If we do go 8-8, I hope you're right. I don't believe in Philbin after last season's collapse against the Jets and Bills.
I was pretty down on him after that too...but he seems to be turning some things around and getting more involved (which he should've been in the first place) so I think he'll show better this year.
Well, I HOPE he does well and I will be happy if we improve. I just wouldn't bet money on it happening.
I think with the hiring of Marino.... it is looking like Ross is getting himself ready for worst case scenario early on. Wouldn't shock me one bit if Ross starts hiring other ex Dolphins to his front office like Zach and Jason.
I think were improved across the board. 1) Misi is a better mike. 2) better much deeper secondary, 3) much better oline. 4) much better running back with a true traditional 3 down back who knows how to tote the rock..was very happy about the moreno signing and loved him in college. 5) a real read option offense. 6) another level in production by the Qb. by using the qbs entire skillset and focusing on his strengths. 7) offensive weaponry is better.. 8) Better defensive depth. 9) cam wake makes a run at DPOY. 10) Lazor That's the good news, and if we had three of our most very talented players not missing 4 freakin games, I would say 10 and 6, but that chunk is no joke. 9 and 7.
I'd add to that Tannehill is showing at least slightly improved pocket awareness, at least against Dallas. Small sample I know, but I think last year he takes at least 1 of those sacks he avoided. If we can get him to see more of the field before locking onto his security blankey, I think he'll be stellar.
I think his production will increase because of the scheme, and because he will use some tools that he wasn't allowed to use with proper frequency last year, but, to win a championship in today's game I think you have to make individual plays...we'll see where's he's at this year when the reigns are taken off...
I'll go 10-6. I would love to see the Dolphins go undefeated at Home. Just that would make my season. That is what the good teams used to do. And yes, I know that is saying a lot in comparison to our schedule. I would also LOVE to see Tripp or McCain or both forcing there way into the starting lineup! Who was the last LB picked in the 5th that did that....?
DJPhinFan - What's your take on the x-factor influence? Lots of new pieces, lack of familiarity with offense, etc? I've a feeling it's going to be a problem. Also feel our defense is going to continue to suffer particularly from continued tackling issues and at Linebacker. I just don't get the impression that the D hasn't toughened up at all against the run.
After the draft and free agency signings I saw improvement over last year. Especially OL and RB and the hope, that Tannehill progresses. After camp and the first three preseason games I still see some improvement but not enough to win more games than last season. The new offense has Tanny to pass much quicker and he has shown fairly good decision-making and pocket presence, which will reduce the amount of sacks but I'm afraid he won't be able to reduce the interception total from last year. He shows some overall improvement (decision-making, pocket presence) but for me he is still a work in progress. His actual level is not enough (esp. long range accuracy) to lead this team to wins without a lot of help from our offensive playmakers. If Clay is the Clay from last season, Gibson stays healthy and the running sample from Moreno against Dallas is for real, the Fins can win this season. But I guess Tannehill needs one or maybe two more seasons to blossom into a franchise QB and till then we are stuck in mediocrity or slightly above. Another 8-8.
Well, the only new face really is Lazor, and relative to what was being taught and how the qbs full skillset was not being used, and the lack of vision as to how the zone read can paralyze million dollar athletes, I would say that whatever unfamiliarity there is will be offset by good sound logic, quality deception and motion, and better utilization of the qbs skillset.. The defense was not very good stopping the run with Solai, he's the only change there, so I'm not sure there..I think if we can play a penetrating style we have better chances of making plays behind the Los, which should result in more passing situations on 2nd and 3rd down which leads to our strengths.
I think even if Lazor came in and added no new plays we'd still be a better team because he'll more than likely call plays better. Old OCs call plays based on their philosophy, younger OCs call plays based on the game thats being played at the time (for the most part).
I still need better clarity on the starting lineup and primary rotational guys before I can figure this out.
In watching Earl Mitchell play, even though he's lighter than Paul Soliai and not expected to be as stout, he's been a pretty big force in run defense this preseason. Pleasantly surprised by it. If we can get the same quality run stopping ability from him as Soliai that would be a big win for the defense. And if the defense is as good as a year ago overall then it's hard to see any kind of apocalyptic scenarios. It's an area of potential upside. The sooner the Dolphins can get the combination of Billy Turner and Shelley Smith on the field at guard, especially with Mike Pouncey in the middle, with Knowshon Moreno running the ball hopefully as well as he showed in the preseason game, once again that's an area of significant potential upside. Balancing against those are areas of significant potential downside. For one, I think the secondary could be in trouble. There are signs that they may have trouble with bigger receivers. Will Davis got bullied in a short yardage situation by Dez Bryant, as did Cortland Finnegan. Even Brent Grimes got bullied on some plays, including in the end zone by Vincent Jackson another bigger wide receiver, as well as by Devin Street who is a bigger receiver and just a rookie. We saw that play where Jimmy Wilson just goes pitifully bouncing off Mike Evans' backside. For four games we are going to be without Reshad Jones, and Jimmy Wilson is a shaky start opposite Louis Delmas who really didn't play well this preseason and who has bad knees. Both of our starting corners are on the wrong side of 30 years old, which is prime area for corners to start getting injured and/or falling off. The linebackers are not going to help these guys much underneath, either. If anything happens to Cameron Wake who is our most reliable pass rusher and arguably the only reliable outside pass rusher on the defensive line, I think defenses may throw the football on us very aggressively to try and run out to quick leads, which could affect the offense since such a big part of this style of offense is freezing defenders with hesitation. Scoreboard pressure reduces defensive hesitation. Playing into this scenario will be the defensive penalties we've seen all off season. The net effect of the penalties is that passing offenses are going to have an easier time of things. Those teams with elite quarterbacks whose decision-making you know you can trust, if the refs are calling penalties during regular season the way they are in preseason then those teams will just be pass pass pass pass pass...with no fear. Yes that will benefit Miami but not as much because we're not a sophisticated passing team, and furthermore we're converting to a style of offense that I would say derives more of it's success off the ground game. The way the officials are calling these games is like throwing a bowling ball in the bath tub. There will definitely be unintended consequences from it and one could argue that the NFL just tipped the scales heavily in favor of those teams that have a Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.
I'm not concerned about the secondary allowing catches to Dez, Byrd, and Evans. Those were good throws and good catches in tight contested coverage. DBs are not allowed to play physical so that was evident especially against Dallas. Bigger concern is turnovers.
That is mostly up to the defensive lines getting in the throwing lanes. Odrick doesn't take himself out of the lane, that could have disrupted the timing or the throw. No corner in the league is not letting up a 5 yard slant to Dez Bryant. Maybe Darrell Revis. I am agreeing with you.
I agree, our players were in position, Dez is gonna be Dez against everyone in the league, but if you hold him to 5/6 catches for 65 yards you win, that TD that grimes gave up was beaten by an absolute perfect pass, he broke on the route nicely, and the ball was just timed perfectly, gonna be TD every time with that type of offensive execution. Jmo, there are no signs of losing any athleticism from grimes or finnegan.. Taylor and Davis have played better than last.. I was in favor of signing Mitchell in place of Solai, he gets upfield, his motor doesn't stop and he plays With leverage. Starting linebackers in coverage and our safety play is my two weaknesses, offensively, I think were better across the board.. Just need to see Tannehill make some plays with his feet, resetting the platform, actually moving the pocket on his own to find a secondary receiver, run for a first down if it doesn't look right..and make that decision quickly and consciously just because it's the right thing to do.
Guys, y'all know vets like Starks and wake for the most part are not going full speed..wake will turn it on from time to. Time, but randy lol, knows what's up..
I don't agree with the theory that the Dallas Cowboys will convert every 3rd & 6 they face this season except for plays where the defensive tackle is able to bat the pass down or plays where Darrelle Revis happens to be the corner facing Bryant.
That is why I said, "maybe Darrell Revis" The average corner isn't going to stop Dez Bryant on a 6 yard slant with good throw by Romo.
I disagree with that. 3rd & 6 carries a 1st down percentage of 40.0% in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys in 2013 only converted 35.3% on 3rd & 6.
The afc is wide open..pats, steelers, Colts, bengals..are considered the best. Sheeee$ we beat 3 of those teams last year..and were a better team no question. We should be there man.
My prediction.. Miami 35 - Pats 17.. Huge win to start the season. We finish 11-5..win AFC East by tiebreaker over NE
So the Cowboys have only a 35% success rate on 3rd & 5 or 3rd & 6 because they don't realize they would have a near 100% success rate if they simply threw the slant to Bryant every time? I mean, minus the times a defensive tackle bats a pass (which happened on 0.5% of pass attempts league-wide in 2013), and minus the times Dez Bryant faces Darrelle Revis or someone equivalent (didn't face Revis in 2013).
Exactly what I thought when I saw the emphasis on contact. These guys are the current poster-children of the NFL, throw in Wilson for good measure, ratings spike when they're throwing crazy and breaking records I'm sure. Goodell is $$ hungry if nothing else.
