Miami Miracle Crashes and Burns in Minneapolis

Twenty-one first quarter points quickly erased the Miami Miracle as the Dolphins crashed and burned in Minneapolis. The Vikings running game gashed the Miami defense on three straight drives, while the Miami offense floundered. The game and Miami's playoff hopes ended before halftime. An average Minnesota Vikings team resembled the purple people eaters, annihilating the hapless Dolphins.

Minkah Fitzpatrick stepping in front of a Kirk Cousins pass and dashing into the endzone and a Kalen Ballage 75-yard touchdown run were the only hint of life Miami showed all day.

It was not enough, Ryan Tannehill stood flat footed in the face of a fierce pass rush, throwing for only 108 yards. After a brilliant performance against New England, Tannehill completed only 11 of 24 passes, looking beleaguered, confused and shell-shocked.

Enough of the Tannehill debate...

Clearly we've seen enough.

The Miami offensive line played an atrocious game allowing nine sacks. Even the invincible Frank Gore could not endure the pounding and left the game with an injured ankle. The Dolphin defense surrendered the line of scrimmage from the onset as the Vikings rushed for 220 yards and Cousins passed for another 215.

Six straight road losses for the Dolphins is the tale of the season. Miami does not bring the same intensity on the road, playing uninspired football in a game broadcast nationally. The euphoria of a walk off victory the previous week quickly gave way to the reality that the Miami Dolphins cannot match up with quality teams on the road. Miami has lost by an average of 17.7 points per road game during the six game skid.

The Dolphins are 7-17 on the road during Adam Gase's tenure and only three of those defeats have been less than ten points. While the Miami defense looked like a revolving door, the offense was equally pathetic. After the 75 yard Kalen Ballage burst to open the second half, Miami's next five drives totaled -27 yards...

Reverting to bad Tannehill, the Miami quarterback completed only 45.8 percent of his passes for 108 yards. His magical 155 rating a week ago, sunk to 59 this week as the Vikings took away the dink passes and forced him off his spot. The offensive line was downright offensive and did not show up for the game.

Enough debate...

It's time for a change.

Both sides of the ball looked lackadaisical and the 41-17 loss was not even that close. Nine sacks are a team record for a single game. Kirk Cousins came into the game as the worst free agent acquisition of the season only to put up 215 yards, 2 TDs and a 112 rating against perhaps the worst defense in the NFL.

It is time for this team to take a long realistic view at how far it is from the next level. In the present form, mediocrity is the definition of the Miami Dolphins. The quarterback has been here for seven years and has yet to reach the playoffs or finish a winning season. The coach has been here three years and his team has played 500 football and is routinely blown out on the road.

It is time for a change. If Adam Gase is unwilling to part ways with Ryan Tannehill, than it is time for Stephen Ross to fire the coach and allow the QB to move on. Any fear that Tannehill will somehow acquire greatness is a foolish notion. Quarterbacks do not take eight years to find some magic formula and anyone who thinks differently is delusional, including the coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Adam Gase has the potential to be a great coach, he can win games he should lose. Unfortunately he will never be that coach with a wildly inconsistent quarterback. If Dan Marino had been in that huddle, the words from his mouth would be ringing in the stands. Tannehill has no leadership skills and it shows vividly on the road.

Enough debate...

It's time for a change.

If Gase is unwilling to make the changes needed on this football team, there is no other recourse than to fire him. Tannehill is what he is, a backup quarterback. Joe Philbin was fired for trying to draft his replacement...

Will Adam Gase be fired for trying to keep the same quarterback?

Tannehill is a coach killer...

Meanwhile, Dolphin fans must agonize season after season mired in his mediocrity. If Mike Tannenbaum is unwilling to do what is right for this team and insists on maintaining the status quo, than he too must be fired.

The personnel people have been changed, the coaches have been changed and the Miami Dolphins remain the same. The only constant on this team is Ryan Tannehill, whether he's a tough guy, whether he has a rocket arm, whether he's smart, whether he's a team guy is irrelevant, you are what your record says you are... Mediocre.

Miami beat New England with a miracle play...

It was a euphoric moment in a season that has been grinding down to this, 7-7 mediocrity. It will be eight years next season.

Enough debate...

We've seen enough...

Time to move on...

Dolphins Pull Out a Miraculous Victory

There are games that define teams and players, games that erase all the critics, games with such a warm afterglow; they leave you reaching for a cigarette. The Miami Dolphin win over the Patriots was one of those games.

The idea of using Rob Gonkowski as the deep safety seems so Belichickian, until the Gronk actually has to become a defender and make an open field tackle. Kenyan Drake was feeling lonely watching Frank Gore run through the New England defense. When Drake got the ball on the final play, nothing would stop him from outrunning the Gronk all the way to victory.

For Dolphin fans, the moment will live forever in the lore of a team desperately needing spark. The Dolphins stood up to the AFC East bullies, duking it out toe to toe, but seemed destined for the knockout blow with 7 seconds left, down by five points.

Somehow the magic happened, a pass to Kenny Stills, a lateral to Devante Parker, another lateral to Kenyan Drake and the field of dreams opened up. The Miami Dolphins won the game.

New England fans will call it luck, high school shenanigans and of course, there was a certain amount of luck involved. This one play is the perfect example of how a football team learns how to win. How a football team learns that luck only matters if the team is in a position to win.

With a minute left in the first half, New England blocked a punt and had a very short field to score. The Dolphins did not allow a single point, in fact, they forced Brady to make an uncharacteristic mistake, he was sacked with no timeouts and the half ended.

What does this have to do with luck? Every person and every team has the same amount of luck, what matters is, if you're in a position to benefit from that luck. If Miami had been 8 points behind at the end of the game, the last play would have been a lot different.

By fighting for every inch at the end of the first half, Miami was able to stay alive and within in a touchdown at the end of the game. By making that goal line stand, the Dolphin's final lucky play turned into victory.

This is the difference between winning and losing. It is the reason Miami can be outgained, lose in time of possession and turnovers, yet still win. Luck does not matter if you are not in a position to win. Adam Gase knows this, he teaches it and his players do not quit until the final whistle blows.

Ryan Tannehill had perhaps his finest game as a Miami Dolphin. The local press and indeed this site have been insistent that Tannehill is nothing more than an average quarterback. If any player on the Dolphins was an example of staying in the game until the final whistle, it was Ryan Tannehill.

JaWaun James stomped his 300 pounds firmly on Tannehill's right ankle and it looked like Tannehill was done. No one would have said a word if Tannehill did not return to that field, but he taped the ankle and hobbled back out there to lead his team. A team one last desperate breath from playoff elimination. In the end, Tannehill and his team deservedly sucked in the sweet aroma of victory.

Kenny Stills, made some ugly mistakes. He slid to the ground in the fourth quarter with his team leading and needing a first down. Had he simply dove over the line, Miami may have won the game without those final heroics. He dropped another first down throw that caused the final punt.

Stills didn't quit, he stepped into the open zone, caught that final pass and flipped it to Parker, who flipped it to Drake, who found the endzone. Stills knew it was a desperate play, but he also knew it was possible because Miami had left themselves in a position for luck to do its magic.

Maybe all Dolphin fans need to learn the lesson of luck. When you give up and put a lucky break out of reach from helping, you lose. The luck was there, the same luck everyone has, but luck doesn't matter if you can't use it.

Tannehill may never be a great quarterback, Stills may never be a great receiver and Adam Gase may never be a great coach, but they will win. The will win because they do not give up.

The Miami Dolphins probably need a better QB, could use some linebackers and secondary...

But in the end, if they believe they can win and keep victory in their grasp...

These Miami Dolphins will find a way...

F. I. N. S. WIN, WIN, WIN 📢 🚒

 Miami's Dolphins perservered through the seasons opener last Sunday with a resiliant home field victory of 27 - 20 over the Titans in the NFL's longest game in history of (7 hours, 8 minutes).

On the following Monday they were informed that their 2018 FA prize LG Josh Sitton would be lost for the season to a shoulder injury. On Tuesday, their 2017 FA prize Guard Ted Larsen became the starting left guard. Miami (against two run stuffing DL's) rushed the ball (via Sitton) 29 times for 120 vs the Titans, and for 135 yards (via Larsen) on 31 attempts at the Jets.


The Dolphins flew in from Miami to visit NYC on week two of the 2018 season to take a (team vs team yardage simularity) 20 - 0 halftime lead. They headed home with a 2 - 0 record for the first time since 2013 while also (as the divisions only undefeated team) being in sole possession of the division lead for the first time in at least those same five years.

Ryan Tannehill on a designed QB run scampered for 20 yards on the games opening play. He was sacked four times for the game. On one occassion he was running for his life as the DE climbed on to his back to take him down akwardly with the entirety of #17's own weight as well as the defenders girth (to total 500-plus pounds) all being supported by THills repaired left knee. With a knock, knock on the forehead, that knee is as stable as any in the league. 

Miami started the scoring after Safety TJ McDonald (lined up as Sam LB) baited the Jets (second series) rookie QB sensation Sam DARNold into an ill-advised pass that TMc returned 31 yards to the home teams 15 yard line. Rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick lined up tight vs the slot receiver, sprinted to the safety zone upon the snap, and TJ jumped in front of the slot guy for the pick. Sam Darnold never saw the Sam LB McDonald or such a defense.

After two runs that led to a 3rd & 1. Kenyan Drake ran untouched up the gut for the 6 yard TOUCHDOWN and 7 - 0 visiting teams advantage.

Two NY & Miami punts later on a Jets first down play for another first down, LB Kiko Alonso popped a receiver between the shoulder blades that forced a fumble that MLB Raquon McMillan fell on for the recovery at the home teams 49.

On the second play from that moment Ryan Tannehill hit Albert Wilson at the 24 on a 5 yard crossing pattern between the hash marks, Wilson streaked west for 26 yards to avoid the LB, and then North 24 yards for the Dolphins 14 - 0 TOUCHDOWN score.

A Jets three & out for minus 7 yards that included a Robert Quinn sack followed.

Miami took over with 2:29 first half ticks remaining at their own 38 for their longest drive of the day yardage wise. Four passes, and three runs took the Dolphins to the NY 19 yard line. From there Tannehill threw an endzone TOUCHDOWN dart to TE AJ Derby for the 20 - 0 halftime lead, (Sanders missed the EP kick).

NY marched 74 yards in the halfs remaining 49 seconds, but Miami stopped them at the one at as time expired.

The Jets scored a TD on the third quarters opening series and missed their own Extra Point attempt for a 20 - 6 defecit. NY scored two Field Goals in the second half also for the 20 - 12 final score loss.

The Dolphins didn't do much in the second half to risk their first half 20 - 0 lead, but Xavian Howard had a EndZone pick.

For the game.
Miami's DL had 9 TFL (tackles for loss), 5 via the interior with 4 from the ends. The 3 DL sacks came via DE Robert Quinn, & DT William Hayes along with a vicious sack from DT Jordan Phillips.

LB Kiko Alonso led the team while accruing 13 solo tackles (with most being of the face to face, big hit variety), and he forced a fumble that McMillan recovered.

CB X had his pick as did S/Sam LB TJ McDonald.

The Dolphin D allowed just 17 first half rush yards, and 42 over the games entirety. 149 first half pass yards and 171 in the second half for one TD & two FG's to total 12 points.


On Offense.
Drake led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 53 yards with a TD while THill had 8 attempts for 44 yards, and Gore with 9 for 25. PS. Miami Homey Frank Gore moved into the All-Time rushing leaders fourth spot ahead of long time Jet/Patriot Curtis Martin, and behind only Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders.

Albert Wilson topped the receivers with 3 catches for just 37 yards with the TD.
Amendola had 4 for 32, Grant 2 for 27, and TE Derby had the one for 19 and the TD.

Tannehill completed 17 of 23 for 122 yards with two TD passes and the 44 rush yards. The run game produced 135 yards with a TD on 31 attempts

T'wasn't an offensive field day, but the D made it so it didn't need to be. Miami played on a short field while the opposition didn't. The Offense scored 14 points off of NY's first two turnovers and toyed with a two to three score lead for the days most part. Even when the Dolphins couldn't sustain a drive, they still turned the field over with great punts and coverage on all kicks.

Miami's Dolphins went 6 of 13 on 3rd down, and committed just TWO PENALTIES for a grand total of 10 yards.

The J.E.T.S. pulled within 8 points with just under six game minutes remaining,
and never again touched the ball.

Miami's final possession (that included a 3rd/18 short dumpoff to Gore for a 19 yard first down run) was their most extensive drive of the day. They ran 12 plays for 58 yards to the NY 13 in 5:56 before going into 20 - 12 VICTORY FORMATION for the games final four plays rather than taking the additional bonus points of a TD or easy chipshot FG.


Yo Fireman Ed,
The Miami Dolphins are walkin'ear so STFU!!!

The F. I. N. S. WIN, WIN, WIN  📢 🚒


GOFINS!!!

2018 Miami Dolphins Starting Roster MakeOver!!

The 2017 Miami Dolphins waded their way through an unparalleled chain of events that began upon the final preseason game and continued on a weekly basis through week 11!

It started with a catastrophe, was followed by uncontrolable disasters which precedded a number of rediculous off the field calamities. An inside of doors snow blizzard, in Miami? A proven LB of high character goes AWOL, and another gets the drunk & disorderly handcuffs? A cancelled week one & Bye Week 11? The Dolphins were done before even getting started, and they were most definitely worn beyond worn over the season's final 6 games! And after the week one disaster, tropical storms continued to soak Miami into the seasons final third!!

You remember the field conditions in Miami for their first six or so of eight home games? DISGUSTINGLY EMBARRASING!! As was the final tally of 6 - 10..

Our team was not only challenged via all the above and then some.. They were severely lacking (due to injuries for the most part) at the CB, LB, TE & OL positions from beginning to end, and ohh yea at QB too !!

The Miami Dolphins can't control what's beyond their control !!

So they went above and beyond in taking command of what they can control with fresh, proven, Highly qualified personnel throughout the coaching staff and on the roster/field !!

They went so drastically deep into changing what takes place on the field of 6 - 10 team, that (compared to game one starters of 2017).. The probability is extremely high for THIRTEEN (if not 14) different starters taking the field in week one of 2018! Lucky 13, thats more than one half of a 25 man starting roster!

So here's how some of it is visualized from one Miami Dolphins Fans Perspective..

2017 Miami Dolphins Game One Starters,
and ( The Replacements ) Projected for 2018.

OFFENSE

QB Jay Cutler,      ( Ryan Tannehill )
LT Laremy Tunsil
LG Anthony Steen, (Josh Sitton)
C   Mike Pouncey,  (Danial Kilgore)
RG Jermon Bushrod, (Jesse Davis)
RT JuWaun James
RB Jay Ajayi,    (Frank Gore/Kenyan Drake, and rookie Kalen Ballage)
WR DeVante Parker
SR  Jarvis Landry, (Danny Amendola/Albert Wilson/Jakeem Grant)
WR Kenny Stills
TE Julius Thomas, (Rookies Mike Gesicki/Durham Smythe)

Miami's 2018 offense would be very likely to stomp 2017's TEAM into lost & forgotten obliteration!


DEFENSE

FS Nate Allen, (TJ McDonald/Minkah Fitzpatrick)
SS Rashad Jones
DE Andre Branch, (Robert Quinn/Charles Harris)
DT Jordan Phillips
DT Ndamukong Suh, (Davon Godchaux, William Hayes, Akeem Spence, Vincent Taylor)
DE Cameron Wake
OLB Kiko Alonso
MLB Mike Hull,  ( Raekwon McMillan )
OLB  Chase Allen, (Stephone Anthony/rookie Jerome Baker/CAllen/MHull, and another rookie Quinton Poling) etc.
CB  Xavien Howard
CB  Byron Maxwell, ( Minkah Fitzpatrick/Cordrea Tankersley/Tony Lippett)

Minus the third LB Base Defense
Slot = Bobby McCain/Tank/Fitz/Lipp, and rookie Cornell Armstrong etc..


SPECIAL TEAMS

LS John Denney
P   Matt Haack
K  Cody Parkey,  ( Jason Sanders )


I have Minkah Fitzpatrick (over the seasons duration) starting at any one of seven different Defensive positions via ( S X 2, CB X 3, LB X 2 ). For game one, play one, if they start in base 4-3, I see him starting over Cordrea Tankersley opposite of Xavian Howard..

Anyone remember the name Byron Maxwell?? Man he went from the one, to the two, to being inactive in o17’s first 3 weeks which was when rookie Tankersley took over and did pretty well..

Maxwell never played another down and was released a month later..

I think that Tank is pretty damn good, but Fitz teamed up with X makes for a total shutdown tandem at CB!!!

As far as who ended-up as o17 DB starters. Tankersley (last witnessed) would appear to be the weakest link, (though he’s not weak in any sense). It's just that it's quite apparent that Fitzpatrick offers farr more proven talents, and skills..

That would be my basic Defensive lineup for getting the best 7 on the back-end, play one..

But of course. There is also the possibility that Minkah Fitzpatrick may very well start at one of the other 6 positions he excels at? Shoot Saban suggest that #29 Fitz could even play MLB in certain situations, (which makes 8 different positions he can morph into) while Butterfly-Bellied-Brady is at the LOS attempting to dissect !!

The other positional player that Minkah may likely be a better option to start for would be the third LB (whoever that may endup being among numerous previously mentioned qualified candidates)..

While (if not a true OLB starting at that spot)? One of either Fitzpatrick or TJ McDonald could start/play/lineup at an OLB's vicinity with the other at FS..

An order to get the 7 best of the back-end on the field, game one, play one, and throughout the season.. Should make for quite the confusing puzzle for offensive opponents!!

TJ McDonald an established/proven/productive/deserving player & First Round Pick Minkah Fitzpatrick should both start somewhere !!

So in the 4-3 base game one, play one,
I have TJ'Mc at FS, & Minkah in place of Tankersley at CB.



Or.
(My Goodness, Fitzpatrick brings with him soooo many alternative options)..
It's mind boggling!!



Fitz at FS & TMc at OLB?

But (in that moment) who knows? Perhaps one of them true OLB’s (Jerome Baker etc) blows the doors off TMc at OLB for the game one, play one start?

Of course a lot will depend on how the Titans lineup.. In o17 Miami started in the base 4-3 against them..

With get this at LB
Kiko, Maualuga, Timmons

Hmmm..
Think The Dolphins are a little better off at LB, DB, overall defense, TE, OL, and ohh yea QB ??

Not a headscratcher, DATTS’FER'SURE!!

I BELIEVE that The Swiss Army Knife, Jack & Master of All Football Trades, and true leader Minkah Fitzpatrick will be farrr more valuable than the one dimensional Suh as the Future Franchise Face of the Defense!!

And we’ll have him for 5 years for the cost of one year with what we were scheduled to pay Suh!!!

Loved Suh (zero disrepect intended), but Minkah Fitzpatrick (from Anywhere and Everywhere) will be farrr more impactful and indecipherable !!

The Miami Dolphins 2018 Defense could very well become the class of the AFC East!


What Are Your Thought's 3 months before kickoff ??


GOFINS!!!