Now, This Is The Dolphins We All Expected From Gase
The long expected run game finally arrived and brought toughness to every aspect of the Dolphins.
No one expected THIS kind of run game — except Jermon Bushrod.
I had hoped — with fingers crossed and “lucky” Dolphins mini-helmet clutched tight — to see Miami Dolphins run the ball better…and maybe, just maybe, even find a way to win if the stars aligned. While I had hoped for it, I never expected it…much less with the dominance they showed against a top-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jermon Bushrod was wiser than the best pay per head software sites and did his best impression of Nostradamus. Bushrod upped the ante of the offensive lines belief that they could get 150 yards on the day and said ‘it would be 200’!
Yesterday’s run game hadn’t run like that (200 + yards and 2 T.D.s) since Ricky Williams — and that’s a long time ago. Now, only Ricky and Jay Ajayi can say they have cracked the 200 yard mark for the Dolphins (Ricky did it twice).
But, as big a surprise as it was, it was the potent response you saw from Dolphins players across the board that was the bigger surprise.
Adam Gase had his back to the wall. After a terrible loss to the Titans, he cut Thomas, Turner and Pead, and then during the course of the week, he benched Jason Jones, Walt Aikens and Mario Williams. Many, including myself, were beginning to feel some doubt about their high opinion of Gase. But, Gase clearly reminded us of why we were so high on him from the beginning: he’s no push-over.
Gase made that understanding abundantly clear this week to his players, who in turn, made it abundantly clear to the Steelers, to the NFL, and to Miami fans that this 2016 Dolphins team isn’t either.
yes, it was only one game — no matter how big a win it was.
But, this wasn’t a fluke.
It was the beginning of a culture change.
Dolphins players now know what to expect from Gase if they don’t perform.
I’m not saying Miami is on it’s way to the Super Bowl this year. But, what I am saying is the Dolphins players now know what to expect from Gase if they don’t do what is expected: perform or move on, Gase won’t have it any other way.
The trickle down effect is we fans can expect much better results going forward.
It will take more talent and more consistency to restore the Dolphins to their former glory.
And it will take more than a single game to restore the lost confidence of Dolphins fans.
But, Week 6 of the 2016 season may just have been the long awaited turning point for this struggling franchise. Week 7 can’t come fast enough. Go Fins!!!
Lol! Wasn’t every set but it was incorporated throughout. I believe it caught Pittsburgh off guard because of the fact that we were short on TEs and they knew our 1 and 2 TEs were out. Element of surprise.
Please, Please, Please continue to use the 2 TE sets. It was huge against Pitts., will be that much more important vs the Bills. The 2 TE end set will neutralize Buffalo’s blitz’s and help us run the ball.
only problem Dunner is Miami is down to only 2 TE’s Sims and Cameron are out with concussion — I believe. Yes though on the 2 TE”s and I think we saw and Hback on a few plays as well…still haven’t had time to watch the game again — gonna make it happen tonight so I know what I’m talking about 🙂
…”so I know what I’m talking about”
…gonna ruin the blog, you are 🙂
…so far we’re down our best DB for the Bills game, they’re down they’re best receiver and best RB
…despite the defensive performance against the Steelers, it was the interceptions that killed them …they ran on us just as well as everyone else has but they got behind and went to the pass …so you can count on the Bills to run it on us …and we’re w/o Jones 🙁
…my best shot is it will come down to the OL’s health and TH’s performance …if all 5 OL starters are healthy and play the full game, then TH should be able to deliver the ball and Ajayi should find some holes …if not, we won’t convert 3rd downs and the defense will inevitably wear down against the Bill’s run attack
…here’s hoping Williams has a chip on his shoulder and has a “show me” game vs the Bills
…and that admin will actually figure out what he’s talking about …finally …despite what his better half thinks
Lemmus called it; Tannehill always mixes in a good game, usually after 2-3 bad performances. And sure enough, he did it again. Do it this week and the following game vs divisional opponents and then maybe, just maybe we’ll be onto something. Until then, our focus for the ’17 draft should be a QB followed by defense. Next man up has been the theme this year and so far we are getting a good look at many players for the “17 season. Looking forward to seeing Culiver, Vigil, and at some point D.Jordan..
Agree on the wounded and their return. Consistency is paramount — even more so than talent.
I think Walt Aikens is ready to step up. He was making plays in the pre season. He bit on routes easily last year, but I think he can fill the position better that Michael Thomas, who is better nickel CB. Reshad is a monster in the box, blitzing or stopping the run. If Aikens, who has shown to be a hard tackler can quit biting on fakes, I think he can be the next man up. Somebody is going to have to stop McCoy this week before he gets going and Michael Thomas has whiffed on a number of tackles at the LOS. The timing of this injury could not be worse. Looking to change our season around, we lose, in my opinion, the best player on the team. I remain with a glimmer of hope, quoting Salguero as saying tweeting something along the lines of Reshad not looking/acting injured in the post game.” But like Lemmus said, if it drives his asking price down to lock him up, it might be a blessing in disguise. If he kept playing the way he kept playing, we might not be able to afford him. He doesn’t strike me like the home discount type, Instead, I think Ross/ Tannenbaum will show good faith for ending his lockout and reward him with a contract that will make both parties happy. This team isn’t winning anything this year. We just need to see a pulse, a step in the right direction…. Now can we possibly make it two? Should we somehow manage to beat the Bills and the Jets, this season is right back on track. This game is the most pivotal one I believe. Lose to the Bills at home, and you can pull the tarp over the season.
I worry about Aikens as he missed a meeting and has limited exp. He is a monster though (near 220lbs!!!!) and the biggest S…if he can fit into a run stopper role, then it will be fine. I am just not sure he can cover well enough. I think they will go to a standard FS and SS Diego, instead of a mirror scheme. Yeah, Thomas is more of a FS. I expect ISa to fill the SS role with Aikens. McCoy is going to be a tall order to stop brother. If you are right and Aikens does the job — all will be good. I’m a bit leery though. I don’t think Jones’ injury is devastating…if this O-Line cans stay healthy and they can run the ball…if they can’t then Jones’ loss with be brutal. This is a big one…real big — you nailed that one down to the bone!!!!
…no question that Jones injury is a serious negative for the fins this year …but on the plus side, it makes it more likely that we can keep him at a “reasonable” price next year…his injury history will make him less desirable on the market …not that he won’t be sought after, he will …but its less likely that he will get the insane offers that Vernon and Williams got …and Tannenbaum wisely refused to match
…if Gase/TH can sustain the level of offensive performance against the Bills, the Jones loss won’t hurt quite as much …as always, that’s a yuuuuuuuuge if!
Yea, Jones has rotator cuff tear, and is seeking a second opinion. Should the initial diagnosis be correct he would be gone for the year. This will be a devastating blow to the Fins. Besides Suh, Jones is the only other defensive player Miami could ill afford to lose. PFF ranks Jones as the 3rd best overall safety in the league and 2nd vs the pass. This will cripple the already suspect defense both vs the run and pass. Isa Abdul Quddus does have experience at free safety and will be able to slide over while Thomas plays his strong position. Still this is a huge loss, both on and off the field, he is a leader and a field general. Wtf!!!
Wonder what Jones’ stance will be this off season (holdout, etc.)?
Great win by our beloved Phins. However, just read that Reshad Jones has an injured shoulder, the extent of which is not yet known.
Seems like it’s a certain torn rotator cuff — had a partial tear once. No good. He’s done and on I.R, if it’s certain and the diagnosis is, it is — he’s just going for a second opinion. Anything is possible, but likely his season is over. It’s tough luck for Miami, Frtiz.
Lost for words. Our posts over the past week must have been printed and use for bulletin board material.
222 yds rushing
36 carries……YES, 36 rushing attempts…….Sweet
Time of Possession: 36:30…..Defense must be appreciative
ZERO, yes zero sacks
ZERO, yes zero turnovers
2 defensive Ints.
50% on third downs
24 first downs
474 total yards
All these stats/numbers/success against a team that many have ranked as the top team in the NFL!!!
How about a home field advantage for the first time since the Orange Bowl days. The Steeler players were trying to find shade throughout the second half. How about the entire stadium (most importantly the Dolphins players) were shaded and much more cooler and comfortable. Now that is a home field advantage.
Now follow that performance up with another against a red hot divisional opponent.
***Side note, we did the Patriots a big favor, putting Big Ben out for their game this Sunday*** You are not welcome!!!
Yeah, that was a bit of sour grapes for me…Pats have the luck of the Irish!
…what I want more than anything from the next game is to see TH be consistent …to stack one good game on another …to not revert to form …if Case can work that magic then we have our QB and the future is suddenly bright
…that’s what I want …what every finfan wants …but what we’ll get is anyone’s guess …TH has a long record and it isn’t pretty …going to take a few games to make a believer out of me once more
I agree, with Jones down, this line play even a more prominent role, followed by run game and T-Hill being consistent. If h could be consistent at say 15-10 ranking, he’s a keeper. Constancy is dependability and is trust –
…I’ve said a couple times over the past week that TH ….Mr Inconsistent …was due to have a good game …just to be consistent with his record over the last four miserable years
…and since before the 1st game I said it would take Gase about 5 games to put it together …but then they looked so bad going 1-4 that I was ready to throw in the towel on the whole year
…we’ve all been here before …one good game does not a season make …but, the thing is, except for one blocked FG, every aspect of the fins game worked yesterday …even the OL!
…so go ahead, rub my nose in it …these moments have been too rare not to enjoy them while they last …and pray they continue 🙂
…replaying the game, I think there was a moment early on when the Steelers, after scoring the first TD, showed the fins exactly what they thought of them …with absolutely no need, they went for 2 extra points …and made them
…disrespect …one team for the other …that’s what it looked like to me
…now that the fins got some respect back, can they do it again?
…TH had one of his best career games yesterday …but he’s done that to us before …shown a flash of what could be, and then reverted to his norm …can the QB whisperer in Gase turn that around?
…no question that Gase’s almost unheard of firing of multiple players between games had an impact …but was it a one time thing? …we’ll just have to wait and see …for at least a week there is hope in finlandia
…its been awhile …quite a while …since we’ve had even that much
Lemmus, I haven’t had a chance to break the game down, so what I’m saying is off just one view and off the cuff:
1) Miami coached differently than they had previously. They schemed the other team and schemed around their own players…i.e. Maxwell was in press ALOT, and they used mis direction, counters and boots ALOT on “O”
2) Wake played 43 snaps v.s. 20-25.
3) The players (aside from Franks, Jones and James) played level to their talent or above.
4) The gameplan moved from 60-65% pass into a balanced approach.
5) Ajayi showed he is can dominate if he is allowed to get to the line of scrimmage.
6) These DE’s held the edge.
7) most mistakes were made 1st half.
8) Joseph actually coached as good a game as his first i.e. early on they did a wide nine with backs inside showing blitz, one went the other read the screen and intercepted the played, killing it. Hewitt and Bulter are showing to be upgrades.
9) Tannehill was used as he should be and played ALOT from under center.
10) TE play was the best and most complete of the season. Gray and Jones are contributing majorly.
This was huge growth in coaching. It wasn’t a fluke. BUT, now there is tape in this and Rex has it. Can this staff put together another good gameplan, or will they simply repro it? There were still times where Gase could have called better and this weak Lippett and Sime are banged up….
Admin, I was thinking the same. Almost seems as though Miami bypassed a game plan for the Titans game and were game planning for the Steelers w the extra 10 days between their Thursday night game and this whole week.
We now have a home field advantage with the canopy, especially if we run the ball as often as we did Sunday. Sure running the ball will be a bit tougher vs the Bills, but we need to continue to have plenty of rushing attempts. Keep the game close and wear the opposing defenses out by middle of the third quarter running the football.
Omar Kelly stated the Dolphins tend to run better against a 3-4. Not sure if it’s fact based or opinion, but if true at least Bills run a 3-4. This will be a very tough test for Miami, but again, if they don’t beat themselves and play it close, I’l still have my eyes looking forward…but, I would love to see them win it as it would continue the validation that they are turning the corner.