Phins Swimming Backwards  

Miami has taken a BIG step backwards.

Miami has taken serious steps backwards.

Backwards seems to be the new forward for Miami.

The Miami Dolphins are heading backwards with their 1-3 start after the utter domination by the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Dolphins really had a lot to overcome with the shortened week, a road game, playing against a very good football team that was in desperate need of a win and with multiple players out of the starting lineup with an injury.

They were overcome instead.

Surprisingly though with all the new faces on Defense, the Defense did an extremely admirable job of limiting the Bengals to 5 field goals, which kept the Dolphins in the game. However, the Dolphins offense played like they were still on the plane from Miami to Cincinnati.

The Dolphins couldn’t get anything going on offense and were constantly giving the Bengals the ball back instead of putting together long lasting drives. Ryan Tannehill was sacked 5 times, and even though the Offensive line were not giving him much time, he needs to feel this pressure sooner and just at least quickly throw the ball away and save some yards. In addition, the coaches and Tannehill need to focusing on having more plays that get the ball out of Tannehill’s hands faster. Miami needs to run more quick slants and quick out passes and give their pass catchers a chance to make a play – if Tannehill can deliver.

Not only was Tannehill sacked 5 times, but he had multiple balls batted down at the line of scrimmage.  This is another thing that Tannehill has to do better at as well, because this is a common theme for him, and there is no secret that the opponents know that they can have a good chance of batting down his intended passes if they don’t get adequate pressure on him because he stares down recievers. Sadly, Tannehill has not advanced to the next level, and time is starting to run out for him in Miami. Most pay per head software fans are betting that Tannehill will most likely finish the season as the starter, mainly because there is no one else worthy to replace him, but I think it’s just about time for Miami to find another QB.

Coach Adam Gase had a creative call on that first drive by going with a 4 wide receiver set, and it worked with a 74 yard touchdown throw and catch, but for some reason they failed to use that formation much after that. I feel like Coach Gase was being a little conservative on the offensive play calls, because it seemed like he was also worried about his offense not being able to make plays and thus go 3 and out. So Gase was trying his best to give them some sort of breather. Gase has showed some sparks of being the man, but unfortunately, he still needs to do a better job of creating a better game plan. Unfortunately, the Dolphins talent level is just not that good enough yet.

Well whatever the Dolphins do they will now have a few extra days to get healthy and focus on preparing for their next opponent at home against the Tennessee Titans. The Dolphins next 4 games will all be at home, against the Titans, Steelers, Bills and Jets; with 3 of those games being winnable games if Miami can figure out how to actually play offense and score points.  What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans latest thoughts about the Dolphins?


 

9 comments

  • Lemmus

    …”things should get better” …yes indeedy

    …I said months ago we’d be 1-3 at this point and then they’d start to get their sh*t together …but that was based on my assumption that the OL would be better and that TH would be as well …neither of which could be further from reality

    …our lack of OL depth is a major problem, not that our starters have shown any real improvement over last year’s OL

    …but it’s TH that is the biggest disappointment so far …they brought in a new HC that was supposed to get him over the hump …so far, he’s still in the ditch

    …he has the requisite athleticism and skills to be a top 10 QB in this league, but he just can’t seem to make up his mind in the pocket quick enough to get the job done …and so far, Gase hasn’t done anything to change TH’s storyline …so much promise, so little results

    …only Ross has any “ownership” left in TH at this point …Tannenbaum structured the pay package such that TH could be dumped this year without a major cap hit in 17 …Gase is the new boy with a rep for upgrading QBs, but so far, nada …if he stays with TH, he acquires ownership in his future results …if he chooses to dump him, Gase has a new slate to write his own future on

    …but Ross is the owner and he will have the last word

    …TH has been inconsistent as a QB can be and remain a starter …he’s overdue for a flash game …the thing is, that one or two flash games isn’t enough this time around …he must put a string of high quality offensive games together …not necessarily wins …but games where he shows up every quarter and moves the chains consistently …whether that happens as a pocket passer or as a true option QB, I simply don’t care …that’s between him and Gase …its the consistent production that is important, not the methodology

    …if I had my druthers, I’d roll the dice and bench him for Doughty …but then my career isn’t on the line

    • admin

      I totally agree on his consistency issue and a possible “flash game”. I’d still stick with TH till late. Drive home his chance. Doughty is still too raw. You want to bring him along and not crush him. He would get killed and might damage him long term. ‘Sides, a better pick will help in going to get a QB.

  • Fritz

    Tannehill had a terrible game. Not to give an excuse, but it was a short week on the road against a playoff team. I saw this one coming just like last year in NE.
    It is much too early to panic. Its only game four. The offence is still a work in progress. New rookie coach still trying to figure things out. Things should get better, I hope.

    • admin

      Hey, sorry for the late reply. Our Hosting company was killing us, so we had to switch over and it took a few days. Yeah, for me Fritz, it’s Tannehill doesn’t seem to will his team to a win. There is often a critical miss here or critical flub there and rarely does he put the team on his back. The protection sucked, but he doesn’t seem to have a quick read game. They started it with the slant and he threw high. I’m still not laying the whole thing on him, but he is proving to be more of a spoke in the wheel rather than the hub. If that’s the case he is making too much. Right now, he is a playing like a 12-14 million dollar QB. I’m not saying he can’t step it up, but he needs to do it soon — real soon. This week is mega critical!!!!!

  • Steve

    We cannot overlooked these 5 guys talent. It is INSANE TO HAVE THEM FINISHED A GAME WITH CLEAN UNIFORMS. Patience-Patience-Patience let these guys get in the zone to carry this team. 40 Carries a game must be the standards or more This offense would
    murder defenses.

    Arian Foster
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKgsO79n_PY

    Jay Ajayi
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUQ4Xy-sVvE
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPm4Ces6yo0
    Kenyan Drake handling adversity!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6INqknbIO6I
    https://youtu.be/kxs86B155PQ?t=42

    Isaiah Pead
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SnRiOMCj7c

    Damien Williams
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4ay4hou7Hw
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaV7XsqXHbs

  • Steve

    We are tired of watching a spread offense that sucks and the team has a problem except the Quarterback because Stephen Ross says differently etc.

    Too many College Quarterback have excellent pocket awareness, Knowing when to scramble to get a 1st down etc. Making the difficult and easy throws.
    I like Tannehill But 5 years is more than enough he must turn this thing around. If He plays well the Dolphins as a team will play well.

    Do we think that Irving Myer or Nick Saban would spoil their Reputation on these excuses we are hearing by the Coach and Owner next season?

  • Steve

    Jimmy Johnson got the Dolphins to a the play off with 8 wins and we are talking about next season after 4 games in? Who is Coaching this team?, Who is the Owner?, Who is the Manager?

    The QB is not non expendable when the rest of the team is expendable: A mistake, A miscue, leading sacks in the NFL, two interceptions, not showing up the 1st half in every game this season.

    Facts:

    Their are Rookies with 3 and 2 games in the NFL with no interception, and winning records.

  • Steve

    How Miami Dolphins should Handle their Adversity as a team. I haven’t heard the Bell ring and we have 11 more games to play this season!

    https://youtu.be/riFY4A6wXIU

  • donald john incardona

    the pocket awareness is not there for tannehil. he just doesn’t have it. and when sacked he has a propensity to fumble. i believe his time is up. i would try matt moore at this point. he’s a gunslinger and maybe thats what we need at this point. and gase should draft a QB in the 1st round, trade tannehill for a draft pick or player and be done with it.