Gase Needs To Prepare For 2018 Season In Week 17

Players need an advance screening for the 2018 Season this week.

Some players need an advance screening for the 2018 Season.

With this Offseason being critical, Gase needs to evaluate for the 2018 Season

The Miami Dolphins 2017 Season was erratic to say the least. And now that the Dolphins are officially eliminated from the playoffs, the Fins 2018 Season starts this week against Buffalo… for all intents and purposes. 

While the Chiefs are a very good football team, Miami once again didn’t help themselves by turning the ball over twice and committing 11 penalties for 75 yards. To add to this mess, Miami went 0-8 on 3rd downs, and 0-2 on 4th downs, and allowed the Chiefs to go 8-16 on 3rddowns. 

None of those things will ever help you win football games.

However, it was nice to finally see Adam Gase get Jakeem Grant involved in the game plan. 

Better late than never. Right?

Grant had a career day with 4 catches for 107 yards and one touchdown. His short catch showed off his big play ability with a 65 yard T.D. I’m not sure why Grant hasn’t been included more in the game plan earlier in the season, because it’s clear that he can be a factor. 

With one more game left, Grant must get another chance to get some game-time experience and prove his production isn’t just a blip. 

2017 has been a season of inconsistency

On a side note, what ever happened to Leonte Carroo? It’s a real pity we traded up in the third round to grab this guy. After 2 years, he still can’t earn playing time and at times even activation.

Forking over the 86th pick in the 3rd round and the 6th round pick in 2016, as well as the 3rd and 4th round selections in 2017 really stings given all Miami needs.

Dan Feeny was selected one pick after the Vikes used the Dolphins pick. Feeny has done a good job at Left Guard for the Chargers… a spot Miami must fill in this coming draft.

All in all though, Miami was outplayed and out coached, and it shows that Miami still has a ways to go before we can be labeled in the same class as the Chiefs organization.

It would be real nice to end the season with a clean game, considering he’s going up against a rookie H.C.

I still can’t help but wonder what this season could have been like if Ryan Tannehill had decided on surgery in 2016.  

Fans will certainly find out next year because it’s all but certain that Tannehill will be the starting QB. Miami has hinted that David Fales might be getting snaps this week. QB evaluation and acquisition is obviously a key in 2018.

Going into this game against the Bills Gase must start thinking of 2018 by giving some players a few shots.

Gase will have an easier job with more talent

They tried to see what A.J. Derby could do against the Chiefs. One reception in five targets doesn’t scream ‘I’m your TE answer’.

They need to throw his way early and often and see if he responds.

Charles Harris came on strong with pressure, a sack, and two stops. Let him start. And for that matter let Stephone Anthony and Neville Hewitt get prolonged play  together in the Nickle and sit Kiko Alonso‘s ass on the bench in sure passing situations.

To be fair to Kiko, he was forced into the WLB spot, and that isn’t his game. Reality is, Kiko is a MLB or two down LB. His zone coverage skills highlight his lack of instincts in coverage.

He’s been an absolute disaster in the passing game… time to own up to mistakes and not double down.

I’d even like see what things would look like with a little less Suh. Why not get a feeler on what life without Suh might be like. Let Suh rest more and let’s see what Jordan Phillips and Davon Godchaux can do together for an extended period of time.

There’s no sane way to move on from Suh in 2018, but 2019 is a whole other story.

Also, I like what I’ve seen from Cameron Malveaux, who has shown high effort and power. He needs to get a load of reps to see if he can equal or surpass Terrence Fede, who is UFA. Malveax could save the Fins a few bucks if he can play a role similar to what William Hayes did this season. I’m not saying he’s on Hayes’ level, but when you watch him, he’s a young, quality run stopper, who could develop. Hayes will be a bit expensive and is a dead-end beyond 2018, due to his age.

Gase is out of Mulligan’s going forward

I’d also really love to see Eric Smith get the start. Best case scenario he holds up and offers promise. Worst case he gets Cutler knocked around. Sounds like a win-win scenario. Ouch… that’s rough I know… but I’m joking–sort of.

Given that Laremy Tunsil has missed practice this week with an ankle injury, Zach Sterup will fill the role of Left Tackle. Sterup is a giant at 6’9”, but looked weak and lost leverage often in Preseason with the Browns. It will be very interesting to see how much he has fixed his issues.

To me, Gase is fighting for the life of this regime in 2018. Back-to-back inept seasons would squarely place him on the hot seat in 2019… if he were to even survive that far, after another debacle of a season.
If Gase doesn’t put everything on the table for examination this Offseason, it will be readily apparent come 2018… and if so it should be a red carpet for his exit. Gase needs to dot his I’s and cross his T’s, and personnel is key to making his job easier. You learn who a man really is, and what he’s made of, only after he’s been knocked down. Gase is down, but not out… not yet at least. I see plenty of paths for his success. Will Gase take the right road? That will be the #1 story line of 2018. Go Fins!!!
Take a look at the best bookie software online. AcePerHead.com offers 6 weeks free trail.


 

13 comments

  • phinfreak

    Tannehil is not the answer either, he wont finish the season, his knee is chronic, and he never did anything earth shattering when he started.

    If you guys want to get to the SB, and I assume you do, but many here are just aiming at a WC one and done playoff game, then the Fins have to find their franchise QB, and Tanny is not it either.

    • admin

      “His knee is chronic”

      No evidence of this. Guy played on a weak knee and reinjured it. We don’t know if it’s a new tear, old tear, or further tearing of the sprain. This doesn’t mean he’s good, will be good, or sucks. But your statement has zero evidence. Peterson tore it and had a excellent season as a RB.

      “If you guys want to get to the SB, and I assume you do (condescending at it’s best), but many here are just aiming at a WC one and done playoff game (comments like this are why you are despised), then the Fins have to find their franchise QB, and Tanny is not it either.”

      Teams win without HOF QB’. More rare than with elite QB, but happens. Hell, Falcons should have won last year with an above avg. QB , but the D and jackass calls killed it. Now, I agree I’d much prefer to have an elite QB, but about 5 teams have them, so finding one is as low in odds as being a SB team without one. And last, Marino is as good as it gets and the Fins didn’t win with him. So a QB is a major piece of the puzzle, especially in today’s game, but it’s not the end all be all, and they aren’t falling out of trees. A team needs do what it can to get one and do what it can to win with what they have and can acquire.

      • phinfreak

        Most people with knee injuries, especially those with multiple knee injuries requiring surgical intervention know the knee is now chronic syndrome. See initial injury and re-injury due to the knee not being stable such to withstand planting. Tannys second injury was non contact, a well known indicator the stability of the joint was insufficient to support athletic pressure.

        Because you dont understand what a chronic knee is in its early stages (ignorance) doenst change the facts. See the % of knee injuries with incidents of reoccurrence. It is expected to have the second and in many cases depending on the activity a third intervention (surgery) required.

        Ive had 3 knee surgeries, 2 of which were new, a 3rd to clean up degenerative process as a result of the first injury. Once you invade a joint (surgery) it will become a chronic syndrome, its just never the same anatomically nor functionally.

        Not all QB’s that lead their team to a SB need to be HOF – agreed but every single QB in modern NFL era (passing) is indeed a franchise QB.

        So there…

    • Lemmus

      …ah Christ, the troll is back …do you never learn?

      …sure, let’s go all in and get a franchise QB with our 1st pick this year …yeah, that’s the answer

      …wait …what’s that, of the three 1st round QBs taken last year, only one looks like a future franchise QB? …say it isn’t so 😠

      …and what’s that, it wasn’t either of the top two? …oh no! …but, but, but the draft gurus all said they were sure fire franchise future HoF QBs …shades of Ryan Leaf, it is

      …and what’s that you say? …the only real difference in the 10-6 ’17 phins offense and the ’18 offense was the QB? …and according to your own words, troll, TH sucked and Cutler would be much better …that’s you, troll, less the benefit of hindsight …LMAO I am 😀

      …go back to my posts after the draft, troll, after TH went down again …I said repeatedly …the schedule and the OL …would lead to a 7-9 season …what were you saying then, troll? …oh yeah, Cutler was better than his press …yeah, right, troll …back to the basement with you now, eh …momma doesn’t like you being seen, much less heard

      …like him or not, TH will be our starter in ’18 barring further injury …and IF the FO fixes the OL in this draft, the phins, behind TH, will win at least one playoff game …put it in your scrapbook

      …and yeah, this phins fan will be pleased with that, I will 🐬

      • phinfreak

        Im sure even you can come up with a list of the QB’s in the playoffs and those with at least a winning record although just missing the playoffs.

        You see, your post is exactly why this town and franchise has evolved into a losing organization. No demand for excellence but ready acceptance of mediocrity.

        Sure, lets not draft a QB prospect like the Rams, Eagles, Texans, Cowboys, Steelers, Jaguars, Chiefs, Ravens, Packers and others did….sure lets not go after a FA QB like the 49ers did….I mean geez we just might turn this team around if we did and nobody here seems to be aiming for that.

        Lets stick with the WR playing QB who never won a damn thing and hasnt been able to play an entire season who now has a bum knee that affects his key attribute (mobility)….Lets…and lets remain a losing team.

        Great idea Sally.

  • Lemmus

    …Foles is the current Eagles QB …love to start him for Miami on Sunday …we however, are stuck with Cutler, Moore, and Fales …Gase would have to cut another player to start Doughty from the Practice Squad

    …Gase doesn’t see Fales as the future else he’d wouldn’t have released him the first time …and its not just Gase …three other HCs have had a long look at Fales and passed as well …he looked good in preseason but never played against a 1st team defense …Doughty is still here because of Marino, not Gase, so don’t expect to see him …or expect miracles if we do …I’d like to see them play but the reality is that if Gase doesn’t believe in them by now, even a good game vs the Bills isn’t going to change his mind …one of his faults is being stubborn

    …no idea why the negativity on TH …his stats improved dramatically once Gase found a run game to complement him last year and Gase definitely believes he is the future …unless of course his knee doesn’t heel …stat wise, TH was in the top half of the QB ranks last year and showed steady improvement throughout until his injury …there is no one …no one …available now or in the draft that is odds-on to perform better in Gase’s offense than TH in ’18 …contrary to many, I’m convinced TH can take this team anywhere it wants to go …but he can’t do it alone

    …I’m all in favor of going after a QB prospect to replace Moore and Fales and develop behind TH …but no earlier than the 3rd round …we have a gaping hole in our OL at LG and quite possibly at both C and RT that MUST be fixed in the first rounds this year …they screwed up badly by not doing it last year and the patchwork 3rd string refugee manned OL has cost us dearly all year …it has to get fixed now and if Nelson is available when we pick, regardless of whether its 9th or 15th, we take him and lift a finger to all …unfortunately there are at least two teams likely before us in the draft also in desperate need of help at G

    …else, yes, I’m all in favor of playing anyone that Gase thinks might help us next year but hasn’t had a good look at yet against 1st team competition …and the Bills will be playing their 1st team throughout …losing to the Bills again, especially at home, will hurt our pride but there can be little doubt about the value in picking 9th vs 15th for our future

    • admin

      “Foles is the current Eagles QB …love to start him for Miami on Sunday …we however, are stuck with Cutler, Moore, and Fales …Gase would have to cut another player to start Doughty from the Practice Squad

      …Gase doesn’t see Fales as the future else he’d wouldn’t have released him the first time …and its not just Gase …three other HCs have had a long look at Fales and passed as well …he looked good in preseason but never played against a 1st team defense …Doughty is still here because of Marino, not Gase, so don’t expect to see him …or expect miracles if we do …I’d like to see them play but the reality is that if Gase doesn’t believe in them by now, even a good game vs the Bills isn’t going to change his mind …one of his faults is being stubborn”

      Agree on all this but Gase has had hit and miss evaluation, so due diligence is critical. Fales, Foles, fails… whatever their name is and Doughty need a shot, Doughty more so if Miami gets a blow out or is blown out. It’s not changing anything other than giving one a chance. Moore isn’t valued by Gase except as a short term back up. Moore would have picked up 6 wins or more and by playing Moore Gase wouldn’t have comprised himself to the team. Moore earned a legit shot. He didn’t get it. Gase vouched for Cutler. Cutler failed. All would have been well if he didn’t. But he did and Gase has been compromised in this and several other issues. He broke his credo in desperation and made a bad call.

      As for Tannehill, didn’t I change your mind on him last season? I am not a Tannehill hater… far from it. But if Miami goes into this critical season with a player missing a season and a half with a question mark on his knee and no one behind him, then 2018 and this regime is one hit away from being over. I’d say there is a fair chance Moore goes elsewhere… if he wants a shot to play. Gase has zero confidence in him. And I don’t think it’s justified. Cutler screwed Gase. Because it’s obvious Gase has blind spots for certain players and some of his talk isn’t legit. IF Cutler had zero history with Gase he’d of been a scapegoat, but he is Gase’s friend was given an insane amount of rope that other guys won’t / didn’t get.

      QB is critical in 2018–as it always is, but more so due to the low pick, questions surrounding Tanny’s knee, Gase needing to prove he isn’t in crash and burn mode, competition for Tannehill, and the need to get a back up and develop him for the target of 2019-20 which this team is built for.

      • Lemmus

        …reports are that Moore and his family love Miami and that he never looked elsewhere …doubt he leaves voluntarily …but we do need a future QB developing behind TH, not Moore …I do agree that Moore would likely have done at least as well as Cutler …and that Gase was again wrong in his personnel rivals, much as he was with Thomas …not to mention the turnstile twins in ’18 and lets not forget Bushrod and the coke coach

        …but I’m not depending on Gase for my eval of TH …watching Cutler and Moore this year did that all by itself …TH may never be a Brady or Manning type HoF QB, but he is more than good enough to lead this team to the SB and that’s quite good enough for me

        …and in the meantime, lets get a Rogers or Garoppolo developing behind him, just in case …but not in the 1st round, not this year

        • admin

          “reports are that Moore and his family love Miami and that he never looked elsewhere …doubt he leaves voluntarily ”
          Totally agree and totally true… BUT, somewhere else he could have a shot to start. Any competitor wants to play. Moore had the shot of a lifetime and Gase stole any shot he had at it. And when I say stole, I mean stole. Backup don’t usually hope, but they wait for shot like this. The whole offense was probably happy for him… this is why Gase said he sat the team down and told them why he was just going to insert Cutler. If this wasn’t outside protocol or maybe going to generate some friction he’d never have a sit down to ‘explain’. The players probably were a little unhappy for Moore and the backup were probably a little unhappy for themselves because when they shot came, they likely wondered would they lose it from an executive decision. Gase preached competition. Gase preached vets and guys who earned their strips be given a shot. This is key to what Gase was building. Not only did he make this mantra not a rule, but when Cutler sucked and lost games, Gase covered, made excuses and said he starts anyway. EVERY guy in the locke room saw it and wasn’t happy. Either it’s about competition or it’s about the fickle whim of the tyrant. He if being the capricious overlord had been the initial set up, okay. But Gase set the framework based on vet etiquette and performance… and then changed it for his friend. Hypocrisy kills leadership. Gase must now reel back in his team and rebuild his credibility. I’d say 50 / 50. Wake even has come out and said they had the talent, but something went wrong… that’s Latin for coaching was an issue.

          But yeah, ride with T-Hill. He will bring leadership back. Despite what many think, due to the unrelenting beating he has taken in hits and by the media, that builds support form his teammates. This could very well help Gase reclaim his support…

          And in the meantime, find QB’s to push THill and be the future. If Fales or Doughty isn’t it, bring in two more this season–and let one be a mid round pick–by hook or by crook.

          • Lemmus

            …can’t disagree with a word you said …but I do understand why Gase did it …just don’t like the way he did it …but it would have been impossible to get Cutler to sign in the first place if he wasn’t promised the start …and impossible to persuade the FO to spend the money on a possible bu to Moore …yes, it sucked …but if Gase was convinced he couldn’t win with Moore and might with Cutler, what else could he do?

            …the fact that he turned out to be wrong about Cutler doesn’t make his original line of reasoning wrong, only unpalatable and difficult to fix …both with the players and with the FO

            …in the long run, I think its the FO problem that is the most difficult one …T-bum didn’t want him in the first place …the Cutler call only adds fire to that …if he gets off to another slow start, he may have a shorter rope than Ross has given his predecessors

            …there, now we’ve gone and made the troll happy 🙁

  • Steve

    Admin

    I have mentioned in an earlier posting that if Coach Adam Gase answer to the Dolphins Quarterback answer being the three names listed below. Then he may not make it to the 7th game in the 2018 season.
    (Ryan Tannehill, Foles or Doughty). Why keep playing with this issue. Start Foles and Doughty the entire game. Jay Cutler can throw for 100 points this last game and it will mean Absolutely nothing.

    • admin

      Agree. But Gase’s tough guy image has blinders… I’d at least give Cutler a short leash this way Gase can pull back some of his lost cred.