gase acknowledged. They have to be able to teach the offense and the schemes. But players own the responsibility of putting in the work outside of the building, committing the playbook to memory and knowing their responsibilities.
Gase essentially put the entire offense on notice, seemingly throwing Landry, Ajayi, and/or Stills, and Parker under the bus. Gase typically speaks highly of Stills and advocated for his signing in the offseason, so part of me wants to think he’s exempt from Gase’s ire.
I have to say, I know the game was basically over, but when Drake was in the game in the 4th quarter, he was running the ball effectively, taking 4-5 yards at a clip and running hard. Gase specifically seemed to point the finger at Ajayi for trying to take every run to the house instead of taking the consistent gain.
We all clammored for Moore and seemed willing to throw Cutler under the bus, but I think Gase was right. Cutler isn’t the reason they have the worst offense in football. Moore isn’t the reason. It doesn’t matter who is under center when they’re running a watered down college offense because the players have no idea where they’re suppos3d to be on a given play.
I would also venture to say the surprising lack of a Landry extension is directly tied into what Gase was talking about yesterday.
They should probably make a deal for Anquan Boldin. He'd probably pick up the offense in about 10 minutes and the leadership might rub off on the rest.