Miami Dolphin faithful sense a brighter future heading into this offseason after reaching the playoffs in 2016. Rookie coach Adam Gase brought intensity and a completely different mindset to a team that seemed destined for perpetual mediocrity. An improbable playoff run after a 1-4 start was exacerbated by a rash of injuries and yet this Miami team marched on, showcasing Gase’s ability to inspire players. The “next-man-up” cliché carried Miami in contrast to previous squads that wilted when injuries sideline multiple starters.
Pro bowl players Reshad Jones and Mike Pouncey spent most of the season watching from the sidelines on Injured Reserve. Starting safety Isa Abdul-Quddus, tight end Jordan Cameron and outside linebacker Koa Misi, joined the pro bowlers on IR. Starting CBs, Xavien Howard and Byron Maxwell, LB Jelani Jenkins, DT Earl Mitchell missed much of the season nursing injuries. Starting OL Branden Albert and Laremy Tunsil missed multiple games and Arian Foster simply quit. In other seasons, under different leadership, this team would have folded.
Adam Gase set the tone early by leaving Jay Ajayi in Miami while the team traveled to Seattle for an opening season loss. Gase had named Arian Foster the starter, Ajayi was unhappy and felt he deserved the job. The Dolphins lost to Seattle by a mere two points and Foster rushed for only 36 yards. Ajayi had let his teammates down by making his personal ambition of starting more important than his commitment to the team. The Dolphins may have lost the game, but the message was clear, no player was larger than the sum of the whole. The teaching moment paid off as Ajayi went on to have three 200+ yard games and ran hard the entire season.
A 30-17 week five home debacle to the Tennessee Titans found the 1-4 Dolphins staring down another losing season. Branden Albert (virus) and Laremy Tunsil (ankle) did not suit up and the Titans sacked quarterback Ryan Tannehill six times, repeatedly planting him on his backside. Needing to send the message loud and clear, Adam Gase made what seemed like a rash decision. Gase cut offensive lineman Dallas Thomas, Billy Turner and Jamil Douglas along with RB Isaiah Pead.
Gase did not care about draft status or contract value, he was simply tired of players who did not have the sense of urgency to prepare themselves to play football at the highest level. The image of Dallas Thomas being pushed into the backfield and pancaked, while Tannehill ran for his life was etched so lucidly into Gase’s mind that he simply had enough. He knew not cutting these players would send the message that being unprepared and unaccountable was acceptable. It was not and Adam Gase decided he would rather coach committed journeymen than undisciplined, uninspired draft picks.
Some of the players in the stunned locker room looked on with trepidation. Gase opened the door for the players with the proper mindset to step up and begin leading his team. Their coach was one hundred percent committed to his craft and he expected the same commitment from his players. If they were not in it to win it, he would escort them out the door to place where common folk work their entire lives for less money than the yearly NFL minimum salary. Complacency does not happen overnight and resorting to drastic measures is sometimes what it takes to instill change. At that point, Gase was unsure he would win another game the entire season, but he was certain his players knew what was expected of them.
On October 16th, the mighty Pittsburg Steelers traveled to sunny Miami expecting to encounter a terrible 1-4 team that barely defeated the hapless Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins appeared from the outside as a team in complete disarray after cutting players five weeks into the season. Arian Foster had missed the previous three games after injuring his groin and hamstring in Miami's Week 2 loss at New England. Foster was set returned in Week 6, but this time Jay Ajayi would not be denied. The Steelers could not have prepared for the buzz-saw spinning in Miami.
With Branden Albert and Laremy Tunsil healthy, Mike Pouncey was finally in command of the entire starting offensive line. Leading 8-3 in the first quarter, perhaps the Steelers peeked ahead to the New England Patriots. The expected cruise to an easy victory was derailed by an all-out ground assault from the Miami Dolphins. 204 Jay Ajayi yards left no doubt in Adam Gase’s mind that Arian Foster would not return to the starting lineup. The Dolphins buried the Steelers 30-15, Arian Foster retired and Miami’s rise to the NFL playoffs had begun.
Over the next five weeks the Dolphins repeatedly found ways to win close football games. The Dolphins beat the Bills when Ajayi again eclipsed the 200 yard mark and the Dolphin offense scored 22 points in the final 15:18 winning 28-25. Following the bye week Miami defeated the Jets 27-23 when Kenyan Drake scored untouched on a 96-yard kickoff return to seal the victory. The comforts of home paid dividends for the Dolphins who slept in their own beds for five straight weeks including the bye. A 1-4 record prior to the Pittsburgh game was now suddenly 4-4 and Miami was peaking its head above water for the first time since 2008.
The five week home stand was rudely awakened with the Dolphins heading to the West Coast for consecutive weeks against the Chargers and the Rams. The Chargers seemed to be cruising until the defense intercepted four Philip Rivers’ passes in the fourth quarter. The take away barrage turned into victory when Kiko Alonso jumped in front of Tyrell Williams and outraced the Chargers 60 yards to the end zone with 1:01 left to give the Dolphins a wild 31-24 win. A late acrobatic TD pass from Tannehill to Parker gave Miami a 14-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
The 6-4 Dolphins returned home riding a 5-game winning streak. The defense slumped into cruise control leading 31-14 in the fourth quarter against the 49ers and nearly allowed San Francisco to tie the game. Ndamukong Suh and Kiko Alonso ended the contest by stopping the much maligned Colin Kaepernick at the 2 yard-line as time expired. Winners of 6 straight games, owning a 7-4 record the Dolphins had won with a devastating ground game, they won with a kickoff return, they won with an interception return, they won on a beautiful sideline throw and catch and they won on a last ditch defensive stand. This Miami team was making huge plays to win the close games that had eluded them in past seasons.
The 2016 Miami Dolphins were indeed in good hands with rookie coach Adam Gase, but they had faced 5 consecutive opponents that would not be playing in the NFL post season. With the Baltimore Ravens looming, Miami was going to face its first real test since Pittsburgh in the beginning of their miraculous rise. Needless to say, the Dolphins didn’t show up that day, the Ravens punked Miami 38-6. Multiple injuries began to take their toll and with the Arizona Cardinals coming to town, it looked like Miami’s improbably run was about to end. At this point a two game skid would leave the Dolphins outside the NFL playoff picture.
The rain in Miami did not stop the entire game slowing the desert dwelling Cardinals’ offense to a crawl, while Ryan Tannehill threw three TDs in perhaps his best performance of the season. That all changed on one devastating late and low hit when quarterback Ryan Tannehill was lost for the season to a knee injury. The injury swapped the momentum and an easy Dolphin victory was suddenly in jeopardy as Matt Moore entered the game after watching for what seemed like forever. Moore showed the true grit this team had displayed all season and marched Miami to a last second field goal and a 26-23 Dolphins win.
With 8 wins under their belt, and a losing season behind them, even with a back-up QB, the Dolphins promptly hammered the rival Jets 34-13. 34 more points the following week in Buffalo proved too much for the Bills in a 34-31 Miami win. In consecutive weeks the Dolphins had swept the rival Jets and Bills leading to the firing of Rex Ryan in Buffalo. Casting away Ryan and his brother was perhaps one of the more satisfying consequences of the entire season. Miami had grand illusions in the final week against the powerhouse Patriots, but it was not to be. The Dolphins limped out of Hard Rock Stadium on the wrong end of a lopsided 35-14 defeat.
An improbable 10-6 record and playing in the post season for the first time in eight years greeted the Miami faithful to begin 2017. With revenge on their mind a healthy Pittsburgh team trounced the ailing Miami Dolphins 30-12 ending an implausible season in the first round of the playoffs. The final two weeks against the two of the best teams in the NFL showed the fledgling Dolphins how far they have to travel to reach Steven Ross’s goal of winning a Super Bowl.
Articles will be written about how Miami can take a step closer to being a perennial NFL contender. Pundits will point out all the deficiencies of this team, but here and now, the Miami Dolphins have far surpassed expectations. Adam Gase is no longer a rookie, he showed a mental savvy and calmness that far exceeds his age and experience. Watching this coach on the sidelines during games is a case study on maintaining composure at the height of chaos. Gase’s demeanor was so steady it could not help but rub off on his players. Even the infuriatingly lopsided officiating had little effect on the coach. He knew, any outburst by him would lead to further flag tossing.
The season is over, there will be no Lombardi Trophy aborning the case 45 years after Don Shula hoisted the last one. The truth is, during the regular season Miami was actually outscored 380 to 363 points. There are many reasons to think this season was more of an anomaly than a stepping stone. The axiom, “you are what your record says you are,” is a moniker that goes both ways, because winning is the object of the game. Statistics may, in the long run, show the sustenance behind sustained success and yet winners find way to win.
Today we celebrate winning, we celebrate a successful season, we celebrate the immergence of a new coach and new era in Miami Dolphin history. Whether it takes coach Gase 3 or 5 more years to reach the pinnacle of his profession, we can smile at the prospect that the 20 year search for a successor to Don Shula has ended. In the cyclical nature of history, we are witnessing the beginning of a new dynasty in Miami.
Welcome Adam Gase, we look forward to being part of your legacy.
Showing posts with label Earl Mitchell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Earl Mitchell. Show all posts
Time for the Real Miami Dolphins to Stand Up
The Miami Dolphins followed a flat uninspiring victory in week one with lackluster loss in week two. If the season is a marathon, Miami came out with very little desire to lead the pack from the opening gun. Joe Philbin’s stoic unemotional style has made its mark on the organization early in the season.
The Dolphins uncharacteristically amassed 13 penalties including a personal foul by Olivier Vernon setting up Jacksonville’s game winning field goal. The Miami offense ran 7 plays in the first quarter and, with only 5 in the first quarter last week the trend of starting anemically slow continued. Ryan Tannehill and the Miami offense showed some life by tying the game on the first drive of the second half, but that was it. Tannehill was unable to move the offense when the defense finally made a stand.
The running game was held to 2.6 yards per carry with Lamar Miller averaging only 1.4. Tannehill's stats looked the part completing 30 of 44 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The issue has always been in the “W” column with Tannehill and in a game where one drive in the final 6 could have sealed a victory, Tannehill could not muster the troops. The loss cannot be placed on Tannehill, but in a QB league, these are the games he must lift and carry the team to join the elite players at his position.
The vaunted Miami defensive line registered zero sacks and looked ineffective in the first half. No defensive lineman registered more than one tackle over the entire game. Suh and Mitchell may not be expected to make many tackles but the DEs brought no heat and were ineffective. The defense produced zero turnovers and Blake Bortles looked calm without duress the entire game.
In the simplest terms, for the second week in a row, Miami did not look prepared to play. They were uninspired, sloppy as though they had taken Jacksonville for granted in the week leading up to the game. This same issue has led Miami to 8-8 finishes the last two seasons, losing to less talented teams because they are unemotional and unprepared.
This game is the wakeup call for the Dolphins. With Jets surprising 2-0 start, the Bills looking better and NE again dominating, Miami must not leave any winnable games on the table. Joe Philbin will no longer be coaching the Dolphins if the uninspired play continues. Tannehill must find a way to join the elite QBs and come out with an ugly win.
It’s early and the Dolphins are clearly a better team than they showed in the first two weeks. It’s time to light the fire, the defense has been sluggish and the offense has not gotten untracked in the first quarter. These are signs Miami is not presenting anything different than on film and are not executing the plays they do run. There are only 16 games and at the end of the season this game may loom large as a reason for not making the playoffs.
It is not time to panic, but playing flat and barely beating the hapless redskins, then losing to the inexperienced Jaguars is not the start Miami fans were hoping for. If this team is truly the special unit many came into the season believing, the time to step up is now.
Beat Rex Ryan and the Bills!
If the Dolphins cannot get inspired by that challenge than Joe Philbin may indeed be looking for a job...
The Dolphins uncharacteristically amassed 13 penalties including a personal foul by Olivier Vernon setting up Jacksonville’s game winning field goal. The Miami offense ran 7 plays in the first quarter and, with only 5 in the first quarter last week the trend of starting anemically slow continued. Ryan Tannehill and the Miami offense showed some life by tying the game on the first drive of the second half, but that was it. Tannehill was unable to move the offense when the defense finally made a stand.
The running game was held to 2.6 yards per carry with Lamar Miller averaging only 1.4. Tannehill's stats looked the part completing 30 of 44 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The issue has always been in the “W” column with Tannehill and in a game where one drive in the final 6 could have sealed a victory, Tannehill could not muster the troops. The loss cannot be placed on Tannehill, but in a QB league, these are the games he must lift and carry the team to join the elite players at his position.
The vaunted Miami defensive line registered zero sacks and looked ineffective in the first half. No defensive lineman registered more than one tackle over the entire game. Suh and Mitchell may not be expected to make many tackles but the DEs brought no heat and were ineffective. The defense produced zero turnovers and Blake Bortles looked calm without duress the entire game.
In the simplest terms, for the second week in a row, Miami did not look prepared to play. They were uninspired, sloppy as though they had taken Jacksonville for granted in the week leading up to the game. This same issue has led Miami to 8-8 finishes the last two seasons, losing to less talented teams because they are unemotional and unprepared.
This game is the wakeup call for the Dolphins. With Jets surprising 2-0 start, the Bills looking better and NE again dominating, Miami must not leave any winnable games on the table. Joe Philbin will no longer be coaching the Dolphins if the uninspired play continues. Tannehill must find a way to join the elite QBs and come out with an ugly win.
It’s early and the Dolphins are clearly a better team than they showed in the first two weeks. It’s time to light the fire, the defense has been sluggish and the offense has not gotten untracked in the first quarter. These are signs Miami is not presenting anything different than on film and are not executing the plays they do run. There are only 16 games and at the end of the season this game may loom large as a reason for not making the playoffs.
It is not time to panic, but playing flat and barely beating the hapless redskins, then losing to the inexperienced Jaguars is not the start Miami fans were hoping for. If this team is truly the special unit many came into the season believing, the time to step up is now.
Beat Rex Ryan and the Bills!
If the Dolphins cannot get inspired by that challenge than Joe Philbin may indeed be looking for a job...
Miami Dolphins Defensive Twenty-One of teams active Gameday 46
On every given NFL weekend (other than during bye weeks), 32 teams of 46 active players each equating to some 1,500 participants take to the gridiron. The overwhelming vast majority of those inclusions are NFL average No-Name Joe's, the backbones of the league of which without, Professional Football would not exist.
The Top 100 are the only one's that draw much notoriety. In a league of 32, if each team were fortunate enough to employ three of the Top 100 you'd have a total of 96 players. However. An extreme few if any teams at all have more than three of the Top 100 players on their roster, several teams dress three of the Top 100 on a weekly basis, many have two, some have one while others have none.
The National Football Leagues Players took a vote on who they think are The Overall Top 100 players for 2015. The final conclusion was that The Miami Dolphins Defense has three of the leagues Top 39 forces with Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh leading the way as the leagues 24th best player, followed by Corner-Back Brent Grimes at 38th with the tailgating Defensive End Cameron Wake 39th.
The Sky's The Limit.
For the first time in many years, The Miami Dolphins are ahead of the NFL's talent curve.
A couple weeks ago the suggestions of 22 active Offensive players and 3 Specialist were offered up toward the game-day roster of 46 which left a void for 21 active Defensive players. Of course the numbers relating to the Offensive and Defensive units are etched only in pencil and can potentially be reversed slightly, or perhaps even drastically. However. In attempting to create a well balanced roster at every position, the numbers came out as they did from this particular point of view with Two backups for every defensive position.
Miami's Dolphins opened their 50th training camp just yesterday July 30th, and all were in attendance while things went well according to reports. Here are the names and numbers of those trying to make the opening day cut on Defense.
Game Day Active Defensive Twenty-One.
Defensive Tackle (4)
93 Ndamukong Suh, 6-4, 305, Age 28, 5 years experience (2015 Free agent acquisition)
90 Earl Mitchell, 6-3, 310, 27, 5
94 C. J. Mosley, 6-2, 312, 31, 10 (2015 Free Agent acquisition)
97 Jordan Phillips,6-5, 329, 22, Rookie
Defensive End (4)
91 Cameron Wake, 6-3, 262, 33, 6
50 Olivier Vernon,6-2, 268, 24, 3
79 Derrick Shelby,6-2, 282, 26, 3
78 Terrence Fede, 6-4, 282, 23, 1
Cornerback (4)
21 Brent Grimes, 5-10, 190, 32, 8
22 Jamar Taylor, 5-10, 200, 24, 2
24 Brice McCain, 5-9, 187, 28, 6 (2015 free Agent acquisition)
29 Will Davis, 5-11, 190, 25, 2
Safety (4)
20 Reshad Jones, 6-1, 215, 27, 5
25 Louis Delmas, 5-11, 210, 28, 5
35 Walt Aikens, 6-1, 210, 24, 1
31 Michael Thomas,5-11,201, 25, 2
Linebacker (5)
53 Jelani Jenkins,6-0, 245, 23, 2
55 Koa Misi, 6-3, 252, 28, 5
58 Chris McCain, 6-5, 250, 23 1
57 Jordan Tripp, 6-3, 240, 24 1
52 Kelvin Sheppard,6-2,252, 27, 4
Conditional and/or Situational Game-Day Inactive/Occasionally Active Roster Spots 47 through 53.
Defensive Tackle
76 Anthony Johnson,6-2, 304, 22 1
96 A.J. Francis, 6-5, 330, 25, 1
Cornerback
36 Tony Lippett, 6-2, 192, 23, Rookie Corner Back/Emergency Receiver
30 Zack Bowman, 6-1, 196, 30, 7 (2015 Free Agent acquisition)
Safety
41 Cedrick Thompson, 6-0, 208, 22, Rookie
Linebacker
42 Spencer Paysinger,6-2, 236, 27, 4 (2015 Free Agent acquisition)
49 Zach Vigil, 6-2, 240, 24, Rookie
Hoping for One of Ten (total O & D) Developmental Squad Positions.
Defensive Tackle
73 Calvin Barnett, 6-2, 317, 23, 1
62 Deandre Coleman,6-3, 315, 24, 1
Defensive End
98 Emmanuel Dieke, 6-6, 257, 24, 1
47 Ray Drew, 6-5, 276, 22, Rookie
67 Kendall Montgomery,6-5, 262, 23, Rookie
Cornerback
28 Bobby McCain, 5-9, 195, 21, Rookie
37 Sammy Seamster,6-0, 205, 24, 1
Safety
38 Don Jones, 5-11, 205, 25, 2
44 Jordan Kovacs, 5-10, 210, 25, 2
32 Shamiel Gary, 6-0, 205, 25, 1
Linebacker
45 Mike Hull, 6-0, 232, 24, Rookie
46 Neville Hewitt, 6-2, 219, 22, Rookie
48 Jeff Luc, 6-1, 256, 23, Rookie
The final 20 mentioned hopefuls will get the majority of reps in a game day evaluation process of the rosters backbone wanna-be's in Pre-Season game one. That particular game takes place at the Chicago Bears in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS ON THURSDAY AUGUST 13th : )), We'll be lucky to see the starters through the first quarter, and The Dolphins aren't about to show much of their meaningful playing cards at this early juncture !!
THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
The Top 100 are the only one's that draw much notoriety. In a league of 32, if each team were fortunate enough to employ three of the Top 100 you'd have a total of 96 players. However. An extreme few if any teams at all have more than three of the Top 100 players on their roster, several teams dress three of the Top 100 on a weekly basis, many have two, some have one while others have none.
The National Football Leagues Players took a vote on who they think are The Overall Top 100 players for 2015. The final conclusion was that The Miami Dolphins Defense has three of the leagues Top 39 forces with Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh leading the way as the leagues 24th best player, followed by Corner-Back Brent Grimes at 38th with the tailgating Defensive End Cameron Wake 39th.
The Sky's The Limit.
A couple weeks ago the suggestions of 22 active Offensive players and 3 Specialist were offered up toward the game-day roster of 46 which left a void for 21 active Defensive players. Of course the numbers relating to the Offensive and Defensive units are etched only in pencil and can potentially be reversed slightly, or perhaps even drastically. However. In attempting to create a well balanced roster at every position, the numbers came out as they did from this particular point of view with Two backups for every defensive position.
Miami's Dolphins opened their 50th training camp just yesterday July 30th, and all were in attendance while things went well according to reports. Here are the names and numbers of those trying to make the opening day cut on Defense.
Game Day Active Defensive Twenty-One.
Defensive Tackle (4)
93 Ndamukong Suh, 6-4, 305, Age 28, 5 years experience (2015 Free agent acquisition)
90 Earl Mitchell, 6-3, 310, 27, 5
94 C. J. Mosley, 6-2, 312, 31, 10 (2015 Free Agent acquisition)
97 Jordan Phillips,6-5, 329, 22, Rookie
Defensive End (4)
91 Cameron Wake, 6-3, 262, 33, 6
50 Olivier Vernon,6-2, 268, 24, 3
79 Derrick Shelby,6-2, 282, 26, 3
78 Terrence Fede, 6-4, 282, 23, 1
Cornerback (4)
21 Brent Grimes, 5-10, 190, 32, 8
22 Jamar Taylor, 5-10, 200, 24, 2
24 Brice McCain, 5-9, 187, 28, 6 (2015 free Agent acquisition)
29 Will Davis, 5-11, 190, 25, 2
Safety (4)
20 Reshad Jones, 6-1, 215, 27, 5
25 Louis Delmas, 5-11, 210, 28, 5
35 Walt Aikens, 6-1, 210, 24, 1
31 Michael Thomas,5-11,201, 25, 2
Linebacker (5)
53 Jelani Jenkins,6-0, 245, 23, 2
55 Koa Misi, 6-3, 252, 28, 5
58 Chris McCain, 6-5, 250, 23 1
57 Jordan Tripp, 6-3, 240, 24 1
52 Kelvin Sheppard,6-2,252, 27, 4
Conditional and/or Situational Game-Day Inactive/Occasionally Active Roster Spots 47 through 53.
Defensive Tackle
76 Anthony Johnson,6-2, 304, 22 1
96 A.J. Francis, 6-5, 330, 25, 1
Cornerback
36 Tony Lippett, 6-2, 192, 23, Rookie Corner Back/Emergency Receiver
30 Zack Bowman, 6-1, 196, 30, 7 (2015 Free Agent acquisition)
Safety
41 Cedrick Thompson, 6-0, 208, 22, Rookie
Linebacker
42 Spencer Paysinger,6-2, 236, 27, 4 (2015 Free Agent acquisition)
49 Zach Vigil, 6-2, 240, 24, Rookie
Hoping for One of Ten (total O & D) Developmental Squad Positions.
Defensive Tackle
73 Calvin Barnett, 6-2, 317, 23, 1
62 Deandre Coleman,6-3, 315, 24, 1
Defensive End
98 Emmanuel Dieke, 6-6, 257, 24, 1
47 Ray Drew, 6-5, 276, 22, Rookie
67 Kendall Montgomery,6-5, 262, 23, Rookie
Cornerback
28 Bobby McCain, 5-9, 195, 21, Rookie
37 Sammy Seamster,6-0, 205, 24, 1
Safety
38 Don Jones, 5-11, 205, 25, 2
44 Jordan Kovacs, 5-10, 210, 25, 2
32 Shamiel Gary, 6-0, 205, 25, 1
Linebacker
45 Mike Hull, 6-0, 232, 24, Rookie
46 Neville Hewitt, 6-2, 219, 22, Rookie
48 Jeff Luc, 6-1, 256, 23, Rookie
The final 20 mentioned hopefuls will get the majority of reps in a game day evaluation process of the rosters backbone wanna-be's in Pre-Season game one. That particular game takes place at the Chicago Bears in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS ON THURSDAY AUGUST 13th : )), We'll be lucky to see the starters through the first quarter, and The Dolphins aren't about to show much of their meaningful playing cards at this early juncture !!
THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Men Of Teal Prevail 22 - 9 Over White Buffalo
The Miami Dolphins made a rare appearance on the nationally televised Thursday night football game versus inner-division rival and nemesis of late Buffalo Bills. Each team came into the game with a record of 5 - 4, and both teams NFL playoff lives were on the line. This was especially true for the home team Dolphins who had already lost the previous head to head match-up in Buffalo. A Miami loss in this instance literally spelt doom for the teams playoff hopes, it have been a second straight loss with a trip to Peyton's Place looming. This was a must win for the Dolphins, a loss would have meant they would lose all wild card playoff tie breaker scenario's to both the Chiefs, and Bills. If it were to come down to said three teams?
One would think that the network would inauspiciously highlight the home teams first time in ten years brightly colored entrance to the field? Miami wore teal uniforms from head to toe for the first time since the days of Ricky Williams. Low and Behold, the league's Rodney (Dolphins) Dangerfield get no respect and the network cuts to commercial as Miami approaches the tunnel's exit. The analysts (for the most part) dog the Dolphins during the pregame, and continuously suggest through halftime that the visitors will do something mystical to win the game.
Miami's Men Of Teal Prevailed 22 - 9! The Victory propels the Dolphins to 6 - 4 overall with a 5 - 2 Conference record which is presently second best to only Denver's present 5 - 1 AFC head to head status. The loss drops Buffalo to the AFC's eleventh seed of sixteen teams, where Miami might have ended up.
Wheeeewww!
Instead. Miami is hot on the tail of the current 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th seeds, whom with losses this coming weekend the Dolphins can pull even with, if not ahead of. Your Miami Dolphins have now won five of their last seven games with only two last second heartbreak losses to powerhouse NFC offenses detouring the flow.
The Bills have one of the leagues best defensive fronts and humiliated the Dolphins 29 - 10 during the week two head to head in Buffalo. In week 11 (due to injury) Miami was forced to start three offensive lineman at positions that they hadn't started at the previous week, (if ever). Yards were hard to come by, and it seemed that every time the Dolphins made a prosperous play something would happen to nullify the advantage. It appeared as though every first half inch gained for the Dolphins was highly contested while Buffalo was rhythmically running around on the wide open plains. On top of that. The Dolphins tried their best to lose this game in the first half with a fumble, and penalties that killed the few momentous Miami moments.
Jarvis Landry returned the opening kickoff 37 yards, and a return team holding penalty put the ball at the home teams 12 yard line. In order to nullify the Bill's fearsome front, Miami started out with the quick short passing game on the series first three plays that gathered 25 yards, and drove to the visitors 33 before a first down sack of Ryan Tannehill at the Bills 45 followed by negative 2 yard rush attempt. With a 3rd down and 24 on Miami's opening possession the game was already looking too much like the previous meeting between the two teams, but a perfectly thrown short pass, and one handed grab up the seam to tail back Damien Williams in stride netted 32 yards for a first down at Buffalo's 15 yard line. Another pass to Williams took it to the nine while a penalty on the next play pushed the ball back to the 19 where the series stalled. Tannehill went 8 of 9 for 80 passing yards to five different receivers, and the Dolphins kicked a 38 yard field goal after controlling the opening possession for 8:20 on 14 plays for 68 net yards as Miami took a 3 - 0 lead.
Buffalo ate up all but 13 seconds that remained of the first quarter with a series of 14 plays for 67 yards and a 33 yard field goal of their own for a 3 - 3 tie.
Miami's Lamar Miller rushed for forty yards (7, 33) on two plays, and Brian Hartline caught a pass for 17 yards to the Bills 14. On first down a scrambling for yardage Tannehill was stripped of the ball from behind for Buffalo's first forced turnover of the day which ended the momentum gathering Dolphin drive of 67 yards in six plays for zero points. Ryan's fumble 2:10 into the second quarter was his first in over a year (19 games), it was the Dolphins fifth red zone turnover of the 2014 season (most in the league), Arrrghh!
The Bills march 85 yards on 17 plays in 9 minutes and 24 seconds to kick a momentum swinging field goal. The Dolphins aren't able to answer on 9 plays of 39 yards to the visitors 41, punts, and the Bills take a knee to end the first half of play with a scoreboard advantage of 6 - 3.
Tannehill is 14 of 18 for 136 yards with a fumble, and is sacked twice, Buffalo's Kyle Orton has yet to be swarmed. Miami has totaled 174 yards with 53 rushing to Buffalo's 151, and 51 on the ground. The Dolphins have converted 50% of their 3rd down plays while Buffalo has been successful 75% of the time. Miami is losing the time of possession (13:37 to 16:23), and turnover (0 - 1) battles.
2014's Miami Dolphins (for the most part) have been a slow starting, feel the opponent out, first half counter puncher. Unlike the 2013 Dolphins. Miami's o14 team has become a third quarter terror in leading the league at half time adjustments that have resulted in the leagues highest third quarter scoring output, as well as league leaders in allowing the opponents lowest rate of points produced. This Thursday Night Debut would be no different!
Buffalo received the third quarters opening kickoff, and Miami's defense forced a three and out of 3 yards gained. The Dolphin offense gains a first down on three plays before a false start penalty, and third sack of Tannehill leads to a second and 25. Miami punts two plays later as Buffalo takes possession at their own 23 yard line. The Bills drive 49 yards in eight plays to the Dolphins 28 for a 46 yard field goal, and 9 - 3 visitors lead.
Now the Dolphins are pissed off with 6:26 third quarter ticks of the clock to go, and are suddenly inspired to showoff their second half prowess. From their own 20, Miami drives 80 yards on 9 plays in four minutes 8 seconds. Lamar Miller rushes the ball three times for 21 yards while Tannehill completes 5 of 6 for 59 yards to three different receivers (Landry 11 & 5, Charles Clay for five, and the biggie to Hartline on a crossing route catch and run of thirty-one yards) to the Buffalo 16. Ryan caps the drive with a brilliant fake pitch left, roll out right to find a wide open Brandon Gibson in the end zone for the games first TOUCHDOWN, and Miami lead of 10 - 9.
The visitors second 3rd third quarter series goes three and out for negative 20 yards, and ends on a second and twenty intentional grounding penalty from within the end zone for a Dolphin defensive safety, and two more points for the good guys at 12 - 9. with 57 third quarter seconds remaining.
Mann Ohh Mann the momentum had swung, and things are looking good! The Dolphins have again outscored the opponents in the third quarter, this time by a score of 9 - 3, and they are about to get the ball back due to the forced safety. Dooahh. Upon the free kick Jarvis Landry returns the ball 21 yards to the Miami 39 but bobbles away the Dolphins second turnover of the day, and the mirage of momentum has disappeared yet again.
Buffalo is down by three points, and has a first down at the Miami 39 yard line. On first down they gain 10 yards for another first down at the Dolphins 29. Three plays later for minus one yard, and (two plays into the fourth quarter). Ex Dolphin Dan Carpenter was up to the tricks he excelled at while with Miami, in (turning momentum against the team he plays for) with a wide left field goal kick on Buffalo's attempted tie of the game. The Carpenters warped hammer keeps the game in Miami's favor at 12 - 9.
From the Dolphins 29 Lamar Miller runs three times for 14 yards, Tannehill completes a 12 yard pass to Clay, and Miami gets a 24 yard defensive pass interference upon Mike Wallace called in their favor for a first down at the Bills 13 yard line. Daniel Thomas rushes for five yards on first down, on second down Ryan Tannehill connects with Jarvis Landry for an 8 yard TOUCHDOWN, and Miami Dolphins 19 - 9 scoreboard advantage 2:25 into the fourth quarter.
During a 5 minute 43 second span between the 2:18 remaining in the third quarter mark, and 3:25 into the fourth quarter, The Miami Dolphins scored 16 unanswered points!
Buffalo had three fourth quarter possessions for 33 total yards on 13 total plays. While harassing Kyle Orton over the majority of the games second half, the Miami defense accrued it's only two sacks on the visitors final two series of four plays each. Your Dolphins sealed the game with a 32 yard field goal that took place between the Bills final two possessions that were both turned over on downs, and THE MIAMI DOLPHINS WIN 22 - 9!
Miami converted twenty four first downs to Buffalo's thirteen, 125 rushing yards to 54, 240 passing yards to 183, for a total yardage advantage of 330 to 237, and held possession of the ball for nearly 5 minutes more than the opponent.
Lamar Miller had 15 rush attempts for 86 yards.
Though he was sacked five times by Buffalo's vaunted front seven, Ryan Tannehill went 26 of 34 for 240 passing yards, with two touchdowns (Landry & Gibson), and zero interceptions with yet another game above the century mark, and overall quarter back grade of 114.8. Tannehill has 17 touchdowns to 7 interception's on the year.
Injured Courtland Finnegans replacement Jamar Taylor led the Dolphins in tackles with seven solo, and shinning again was Earl Mitchell and Olivier Vernon with sacks of the opposing quarterback.
WAYYY TO GO DOLPHINS,
THANK YOU FOR A MUST WIN THAT ENDED IN VICTORY FORMATION!!
YEEEE HAAAA, WOOOO HOOOOO, GIGGITTY!!
Thank You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Miami's Men Of Teal Prevailed 22 - 9! The Victory propels the Dolphins to 6 - 4 overall with a 5 - 2 Conference record which is presently second best to only Denver's present 5 - 1 AFC head to head status. The loss drops Buffalo to the AFC's eleventh seed of sixteen teams, where Miami might have ended up.
Wheeeewww!
Instead. Miami is hot on the tail of the current 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th seeds, whom with losses this coming weekend the Dolphins can pull even with, if not ahead of. Your Miami Dolphins have now won five of their last seven games with only two last second heartbreak losses to powerhouse NFC offenses detouring the flow.
The Bills have one of the leagues best defensive fronts and humiliated the Dolphins 29 - 10 during the week two head to head in Buffalo. In week 11 (due to injury) Miami was forced to start three offensive lineman at positions that they hadn't started at the previous week, (if ever). Yards were hard to come by, and it seemed that every time the Dolphins made a prosperous play something would happen to nullify the advantage. It appeared as though every first half inch gained for the Dolphins was highly contested while Buffalo was rhythmically running around on the wide open plains. On top of that. The Dolphins tried their best to lose this game in the first half with a fumble, and penalties that killed the few momentous Miami moments.
Jarvis Landry returned the opening kickoff 37 yards, and a return team holding penalty put the ball at the home teams 12 yard line. In order to nullify the Bill's fearsome front, Miami started out with the quick short passing game on the series first three plays that gathered 25 yards, and drove to the visitors 33 before a first down sack of Ryan Tannehill at the Bills 45 followed by negative 2 yard rush attempt. With a 3rd down and 24 on Miami's opening possession the game was already looking too much like the previous meeting between the two teams, but a perfectly thrown short pass, and one handed grab up the seam to tail back Damien Williams in stride netted 32 yards for a first down at Buffalo's 15 yard line. Another pass to Williams took it to the nine while a penalty on the next play pushed the ball back to the 19 where the series stalled. Tannehill went 8 of 9 for 80 passing yards to five different receivers, and the Dolphins kicked a 38 yard field goal after controlling the opening possession for 8:20 on 14 plays for 68 net yards as Miami took a 3 - 0 lead.
Buffalo ate up all but 13 seconds that remained of the first quarter with a series of 14 plays for 67 yards and a 33 yard field goal of their own for a 3 - 3 tie.
Miami's Lamar Miller rushed for forty yards (7, 33) on two plays, and Brian Hartline caught a pass for 17 yards to the Bills 14. On first down a scrambling for yardage Tannehill was stripped of the ball from behind for Buffalo's first forced turnover of the day which ended the momentum gathering Dolphin drive of 67 yards in six plays for zero points. Ryan's fumble 2:10 into the second quarter was his first in over a year (19 games), it was the Dolphins fifth red zone turnover of the 2014 season (most in the league), Arrrghh!
The Bills march 85 yards on 17 plays in 9 minutes and 24 seconds to kick a momentum swinging field goal. The Dolphins aren't able to answer on 9 plays of 39 yards to the visitors 41, punts, and the Bills take a knee to end the first half of play with a scoreboard advantage of 6 - 3.
Tannehill is 14 of 18 for 136 yards with a fumble, and is sacked twice, Buffalo's Kyle Orton has yet to be swarmed. Miami has totaled 174 yards with 53 rushing to Buffalo's 151, and 51 on the ground. The Dolphins have converted 50% of their 3rd down plays while Buffalo has been successful 75% of the time. Miami is losing the time of possession (13:37 to 16:23), and turnover (0 - 1) battles.
2014's Miami Dolphins (for the most part) have been a slow starting, feel the opponent out, first half counter puncher. Unlike the 2013 Dolphins. Miami's o14 team has become a third quarter terror in leading the league at half time adjustments that have resulted in the leagues highest third quarter scoring output, as well as league leaders in allowing the opponents lowest rate of points produced. This Thursday Night Debut would be no different!
Buffalo received the third quarters opening kickoff, and Miami's defense forced a three and out of 3 yards gained. The Dolphin offense gains a first down on three plays before a false start penalty, and third sack of Tannehill leads to a second and 25. Miami punts two plays later as Buffalo takes possession at their own 23 yard line. The Bills drive 49 yards in eight plays to the Dolphins 28 for a 46 yard field goal, and 9 - 3 visitors lead.
The visitors second 3rd third quarter series goes three and out for negative 20 yards, and ends on a second and twenty intentional grounding penalty from within the end zone for a Dolphin defensive safety, and two more points for the good guys at 12 - 9. with 57 third quarter seconds remaining.
Mann Ohh Mann the momentum had swung, and things are looking good! The Dolphins have again outscored the opponents in the third quarter, this time by a score of 9 - 3, and they are about to get the ball back due to the forced safety. Dooahh. Upon the free kick Jarvis Landry returns the ball 21 yards to the Miami 39 but bobbles away the Dolphins second turnover of the day, and the mirage of momentum has disappeared yet again.
Buffalo is down by three points, and has a first down at the Miami 39 yard line. On first down they gain 10 yards for another first down at the Dolphins 29. Three plays later for minus one yard, and (two plays into the fourth quarter). Ex Dolphin Dan Carpenter was up to the tricks he excelled at while with Miami, in (turning momentum against the team he plays for) with a wide left field goal kick on Buffalo's attempted tie of the game. The Carpenters warped hammer keeps the game in Miami's favor at 12 - 9.
During a 5 minute 43 second span between the 2:18 remaining in the third quarter mark, and 3:25 into the fourth quarter, The Miami Dolphins scored 16 unanswered points!
Buffalo had three fourth quarter possessions for 33 total yards on 13 total plays. While harassing Kyle Orton over the majority of the games second half, the Miami defense accrued it's only two sacks on the visitors final two series of four plays each. Your Dolphins sealed the game with a 32 yard field goal that took place between the Bills final two possessions that were both turned over on downs, and THE MIAMI DOLPHINS WIN 22 - 9!
Miami converted twenty four first downs to Buffalo's thirteen, 125 rushing yards to 54, 240 passing yards to 183, for a total yardage advantage of 330 to 237, and held possession of the ball for nearly 5 minutes more than the opponent.
Lamar Miller had 15 rush attempts for 86 yards.
Though he was sacked five times by Buffalo's vaunted front seven, Ryan Tannehill went 26 of 34 for 240 passing yards, with two touchdowns (Landry & Gibson), and zero interceptions with yet another game above the century mark, and overall quarter back grade of 114.8. Tannehill has 17 touchdowns to 7 interception's on the year.
Injured Courtland Finnegans replacement Jamar Taylor led the Dolphins in tackles with seven solo, and shinning again was Earl Mitchell and Olivier Vernon with sacks of the opposing quarterback.
WAYYY TO GO DOLPHINS,
THANK YOU FOR A MUST WIN THAT ENDED IN VICTORY FORMATION!!
YEEEE HAAAA, WOOOO HOOOOO, GIGGITTY!!
Thank You for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
GOFINS!!!
Dolphins Lose Battle Of Three Game Winning Streaks To Lions
The 5 - 3 Miami Dolphins traveled to the Motor City's 6 - 2 Lions for a head to head match up between two teams on three game winning streaks with two of the leagues three best defenses overall.
Miami with the leagues #3 defense, and #9 offense (at the very least) faced an equally compensated, talented and in desire of a win Detroit Lions team with the leagues #1 defense and #20 offense.
The Lions made plays all day from both sides of the ball while the Dolphins flashed on only a few instances, and gave up the go ahead touchdown with 29 fourth quarter seconds remaining. The NFC's Detroit Lions prevailed over Miami's Dolphins by a score of 20 - 16.
Calvin Johnson (the leagues best receiver) returned from injury for Detroit as his old self, and dominated with 7 receptions for 113 yards including a 49 yard touchdown while one of the leagues stats leaders among receivers Golden Tate of the Lions also cleared the century mark with 11 receptions for 109 yards.
Detroit threw the book at Miami, and held possession of the opening kick for 8:41 on 15 plays for 72 yards. Following a 3rd down Cam Wake sack of Matthew Stafford with a 4th & 6 at their own forty five yard line, the Lions executed a pass and catch from punter to full back for 22 yards on a fake punt. Miami's defense held at their own eight, and forced a Detroit field goal for a Lions lead of 3 - 0.
Ndamukong Suh of the Lions (the leagues noted most nastiest player) swung a kitchen sink at Miami's offensive line with a tackle for loss of two yards on the Dolphins opening rush attempt, and a 2nd down sack of Ryan Tannehill for a loss of ten on Miami's initial three play for negative seven yard touch of the ball. On 4th & 17 the Dolphins punted to their own 49 yard line where the Lions took possession. On first down, an absolutely perfect Matt Stafford 49 yard pass to an elegantly run route and catch by Calvin Johnson (despite great Brent Grimes coverage) resulted in a Lions 10 - 0 advantage.
The Lions Iggy Ansah dominated the following Dolphins possession of the ball with a first down tackle for loss of seven yards on a Jarvis Landry end-around, and a third down sack of minus eleven yards on Tannehill. Detroit's #1 defense came to play, and again forced Miami to go three & out for minus 13 yards. Miami punted from their own end zone, and the home team again took possession on Miami's side of the field at the 47 yard line. The Dolphin defense forced a Lions minus one yard three & out on consecutive incompletions with 32 first quarter seconds remaining.
Miami and Detroit exchanged short termed scoreless possessions, and the Dolphins took the ball at their own 38 yard line. Tannehill drove the Dolphins to the Lions 19 in completing three of four passes to Landry, Wallace, and Gibson. On 3rd & 7 he committed his one major mistake of the day with a five yard sideline toss that was intercepted at the 14. On the return of that same interception, Tannehill perhaps made his best play of the day in tracking down and making a line backer like tackle at Miami's 16 yard line on the returnee of what was an obvious easy pik-six opportunity. The Dolphins next extremely exceptional play of the day came via the one hand of Brent Grimes that got Tannehill off the hook with an end zone interception on Staffords first down play. Grimmey's pick was his fourth in three games.
The Dolphins took the ball 75 yards on 14 plays from their own twenty. Tannehill went 8 of 10 to six different receivers for 55 yards to Detroit's five yard line, from where Miami kicked a field goal on 4th & 4 to get on the board and pull within seven at 3 - 10, with thirteen meaningless fist half seconds remaining.
As the NFL's most proficient third quarter team in terms of scoring ratio. The Dolphins on three possessions scored 10 unanswered third quarter points to pull ahead of the Lions by a score of 13 - 10 going into the fourth quarter. Jarvis Landry returned the third quarters opening kick 46 yards, and on first down Tannehill hit Hartline for a 12 yard first down, on second down the ball was punched away from Daniel Thomas' grasp for a Detroit forced fumble and recovery.
Detroit went five & out for three yards with the aid of a Jelani Jenkins sack and loss of 10 yards on the Lions second first down attempt, and Miami took possession at their own forty three. The Dolphins covered 25 yards on seven plays, and kicked a 50 yard field goal for a four point deficit of 6 - 10.
The home team followed from their own 23 with a 55 yard drive on 12 plays to the visitors 24 yard line where they faced a 4th & 6 forty two yard field goal attempt. Miami defensive tackle Earl Mitchell made a play for the second consecutive week with a block of the kick as much maligned defensive end Dion Jordan scooped it up at the Dolphins 39, and did all he could to return it 58 yards to the Lions 3 yard line. On first and goal from the three Ryan Tannehill connected with Mike Wallace in the flat for a Dolphins TOUCHDOWN, and 13 - 10 scoreboard advantage. with 1:17 third quarter ticks to go.
Miami's host negated the Dolphin lead with a 50 yard possession on eight plays that concluded with a 4th & 26 fifty yard field goal to even it up at 13 - 13 three minutes into the fourth quarter. Cam Wake accrued his second sack of the day for a 9 yard loss on 3rd & 17.
Dolphin ball from their own 28 yard line with 12:02 to go drive 70 yards on thirteen plays in 7:43 to the Lions TWO YARD LINE where Charles Clay drops a Tannehill touchdown pass on 3rd down which forces a Miami go ahead field goal for a 16 - 13 lead.
The Dolphins #3 defense forces another Lions three and out on three consecutive incompletions, and regains ball control at their own 17 yard line with 3:47 remaining on the game clock. Detroit's #1 defense returns the favor with a three and out of their own, and have the ball at their own 26 yard line with 3:13 to go.
Coincidentally. The Detroit Lions end the game with a 3 minute and 8 second time of possession advantage which was the deciding factor as they held the ball last (with substantial time remaining), and drove 74 yards on eleven plays in 2:44 for a third down go ahead touchdown pass of eleven yards. Miami got the ball needing a touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in a hell of an exciting back and fourth defensive battle that the 5 - 3 Dolphins unfortunately lose to the 6 - 2 Lions by a final score of 20 - 16.
The now 7 - 2 on a four game winning streak Lions with 351 total yards (288 through the air & 63 on the ground) out gained the now 5 - 4 Dolphins (222 total, 172 & 50) in yardage by 129 total yards (116 via the pass) to the extraordinary receivers by the name of Calvin Johnson, and Golden Tate.
Stafford went 24 of 40 for 280 with two touchdowns and an interception while Tannehill was 27 of 38 for 201 with a touchdown and interception. Jarvis Landry led the Dolphins in receiving with 7 catches for 53 yards followed by Mike Wallace's 5 receptions for 50 yards with a touchdown, and Charles Clay's 7 for 45 yards.
Each team had three sacks (Jelani Jenkins & Cam Wake times two), and an interception (Brent Grimes) while the Lions forced a fumble (D Thomas) and recovery (that didn't cost the Dolphins points) to win the turnover battle.
One more note of extreme game/season consequence is that the Miami Dolphins lost their prize free agent acquisition of Left Tackle Brandon Albert (for the remainder of the year) on their final possession of the second quarter!!
""Drizzle, Drazzle, Driffle, Drumm, Time For this One To Go Home""
Have Solace Friends!!
You only need to endure for four days when your Miami Dolphins come home to kick some Buffalo hide on the nationally televised Thursday Night Football Game!!
The Miami Dolphins are one game behind the pace of the AFC's current 3rd, 4th, 5th seeds, and just one half game behind the present 6th seed. As is Buffalo with a 2 - 4 conference record while the Dolphins are 4 - 2 within the AFC.
THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view :))!
Beat the Bills!!
GOFINS!!!
Miami with the leagues #3 defense, and #9 offense (at the very least) faced an equally compensated, talented and in desire of a win Detroit Lions team with the leagues #1 defense and #20 offense.
The Lions made plays all day from both sides of the ball while the Dolphins flashed on only a few instances, and gave up the go ahead touchdown with 29 fourth quarter seconds remaining. The NFC's Detroit Lions prevailed over Miami's Dolphins by a score of 20 - 16.
Calvin Johnson (the leagues best receiver) returned from injury for Detroit as his old self, and dominated with 7 receptions for 113 yards including a 49 yard touchdown while one of the leagues stats leaders among receivers Golden Tate of the Lions also cleared the century mark with 11 receptions for 109 yards.
Detroit threw the book at Miami, and held possession of the opening kick for 8:41 on 15 plays for 72 yards. Following a 3rd down Cam Wake sack of Matthew Stafford with a 4th & 6 at their own forty five yard line, the Lions executed a pass and catch from punter to full back for 22 yards on a fake punt. Miami's defense held at their own eight, and forced a Detroit field goal for a Lions lead of 3 - 0.
Ndamukong Suh of the Lions (the leagues noted most nastiest player) swung a kitchen sink at Miami's offensive line with a tackle for loss of two yards on the Dolphins opening rush attempt, and a 2nd down sack of Ryan Tannehill for a loss of ten on Miami's initial three play for negative seven yard touch of the ball. On 4th & 17 the Dolphins punted to their own 49 yard line where the Lions took possession. On first down, an absolutely perfect Matt Stafford 49 yard pass to an elegantly run route and catch by Calvin Johnson (despite great Brent Grimes coverage) resulted in a Lions 10 - 0 advantage.
The Lions Iggy Ansah dominated the following Dolphins possession of the ball with a first down tackle for loss of seven yards on a Jarvis Landry end-around, and a third down sack of minus eleven yards on Tannehill. Detroit's #1 defense came to play, and again forced Miami to go three & out for minus 13 yards. Miami punted from their own end zone, and the home team again took possession on Miami's side of the field at the 47 yard line. The Dolphin defense forced a Lions minus one yard three & out on consecutive incompletions with 32 first quarter seconds remaining.
Miami and Detroit exchanged short termed scoreless possessions, and the Dolphins took the ball at their own 38 yard line. Tannehill drove the Dolphins to the Lions 19 in completing three of four passes to Landry, Wallace, and Gibson. On 3rd & 7 he committed his one major mistake of the day with a five yard sideline toss that was intercepted at the 14. On the return of that same interception, Tannehill perhaps made his best play of the day in tracking down and making a line backer like tackle at Miami's 16 yard line on the returnee of what was an obvious easy pik-six opportunity. The Dolphins next extremely exceptional play of the day came via the one hand of Brent Grimes that got Tannehill off the hook with an end zone interception on Staffords first down play. Grimmey's pick was his fourth in three games.
The Dolphins took the ball 75 yards on 14 plays from their own twenty. Tannehill went 8 of 10 to six different receivers for 55 yards to Detroit's five yard line, from where Miami kicked a field goal on 4th & 4 to get on the board and pull within seven at 3 - 10, with thirteen meaningless fist half seconds remaining.
As the NFL's most proficient third quarter team in terms of scoring ratio. The Dolphins on three possessions scored 10 unanswered third quarter points to pull ahead of the Lions by a score of 13 - 10 going into the fourth quarter. Jarvis Landry returned the third quarters opening kick 46 yards, and on first down Tannehill hit Hartline for a 12 yard first down, on second down the ball was punched away from Daniel Thomas' grasp for a Detroit forced fumble and recovery.
Detroit went five & out for three yards with the aid of a Jelani Jenkins sack and loss of 10 yards on the Lions second first down attempt, and Miami took possession at their own forty three. The Dolphins covered 25 yards on seven plays, and kicked a 50 yard field goal for a four point deficit of 6 - 10.
The home team followed from their own 23 with a 55 yard drive on 12 plays to the visitors 24 yard line where they faced a 4th & 6 forty two yard field goal attempt. Miami defensive tackle Earl Mitchell made a play for the second consecutive week with a block of the kick as much maligned defensive end Dion Jordan scooped it up at the Dolphins 39, and did all he could to return it 58 yards to the Lions 3 yard line. On first and goal from the three Ryan Tannehill connected with Mike Wallace in the flat for a Dolphins TOUCHDOWN, and 13 - 10 scoreboard advantage. with 1:17 third quarter ticks to go.
Miami's host negated the Dolphin lead with a 50 yard possession on eight plays that concluded with a 4th & 26 fifty yard field goal to even it up at 13 - 13 three minutes into the fourth quarter. Cam Wake accrued his second sack of the day for a 9 yard loss on 3rd & 17.
Dolphin ball from their own 28 yard line with 12:02 to go drive 70 yards on thirteen plays in 7:43 to the Lions TWO YARD LINE where Charles Clay drops a Tannehill touchdown pass on 3rd down which forces a Miami go ahead field goal for a 16 - 13 lead.
The Dolphins #3 defense forces another Lions three and out on three consecutive incompletions, and regains ball control at their own 17 yard line with 3:47 remaining on the game clock. Detroit's #1 defense returns the favor with a three and out of their own, and have the ball at their own 26 yard line with 3:13 to go.
Coincidentally. The Detroit Lions end the game with a 3 minute and 8 second time of possession advantage which was the deciding factor as they held the ball last (with substantial time remaining), and drove 74 yards on eleven plays in 2:44 for a third down go ahead touchdown pass of eleven yards. Miami got the ball needing a touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in a hell of an exciting back and fourth defensive battle that the 5 - 3 Dolphins unfortunately lose to the 6 - 2 Lions by a final score of 20 - 16.
The now 7 - 2 on a four game winning streak Lions with 351 total yards (288 through the air & 63 on the ground) out gained the now 5 - 4 Dolphins (222 total, 172 & 50) in yardage by 129 total yards (116 via the pass) to the extraordinary receivers by the name of Calvin Johnson, and Golden Tate.
Stafford went 24 of 40 for 280 with two touchdowns and an interception while Tannehill was 27 of 38 for 201 with a touchdown and interception. Jarvis Landry led the Dolphins in receiving with 7 catches for 53 yards followed by Mike Wallace's 5 receptions for 50 yards with a touchdown, and Charles Clay's 7 for 45 yards.
Each team had three sacks (Jelani Jenkins & Cam Wake times two), and an interception (Brent Grimes) while the Lions forced a fumble (D Thomas) and recovery (that didn't cost the Dolphins points) to win the turnover battle.
One more note of extreme game/season consequence is that the Miami Dolphins lost their prize free agent acquisition of Left Tackle Brandon Albert (for the remainder of the year) on their final possession of the second quarter!!
""Drizzle, Drazzle, Driffle, Drumm, Time For this One To Go Home""
Have Solace Friends!!
You only need to endure for four days when your Miami Dolphins come home to kick some Buffalo hide on the nationally televised Thursday Night Football Game!!
The Miami Dolphins are one game behind the pace of the AFC's current 3rd, 4th, 5th seeds, and just one half game behind the present 6th seed. As is Buffalo with a 2 - 4 conference record while the Dolphins are 4 - 2 within the AFC.
THANK YOU for an Open-Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view :))!
Beat the Bills!!
GOFINS!!!
Miami Dolphins 37 - 0 Surge Short Circuits Chargers
Through eight 2014 NFL games the 5 - 3, and AFC fifth seeded San Diego Chargers went south to face the 4 - 3 Miami Dolphins.
Miami has the Dolphins (your favorite) football team, they're moving the ball from goal to goal like (no one since thirteen), whether through the air or on the ground they've been (often) in control, and when you say Miami you're talking (on a roll)!!
Cuz we're the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins Number One !!
Today.
The Dolphins splashed about the confines of their Miami aquarium, and doused the highly explosive power grid that is the Chargers. San Diego's quarterback Phillip Rivers came into the day with the leagues third most touchdown passes (20), and only five interceptions thrown while the Charger superstar tight end Antonio Gates entered the game with nine scores in just eight games.
In case the title to this piece moistened your eye's to a blur?
The Miami Dolphins started fast, finished strong, and won the game THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO!
Since the return of starting safety Rashad Jones four games ago, the Miami defense has been catapulted to an elite level, and versus the Chargers they were even better. Rashad Jones has led the team in tackles in all four weeks since his return, and contributed an interception on this day, (his second of the season). For the second consecutive game corner back Brent Grimes had an interception, this time he had two for a season total of four to go along with a pik-six last week, and the Dolphins have six interceptions over the last three games with nine for the season.
Miami has four sacks in two successive outings with eleven over the last three games. Randy Starks set the tone early with a sack of the nearly elite Phillip Rivers on the games very first offensive play for a loss of three yards. The first, and lone substantial San Diego drive of the day covered fifty seven yards in twelve plays only to end on a fourth and one (Rashad Jones) stuff of the running back at the Dolphin twenty three yard line.
The Chargers second possession went three and out for nine yards. Rashad Jones had his interception on the first play of the visitors third touch of the ball. San Diego's fourth series went five and out for sixteen yards which happened to be identical to their fifth and final first half possession. For the first half of play, the Chargers offensive unit snapped the ball twenty five times for ninety eight yards, and ZERO POINTS in five possessions!
On six second half series, San Diego ran twenty four plays for forty eight yards, and ZERO POINTS! Their first second half possession went seventeen yards on six plays, and ended upon Brent Grimes' first interception of the day that he returned twenty six yards to the Chargers nineteen.
The Miami defense splashed again on the visitors following three and out for six yards touch of the ball. Defensive Lineman (Earl Mitchell) got his first sack of the season for a loss of eight yards, and a second Brent Grimes interception of an attempted bomb ended the series on second and eighteen.
Upon the high voltage Chargers third second half possession that netted one yard on three plays, Olivier Vernon executed a third and nine sack and a forced fumble via Rivers that Jared Odrick recovered at the Chargers fourteen.
Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers is benched with 120 third quarter ticks of the clock remaining. Kellen Clemons replaces the near elite Rivers for the Chargers final three possessions of the game, and is greeted by Cam Wake on third and five of a four play for one yard series that ended the third quarter. For the visitors two fourth quarter possessions they ran eight plays for twenty three yards, and ZERO POINTS!
And that's the way it ended, hail to the Miami Dolphin Defense.
Ohh-Wait, Almost forgot.
The Dolphin Offense splashed about through electrified hoops too!
ZERO to ZERO with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Miami's first possession with a first down ball at their own twenty three. On consecutive plays that started with a Jarvis Landry reception for nine yards, Lamar Miller run for seven, Charles Clay catch for twenty four, Miller rush for five, Mike Wallace grab for five, Landry for thirteen, Miller run for six, Brian Hartline reception for six, and a Miller rush for one to San Diego's six yard line. The ten play's in 5:56, seventy seven yard drive ended with a Charles Clay six yard TOUCHDOWN from Ryan Tannehill who went six of six for sixty three passing yards, and a Miami Dolphin first quarter lead of Seven to ZERO!
Next Miami possession takes 3:42 to "matriculate" sixty one yards in eight plays. First and ten at the Dolphins thirty nine, Tannehill up the middle for four yards. Following a second down and six incompletion/drop, Tannehill hits Landry for seven, then Clay for another eighteen. On first and ten from the Chargers thirty two Tannehill runs around the right end for twenty two yards and another first down, then hits Miller for an eight yard reception. Third and two from San Diego's two yard line, Lamar Miller TOUCHDOWN for a home team early second quarter advantage of Fourteen to ZERO!
Following the Rashad Jones pick on the visitors third series of one play. The Dolphins have the ball at the Chargers thirty one yard line, they gather a first down on first down with a twenty one yard reception and run for reserve running back Damien Williams to the opponents ten. The series stalls with an incompletion to Brandon Gibson (who was dragging a defender), a Williams rush for nadda, as well as a two yard pass to the running back. Miami kicks a twenty six yard field goal for a Seventeen to ZERO game six minutes into the second quarter.
The Chargers go three and out. Miami takes possession at the Dolphin thirty with 7:23 remaining in the first half. Daniel Thomas shakes and bakes a one yard reception for twelve, and on the Dolphins second third down attempt of the drive Tannehill hits Wallace for thirty eight yards to the San Diego six. They pass on first down to Thomas for two yards, but a negative rush attempt, and an incompletion results in an eleven play, sixty three yard drive in 5:36 for a twenty five yard field goal which puts the home team lead at Twenty to ZERO.
Miami gets the ball one last time in the first half with 1:03 to go. They drive forty eight yards in eight plays from their own twenty four to the San Diego twenty eight, but miss the forty five yard field goal attempt as the clock runs out with a Miami Dolphin scoreboard advantage of Twenty to ZERO!
The Dolphins have accrued 283 total yards (208 passing, 75 rushing on 13 attempts). Ryan Tannehill is 18 of 25 for 208 to seven different receivers. The Chargers have 118 total yards (14 rushing). Miami's defense has one sack, and one interception.
Third Quarter. Miami ball, first down at their own twenty eight, Tannehill to Hartline for eighteen. On the drives third first down play Tannehill runs around the left end for eleven more first down yards, and on second and ten Miller rushes for fourteen yards and the drives fifth first down opportunity at the Chargers twenty one. Second and ten, Tannehill eludes a fierce sack attack, gets creative in extending the play for an end zone TOUCHDOWN pass to Rishard Matthews, and Twenty Seven to ZERO Dolphin lead.
Brent Grimes' first interception occurs on the Chargers following possession, and Miami has the ball at the visitors nineteen yard line. Tannehill goes one for three, the Dolphins cover fourteen yards on six plays, and kick a twenty three yard field goal for a Thirty to ZERO score.
A first down Earl Mitchell sack is immediately followed by a second Brent Grimes interception, this one was of the long bomb variety, and Miami takes control at their own twenty nine. On first down Tannehill completes a pass of eleven yards to Clay, The Dolphin then take the conservative route with three rushes for nine yards, and with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter Brandon Fields has his first and only punt of the day.
Charger ball at their own eleven, third down and nine, Olivier Vernon sacks and forces a Phillip Rivers fumble that is recovered by Jared Odrick at the San Diego fourteen yard line. Miami ball, first and ten. Ryan Tannehill completes short pass to Jarvis Landry who tip-toes down the sideline while towing a double-wide Charger trailer for another Miami Dolphin TOUCHDOWN, and THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO scoreboard final!`
With two third quarter minutes remaining Phillip Rivers is benched. Kellen Clemons reluctantly replaces him and is greeted by Cam Wake for minus five yards on third and five. The sack was Miami's fourth and final of the day, and the third quarter ended upon the punt.
With a Thirty Seven to ZERO Dolphin Victory in hand!
The Miami Dolphins Franchise Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is sat down in order to preserve his health. Not a whole lot took place in the fourth quarter, though Matt Moore did drive the team forty six yards into the Chargers red zone, as Miami exhibited professional courtesy in turning the ball over on downs rather than taking a chip shot field goal of the rub it in your face variety with 26 ticks of the clock to go.
Miami ran 74 plays to accrue 441 yards for a six yard per play average via (309 passing on 39 attempts, and 132 rushing in 35 carries) with 28 first downs (17 through the air, and 10 via the rush) in 36:07. San Diego had 49 plays for 178 yards (128 passing, and 50 on the ground) in 23:53. The Dolphin Defense had four sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.
Lamar Miller ran 11 times for 49 yards with a touchdown, and Tannehill had 4 attempts for 47 yards. Charles Clay led the receiving game with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown while others were also equal to the task. To name a few of the nine different receivers that Tannehill connected with. Hartline had 5 for 50, Wallace snagged 3 for 50, Landry caught 5 for 46 with a touchdown, and Rishard Matthews had one reception for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill had his career day two weeks ago in Chicago. Today he eclipsed that performance while going 24 of 34 for 288 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions, zero sacks, and a QBR of 94.5 with an overall RTG of 125.6. He has fourteen touchdowns to six interceptions on the year, and the Miami Dolphins are 5 - 3 at the mid season point.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO, GIGGGITTTYYY!!
Beat The Lions!!
GOFINS!!!
Miami has the Dolphins (your favorite) football team, they're moving the ball from goal to goal like (no one since thirteen), whether through the air or on the ground they've been (often) in control, and when you say Miami you're talking (on a roll)!!
Cuz we're the Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins, Miami Dolphins Number One !!
Today.
The Dolphins splashed about the confines of their Miami aquarium, and doused the highly explosive power grid that is the Chargers. San Diego's quarterback Phillip Rivers came into the day with the leagues third most touchdown passes (20), and only five interceptions thrown while the Charger superstar tight end Antonio Gates entered the game with nine scores in just eight games.
In case the title to this piece moistened your eye's to a blur?
The Miami Dolphins started fast, finished strong, and won the game THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO!
Since the return of starting safety Rashad Jones four games ago, the Miami defense has been catapulted to an elite level, and versus the Chargers they were even better. Rashad Jones has led the team in tackles in all four weeks since his return, and contributed an interception on this day, (his second of the season). For the second consecutive game corner back Brent Grimes had an interception, this time he had two for a season total of four to go along with a pik-six last week, and the Dolphins have six interceptions over the last three games with nine for the season.
Miami has four sacks in two successive outings with eleven over the last three games. Randy Starks set the tone early with a sack of the nearly elite Phillip Rivers on the games very first offensive play for a loss of three yards. The first, and lone substantial San Diego drive of the day covered fifty seven yards in twelve plays only to end on a fourth and one (Rashad Jones) stuff of the running back at the Dolphin twenty three yard line.
The Chargers second possession went three and out for nine yards. Rashad Jones had his interception on the first play of the visitors third touch of the ball. San Diego's fourth series went five and out for sixteen yards which happened to be identical to their fifth and final first half possession. For the first half of play, the Chargers offensive unit snapped the ball twenty five times for ninety eight yards, and ZERO POINTS in five possessions!
On six second half series, San Diego ran twenty four plays for forty eight yards, and ZERO POINTS! Their first second half possession went seventeen yards on six plays, and ended upon Brent Grimes' first interception of the day that he returned twenty six yards to the Chargers nineteen.
The Miami defense splashed again on the visitors following three and out for six yards touch of the ball. Defensive Lineman (Earl Mitchell) got his first sack of the season for a loss of eight yards, and a second Brent Grimes interception of an attempted bomb ended the series on second and eighteen.
Upon the high voltage Chargers third second half possession that netted one yard on three plays, Olivier Vernon executed a third and nine sack and a forced fumble via Rivers that Jared Odrick recovered at the Chargers fourteen.
Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers is benched with 120 third quarter ticks of the clock remaining. Kellen Clemons replaces the near elite Rivers for the Chargers final three possessions of the game, and is greeted by Cam Wake on third and five of a four play for one yard series that ended the third quarter. For the visitors two fourth quarter possessions they ran eight plays for twenty three yards, and ZERO POINTS!
And that's the way it ended, hail to the Miami Dolphin Defense.
Ohh-Wait, Almost forgot.
The Dolphin Offense splashed about through electrified hoops too!
ZERO to ZERO with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Miami's first possession with a first down ball at their own twenty three. On consecutive plays that started with a Jarvis Landry reception for nine yards, Lamar Miller run for seven, Charles Clay catch for twenty four, Miller rush for five, Mike Wallace grab for five, Landry for thirteen, Miller run for six, Brian Hartline reception for six, and a Miller rush for one to San Diego's six yard line. The ten play's in 5:56, seventy seven yard drive ended with a Charles Clay six yard TOUCHDOWN from Ryan Tannehill who went six of six for sixty three passing yards, and a Miami Dolphin first quarter lead of Seven to ZERO!
Next Miami possession takes 3:42 to "matriculate" sixty one yards in eight plays. First and ten at the Dolphins thirty nine, Tannehill up the middle for four yards. Following a second down and six incompletion/drop, Tannehill hits Landry for seven, then Clay for another eighteen. On first and ten from the Chargers thirty two Tannehill runs around the right end for twenty two yards and another first down, then hits Miller for an eight yard reception. Third and two from San Diego's two yard line, Lamar Miller TOUCHDOWN for a home team early second quarter advantage of Fourteen to ZERO!
Following the Rashad Jones pick on the visitors third series of one play. The Dolphins have the ball at the Chargers thirty one yard line, they gather a first down on first down with a twenty one yard reception and run for reserve running back Damien Williams to the opponents ten. The series stalls with an incompletion to Brandon Gibson (who was dragging a defender), a Williams rush for nadda, as well as a two yard pass to the running back. Miami kicks a twenty six yard field goal for a Seventeen to ZERO game six minutes into the second quarter.
The Chargers go three and out. Miami takes possession at the Dolphin thirty with 7:23 remaining in the first half. Daniel Thomas shakes and bakes a one yard reception for twelve, and on the Dolphins second third down attempt of the drive Tannehill hits Wallace for thirty eight yards to the San Diego six. They pass on first down to Thomas for two yards, but a negative rush attempt, and an incompletion results in an eleven play, sixty three yard drive in 5:36 for a twenty five yard field goal which puts the home team lead at Twenty to ZERO.
Miami gets the ball one last time in the first half with 1:03 to go. They drive forty eight yards in eight plays from their own twenty four to the San Diego twenty eight, but miss the forty five yard field goal attempt as the clock runs out with a Miami Dolphin scoreboard advantage of Twenty to ZERO!
The Dolphins have accrued 283 total yards (208 passing, 75 rushing on 13 attempts). Ryan Tannehill is 18 of 25 for 208 to seven different receivers. The Chargers have 118 total yards (14 rushing). Miami's defense has one sack, and one interception.
Third Quarter. Miami ball, first down at their own twenty eight, Tannehill to Hartline for eighteen. On the drives third first down play Tannehill runs around the left end for eleven more first down yards, and on second and ten Miller rushes for fourteen yards and the drives fifth first down opportunity at the Chargers twenty one. Second and ten, Tannehill eludes a fierce sack attack, gets creative in extending the play for an end zone TOUCHDOWN pass to Rishard Matthews, and Twenty Seven to ZERO Dolphin lead.
Brent Grimes' first interception occurs on the Chargers following possession, and Miami has the ball at the visitors nineteen yard line. Tannehill goes one for three, the Dolphins cover fourteen yards on six plays, and kick a twenty three yard field goal for a Thirty to ZERO score.
A first down Earl Mitchell sack is immediately followed by a second Brent Grimes interception, this one was of the long bomb variety, and Miami takes control at their own twenty nine. On first down Tannehill completes a pass of eleven yards to Clay, The Dolphin then take the conservative route with three rushes for nine yards, and with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter Brandon Fields has his first and only punt of the day.
Charger ball at their own eleven, third down and nine, Olivier Vernon sacks and forces a Phillip Rivers fumble that is recovered by Jared Odrick at the San Diego fourteen yard line. Miami ball, first and ten. Ryan Tannehill completes short pass to Jarvis Landry who tip-toes down the sideline while towing a double-wide Charger trailer for another Miami Dolphin TOUCHDOWN, and THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO scoreboard final!`
With two third quarter minutes remaining Phillip Rivers is benched. Kellen Clemons reluctantly replaces him and is greeted by Cam Wake for minus five yards on third and five. The sack was Miami's fourth and final of the day, and the third quarter ended upon the punt.
With a Thirty Seven to ZERO Dolphin Victory in hand!
The Miami Dolphins Franchise Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is sat down in order to preserve his health. Not a whole lot took place in the fourth quarter, though Matt Moore did drive the team forty six yards into the Chargers red zone, as Miami exhibited professional courtesy in turning the ball over on downs rather than taking a chip shot field goal of the rub it in your face variety with 26 ticks of the clock to go.
Miami ran 74 plays to accrue 441 yards for a six yard per play average via (309 passing on 39 attempts, and 132 rushing in 35 carries) with 28 first downs (17 through the air, and 10 via the rush) in 36:07. San Diego had 49 plays for 178 yards (128 passing, and 50 on the ground) in 23:53. The Dolphin Defense had four sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.
Lamar Miller ran 11 times for 49 yards with a touchdown, and Tannehill had 4 attempts for 47 yards. Charles Clay led the receiving game with 5 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown while others were also equal to the task. To name a few of the nine different receivers that Tannehill connected with. Hartline had 5 for 50, Wallace snagged 3 for 50, Landry caught 5 for 46 with a touchdown, and Rishard Matthews had one reception for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill had his career day two weeks ago in Chicago. Today he eclipsed that performance while going 24 of 34 for 288 yards with three touchdowns, zero interceptions, zero sacks, and a QBR of 94.5 with an overall RTG of 125.6. He has fourteen touchdowns to six interceptions on the year, and the Miami Dolphins are 5 - 3 at the mid season point.
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view : )) !!
THIRTY SEVEN to ZERO, GIGGGITTTYYY!!
Beat The Lions!!
GOFINS!!!
Ninety Six Miami Dolphin Hours
"ALLLLLLL-RIGHTTTT M I A M I"...over a pitcher of eggnog is what Mad Dog Mandich and riverdoGary are howling from The Pearly Gates Sports Bar & Grill!
The Miami Dolphins have signed a total of FOUR NFL All Star Pro Bowlers in the first four days of 2014's Free Agency Period!
One day prior to Tuesday's 4pm March 11th opening of the new NFL season. Owner Stephen Ross' new General Manager Dennis Hickey and previous staff members (Dawn Aponte, Joe Philbin) secured their number one defensive free agent priority in Pro Bowl corner back Brent Grimes who was scheduled to hit Tuesdays free for all. The Dolphin's 2013 defensive standout and team leader Grimes will account for only four million dollars against the 2014 cap and will be in Miami for the next four years.
In another beat the Open House Tuesday deadline move. Miami swooped on an enforcer type Safety with the acquisition of Louis Delmas (27) who will upgrade the pre-planned free agency loss of former safety Chris Clemons. Delmas signed a one year 3.5 million dollar deal similar to that of Grimes' 2013 prove it to us contract, and we'll reward you down the road.
Once upon Tuesdays 4pm first minute, the actual beginning of the 2014 Free Agency Period and NFL Season. THE MIAMI DOLPHINS addressed their number one offensive priority with the signing of the top rated free agent Left Tackle and Kansas City Pro Bowl All Star Branden Albert (29). He will be quarterback Ryan Tannehill's blindside blocker (a specialty of his) for at least the next three years at approximately 8.333 million per year. Miami inked the extremely athletic Albert to a five year 25 million dollar guaranteed contract. The fourth and fifth years are no guarantee and Miami can get out without compensating Albert if he no longer fits.
On Wednesday, a well rounded yet young run stopper and quarterback chaser in Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell (26) was reeled in at four million per year times four. Mitchell will fill the staffs foreseen through a crystal ball loss of Dolphin free agent defensive tackle Paul Soliai. The studly yet one dimensional 340 pound run stopping specialist Soliai (30) signed at a later time with Atlanta for 6 plus million per year.
Mitchell has been playing productively for the last three years while out of position in a 3-4 Houston defense as a 300 pound Nose Tackle. His versatility of both run stopping and interior pass rush skills are likely to explode in Miami's most prominent 4-3 defensive scheme, the same scheme he played collegiately at Arizona. The Dolphins new Offensive Line Coach John Benton has first hand knowledge of Mitchell's skills while his OLine faced him everyday in practice for the last three years.
Earl Mitchell's self description. “I’m extremely passionate . I love this game. That’s why I’m here. I’m here to work and I’m coming to produce and I’m definitely trying to help this team reach new heights. That’s really my reason for being here and I want to work. I want to play and at the end of the day I’m trying to get us to a Super Bowl. That’s all my focus and that’s my objective and that’s the only reason why I play this game.”
Thursday the sun came up so the Dolphins decided that they would re-sign another of their own All Stars, and did so with the extraordinarily versatile, Mr does everything Defensive Tackle and End Randy Starks. The long time Dolphin stud who has never missed a game during his six Dolphin seasons signed a multi-year deal for just over 6 million per year, and less than what Soliai signed for with the Falcons.
After Thursday is Friday. Approximately Ninety Six hours after the re-signing of the leagues third most proficient coverage corner since 2010 in Dolphins Pro Bowl Corner Back Brent Grimes. Hickey's Hell Raisers signed 2011's second highest ranked corner back Courtland Finnegan (30). He has had a tough couple of years since his 2011 top ranking, including a facial orbital injury that forced him to miss half of the 2013 season which should not hamper his in your face style. Finnegan is a play making intimidator, a guy that gets in the oppositions head and takes him out of his game. The Pro Bowl All Star signed a new beginning two year contract that is suggested to be in the vicinity of 10 to 11 million. Finnegan will start opposite of Grimes while being a huge upgrade to the pre-determined free agent loss of Nolan Carroll.
But wait. Friday is a 24 hour day so the Dolphins sign a much needed guard too by the 4pm Ninety Six hour mark. Shelly Smith (26)is a three year veteran that spent his first year for the Texans (under current Dolphins offensive line coach John Benton). The following two years he was in St.Louis where he started 8 of 11 games played in 2012, he started two of 14 games played last year. Smith is an explosive and very physical run blocker that signed with Miami for two years at 5.5 million total.
Ninety Six hours ago (as of Friday March 14th at 4pm). The Miami Dolphins were about to become extremely thin at defensive tackle and corner back with the potential loss of all four 2013 starters. They re-signed their two Pro Bowlers (Grimes & Starks), and addressed the other two free agent losses even before they became losses! They upgraded one of those losses with a nasty former Pro Bowl corner back (Finnegan), and replaced the other specialist with a well rounded youngster in defensive tackle (Mitchell)!
Miami entered the process with one legitimate starting offensive lineman on the roster in Elite NFL Center Mike Pouncey. At one minute into the process they signed the prominent left tackle that they have been chasing for several years (Albert).
In the ninety sixth hour they signed a young three year veteran guard that Miami's offensive line coach helped develop. They now have three more than capable guards with Shelly Smith, Nate Garner, and Sam Brenner while second year left side guard/potential tackle Dallas Thomas also waits in the wings. A standout veteran is still in the cards that are being dealt.
Miami has only one absolutely glaring empty spot remaining, and that is at the right tackle position! The Dolphins still have plenty of money and time to land a right tackle while a few good tackle options still remain. Miami's 2013 left and right side starting tackles Bryant McKinnie (who wants to come back), and Tyson Clabo are two of those few remaining on the market. Though they both struggled horribly early on in 2013, both Bryant and Tyson are very good players who are more than worthy right tackle Dolphin candidates! Both can also play left tackle in a pinch, and a team has to have a reliable backup to their left tackle, the signing of one of them will fill two needs!
Should Miami sign one of those two? They will find themselves in great position to seek early round skill players in the upcoming 2014 draft! If not? A couple more early round offensive lineman will remain a necessity! A couple offensive lineman will be drafted anyway at some point, but it would be almost too sweet for them to not be early round priorities!
What do you think of Dennis Hickey and his Staff's first 96 hours on the clock?
Thank You for an Open Minded Read, and we look forward to your angle of view!!
GOFINS!!
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