Dolphins Trying To Get To .500

To get to .500, the Dolphins have a tall hill to climb.

To get to .500, the Dolphins have a tall hill to climb.

A .500 record could re-boot the season.

The Miami Dolphins will have a short week this week, because they will be traveling to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals on Thursday night at 8:25pm. Both teams have a 1-2 record and the loser will clearly sink to 1-3, which will mean the loser will have little room for error the rest of the season if they want to have a chance to make the Playoffs.

The Bengals have been a very good team for many years, and on paper they have a better team than Miami.The Dolphins secondary is going to have their hands filled with AJ Green, who is one of the best receivers in the game and will be a match-up nightmare all evening.The Bengals also have two capable running backs in Hill and Bernard, and since the Dolphins rush defense is still ranked at the worst in the league, the Bengals are going to make it a priority to take advantage of our deficiencies.

On offense, the Dolphins are going to have their hands full going against a talented defense.The Bengals have talent at all levels of the defense, starting with their DT Geno Atkins, who is a human wrecking ball up front in the middle of the defense.Then they will get back LB Vontaze Burfict from suspension, and will pair him with LB Karlos Dansby and Rey Maualuga. The Bengals are loaded in the secondary with Kirkpatrick, Jones and Ioka.  This is going to sound like a broken record, but Miami needs to find a way to start the game strong on offense, and get the running game going.The Dolphins used a committee of backs against the Browns, and I assume they will take the same approach this week.

The one wild card is our Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph who was the secondary coach for the Bengals last year.  He should have some inside information on their offense and defense, and this “may” prove to have “some” value on game day.

The best pay per head software in the world opened this game at -7 for the Bengals, and as of Wednesday afternoon it has inched up to -7.5 for the Bengals. This is going to be an extremely tough game on a shortened week, and especially with multiple injuries across the Offensive line, and Linebacker group.  With that being said, if I were a betting man, I would not be betting on the Phins this week to get too .500 — despite what my heart wants. Marvin Lewis the coach of the Bengals has been the head coach in Cincinnati since 2003, and his extensive resume of coaching experience will also be a bit too much for our Rookie coaches in Adam Gase and Joseph to handle in their 4th game. What is the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about this upcoming game?


 

14 comments

  • Dunner

    Tanny is not the answer. I’ve backed him from the start, no more. He just doesn’t have it and never will, he is what he is, and if you want mediocrity, have at it. No pocket presence, no fire (other than his hair), way way to inconsistent. More and more college QBs are coming to the NFL prepared to play from the start, lets hope this trend continues and we get one next year. Or, can you say Jay Cutler, no kidding, back to where we started.

    Joseph is in over his head, lets hope the learning curve goes quickly. Our defense is not played to bad considering they are on the field ALL the time.

    At this point, not sure if I want us to win or lose. Already looking ahead to the ’17 draft. We now need, QB, OG, OT (James has disappeared), RB, DE x2, LBer x2, CB. That is 7 positions of need and we should have 7 draft picks +/-. So I have total faith that this front office will kill the draft and we will be good to go, NOT! Just when I thought there was some light at the end of the tunnel, reality comes crashing down and the cycle begins all over again. Why do I do this to myself? Or, why does Miami do this to me?

    Tennessee’s time of possession will triple our again this Sunday, but we’ll find a way to win and all the deficiencies will be hidden once again, until Pitt comes to town and the cycle starts again. Great to be a Dolphins fan. Great for what, I don’t know???????

  • Steve

    Maybe the last note:

    Coaching: Why cant we get 1st downs. Tannehill is looking deep vs 90% of time his R/B is right their maybe 10 feet from him ready for the screen open But Tannehill takes the sacks not seeing the R/B. Watch the Tape! each time we needed a 1st down a R/B was closed by and open or Tannehill could have ran 5 yards.

    The coaching is allowing the game to be lost on one player Performance this is why within 2.0 second hand or screen, or shuffle that ball off to a back. This is not beat up on Tannehill but if you calculate 2 to 5 sacks a games and we have maybe 11 games left that would be minimum 22 sacks the rest of the season and maximum 55 sacks added to 191 which either is too many.

    Tannehill strong Suite is Run and Gun offense. Meaning 70% R/B rushing and 30% Tannehill passing on the run with option to pass etc. Asking him to drop back into the pocket will only frustrate him and may get him injured plus losing games. This is not rocket science not your players.

    • Lemmus

      …I know it isn’t going to happen …but think about it

      …move Tannehill to WR, bring Doughty up as QB …then run some form of the Wild Cat with Landry and TH spread wide and 2 RBs, no TE …that’s 2 WRs that can bust a run …plus 2 RB threats that can run or block …plus a VERY real pass threat from a WR

      …that would be a defensive nightmare

      …of course, this only works if Doughty can be productive, making a call in 2 secs or less on what to do with the ball …but he was the most productive QB in the draft …no outstanding traits, just produced …and he got better at it every year …the one thing we know for sure now is that TH just can’t do it …for whatever reason

      …so what do we lose …seriously

      • admin

        I think Miami needs to fix that line and get some wins so next season isn’t do or die for Gase…another regime change would be horrific. Tanny is likely gone as this pace. Best build some winning into the fiber of this franchise (if it’s possible) and then bring in a new QB next year…unless Tanny provides a miracle.

  • Lemmus

    …I’ve said 3 things all along

    1) we’d start 1-3 …only surprise to me is that we’ve looked so bad in all phases of the game in getting here …longest kick return last night was 18 yds …ouch

    2) this was a do or die year for Tanny because of his contract …he’s done, imnsho …I’ve supported him for 4+ years now …I’m done

    3) that it didn’t matter what the final w-l numbers were this year as long as we got an answer on Tanny …and finished the last five games looking like contenders

    …its on Gase now …he has to put his career on the line and bench Tanny …won’t be easy, the fins have a lot invested in him …but he either does it or he isn’t the answer at HC we all hoped for …and maybe he’s not

    …thing is, Tanny isn’t his boy, he inherited him …so did Tannenbaum …only if they keep him does he become their burden …and ours …only Ross is invested in him now

    …and Joseph doesn’t seem to be getting it done either …Cincy sustained long drives consistently …they didn’t run over us, they just outplayed us …as has everyone else

    …but the bottom line is that we should win games where the opponents only score 22 points …we don’t …and despite every excuse in the book, it comes down to Tanny just not getting it done

    …indulge me if you will, imagine Landry playing QB …not that he has the skills to do so, but we all watched him last night …he has the single most important intangible in the game, the will to win …and Tanny? …he just doesn’t

    …does Gase? …you’d think so …but so far?

    …I don’t really hold any hope that Gase will actually bench Tanny …he should …for his own good as well as ours …but it’s not going to happen …sigh

    • admin

      Sorry for the late response, work has me pinned down. Tanny will likely not be benched…now let go or traded next season seems more and more likely. It’s not that he is a bad QB. If he was given time and running game and played a complimentary role he could be an asset. His pay doesn’t warrant that though. His weakness is he has a bad line and is inconsistently accurate on the short plays, he holds the ball a tad too long and has trouble climbing the ladder and feeling pass rush. He is a QB who could be productive, but in this current system and with this line — he is exposed. Notice the first 10 mins of the game. Both Gase and Joseph added wrinkles: 5 wides w/ hurry up and zone blitzes and stand up linemen. Both of these paid dividends…then Joseph never schemed up advantages again. Gase made mistakes, but considering he has the weak side of the ball I get it. Joseph has been a big disappointment.

      But, to be fair James is playing terrible…T-e-r-r-i-b-l-e!!!! They should move Steen to RG, Pouncey to center, Albert to RT, Tunsil LT and Bushrod to LG. This would settle down the line. Pouncey would limit the inside run game, but at least we’d have a solid pass protect unit.

      Ohhh well, Miami has beat itself and left 1-2 wins behind. I expected 2-2, but it seems Miami has decided to keep playing down and beating themselves.

      • Steve

        Jimmy and Admin we are not half WAY threw the season and I here talk of throwing in the towel already. We have a good team! I keep saying this!

        * This is the problem! 1st Stephen Ross and the Managers will not address the QB. Its everybody else not doing their job?

        5 years is all I can handle of excuses! and playing Matt Moore is not the answer he will throw two interceptions a game! The Rookie under Gase system will fail and he is not the answer. I SAW SOMETHING ABOUT JAY CUTLER (ARE THEY ON DRUGS?

        * Secondly Gase has Tunnel Vision and lacks patience Why?
        a. He refused to utilized his team talents Its all about Tannehill! Nothing personal on “T” I like “T” and would like to see him succeed.
        b. Why can Alabama, Clemson, Louisville any good College team perfect a balanced offense of Run/Pass not being one dimensional.

        But the Dolphins are SO TRANSPARENT THAT EVERYONE IN THE STADIUM KNOWS “T” HAS THE BALL SO DEFENSES CAN RUSH 4 DEFENDERS AND BE SUCCESSFUL. BUT EVERY ONE KEEP SAYING GASE IS A QB GURU! We Dolphin Fans have SEEN supposedly 9 QB Guru’s OF Coaches where are they now?

        We have four running backs who keep cleaned Jerseys most of the Game and the QB AND LANDRY ARE the only Show.

        Gase does not KNOW TANNEHILL STRENGTH AND IS KILLING HIM AND THE TEAM. “T” STRENGH IS RUN AND GUN/KEEP THE BALL ON THE GROUND. WE HAVE 4 RUNNING BACKS DESIGNED TO CARRY THE BALL. THE DOLPHINS NEVER ALLOW IT TO DEVELOPED. GREAT COACHES UNDER THIS. PATIENCE TO RUN WE HAVE TALENTED R/B’S SO IS TANNEHILL. TANNEHILL IS NOT BUILD TO FIELD THE POCKET COLLASPED, HIS STRENGTH IS OUT OF THE POCKET AND THROW AND RUN. Tannehill WILL GO FAR THIS WAY! BUT QB GURU’S COACHES ONLY HAVE TUNNEL VISIONS. AND WILL GET a Spanker EVERY TIME. “TANNEHILL I ENVISION HIS STYLE SIMILAR TO RUSSELL WILSON. THE COACHES FORGET THE GAME IS FOOTBALL MEANING CONTACT GIVE THE BALL TO THE BACKS. WHERE ARE YOUR FULLBACKS, TWO BACKS ARE NEEDED IN THE BACKFIELD. LANDRY IS THE ONLY RECEIVER TANNEHILL CAN SEE.

        Are we Fan going to be Forced Feed (GASE Impatience one dimensional crash and burned offense philosophy? We have seen this from prior coaches. Are can we get our money back if the Fins offense does not show up!

        5 Oct 9 1:00PMEDT * Titans
        6 Oct 16 1:00PMEDT * Steelers
        7 Oct 23 1:00PMEDT * Bills
        8 BYE
        9 Nov 6 1:00PMEST * Jets
        10 Nov 13 4:05PMEST * AT Chargers
        11 Nov 20 4:05PMEST ) AT Rams
        12 Nov 27 1:00PMEST ) 49ers
        13 Dec 4 1:00PMEST * AT Ravens
        14 Dec 11 1:00PMEST ) Cardinals
        15 Dec 17 8:25PMEST , AT Jets
        16 Dec 24 1:00PMEST * AT Bills
        17 Jan 1 1:00PMEST * Patriots

  • Lemmus

    …perfect pass to Stills …perfect pass to Lewis …oops
    …sacked 5 times
    …could not sustain a single drive
    …and on that 2 play bomb TD, the D got an entire 47 secs of rest

    1-3 …we officially suck 🙁

    …bench him now …bring up Doughty, invest in the future …it isn’t Tanny …5 years down the drain …our 1st round QB sucks …our OL pass protection sucks even more than it did, hard as that is to believe …our D sucks (but the offense never gave them a breather either)

    …and dear god in heaven, ditch those orange clown costumes …bad enough we play like a bunch of clowns without looking like them as well

    • admin

      Agree…James has become terrible. T-Hill just can’t be consistent enough. I have to say it’s not all his fault…but, that blank stare and inability to grab the bull by the horns will likely never depart. Maybe with a stout run game and o-line he could be an asset, but not for the price and it’s still not certain he will be clutch in the end.

      And yes, we officially suck.

      • Steve

        Okay First Half Stats:

        Dolphins: 7 Bengals: 16
        Total yards 239 239
        1st Downs 3 11
        Turnovers 1 0

        8:24——–Time of Poss.–21:36
        Very nice touch down passed to Kenny Stills we needed more of that!
        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
        Dolphins Miscues
        2 turnovers
        7 Penalties 68 ryds
        3rd down conv: 2/10
        5 QB Sacks

        19 offensive plays from Miami Dolphins Offense: 4 Running Backs and will not use their talents is killing the Miami Dolphins.
        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
        1. The Defense was not bad this game holding the Bengals to only one touch down.

      • Steve

        Does any one remember Jacksonville JAGS a newly franchised team made it to the playoffs by having a balanced team.

        a. A good QB Mark Brunnell
        b. A good power running back Natron Means
        c. A solid Defense
        d. A solid group of players

        But the JAGS did not appreciate Tom and he left for the Giant and meanwhile the Jags turned into the Miami Dolphins since Tom departed.

        A Coach who understood the game of football
        a. Tom Coughlin
        b. coach who has Beat the PAT in the supper bowl etc.

        Great Coaches will not ask a Quarterback to sit back into the pocket and take sack after sack after sack. Joe Philbin started this and Gase is adding up the Sacks taking over where J. Philbin left.

        191 TIMES SACKED—————MOST IN THE NFL RYAN TANNEHILL!

        Ajayi really could have done some damage last night. Tunnel vision by Coaches!

        Drake, William, Pead are hungry But Miami Dolphins we will take the (5 QB sacks).

        We have the Talent! Don’t asked Tannehill to carry the (team) 5th years it isn’t happening.

        Keep your QB with two running backs in the backfield at all times and two tight ends in tight! or maybe look to win 3 games the rest of the season.

        No excuses: Dallas Rookie QB 2 wins, Eagle 3wins, PAT’s 3wins and no interceptions or they are not losing the game.

        This is all about coaching to win and knowing your players. Receivers running the wrong route and the QB holding ball passed 2.5 second which is too long in the NFL.

        The Dolphins out of all honesty should have beaten Seattle and PATS both team were crippled. The Bengal should have been a win as well.

        No excuses: The QB will take the bulk of the blame! A QB will have to understand I need 5 yards for a 1st down and get it.

  • Samson

    I don’t think they’ll win this game. Bengals never start this bad so they’ll be playing with a sense of urgency at home. If we don’t slow down the run and establish a running game we have no chance

  • Steve

    Correction:

    c. Tannehill could get hurt this games if the Fins are stubborn
    and continue to be passed happy. How many hits will it
    take? We are trying to keep him healthy Right? Cam Newton was sack 8 times last week!

    Keep two running backs in the formation and utilize them. If Landry can run out of backfield cant our running back do better. Stick with the Run Game. This will keep our defense off the field.

    When I see a defense on the field after the offense has been on the field 3 passed plays and punt! IS NOT COACHING! what is that about 1.5 minutes of rest for the Defense?

  • Steve

    I feel that Miami will win tonight against the Bengals.
    a. We must keep two R/B in the backfield and all times.
    b. Two R/B in the back field will demand respect.
    c. Tannehill good get hurt this games if the Fins are stubborn
    and continue to be passed happy. How many hits will it
    take?

    Defensively

    a. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph should know how to
    beat his old secondary.
    b. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph need more turn over’s
    converting into defensive scores.
    c. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph secondary must play
    intercepting the ball vs. just tackling after the ball is
    caught. (I’m sure Deon Sanders would have about 7
    interception) in his prime playing with the Dolphins.
    d. Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph VS where is Lovett
    Smith? 3 games and our defense has allowed last minutes
    scoring drives?

    The history of both teams playing one another:

    2004
    Cincinnati
    W, 16-13
    2007
    Miami
    W, 38-25
    2010
    Cincinnati
    L, 14-22
    2012
    Cincinnati
    L, 13-17
    2013
    Miami
    L (OT), 20-22