The loss of Miami Dolphin quarterback Ryan Tannehill in 2017 left Adam Gase searching for leaders to fill the void. The signing of Jay Cutler made it immediately obvious Gase was not impressed with Matt Moore. The inability of Mike Pouncey to participate in practice limited the oft-injured center. As the team's designated playmaker, Jarvis Landry's swashbuckling style left it impossible to depend on mercurial receiver. At some point, Gase realized a huge change was necessary if the Miami offense would ever reach the potential he envisioned.
Contrary to what many pundits and fans believe, Gase firmly stands behind Ryan Tannehill. Matt Moore had his moments as a Miami backup, but Moore never pressured Tannehill to start and accepted his reserve role. That acceptance left a void in the absence of Tannehill. The Miami Dolphins were now dependent on the leadership of a backup who was happy collecting a paycheck on the bench. Gase made a mistake believing Jay Cutler could lead; it was obvious by the season's end, Cutler would never play another down in the NFL.
Mike Pouncey was the player coaches proclaimed the best lineman on the team, while frustrated fans only saw a completely inept unit. Pouncey sacrificed his body for the game of football. For coaches and teammates, this is the ultimate gesture of love for the game. Leadership in the locker room comes from players willing to strap it up in the face of injury. It is often said, "after the first week, everyone in the NFL plays injured." Gase needed players willing to sacrifice, but his need for leadership was far greater.
Mike Tannenbaum refused a salary increase for Pouncey and Gase had his out. The center could remain a favorite, but the fabled "NFL is a business" line saved Gase from cutting the injury prone Pouncey without cause. With its leader unable to practice, Gase's offensive line never came together. No other unit on the football field depends more on playing together. The line could not work as a unit with Pouncey on the sideline during practice.
Jarvis Landry wanted to zig when the play was a zag... Jarvis Landry wanted to prance after a catch when his coach was running a fast-paced offense. Baiting Jarvis Landry into throwing down punches when his team was marching to score was easy. Jarvis Landry caught 112 passes and those catches were the wide receiver's only obsession. In today's fantasy world of stats, it's easy to argue, Landry was due a huge payday.
Adam Gase clearly understands money talks more than anything in football and perhaps life. Players follow the example of core leaders generally paid the highest salary. A huge payday for freewheeling Landry clearly would send the message to follow the money. In 2017 the Miami Dolphins needed a leader and Jarvis Landry was not that player. Paying him would have sent the wrong message and Gase knew it.
2018 begins anew with Ryan Tannehill back at the helm. A cohesive offensive line has practiced every single day together since the opening of training camp. The wide receiver room is now a precision group without the leading freestyler. The offense is set for the next play when the QB is ready, and a loud mouth ball-hog no longer challenges Tannehill in the huddle.
Is there addition by subtraction? In seven years with Mike Pouncey as the leader, the Miami Dolphins never fielded a decent offensive line. Four years with Jarvis Landry leading the NFL in receptions, the Miami offense never rose above average. The last eight games Miami played with Tannehill at quarterback, the Dolphins are 7-1.
The Miami Dolphins are finally Ryan Tannehill's team...
23 of the 53 players on the 2018 Dolphins were not on the team when the 2017 season began. When the Dolphin offense takes its first snap this season, only three players may remain from the 2017 season starters. The Miami brass may claim they are not rebuilding, but it certainly seems the team has made a drastic change.
In three seasons, Gase learned who could play his offensive style and who could not. Adam Gase did not make bold or rash decisions this off-season, he simply wanted players who loved the game of football. The city of Miami is an extremely difficult place to cultivate a winning football team. The players are young, wealthy, famous and in the best shape of their lives. The distractions are plentiful and difficult to avoid.
These distractions often lead players into thinking the game is secondary to the spotlight. Gase knows he must find football-first players if he is going to succeed in Miami. Ryan Tannehill is a perfect example of this type of player, Mike Pouncey and Jarvis Landry, not so much.
The Miami Dolphins are finally Ryan Tannehill's team...
This drastic change is settling in for the Dolphins; gone is the glitter and flash, replaced by football-first players. The NFL has taken on a fantasy mentality and with gambling laws changing it will be harder to avoid players looking for stats. It is a very difficult time for coaches. The off-season actions indicate Adam Gase understands and is trying to change his team to keep pace with the game's evolution.
The pre-season gave no indication whether this offense would step forward in 2018. If anything, the pre-season showed the opposite, but it was obvious, Miami held back its aces. Sit back and watch Miami fans, it's Ryan Tannehill's chance to shine. For the first time, an offense built around his strengths aligns squarely on his shoulders.
The Miami Dolphins are finally Ryan Tannehill's team...
Showing posts with label Matt Moore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Moore. Show all posts
Miami Dolphins Implode on National TV
Debacle is a mild word for this abysmal performance…
40-0
Let me type that again: 40-0
There it is. How much more can be said without getting sucked into the same vortex that sank the Miami Dolphins? What is it with the Ravens? It seems Miami always saves the worst for Baltimore, but it was more than that, the Dolphins were exposed.
An article earlier this week explained Miami’s O-Line deficiency when facing a 3-4 defense, it was starkly apparent on Thursday night. Mike Pouncey cannot block big strong nose tackles one-on-one and consequently, he needs help. The moment one of the guards slides over to help Pouncey, the “A” gap opens like a can of Busch Beer. Free running blitzers attacked Matt Moore or Jay Ajayi with the same whooshing sound.
It may have been the sound of the air coming out of Miami’s season…
Mike Pouncey might be a really good technician. He might be really good at making line calls. He might be really good at sealing a zone, but he cannot block one-on-one. Was Adam Gase making a case to explain to himself why Miami needs a better center? Gase called the same running play into the “A” gap on first down, after first down, after first down. I know all the experts proclaim Pouncey as the best Miami offensive lineman. I guess I’m just too stupid to know I’m too stupid and Pouncey is really good.
As casual fans, we’re not capable of understanding the subtle nuances. I’m sure Adam Gase will proclaim Mike Pouncey played, “an outstanding game last night.” Sorry Adam, Pouncey was pathetic. I know, I’m just too stupid to know I’m too stupid.
These excuses, intangibles or nuances we fans don't understand will mean nothing to next nine teams the Miami Dolphins play. As Gase is fond of saying, “The film don’t lie.” Every team playing Miami will sign a couple 350 pound nose tackles to attack the weakness, Mike Pouncey.
Was this a pre-season game? It certainly seemed as if Gase was working off a play sheet with only 3 plays. Ajayi into the middle of the line, Ajayi into the middle of the line, Ajayi into the middle of the line. By the time Matt Moore dropped back to pass, the entire stadium was pinning their ears back and whooshing through the “A” gap. Damien Williams couldn’t decide which free runner to block and just whiffed on them all.
Miami had no answer to the Ravens. Zone blocking doesn’t work against a 3-4 defense with three large defensive tackles coming straight ahead and blitzing LBs swarming behind. Adam Gase looked as lost as his team, calling play after play straight into the defense. A few screen passes were attempted but telegraphed to the point where the Ravens zipped past Pouncey before Matt Moore could even catch the snap.
That was the “0” part of the score, what happened on the 40 side was easier to understand when two Matt Moore pick sixes are included.
The defense started okay and kept Miami in the game, but the short week and a complete lack of offense caught up to them. By the third quarter, the defense was spent… Frustration became apparent about the time Kiko Alonso decapitated Joe Flacco. He didn’t hit the QB with his helmet, but the blow was brutal and started a melee. The image of Flacco rising loopy from the ground, raising his finger and calling the parking lot attendant, was classic.
The chippy play continued until punk QB Ryan Mallett, who replaced Flacco, learned a quick lesson about bating an angry Ndamukong Suh. Suh lifted him off the ground by his neck and stared him down. The fear in Mallett’s eyes was palpable and from then on the game was a matter of getting it done.
Burke’s defensive coaching was as questionable as Gases offensive offense. The Ravens pulled a play from tony Sparano’s book and lined up unbalanced with two tackles on one side and a TE on the other. Burke did not respond until the fourth quarter. The Miami defense did not adjust and Baltimore ran the play again and again and again.
Thank you NFL for taking another swipe at the Miami Dolphins. After scheduling the team to travel 14,000 miles in three weeks, Miami also had to endure an away game on Thursday night. It was completely obvious, Miami was not prepared to play this game. The long week ahead is the only redeeming factor in a season now minus a bye week.
40-0
Let that resonate… 40-0
It will be interesting to see how Miami responds. This season, by all accounts, was over before it started and somehow the Dolphins are still alive. It’s just a single game in a long season…
We R Not Normal
Miami will be back.
40-0
Let me type that again: 40-0
There it is. How much more can be said without getting sucked into the same vortex that sank the Miami Dolphins? What is it with the Ravens? It seems Miami always saves the worst for Baltimore, but it was more than that, the Dolphins were exposed.
An article earlier this week explained Miami’s O-Line deficiency when facing a 3-4 defense, it was starkly apparent on Thursday night. Mike Pouncey cannot block big strong nose tackles one-on-one and consequently, he needs help. The moment one of the guards slides over to help Pouncey, the “A” gap opens like a can of Busch Beer. Free running blitzers attacked Matt Moore or Jay Ajayi with the same whooshing sound.
It may have been the sound of the air coming out of Miami’s season…
Mike Pouncey might be a really good technician. He might be really good at making line calls. He might be really good at sealing a zone, but he cannot block one-on-one. Was Adam Gase making a case to explain to himself why Miami needs a better center? Gase called the same running play into the “A” gap on first down, after first down, after first down. I know all the experts proclaim Pouncey as the best Miami offensive lineman. I guess I’m just too stupid to know I’m too stupid and Pouncey is really good.
As casual fans, we’re not capable of understanding the subtle nuances. I’m sure Adam Gase will proclaim Mike Pouncey played, “an outstanding game last night.” Sorry Adam, Pouncey was pathetic. I know, I’m just too stupid to know I’m too stupid.
These excuses, intangibles or nuances we fans don't understand will mean nothing to next nine teams the Miami Dolphins play. As Gase is fond of saying, “The film don’t lie.” Every team playing Miami will sign a couple 350 pound nose tackles to attack the weakness, Mike Pouncey.
Was this a pre-season game? It certainly seemed as if Gase was working off a play sheet with only 3 plays. Ajayi into the middle of the line, Ajayi into the middle of the line, Ajayi into the middle of the line. By the time Matt Moore dropped back to pass, the entire stadium was pinning their ears back and whooshing through the “A” gap. Damien Williams couldn’t decide which free runner to block and just whiffed on them all.
Miami had no answer to the Ravens. Zone blocking doesn’t work against a 3-4 defense with three large defensive tackles coming straight ahead and blitzing LBs swarming behind. Adam Gase looked as lost as his team, calling play after play straight into the defense. A few screen passes were attempted but telegraphed to the point where the Ravens zipped past Pouncey before Matt Moore could even catch the snap.
That was the “0” part of the score, what happened on the 40 side was easier to understand when two Matt Moore pick sixes are included.
The defense started okay and kept Miami in the game, but the short week and a complete lack of offense caught up to them. By the third quarter, the defense was spent… Frustration became apparent about the time Kiko Alonso decapitated Joe Flacco. He didn’t hit the QB with his helmet, but the blow was brutal and started a melee. The image of Flacco rising loopy from the ground, raising his finger and calling the parking lot attendant, was classic.
The chippy play continued until punk QB Ryan Mallett, who replaced Flacco, learned a quick lesson about bating an angry Ndamukong Suh. Suh lifted him off the ground by his neck and stared him down. The fear in Mallett’s eyes was palpable and from then on the game was a matter of getting it done.
Burke’s defensive coaching was as questionable as Gases offensive offense. The Ravens pulled a play from tony Sparano’s book and lined up unbalanced with two tackles on one side and a TE on the other. Burke did not respond until the fourth quarter. The Miami defense did not adjust and Baltimore ran the play again and again and again.
Thank you NFL for taking another swipe at the Miami Dolphins. After scheduling the team to travel 14,000 miles in three weeks, Miami also had to endure an away game on Thursday night. It was completely obvious, Miami was not prepared to play this game. The long week ahead is the only redeeming factor in a season now minus a bye week.
40-0
Let that resonate… 40-0
It will be interesting to see how Miami responds. This season, by all accounts, was over before it started and somehow the Dolphins are still alive. It’s just a single game in a long season…
We R Not Normal
Miami will be back.
Miami's Majestical Dolphins Dispel NY's Jets
Adam Gase' Miami Dolphins are 13 - 4 over the teams last 17 regular season games. Those 13 wins started with a double-digit dousing of the 2016 Steelers. The Dolphins have won 13 consecutive games that Jay Ajayi had 18 or more attempts in while also continuing their franchise record streak of 12 consecutive victories by one score or less.
2017's Dolphins have been cloaked with curses cast upon them over the seasons entirety. (Tannehill, Irma, PPD, Timmons, 16,000 miles traveled by game three, at NY & London debacles, OL Coach Forester), and all of that took place on a weekly basis before game five.
The sky has been falling on Miami since the pre-season.
Not once have they ever cried wolf,
they just Huff & Puff & Blow Down one distraction after another.
Gase flicks the inconveniences from his shoulder as he states. ""We'll move forward, and do our thing"".
What is Miami's thing?
Start slow, and finish fast against all odds?
Week one Dolphin home opener cancelled.
Game one at LA's home opener took 9 unanswered late game Dolphin points for the 19 - 17 W.
A 16 - 10 Victory Versus the Titans came via the games only fourth quarter score, a Dolphin Touchdown.
Miami tapped their counter-spell-less magic wand 20 times over the final 21 minutes to beat the (home team and coming off a bye) Atlanta Falcons 20 - 17.
And today in hosting the New York Jets. While trailing 14 - 28 with 11:21 remaining on the game clock. The Miami Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points for the 31 - 28 VICTORY OF GLORY!
Today's "inconveniences" included a disasterously sloppy field, a few highly productive offensive plays negated by the starting centers handkerchiefs drawn, and a couple brainfarts on what should/would have been early game defining defensive third down stops.
Oh Yea.
While trailing 21 - 14, and with the Dolphins driving on the opening third quarter series. Quarterback Jay Cutler (sternum/ribs), & Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were forced from the game on back to back plays.
Adam Gase
Flick the inconvenient crap from your shoulder, move forward, and win against all self destructing odds.
New York opened the game with a 75 yard drive resulting in a (29 yard TD pass) that Miami matched on their opening series. The Cutler to Landry four yard connection was the Dolphins first offensive touchdown in the first half of a game this season, (let-alone in the first quarter of a game). The Jets had another 75 yard drive in the second quarter (result an 18 yard TD pass) that the home team answered after covering 70 yards of their own. Tight-End Anthony Fasano's four yard reception from Cutler tied the game at 14 - 14.
On Miami's next possession from their own three yard line Cutler had a ball batted up and intercepted at the LOS. NY's offense walked it in for the 21 - 14 halftime lead.
To open the third quarter, Cutler drove Miami to it's 45 when on first and 10 he went down upon a vicious hit and incompletion. A defensive holding penalty gave the Dolphins an automatic first down. Adam (Prince Charming) Gase had a backup date for the ball, and the slipper fit Matt Moore. Though he went three & out to finish that particular possession.
On the fifth play of Miam's next offensive series Moore threw an interception at the Dolphins 45 yard line. Seven plays later the jets scored on a 9 yard touchdown pass for a 28 - 14 lead with less than 2 third quarter minutes remaining.
Miami followed with a four & out 6 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Adam Gase had an idea for a motivating Dolphin Tee-Shirt design last year that Cam Wake saw and approved of. Gase broke the T's out this past week of practice, and it says.
""We Are Not Normal""!!
At this point of the game with (14:45) remaining. The Dolphins Defense did the norm, and allowed the Jets just 13 more offensive plays on 5 possessions.
Wake conjured up 2.5 sacks while Suh had the .5 to total 3 sacks, Terrance Fede recovered a fumble, and Bobby McCain pulled a rabbit out of the hat of NYQB McCown.
Meanwhile.
Matt Moore shook off the tightness of hibernation, and drove the Dolphins to 17 unanswered slight of hand points in the final eleven minutes.
After the Dolphin D forced a three & out for minus 6 yards, Miami took control at NY's 42. Four plays later Moore hit Kenny Stills for a 28 yard TOUCHDOWN to pull within 21 - 28.
Another Defensive three & out for minus 10 yards gave Miami the ball at their own 45. Six plays later Matt Moore hit Kenny Stills again. This time they did it twice from three yards out (though the first was nullified via a bogus OPI handkerchief). The second was good for the game tying score of 28 - 28.
Four more Jets along with seven more Dolphins offensive plays resulted in two punts, and gave NY the ball at their own 15 yard line with 47 game seconds left to tick away till overtime.
On first and 10 a mystical unicorn breached from beneath the quagmire of turf and propelled Bobby McCain from nowhere and into his own zone for the game clinching interception. It was just Miami's second pick for the year, but it was also the second consecutive game clinching ""Pick Of Destiny"" as Kicker Cody Parkey nailed the slippery 39 yard, 31 - 28 game winning fairy-tale.
NY passed for 180 yards on 27 attempts, and ran for 92 on 22 totes for 16 total first downs. Their D forced two turnovers, and had three sacks.
Miami quarterbacks completed 25 of 37 for 304 yards. Jay Ajayi (23/51) got his (18-plus game winning carries) while the team produced just 53 rushing yards on 25 attempts as the Dolphins totaled 25 first downs.
Cutler went 12 of 16, 138 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 114.1 QBR
Moore was 13 - 21, 188, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 102.9 QBR
Landry had 7 receptions for 93 with a TD.
Stills converted 6 for 85 with two TD's.
Fasano caught 3 for 25 with a TD.
Miami had 76 penalty yards which was 48 fewer than NY's, and the Dolphins won the Time Of Possession battle by nearly four minutes.
At 3 - 2 Miami's average output was 12.?? points per game. With today's 31 the average has been up'd to 15.?? per.
2017's Dolphins have won three in a row and are 4 - 2 after six games played.
""We Are Not Normal""
Four Days Till Miami Visits Baltimore on Thursday Night Football..
GOFINS!!!
2017's Dolphins have been cloaked with curses cast upon them over the seasons entirety. (Tannehill, Irma, PPD, Timmons, 16,000 miles traveled by game three, at NY & London debacles, OL Coach Forester), and all of that took place on a weekly basis before game five.
The sky has been falling on Miami since the pre-season.
Not once have they ever cried wolf,
they just Huff & Puff & Blow Down one distraction after another.
Gase flicks the inconveniences from his shoulder as he states. ""We'll move forward, and do our thing"".
What is Miami's thing?
Start slow, and finish fast against all odds?
Week one Dolphin home opener cancelled.
Game one at LA's home opener took 9 unanswered late game Dolphin points for the 19 - 17 W.
A 16 - 10 Victory Versus the Titans came via the games only fourth quarter score, a Dolphin Touchdown.
Miami tapped their counter-spell-less magic wand 20 times over the final 21 minutes to beat the (home team and coming off a bye) Atlanta Falcons 20 - 17.
And today in hosting the New York Jets. While trailing 14 - 28 with 11:21 remaining on the game clock. The Miami Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points for the 31 - 28 VICTORY OF GLORY!
Today's "inconveniences" included a disasterously sloppy field, a few highly productive offensive plays negated by the starting centers handkerchiefs drawn, and a couple brainfarts on what should/would have been early game defining defensive third down stops.
Oh Yea.
While trailing 21 - 14, and with the Dolphins driving on the opening third quarter series. Quarterback Jay Cutler (sternum/ribs), & Left Tackle Laremy Tunsil (knee) were forced from the game on back to back plays.
Adam Gase
Flick the inconvenient crap from your shoulder, move forward, and win against all self destructing odds.
New York opened the game with a 75 yard drive resulting in a (29 yard TD pass) that Miami matched on their opening series. The Cutler to Landry four yard connection was the Dolphins first offensive touchdown in the first half of a game this season, (let-alone in the first quarter of a game). The Jets had another 75 yard drive in the second quarter (result an 18 yard TD pass) that the home team answered after covering 70 yards of their own. Tight-End Anthony Fasano's four yard reception from Cutler tied the game at 14 - 14.
On Miami's next possession from their own three yard line Cutler had a ball batted up and intercepted at the LOS. NY's offense walked it in for the 21 - 14 halftime lead.
To open the third quarter, Cutler drove Miami to it's 45 when on first and 10 he went down upon a vicious hit and incompletion. A defensive holding penalty gave the Dolphins an automatic first down. Adam (Prince Charming) Gase had a backup date for the ball, and the slipper fit Matt Moore. Though he went three & out to finish that particular possession.
On the fifth play of Miam's next offensive series Moore threw an interception at the Dolphins 45 yard line. Seven plays later the jets scored on a 9 yard touchdown pass for a 28 - 14 lead with less than 2 third quarter minutes remaining.
Miami followed with a four & out 6 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Adam Gase had an idea for a motivating Dolphin Tee-Shirt design last year that Cam Wake saw and approved of. Gase broke the T's out this past week of practice, and it says.
""We Are Not Normal""!!
At this point of the game with (14:45) remaining. The Dolphins Defense did the norm, and allowed the Jets just 13 more offensive plays on 5 possessions.
Wake conjured up 2.5 sacks while Suh had the .5 to total 3 sacks, Terrance Fede recovered a fumble, and Bobby McCain pulled a rabbit out of the hat of NYQB McCown.
Meanwhile.
Matt Moore shook off the tightness of hibernation, and drove the Dolphins to 17 unanswered slight of hand points in the final eleven minutes.
After the Dolphin D forced a three & out for minus 6 yards, Miami took control at NY's 42. Four plays later Moore hit Kenny Stills for a 28 yard TOUCHDOWN to pull within 21 - 28.
Another Defensive three & out for minus 10 yards gave Miami the ball at their own 45. Six plays later Matt Moore hit Kenny Stills again. This time they did it twice from three yards out (though the first was nullified via a bogus OPI handkerchief). The second was good for the game tying score of 28 - 28.
Four more Jets along with seven more Dolphins offensive plays resulted in two punts, and gave NY the ball at their own 15 yard line with 47 game seconds left to tick away till overtime.
On first and 10 a mystical unicorn breached from beneath the quagmire of turf and propelled Bobby McCain from nowhere and into his own zone for the game clinching interception. It was just Miami's second pick for the year, but it was also the second consecutive game clinching ""Pick Of Destiny"" as Kicker Cody Parkey nailed the slippery 39 yard, 31 - 28 game winning fairy-tale.
NY passed for 180 yards on 27 attempts, and ran for 92 on 22 totes for 16 total first downs. Their D forced two turnovers, and had three sacks.
Miami quarterbacks completed 25 of 37 for 304 yards. Jay Ajayi (23/51) got his (18-plus game winning carries) while the team produced just 53 rushing yards on 25 attempts as the Dolphins totaled 25 first downs.
Cutler went 12 of 16, 138 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 114.1 QBR
Moore was 13 - 21, 188, 2 TD, 1 Int for a 102.9 QBR
Landry had 7 receptions for 93 with a TD.
Stills converted 6 for 85 with two TD's.
Fasano caught 3 for 25 with a TD.
Miami had 76 penalty yards which was 48 fewer than NY's, and the Dolphins won the Time Of Possession battle by nearly four minutes.
At 3 - 2 Miami's average output was 12.?? points per game. With today's 31 the average has been up'd to 15.?? per.
2017's Dolphins have won three in a row and are 4 - 2 after six games played.
""We Are Not Normal""
Four Days Till Miami Visits Baltimore on Thursday Night Football..
GOFINS!!!
Miami Dolphins Land Quarterback Jay Cutler
As we all know Ryan Tannehill sustained a setback to his 2016 knee injury last week/Thursday. The severity of the setback is still inconclusive. In a best case scenario, he may rehab and hope to return in 6 to 8 weeks. The potential alternative is surgery which would finalize his 2017 season though (if done immediately) should have him at 100% for 2018's start.
Miami has been deliberating what their next course of action should be.
Today on Sunday August 6th Adam Gase pulled a former proven QB of his from the clutches of a 2 month free agent/semi-retirement hiatus.
Miami signed 11 year starting QB veteran Jay Cutler to a (reported) one year 10 million contract with incentives that could earn him in the 13 million neighborhood.
Cutler played for Gase as OC in 2015 for Chicago which resulted in the most (efficient) and impressive year of the gunslingers career (to date). 3,659 yards, with a two to one TD/int ratio 21 & 11, and a single touchdown run for the 22nd. He's produced bigger seasonal numbers over his career but Gase led him to his most efficient season with a 92.3 QB rating.
He is 34, stands at 6-3, 231 and has 208 Touchdown passes to his credit as the Bears all-time leader. His first three NFL years was spent in Denver.
Cutler has an accurately scoped rifle of an arm with great touch, and a SIX shoot'n gunslingers mentality. He has good footwork but can get the ball wherever it needs to be off of one foot, flat-footed or from many an awkward position/angle with a fairly quick release, and throws a very catchable pretty ball. He has good pocket awareness as a savvy 11 year starting QB veteran, he's mobile and is a tough runner that will lay his body on the line if need be.
But what is most important is that he and Adam Gase will be reunited and on the same page from day one with a clear understanding of one another. Cutler is already familiar with the type of offense/playbook that Gase runs, and what will be expected of him.
Matt Moore is presently the Dolphins starter and that's a good thing (minus Tannehill), but what's better is that Miami now has a legit, playoff winning starting QB in the background awaiting his opportunity to help The Miami Dolphins Win and fill the sudden, unexpected void of Ryan Tannehill.
WELCOME TO MIAMI
Jay Cutler!!!
GOFINS!!!
Miami has been deliberating what their next course of action should be.
Today on Sunday August 6th Adam Gase pulled a former proven QB of his from the clutches of a 2 month free agent/semi-retirement hiatus.
Miami signed 11 year starting QB veteran Jay Cutler to a (reported) one year 10 million contract with incentives that could earn him in the 13 million neighborhood.
Cutler played for Gase as OC in 2015 for Chicago which resulted in the most (efficient) and impressive year of the gunslingers career (to date). 3,659 yards, with a two to one TD/int ratio 21 & 11, and a single touchdown run for the 22nd. He's produced bigger seasonal numbers over his career but Gase led him to his most efficient season with a 92.3 QB rating.
He is 34, stands at 6-3, 231 and has 208 Touchdown passes to his credit as the Bears all-time leader. His first three NFL years was spent in Denver.
Cutler has an accurately scoped rifle of an arm with great touch, and a SIX shoot'n gunslingers mentality. He has good footwork but can get the ball wherever it needs to be off of one foot, flat-footed or from many an awkward position/angle with a fairly quick release, and throws a very catchable pretty ball. He has good pocket awareness as a savvy 11 year starting QB veteran, he's mobile and is a tough runner that will lay his body on the line if need be.
But what is most important is that he and Adam Gase will be reunited and on the same page from day one with a clear understanding of one another. Cutler is already familiar with the type of offense/playbook that Gase runs, and what will be expected of him.
Matt Moore is presently the Dolphins starter and that's a good thing (minus Tannehill), but what's better is that Miami now has a legit, playoff winning starting QB in the background awaiting his opportunity to help The Miami Dolphins Win and fill the sudden, unexpected void of Ryan Tannehill.
WELCOME TO MIAMI
Jay Cutler!!!
GOFINS!!!
The Miami Dolphins Have No Meaningless Games
The Miami Dolphins unexpected arrival in the NFL playoff arena for the first time in eight years comes with little fanfare. The first step in Miami’s post season journey actually begins in the regular season finale against their biggest rival, the New England Patriots. Across the league, the Patriots are the preordained KINGS of the AFC and perhaps the entire NFL. By contrast, the Dolphins haven’t tasted playoff victory in sixteen years.
At 13-2, the Patriots have a clear path to home field advantage throughout the playoffs by defeating the Miami Dolphins. A loss by the 12-3 Raiders, without Derek Carr, will also hand home field advantage to New England on the last day of the NFL regular season. Traveling to Miami at 1:00 PM, the Patriots season will be over before the Raiders visit the Denver Broncos at 4:25 PM. The safest passage to home field for the New England Patriots is by defeating the Miami Dolphins.
What was perceived as a meaningless game before the season, looms large for both teams. For New England, home field advantage is huge. Tom Brady is 14-3 at home in the playoffs, and an astonishing 106-18 in all regular season and playoff games. Playing at home is a distinct advantage as Brady and Belichick seek to win an elusive fifth Super Bowl together. Standing in the way, prior to the Raiders game, is the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins are far from NFL darlings and viewed by most pundits as one-and-done playoff fodder for the big boys of January. Way back in week two, the Patriots without Tom Brady handily defeated these Dolphins in what looked like a lost season for Miami. By week six, Adam Gase found his stride and his team reeled off six straight victories before being blown out 38-6 in Baltimore.
That was week 13, the fledgling Dolphins seemed to have crash-landed and with the rising Arizona Cardinals coming to town the questions started sneaking in. The Dolphins held their own and were beating the Cardinals when disaster struck. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a severe knee injury. In that critical moment, the tide changed and Arizona charged from behind to tie the game at 23 in the final minute.
On a rain soaked field, without their QB and leader, with little time left on the clock, Adam Gase, Matt Moore and the entire Miami Dolphin team came together. In a microcosm of their entire season, the Dolphins rose from the ashes. Moore found Kenny Stills who drew a pass interference call from officials that seemed united against Miami the entire game. The moon was in the seventh house, the throw, the catch, the penalty… Jupiter aligned with Mars and in the pouring rain, Andrew Franks kicked Miami past the Cardinals.
26-23, it really wasn’t much of a game, but the rise of the Miami Dolphins had officially begun. Winning in the NFL comes by the thinnest of margins. Through week 16 the Dolphins have scored 349 points, Miami’s opponents have score 338 points. Miami won 10 of 15 games by a total of 11 points, eight of those ten wins came by a touchdown or less. The uninitiated glass-half-empty detractors would point to this as a sign Miami is more lucky than good. 5-10 and losing by a total of 11 points could easily have been the season’s story, but those elusive 11 points fell on Miami’s side of the ledger.
Miami hadn’t swept the Jets or the Bills in years and yet here they stood, blocking Miami’s final path to a playoff berth. With a backup QB and years of ugly baggage, having been there and lost that, the Miami Dolphins landed in icy Meadowlands with a score to settle and a message to send. 34-13 later, the Jets and the rest of the NFL finally turned their heads toward Miami. The Sharps refusing to believe Miami could handle Rex Ryan with his job on the line.
The Bills battled the Dolphins punch for punch, expecting Miami to finally succumb like they had so many times in the past. These Fins, with steadfast Adam Gase at the helm, would not relent, would not go quietly into the night. These Miami Dolphins did not back down and in the end, proudly road out of Buffalo with a 34-31 overtime victory.
The NFL set the table for Miami, three straight AFC East showdowns to see which of the other three teams would via for a playoff spot. Before the season and after a 1-4 start, the Dolphins were not even considered in the mix. In Tampa, where the Buccaneers had played the previous Thursday, 5 hours from Miami, the NFL chose Cincinnati and Baltimore for the televised game. In Orlando five hours away, Cincinnati and Baltimore. In Naples, two hours away, Cincinnati and Baltimore…
All leading to New England in Miami on New Year’s Day 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium. Regardless of secured playoff berths or New England’s quest for home field advantage, the Miami Dolphins march into a brave new future. The Jets and Bills were unceremoniously kicked down into the AFC East cellar and standing at the top, the mighty Patriots. The top of the stairs is not a place where losing is acceptable.
A meaningless game?
Outside the Miami locker room, the stakes were suddenly palpable. Belichick’s words come out all buttery, “Miami is a talented football team, Matt Moore is a very capable QB- …bla, bla, bla, bla, bla…” Drivel, all drivel, Belichick and Brady sense the danger creeping from the south and they will send a message to the upstarts from Miami and coach Adam Gase. We are KING and with this sword you shall be vanquished like the pretenders you are.
January first, 2017 the Patriots standing on the highest hill with all the trophies and accolades staring defiantly down at the lowly Dolphins.
A meaningless game?
This is the most dangerous game of all for Brady and Belichick, Miami has literally nothing to lose. Regardless of the outcome, the Patriots supremacy will not be dismantled on this single day, but the cold Nor’easter that has blown steady for the last two decades is shifting direction. Warm air creeping up from the south is but a sentinel of the changing tides. The Patriots can feel it and know it must be suppressed or the consequences will continue to take root and grow with each Miami victory.
A meaningless game?
Adam Gase, knows his Miami Dolphins play on a razor’s edge, 10 victories with only an 11 point scoring differential tells the tale. The Patriots scoring differential in 13 wins is 170 points. The Dolphins are far from the precipice where the mighty Patriots reign but there is only one way up the mountain. It comes in little nooks and crannies, footholds in the shear rock face, with each victory a landmark is scaled.
Each loss loosens the rocks precariously, waiting to set off an avalanche sending the Miami Dolphins crashing to the bottom once again. Brady and Belichick know, winning begets winning. In a league where the talent level is so closely aligned the psychology of winning is much more important than any physical attribute. They want to teach these upstarts a lesson.
A meaningless game?
A loss will have no outward effect on either team, but in reality, this is a playoff game for both teams.
A meaningless game?
I think not…
At 13-2, the Patriots have a clear path to home field advantage throughout the playoffs by defeating the Miami Dolphins. A loss by the 12-3 Raiders, without Derek Carr, will also hand home field advantage to New England on the last day of the NFL regular season. Traveling to Miami at 1:00 PM, the Patriots season will be over before the Raiders visit the Denver Broncos at 4:25 PM. The safest passage to home field for the New England Patriots is by defeating the Miami Dolphins.
What was perceived as a meaningless game before the season, looms large for both teams. For New England, home field advantage is huge. Tom Brady is 14-3 at home in the playoffs, and an astonishing 106-18 in all regular season and playoff games. Playing at home is a distinct advantage as Brady and Belichick seek to win an elusive fifth Super Bowl together. Standing in the way, prior to the Raiders game, is the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins are far from NFL darlings and viewed by most pundits as one-and-done playoff fodder for the big boys of January. Way back in week two, the Patriots without Tom Brady handily defeated these Dolphins in what looked like a lost season for Miami. By week six, Adam Gase found his stride and his team reeled off six straight victories before being blown out 38-6 in Baltimore.
That was week 13, the fledgling Dolphins seemed to have crash-landed and with the rising Arizona Cardinals coming to town the questions started sneaking in. The Dolphins held their own and were beating the Cardinals when disaster struck. Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a severe knee injury. In that critical moment, the tide changed and Arizona charged from behind to tie the game at 23 in the final minute.
On a rain soaked field, without their QB and leader, with little time left on the clock, Adam Gase, Matt Moore and the entire Miami Dolphin team came together. In a microcosm of their entire season, the Dolphins rose from the ashes. Moore found Kenny Stills who drew a pass interference call from officials that seemed united against Miami the entire game. The moon was in the seventh house, the throw, the catch, the penalty… Jupiter aligned with Mars and in the pouring rain, Andrew Franks kicked Miami past the Cardinals.
26-23, it really wasn’t much of a game, but the rise of the Miami Dolphins had officially begun. Winning in the NFL comes by the thinnest of margins. Through week 16 the Dolphins have scored 349 points, Miami’s opponents have score 338 points. Miami won 10 of 15 games by a total of 11 points, eight of those ten wins came by a touchdown or less. The uninitiated glass-half-empty detractors would point to this as a sign Miami is more lucky than good. 5-10 and losing by a total of 11 points could easily have been the season’s story, but those elusive 11 points fell on Miami’s side of the ledger.
Miami hadn’t swept the Jets or the Bills in years and yet here they stood, blocking Miami’s final path to a playoff berth. With a backup QB and years of ugly baggage, having been there and lost that, the Miami Dolphins landed in icy Meadowlands with a score to settle and a message to send. 34-13 later, the Jets and the rest of the NFL finally turned their heads toward Miami. The Sharps refusing to believe Miami could handle Rex Ryan with his job on the line.
The Bills battled the Dolphins punch for punch, expecting Miami to finally succumb like they had so many times in the past. These Fins, with steadfast Adam Gase at the helm, would not relent, would not go quietly into the night. These Miami Dolphins did not back down and in the end, proudly road out of Buffalo with a 34-31 overtime victory.
The NFL set the table for Miami, three straight AFC East showdowns to see which of the other three teams would via for a playoff spot. Before the season and after a 1-4 start, the Dolphins were not even considered in the mix. In Tampa, where the Buccaneers had played the previous Thursday, 5 hours from Miami, the NFL chose Cincinnati and Baltimore for the televised game. In Orlando five hours away, Cincinnati and Baltimore. In Naples, two hours away, Cincinnati and Baltimore…
All leading to New England in Miami on New Year’s Day 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium. Regardless of secured playoff berths or New England’s quest for home field advantage, the Miami Dolphins march into a brave new future. The Jets and Bills were unceremoniously kicked down into the AFC East cellar and standing at the top, the mighty Patriots. The top of the stairs is not a place where losing is acceptable.
A meaningless game?
Outside the Miami locker room, the stakes were suddenly palpable. Belichick’s words come out all buttery, “Miami is a talented football team, Matt Moore is a very capable QB- …bla, bla, bla, bla, bla…” Drivel, all drivel, Belichick and Brady sense the danger creeping from the south and they will send a message to the upstarts from Miami and coach Adam Gase. We are KING and with this sword you shall be vanquished like the pretenders you are.
January first, 2017 the Patriots standing on the highest hill with all the trophies and accolades staring defiantly down at the lowly Dolphins.
A meaningless game?
This is the most dangerous game of all for Brady and Belichick, Miami has literally nothing to lose. Regardless of the outcome, the Patriots supremacy will not be dismantled on this single day, but the cold Nor’easter that has blown steady for the last two decades is shifting direction. Warm air creeping up from the south is but a sentinel of the changing tides. The Patriots can feel it and know it must be suppressed or the consequences will continue to take root and grow with each Miami victory.
A meaningless game?
Adam Gase, knows his Miami Dolphins play on a razor’s edge, 10 victories with only an 11 point scoring differential tells the tale. The Patriots scoring differential in 13 wins is 170 points. The Dolphins are far from the precipice where the mighty Patriots reign but there is only one way up the mountain. It comes in little nooks and crannies, footholds in the shear rock face, with each victory a landmark is scaled.
Each loss loosens the rocks precariously, waiting to set off an avalanche sending the Miami Dolphins crashing to the bottom once again. Brady and Belichick know, winning begets winning. In a league where the talent level is so closely aligned the psychology of winning is much more important than any physical attribute. They want to teach these upstarts a lesson.
A meaningless game?
A loss will have no outward effect on either team, but in reality, this is a playoff game for both teams.
A meaningless game?
I think not…
9 - 5 Miami Dolphins Sweep Jets
Week nine Sunday November 6th. Miami's Dolphins beat the visiting NY Jets 27 - 23. On the following week Adam Gase' 2016 team traveled to San Diego and won! It was the first time in 31 tries that the Dolphins won versus an opponent that followed a Miami win against their New York Jets rival!
On Week fifteen the Dolphins traveled north to Metlife Stadium and not a single murmur of J E T S, Jets, Jets, Jets was prompted via the play of the visiting Miami's 34 points nor the home teams 13.
After allowing a J E T S opening 7 play, 75 yard touchdown drive. The Dolphins shoved a cork in each end of the pre-week, diarrhea spewing Brandon (Bowel-Movement) Marshall as rookie Xavien Howard and others had their way. (BM wiped one single ply catch for 16 yards), take that BITCH!!
Second year receiver turned starting corner back had two more interceptions with his team leading third and fourth on the season. Miami started the season slow via interceptions, but now with three more tonight they reside amongst the league's top three with 16 picks, and everyone is getting their hands on a share.
Even Cameron Wake had a pick in coverage tonight with a sack too, and a forced fumble while the defensive line was beastly in producing relentless backfield havoc on the Jets tarmack. Ndamukong Suh led the team in tackles and (met at the quarterback) with Wake as the quarterbacks lower body was nearly separated from his upper half.
Special teams stud Walt Aikens (for a second consecutive week) made huge plays throughout which included a Hat-Trick blocked punt, recovery, scoop and score Touchdown jog.
Miami second year running back/first year starter Jay Ajayi rushed for 50 yards while thrusting his engines beyond mach-one and/or 1000 rushing yards for the season!
For the first time in 77 games the Miami Dolphin entire roster was given a clean bill of health for a game, (other than those on IR), and five year Iron Man Ryan Tannehill.
Matt Moore started in place of the first time injured Tannehill this week. He did not disappoint! He completed 12 of 18 passes for 236 yards with a pick while a third of those completions went for (4) Touchdowns (a career high)!
Moore's first Touchdown went to tight end Dion Sims (a great pass and catch) from one yard out to get on the second quarter 6 - 7 scoreboard after an extra point miss. The wily vet hit Kenny Stills for a 52 yard score two series later for a 13 - 10 halftime lead following an NY field goal.
Matt's one pick came on the third quarters opening series with an attempted bomb to the Jets thirty.
Four plays later Walt Aikens had his Hat-Trick for a Miami advantage of 20 - 10. On the home teams next offensive play Tony Lippett got his first pick on the day. Later in the day the receiver turned corner back ended the game with his second interception, this one in the endzone on the jets last "ditch/ crash".
Matt Moore hit Dion Sims for the duo's second one yard Touchdown of brilliance five plays and 60 yards later for the 27 - 10 score.
After a jets three and out. On the first play Moore hit a short pass to Jarvis Landry who (eclipsed the 1000 yard mark for the season) on the play by taking it 66 for six final third quarter & game points. By a road winning score of 34 - 13, The Miami Dolphins Team Earned A Ninth Victory!!
Among numerous other unmentionable accomplishments that the Miami Dolphins have a great shot at producing next week.
Can Adam Gase' 2016 Dolphins (for a second time in one year) beat the opponent that follows a Miami Victory over New York's jets?
A feat not attained one single time in the teams 31 previous attempts before 2016's Adam Gase!!
It's a dirty job but somebodies gotta do it!!
Time to sweep Buffalo spewage on Christmas Eve!!
YEEE-HAAA-GIGGITTY
GOFINS!!
On Week fifteen the Dolphins traveled north to Metlife Stadium and not a single murmur of J E T S, Jets, Jets, Jets was prompted via the play of the visiting Miami's 34 points nor the home teams 13.
After allowing a J E T S opening 7 play, 75 yard touchdown drive. The Dolphins shoved a cork in each end of the pre-week, diarrhea spewing Brandon (Bowel-Movement) Marshall as rookie Xavien Howard and others had their way. (BM wiped one single ply catch for 16 yards), take that BITCH!!
Second year receiver turned starting corner back had two more interceptions with his team leading third and fourth on the season. Miami started the season slow via interceptions, but now with three more tonight they reside amongst the league's top three with 16 picks, and everyone is getting their hands on a share.
Even Cameron Wake had a pick in coverage tonight with a sack too, and a forced fumble while the defensive line was beastly in producing relentless backfield havoc on the Jets tarmack. Ndamukong Suh led the team in tackles and (met at the quarterback) with Wake as the quarterbacks lower body was nearly separated from his upper half.
Special teams stud Walt Aikens (for a second consecutive week) made huge plays throughout which included a Hat-Trick blocked punt, recovery, scoop and score Touchdown jog.
Miami second year running back/first year starter Jay Ajayi rushed for 50 yards while thrusting his engines beyond mach-one and/or 1000 rushing yards for the season!
For the first time in 77 games the Miami Dolphin entire roster was given a clean bill of health for a game, (other than those on IR), and five year Iron Man Ryan Tannehill.
Matt Moore started in place of the first time injured Tannehill this week. He did not disappoint! He completed 12 of 18 passes for 236 yards with a pick while a third of those completions went for (4) Touchdowns (a career high)!
Moore's first Touchdown went to tight end Dion Sims (a great pass and catch) from one yard out to get on the second quarter 6 - 7 scoreboard after an extra point miss. The wily vet hit Kenny Stills for a 52 yard score two series later for a 13 - 10 halftime lead following an NY field goal.
Matt's one pick came on the third quarters opening series with an attempted bomb to the Jets thirty.
Four plays later Walt Aikens had his Hat-Trick for a Miami advantage of 20 - 10. On the home teams next offensive play Tony Lippett got his first pick on the day. Later in the day the receiver turned corner back ended the game with his second interception, this one in the endzone on the jets last "ditch/ crash".
Matt Moore hit Dion Sims for the duo's second one yard Touchdown of brilliance five plays and 60 yards later for the 27 - 10 score.
After a jets three and out. On the first play Moore hit a short pass to Jarvis Landry who (eclipsed the 1000 yard mark for the season) on the play by taking it 66 for six final third quarter & game points. By a road winning score of 34 - 13, The Miami Dolphins Team Earned A Ninth Victory!!
Among numerous other unmentionable accomplishments that the Miami Dolphins have a great shot at producing next week.
Can Adam Gase' 2016 Dolphins (for a second time in one year) beat the opponent that follows a Miami Victory over New York's jets?
A feat not attained one single time in the teams 31 previous attempts before 2016's Adam Gase!!
It's a dirty job but somebodies gotta do it!!
Time to sweep Buffalo spewage on Christmas Eve!!
YEEE-HAAA-GIGGITTY
GOFINS!!
One Rainy Sunday, Miami Iost a QB and Found a Coach
In spite of improving to 8-5, the Miami Dolphin victory against the Arizona Cardinals rings hollow. Played in a torrential downpour nearly the entire game, Miami led the sloppy turnover fest until the last minute when the officials finally gave the Cardinals enough chances to tie.
The referees threw 14 flags against the Dolphins for 118 yards in a game that lasted nearly 4 hours. The Cardinals were awarded 5 first downs by penalty, while the low-blow that ended Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill's season, suspiciously went uncontested...
With 1:46 left in the third quarter, Former Hurricane Calais Campbell dove directly into Ryan Tannehill's left knee. Shock hit the Miami sideline as the iron-man quarterback limped off the field with a torn ACL. Backup quarterback Matt Moore was called into action after attempting eleven passes in his last three seasons combined.
The narrative of the game from this point on is worth rehashing as the Miami Dolphins miraculously wrestled away a victory. This game alone should garner the points necessary to make a case for Gase as coach of the year.
Adam Gase was in no hurry to call on Moore's right arm to carry the Dolphins from the Cardinals 45. Three straight J-Train runs left Miami going for a 4th and one when the officials called Anthony Steen for an unusual false start forcing a Miami punt. Aided by three penalties, Arizona found the endzone to pull within six points when the Dolphins blocked the point after attempt and Walt Aikens returned it for two critical Miami points.
The officials must have been as surprised as everyone watching and the much anticipated flag, did not fall. Nursing an eight point lead, Gase stuck with the J-Train until Moore finally attempted a pass to Damien Williams that fell incomplete for a three and out. Badly in need of a first down, the Dolphins punted back to the Cardinals at the fifty-yard line with 5:12 left on the clock.
An invigorated Cardinal team needed only 2:13 of the clock to tie the score with a successful two point conversion. Again the Dolphin offense looked defeated, going three and out. Moore completed his first pass to Jarvis Landry who had 103 yards receiving in the game, but could only manage six on the play, forcing another Miami punt.
With 1:55 left, Vance Joseph gambled and Bobby McCain stripped Palmer who fell on his own fumble for a loss of six. Miami wisely called a timeout and this proved pivotal when Arizona punted after a short pass and an incompletion.
Landry struck again returning the punt 20 yards setting up Miami at the Arizona 47 with 1:29 remaining. The ball got loose on the first play, a 5 yard run by Damien Williams but the ruling of down by contact was upheld as the Dolphin faithful held their breath.
After a 12 yard completion to Kenny Stills who had 97 receiving yards in the game, the Dolphins called their second time out with 43 seconds remaining when Matt Moore found Stills again for 29 yards! A declined defensive pass interference call stopped the clock with 37 seconds remaining.
Two short gains by Damien Williams and Miami used it's last time out with 1 final second left on the clock. Arizona attempted the obligatory freeze by following Miami's timeout with one of their own. Andrew Franks calmly stepped up and drilled the 21-yard field as time expired in the pouring rain.
This gritty performance more than any other in recent Dolphins history showed a team and a coach clearly unflappable by whatever unfortunate circumstances a game can present. One sided officiating left the fans completely exasperated while Adam Gase simply stared down the referees with a glare so intense it burned right through them.
Gase lost the quarterback he so meticulously groomed and remained unfazed as Matt Moore stepped in and showed his acumen. Calling a timeout at 1:49 when Palmer went down with a sack was pure genius and a sign to his team... Adam Gase was not about to give up on a Miami victory. The defense responded and got him the ball back!
In previous years, with previous coaches, the sense of dread on the sideline would lead to despair and a total loss of the moment, but not Adam Gase. After an abysmal performance the previous week, through the rain, in spite of the officials and losing his QB, the man did not blink. He calmly led his team to victory...
This game ball goes to you... Adam Gase!
The Dolphins are not heading to the Super Bowl in 2016, in fact it may be a few years before this team approaches the level of champions. One thing is certain, Miami has found a coach the players, assistants, ownership and fans can look forward to watching blossom into greatness.
In one rain soaked afternoon in Miami, the Dolphins found the man...
Adam Gase
The referees threw 14 flags against the Dolphins for 118 yards in a game that lasted nearly 4 hours. The Cardinals were awarded 5 first downs by penalty, while the low-blow that ended Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill's season, suspiciously went uncontested...
With 1:46 left in the third quarter, Former Hurricane Calais Campbell dove directly into Ryan Tannehill's left knee. Shock hit the Miami sideline as the iron-man quarterback limped off the field with a torn ACL. Backup quarterback Matt Moore was called into action after attempting eleven passes in his last three seasons combined.
The narrative of the game from this point on is worth rehashing as the Miami Dolphins miraculously wrestled away a victory. This game alone should garner the points necessary to make a case for Gase as coach of the year.
Adam Gase was in no hurry to call on Moore's right arm to carry the Dolphins from the Cardinals 45. Three straight J-Train runs left Miami going for a 4th and one when the officials called Anthony Steen for an unusual false start forcing a Miami punt. Aided by three penalties, Arizona found the endzone to pull within six points when the Dolphins blocked the point after attempt and Walt Aikens returned it for two critical Miami points.
The officials must have been as surprised as everyone watching and the much anticipated flag, did not fall. Nursing an eight point lead, Gase stuck with the J-Train until Moore finally attempted a pass to Damien Williams that fell incomplete for a three and out. Badly in need of a first down, the Dolphins punted back to the Cardinals at the fifty-yard line with 5:12 left on the clock.
An invigorated Cardinal team needed only 2:13 of the clock to tie the score with a successful two point conversion. Again the Dolphin offense looked defeated, going three and out. Moore completed his first pass to Jarvis Landry who had 103 yards receiving in the game, but could only manage six on the play, forcing another Miami punt.
With 1:55 left, Vance Joseph gambled and Bobby McCain stripped Palmer who fell on his own fumble for a loss of six. Miami wisely called a timeout and this proved pivotal when Arizona punted after a short pass and an incompletion.
Landry struck again returning the punt 20 yards setting up Miami at the Arizona 47 with 1:29 remaining. The ball got loose on the first play, a 5 yard run by Damien Williams but the ruling of down by contact was upheld as the Dolphin faithful held their breath.
After a 12 yard completion to Kenny Stills who had 97 receiving yards in the game, the Dolphins called their second time out with 43 seconds remaining when Matt Moore found Stills again for 29 yards! A declined defensive pass interference call stopped the clock with 37 seconds remaining.
Two short gains by Damien Williams and Miami used it's last time out with 1 final second left on the clock. Arizona attempted the obligatory freeze by following Miami's timeout with one of their own. Andrew Franks calmly stepped up and drilled the 21-yard field as time expired in the pouring rain.
This gritty performance more than any other in recent Dolphins history showed a team and a coach clearly unflappable by whatever unfortunate circumstances a game can present. One sided officiating left the fans completely exasperated while Adam Gase simply stared down the referees with a glare so intense it burned right through them.
Gase lost the quarterback he so meticulously groomed and remained unfazed as Matt Moore stepped in and showed his acumen. Calling a timeout at 1:49 when Palmer went down with a sack was pure genius and a sign to his team... Adam Gase was not about to give up on a Miami victory. The defense responded and got him the ball back!
In previous years, with previous coaches, the sense of dread on the sideline would lead to despair and a total loss of the moment, but not Adam Gase. After an abysmal performance the previous week, through the rain, in spite of the officials and losing his QB, the man did not blink. He calmly led his team to victory...
This game ball goes to you... Adam Gase!
The Dolphins are not heading to the Super Bowl in 2016, in fact it may be a few years before this team approaches the level of champions. One thing is certain, Miami has found a coach the players, assistants, ownership and fans can look forward to watching blossom into greatness.
In one rain soaked afternoon in Miami, the Dolphins found the man...
Adam Gase
The Ryan Tannehill Era Begins for the Miami Dolphins
The
Dolphins and Panthers square off Friday night in Carolina and though it is
only the second preseason game, there is great interest among
Miami Dolphin fans. The intrigue is generated by the slightly veiled implication, the
Dolphins will start Ryan Tannehill...
The
lip service Miami fans heard prior to training camp was that Tannehill would
sit and watch for at least half the season and perhaps the whole season, if
Moore or Garrard got the team rolling early. That notion quickly changed when
Garrard required knee surgery, taking him out of the picture for four weeks and
Moore got off to a slow start in training camp. Ryan Tannehill has played more
like the veteran, and showing the ability to lead the team at least as well as
Moore, further jeopardized the plan.
So,
with great anticipation, Miami Dolphin fans will get to watch the team start a
first round quarterback and that hasn’t happened in twenty eight years. There
is a lot riding on Tannehill and many have said, it is foolish to throw him on
the field when he is unprepared because a rough start would hurt his
confidence. The other rationale is, if Tannehill has it, then like Payton
Manning, even going 3-13 is not going to damage his confidence.
The
key then probably does not have as much to do with Tannehill as with Joe
Philbin and Mike Sherman. Quarterbacking is equal parts confidence, intelligence
and ability. There have been many QBs with rocket arms who
were not smart enough to grasp a playbook or read a defense. In contrast, many QBs
could memorize an offense and dissect a defense, but without the arm strength to
make plays in tight windows or the durability to stay on the field, they didn’t
make it. But, there is a reason confidence was listed first of the three
ingredients, it is the most critical.
Without
Confidence, the other ingredients do not matter, a QB is a leader and that
confidence is what makes other players follow him. Confidence starts with a
head coach, a coordinator and a position coach that realize they have a special
player. They have the confidence to jump on that boat, just as the players
in the huddle and the fans in the stands, all want a piece of the magic.
In
today’s NFL and probably for most of the league’s history, coaches and QBs have
been successful or failed together. Tony Sparano failed in Miami because Chad
Henne did not win the confidence of his teammates. It could have been as simple
as Henne commanding Brandon Marshall to shut his mouth and catch the ball. The
bottom line is, Henne did not instill confidence in his teammates and his
coaching staff never fully recognized him as the leader of the team.
Joe
Philbin could make the same mistake with Tannehill, but he has done a very nice
job of paving Ryan’s way by shipping Marshall to Chicago and unceremoniously dumping
Chad Johnson. Where Sparano invited the problems for Henne, Philbin has
eliminated them for Tannehill. Mike Sherman’s comment that perhaps Tannehill
was overconfident, was very telling in what he thinks of the young man.
The
Dolphins may have lost in the Manning sweepstakes, but they clearly allowed
other options like Matt Flynn and Alex Smith to walk away because they had
their sights set on Ryan Tannehill. They did not compete with Washington for
RG3 and Andrew Luck was a done deal, it means they knew, aside from Manning and
perhaps even if they signed Manning, they were after Ryan Tannehill.
Matt Moore and David Garrard are not in the running as the future face
of the Miami Dolphins. That distinction belongs to Ryan Tannehill and it means
all the way from Jeff Ireland, to Joe Philbin, to Mike Sherman, there is a consensus,
Ryan is the man. It is an organizational confidence Miami Dolphin fans have not
seen since Don Shula and Dan Marino.
Does
it mean the future is now? The thought here is, the only thing that is going to
accelerate Ryan Tannehll’s acclimation to the NFL is being on the field and
learning the speed of the game by being part of it.
Like
Payton Manning, Tannehill may have a rough start, but one thing was clear in
Indianapolis when Manning was drafted and it is clear again with Andrew Luck,
the team was/is theirs, and they have the full confidence of the organization. This year’s win loss record has little to do with whether Luck is the
future of the franchise.
Matt
Moore - David Garrard, is there a single Miami fan that believes this team
belongs to either of these two men? Why then waste time? This game against Cam
Newton and the Panthers should go down as a demarcation line in Dolphin history, the
day Ryan Tannehill officially took the reins in Miami!
Tannehill
may not play well, he may light it up, but if a GM and coaching staff is confident
enough to stake their future on this young man, let him play. Let him make
the mistakes and take the lumps, all the while standing behind him 100%.
Let
the Ryan Tannehill era begin in Miami!
The Dolphins Look Sluggish in a 20-7 Loss to Tampa
The
feel good aura of the Philbin era came crashing back to reality as Tampa Bay
routed Miami 20-7 in the muggy rain of a practically empty Sun Life Stadium,
Friday night. The game started with the news of David Garrard’s arthroscopic
knee surgery and went downhill from there. The Dolphin offense never found its
stride and the defensive backfield looked lost in the new 4-3 scheme.
Garrard
prepared for several weeks, looking like the starter, when the injury thrust Matt
Moore into the spotlight, seemingly moments before the game. Garrard was
getting most of the 1st team snaps and Moore did not look sharp with
the starting receiving corps.
Chad
Johnson’s New England disappearing act continued in Miami, as his impersonation
of the invisible man was spot on. The act was epitomized when Johnson dropped the
only pass thrown his way to kill a Miami drive. Johnson’s name does not appear
on the stats sheet, if it weren’t for the awkward dropped ball, Miami fans
would not have known he was on the field.
The
focus of the game was obviously on the QBs, as the Dolphins threw the ball 50
times, while accumulating only 15 rushing attempts. Ryan Tannehill stole the
show completing 14 of 21 passes for 167 yards with the Dolphins only TD,
Tannehill also had a TD overturned by replay. Moore was a lethargic 7 of 12 for
79 yards and an interception, with Pat Devlin a pedestrian 9 of 17 for 65
yards.
The
injury to Garrard was the opportunity Moore needed to take over the team and lead
them in a game situation. Moore failed miserably, leaving the door wide open
for Ryan Tannehill to become the 1st rookie to start his 1st
game as a Dolphin. Tannehill looked the part, with a quick compact release and
a fearless gunslinger mentality. Many Dolphin fans had hoped Tannehill would
start the season carrying a clipboard, but the Garrard injury could drastically
change that notion.
The
heat on Matt Moore just turned red hot without Garrard taking snaps, Moore will
have to clearly outperform Tannehill or the Dolphins will have no choice but
to start the rookie. If Tannehill enters the season as the starter, either
Garrard or Moore will be cut and Garrard is the likely choice. Garrard has very
little value on the trade market, while Moore has shown enough, and is young
enough for a team needing a backup to trade for him.
Beyond
the QBs, Reggie Bush rushed for 17 yards on 4 carries with most of that
coming on a 12-yard scamper. The rest of the backs we quiet, Lamar Miller
gained only 4 yards on 5 carries. It was clearly all about the QBs on this
night with Daniel Thomas rushing twice for -2 yards and Steve Slaton rushing
twice for 4 yards.
While
the O-line was not opening very many holes in the rushing game, they did not
allow one sack, which was a bright spot. The up-tempo offense was a refreshing
change, but it never seemed to get in rhythm with far too many botched plays
that killed drives.
Roberto
Wallace 4-71 and Julius Pruitt 6-52 won the back-up receiver race with Clyde
Gates unaccounted for and the rest of the receivers making no impression.
Charles Clay continued his rise as a budding star at TE, catching the only TD
pass, while hauling in 3 passes for 39 yards.
In
giving up 20 points, the Dolphins defense was unremarkable mostly due to the
starters playing only minimal time, particularly on the front 7. The Dolphins
allowed the Bucs to maintain possession on several long TD drives that ended
with a Tampa running back diving into the endzone.
The
secondary did not allow a TD pass, but seemed confused and out of position most
of the night. The corners and safeties missed easy tackles and the lack of
contact in practices, dictated by the new CBA was evident in the Dolphin
secondary. Richard Marshall started in place of Vontae Davis, but neither was clearly better than the other and Sean Smith was feeble in attempts at tackling. This
will have to be corrected if the Dolphin defense hopes to start the season
looking like the squad that ended 2011.
The
safeties in particular left virtually no impact on the fans watching the
game, there were no interceptions, with none of the BDs coming close to getting
their hands on a Buccaneer football. Without a forced fumble and only one
fumble recovery, the Dolphin defense looked as though the dog days of training
camp had taken a toll on tired legs.
Not
much is expected from a 1st preseason game and reading too
much into it would be a mistake. The bright spot was Ryan Tannehill, the dark
spots were the Dolphins receiving corps and secondary. Chad Johnson may not
make the team with another outing like this one, unfortunately the Miami
secondary will have to get better, because none of these players can be cut.
With
the lofty expectations lowered, expect the trolls to come out of the woodwork
and the Miami bashing to begin. At Dolphinshout we recognize the 1st
preseason game for what it is and withhold judgment, but the Miami
Dolphins will need to clean things up or the dismal showing in the stadium will
only get worse.
Miami Dolphin Players to Watch Against the Bucs
The
Dolphins kickoff the pre-season against in-state rival Tampa Bay in a yearly home
and away clash, that is more of an exhibition game than true test for either
team. Early pre-season games are not about winning, as much as they are an
opportunity for the coaching staffs to figure which players belong on the final
roster.
The
following chart will help Dolphins fans understand who they should be
concentrating on while watching the game. The players that are nearly a lock to
make final roster are colored in Green, the players in Blue are on the bubble
and the players in Red are in trouble. The players in Red are the ones to watch
closely followed by Blue and then Green.
Offensively,
the two most notable surprises on this list are Matt Moore and Brian Hartline.
Why
is Matt Moore in red on this list? Because The Dolphins may not be ready to keep four
QBs on the roster and Pat Devlin will be sniped if Miami tries to place him on
the practice squad for another season. This doesn’t mean Moore will be cut, but
it does mean he could become trade bait, at some point, if the right offer comes
along. Moore has a reputation for not practicing well, but has proven he can play well in game
situations.
Moore
needs to show the new coaching staff why they should ignore his practice
performance by showing up big when the lights come on. A lackluster evening for
Moore could lead him to playing for another team come September.
Brian
Hartline has been unable to show Joe Philbin and his staff why he belongs on
the roster. Hartline has not practiced in OTAs and now two weeks into the
pre-season, he's still sitting out with a calf injury. Hartline cannot help
himself by leaving the door open for his replacement to walk in and often
times, a star is born when the door is open.
Julius
Pruitt, Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore have been hanging around on the fringe of the
Dolphin roster for three seasons, it is time for one of them to make a move. Wide
receivers are notoriously slow starters in the NFL, but after three seasons, the
trial period is over. One of these players must make the jump from
promising potential, to starter material, and it needs to happen in these early pre-season
games. Keep an eye on these receivers.
In
that same group is Clyde Gates, Gates has speed to burn, but his lack of
instincts and body control may lead him to the outside looking in. This
coaching staff has no ties to Gates as a player not drafted on their watch and it
won’t be surprising if the Grimm Reaper comes calling for Clyde’s playbook. Gates
needs to come up big in these early games or he will be gone.
John
Jerry has found nothing but fleas in Joe Philbin’s doghouse and this mammoth of
a man is a complete mismatch in the west coast offense. Jerry will find himself
in a Jet uniform before the summer is over, unless he can somehow make an
impression as large as his girth. The chances are slim, no pun intended, but if one player has
something to prove on Friday night, it is John Jerry.
Defensively,
players like Ryan Baker and Isaako
Aaitui are in trouble. These guys have hung on for a couple years, but have yet
to make an impact. With a new sheriff in town, they will need to show they
belong because they obviously have not made an impression, judging by this depth
chart.
The
Miami defense is a very solid group and many of the players in red are going to have
to make an impact on special teams if they expect to earn a roster spot.
Players like, Josh Kaddu, Jonathan Wade, Gary Guyton, Austin Spitler and Quinten
Lawrence will see plenty of action but must excel on special teams, because none of them has shown potential as a starter. It's early for Kaddu, but there is only a few spots for pure special teams players on an NFL roster.
It
is worth mentioning, Vontae Davis could spend a lot of time on the field Friday.
Davis was a little flippant in his “acting” to be in shape, in an attempt to
fool the coaching staff. Bad Idea Vontae, very bad idea! Davis is probably not
in jeopardy of losing his roster spot or perhaps even his starting job, but he
set himself up for some extended playing time against some hungry scrubs, who
may take exception to him making a joke of the job they would love to have.
The
players listed in red and blue should be interesting to watch, the question for Dolphinshouters
is, which are the players you think should change colors on this list and why.
I look forward to your comments.
Tannehill Will Ride the Pine in Miami
From the group of Matt Moore, David Garrard and Ryan Tannehill the starting QB for the Miami Dolphins will emerge, but unfortunately is there not a franchise QB among them… Moore and Garrard have flirted with elite status for moments in their careers, but neither has parlayed those moments into long term success and time is not on their side.
Once the euphoria of the Dolphins actually drafting a first round QB wears off, the reality that Ryan Tannehill was a huge stretch becomes apparent. Tannehill completed only 12.5% of his passes over 20 yards and that number alone should raise some serious red flags when looking for an NFL caliber QB.
Consider the following chart, Moore 2011, Garrard 2010, Tannehill 2011 Texas A&M…
The chart above shows the passing splits of the three QBs in contention for the Miami Dolphin starting job. They are all equally adept at throwing the ball behind the line of scrimmage, but even when stretching to 1- 10 yards the stats begin to waver on Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill does maintain his own on the intermediate passes of 10 -20 yards, in fact he is better the Moore or Garrard, but then we see the problem area.
Ryan Tannehill is no better than Chad Henne when it comes to delivering the "chunk plays." He only completed three passes over twenty yards, nearly as many as he completed to defensive backs. What this means for Dolphin fans is that rushing Tannehill on the field would be a huge mistake.
The numbers indicate Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman believe Tannehill has the potential to become an NFL caliber QB, but it is not likely to happen this season. If the Dolphins do play Tannehill it will be in a dink and dunk fashion that NFL defenses will soon identify and shut down. Once that happens,
Taking Tannehill out of the equation would be the best option for the Dolphins and that will bring the competition down to Moore and Garrard. The chart above does seem to favor Garrard, but as Raheem Morris was fond of saying in Tampa Bay
The bottom line for Miami Miami
The fans will never have the patience to allow Tannehill to grow into the position so it is imperative the coaching staff is not swayed by public opinion to rush Tannehill on the field. All QBs are different and all take different amounts of time to learn the NFL game. Tannehill will need time, the question is, will Miami
There is a veteran coaching staff in Miami
Can Dolphin fans wait it out? It’s a lot to ask of a fan base that as not hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in nearly 40 years… Tannehill and the coaching staff will need broad shoulders to weather the coming storm when the savior finds himself riding the pine…
Miami Dolphins Fans Need to Stop Being So Foolish
 |
| Hey You! Calm the *!@% Down |
In fact, there is really only one move that Jeff Ireland has made this offseason that I really disagree with, and that is cutting FS Yeremiah Bell. Not only did Ireland cut him a week into free agency (which would make it harder to find a team needing a starting safety), but he also cutting him just a few weeks after saying that he wouldn't and that he was irreplaceable. It was a cold move that resulted in the Dolphins losing a veteran who has been in Miami for his entire NFL career on bad terms. Releasing Bell was a heartless thing to do, and it was one thing that Jeff Ireland did that really made me not proud to be a Dolphins fan.
Aside from that terrible decision, I can't say I'm all that disappointed with this offseason so far.
I know that a lot of you probably just read that sentence with disbelief and even anger. Who does this Paul guy think he is that he can say that our offseason hasn't been a complete travesty? How can he be confident in a team that just signed a 34-year old quarterback after "missing" on a young free agent quarterback who had very strong connections to our current head coach? How can he say that we've had a good offseason (and yes that is what I'm implying) after we traded away our best wide receiver and have no legitimate number one option to throw to?
But you know what? I doubt that long questions like those popped into your head. Something simpler like "this guy's an idiot" is probably more likely, and look, I get it. We didn't get Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn. We traded Brandon Marshall for a good bit less than what we gave up for him. We cut our starting strong safety when we already have enough problems at free safety. The national media is taking shots at OUR Dolphins like it's going out of style.
Well you know what? I'm getting tired of it all. The Miami Dolphins are not the biggest losers of this year's free agency. I don't care how many articles that you read that say that they are. I don't care how many experts say that they made all the wrong moves. None of that matters, and you need to stop listening to that.
Do you remember last offseason when free agency opened and everyone thought that the Eagles were the big winners and it was Super Bowl or bust? What happened to them? They didn't even make the playoffs?
How about the San Francisco 49ers? No one really thought that it was a good idea to keep Alex Smith. How did that turn out for them? They made it to the NFC Championship game and were a botched punt return away from going to the Super Bowl.
Do you get what I'm saying? It isn't all doom and gloom for the Miami Dolphins. Who cares what everyone in the world seems to think? It means nothing when regular season actually starts up. Heck, it doesn't mean anything right now. It's just a bunch of talk. Quit your whining and hear me out.
First, I will get to the talk that matters most to practically everyone in the world: quarterback. David Garrard is not a bad signing. I don't care how old he is (kind of). He is a highly accurate quarterback who has a career passer rating of 85.8, 89 career touchdowns, and 54 career interceptions. And you know what? He might not even be the starter. He will be competing with Matt Moore for that spot. What Miami has now is two solid quarterbacks who will be working their absolute hardest to win the starting job. Complain all you want, but the Dolphins are better off at quarterback than they were last year.
So what if we didn't get Matt Flynn? Riverdog has said this many, many times over the past month or two. We will be able to tell a lot about Flynn by how hard the Dolphins pursue him. If Jeff Ireland wasn't willing to pay Matt Flynn top quarterback-type money, then it's because he and Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin didn't think that he was a top quarterback. Philbin obviously knows Flynn really well because he has coached him for the last four years. If he was really convinced that Matt Flynn could be a franchise quarterback, then Ireland wouldn't have minded paying more for him.
Just like last year with Kyle Orton, Flynn wanted franchise quarterback-type money (or close to it) and Ireland wasn't willing to do it because he didn't view him as a franchise quarterback. Ireland was right last offseason with Orton even amid the outrage by fans. Why have we decided to doubt him now? He is a superb talent evaluator, and we need to start trusting him more.
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| Did you really want more of this? |
And last, but absolutely not least, to this #OccupyDavie crap. This is the main reason for me giving this post the title that it has. Does anyone who supported that stupid little get-together realize that they are only reinforcing the thought that the Miami Dolphins have some of the worst fans in the league? I mean, what better way to prove that we are a terrible fan base then to start protesting the team with signs. Thankfully only about 20 people showed up, but it was still an awful idea.
Miami Dolphins fans need to start thinking more objectively about this team. Sure, we don't have a true franchise quarterback just yet, but we have two very good quarterbacks, a great defense, and a lot of potential on offense that will only be helped by our offensive-minded head coach. I will admit, I have been frustrated more than a few times this past week, but I have since calmed down and looked at what we have. Trust me, we aren't that bad off.
So stop this protesting crap. You are only making us all look worse. It helps absolutely nothing.
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| He's Baaack! |
Just be patient Dolphins fans. You're acting like the sky is falling, but actually we're better off than we were before. We have a better head coach who will get us the receivers that we need, a better group of quarterbacks, and a better offense. Just wait until the season. I guarantee you that every single expert and analyst out there will be eating their words. Who cares what the national media thinks? They have a limited perspective because they have to keep up with all 32 teams. They don't know what the Dolphins really have.
Just trust me. Jeff Ireland is more than capable of building a winning team.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you enjoyed, and if you disagreed just let me know below. I will try my best to respond to you.
Follow me on twitter: @PaulDSmythe.
Is Miami Wasting Matt Moore
In the past 10 years, the Dolphins haven’t made much of a
splash during the season and with a succession of slow starts in the Sparano
era, Miami has been practically irrelevant before the regular season starts.
The perpetual search for a QB lands Miami on Sports Center for all the wrong
reasons during off-season. The pundits place Miami in the mix for every
possible free agent or draft worthy QB.
All the while, Matt Moore watches and wonders why his own
team disregards his play in the last 9 games of 2010. Moore is no stranger to
adversity, and ignoring his history is a mistake in Miami. He ended his senior
season in high school as one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the nation.
Slated to redshirt at UCLA in 2002, he appeared in six games as a true freshman due to
injuries to Cory Paus and Drew Olson.
Moore enrolled at Oregon State in January 2005 and
participated in spring training with the team. Head coach Mike Riley announced
him as the starter entering the 2005 season. Moore injured his right knee in
the second quarter of the 10th game of the season against Stanford and missed
the remainder of the year. Not before throwing a 63-yard touchdown strike against
Washington State that gave OSU a 37–33 victory after the team trailed 30–13
late in the second quarter and a 58-yard TD pass to upset No. 18 Cal.
The 2006 10-win Beavers season was capped off by a Sun Bowl
victory against Missouri. The season included a win over #3 ranked USC and an
Oregon State record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception with
183. He was named MVP of the Sun Bowl after throwing for 356 yards and four
touchdowns and rushing for one touchdown. A 5-for-7, 55-yard game winning
drive, highlighted by a 2-point conversion put the Beavers up 39–38 with 22
seconds remaining and led to victory.
For all of that, Moore was overlooked in the 2007 draft and
was signed by Jeff Ireland as a free agent in Dallas. The Cowboys, intending to
sign him to their practice squad waived him, but the Carolina Panthers sniped
him off waivers. Moore played several games for the Panthers and was named NFL
Offensive Rookie of the Month in December for those performances. In 2008, a
broken fibula landed him on injured reserve, and he didn't play a single game the
entire season.
After injuries to Jake Delhomme and Luke McCown in 2009,
Moore led the Panthers to a 4-1 record as a starter. His performances included
convincing victories against the Giants and the Saints during that stretch.
In 2010, Moore solidified himself as the starter but
sustained a concussion in the 1st game of the season and never
returned to form. After throwing 4 INTs in consecutive losses, Moore was
replaced by Jimmy Clausen and subsequently sat out 3 consecutive games with
lingering concussion symptoms. Moore returned to complete 28 passes on 41
attempts for 308 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a victory
against the 49ers. Then in a week 9 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Moore
injured his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. The
Panthers cut Moore, after John Fox was fire as the coach.
Miami fans know Moore revived a sinking ship for the Dolphins in 2011. His history is clearly one of surviving adversity though grit and passion
for the game. The front office in Miami is making a mistake by disregarding
Moore as a viable starter and going all in for the many unknowns in the QB
derby. Moore, more than any Dolphin player showed the very folks trying to
replace him that he deserves a shot to make it in this league.
Stephen Ross and Jeff Ireland summarily disregard the one
person on the Dolphins squad they should be thanking for making the team less
than a laughing stock in 2011. Chad Henne was never able to rally the players
around him, Matt Flynn has started all of two NFL games, Peyton Manning, while
once a great player, has serious injury issues and rookie QBs do not fare well
in the NFL when thrown to the fire.
A classy organization would not profess they are
all in for a replacement when Moore has given them every reason to believe the
answer is already on the team. The right thing for the Dolphins to do would be
to stand behind their QB, but they are too busy trying to make gold out of
lead with retreads or rookies. Even Rex Ryan stands behind a QB with lesser
skills and it is has led to two AFC championship games.
The treatment of Moore is a microcosm of what has gone wrong
in Miami, from the front office, to the media, to the fans, instead of rolling
up their sleeves and building a team, they flounder in a continuous search for
a savior. Perhaps it’s time to get off the merry-go-round of foolish QB hunting
and give a little love to the guy who has shown the true grit to lead this team
and build the pieces around him.
Now all the talk is of wasting numerous draft picks or
hoping a guy, one hit from paralysis will solve being a classless organization.
Moore should be the guy talked about in Miami. It doesn’t mean the Dolphins
don’t need to draft a QB, it means they don’t have throw away their future in
an ill-fated attempt to become a Super Bowl contender overnight. Listening to
jaded fans or a hypercritical media is not what leads to championships.
Building a team, growing a team, is more important than
wishing for a falling star. Stop the QB talk, get back to the roots of what it
takes to be a contender over the long term and stop trying to win the lottery.
Matt Moore is the QB of the Miami Dolphins and until the Dolphins realize it,
they will continue to be driven by off the field influences instead of looking
in the lock room where TEAMS truly win or lose.
Miami Dolphin fans QB Choice is...
I would like to thank everyone for their excellent input! The results of the poll indicate Flynn as the popular choice, although I’m sure KV voted from 4 different computers!
Matt Flynn……………..……31 (40%)
Matt Moore…………….….. 16 (21%)
Peyton Manning….……... 14 (18%)
RG3…………....………...….. 7 (9%)
Andrew Luck…….………... 5 (6%)
Chad Henne……………….. 2 (2%)
Ryan Tannehill……………. 1 (1%)
Riverdog made a very profound statement when he said, “We will know what Philbin thinks of Flynn very early in March. If Miami doesn't make a pitch for him right away, Philbin doesn't think that much of him.” This is absolutely true and gives Miami a distinct advantage in knowing the worth of Flynn. If Philbin thinks he is the guy, he will be a Dolphin, because there is no one in the NFL who knows Matt Flynn better than Joe Philbin.
“Everyone states Flynn hasn't proven/played enough to be considered... Well lets see now, GIII hasn't even stepped in an NFL locker room & everyone's willing to jump on the GIII hype.” (Finzone) The draft is like Christmas to NFL fans, all the beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree and everyone of them is perfect until the season starts. Fans love draft choices because of the unknown, once the box is unwrapped and turns out to be good or bad doesn’t matter as much as the promise under the tree.
Larryrife said, “if Flynn is a bust he sets you back a lot less then RG3 would. By trading away your picks, you are losing out on a lot of potentially great players.” I agree with Larry and so does Rick, “At least Peyton or Flynn will be free agents and would cost a ton of money but no picks.” Matt Burr’s thoughts are conservative but make a lot of sense, “get Flynn and use our pick to sure up the other side of the line so we can have two great tackles and a great center.” KV’s thinking like a GM with, “I'm nabbing Flynn (in early March) just in case the deal for RG3 (in late April) doesn't come together!!”
Thorny said, “Manning, I love this guy, but too old, too risky, and seriously one great hit from a wheel chair. I really can't see this being a good option at all.” Paul chimed in with, “would prefer Manning, then Flynn, then RG3. I honestly think RG3 is overrated, but I would be all right if they get him.” I removed Manning in the last article due to Thorny’s concerns, but there are many fans thinking he would be good option. Dolfan Jesse said, “Peyton Manning turns the Dolphins into an instant playoff contender. By the time Peyton retires, maybe in 3-4 years (granted no more surgeries), the Tom Brady era will also be coming to an end and it will loosen up the competition within the division.”
Previously I made it clear, Manning is a great QB, aside from the unease about his injury potential, I don’t think Miami would be at the top of his wish list. As a free agent, Manning will have his choice of where he wants to play. He’s made millions in his career and has endorsements worth millions more, money is a secondary priority. Should his brother win the Super Bowl next weekend, Peyton is going to have one thing on his mind, getting back to the dance.
Miami’s roster is geared toward a possession passing game, but with Reggie Bush, the Dolphins have an excellent option coming out of the backfield. The much maligned offensive line was built for the running game. And finally, the defensive line is designed to stop the run first and pass rush second. Defensively Miami does not fit a quick scoring offense. Mike Sherman grew up in a West Coast system and though Manning could probably adapt to his weapons, there are other teams, like the Jets (in close proximity to his brother) that are better options and I think he will choose one of those.
I think Thorny says it all, “Moore, what can I say, I would much rather have Moore as the Qb for this team starting 2012. Look he played lights out once he started to gel with the team and the offense took on a totally different dynamic. Wow, I thought Moore was a chump he prove ME WRONG BIG TIME.” Polly agrees with Thorny, “I feel Moore deserves a chance, with good coaching and training camp, I think he will be a QB that can lead the team. They really rallied with him under center.”
Sgt Flex brings up a great point, “I say keep Matt Moore for a chance, but remember what happened to him in Carolina, and why Dallas let him go in the first place?” I need to remind Sgt that Carolina poached Moore off Dallas’ practice squad. There is no denying Moore showed a lot of potential, after a rough start, he made the most of his opportunity. He is under contract for 2012 and he will be in the mix, it is completely up to him whether he wins the job in Miami.
Several folks on this blog know, I predicted Miami would sign Moore prior to last season. The reason was because Ireland brought him in at Dallas and was very unhappy when Carolina poached him. For me, it was because of exactly what Thorny saw, when the guy is given an opportunity, he makes the most of it. Many QBs washout after suffering adversity, Moore just keeps coming back. I like him a lot and whatever happens with the other QBs, Moore makes me feel Miami will better in 2012. As Hooterize said, “Flynn has one good game and he's a godsend? I hated the getting of Matt Moore last year but he's earned my respect and a chance to compete.”
The thought here is Andrew Luck will never make it to Miami. There is probably some outrageous scenario that could make it happen, but I don’t see the Dolphins trading away the future for Luck, even if they feel he is worth it, they won’t do it. That means RG3 is the only option for our 1st pick. I know there is a lot of Tannehill talk and I’ll get to that in a bit, but I don’t see Tannehill at 8/9 in this draft.
Roeblount had this to say, “RG3 is one of this guys who has a high ceiling and because he is so smart he will be able to pickup the offense. He's impressed the likes of Dan Marino, Kim Bokamper, Troy Drayton, Kordell Stewart and Trent Dilfer. So what does that say about the kid, a lot.” RG3 has great potential but I have to agree with Eddie Boswell when he said, “there are at least two other teams that need quarterbacks that are ahead of Miami in the draft so my first pick is Matt Flynn. You get a good prospect as a franchise QB and you don't have to sacrifice a draft pick or a number of them to get a potential franchise QB.”
Canamdolphin agrees with this train of thought, “Flynn in free agency and the 3rd-ranked QB in the draft. Let Moore and Flynn compete and let the rookie watch and learn. Shore up the right side of the O-line through free agency or the draft. Find the best players available.” And then I also like Sgt Flex’s thinking, “get a new safety in the second and then grab Kellen Moore after that. He is a proven winner.”
Jimmy sums up the problem with Tannehill, “why have I heard a lot of excitement about Tannehill? I don't think there is any way he will get out of the first round with so many teams looking for a QB this year (and so few good ones available). I don't see any way of the dolphins getting him unless they take him at 8/9 (quite a reach) and they would most likely have to trade up into the 1st rounds to get him later on if not at 8/9. I realize he played with Sherman and everything. With all the talk about not wanting another 2nd round QB, why the fuss about Tannehill?”
I would not be surprised to see Kellen Moore as a later round pick. For those folks who mentioned Pat Devlin, I’m sorry to say Devlin is a project, he has some skills, but he does not have the confidence needed in the NFL. He left the University of Pittsburgh because he could not beat out Tyler Palko. I don’t think many folks would call Palko a franchise QB, Devlin will be a journeyman backup. Maybe he needs a chance, but I hope it comes somewhere else because if we see Devlin under center, it will mean things have gone terribly wrong in Miami.
Philbin came in with a plan and I’m certain that plan includes Matt Flynn competing with Matt Moore, so KV’s, “FlyMM” is Miami’s QB plan for 2012. In the end, I have to go back to Riverdog’s quote, “We will know what Philbin thinks of Flynn very early in March. If Miami doesn't make a pitch for him right away, Philbin doesn't think that much of him.” If Philbin has the conviction in Flynn all the rest of the talk is wasted because Philbin will do what it takes to get Flynn. Knowing Stephen Ross wants to bring this team back to prominence I’m certain one of his questions to potential coaches was, “what will you do about the QB situation?”
I’m not going out on a limb by predicting Philbin told Ross, “Flynn is the QB Miami has been looking for,” and with Flynn, Philbin will bring the Lombardi trophy back to Miami!
NOTE: To the folks whose comments I did not use… Dolphinshout will do this again and I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions! I tried to correct typos, but I may have missed some…
Matt Flynn……………..……31 (40%)
Matt Moore…………….….. 16 (21%)
Peyton Manning….……... 14 (18%)
RG3…………....………...….. 7 (9%)
Andrew Luck…….………... 5 (6%)
Chad Henne……………….. 2 (2%)
Ryan Tannehill……………. 1 (1%)
Riverdog made a very profound statement when he said, “We will know what Philbin thinks of Flynn very early in March. If Miami doesn't make a pitch for him right away, Philbin doesn't think that much of him.” This is absolutely true and gives Miami a distinct advantage in knowing the worth of Flynn. If Philbin thinks he is the guy, he will be a Dolphin, because there is no one in the NFL who knows Matt Flynn better than Joe Philbin.
“Everyone states Flynn hasn't proven/played enough to be considered... Well lets see now, GIII hasn't even stepped in an NFL locker room & everyone's willing to jump on the GIII hype.” (Finzone) The draft is like Christmas to NFL fans, all the beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree and everyone of them is perfect until the season starts. Fans love draft choices because of the unknown, once the box is unwrapped and turns out to be good or bad doesn’t matter as much as the promise under the tree.
Larryrife said, “if Flynn is a bust he sets you back a lot less then RG3 would. By trading away your picks, you are losing out on a lot of potentially great players.” I agree with Larry and so does Rick, “At least Peyton or Flynn will be free agents and would cost a ton of money but no picks.” Matt Burr’s thoughts are conservative but make a lot of sense, “get Flynn and use our pick to sure up the other side of the line so we can have two great tackles and a great center.” KV’s thinking like a GM with, “I'm nabbing Flynn (in early March) just in case the deal for RG3 (in late April) doesn't come together!!”
Thorny said, “Manning, I love this guy, but too old, too risky, and seriously one great hit from a wheel chair. I really can't see this being a good option at all.” Paul chimed in with, “would prefer Manning, then Flynn, then RG3. I honestly think RG3 is overrated, but I would be all right if they get him.” I removed Manning in the last article due to Thorny’s concerns, but there are many fans thinking he would be good option. Dolfan Jesse said, “Peyton Manning turns the Dolphins into an instant playoff contender. By the time Peyton retires, maybe in 3-4 years (granted no more surgeries), the Tom Brady era will also be coming to an end and it will loosen up the competition within the division.”
Previously I made it clear, Manning is a great QB, aside from the unease about his injury potential, I don’t think Miami would be at the top of his wish list. As a free agent, Manning will have his choice of where he wants to play. He’s made millions in his career and has endorsements worth millions more, money is a secondary priority. Should his brother win the Super Bowl next weekend, Peyton is going to have one thing on his mind, getting back to the dance.
Miami’s roster is geared toward a possession passing game, but with Reggie Bush, the Dolphins have an excellent option coming out of the backfield. The much maligned offensive line was built for the running game. And finally, the defensive line is designed to stop the run first and pass rush second. Defensively Miami does not fit a quick scoring offense. Mike Sherman grew up in a West Coast system and though Manning could probably adapt to his weapons, there are other teams, like the Jets (in close proximity to his brother) that are better options and I think he will choose one of those.
I think Thorny says it all, “Moore, what can I say, I would much rather have Moore as the Qb for this team starting 2012. Look he played lights out once he started to gel with the team and the offense took on a totally different dynamic. Wow, I thought Moore was a chump he prove ME WRONG BIG TIME.” Polly agrees with Thorny, “I feel Moore deserves a chance, with good coaching and training camp, I think he will be a QB that can lead the team. They really rallied with him under center.”
Sgt Flex brings up a great point, “I say keep Matt Moore for a chance, but remember what happened to him in Carolina, and why Dallas let him go in the first place?” I need to remind Sgt that Carolina poached Moore off Dallas’ practice squad. There is no denying Moore showed a lot of potential, after a rough start, he made the most of his opportunity. He is under contract for 2012 and he will be in the mix, it is completely up to him whether he wins the job in Miami.
Several folks on this blog know, I predicted Miami would sign Moore prior to last season. The reason was because Ireland brought him in at Dallas and was very unhappy when Carolina poached him. For me, it was because of exactly what Thorny saw, when the guy is given an opportunity, he makes the most of it. Many QBs washout after suffering adversity, Moore just keeps coming back. I like him a lot and whatever happens with the other QBs, Moore makes me feel Miami will better in 2012. As Hooterize said, “Flynn has one good game and he's a godsend? I hated the getting of Matt Moore last year but he's earned my respect and a chance to compete.”
The thought here is Andrew Luck will never make it to Miami. There is probably some outrageous scenario that could make it happen, but I don’t see the Dolphins trading away the future for Luck, even if they feel he is worth it, they won’t do it. That means RG3 is the only option for our 1st pick. I know there is a lot of Tannehill talk and I’ll get to that in a bit, but I don’t see Tannehill at 8/9 in this draft.
Roeblount had this to say, “RG3 is one of this guys who has a high ceiling and because he is so smart he will be able to pickup the offense. He's impressed the likes of Dan Marino, Kim Bokamper, Troy Drayton, Kordell Stewart and Trent Dilfer. So what does that say about the kid, a lot.” RG3 has great potential but I have to agree with Eddie Boswell when he said, “there are at least two other teams that need quarterbacks that are ahead of Miami in the draft so my first pick is Matt Flynn. You get a good prospect as a franchise QB and you don't have to sacrifice a draft pick or a number of them to get a potential franchise QB.”
Canamdolphin agrees with this train of thought, “Flynn in free agency and the 3rd-ranked QB in the draft. Let Moore and Flynn compete and let the rookie watch and learn. Shore up the right side of the O-line through free agency or the draft. Find the best players available.” And then I also like Sgt Flex’s thinking, “get a new safety in the second and then grab Kellen Moore after that. He is a proven winner.”
Jimmy sums up the problem with Tannehill, “why have I heard a lot of excitement about Tannehill? I don't think there is any way he will get out of the first round with so many teams looking for a QB this year (and so few good ones available). I don't see any way of the dolphins getting him unless they take him at 8/9 (quite a reach) and they would most likely have to trade up into the 1st rounds to get him later on if not at 8/9. I realize he played with Sherman and everything. With all the talk about not wanting another 2nd round QB, why the fuss about Tannehill?”
I would not be surprised to see Kellen Moore as a later round pick. For those folks who mentioned Pat Devlin, I’m sorry to say Devlin is a project, he has some skills, but he does not have the confidence needed in the NFL. He left the University of Pittsburgh because he could not beat out Tyler Palko. I don’t think many folks would call Palko a franchise QB, Devlin will be a journeyman backup. Maybe he needs a chance, but I hope it comes somewhere else because if we see Devlin under center, it will mean things have gone terribly wrong in Miami.
Philbin came in with a plan and I’m certain that plan includes Matt Flynn competing with Matt Moore, so KV’s, “FlyMM” is Miami’s QB plan for 2012. In the end, I have to go back to Riverdog’s quote, “We will know what Philbin thinks of Flynn very early in March. If Miami doesn't make a pitch for him right away, Philbin doesn't think that much of him.” If Philbin has the conviction in Flynn all the rest of the talk is wasted because Philbin will do what it takes to get Flynn. Knowing Stephen Ross wants to bring this team back to prominence I’m certain one of his questions to potential coaches was, “what will you do about the QB situation?”
I’m not going out on a limb by predicting Philbin told Ross, “Flynn is the QB Miami has been looking for,” and with Flynn, Philbin will bring the Lombardi trophy back to Miami!
NOTE: To the folks whose comments I did not use… Dolphinshout will do this again and I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions! I tried to correct typos, but I may have missed some…
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