The Good News At This Point Of The Dolphins 2018 Season…

The Dolphins 2018 Season has been full of surprises

Here we are at a high point of the Miami Dolphins 2018 Season. It sure has been a roller coaster ride so far. Do we go higher? Is a dip coming? Are we soon to go off the rails and crash? Or, when all is said and done, will we say this was a great ride?

While the future is unknown, the past is cemented in history. We can discuss what has been with relative clarity.

So, what’s the good news after six games?

What’s the nitty-gritty about the state of Miami’s Findom?

To make this article succinct enough to cover such a broad topic, I’ll use the shortcut of PFF grades. As I have said in the past, PFF lacks some context. While the PFF rating is an extremely useful tool, but it isn’t an end all be all. BUT, PFF grades are always excellent at showing raw analysis.

Here are some of the good surprise:

1. Gase has dumped or not retained in Free Agency some talented fan favorites:

Suh (84.5), Vernon (82.3), Landry (65.5), Matthews (49.4), Miller (64.0), Ajayi (64.6), Pouncey (76.3), and Phillips (46.8). Their replacements have surpassed their predecessors or are looking good enough and substantially cheaper: Drake (64.9), Gore (77.3), Taylor (81.0), Grant (67.3), Stills (61.7), Swanson (71.6), Godchaux (72.8), Spence (61.0), Wilson (82.4), Quinn (77.0). Now to be fair Kilgore, Williams, and Foster were busts or less than expected. Still, most of these shocking moves go to Gase and Grier’s win column.

From a talent pool standpoint, the Dolphins have grown and are in a better place than 2016

2. Frank Gore is still elite.

Gore is averaging 4.9 YPC, half a yard over his career average. Many were ho-hum about the acquisition of Gore. I must admit I was too until I watched his (then) recent tape of 2017 for the article, ‘Tank Sure Ain’t Empty!’. After that, I picked up my pom-poms and shook my money maker.

Gore is still a stud with once in a generation work ethic, will, technique, and character. If you doubt his presence has lifted the level of this team, it’s time to see a psychiatrist. You can use mine if you want. 

Gore the grizzled warrior wanted this one… and he still has a strong burst

3. Kiko is the ‘Kiko’ we hoped for.

Yes, he was terrible in coverage in 2017… and at times, still suffers in the passing game.

Yeah, his PFF Grade of 55.5 doesn’t blow your socks off (again context is key). But how can you not say 61 Tackles (2nd), 2 Interceptions, 3 Forced Fumbles (tied for 3rd), and 3 pass defenses isn’t impact football? I’ll take a little sloppy to get game-turning plays. While Kiko has flaws, but he’s an impact leader and he’s playing like a high-quality Linebacker. Kiko got his raise after 2016 and has always left a piece of himself on the field to earn it.

6th Round Vincent Taylor is playing like an All-Pro

4. Vincent Taylor is looking like a real steal. 

Taylor is playing better than any pick of the 2017 Dolphins Draft. Godchaux and Taylor were both excellent picks late in the draft and are a major reason why the Dolphins are so stout in the middle of the Defense. But Taylor is playing on a whole other level than the rest the DT’s… and maybe DE’s included.

5. Though not elite or even exceptionally talented at the QB position…

…the Dolphins are deep with 2 slightly above average Quarterbacks. Ryan Tannehill has the tools, he can’t seem to shake the mental mistakes. Brock Osweiler showed he can step in and win, but his arm is weaker than Tannehill’s. We all want Dan Marino back, but at least with this situation, 1 injury won’t cripple the season. That’s something. Isn’t it?

The Dolphins Offensive Line might be the biggest surprise of all

6. Dolphins Offensive Line is rounding into form.

Tunsil and James are the 20th and 31st ranked tackles. Not bad. They still tend towards sloppy, but both are proving to be effective with their handling of two fierce fronts… Sam Young not included. And in combination, they solidify this O-line.

On the inside of the OL, Swanson is ranked 11th in the NFL at Center! Very nice, especially if this level of play continues. Right Guard Davis suffered in his ranking after facing the elite Bears DTs. His ranking fell from 48th in Week 5 to 62nd in Week 6, but his 71.3 pass blocking (48th rank) has been his saving grace. Davis allows Swanson to swing help to 56th ranked Kilgore on passing downs. Most Right Guards in the NFL get help. Davis plays the ‘blocks alone’ role usually allotted to the Left Guard. Overall, the combination of Larsen (56th rank), Davis, and Swanson has been extremely effective against top competition.

This ‘OL surprise’ is especially surprising considering Miami lost two starters, one of them a future HOFer. But, this surprise is also the most crucial because the O-line supports the entire team. Phinsnews liked the original lineup, and we even thought the second lineup would be fine… until Kilgore’s lack of strength became clear. I still stand by that Kilgore’s tricep was going for weeks.

Unbelievably, this 3rd incarnation might be the best of the three. The stability that Swanson has brought can’t be underestimated. Could you imagine if Sitton was still available?!

The Swanson & O’Leary pickups were aces… especially due to how late they were found

7. Nick O’Leary (75.3) has been a major upgrade for the Dolphins in inline blocking.

Over 41 run-blocking snaps, O’Leary has a 72.0 PFF grade which ranks him 6th in the NFL. This a huge step up from Geicki (41.8) and a sizable increase over Smythe (61.2). The combination of O’Leary and Swanson are the primary reason for Miami’s ability to run the ball. And running the ball, especially inside, is the key to this team’s success. Having a back like Gore only maximizes and accentuates the space provided. This synergy will be a fun watch this season. Gore may just hit a 1000 yard on the season when it’s all said and done. Check the best pay per head reviews here!

But, as it was pointed out by a long time reader Steve and was shown in the game against the Bears, O’Leary can be very effective in the passing game and as an H-Back. O’Leary provided big plays in both blocking and receiving. It will be interesting if A.J. Derby can back on the field and team up with O’Leary.

Despite all these surprises, the ‘surprise’ of discipline is key to unlock success

Phinsnews has been consistent in our stance: not talent, but discipline is the primary issue. In a way, Miami was lucky to pull off the ‘W’ against the Bears. Yes, Miami put themselves in a position to win and made the big plays needed… but the ‘W’ came about because Chicago ‘out sloppy’ the Dolphins.

If Gase can get the Phins to play as disciplined as Weeks 1-3 and the QB (whoever it is) can stop the big mistakes, Miami will make serious noise in 2018. But can become will… until the biggest surprise of discipline is made real. Go Phins!!!

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