Alonso’s game-changing play was one more example that this 2016 Dolphins team has forgotten the word quit.
All you can control is your effort, and all-out effort does not know the word quit.
Say what you want, the 2016 Miami Dolphins just don’t quit fighting. Yes, they’re sloppy. Yes, they have weaknesses. But more importantly, they play for a full 60 minuets.
Kiko Alosno made one of the biggest plays in recent Dolphins memory, and it was a BIG deal for several reasons.
First, it saved the Dolphins 2016 season. If the Dolphins had fallen to 4-5, the chances of them have any real hope for a post season bid would have been remote. Alonso’s pick all but assured them a winning record, legitimate hope for a Wild Card spot, (and after a Patriots loss) 2 games out of first place in the division.
Secondly, Kiko play added an exclamation to what most were starting to believe: that he is what the Dolphins have searched for years for — an impact MLB who could lead a game changing defense. Alonso’s pick wasn’t luck. That what makes it so special. He made a pre-snap read, faked a drop and then attacked the short. It was a brilliant play on so many levels and showed Pro-Bowl level physical and game recognition talents.
Can you say multi-year extension?
But, as great as Alonso’s play was, it was a sign of something greater: heart.
The Dolphins have heart again.
This heart is a big, meat-eating, stomp your brains in, too proud to quit aqua and orange one.
And that’s just the way Fin Fans like it.
We have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this. Well folks, our time has come. Stop biting your lips from the trauma of so many terrible years. It’s time to believe, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Yes, the penalties and sloppy plays must stop, any of the best pay per head fans with tell you that to be the best you must play clean and smart. But let’s be clear, this team is legit.
Howard and Culliver will soon be contributing to boost a top 3 Defensive Tackle, Top 3 Defensive End who are surrounded by a deep and talented D-Line and all of this is led by a top 10 Middle Linebacker.
On offense, the line is the best since 2008, and Landry, Ajayi, Stills and Parker are huge talents supporting Ryan Tannehill who has played tough as nails with clean orchestration and some real big plays.
This is the brightest future the team has had since the early 90’s. 2008 was nice, but their was a Parcells patchwork feel to it. This team is one of the youngest in the league and is primed to get better.
Miami has three crucial keys: Head-coach, quality QB, and a mental strength.
Round of applause, please.
It might not be this year — it might though, but playoffs and a return to prominence is coming. It feels good to be a Dolphins Fan again. Go Fins!!!
So disappointing that our O-Line is shuffling due to injuries. Hope we can survive the moves this and next week. I know you can not control injuries, but it is the same guys injured (again), we are so much better with them. Both positions/players need to be addressed in the off-season (sorry), especially with their current salaries. Like them as players, but those salaries, free agency alone could provide 2 comparable players, possibly w a much better injury history, more importantly a much better injury history. I mean we all ready have the Tackle, need to replace a guard and a center. Must at least be considered. Availability is in some cases is worth as much as production.
Lets go DEFENSE, lets go OFFENSE, some how find a way to leave LA with a win.
Predict the DEFENSE wins the game again. Hope the DEFENSE dominates enough!
5-4 is better than everyone expected, but dont go crowning their asses yet….lots of ball to play. Talk to me when we’re at 9-5 with a chance to back in to wild card spot. Not holding my breath.
…never thought I’d say this but at this point I’d be ok with a 9-7 season if its due to injuries
…if TH delivers consistency, win or lose, we’ll have achieved a major goal …finding our QB for the next 5+ years …if he performs, few will argue at this point that our starting offense is playoff capable …as well as our starting DL …and I think its safe to say we have probably found our HC …at long last …with those vital positions locked down, we can focus on FA and the draft to build the defense and depth team wide …Gase, with a winning season under his belt, can look to attract better staff …and Tannenbaum may finally cherry-pick a FA who would have turned his nose up at us in years past …all of which bodes well for ’17 and beyond
…it could of course all go to hell in a hurry, but if the problem is injuries and not play, I can hang for another season . …so why do I have this strong feeling of deja vu?
It’s nature to feel that way when you have had an abusive relationship! 🙂 I think if the O-Line stays healthy, they win…one injury and it could get ugly. This will be an epic game for the Dolphins resolve. T-hill is a big piece..I just hope he isn’t beaten to pieces against this excellent front.
Its official; the Rams are starting rookie Jared Goff Sunday. Boy I can picture Wake and Suh, Branch and Mitchell salivating for this one. Can you say Gurley right, Gurley left, Gurley right, Gurley left,,,,, bubble screen to Tavon Austin. That is what the sequences may be. Goff must be thanking his HC for this one, probably coulda picked a better opponent to debut against (hopefully).
Miami has put themselves in a position where there is no room for error. Not a good spot to be in week-by-week. However; at least they are squarely in the mix, a far cry following the Tennessee lose. Thank You Giants, nice lose by the Bengals, thank you Cowboys, lose by Steelers.
Miami must be careful going into Sundays game vs the Rams. This is a perfect of a trap game as any, back-to-back road games, staying 2 weeks in Cali. Lets hope their stay out west helps avoid any of the outside distractions and they come in Sunday and take care of business.
Miami is tied for 10th in sacks, with 3 of those teams ahead of them having played 10 games opposed to Miami’s 9. Nine of the top 10 teams in total sacks in 2015 made the playoffs last year, lets hope that trend applies again this year and our defense continues to pressure.
Miamis next 4 opponents are ranked in the bottom half for sacks allowed, Los Angeles, 49ers, Baltimore and Arizona, with the Rams and Cardinals in the bottom 10. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure
Having said that; Rams, Ravens, Cardinals have very good defenses vs both run/pass. Rams and Ravens offenses have struggled with their rushing attacks ranked in the bottom 5. No mention of 49ers, they struggle on both sides. Opportunity may be there with continued victories.
Fingers crossed that Albert will be OK and play this Sunday.
I am very skeptical to say or type the “P” word (playoffs), because as Lemmus stated “one lose and our playoff chances greatly diminish”. However; gotta be in it to win it, and at this point we are still in it. 🙂 🙂 🙂
All true and the Rams have DT Donald and he is a total beast that will abuse Pouncey if they dont scheme right. Tell you the truth, If Steen play LG I’m alright. It would kill depth though. Dislocated wrist is a rough on to overcome. I would be great, but Tunsil at LT and Steen at LG is okay. AND YES!!! Miami needs to stop putting themselves in a trap..they can’t be Houdini every week and they need every win they can get. All these remaining games will be tough because every win means they are playing their A game for one more consecutive game and that kinda focus is very tough. Still, I won’t be hedging my bets this week, I believe they will win…IF they play a clean game — okay I’ll hedge my bets alittle.
Amen to my fellow Dolphins fans. This team is evolving into what I had grown accustomed to way back in the day. The points made by Dunner, Lemmus and admin are all good points. Like you guys I feel like this team could go far, however, I’m being overly cautious about using the word “playoffs” until I see a few more things cleaned up.
I firmly believe we are a team on the rise and could make the playoffs this season. But there are still too many drive sustaining defensive penalties that could cost a game or two and be the difference between being in vs out. Although in reality the game against SD was unfairly officiated against Miami, the penalty issue is a big deal. I was thrilled to see that we could stop the run and win on the road. Now Gase needs to clean up the penalty issue. Go Phins!
Yeah, the calls seemed a bit lopsided…I leave it at that. To me this team is finding ways to win and playing 60 min…if they can eliminate the turnovers on special teams and cut their penalties in half…by adding mitchell, culliver and getting Howard back this team is very tough. Could you imagine if Jones was still playing?!!! But, this is shaping up to be a good year and a great hire at HC….and that is wonderful, Fritz!!!!!
This team brings it, that is for sure. They have been playing a physical style of football on both sides of the ball. It is because of this style, that Miami is becoming a team that not many teams enjoy playing. Though they were out gained vs the Chargers, the time of possession did not reflect as much (several minutes for Chargers due to drive extending flags). Would have liked to see the J-Train get 4-5 more carries, but all in all, they stuck to their identity.
Cam Wake now has 7 sacks, basically 7 sacks in 4 games (since he became starter). He is ranked eight, trailing Von Miller by only 3 sacks. It seems that he is good for 2 a game, Can you say comeback player of the year!!! Right now he is playing as good as any DE in the league, including Miller. With Wake next to Suh, there were times yesterday the 2 occupied 4, even 5 (chip) players to try and block them, If that combo continues, teams will have to start throwing on 2 step drops, etc., then our ultra aggressive corners can jump routes and create havoc.
Glad to see Albert come back and finish the game, those 5 O-Lineman are important. Have a feeling if this team were not riding high right now with 4 straight wins, that Albert’s desire to return may have been different. As it is though, seems like this team is having fun, and there is a desirable environment developing.
Mitchell’s return was nice to see. Let’s not forget that we should be getting back a couple of solid corners, one that we know will be starting, interesting to see who the other starter will be?
Good match up Sunday, can’t come flat, the Rams “D” is for real. Hoping they start their Rookie QB, Goff, will take any advantage. Come away with a win there and head home for a 49ers game, and all the sudden right in the thick of it all, and yes, that includes the division title. Thank You Seahawks!!!.
…it’s going to be tough to make the playoffs …be sweet if the AFC West beat itself, knocking out 2 of those 3 seven win teams
…but with all three in the race, even one loss would kill virtually any fins playoff chance
…unless of course the pats fall apart
…as for Ajayi’s carries, I assume Gase was taking what SD was giving him, stacking the box and daring TH to throw …the results might give our upcoming opponent’s DCs some restless nights …SD let our receivers get deep and paid for it …can’t fault Gase for using the tool chest to his advantage …last year, Philbust would have been throwing on every down once we were behind …Gase stuck to at least one run on almost every series, keeping them honest due to the respect Ajayi had earned in the last 3 games …and it worked.
…so how do the Rams prepare this week? …they can’t focus on just the run any more, the fins showed they can make a hundred yds on a very good run defense and still beat them with the pass …bummer, eh 🙂
I saw Albert said he was coming back in no matter what… Said he popped his wrist back in place and nothing was keeping him out. You’re probably right that if we were still playing bad he would have just stayed out.
That’s crazy…I think some people are now vested in their opinion and would prefer some to fail instead of sucking it up and saying they were wrong…too bad.
….I smell rubber burning …just don’t know which way yet …taking us on a ride or for a ride
….a defensive victory …despite 3 qtrs of pass defense fail …4 interceptions made up a lot of ground
…we ran on them just enough to keep them defending it, opening up our WRs …the run game worked
…and we stopped their run game cold …hard to ask more of the defense
…TH made it 4 in a row where his head was in the game …this time he somehow found pocket presence and the ability to avoid the blitz …and boy oh boy did he make them pay …methinks Gase has finally found the keys to TH’s head ….consistency has always been his weakness …but its 4 games now and twice he’s outplayed probable hall-of-famers
…it was just 4 games ago I wanted to bench him …how times change …Gase fires a couple losers in mid season and WHAM!!!! …the rest got the message loud and clear ….and here we fans are, actually running playoff scenarios in our heads
…not sure my heart can take this …thought we were out of the game and the season yesterday …and then Akiko made a play 🙂
Yeah, I have this crazy head cold, so the volume is a bit obscure to me at the moment…plus there is this weird loopiness from meds and the cold: I was so hyped and screaming so loud my neighbors checked to see what was up…My wife made several visits in regards to my volume. When Kiko made the pick I brought the house down!! It was the best feeling watching a Fins game in a long, long time!!!!
You know I still saw someone after the game saying bench Tannehill for Moore… Some people are just going to hate. As long as our line is healthy and Ajayi is balling I think Tannehill can be exactly what we need. Might still have to restructure his contract but he played excellent. So much for him not being able to throw downfield… Very good run defenses coming up outside of San Francisco so he will have to keep up the consistency. Our d should feast on the rams this week. Go Fins!
So disappointing that our O-Line is shuffling due to injuries. Hope we can survive the moves this and next week. I know you can not control injuries, but it is the same guys injured (again), we are so much better with them. Both positions/players need to be addressed in the off-season (sorry), especially with their current salaries. Like them as players, but those salaries, free agency alone could provide 2 comparable players, possibly w a much better injury history, more importantly a much better injury history. I mean we all ready have the Tackle, need to replace a guard and a center. Must at least be considered. Availability is in some cases is worth as much as production.
Lets go DEFENSE, lets go OFFENSE, some how find a way to leave LA with a win.
Predict the DEFENSE wins the game again. Hope the DEFENSE dominates enough!
5-4 is better than everyone expected, but dont go crowning their asses yet….lots of ball to play. Talk to me when we’re at 9-5 with a chance to back in to wild card spot. Not holding my breath.
…never thought I’d say this but at this point I’d be ok with a 9-7 season if its due to injuries
…if TH delivers consistency, win or lose, we’ll have achieved a major goal …finding our QB for the next 5+ years
…if he performs, few will argue at this point that our starting offense is playoff capable …as well as our starting DL
…and I think its safe to say we have probably found our HC …at long last
…with those vital positions locked down, we can focus on FA and the draft to build the defense and depth team wide
…Gase, with a winning season under his belt, can look to attract better staff
…and Tannenbaum may finally cherry-pick a FA who would have turned his nose up at us in years past
…all of which bodes well for ’17 and beyond
…it could of course all go to hell in a hurry, but if the problem is injuries and not play, I can hang for another season
.
…so why do I have this strong feeling of deja vu?
It’s nature to feel that way when you have had an abusive relationship! 🙂 I think if the O-Line stays healthy, they win…one injury and it could get ugly. This will be an epic game for the Dolphins resolve. T-hill is a big piece..I just hope he isn’t beaten to pieces against this excellent front.
totally agree, but come on, it’s fun to finally think about Play off in the later part of the season…isn’t it?!
Its official; the Rams are starting rookie Jared Goff Sunday. Boy I can picture Wake and Suh, Branch and Mitchell salivating for this one. Can you say Gurley right, Gurley left, Gurley right, Gurley left,,,,, bubble screen to Tavon Austin. That is what the sequences may be. Goff must be thanking his HC for this one, probably coulda picked a better opponent to debut against (hopefully).
J-Train rides on ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Miami has put themselves in a position where there is no room for error. Not a good spot to be in week-by-week. However; at least they are squarely in the mix, a far cry following the Tennessee lose. Thank You Giants, nice lose by the Bengals, thank you Cowboys, lose by Steelers.
Miami must be careful going into Sundays game vs the Rams. This is a perfect of a trap game as any, back-to-back road games, staying 2 weeks in Cali. Lets hope their stay out west helps avoid any of the outside distractions and they come in Sunday and take care of business.
Miami is tied for 10th in sacks, with 3 of those teams ahead of them having played 10 games opposed to Miami’s 9. Nine of the top 10 teams in total sacks in 2015 made the playoffs last year, lets hope that trend applies again this year and our defense continues to pressure.
Miamis next 4 opponents are ranked in the bottom half for sacks allowed, Los Angeles, 49ers, Baltimore and Arizona, with the Rams and Cardinals in the bottom 10. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure
Having said that; Rams, Ravens, Cardinals have very good defenses vs both run/pass. Rams and Ravens offenses have struggled with their rushing attacks ranked in the bottom 5. No mention of 49ers, they struggle on both sides. Opportunity may be there with continued victories.
Fingers crossed that Albert will be OK and play this Sunday.
I am very skeptical to say or type the “P” word (playoffs), because as Lemmus stated “one lose and our playoff chances greatly diminish”. However; gotta be in it to win it, and at this point we are still in it. 🙂 🙂 🙂
All true and the Rams have DT Donald and he is a total beast that will abuse Pouncey if they dont scheme right. Tell you the truth, If Steen play LG I’m alright. It would kill depth though. Dislocated wrist is a rough on to overcome. I would be great, but Tunsil at LT and Steen at LG is okay. AND YES!!! Miami needs to stop putting themselves in a trap..they can’t be Houdini every week and they need every win they can get. All these remaining games will be tough because every win means they are playing their A game for one more consecutive game and that kinda focus is very tough. Still, I won’t be hedging my bets this week, I believe they will win…IF they play a clean game — okay I’ll hedge my bets alittle.
Amen to my fellow Dolphins fans. This team is evolving into what I had grown accustomed to way back in the day. The points made by Dunner, Lemmus and admin are all good points. Like you guys I feel like this team could go far, however, I’m being overly cautious about using the word “playoffs” until I see a few more things cleaned up.
I firmly believe we are a team on the rise and could make the playoffs this season. But there are still too many drive sustaining defensive penalties that could cost a game or two and be the difference between being in vs out. Although in reality the game against SD was unfairly officiated against Miami, the penalty issue is a big deal. I was thrilled to see that we could stop the run and win on the road. Now Gase needs to clean up the penalty issue. Go Phins!
Yeah, the calls seemed a bit lopsided…I leave it at that. To me this team is finding ways to win and playing 60 min…if they can eliminate the turnovers on special teams and cut their penalties in half…by adding mitchell, culliver and getting Howard back this team is very tough. Could you imagine if Jones was still playing?!!! But, this is shaping up to be a good year and a great hire at HC….and that is wonderful, Fritz!!!!!
This team brings it, that is for sure. They have been playing a physical style of football on both sides of the ball. It is because of this style, that Miami is becoming a team that not many teams enjoy playing. Though they were out gained vs the Chargers, the time of possession did not reflect as much (several minutes for Chargers due to drive extending flags). Would have liked to see the J-Train get 4-5 more carries, but all in all, they stuck to their identity.
Cam Wake now has 7 sacks, basically 7 sacks in 4 games (since he became starter). He is ranked eight, trailing Von Miller by only 3 sacks. It seems that he is good for 2 a game, Can you say comeback player of the year!!! Right now he is playing as good as any DE in the league, including Miller. With Wake next to Suh, there were times yesterday the 2 occupied 4, even 5 (chip) players to try and block them, If that combo continues, teams will have to start throwing on 2 step drops, etc., then our ultra aggressive corners can jump routes and create havoc.
Glad to see Albert come back and finish the game, those 5 O-Lineman are important. Have a feeling if this team were not riding high right now with 4 straight wins, that Albert’s desire to return may have been different. As it is though, seems like this team is having fun, and there is a desirable environment developing.
Mitchell’s return was nice to see. Let’s not forget that we should be getting back a couple of solid corners, one that we know will be starting, interesting to see who the other starter will be?
Good match up Sunday, can’t come flat, the Rams “D” is for real. Hoping they start their Rookie QB, Goff, will take any advantage. Come away with a win there and head home for a 49ers game, and all the sudden right in the thick of it all, and yes, that includes the division title. Thank You Seahawks!!!.
…good point on Albert
…it’s going to be tough to make the playoffs …be sweet if the AFC West beat itself, knocking out 2 of those 3 seven win teams
…but with all three in the race, even one loss would kill virtually any fins playoff chance
…unless of course the pats fall apart
…as for Ajayi’s carries, I assume Gase was taking what SD was giving him, stacking the box and daring TH to throw …the results might give our upcoming opponent’s DCs some restless nights …SD let our receivers get deep and paid for it …can’t fault Gase for using the tool chest to his advantage …last year, Philbust would have been throwing on every down once we were behind …Gase stuck to at least one run on almost every series, keeping them honest due to the respect Ajayi had earned in the last 3 games …and it worked.
…so how do the Rams prepare this week? …they can’t focus on just the run any more, the fins showed they can make a hundred yds on a very good run defense and still beat them with the pass …bummer, eh 🙂
I saw Albert said he was coming back in no matter what… Said he popped his wrist back in place and nothing was keeping him out. You’re probably right that if we were still playing bad he would have just stayed out.
That’s crazy…I think some people are now vested in their opinion and would prefer some to fail instead of sucking it up and saying they were wrong…too bad.
….I smell rubber burning …just don’t know which way yet …taking us on a ride or for a ride
….a defensive victory …despite 3 qtrs of pass defense fail …4 interceptions made up a lot of ground
…we ran on them just enough to keep them defending it, opening up our WRs …the run game worked
…and we stopped their run game cold …hard to ask more of the defense
…TH made it 4 in a row where his head was in the game …this time he somehow found pocket presence and the ability to avoid the blitz …and boy oh boy did he make them pay …methinks Gase has finally found the keys to TH’s head ….consistency has always been his weakness …but its 4 games now and twice he’s outplayed probable hall-of-famers
…it was just 4 games ago I wanted to bench him …how times change …Gase fires a couple losers in mid season and WHAM!!!! …the rest got the message loud and clear ….and here we fans are, actually running playoff scenarios in our heads
…not sure my heart can take this …thought we were out of the game and the season yesterday …and then Akiko made a play 🙂
Yeah, I have this crazy head cold, so the volume is a bit obscure to me at the moment…plus there is this weird loopiness from meds and the cold: I was so hyped and screaming so loud my neighbors checked to see what was up…My wife made several visits in regards to my volume. When Kiko made the pick I brought the house down!! It was the best feeling watching a Fins game in a long, long time!!!!
You know I still saw someone after the game saying bench Tannehill for Moore… Some people are just going to hate. As long as our line is healthy and Ajayi is balling I think Tannehill can be exactly what we need. Might still have to restructure his contract but he played excellent. So much for him not being able to throw downfield… Very good run defenses coming up outside of San Francisco so he will have to keep up the consistency. Our d should feast on the rams this week. Go Fins!
clicked reply on the wrong one …my reply below was in was in reference to this Tannehill reply..DUH!!!