The Dolphins / Vikings game started as a complete disaster. Surprisingly, the Phins bounced back with some big plays and were on the verge of taking the lead…
…then they imploded.
It was only a week ago that the Dolphins went toe-to-toe with the Patriots… and won.
A record of 9-7 was my bottom line to see this regime continue. But I’m no the owner, so my baseline means nothing.
All indications by the pay per head services, Ace Per Head for example, are that 8-8 or 7-9 is more likely than 9-7. If this ends up the case, Adam Gase will go into the 2018 Season as a lame-duck coach with a roster riddled by many gaping holes. Add to this, the Front Office will have limited CAP space and only mid-round picks to bring in help. This doesn’t offer much good news for the long-term prognosis.
Phins Defense is truly offensive
The Vikings were ranked in the bottom of the league in rushing offense. Yet, against the Dolphins they looked like the 95 Cowboys racking up 220 yards. Coaches couldn’t use a scrambling QB as an excuse this week. The defense was simply gutted by the pedestrian Vikings RB.
Miami’s defense is fundamentally flawed from scheme to personnel. This goes way beyond coaching… (although coaching certainly is an issue). All these issues can’t and won’t be resolved in a single offseason. At all three levels, the Dolphins need substantial additions of talent… this fix is a multi-year project.
A major problem is the Wide 9 Scheme is flawed. Not only will Miami need to acquire more talent but also recalibrate the talent they do have towards a new scheme. That’s serious reconstruction.
The Offense wasn’t much better than the defense
Then there were the 9 sacks Miami gave up.
This wasn’t all about the performance of the O-line… although they obviously had their hand in the failure.
Kalen Ballage had some nice runs, but he can’t pass protect… neither can Drake. Ja’Wuan James was bullied on far too many plays to be given an extension next year.
Then there’s Ryan Tannehill’s role in this.
Either due to coaching, play design, audible restriction, or lack of talent by the QB Miami looks lost when the box is stacked. Good team audible in the right play, go to quick hot routes, find the empty space behind the blitz.
Tannehill appears oblivious presnap, the routes and drops don’t shorten, and the middle of the is rarely attacked on 0 Coverage.
Defenses have zero fear of getting burned when they bring heavy heat. When the last time you saw a quick slant thrown?
There are ‘mucho problemas’ with the receiving group.
DeVante Parker could have fetched a pick in a trade. Instead, he was kept. Parker has done next to nothing to prove that sticking with him was a smart move. No sane GM would keep him at near $10 million with a 5th-year option.
Kenny Stills goes invisible for weeks and only resurfaces a couple of times a season. The question is why? Coaching? Quarterback play? Play design? All three? However you slice it, the problem lays at Gase’s doorstep.
Mike Gesicki has a long way to go before he proves he isn’t a bust. He looks slow and soft. Could this change? Sure it can. Will it? Likely there are equal odds either way… and that’s not good when you spent a 2nd Round Pick to acquire him.
Wilson and Grant will be returning from season-ending injuries, so there’s uncertainty with the entire receiver group. Frank Gore is the most consistent player on offense and he’ll be 36 next year.
How can you hand Gase an extension under these conditions or think that as a lame-duck coach he can restore faith? Either option leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
So what to do?
I’ve said before Gase will get a second shot at Head Coach somewhere .. and succeed. But he needs time to reassess himself and make serious changes.
who are you going to get. if you let Tannehill go? draft a QB or sign one thru F.A. unless you draft 2 STUD GUARDS that are good at pass protection & run blocking. the new QB will get sacked as many times as Tannehill does and until we can stop the run a improved D.L. & fire Burke he’s had his chance. there are at least 3 good D.C. out there remember what Coach Shula & Coach Parcells said and yes he was a coach. not with Dolphins. it starts with your LINES Coach Shula always had a better then good O.L. a Great line and a very good or great D.L so unless they improve the Lines greatly it will be the same
Hey, Randy… I think Tannehill should be back in 2019 as a placeholder and maybe miracle hail mary. Unless you can trade him and get some picks, I don’t think that’s likely, then his contract is too expensive to just drop. BUT, Miami needs to plan for life beyond him. I don’t think they should sell the farm on a roll of the dice, but they should stretch a bit to bring in one good, young QB. Luke Falk is a young QB to see what he’s got. Dump Brock and keep Fales. Have Falk, Tannehill, Fales, and a young QB fight it out. Jesse Davis and Sitton along with a good prospect in the 2019 Draft is how I’d go. You just can’t afford to go with 2 G’s because we will need a RT as well. James isn’t worth the big contract. Maybe Davis can move to Tackle. We need two OLs, QB, big WR, MLB, SLB, DE, #2 Corner, and a DT. Some of these spots will obviously have to wait till 2020 or 21. Still too much to get two blue chip G prospects. One for SURE. We would still need to resign Davis. I think he’ll come pretty cheap. To me, the talent, scheme, and talent in relation to the scheme is a far bigger problem than Burke’s calls. Change the scheme will hurt us, but it must be done. If we change none of the DE’s will work. This might also demand different DT’s and will certainly force Kiko and McMillan to be replaced. So much needs fixing. So much. BUT, I agree the trenches is where football is made or broken… we need to fix that… along with a heap more, brother.
My Dolfancritic blog documented at the beginning of the season that I estimated we would be in the shape we are in – record and all. Players make the team. Yes, a coach can make them better and can put them in winning situations but you have got to have the talented manpower. The manpower must be young enough to endure the rigors of a 16 game NFL season! The Dolphins are neither. The Dolphins have a severe cap problem, as well. Let’s pretend that we can actually do something about the problem. We get rid of Tannehill and Parker. We upgrade both of our lines again and cut the bench players that can’t crack the game day roster. We build through the draft. This could give us a future. We need a real coach, not an offensive coordinator getting paid as a head coach. Ross needs to find a real head man and get out of the chain-of-command. None of this will happen because the Dolphins are Ross’s hobby team. You have a fantasy team while Ross has a real team he plays with like it was fantasy football. The guy is clueless about the sport. Give up your season tickets and watch on TV. Your ulcers will thank you!
I was hoping for a bottom of 9-7 with fewer penalties and turnovers, a decent run game, and Tannehill being a steady influence. A 15th or so Defense was also on the xmas list. Mostly, I didn’t get what I want. Gase could of had a winning season, but he went hard headed… and had some poor luck. McMillan and interchangeable LB’s played a major part in the defense’s failures. Also, his play calls and contingency plans with Cincy and Colts turned the tides of the season. I think Gase will go somewhere as a HC and not HC and play caller and do well down the road. But this team needs an overseer and Gase isn’t Payton and doesn’t have Bress. Also, he should have never went with the Wide 9. Defense and run game and discipline are the primary factors that bring consistency. In this case 2 out of 3 is bad. If it wasn’t for all the defensive turnovers this team would be around 4 wins. Again, this could have been fixed, but Gase decided in 2017 to simply put his head down and charge ahead rather that thoughtfully access and fix. If Gase had decided to rebuild instead of retool in 2016, he could have worked… as it stands now, he needs to go.
I hate to sound like an optomist. Lord knows I’m usually not. But, I can’t help but think that this team would have made the playoffs if they hadn’t lost so many starters, for so long. Receiving core would have been much better with Wilson, Grant, and Parker for the whole year. OK, Wilson and Grant anyway. TE position is without Gray (and Derby for the most part). O-line is missing Kilgore and Sitton. Tayler and Hayes are missing from the D-line. (and Harris for 4 games). Tankersly could have helped in the secondary. As much as it pains me to say it, even Tannehill is a hell of a lot better than Osweiler. In my humble opinion, our only glaring weakness in our opening day lineup, was linebacker (and defensive coordinater). So, in conclusion, I can’t help but believe that we would have won at least 1 or more games with just a few of those players playing. 1 or 2 game swing would mean playoffs. Don’t forget, having a few starters back also helps the players around them play better. I’m not a Gase fan, he’s arrogant and has no game day play calling or clock management skills. But, most of our talant isn’t that far off. They were just sitting on the bench.
That’s the thing, Bill, we can’t fix it all in one season. So, if Gase comes back with a QB he doesn’t trust and loads of holes to fill with an FO that makes to many big mistakes can we not expect the same results? Maybe not… maybe, he makes the Playoffs and goes one and done? Then what? The defense is broken. Burke isn’t the primary issue. The secondary can’t get their assignments down, DE’s don’t generate pressure and suck in Run D and there isn’t a good enough SAM or Mike on the team… now way to fix it. Do we give Gase and Grier 2 more years? Three? Maybe it works out. Maybe they fix it. Gase is the HC. He picked Tannehill and decided not to go with another QB. He decided on the Defense and not to build up the Oline. He’s the one that has to call the plays and went with Cutler. These are just too many big decisions that were disasters for me to swallow. IF he can get to 9-7 then I’ll feel a little comfortable with returning. Another problem is that Gase hasn’t made many real changes aside from dumping players. Where has he made real changes with himself and his system? I just get the feeling he doesn’t see the real issues. I think he has become a bit blind in his stubborness. Maybe I’m wrong, Bill…. I hope so.
who are you going to get. if you let Tannehill go? draft a QB or sign one thru F.A. unless you draft 2 STUD GUARDS that are good at pass protection & run blocking. the new QB will get sacked as many times as Tannehill does and until we can stop the run a improved D.L. & fire Burke he’s had his chance. there are at least 3 good D.C. out there remember what Coach Shula & Coach Parcells said and yes he was a coach. not with Dolphins. it starts with your LINES Coach Shula always had a better then good O.L. a Great line and a very good or great D.L so unless they improve the Lines greatly it will be the same
Hey, Randy… I think Tannehill should be back in 2019 as a placeholder and maybe miracle hail mary. Unless you can trade him and get some picks, I don’t think that’s likely, then his contract is too expensive to just drop. BUT, Miami needs to plan for life beyond him. I don’t think they should sell the farm on a roll of the dice, but they should stretch a bit to bring in one good, young QB. Luke Falk is a young QB to see what he’s got. Dump Brock and keep Fales. Have Falk, Tannehill, Fales, and a young QB fight it out. Jesse Davis and Sitton along with a good prospect in the 2019 Draft is how I’d go. You just can’t afford to go with 2 G’s because we will need a RT as well. James isn’t worth the big contract. Maybe Davis can move to Tackle. We need two OLs, QB, big WR, MLB, SLB, DE, #2 Corner, and a DT. Some of these spots will obviously have to wait till 2020 or 21. Still too much to get two blue chip G prospects. One for SURE. We would still need to resign Davis. I think he’ll come pretty cheap. To me, the talent, scheme, and talent in relation to the scheme is a far bigger problem than Burke’s calls. Change the scheme will hurt us, but it must be done. If we change none of the DE’s will work. This might also demand different DT’s and will certainly force Kiko and McMillan to be replaced. So much needs fixing. So much. BUT, I agree the trenches is where football is made or broken… we need to fix that… along with a heap more, brother.
My Dolfancritic blog documented at the beginning of the season that I estimated we would be in the shape we are in – record and all. Players make the team. Yes, a coach can make them better and can put them in winning situations but you have got to have the talented manpower. The manpower must be young enough to endure the rigors of a 16 game NFL season! The Dolphins are neither. The Dolphins have a severe cap problem, as well. Let’s pretend that we can actually do something about the problem. We get rid of Tannehill and Parker. We upgrade both of our lines again and cut the bench players that can’t crack the game day roster. We build through the draft. This could give us a future. We need a real coach, not an offensive coordinator getting paid as a head coach. Ross needs to find a real head man and get out of the chain-of-command. None of this will happen because the Dolphins are Ross’s hobby team. You have a fantasy team while Ross has a real team he plays with like it was fantasy football. The guy is clueless about the sport. Give up your season tickets and watch on TV. Your ulcers will thank you!
I was hoping for a bottom of 9-7 with fewer penalties and turnovers, a decent run game, and Tannehill being a steady influence. A 15th or so Defense was also on the xmas list. Mostly, I didn’t get what I want. Gase could of had a winning season, but he went hard headed… and had some poor luck. McMillan and interchangeable LB’s played a major part in the defense’s failures. Also, his play calls and contingency plans with Cincy and Colts turned the tides of the season. I think Gase will go somewhere as a HC and not HC and play caller and do well down the road. But this team needs an overseer and Gase isn’t Payton and doesn’t have Bress. Also, he should have
never went with the Wide 9. Defense and run game and discipline are the primary factors that bring consistency. In this case 2 out of 3 is bad. If it wasn’t for all the defensive turnovers this team would be around 4 wins. Again, this could have been fixed, but Gase decided in 2017 to simply put his head down and charge ahead rather that thoughtfully access and fix. If Gase had decided to rebuild instead of retool in 2016, he could have worked… as it stands now, he needs to go.
I hate to sound like an optomist. Lord knows I’m usually not. But, I can’t help but think that this team would have made the playoffs if they hadn’t lost so many starters, for so long. Receiving core would have been much better with Wilson, Grant, and Parker for the whole year. OK, Wilson and Grant anyway. TE position is without Gray (and Derby for the most part). O-line is missing Kilgore and Sitton. Tayler and Hayes are missing from the D-line. (and Harris for 4 games). Tankersly could have helped in the secondary. As much as it pains me to say it, even Tannehill is a hell of a lot better than Osweiler. In my humble opinion, our only glaring weakness in our opening day lineup, was linebacker (and defensive coordinater). So, in conclusion, I can’t help but believe that we would have won at least 1 or more games with just a few of those players playing. 1 or 2 game swing would mean playoffs. Don’t forget, having a few starters back also helps the players around them play better. I’m not a Gase fan, he’s arrogant and has no game day play calling or clock management skills. But, most of our talant isn’t that far off. They were just sitting on the bench.
That’s the thing, Bill, we can’t fix it all in one season. So, if Gase comes back with a QB he doesn’t trust and loads of holes to fill with an FO that makes to many big mistakes can we not expect the same results? Maybe not… maybe, he makes the Playoffs and goes one and done? Then what? The defense is broken. Burke isn’t the primary issue. The secondary can’t get their assignments down, DE’s don’t generate pressure and suck in Run D and there isn’t a good enough SAM or Mike on the team… now way to fix it. Do we give Gase and Grier 2 more years? Three? Maybe it works out. Maybe they fix it. Gase is the HC. He picked Tannehill and decided not to go with another QB. He decided on the Defense and not to build up the Oline. He’s the one that has to call the plays and went with Cutler. These are just too many big decisions that were disasters for me to swallow. IF he can get to 9-7 then I’ll feel a little comfortable with returning. Another problem is that Gase hasn’t made many real changes aside from dumping players. Where has he made real changes with himself and his system? I just get the feeling he doesn’t see the real issues. I think he has become a bit blind in his stubborness. Maybe I’m wrong, Bill…. I hope so.