Miami's Dolphins perservered through the seasons opener last Sunday with a resiliant home field victory of 27 - 20 over the Titans in the NFL's longest game in history of (7 hours, 8 minutes).
On the following Monday they were informed that their 2018 FA prize LG Josh Sitton would be lost for the season to a shoulder injury. On Tuesday, their 2017 FA prize Guard Ted Larsen became the starting left guard. Miami (against two run stuffing DL's) rushed the ball (via Sitton) 29 times for 120 vs the Titans, and for 135 yards (via Larsen) on 31 attempts at the Jets.
The Dolphins flew in from Miami to visit NYC on week two of the 2018 season to take a (team vs team yardage simularity) 20 - 0 halftime lead. They headed home with a 2 - 0 record for the first time since 2013 while also (as the divisions only undefeated team) being in sole possession of the division lead for the first time in at least those same five years.
Ryan Tannehill on a designed QB run scampered for 20 yards on the games opening play. He was sacked four times for the game. On one occassion he was running for his life as the DE climbed on to his back to take him down akwardly with the entirety of #17's own weight as well as the defenders girth (to total 500-plus pounds) all being supported by THills repaired left knee. With a knock, knock on the forehead, that knee is as stable as any in the league.
Miami started the scoring after Safety TJ McDonald (lined up as Sam LB) baited the Jets (second series) rookie QB sensation Sam DARNold into an ill-advised pass that TMc returned 31 yards to the home teams 15 yard line. Rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick lined up tight vs the slot receiver, sprinted to the safety zone upon the snap, and TJ jumped in front of the slot guy for the pick. Sam Darnold never saw the Sam LB McDonald or such a defense.
After two runs that led to a 3rd & 1. Kenyan Drake ran untouched up the gut for the 6 yard TOUCHDOWN and 7 - 0 visiting teams advantage.
Two NY & Miami punts later on a Jets first down play for another first down, LB Kiko Alonso popped a receiver between the shoulder blades that forced a fumble that MLB Raquon McMillan fell on for the recovery at the home teams 49.
On the second play from that moment Ryan Tannehill hit Albert Wilson at the 24 on a 5 yard crossing pattern between the hash marks, Wilson streaked west for 26 yards to avoid the LB, and then North 24 yards for the Dolphins 14 - 0 TOUCHDOWN score.
A Jets three & out for minus 7 yards that included a Robert Quinn sack followed.
Miami took over with 2:29 first half ticks remaining at their own 38 for their longest drive of the day yardage wise. Four passes, and three runs took the Dolphins to the NY 19 yard line. From there Tannehill threw an endzone TOUCHDOWN dart to TE AJ Derby for the 20 - 0 halftime lead, (Sanders missed the EP kick).
NY marched 74 yards in the halfs remaining 49 seconds, but Miami stopped them at the one at as time expired.
The Jets scored a TD on the third quarters opening series and missed their own Extra Point attempt for a 20 - 6 defecit. NY scored two Field Goals in the second half also for the 20 - 12 final score loss.
The Dolphins didn't do much in the second half to risk their first half 20 - 0 lead, but Xavian Howard had a EndZone pick.
For the game.
Miami's DL had 9 TFL (tackles for loss), 5 via the interior with 4 from the ends. The 3 DL sacks came via DE Robert Quinn, & DT William Hayes along with a vicious sack from DT Jordan Phillips.
LB Kiko Alonso led the team while accruing 13 solo tackles (with most being of the face to face, big hit variety), and he forced a fumble that McMillan recovered.
CB X had his pick as did S/Sam LB TJ McDonald.
The Dolphin D allowed just 17 first half rush yards, and 42 over the games entirety. 149 first half pass yards and 171 in the second half for one TD & two FG's to total 12 points.
On Offense.
Drake led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 53 yards with a TD while THill had 8 attempts for 44 yards, and Gore with 9 for 25. PS. Miami Homey Frank Gore moved into the All-Time rushing leaders fourth spot ahead of long time Jet/Patriot Curtis Martin, and behind only Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders.
Albert Wilson topped the receivers with 3 catches for just 37 yards with the TD.
Amendola had 4 for 32, Grant 2 for 27, and TE Derby had the one for 19 and the TD.
Tannehill completed 17 of 23 for 122 yards with two TD passes and the 44 rush yards. The run game produced 135 yards with a TD on 31 attempts
T'wasn't an offensive field day, but the D made it so it didn't need to be. Miami played on a short field while the opposition didn't. The Offense scored 14 points off of NY's first two turnovers and toyed with a two to three score lead for the days most part. Even when the Dolphins couldn't sustain a drive, they still turned the field over with great punts and coverage on all kicks.
Miami's Dolphins went 6 of 13 on 3rd down, and committed just TWO PENALTIES for a grand total of 10 yards.
The J.E.T.S. pulled within 8 points with just under six game minutes remaining,
and never again touched the ball.
Miami's final possession (that included a 3rd/18 short dumpoff to Gore for a 19 yard first down run) was their most extensive drive of the day. They ran 12 plays for 58 yards to the NY 13 in 5:56 before going into 20 - 12 VICTORY FORMATION for the games final four plays rather than taking the additional bonus points of a TD or easy chipshot FG.
Yo Fireman Ed,
The Miami Dolphins are walkin'ear so STFU!!!
The F. I. N. S. WIN, WIN, WIN 📢 🚒
GOFINS!!!
Showing posts with label Kiko Alonso. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kiko Alonso. Show all posts
F. I. N. S. WIN, WIN, WIN 📢 🚒
at
Monday, September 17, 2018
Posted by
KennyV (13kvFINS) Nicholas
F. I. N. S. WIN, WIN, WIN 📢 🚒
2018-09-17T04:47:00-04:00
KennyV (13kvFINS) Nicholas
AJ Derby|Albert Wilson|Frank Gore|Jordan Phillips|Kenny Nicholas|Kenyan Drake|Kiko Alonso|Miami Dolphins|NY Jets|Robert Quinn|Ryan Tannehill|TJ McDonald|William Hayes|Xavian Howard|
Comments
Ignore Miami Dolphin Smokescreens – It’s Roquan Smith
at
Friday, March 09, 2018
Posted by
Patrick Tarell
G-day Shouters! Before our esteemed Kenny V delves into his Miami Dolphin centric draft analysis, I’d like to follow up on Miami’s defensive needs as I see them.
A previous article dissected how Miami’s lack of a potent weapon at TE affected the team’s ability to take advantage of opposing defenses. The same position had a disastrous effect on the Miami Dolphin defense. When thinking about the draft or free agent player acquisitions, in Miami…
It all revolves around the tight end.
Looking at some startling stats, I heard a Bill Parcells echo, “Stats are for losers!” Of course, Bill’s won a couple more Super Bowls than this average writer, so his words should not be taken for granted. Specific stats probably have little value in the big picture, but a distinct accumulation in a single area shows undeniable trends. It would be equally foolish not to heed the warning these tendencies indicate.
Adam Gase said something like, “people (PFF) do not know the defensive call or Kiko Alonso’s responsibility and should not criticize him on things they don’t know. He may be pursuing a guy he wasn’t specifically covering, but without knowing the call, they assume he missed the coverage.”
Those were not his exact words, but pretty close and for the most part, I agree. I don’t know the call, but what I do know is, TEs caught the ball, over, and over, and over again in the middle of the Miami defense.
Making such a statement tells us a couple things; no kudos were given for the defensive scheme, and the other linebackers on the team were not exonerated from responsibility.
On to the facts…
In 2017, ProFootballFocus graded Kiko Alonso as the No. 75 ranked LB in the NFL. Lawrence Timmons ranked 67th at his position and was Miami’s highest-graded LB. Miami ended the season shuffling a mixture of inexperienced players led by Chase Allen, Stephone Anthony and Mike Hull in and out of the line-up. This came after Rey Maualuga was arrested at a downtown Miami nightclub for brawling with bouncers in the wee hours before an early practice.
B-Bye Rey, hope those margaritas were de-lish!
The Dolphins allowed 94 catches by tight ends (most in the league) and 1034 receiving yards to tight ends (only Oakland – at 1038 – relinquished more). Opposing tight ends scored 10 touchdowns against the Dolphins, tied with Cleveland for second-most and behind only the Giants (13).
The six teams that allowed the most yards against tight ends (Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos, Redskins, Giants, and Texans) went a combined 31-65 and all missed the playoffs. Of the nine teams that allowed the most catches to tight ends, all but Buffalo had losing records.
For a sanity check, the three teams that gave up the fewest yards to tight ends (Saints, Panthers, and Vikings) went a combined 35-13…
We can backpedal a little and lament the injuries to Raekwon McMillian and Koa Misi, but honestly McMillian was a rookie and Misi was never very good in coverage.
McMillian will be a welcome addition when he returns, but there’s no telling the effects knee surgery will have on his career. The tendency to count on players returning to their previous form is a dangerous flirtation with the unknown. Misi’s injury appears to be career ending and Miami paid for services rendered in 2017, Misi will not return.
All of this means, Miami must make a concentrated effort to sure up the middle of the defense and find a player capable of covering tight ends. Defenses in the NFL are more diverse than ever.
Claiming to run a 3-4 or a 4-3 is simply a placeholder for player packages based on down and distance. Slot corner Bobby McCain played more snaps in 2017 (662) than every linebacker except Alonso (1008) and Timmons (792).
The relevance of the snap counts comes into play when an opposing offense presents a scheme with two wideouts, a slot receiver and a tight end.
Miami is in a mismatch...
If Miami cannot cover a TE with a LB than the safeties must become involved in the coverage. By moving the TE in motion across the formation, the coverage safety moves with him, or not, in either case the defense is exposed. Man coverage if the safety moves, and zone coverage if he does not.
Yes, that explanation was very rudimentary, but it was also very true…
The next time you yell at the TV wondering how that big ass TE got so open, remember what you just read.
This is kinda what Gase was talking about when he defended Alonso. In a zone defense, Kiko is responsible for an area of the field, not a specific player. The TE runs a shallow cross, a skinny post or uses a legal pick to create space and it looks like Alonso blew the coverage.
He didn’t blow the coverage, he’s just not good enough to play zone or man coverage against a decent TE.
Therefore, if Alonso is the defense’s best coverage LB, it’s a serious issue…
The amount of money Miami is willing to pay for defensive linemen clearly indicates where they expect the pass rush to come from. This also means with four primary DL, the five offensive linemen should be tied up, because if they don’t double team Mr. Suh, most plays are going to get wrecked.
The point is, Miami does not need bruising middle linebackers, like they would in a 3-4, who constantly take on OL. Miami needs athletic, almost hybrid type LBs, that can sneak around behind the huge line and are fleet enough to cover TEs and slippery slot receivers.
As Miami looks forward to fixing the issues detailed in the stats above, it starts at LB. Alonso is not as bad as PFF seems to think. Miami doesn’t pay PFF to use their stats as many other NFL teams do.
No one will come out and say it, so I will… PFF is a paid service and the teams that pay for the service have higher ranked players overall than teams that do not.
No other linebacker on the Miami Dolphins in 2017 should expect to be a starting player in 2018 based on their performance. Timmons and Misi will be gone. If McMillian returns to form and it’s highly likely he will, that leaves Allen, Hull and Anthony fighting for a single position and playing special teams.
Getting right down to it, the defense is really not that far away. It simply needs a true impact player at the linebacker position.
In the coming weeks, you will hear QB talk, Baker Mayfield this and Josh Rosen that… You will hear Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey debated on the offensive line. Calvin Ridley will be thrown in to replace Jarvis Landry. Tremaine Edmunds will soon be the rage. Before it’s done, Derwin Jones will be the player destined to save the Miami defense.
Fa-Get-About-It!!! It’s all a smokescreen…
Roquan Smith is the player you will not hear a peep about from Miami. I’ll leave you with one quote…
“Roquan Smith is an ascending linebacker prospect with elite athletic ability, plus intelligence and an ability to be an effective cover linebacker on passing downs.”
A previous article dissected how Miami’s lack of a potent weapon at TE affected the team’s ability to take advantage of opposing defenses. The same position had a disastrous effect on the Miami Dolphin defense. When thinking about the draft or free agent player acquisitions, in Miami…
It all revolves around the tight end.
Looking at some startling stats, I heard a Bill Parcells echo, “Stats are for losers!” Of course, Bill’s won a couple more Super Bowls than this average writer, so his words should not be taken for granted. Specific stats probably have little value in the big picture, but a distinct accumulation in a single area shows undeniable trends. It would be equally foolish not to heed the warning these tendencies indicate.
Adam Gase said something like, “people (PFF) do not know the defensive call or Kiko Alonso’s responsibility and should not criticize him on things they don’t know. He may be pursuing a guy he wasn’t specifically covering, but without knowing the call, they assume he missed the coverage.”
Those were not his exact words, but pretty close and for the most part, I agree. I don’t know the call, but what I do know is, TEs caught the ball, over, and over, and over again in the middle of the Miami defense.
Making such a statement tells us a couple things; no kudos were given for the defensive scheme, and the other linebackers on the team were not exonerated from responsibility.
On to the facts…
In 2017, ProFootballFocus graded Kiko Alonso as the No. 75 ranked LB in the NFL. Lawrence Timmons ranked 67th at his position and was Miami’s highest-graded LB. Miami ended the season shuffling a mixture of inexperienced players led by Chase Allen, Stephone Anthony and Mike Hull in and out of the line-up. This came after Rey Maualuga was arrested at a downtown Miami nightclub for brawling with bouncers in the wee hours before an early practice.
B-Bye Rey, hope those margaritas were de-lish!
The Dolphins allowed 94 catches by tight ends (most in the league) and 1034 receiving yards to tight ends (only Oakland – at 1038 – relinquished more). Opposing tight ends scored 10 touchdowns against the Dolphins, tied with Cleveland for second-most and behind only the Giants (13).
The six teams that allowed the most yards against tight ends (Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos, Redskins, Giants, and Texans) went a combined 31-65 and all missed the playoffs. Of the nine teams that allowed the most catches to tight ends, all but Buffalo had losing records.
For a sanity check, the three teams that gave up the fewest yards to tight ends (Saints, Panthers, and Vikings) went a combined 35-13…
We can backpedal a little and lament the injuries to Raekwon McMillian and Koa Misi, but honestly McMillian was a rookie and Misi was never very good in coverage.
McMillian will be a welcome addition when he returns, but there’s no telling the effects knee surgery will have on his career. The tendency to count on players returning to their previous form is a dangerous flirtation with the unknown. Misi’s injury appears to be career ending and Miami paid for services rendered in 2017, Misi will not return.
All of this means, Miami must make a concentrated effort to sure up the middle of the defense and find a player capable of covering tight ends. Defenses in the NFL are more diverse than ever.
Claiming to run a 3-4 or a 4-3 is simply a placeholder for player packages based on down and distance. Slot corner Bobby McCain played more snaps in 2017 (662) than every linebacker except Alonso (1008) and Timmons (792).
The relevance of the snap counts comes into play when an opposing offense presents a scheme with two wideouts, a slot receiver and a tight end.
Miami is in a mismatch...
If Miami cannot cover a TE with a LB than the safeties must become involved in the coverage. By moving the TE in motion across the formation, the coverage safety moves with him, or not, in either case the defense is exposed. Man coverage if the safety moves, and zone coverage if he does not.
Yes, that explanation was very rudimentary, but it was also very true…
The next time you yell at the TV wondering how that big ass TE got so open, remember what you just read.
This is kinda what Gase was talking about when he defended Alonso. In a zone defense, Kiko is responsible for an area of the field, not a specific player. The TE runs a shallow cross, a skinny post or uses a legal pick to create space and it looks like Alonso blew the coverage.
He didn’t blow the coverage, he’s just not good enough to play zone or man coverage against a decent TE.
Therefore, if Alonso is the defense’s best coverage LB, it’s a serious issue…
The amount of money Miami is willing to pay for defensive linemen clearly indicates where they expect the pass rush to come from. This also means with four primary DL, the five offensive linemen should be tied up, because if they don’t double team Mr. Suh, most plays are going to get wrecked.
The point is, Miami does not need bruising middle linebackers, like they would in a 3-4, who constantly take on OL. Miami needs athletic, almost hybrid type LBs, that can sneak around behind the huge line and are fleet enough to cover TEs and slippery slot receivers.
As Miami looks forward to fixing the issues detailed in the stats above, it starts at LB. Alonso is not as bad as PFF seems to think. Miami doesn’t pay PFF to use their stats as many other NFL teams do.
No one will come out and say it, so I will… PFF is a paid service and the teams that pay for the service have higher ranked players overall than teams that do not.
No other linebacker on the Miami Dolphins in 2017 should expect to be a starting player in 2018 based on their performance. Timmons and Misi will be gone. If McMillian returns to form and it’s highly likely he will, that leaves Allen, Hull and Anthony fighting for a single position and playing special teams.
Getting right down to it, the defense is really not that far away. It simply needs a true impact player at the linebacker position.
In the coming weeks, you will hear QB talk, Baker Mayfield this and Josh Rosen that… You will hear Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey debated on the offensive line. Calvin Ridley will be thrown in to replace Jarvis Landry. Tremaine Edmunds will soon be the rage. Before it’s done, Derwin Jones will be the player destined to save the Miami defense.
Fa-Get-About-It!!! It’s all a smokescreen…
Roquan Smith is the player you will not hear a peep about from Miami. I’ll leave you with one quote…
“Roquan Smith is an ascending linebacker prospect with elite athletic ability, plus intelligence and an ability to be an effective cover linebacker on passing downs.”
Ignore Miami Dolphin Smokescreens – It’s Roquan Smith
2018-03-09T09:59:00-05:00
Patrick Tarell
Adam Gase|AFC East|Bill Parcells|Kiko Alonso|Lawrence Timmons|Miami Dolphins|NFL|Patrick Tarell|Rey Maualuga|Roquan Smith|
Comments
Dolphins Officially Defeated by the Raiders
at
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Posted by
Patrick Tarell
The Miami Dolphins are 4-4 at the midpoint of the season and perhaps it’s expected from a mediocre team with stars that don’t shine at critical moments. Aside from Ndamukong Suh, the rest of Miami’s defensive “playmakers” took the night off, particularly on third down. Exasperation mounted on every third-and-long the Raiders made with inexplicable ease.
The joke in Oakland must have been Kiko Alonso in man coverage. According to the Miami Herald’s Adam H. Beasley, Alonso allowed five catches for 82 yards to Jared Cook and gave up a 12-yard pass to Michael Crabtree. Five of the six catches went for a minimum of 10 yards, including four third-and-long conversions.
It took Matt Burke a full quarter to switch from man coverage, to a holier than Swiss cheese zone. The zone was not helped by Cameron Wake who had only one tackle and no QB pressures. The poor defense also featured Rashad Jones trailing badly on third down and TD receptions.
There simply was no pressure on third down, no pass rush and with LBs and secondary unable to play man coverage, Burke could not blitz. For the second consecutive home game, the sod at Hard Rock Stadium came out of the ground in divots that would make Tiger Woods proud. These games each followed a Miami Hurricane home game the previous night and the next home game will also follow a Hurricane’s home game.
Stay calm Adam Gase, hopefully this is the worst the NFL can throw at a young coach when the officiating crew piles it on. On the surface, the crew for the Raiders game can point to parity in numbers as a justification of fairness. The Dolphins committed 11 penalties for 107 yards Sunday, including five in the fourth quarter. Oakland had 10 penalties for 105 yards, parity right? It was timing of these penalties that destroyed Miami.
Gase said. “We'd start a series out and Damien [Williams] has a huge play and we've got a holding call and we're on the 20. Who knows, maybe if we don't get the holding call he gets tackled at 10 yards, but we'll take, so it's not first-and-12 or whatever.” On a play with 12:46 left in regulation and the Dolphins down four. Williams caught a short pass, got to the right edge and raced down the sidelines. A big-gainer, wiped out because Jarvis Landry held. The Dolphins’ drive stalled immediately thereafter. Three minutes later, on another possession with good field position, Kenyan Drake ran for four yards on first down.Mike Pouncey held turning a second-and-6 into first-and-20, another Dolphins drive squandered.
The defense had two late secondary penalties on Oakland’s game-winning touchdown. A Xavien Howard pass interference call gave the Raiders a first-and-goal at the 3. It was perhaps the only legitimate penalty in the game. The Raiders got to that position because of a highly questionable flag thrown on the play before. The Raiders converted third-and-6 when Derek Carr connected with Seth Roberts for 29 yards along the right sideline. But the refs tacked on 15 more by saying Reshad Jones illegally hit a defenseless receiver – a debatable call, to say the least. Jones said after the game that there was nothing he could have done differently on the play.
The Dolphins still had a slight chance to make it a game late, but Jermon Bushrod all but ended that by holding on fourth-and-9, wiping out a 14-yard completion to Julius Thomas.
The Dolphins average of 7.5 accepted penalties per game. Many of these flags can be thrown on any play in an NFL game, yet the officials chose to pull the flag every time Miami made a play that would change the momentum of the game. Fans turn away when it appears officials dictate the outcome of games. Why bother playing or watching a game decided by referees?
Pointing fingers at officials inevitably leads to the standard comments about being poor losers, etc. The Dolphins have to figure it out or they will end up like the Miami Hurricanes with yellow flags littered field and officials dictating the outcome. Plays like Drake fumbling at the 18-yard line do not help overcome a flag filled game.
Miami must generate pressure from its defensive line. The DL features the highly paid Suh, Wake and Branch, plus 1st round draft pick Harris. Wake cannot come up empty and leave it on Alonso to cover receivers for 4 to 5 seconds. The defense will only go as far as the DL takes them. Suh played a great game, his diving strip-sack should have won the game if not for the flag happy referees.
If Miami is going to depend on speed rushing ends to generate pressure the playing surface must be built for speed. This surface is hindering Miami from getting the best performance from their best players. The field must be repaired or replaced.
In a season that has moved from one calamity to the next, add the field and the officials to the list of obstacles this Miami Dolphin team must learn to overcome.
The joke in Oakland must have been Kiko Alonso in man coverage. According to the Miami Herald’s Adam H. Beasley, Alonso allowed five catches for 82 yards to Jared Cook and gave up a 12-yard pass to Michael Crabtree. Five of the six catches went for a minimum of 10 yards, including four third-and-long conversions.
It took Matt Burke a full quarter to switch from man coverage, to a holier than Swiss cheese zone. The zone was not helped by Cameron Wake who had only one tackle and no QB pressures. The poor defense also featured Rashad Jones trailing badly on third down and TD receptions.
There simply was no pressure on third down, no pass rush and with LBs and secondary unable to play man coverage, Burke could not blitz. For the second consecutive home game, the sod at Hard Rock Stadium came out of the ground in divots that would make Tiger Woods proud. These games each followed a Miami Hurricane home game the previous night and the next home game will also follow a Hurricane’s home game.
Stay calm Adam Gase, hopefully this is the worst the NFL can throw at a young coach when the officiating crew piles it on. On the surface, the crew for the Raiders game can point to parity in numbers as a justification of fairness. The Dolphins committed 11 penalties for 107 yards Sunday, including five in the fourth quarter. Oakland had 10 penalties for 105 yards, parity right? It was timing of these penalties that destroyed Miami.
Gase said. “We'd start a series out and Damien [Williams] has a huge play and we've got a holding call and we're on the 20. Who knows, maybe if we don't get the holding call he gets tackled at 10 yards, but we'll take, so it's not first-and-12 or whatever.” On a play with 12:46 left in regulation and the Dolphins down four. Williams caught a short pass, got to the right edge and raced down the sidelines. A big-gainer, wiped out because Jarvis Landry held. The Dolphins’ drive stalled immediately thereafter. Three minutes later, on another possession with good field position, Kenyan Drake ran for four yards on first down.Mike Pouncey held turning a second-and-6 into first-and-20, another Dolphins drive squandered.
The defense had two late secondary penalties on Oakland’s game-winning touchdown. A Xavien Howard pass interference call gave the Raiders a first-and-goal at the 3. It was perhaps the only legitimate penalty in the game. The Raiders got to that position because of a highly questionable flag thrown on the play before. The Raiders converted third-and-6 when Derek Carr connected with Seth Roberts for 29 yards along the right sideline. But the refs tacked on 15 more by saying Reshad Jones illegally hit a defenseless receiver – a debatable call, to say the least. Jones said after the game that there was nothing he could have done differently on the play.
The Dolphins still had a slight chance to make it a game late, but Jermon Bushrod all but ended that by holding on fourth-and-9, wiping out a 14-yard completion to Julius Thomas.
The Dolphins average of 7.5 accepted penalties per game. Many of these flags can be thrown on any play in an NFL game, yet the officials chose to pull the flag every time Miami made a play that would change the momentum of the game. Fans turn away when it appears officials dictate the outcome of games. Why bother playing or watching a game decided by referees?
Pointing fingers at officials inevitably leads to the standard comments about being poor losers, etc. The Dolphins have to figure it out or they will end up like the Miami Hurricanes with yellow flags littered field and officials dictating the outcome. Plays like Drake fumbling at the 18-yard line do not help overcome a flag filled game.
Miami must generate pressure from its defensive line. The DL features the highly paid Suh, Wake and Branch, plus 1st round draft pick Harris. Wake cannot come up empty and leave it on Alonso to cover receivers for 4 to 5 seconds. The defense will only go as far as the DL takes them. Suh played a great game, his diving strip-sack should have won the game if not for the flag happy referees.
If Miami is going to depend on speed rushing ends to generate pressure the playing surface must be built for speed. This surface is hindering Miami from getting the best performance from their best players. The field must be repaired or replaced.
In a season that has moved from one calamity to the next, add the field and the officials to the list of obstacles this Miami Dolphin team must learn to overcome.
Dolphins Officially Defeated by the Raiders
2017-11-07T08:40:00-05:00
Patrick Tarell
Adam Gase|AFC East|Andre Branch|Cameron Wake|Charles Harris|Damien Williams|Hard Rock Stadium|Jarvis Landry|Kenyan Drake|Kiko Alonso|Miami Dolphins|Ndamukong Suh|NFL|Patrick Tarell|Rashad Jones|
Comments
Miami Dolphins Defense Takes W Versus Titans
at
Monday, October 09, 2017
Posted by
KennyV (13kvFINS) Nicholas
The Football Gods, and leagues referees must have coagulated to agree this past week that Miami's Dolphins were due some benefit of a doubt. Miami is behind schedule as they had played one fewer game than the league has. In one fewer games (4) than the rest of the league, the Dolphins have already traveled 16,000 miles which eclipses more miles than 14 other NFL teams will travel over the seasons entirety.
After losing their week one home opening opportunity to hurricane Irma. Miami played their first home game of the season at Hard Rock Stadium today and left the building with a 2 - 2 record.
They were fortunate in that the Titans were without their all-around, highly skilled franchise quarterback Marcus Mariotta. Was it fate, or a gift from the higher powers? Those with the black & white stripes also appeared to be offering up some aqua & orange transfusions to the beached mammals.
Whatever the reasons why Miami's Dolphins got a few breaks this week?
They surely were overdue! They lost their quarterback just before the season's start, and have had plenty of flags and/or errant/missed calls go against them thus far in 2017. Let-alone what has become the rearranged schedule with the most (by far) frequent flier miles and having a wound licking bye week erased from the season's hour glass.
Whatever.
It is what it is, and the Dolphins must overcome. Today they did.
The Defense that now sports a line backing trio of Lawrence Timmons, Rey Maualuga, and Kiko Alonso shut down the Titans for 188 total yards with 19 tackles on 58 plays, along with a Kiko forced fumble and a sack. They held the visitors highly productive running back duo (DeMarco Murry & Derrick Henry) to 69 rush yards on 20 attempts. 188 - 69 is what Tennessee accrued through the air (119 yards).
Miami's Defense of Aqua & Orange blood sacked Matt Cassell 6 times via (Branch x two, Suh, Alonso, Wake/RJones .5, and rookie first round pick Charles Harris logged his first career NFL sack). The D also forced two fumbles that Rashad Jones recovered with one of them being returned for a touchdown and 10 - 0 first quarter home team lead.
Rookie DT Davon Godchaux forced the first fumble on the Titans third possession that #20 recovered at the visitors 42. Miami's O (cough, cough excuse me) drove the ball 19 yards for a 40 yard field goal and 3 - 0 advantage.
This is where things get sticky.
The Titans first play from their 25 goes for 11 rushing yards with another 5 being added due to defensive holding. The next play is a 59 yard touchdown bomb to the tight end. Fortunately the second tight end is ticky-tacked for offensive pass interference which nullifies the go ahead visitors score.
Two plays later on 2nd & 20 from the Titans own 31. Those of black & white stripes must have been playing Marco-Polo or been distracted by the ghost of Joe Robbie as they never (blew a whistle), ruled the play incomplete, or a fumble, or a recovery, or a defensive touchdown. They themselves had no idea of what took place until watching the mandatory (on a potential score) review. ""They never ruled a touchdown"", but upon review they gave Miami/Rashad Jones the touchdown.
It was an odd bang, bang play that seemed like Jones didn't pick up the stationary ball until 10 seconds after Alonso sacked and or caused the ball to be fumbled (nearly 10 yards forward) as Cassell's hand was simultaneously attempting to move forward from the cocked to firing position. The whistle never being blown was key, and likely the only reason Miami was awarded the score rather than just possession of the ball. It was odd, because the Dolphins are rarely offered oxygen and 14 point swings from those in black & white stripes. But Hey, we'll take it, the defense deserved this W, and that play resulting in a 10 - 0 first quarter lead didn't hurt!!
Tennessee scored 3 first half points, and tied the game at ten with their initial third quarter possession. The Titans were penalized 11 times for 77 yards and won the time of possession battle by 30 seconds. The Dolphins committed 5 penalties for 23 yards. Both teams had two turnovers.
DeVante Parker left the game early, wanted to return, but staff decided to live for another day.
Miami's only offensive possession that led to a touchdown came from the Dolphins 42 yard line with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and ended 1:18 into the fourth quarter when Jay Cutler hit Jarvis Landry from six yards out. 16 - 10 Miami as the missed extra point turned the games remainder into a series of rectal exercise reps.
The Dolphins D was Da'Chit!
The Dolphins O was Da'Stench!
The Dolphins D held the Titans to 188 total yards.
The Dolphins O (cough, cough excuse me) accumulated 178 total yards with 100 coming via the ground games 31 attempts.
And it's not the quarterback who was relentlessly harassed the entire game and or all season every bit as much as Miami harassed today's opposing quarterback Matt Cassell with six sacks. Cutler avoided all but one sack.
Miami's offensive line has been horrible this season if not the last 15 years. Ajayi's getting hit upon the hand-off. Cutler at the snap is being forced into water bug mode sliding from one ripple to the next wave, and into the tsunami before managing to thankfully rid himself of that for which others playfully try to kill.
BA where are you, are you in shape, wanna come out of retirement and play the seasons remainder? We won 9 of our last 11 last year with you Tunsil, Pouncey, Bushrod, & James!
This past Thursday Defensive coordinator Matt Burke was asked if he'd agree that the defense played well enough to win the previous two games.
He adamantly replied ""no, we lost. The defense missed plenty of advantageous opportunities to flip the field and help out the offense. We aren't gonna play that game in my room, we win and lose as a team""!!
Today the Dolphins defense made the game changing play's that won if not helped the offense and team to win.
Miami is 2 - 2, and the defense will need to continue to play their best ball.
The offensive line needs to figure things out quick, or the Dolphins are gonna need the higher powers to continue to be of aqua & orange plasma.
In the batters circle stands what should be the defending World Champion Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were 3 - 0 before suffering a home loss last week. They (conveniently) had their bye (what's that) this week and will have been sleeping in their own beds for three weeks by the time the struggling Dolphin offense comes to town.
C'MON O-LINE
GO FINS!!
After losing their week one home opening opportunity to hurricane Irma. Miami played their first home game of the season at Hard Rock Stadium today and left the building with a 2 - 2 record.
They were fortunate in that the Titans were without their all-around, highly skilled franchise quarterback Marcus Mariotta. Was it fate, or a gift from the higher powers? Those with the black & white stripes also appeared to be offering up some aqua & orange transfusions to the beached mammals.
Whatever the reasons why Miami's Dolphins got a few breaks this week?
They surely were overdue! They lost their quarterback just before the season's start, and have had plenty of flags and/or errant/missed calls go against them thus far in 2017. Let-alone what has become the rearranged schedule with the most (by far) frequent flier miles and having a wound licking bye week erased from the season's hour glass.
Whatever.
It is what it is, and the Dolphins must overcome. Today they did.
The Defense that now sports a line backing trio of Lawrence Timmons, Rey Maualuga, and Kiko Alonso shut down the Titans for 188 total yards with 19 tackles on 58 plays, along with a Kiko forced fumble and a sack. They held the visitors highly productive running back duo (DeMarco Murry & Derrick Henry) to 69 rush yards on 20 attempts. 188 - 69 is what Tennessee accrued through the air (119 yards).
Miami's Defense of Aqua & Orange blood sacked Matt Cassell 6 times via (Branch x two, Suh, Alonso, Wake/RJones .5, and rookie first round pick Charles Harris logged his first career NFL sack). The D also forced two fumbles that Rashad Jones recovered with one of them being returned for a touchdown and 10 - 0 first quarter home team lead.
Rookie DT Davon Godchaux forced the first fumble on the Titans third possession that #20 recovered at the visitors 42. Miami's O (cough, cough excuse me) drove the ball 19 yards for a 40 yard field goal and 3 - 0 advantage.
This is where things get sticky.
The Titans first play from their 25 goes for 11 rushing yards with another 5 being added due to defensive holding. The next play is a 59 yard touchdown bomb to the tight end. Fortunately the second tight end is ticky-tacked for offensive pass interference which nullifies the go ahead visitors score.
Two plays later on 2nd & 20 from the Titans own 31. Those of black & white stripes must have been playing Marco-Polo or been distracted by the ghost of Joe Robbie as they never (blew a whistle), ruled the play incomplete, or a fumble, or a recovery, or a defensive touchdown. They themselves had no idea of what took place until watching the mandatory (on a potential score) review. ""They never ruled a touchdown"", but upon review they gave Miami/Rashad Jones the touchdown.
It was an odd bang, bang play that seemed like Jones didn't pick up the stationary ball until 10 seconds after Alonso sacked and or caused the ball to be fumbled (nearly 10 yards forward) as Cassell's hand was simultaneously attempting to move forward from the cocked to firing position. The whistle never being blown was key, and likely the only reason Miami was awarded the score rather than just possession of the ball. It was odd, because the Dolphins are rarely offered oxygen and 14 point swings from those in black & white stripes. But Hey, we'll take it, the defense deserved this W, and that play resulting in a 10 - 0 first quarter lead didn't hurt!!
Tennessee scored 3 first half points, and tied the game at ten with their initial third quarter possession. The Titans were penalized 11 times for 77 yards and won the time of possession battle by 30 seconds. The Dolphins committed 5 penalties for 23 yards. Both teams had two turnovers.
DeVante Parker left the game early, wanted to return, but staff decided to live for another day.
Miami's only offensive possession that led to a touchdown came from the Dolphins 42 yard line with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter, and ended 1:18 into the fourth quarter when Jay Cutler hit Jarvis Landry from six yards out. 16 - 10 Miami as the missed extra point turned the games remainder into a series of rectal exercise reps.
The Dolphins D was Da'Chit!
The Dolphins O was Da'Stench!
The Dolphins D held the Titans to 188 total yards.
The Dolphins O (cough, cough excuse me) accumulated 178 total yards with 100 coming via the ground games 31 attempts.
And it's not the quarterback who was relentlessly harassed the entire game and or all season every bit as much as Miami harassed today's opposing quarterback Matt Cassell with six sacks. Cutler avoided all but one sack.
Miami's offensive line has been horrible this season if not the last 15 years. Ajayi's getting hit upon the hand-off. Cutler at the snap is being forced into water bug mode sliding from one ripple to the next wave, and into the tsunami before managing to thankfully rid himself of that for which others playfully try to kill.
BA where are you, are you in shape, wanna come out of retirement and play the seasons remainder? We won 9 of our last 11 last year with you Tunsil, Pouncey, Bushrod, & James!
This past Thursday Defensive coordinator Matt Burke was asked if he'd agree that the defense played well enough to win the previous two games.
He adamantly replied ""no, we lost. The defense missed plenty of advantageous opportunities to flip the field and help out the offense. We aren't gonna play that game in my room, we win and lose as a team""!!
Today the Dolphins defense made the game changing play's that won if not helped the offense and team to win.
Miami is 2 - 2, and the defense will need to continue to play their best ball.
The offensive line needs to figure things out quick, or the Dolphins are gonna need the higher powers to continue to be of aqua & orange plasma.
In the batters circle stands what should be the defending World Champion Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were 3 - 0 before suffering a home loss last week. They (conveniently) had their bye (what's that) this week and will have been sleeping in their own beds for three weeks by the time the struggling Dolphin offense comes to town.
C'MON O-LINE
GO FINS!!
Miami Dolphins Defense Takes W Versus Titans
2017-10-09T01:51:00-04:00
KennyV (13kvFINS) Nicholas
Anthony Steen|BA|Charles Harris|Jarvis Landry|Jay Ajayi|Jay Cutler|Ju'Waun James|Kenny Nicholas|Kiko Alonso|Lawrence Timmons|Miami Dolphins|Mike Pouncey|Rashad Jones|Rey Maualuga|Tennessee Titans|
Comments
The Dolphin Defense Flounders as Jay Cutler Shines
at
Monday, August 28, 2017
Posted by
Patrick Tarell
The
sense coming into the third preseason game was the Miami defense would
need to carry the team until the offense found its swagger. Jay Cutler
needed time to shake off the rust and find a rhythm with his receivers.
The opposite proved true, Adam Gase’s offense quickly adjusted to
Cutler’s quick release and carved up the Eagles secondary, while the
Miami defense struggled mightily.
Jay Ajayi slashed and bruised his way through the Philadelphia defense for nearly 6-yards a carry and even Mike Pouncey walked away smiling. The Cutler signing looked almost prophetic as Matt Moore threw two ugly interceptions, one resulting in a pick six. With the Dolphins threatening to score, Moore tossed a rookie INT into two defenders with no Miami player close enough to contest.
If anything, the 38-31 loss to the Eagles seemed to vindicate Adam Gase’s decision to pull Jay Cutler out of retirement for one last shot at something special. The offensive line mostly held its own with Mike Pouncey out of bubble wrap for the first time this preseason. An ugly missed block by left tackle Laremy Tunsil caused Cutler’s only bad play, a strip sack-fumble leading to an Eagle TD. Both Tunsil and right tackle Ja’Wuan James looked slow and unprepared for live game action.
21 dynamic points with Jay Cutler at the helm, showed the Miami offense did not miss a beat without Ryan Tannehill. In fact, Cutler was noticeably more at ease in Gase’s offense after only 18 days in Miami, than Tannehill had been in a full season. With the playbook relegated to only a few pages, it should be quite interesting to see the transformation with a full arsenal on display. Cutler seemed particularly eager to find DeVante Parker in one on one situations and their 72 yard hook-up was a teaser of things to come.
The Miami defense on the other hand did not look much different than where it left off ranked 30th in the NFL last season. There were a couple of bursts in the first quarter, including a tipped ball interception that saw 340 pound Jordan Phillips rumble to the 2 yard line, but overall, the defense was not good. Byron Maxwell lost interest in coverage resulting in a 50 yard TD completion to Alshon Jeffery. Bobby McCain was caught flat footed on multiple occasions and hopefully Reshad Jones was simply rusty because his tackling was pathetic.
Key defensive free agent acquisition Lawrence Timmons looked incredibly slow reacting at the point of attack. The step Timmons was rumored to have lost, did not come from his feet, but rather in his inability to recognize the play before being blocked out of it. It was not a good sign for Miami, when Timmons looked lost for much of the evening. For whatever reason, Kiko Alonso and Ndamukong Suh did not appear to be interested in the game as their names were rarely called.
Playing T. J. McDonald at safety seemed counter-productive when the player will be lost to suspension for the first 8 games of the season. Obviously, Nate Allen was nursing some vague injury, but aside from Xavien Howard, the Miami secondary had trouble in staying with Eagle receivers the entire night. With blown coverages all over the field and missed tackles, Matt Burke’s defense looked a long way from being ready to open the season in two weeks.
Before reading too deeply into negative reactions, this was a preseason game and for the defense, it certainly looked the part. There is work to be done all over the defense, from the line play, to linebacker positionings and in the secondary. The positive is the plethora of opportunities Miami coaches will have to teach from the many mistakes.
In all, the Miami Dolphins can safely place the loss of Ryan Tannehill behind them in the mental preparation for the season. Jay Cutler is going to be just fine and may even be the NFL’s biggest surprise. The concentration should now be centered on getting the offensive line playing together, healthy and in sync.
On the defensive side, there simply must be more intensity. In this game, there were a few moments of true dominance, but far too often poor execution led to costly chucks of yardage and touch downs.
Suh’s name was not called, Alonso’s name was not called, Jones’ and Maxwell’s names were called for all the wrong reasons. If these guys are joining Cameron Wake as the money players on this defense, then they’re going to have to strap it up and bring some conviction. After spending two days practicing against the Eagles, Lawrence Timmons' lack of anticipation should be a huge concern.
It’s a preseason game, and drawing too many conclusions from these games is a mistake…
The Dolphins now have a very good read on what they need to sure up over the next two weeks.
They can do that with a comforting sigh knowing the loss of Ryan Tannehill will have little or no impact on the season’s outcome.
Welcome to Miami Jay Cutler!
Jay Ajayi slashed and bruised his way through the Philadelphia defense for nearly 6-yards a carry and even Mike Pouncey walked away smiling. The Cutler signing looked almost prophetic as Matt Moore threw two ugly interceptions, one resulting in a pick six. With the Dolphins threatening to score, Moore tossed a rookie INT into two defenders with no Miami player close enough to contest.
If anything, the 38-31 loss to the Eagles seemed to vindicate Adam Gase’s decision to pull Jay Cutler out of retirement for one last shot at something special. The offensive line mostly held its own with Mike Pouncey out of bubble wrap for the first time this preseason. An ugly missed block by left tackle Laremy Tunsil caused Cutler’s only bad play, a strip sack-fumble leading to an Eagle TD. Both Tunsil and right tackle Ja’Wuan James looked slow and unprepared for live game action.
21 dynamic points with Jay Cutler at the helm, showed the Miami offense did not miss a beat without Ryan Tannehill. In fact, Cutler was noticeably more at ease in Gase’s offense after only 18 days in Miami, than Tannehill had been in a full season. With the playbook relegated to only a few pages, it should be quite interesting to see the transformation with a full arsenal on display. Cutler seemed particularly eager to find DeVante Parker in one on one situations and their 72 yard hook-up was a teaser of things to come.
The Miami defense on the other hand did not look much different than where it left off ranked 30th in the NFL last season. There were a couple of bursts in the first quarter, including a tipped ball interception that saw 340 pound Jordan Phillips rumble to the 2 yard line, but overall, the defense was not good. Byron Maxwell lost interest in coverage resulting in a 50 yard TD completion to Alshon Jeffery. Bobby McCain was caught flat footed on multiple occasions and hopefully Reshad Jones was simply rusty because his tackling was pathetic.
Key defensive free agent acquisition Lawrence Timmons looked incredibly slow reacting at the point of attack. The step Timmons was rumored to have lost, did not come from his feet, but rather in his inability to recognize the play before being blocked out of it. It was not a good sign for Miami, when Timmons looked lost for much of the evening. For whatever reason, Kiko Alonso and Ndamukong Suh did not appear to be interested in the game as their names were rarely called.
Playing T. J. McDonald at safety seemed counter-productive when the player will be lost to suspension for the first 8 games of the season. Obviously, Nate Allen was nursing some vague injury, but aside from Xavien Howard, the Miami secondary had trouble in staying with Eagle receivers the entire night. With blown coverages all over the field and missed tackles, Matt Burke’s defense looked a long way from being ready to open the season in two weeks.
Before reading too deeply into negative reactions, this was a preseason game and for the defense, it certainly looked the part. There is work to be done all over the defense, from the line play, to linebacker positionings and in the secondary. The positive is the plethora of opportunities Miami coaches will have to teach from the many mistakes.
In all, the Miami Dolphins can safely place the loss of Ryan Tannehill behind them in the mental preparation for the season. Jay Cutler is going to be just fine and may even be the NFL’s biggest surprise. The concentration should now be centered on getting the offensive line playing together, healthy and in sync.
On the defensive side, there simply must be more intensity. In this game, there were a few moments of true dominance, but far too often poor execution led to costly chucks of yardage and touch downs.
Suh’s name was not called, Alonso’s name was not called, Jones’ and Maxwell’s names were called for all the wrong reasons. If these guys are joining Cameron Wake as the money players on this defense, then they’re going to have to strap it up and bring some conviction. After spending two days practicing against the Eagles, Lawrence Timmons' lack of anticipation should be a huge concern.
It’s a preseason game, and drawing too many conclusions from these games is a mistake…
The Dolphins now have a very good read on what they need to sure up over the next two weeks.
They can do that with a comforting sigh knowing the loss of Ryan Tannehill will have little or no impact on the season’s outcome.
Welcome to Miami Jay Cutler!
The Dolphin Defense Flounders as Jay Cutler Shines
2017-08-28T06:04:00-04:00
Patrick Tarell
Adam Gase|AFC East|Byron Maxwell.|Cameron Wake|Jay Ajayi|Jay Cutler|Kiko Alonso|Laremy Tunsil|Lawrence Timmons|Miami Dolphins|Mike Pouncey|Ndamukong Suh|NFL|Patrick Tarell|Reshad Jones|Ryan Tannehill|
Comments
The Dolphin Defense Flounders as Jay Cutler Shines
at
Friday, August 25, 2017
Posted by
Patrick Tarell
The sense coming into the third preseason game was the Miami defense would need to carry the team until the offense found its swagger. Jay Cutler needed time to shake off the rust and find a rhythm with his receivers. The opposite proved true, Adam Gase’s offense quickly adjusted to Cutler’s quick release and carved up the Eagles secondary, while the Miami defense struggled mightily.
Jay Ajayi slashed and bruised his way through the Philadelphia defense for nearly 6-yards a carry and even Mike Pouncey walked away smiling. The Cutler signing looked almost prophetic as Matt Moore threw two ugly interceptions, one resulting in a pick six. With the Dolphins threatening to score, Moore tossed a rookie INT into two defenders with no Miami player close enough to contest.
If anything, the 38-31 loss to the Eagles seemed to vindicate Adam Gase’s decision to pull Jay Cutler out of retirement for one last shot at something special. The offensive line mostly held its own with Mike Pouncey out of bubble wrap for the first time this preseason. An ugly missed block by left tackle Laremy Tunsil caused Cutler’s only bad play, a strip sack-fumble leading to an Eagle TD. Both Tunsil and right tackle Ja’Wuan James looked slow and unprepared for live game action.
21 dynamic points with Jay Cutler at the helm, showed the Miami offense did not miss a beat without Ryan Tannehill. In fact, Cutler was noticeably more at ease in Gase’s offense after only 18 days in Miami, than Tannehill had been in a full season. With the playbook relegated to only a few pages, it should be quite interesting to see the transformation with a full arsenal on display. Cutler seemed particularly eager to find DeVante Parker in one on one situations and their 72 yard hook-up was a teaser of things to come.
The Miami defense on the other hand did not look much different than where it left off ranked 30th in the NFL last season. There were a couple of bursts in the first quarter, including a tipped ball interception that saw 340 pound Jordan Phillips rumble to the 2 yard line, but overall, the defense was not good. Byron Maxwell lost interest in coverage resulting in a 50 yard TD completion to Alshon Jeffery. Bobby McCain was caught flat footed on multiple occasions and hopefully Reshad Jones was simply rusty because his tackling was pathetic.
Key defensive free agent acquisition Lawrence Timmons looked incredibly slow reacting at the point of attack. The step Timmons was rumored to have lost, did not come from his feet, but rather in his inability to recognize the play before being blocked out of it. It was not a good sign for Miami, when Timmons looked lost for much of the evening. For whatever reason, Kiko Alonso and Ndamukong Suh did not appear to be interested in the game as their names were rarely called.
Playing T. J. McDonald at safety seemed counter-productive when the player will be lost to suspension for the first 8 games of the season. Obviously, Nate Allen was nursing some vague injury, but aside from Xavien Howard, the Miami secondary had trouble in staying with Eagle receivers the entire night. With blown coverages all over the field and missed tackles, Matt Burke’s defense looked a long way from being ready to open the season in two weeks.
Before reading too deeply into negative reactions, this was a preseason game and for the defense, it certainly looked the part. There is work to be done all over the defense, from the line play, to linebacker positionings and in the secondary. The positive is the plethora of opportunities Miami coaches will have to teach from the many mistakes.
In all, the Miami Dolphins can safely place the loss of Ryan Tannehill behind them in the mental preparation for the season. Jay Cutler is going to be just fine and may even be the NFL’s biggest surprise. The concentration should now be centered on getting the offensive line playing together, healthy and in sync.
On the defensive side, there simply must be more intensity. In this game, there were a few moments of true dominance, but far too often poor execution led to costly chucks of yardage and touch downs.
Suh’s name was not called, Alonso’s name was not called, Jones’ and Maxwell’s names were called for all the wrong reasons. If these guys are joining Cameron Wake as the money players on this defense, then they’re going to have to strap it up and bring some conviction. After spending two days practicing against the Eagles, Lawrence Timmons' lack of anticipation should be a huge concern.
It’s a preseason game, and drawing too many conclusions from these games is a mistake…
The Dolphins now have a very good read on what they need to sure up over the next two weeks.
They can do that with a comforting sigh knowing the loss of Ryan Tannehill will have little or no impact on the season’s outcome.
Welcome to Miami Jay Cutler!
Jay Ajayi slashed and bruised his way through the Philadelphia defense for nearly 6-yards a carry and even Mike Pouncey walked away smiling. The Cutler signing looked almost prophetic as Matt Moore threw two ugly interceptions, one resulting in a pick six. With the Dolphins threatening to score, Moore tossed a rookie INT into two defenders with no Miami player close enough to contest.
If anything, the 38-31 loss to the Eagles seemed to vindicate Adam Gase’s decision to pull Jay Cutler out of retirement for one last shot at something special. The offensive line mostly held its own with Mike Pouncey out of bubble wrap for the first time this preseason. An ugly missed block by left tackle Laremy Tunsil caused Cutler’s only bad play, a strip sack-fumble leading to an Eagle TD. Both Tunsil and right tackle Ja’Wuan James looked slow and unprepared for live game action.
21 dynamic points with Jay Cutler at the helm, showed the Miami offense did not miss a beat without Ryan Tannehill. In fact, Cutler was noticeably more at ease in Gase’s offense after only 18 days in Miami, than Tannehill had been in a full season. With the playbook relegated to only a few pages, it should be quite interesting to see the transformation with a full arsenal on display. Cutler seemed particularly eager to find DeVante Parker in one on one situations and their 72 yard hook-up was a teaser of things to come.
The Miami defense on the other hand did not look much different than where it left off ranked 30th in the NFL last season. There were a couple of bursts in the first quarter, including a tipped ball interception that saw 340 pound Jordan Phillips rumble to the 2 yard line, but overall, the defense was not good. Byron Maxwell lost interest in coverage resulting in a 50 yard TD completion to Alshon Jeffery. Bobby McCain was caught flat footed on multiple occasions and hopefully Reshad Jones was simply rusty because his tackling was pathetic.
Key defensive free agent acquisition Lawrence Timmons looked incredibly slow reacting at the point of attack. The step Timmons was rumored to have lost, did not come from his feet, but rather in his inability to recognize the play before being blocked out of it. It was not a good sign for Miami, when Timmons looked lost for much of the evening. For whatever reason, Kiko Alonso and Ndamukong Suh did not appear to be interested in the game as their names were rarely called.
Playing T. J. McDonald at safety seemed counter-productive when the player will be lost to suspension for the first 8 games of the season. Obviously, Nate Allen was nursing some vague injury, but aside from Xavien Howard, the Miami secondary had trouble in staying with Eagle receivers the entire night. With blown coverages all over the field and missed tackles, Matt Burke’s defense looked a long way from being ready to open the season in two weeks.
Before reading too deeply into negative reactions, this was a preseason game and for the defense, it certainly looked the part. There is work to be done all over the defense, from the line play, to linebacker positionings and in the secondary. The positive is the plethora of opportunities Miami coaches will have to teach from the many mistakes.
In all, the Miami Dolphins can safely place the loss of Ryan Tannehill behind them in the mental preparation for the season. Jay Cutler is going to be just fine and may even be the NFL’s biggest surprise. The concentration should now be centered on getting the offensive line playing together, healthy and in sync.
On the defensive side, there simply must be more intensity. In this game, there were a few moments of true dominance, but far too often poor execution led to costly chucks of yardage and touch downs.
Suh’s name was not called, Alonso’s name was not called, Jones’ and Maxwell’s names were called for all the wrong reasons. If these guys are joining Cameron Wake as the money players on this defense, then they’re going to have to strap it up and bring some conviction. After spending two days practicing against the Eagles, Lawrence Timmons' lack of anticipation should be a huge concern.
It’s a preseason game, and drawing too many conclusions from these games is a mistake…
The Dolphins now have a very good read on what they need to sure up over the next two weeks.
They can do that with a comforting sigh knowing the loss of Ryan Tannehill will have little or no impact on the season’s outcome.
Welcome to Miami Jay Cutler!
The Miami Dolphins Need to Pay Jarvis Landry
at
Friday, March 24, 2017
Posted by
Patrick Tarell
“We’re building something special here…”
This quote leads to a curious case with Jarvis Landry and
his value to the Miami Dolphins. Will it become a point of contention the
longer the prolific wide receiver remains without a contract extension? As a
slot receiver, Landry is rarely mentioned in the same sentence with his flashy
college teammate Odell Beckham. Yet Landry holds the NFL record for the most
receptions in his first two seasons, catching 194 passes. Landry and Beckham
are tied for the most catches after three seasons with 288.
Landry is oft criticized for finding the endzone only 13 time in three seasons but he has a history of
mastering perceived shortcomings. Overshadowed by Beckham and posting a pedestrian 4.61 40 yard
dash allowed Landry to slip to the Dolphins in the second round.
At 5’11” he’s not the biggest target, in fact, few of his tangible measurements
stood out during the 2014 combine. Only when plugging in the tape does Landry’s value as a football player and teammate become apparent.
Landry is the spark plug that ignites the Miami Dolphin
engine. Landry is the playmaker in moments of desperation. Landry is the leader
when others lose confidence. These intangible assets, unlike 40 times, are his
core value. On a team with a subdued Ryan Tannehill at QB, the fiery leadership comes from another position in the huddle. That position belongs to Juice
Landry, he is the juice that gets the party started.
“We’re building something special here…”
A slot receiver is not typically a big money player, that
designation goes to DeVante Parker with his first round pedigree and off the
chart combine numbers. Clearly tangible measurements do not make a football
player. Parker may one day live up to the team’s draft day expectations, but this
is more an indictment of the process. Rewarding 40 yard dashes over
demonstrated accomplishments on the football field has led to more Dion Jordan’s
than Jarvis Landry’s.
Those first round mistakes created the rookie salary cap
because the risk/reward of the unknown is a losing proposition. The notion of
paying more to veteran players is a joke and a lie. The NFL power brokers grew
tired of their own mistakes and decided to mitigate them by forcing rookies to
demonstrate their worth before any big money changed greedy hands.
Under the leadership of Adam Gase, the Miami Dolphins have
made a paradigm shift in personnel philosophy. Moving from perennial winners of
March free agent Madness to a pay-for-play homegrown revolution. Gase’s message
is simple and direct, “put it all on the field for me and you’ll get paid by me.”
In the free agent age, where money-grabs rule, and players usually switch teams
to obtain their perceived value, the approach is both refreshing and enlightened.
“We’re building something special here…”
The concept offers a subtle solution to the question, “how
do you motivate players after they become multimillionaires?” Football players
like Juice Landry are not as motivated by pure dollars as many outside the
locker room would think. Football players know, a single hit or shift in a scrum
pile can end their careers’ instantly. When the opportunity to get rich knocks,
only a fool wouldn’t jump, especially after working their entire lives to
achieve stardom in their chosen profession.
Clearly, the resounding drop-off in
performance when players switch teams shows that dollars rarely motivate. The answer lies in the locker room where
Jarvis Landry sits waiting on his payday and watches outsiders like Ndamukong
Suh stride in with $100 million dollars in their pocket. Resentment is probably a
word rarely uttered in NFL circles and yet, why did Suh leave Detroit to get
paid? He now sits with two locker stalls in an obscure corner, his $100 million
dollars flying like banner over his locker. Are the players around him not
supposed to feel resentment?
Therein lies the answer… The Miami Dolphins (among other
teams) flounder because, letting players walk out the door to get paid sends
the wrong message. Bringing in players from other teams and paying them sends
the wrong message. Kenny Stills could have a better contract, Kiko Alonso could
have waited for free agency, Cameron Wake could have played out his
contract, and Andre Branch would’ve received the same deal elsewhere. They chose to stay in Miami.
“We’re building something special here…”
Teammates motivate multimillionaires… Not coaches, not
dollars, not accolades, teammates. When players jump ship to get paid, the
locker room breaks down. When new players enter that are not part of the
chemistry, the locker room breaks down.
Gase has made a brilliant observation,
teammates motivate multimillionaires…
When teammates hold each other accountable,
the dollars are of no consequence. The bad ass defensive tackle in the corner
is as much a part of the fabric as the geeky clutch kicker. Together, they
strive for greatness and the dollars take care of themselves. “Play for me and I’ll
get you paid.”
“We’re building something special here…”
Jarvis Landry is the embodiment of this philosophy because
he does not need dollars to put it out on the field. He is the player Adam Gase
envisioned when he thought through this personnel concept and now The Juice
needs some oranges squeezed! Would it be surprising to learn Jarvis Landry
asked his coach to, “take care of my boys first?” It is purely conjecture, but Landry making that statement rings true, because he’s the
ultimate teammate.
And now, it’s time to pay The Juice.
“We’re building something special here…”
The Miami Dolphins Need to Pay Jarvis Landry
2017-03-24T09:13:00-04:00
Patrick Tarell
Adam Gase|AFC East|Andre Branch|Cameron Wake|Devante Parker|Jarvis Landry|Kenny Stills|Kiko Alonso|Miami Dolphins|Ndamukong Suh|NFL|Odell Beckham|Ryan Tannehill|
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Miami Dolphins March Madness
at
Sunday, March 05, 2017
Posted by
KennyV (13kvFINS) Nicholas
The NFL's New Year begins with the opening day of Free Agency on March 9th.
Miami has long been famous and/or imfamous for winning the mayhem of March (on paper). So much so that in three consecutive years that include 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Dolphins landed the NFL's biggest fish at that moment in time with the acquisitions of number one free agent prospects Mike Wallace, Brandon Albert, and Ndamukong Suh respectively. Only Suh remains a Miami Dolphin.
2016 was the first year the trio tandem of Mike Tannenbaum, Chris Grier, and head coach Adam Gase worked cohesively together as Miami Dolphin decision makers. Previously to that from 2008 on, the ego-maniacs in charge didn't even include the head coach in such important roster calculations.
The 2016/present/future regime chose a different route than former trail blazers. Rather than spend the majority of cap space on one big named free agent fish they filled the bucket with potential keepers at practically every position of need, in order to give themselves draft flexibility. Expect them to take a similar approach to 2017.
Previous to the 2016 free agency period the present brass made a trade that landed significant starters in CB Byron Maxwell, LB Kiko Alonso, and a Big Fish via the draft with LT Laremy Tunsil. Though the Dolphins didn't land the biggest free agent fish for a fourth consecutive year. The trade results suggest that the Miami Dolphins won in March, April, and May as well as throughout the season via a new and/or preferred bait.
Here and now in 2017. Miami's terrific trio of brass have already approached a similar path to 2016 with an agreed upon trade on the table that becomes official on the leagues new year this coming Thursday 3-9-17. The supposed trade (in short) brings to Miami a star TE Julius Thomas (28) who accrued 24 touchdowns in just two years (2013, o14) under Adam Gase in Denver. In trade, due to the 2016 draft choice of LT Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins found the flexibility and willingness to part with 2014 free agent and the often injured 33 year old LT Brandon Albert.
Miami has some fifteen or so 2017 free agents, some of which who could be keepers though perhaps not prior to free agency. Up to seven others could, should, may be thrown immediately into the ice chest under lock and key, though half of those may have to be hooked on their return trip from the breeding grounds.
Miami Dolphin Free Agents of some substance.
Linebackers the absolute weakest and thinnest Dolphin position.
(2016 FA Donald Butler 28, fifteen Dolphin games with five starts), the previous regimes Spencer Paysinger, or often injured Jelani Jenkins & Koa Misi. (Keep one for the sake of familiarity and/or "keeping your own"?)
Better keepers may be had via free agency at what should be highly affordable rates. According to NFL.com 35 ILB's and another 35 OLB's are scheduled to become 2017 free agents. (ILB Zach Brown 27) a preferred snag (from this vantage point) to team up with Kiko as of last years acquisition of the latter. Brown signed a one year o16 contract at 1.25 million with Buffalo. He started 16 games had 149 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in Rexxx Ryans 3-4/4-3/4-6 defense, so he's well rounded. Zach Brown is the overall 20th ranked free agent prospect of the top 101 (according to NFL.com).
Long Snapper
John Denney (38).
Talk about cohesiveness, familiarity, and/or "keeping your own" loyalty. Denney has been a productive Dolphin lifer of 12 years.
Ten long snappers are about to become free agents. Other positional prospects of potential Dolphin needs that are about to hit the market includes 9 Centers , 32 Defensive Tackles, and 42 Cornerbacks (many of which are highly qualified starters).
Safety
Bacarri Rambo (26). A 2016 free agent with nine Dolphin games played and five starts. He was picked up near midseason upon Rashad Jones' season ending injury. Rambo replaced Isa Abdul Quddus who suffered a significant shoulder injury near seasons end and may not play again anytime soon, (if ever).
Forty Safties are there for the taking.
The Packers Micah Hyde (26) is the twenty fifth ranked free agent prospect. He has played in 63 of 64 career games over his first four years with 33 starts while being part of 227 tackles with 184 being of the solo variety, and has four sacks along with 8 interceptions.
Defensive End
Andre Branch (27). Another 2016 free agent pickup who contributed in sixteen Dolphin games with eleven starts. He's ranked as the 67th overall free agent prospect.
Thirty four Defensive Ends will soon be available, three of which in (Mario Williams, Jason Jones, & Branch were 2016 Dolphins) The Patriots Jabaal Sheard (27) as the 29th rated free agent had 23 sacks his first four years in Cleveland, and 13 sacks over the last two years in New England.
Offensive Guard
Jermon Bushrod (32). Whats this? One more 2016 Dolphin free agent acquisition, and a lifetime LT that played and started 16 games for the Miami Dolphins at RG. Bushrod is not listed in the top 101.
Some twenty five of the leagues guards are scheduled to become free agents while numerous others at every position could eventually hit the market as cap casualties. The Dallas Cowboys free agent guard Ronald Leary is 27 while starting 47 of 48 games played over the last four years. He didn't play his rookie season and played/started just four games in 2015. Otherwise, Leary has been solid for a dominating Dallas offensive line. Ronald Leary is the overall 47th ranked free agent prospect.
Tight End
Dion Sims (26), 6 - 4, 271. If there is a Gronk in Miami it is Sims. Though he's not in the top 101, he's an ascending player and an important type of cog in the Dolphins scheme of things. A Four year Dolphin with 22 starts, eleven in 2016 and the perfect ying to the yang of soon to be an official Miami Dolphin (Julius Thomas).
The Dolphins entire 2016 cast of Tight Ends that included Dion Sims, Dominique Jones, Marqueis Gray, and Jordan Cameron are all scheduled to become free agents this week along with 24 of the leagues other tight ends. This leaves just Julius Thomas at TE in Miami if and when the previously mentioned trade comes to fruition, so several somethings need to be scaled at the tight end table. From a fish eye point of view, none of the free agent tight ends are a better option than is Dion Sims.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Stills (24) is the overall rated 52nd free agent prospect. A two year Dolphin with sixteen 2016 starts, 42 receptions, 726 yards, and nine touchdowns. He'll be targeting double digit millions of dollars per year and/or number one receiver type money, while he would likely be the number three in Miami. Slightly side-tracked early while learning the Gase way. Devante Parker started half as many 2016 games (8) while producing more receptions and yards than the Dolphins touchdown leading Stills.
There is a lot of money to be thrown around throughout the league. The 2017 cap is set at 162 million. Cleveland alone has over 100 million of cap space available while a handful of other teams aren't far behind. Many teams with a ton of ducats are in need of a Kenny Stills over the top type speedster, if not as there number one guy, (though he doesn't have the well rounded game or body type of a true number one receiver).
Maybe Miami goes ahead and gives him the 8, 9, 10-plus million per year he'll be targeting? Maybe they do so, and structure the deal in accordance to when that type of dough will be required to lockup Parker? A ways of proving days and/or a couple years down the road! But then again, Jarvis Landry will be a 2018 free agent that Miami needs to lockup at near double-digit millions ASAP, and (long before o18)! Hopefully, Stills loves Miami and Adam Gase so much that he'll give an affordable home team rate, but that would cut into his agents income who holds zero loyalty to the Dolphins. So don't count on that taking place!
Linebacker
Kiko Alonso (26). 2016 trade acquisition with 15 games played/started that included 115 tackles, two interceptions and several of the Dolphins top defensive plays of the year! Throw him on ice already!! Apparently NFL.com thinks it's a done deal, or they don't think very highly of Kiko as they don't have him in the top 101 while including a multitude of far less relevant others. Perhaps just an oversight as he was nearly as productive as the 20th ranked Zach Brown.
Here's to the Miami Dolphins netting another handful of The Incredible Mr Limpet type 2017 free agents!
GOFINS!!!
Miami has long been famous and/or imfamous for winning the mayhem of March (on paper). So much so that in three consecutive years that include 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Dolphins landed the NFL's biggest fish at that moment in time with the acquisitions of number one free agent prospects Mike Wallace, Brandon Albert, and Ndamukong Suh respectively. Only Suh remains a Miami Dolphin.
2016 was the first year the trio tandem of Mike Tannenbaum, Chris Grier, and head coach Adam Gase worked cohesively together as Miami Dolphin decision makers. Previously to that from 2008 on, the ego-maniacs in charge didn't even include the head coach in such important roster calculations.
The 2016/present/future regime chose a different route than former trail blazers. Rather than spend the majority of cap space on one big named free agent fish they filled the bucket with potential keepers at practically every position of need, in order to give themselves draft flexibility. Expect them to take a similar approach to 2017.
Previous to the 2016 free agency period the present brass made a trade that landed significant starters in CB Byron Maxwell, LB Kiko Alonso, and a Big Fish via the draft with LT Laremy Tunsil. Though the Dolphins didn't land the biggest free agent fish for a fourth consecutive year. The trade results suggest that the Miami Dolphins won in March, April, and May as well as throughout the season via a new and/or preferred bait.
Here and now in 2017. Miami's terrific trio of brass have already approached a similar path to 2016 with an agreed upon trade on the table that becomes official on the leagues new year this coming Thursday 3-9-17. The supposed trade (in short) brings to Miami a star TE Julius Thomas (28) who accrued 24 touchdowns in just two years (2013, o14) under Adam Gase in Denver. In trade, due to the 2016 draft choice of LT Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins found the flexibility and willingness to part with 2014 free agent and the often injured 33 year old LT Brandon Albert.
Miami has some fifteen or so 2017 free agents, some of which who could be keepers though perhaps not prior to free agency. Up to seven others could, should, may be thrown immediately into the ice chest under lock and key, though half of those may have to be hooked on their return trip from the breeding grounds.
Miami Dolphin Free Agents of some substance.
Linebackers the absolute weakest and thinnest Dolphin position.
(2016 FA Donald Butler 28, fifteen Dolphin games with five starts), the previous regimes Spencer Paysinger, or often injured Jelani Jenkins & Koa Misi. (Keep one for the sake of familiarity and/or "keeping your own"?)
Better keepers may be had via free agency at what should be highly affordable rates. According to NFL.com 35 ILB's and another 35 OLB's are scheduled to become 2017 free agents. (ILB Zach Brown 27) a preferred snag (from this vantage point) to team up with Kiko as of last years acquisition of the latter. Brown signed a one year o16 contract at 1.25 million with Buffalo. He started 16 games had 149 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in Rexxx Ryans 3-4/4-3/4-6 defense, so he's well rounded. Zach Brown is the overall 20th ranked free agent prospect of the top 101 (according to NFL.com).
Long Snapper
John Denney (38).
Talk about cohesiveness, familiarity, and/or "keeping your own" loyalty. Denney has been a productive Dolphin lifer of 12 years.
Ten long snappers are about to become free agents. Other positional prospects of potential Dolphin needs that are about to hit the market includes 9 Centers , 32 Defensive Tackles, and 42 Cornerbacks (many of which are highly qualified starters).
Safety
Bacarri Rambo (26). A 2016 free agent with nine Dolphin games played and five starts. He was picked up near midseason upon Rashad Jones' season ending injury. Rambo replaced Isa Abdul Quddus who suffered a significant shoulder injury near seasons end and may not play again anytime soon, (if ever).
Forty Safties are there for the taking.
The Packers Micah Hyde (26) is the twenty fifth ranked free agent prospect. He has played in 63 of 64 career games over his first four years with 33 starts while being part of 227 tackles with 184 being of the solo variety, and has four sacks along with 8 interceptions.
Defensive End
Andre Branch (27). Another 2016 free agent pickup who contributed in sixteen Dolphin games with eleven starts. He's ranked as the 67th overall free agent prospect.
Thirty four Defensive Ends will soon be available, three of which in (Mario Williams, Jason Jones, & Branch were 2016 Dolphins) The Patriots Jabaal Sheard (27) as the 29th rated free agent had 23 sacks his first four years in Cleveland, and 13 sacks over the last two years in New England.
Offensive Guard
Jermon Bushrod (32). Whats this? One more 2016 Dolphin free agent acquisition, and a lifetime LT that played and started 16 games for the Miami Dolphins at RG. Bushrod is not listed in the top 101.
Some twenty five of the leagues guards are scheduled to become free agents while numerous others at every position could eventually hit the market as cap casualties. The Dallas Cowboys free agent guard Ronald Leary is 27 while starting 47 of 48 games played over the last four years. He didn't play his rookie season and played/started just four games in 2015. Otherwise, Leary has been solid for a dominating Dallas offensive line. Ronald Leary is the overall 47th ranked free agent prospect.
Tight End
Dion Sims (26), 6 - 4, 271. If there is a Gronk in Miami it is Sims. Though he's not in the top 101, he's an ascending player and an important type of cog in the Dolphins scheme of things. A Four year Dolphin with 22 starts, eleven in 2016 and the perfect ying to the yang of soon to be an official Miami Dolphin (Julius Thomas).
The Dolphins entire 2016 cast of Tight Ends that included Dion Sims, Dominique Jones, Marqueis Gray, and Jordan Cameron are all scheduled to become free agents this week along with 24 of the leagues other tight ends. This leaves just Julius Thomas at TE in Miami if and when the previously mentioned trade comes to fruition, so several somethings need to be scaled at the tight end table. From a fish eye point of view, none of the free agent tight ends are a better option than is Dion Sims.
Wide Receiver
Kenny Stills (24) is the overall rated 52nd free agent prospect. A two year Dolphin with sixteen 2016 starts, 42 receptions, 726 yards, and nine touchdowns. He'll be targeting double digit millions of dollars per year and/or number one receiver type money, while he would likely be the number three in Miami. Slightly side-tracked early while learning the Gase way. Devante Parker started half as many 2016 games (8) while producing more receptions and yards than the Dolphins touchdown leading Stills.
There is a lot of money to be thrown around throughout the league. The 2017 cap is set at 162 million. Cleveland alone has over 100 million of cap space available while a handful of other teams aren't far behind. Many teams with a ton of ducats are in need of a Kenny Stills over the top type speedster, if not as there number one guy, (though he doesn't have the well rounded game or body type of a true number one receiver).
Maybe Miami goes ahead and gives him the 8, 9, 10-plus million per year he'll be targeting? Maybe they do so, and structure the deal in accordance to when that type of dough will be required to lockup Parker? A ways of proving days and/or a couple years down the road! But then again, Jarvis Landry will be a 2018 free agent that Miami needs to lockup at near double-digit millions ASAP, and (long before o18)! Hopefully, Stills loves Miami and Adam Gase so much that he'll give an affordable home team rate, but that would cut into his agents income who holds zero loyalty to the Dolphins. So don't count on that taking place!
Linebacker
Kiko Alonso (26). 2016 trade acquisition with 15 games played/started that included 115 tackles, two interceptions and several of the Dolphins top defensive plays of the year! Throw him on ice already!! Apparently NFL.com thinks it's a done deal, or they don't think very highly of Kiko as they don't have him in the top 101 while including a multitude of far less relevant others. Perhaps just an oversight as he was nearly as productive as the 20th ranked Zach Brown.
Here's to the Miami Dolphins netting another handful of The Incredible Mr Limpet type 2017 free agents!
GOFINS!!!
Miami Dolphins March Madness
2017-03-05T03:58:00-05:00
KennyV (13kvFINS) Nicholas
Bacarri Rambo|Dion Sims|Jabaal Sheard|Jermon Bushrod|John Denney|Julius Thomas|Kenny Nicholas|Kenny Stills|Kiko Alonso|Miami Dolphins|Micah Hyde|Ronald Leary|Zach Brown|
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The Miami Dolphins Welcome the Adam Gase Era
at
Friday, January 13, 2017
Posted by
Patrick Tarell
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.
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.
The Miami Dolphins Welcome the Adam Gase Era
2017-01-13T10:03:00-05:00
Patrick Tarell
Adam Gase|Byron Maxwell|Earl Mitchell|Isa Abdul-Quddus|Jay Ajayi|Jordan Cameron|Kiko Alonso|Koa Misi|Miami Dolphins|Mike Pouncey|Ndamukong Suh|NFL|Patrick Tarell|Reshad Jones|Xavien Howard|
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