Riding the Train: the 2013 Miami Dolphins

[dwainw]

Isn't it also entirely possible that, with Miami's upcoming schedule, and Cleveland clearly being the easiest matchup in their first 5 games, that they saved a few cards up their sleeves for the next 4 games?

Why yes, that does indeed seem entirely possible.

Sarcasm aside, that thought occurred to me when trying to figure out why Wallace wasn't more of a factor in last week's game.  It's helped keep me cautiously optimistic about the future of the offense since it appears there's a lot more room for creativity.

 

[RIrooter09]

One thing, in two years it may be that the Pats have the fourth worst QB in the division.

Miller looked bad but AP would have done nothing on the opportunities Miller had behind that line. McGahee might help, but the line has to play better

 
So the best?

 

[sodenj5]

Why yes, that does indeed seem entirely possible.

Sarcasm aside, that thought occurred to me when trying to figure out why Wallace wasn't more of a factor in last week's game.  It's helped keep me cautiously optimistic about the future of the offense since it appears there's a lot more room for creativity.

I feel like they wanted to leave some room to expand over these next few weeks as they face a brutal opening schedule. I think they knew they could grind out a win against the Browns without having to expose their entire offense. Like a very important pre-season game.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

One thing, in two years it may be that the Pats have the fourth worst QB in the division.

Miller looked bad but AP would have done nothing on the opportunities Miller had behind that line. McGahee might help, but the line has to play better

You think Brady's retiring in two seasons?

 

[rymflaherty]

Naturally any offense (or at least a good offense) will progress and adjust throughout the season.  A quality offense will also use their own tendencies to their advantage and "play off" previous gameplans, but imo the notion that an NFL team would be intentionally holding back in Week 1 of an NFL season is lunacy.
 
Let's not forget Miami was on the road.  They were the Underdogs.  In a game most thought of as a "must win" due to the upcoming schedule...
So yeah. I really don't think Sherman was concerned with giving things away he may want to use weeks from now.  Things may very well look different than, but that will be because it is a process, and he's still learning what this group is capable of when the bullets are actually flying.

 

[dwainw]

Naturally any offense (or at least a good offense) will progress and adjust throughout the season.  A quality offense will also use their own tendencies to their advantage and "play off" previous gameplans, but imo the notion that an NFL team would be intentionally holding back in Week 1 of an NFL season is lunacy.
 
Let's not forget Miami was on the road.  They were the Underdogs.  In a game most thought of as a "must win" due to the upcoming schedule...
So yeah. I really don't think Sherman was concerned with giving things away he may want to use weeks from now.  Things may very well look different than, but that will be because it is a process, and he's still learning what this group is capable of when the bullets are actually flying.

I think the idea is that it's more subtle than that, and of course largely dictated by the flow and character of the game. It sure seemed like the offensive game plan was quite conservative, designed to control the ball and the clock, and one that didn't include the need or desire to stretch the field.  Once the running game proved ineffective, it became a one-dimensional game plan (short to medium range passes to Hartline/Gibson/Clay), and once that started clicking, they were in control of the game and didn't need to deviate.  I think it's reasonable to think they had/have several plays of a more "dynamic" nature that they preferred not to use and deliberately withheld once the game was reasonably well in hand.

 

[sodenj5]

Look who's suddenly in the gameplan. #11.

 

[sodenj5]

Sturgis bangs the 54 harder twice. Good to see Miami finish the half strong and answer Indy's rally. Defense has to step it up against Luck. Clay has been surprisingly huge in the first half.

 

[dwainw]

Sturgis bangs the 54 harder twice. Good to see Miami finish the half strong and answer Indy's rally. Defense has to step it up against Luck. Clay has been surprisingly huge in the first half.

Man, they've got to adjust to these quick passes by Luck.  Way too little pressure on him.  And they continue to have effin' trouble covering TEs.  

Sturgis was dead center on both of those.  Huge stones on that kid.

 

[sodenj5]

Man, they've got to adjust to these quick passes by Luck.  Way too little pressure on him.  And they continue to have effin' trouble covering TEs.  

Sturgis was dead center on both of those.  Huge stones on that kid.

Insane how much cushion they're giving. How is Nolan Carroll giving 10 yards to a 270 lb TE lined up outside?

 

[dwainw]

VERY fortunate to only be down 3 right now. The Dolphins won't win this game without a forced turnover by the D or something big by special teams.

 

[sodenj5]

Great drive there. Miami needs to play aggressive on D.

 

[sodenj5]

HUGE HUGE W against a playoff team last year on the road. Miami's D buckled down and played big in the second half. Tannehill out dueled Luck. Wallace was involved. Running game was existent. Great W on the road for Miami.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

Very nice win for the Phins but I don't think the Colts are very good.

 

[dwainw]

You've got to love that last play on defense.  They pressured Andrew Luck so much better in the second half, only to be reminded he has vaseline oozing from his pores (and some pretty good strength).  To get that sack to end the game was unbelievably sweet.

Give the O-line and running backs some credit for significant improvement, too.  Holy crap, this feels good.

 

[pdaj]

Very nice win for the Phins but I don't think the Colts are very good.

 
Agreed. They're a below average team with a top-notch QB. Luck has to be exceptional for them to be successful. He was only good today. But like you said, any win on the road is a nice win.
 
Aside from the (hopefully) fluky fumbles, Tannehill played a real solid, mistake-free game. I felt there were a few key passes he just missed on (bad location), and this prevented him carrying the Fins to a more comfortable victory. I think we're going to see him get better with each game, though.
 
I thought Miami was a little off-rhythm offensively at times today.  Sherman went away from the run after Miller showed flashes, and the QB sneak on 4th and (a long) 1 was head-scratching. 
 
But, hey, I'll take the win. Love the defensive stand at the end. Nice to be 2-0 as the offense still gels. 
 
Edit: By the way, what a huge pick by Grimes late in the game. Luck makes a few bigger plays compared to Tanny, but often at the expense of turnovers like that.

 

[Red PR]

Huge huge win. If Sturgis does not make that FG (twice) id be a different ball game. Also Grimes came up huge. And Tannehill played solid. This team would be in very good position with schedule 3-2 in first 5 games. 2-0 is a great start

 

[Clears Cleaver]

You think Brady's retiring in two seasons?


Nope, but he will be 38 and the other three will be in their prime. It's quite possible. But by then the NFL won't allow any QB to be touched so perhaps he can play effectively until he's forty

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Very satisfying win. Lots of guys made winning plays.

But please fix the third and fourth and 1 problem. Almost cost them the game. I bet they wish they signed vonta leach

 

[sodenj5]

Another encouraging note: Miami played without Patterson, Davis, or Taylor in the secondary this week. Their pass D should improve when those guys return healthy. I would expect to see Davis and Patterson back next week, and Taylor around the bye week.

 

[CouchsideSteve]

Been following this thread with great interest as a lifelong Dolphins fan living in the northeast.
 
Echoing the sentiments above: a really satisfying win today. The offense came through with some really big plays.  I was lukewarm on Tannehill when they drafted him, but he is far ahead of where I anticipated he would be on the development curve.  Wallace and Hartline are nice inside-outside compliments and I'm optimistic that the running game will pick up.
 
This is the most invested I've been in the team since the days of Jay Fiedler – they're building on a legitimately talented, dynamic core.

 

[dwainw]

Just to throw another little love nugget into this love fest, how about this:  NO PENALTIES.   When's the last time you saw that?  Arguably the "play" of the game.

 

[sodenj5]

Just to throw another little love nugget into this love fest, how about this:  NO PENALTIES.   When's the last time you saw that?  Arguably the "play" of the game.

Really outstanding. Especially on the road in a dome. Easy to have a false start. Seems like the players are really buying into Philbin's principles.

A few observations after watching the whole game:

Miami brought in the new linebackers to blitz and be more aggressive. Wheeler made the game closer blowing by Brown for the sack.

After the second half, Miami made some great adjustments at half and really clamped down on D. What a breath of fresh air after watching so many years of watching them get beat repeatedly by the same thing over and over.

Dion Jordan pressured Luck twice, and really should have had another sack. He had a free shot on Luck up the middle, give him a good push, and Luck bounced off him and scrambled for a first down. Not sure if he didn't want to hit him too hard and draw a flag, or if he thought he got rid of the ball, but hopefully he learned that in the NFL, you need to wrap that sack up and take him to the ground.

Tannehill looks great in these first two weeks. Hopefully he continues to play well, and make smart decisions with the ball. That long pass to Clay was absolutely threaded between two defenders.

 

[pdaj]

FYI -- the Ravens running game didn't look very stout against the Browns yesterday. That run d' is legit.

 

[dwainw]

Dion Jordan pressured Luck twice, and really should have had another sack. He had a free shot on Luck up the middle, give him a good push, and Luck bounced off him and scrambled for a first down. Not sure if he didn't want to hit him too hard and draw a flag, or if he thought he got rid of the ball, but hopefully he learned that in the NFL, you need to wrap that sack up and take him to the ground.

That play was almost comical, although it sure didn't seem that way at the time.  Watching it in real time I got all excited thinking "oh man, hopefully he can knock the ball loose before he takes him down," then all of a sudden he bounces back upright, almost stunned.  By the time he realized the play was still going, Luck was gone.  I'd love to know the reaction of the players & coaches to that play when they reviewed the film.

 

[Red PR]

That play was almost comical, although it sure didn't seem that way at the time.  Watching it in real time I got all excited thinking "oh man, hopefully he can knock the ball loose before he takes him down," then all of a sudden he bounces back upright, almost stunned.  By the time he realized the play was still going, Luck was gone.  I'd love to know the reaction of the players & coaches to that play when they reviewed the film.

 
"Sometimes guys get a little nervous hitting the quarterback because if you do power drive him you're getting a flag," DC Coyle on Jordan.
 
Kevin Coyle said Andrew Luck pumped the ball, which is why Dion Jordan thought he couldn't hit him. Lesson, "finish the play."
 
All tweets courtesy of Omar Kelly from Sun Sentinel

 

[tims4wins]

Was looking at the schedule last night, and while the next 6 weeks are pretty tough, the Phins really do have a pretty easy 2nd half of the year.
 
Next 6:
vs. Atlanta
@ New Orleans
vs. Baltimore
vs. Buffalo
@ New England
vs. Cincinnati
 
Even if they only go 2-4 in that stretch to finish the first half at 4-4, their second half looks like this:
@ Tampa
vs. San Diego
vs. Carolina
@ Jets
@ Steelers
vs. Pats
@ Buffalo
vs. Jets
 
That is pretty favorable - could see them winning 5 or so of those games. If they manage to go 3-3 over their next 6, they could make a real run at 10 wins, which is kind of where I expect the Pats to end up right now. Division would then come down to tiebreakers, etc. Should be interesting to watch.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Was looking at the schedule last night, and while the next 6 weeks are pretty tough, the Phins really do have a pretty easy 2nd half of the year.
 
Next 6:
vs. Atlanta
@ New Orleans
vs. Baltimore
vs. Buffalo
@ New England
vs. Cincinnati
 
Even if they only go 2-4 in that stretch to finish the first half at 4-4, their second half looks like this:
@ Tampa
vs. San Diego
vs. Carolina
@ Jets
@ Steelers
vs. Pats
@ Buffalo
vs. Jets
 
That is pretty favorable - could see them winning 5 or so of those games. If they manage to go 3-3 over their next 6, they could make a real run at 10 wins, which is kind of where I expect the Pats to end up right now. Division would then come down to tiebreakers, etc. Should be interesting to watch.

 
I think 2-4 is the best outcome for them over the next 6 games. Anything better would be impressive. 1-5 is a real possibility, and 0-6 isn't out of the realm of possibility either.
 
As for their last 8 games...I just can't tell. San Diego has been putting up points, Carolina is supposed to be decent, and asking them to win 3 of 4 of their last 4 divisional games is a large task.
 
I think a lot has to break right for them to get to 10 wins. I think this team ends up closer to 7-9 than 10-6. They really do have a brutal schedule.

 

[Red PR]

 
I think 2-4 is the best outcome for them over the next 6 games. Anything better would be impressive. 1-5 is a real possibility, and 0-6 isn't out of the realm of possibility either.
 
As for their last 8 games...I just can't tell. San Diego has been putting up points, Carolina is supposed to be decent, and asking them to win 3 of 4 of their last 4 divisional games is a large task.
 
I think a lot has to break right for them to get to 10 wins. I think this team ends up closer to 7-9 than 10-6. They really do have a brutal schedule.

 
Atlanta will be limping towards this game, their Home opener. I see them winning this tough game. NO very tough. Vs Baltimore and Buffalo at Miami? 2 very winnable games. NE away is a toss up. and Cinci at home tough game but Miami plays very well vs Bengals. next 6? 3-3 at least. and in last 8 games. 5-3 at very plausible. 6-2 more likely. I see this team lots  closer to 9-11 wins.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

Dolphins are -2 vs Atlanta. Grimes and clabo playing old team. How healthy are jones and white? And SJax?

4:00pm game. Colts v Niners is national game but this might be best game.

 

[Stitch01]

 
I think 2-4 is the best outcome for them over the next 6 games. Anything better would be impressive. 1-5 is a real possibility, and 0-6 isn't out of the realm of possibility either.
 
As for their last 8 games...I just can't tell. San Diego has been putting up points, Carolina is supposed to be decent, and asking them to win 3 of 4 of their last 4 divisional games is a large task.
 
I think a lot has to break right for them to get to 10 wins. I think this team ends up closer to 7-9 than 10-6. They really do have a brutal schedule.

 
Theyre probably not going to win @ NO and @ NE is going to be very problematic if the injury situation in NE improves at all.
 
All 4 home games are winnable.  They'll be favored over Atlanta, Buffalo, and probably the Ravens.  Possibly the Bengals.
 
2-4 is possible, but far from the best outcome.  They could go 4-2 and it wouldnt be a surprise.
 
I have them 9-7 or 10-6 looking at that schedule somewhat favorably, and that's with a Pats sweep.  

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Wow. I couldn't disagree with you all more. I know they've looked decent so far this year, but I'm not willing to throw away the last 7 years of history so quickly (excluding their "wildcat" run in 2008). I know the team is different every year, but I think people are weighing early season results a little too heavily. Here's how I predict their schedule.



vs. Atlanta - LOSS
@ New Orleans -LOSS
vs. Baltimore -LOSS
vs. Buffalo -WIN
@ New England -LOSS
vs. Cincinnati -LOSS
@ Tampa -WIN
vs. San Diego -LOSS
vs. Carolina -LOSS
@ Jets -WIN
@ Steelers -WIN
vs. Pats -WIN
@ Buffalo -LOSS
vs. Jets -WIN

 
That puts them at 8-8. I think they beat an overrated Colts team and a bottom 5 offense in Cleveland. I don't think they can hang with borderline top 5 offenses like Atlanta/New Orleans. I think Baltimore is seriously underrated after only 2 weeks of play.
 
I put the Dolphins at 4-2 in the division, which may be better than how they perform. The Bucs/Chargers/Panthers/Steelers are all coin flip games, so I put them at 2-2 in that stretch. The Bucs and Panthers have very good defenses, and the Chargers hung with a good Houston team and just beat a high flying Eagles team.
 
I'm not generally one to post season long predictions because I think its a bit of a fools errand. I could also be absolutely wrong, since apparently all 3 of you feel that I'm way off base. Only time will tell where they end up, but I'm certainly more comfortable putting them at 7-8/8-8 than 10-6.

 

[mcaqua]

I'm not generally one to post season long predictions because I think its a bit of a fools errand. I could also be absolutely wrong, since apparently all 3 of you feel that I'm way off base. Only time will tell where they end up, but I'm certainly more comfortable putting them at 7-8/8-8 than 10-6.

 
No question, but it is an entertaining exercise.
 
In terms of the next six, I'm very, very confident that they will not win at the Superdome on MNF.  I also think the demise of the Patriots has been greatly exaggerated and don't particularly like Miami's chances at Gillette in late October.  However, outside of those road games, I think the Dolphins will very much be in every football game through the Thursday night game with the Bengals in Miami (love being the home team on a short-week).  Sure, 1-5 is a possibility but I don't think its particularly likely.  If I had to guess, I'm thinking 2-4 is absolute worst-case scenario.
 
I also think the 2nd half of the schedule will be a lot tougher in reality than it appears to be on paper, particularly those last three road games (especially Buffalo - the Ralph has been a house of horrors for the Dolphins). 

 

[Stitch01]

Wow. I couldn't disagree with you all more. I know they've looked decent so far this year, but I'm not willing to throw away the last 7 years of history so quickly (excluding their "wildcat" run in 2008). I know the team is different every year, but I think people are weighing early season results a little too heavily. Here's how I predict their schedule.



vs. Atlanta - LOSS
@ New Orleans -LOSS
vs. Baltimore -LOSS
vs. Buffalo -WIN
@ New England -LOSS
vs. Cincinnati -LOSS
@ Tampa -WIN
vs. San Diego -LOSS
vs. Carolina -LOSS
@ Jets -WIN
@ Steelers -WIN
vs. Pats -WIN
@ Buffalo -LOSS
vs. Jets -WIN

 
That puts them at 8-8. I think they beat an overrated Colts team and a bottom 5 offense in Cleveland. I don't think they can hang with borderline top 5 offenses like Atlanta/New Orleans. I think Baltimore is seriously underrated after only 2 weeks of play.
 
I put the Dolphins at 4-2 in the division, which may be better than how they perform. The Bucs/Chargers/Panthers/Steelers are all coin flip games, so I put them at 2-2 in that stretch. The Bucs and Panthers have very good defenses, and the Chargers hung with a good Houston team and just beat a high flying Eagles team.
 
I'm not generally one to post season long predictions because I think its a bit of a fools errand. I could also be absolutely wrong, since apparently all 3 of you feel that I'm way off base. Only time will tell where they end up, but I'm certainly more comfortable putting them at 7-8/8-8 than 10-6.

Im trying to think about it more probabilistically.  Every home game but Buffalo the spread is going to be within three points.  They're favored by 2 over Atlanta.  If I give them 1.5 wins in those three home games, say they beat Buffalo 70% of the time at home, and then say they win 20% of the time against NO and NE that puts them at about 2.6 wins.  So between 2-4 and 3-3 should be the most likely outcome based on what we know now.  4-2 will happen something like 15-20% of the time.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Im trying to think about it more probabilistically.  Every home game but Buffalo the spread is going to be within three points.  They're favored by 2 over Atlanta.  If I give them 1.5 wins in those three home games, say they beat Buffalo 70% of the time at home, and then say they win 20% of the time against NO and NE that puts them at about 2.6 wins.  So between 2-4 and 3-3 should be the most likely outcome based on what we know now.  4-2 will happen something like 15-20% of the time.


Well see who's right at the end of rhe year, math nerd!

 

[pdaj]

Here's a great article by Mike Sando of ESPN.
 
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mike-sando/?refresh=true
 
It's an insider article, so I'll post it in its entirety. If doing so violates a SoSH rule, I'll edit my post and leave up just a few of the most important pieces.
 
 

Those wondering how quickly NFL teams move on to the next game will appreciate this little aside with Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. We spoke on the phone at 2:40 p.m. ET Monday, less than 24 hours after the Dolphins' 24-20 victory at Indianapolis. Sherman was already so deep into preparations for a Week 3 game against Atlanta that he could not immediately produce a short list of QB Ryan Tannehill's top plays from Sunday. He instantly recalled a couple of bad ones -- coaches rarely forget those -- before pointing to a field goal drive right before halftime as an underrated highlight.

"That drive was a pretty defining moment," Sherman said. "They had just scored. The place was going crazy. [Tannehill] was one, two, three completions in a row. That was the difference in the ballgame. Without that, they could have kicked a field goal late in the game."

Another game-defining moment came later. Trailing by a field goal deep into the third quarter, the Dolphins needed an explosive play to change the game. The need for personnel who can contribute such plays is precisely why the Dolphins drafted quarterback Tannehill in 2012 and signed receiver Mike Wallace this offseason. On Sunday, we saw those acquisitions pay off. Wallace beat his man with a double move. Tannehill threw deep. The 34-yard connection set up the winning 1-yard touchdown run.

This single play offers multiple entry points into a discussion about where Tannehill stands as a starting quarterback two games into his second season. The Dolphins are 2-0 and have already matched their 2012 total for road victories. Wallace is coming off a nine-catch, 115-yard game as the team's most dangerous receiver. For Tannehill, improvements in completion rate and yards per attempt have driven up his passer rating from 76.1 last season to 94.2 through two games. And his overall ascent figures to continue, if he can just cure one key glitch in his game.{C}

In light of his early success in 2013 it's surprising to see Tannehill's Total QBR score through two games (52.7) hovering about where it was during his 2012 rookie season (50.4) -- right around the 50-point average on a 100-point scale. There is one primary reason for the lag, and the Dolphins are well aware of it. They are coaching to this specific point and saw positive results on the 34-yard pass to Wallace against the Colts.

Overall, Tannehill completed 23 of 34 passes (67.6 percent) for 319 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against the Colts. He averaged 9.4 yards per attempt. But with five sacks and three fumbles, including one fumble the Colts recovered, Tannehill emerged from a rewarding victory with a below-average 44.4 QBR score. At first glance, Tannehill could have used better pass protection against the Colts' outside rushers. But any coach will tell you that avoiding sacks isn't just about creating the perfect offensive line. Quarterbacks must help out their blockers by stepping up in the pocket when the outside rushers reach target depths. Tannehill did this well when finding Wallace for the pivotal 34-yard reception. He erred in this aspect earlier in the game, with costly results.

"He is fearless in the pocket," Sherman said of his QB.
 
Fearlessness can be good when Tannehill is fitting aggressive throws between defenders in the middle of the field.

For example, a pass Tannehill zipped past linebacker Pat Angerer's ear 17 yards downfield found tight end Charles Clay with safety Antoine Bethea fast approaching. Clay gained another 50 yards after the catch. This was one of five passes Tannehill attempted between the yard-line numbers at distances greater than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. He completed all five for 136 yards even though the one to Clay seemed a little risky ("dicey" was the word Sherman used).

Fearlessness can be bad when Tannehill gets too comfortable at his deepest point in the pocket.

It happened on consecutive drives to open the third quarter, first when Tannehill dropped back on third-and-10. Running back Lamar Miller was able to push linebacker Jerrell Freeman just past the pocket, but Freeman reached back for the football, knocking it loose as Tannehill tried to throw. The Colts recovered. Later, the Colts' Robert Mathis forced a Tannehill fumble when he got around right tackle Tyson Clabo. Clabo was not blameless, but if Tannehill had stepped up in the pocket, Mathis might not have reached him so easily.

Win-probability models built on 10 years of play-by-play data showed the lost fumble dropping the Dolphins' chances of victory 7.8 percentage points to 36.6 percent. Erasing that play from Tannehill's ledger pumps up his QBR score for the game from 44.4 to 55.6, according to Hank Gargiulo of ESPN Stats & Information. Erasing all three fumbles attributed to Tannehill brings the QBR score to 72.1, which would have been sixth-best in the NFL for Week 2. Of course, every quarterback would like to selectively delete bad plays. In this case, Tannehill's position coach, Zac Taylor, consulted with Tannehill on the sideline to make sure the quarterback got the message about climbing the pocket. Tannehill did, and the Dolphins won largely as a result.

It was second-and-10 from the Indianapolis 35 with 5:05 left in the third quarter when Tannehill and Wallace connected for the 34-yard gain to the 1. Mathis, the Colts' top pass-rusher, lined up wide and got around left tackle Jonathan Martin eight yards past the line of scrimmage -- right where Tannehill had set up initially. Tannehill hopped forward about six feet at just the right time. Mathis flew past him. Tannehill's throw was not perfect -- he could have led Wallace and the Dolphins might have scored on the play. But simply getting to the 1 produced Miami's largest one-play gain in win probability: 18.9 points, from 47.6 percent to 66.5. Tannehill completed all three passes on the drive for a total of 65 yards.

Tannehill and Wallace connected just once during a season-opening victory at Cleveland. A defensive coach I consulted said he thought Tannehill made significant strides from that game to the game against the Colts.

"He improved in all the things you want to see," the coach said. "He was more poised, more decisive, more accurate in the intermediate to deep passes. Three times, he threaded it. One was on a seam. Another was a bootleg when a safety came down and crunched him. Another was on a blitz. His strength is he is not afraid on those inside throws to thread the needle, and he is able to do it."

The defensive coach said he thought Sherman "babysat" Tannehill with a conservative plan in the opener at Cleveland before becoming much more aggressive against the Colts. Every game is different, of course. The Dolphins needed more points to beat the Colts than they needed to beat the Browns. We should remember, too, that this offense remains in transition. Tannehill lost an important target when tight end Dustin Keller suffered a season-ending knee injury. Wallace and slot receiver Brandon Gibson are new this year. Fullback Tyler Clutts arrived from the Houston Texans via waivers on Sept. 1.

Wallace brings deep speed, but feeding the ball to him on vertical routes has not been an overriding priority. The thinking is that Tannehill cannot buy additional time for Wallace the way Ben Roethlisberger could when Wallace played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A wider range of routes might be necessary.

"That was unique to Roethlisberger," Sherman said. "There is no one like him at extending plays, and Mike has benefited from that. We are working with Mike on his route running -- curls, digs, comebacks and slants. He still has an opportunity to run go routes. We hit him on the double move."

Wallace is averaging 13.0 yards per reception, about the same as he averaged with Pittsburgh last season. Tannehill has averaged 15.6 air yards per attempt when throwing to Wallace. That is higher than Roethlisberger's mark when targeting Wallace over the past two seasons.

Sixteen pass attempts between Tannehill and Wallace over the first two games of 2013 isn't much to go on. For now, the Dolphins will be looking to see whether Tannehill continues stepping up -- not only in the figurative sense, but in the pocket as well.
 

 

 

[dwainw]

Great read, thanks for posting.  Several interesting points there.  One that stands out is the babysitting comment.  If Tannehill ends the season as improved as many think he's capable of, and if the Dolphins reap the rewards with a playoff appearance, this game could be considered a turning point in confidence.  Not Tannehill's confidence--by most accounts he's got plenty of that.  Rather, the coaching staff's confidence in Tannehill and their resulting willingness push the playcalling envelope with him. 

 

 

[Clears Cleaver]

both teams are bet up going itno the game. Wallace listed as questionable. Patterson still iffy. Tannehil's shoulder hurting a bit. Soliai not likely to play

 

[pdaj]

I'm not concerned about Tanny and Wallace -- they'll play and play well. And while Soliai is a loss, if there was ever a time to be without him, it's vs. an Atlanta team minus Stephen Jackson. Starks/Odrick are the best pass-rushing DT on the team by far.
 
That said, the status of both Clemons and Patterson concerns me. With both rookies still not practicing (fully), "we" are deathly thin in the secondary. This was the knock on Peterson. Can he stay on the field? He and Amendola might be spending a lot of time with each other this season.
 
If Clemons and Patterson can tough it out, I like our chances at home.

 

[sodenj5]

It sounds like Shelby and Jordan are going to start seeing some more snaps over Vernon this week. Vernon currently rates as the worst 4-3 DE in football through the first 2 weeks according to PFF. With the Falcons looking like they're going to be putting the ball in the air a lot this week without Jackson, it would be a good time to get Jordan some more snaps to get after Matt Ryan.

It would also be nice to see Taylor some playing time. He was projected as a possible late first round pick that Miami grabbed towards the end of the second round. He has talent, but we basically know nothing about him because he's missed so much time.

 

[pdaj]

It sounds like Shelby and Jordan are going to start seeing some more snaps over Vernon this week. Vernon currently rates as the worst 4-3 DE in football through the first 2 weeks according to PFF. With the Falcons looking like they're going to be putting the ball in the air a lot this week without Jackson, it would be a good time to get Jordan some more snaps to get after Matt Ryan.

It would also be nice to see Taylor some playing time. He was projected as a possible late first round pick that Miami grabbed towards the end of the second round. He has talent, but we basically know nothing about him because he's missed so much time.

 
Both Taylor and Davis have been listed as probable for tomorrow's game. Interesting.

 

[sodenj5]

Jesus H. I know the line isn't great, and Sims completely wiffed on his block, but that's about the fourth or fifth time Tannehill has coughed up the ball on a sack. Can't give Atlanta the ball inside the 20. Awful.

 

[sodenj5]

WOW.

 

[pdaj]

No Wake, Soliai, Misi, Patterson .. Ellerbe missed some time ... and still, this Dolphins' defense managed some huge holds. 
 
Tannehill continues to take sacks, get stripped, and nearly die; but he put together his second impressive "kill" of the short season.
 
I need to re-watch this one and process a bit; but it's nice to steal one for a change. 3-0, baby.

 

[Stitch01]

Congrats on the win. Tough stretch coming up but team looks legit

 

[dwainw]

That was something special. Something this team hasn't been able to do for a long time: overcome early mistakes and FINISH. Tannehill's blood ran cold in that last drive. Just a terrific performance by a lot of role guys as well. Damn--3 - 0. It's going to be great to savor this win this week.

 

[sodenj5]

No Wake, Soliai, Misi, Patterson .. Ellerbe missed some time ... and still, this Dolphins' defense managed some huge holds. 
 
Tannehill continues to take sacks, get stripped, and nearly die; but he put together his second impressive "kill" of the short season.
 
I need to re-watch this one and process a bit; but it's nice to steal one for a change. 3-0, baby.

Tannehill looks so much better when they run the hurry up. He drops back and gets it out quick.

 

[mcaqua]

Hell of a hit by Don Jones on Harry Douglas to force the fumble on the punt and stem the tide of Atlanta momentum.
 

 
Just a fantastic win. 

 

[pdaj]

Congrats on the win. Tough stretch coming up but team looks legit

 
Thanks, man. As I said before the season started, I would have been happy with a 2-3 start. At 3-0 now, I like the Fins chances to split the next two, especially getting the Ravens at home.
 

Hell of a hit by Don Jones on Harry Douglas to force the fumble on the punt and stem the tide of Atlanta momentum.
 
Just a fantastic win. 

 
Absolutely -- just a little more validation for Ireland in deciding to keep him on the roster. He's been a special teams ace thus far. Denney fighting/gaining possession of the fumble was equally as big. It looked like ATL had it initially.

 

[pdaj]

Tannehill looks so much better when they run the hurry up. He drops back and gets it out quick.

 
Agreed. The defensive personal remains the same, and he seems to have a great read on where to go pre-snap.