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Thoughts on the Dolphins/Jets Game

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Sep 16, 2018.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Let me start with the obvious- we're 2-0 in games that I didn't think we'd win on paper. We're also 2-0 in games we've faced adversity where we'd rarely pull things together this early in the season...and wins are the only thing that matters in the NFL. So being 2-0 is a fantastic start to the season regardless of what I say in the rest of this review.

    Why are we 2-0? That's easy- our defense is as good as expected; maybe even better. Tannehill had more rushing yards on a couple of carries than the entire Jets team...remember how we were supposed to suck against the run? And remember how NY was supposed to run all over us? Yeah, that didn't happen folks. We continue to force turnovers, continue to force QBs into bad situations, and this defense is LEGIT! Combined with great special teams play, and there won't be too many games this season that we're not competitive in.

    Kiko stood out to me today. His technique is awesome- he leads with the shoulder so he can throw a punch at the ball, and the guy was seemingly everywhere in these past two games. He forced one turnover today and partially jarred the ball loose a few other times...he was my MVP of the game. The entire defense deserves props though from Wake/Quinn demanding double teams on the edge to our ball hawks in Howard, Jones, Fitz and McMillian. McCain rebounded nicely too.

    However, that's where the good news on the day stops. Adam Gase said at halftime that the team didn't execute and we had to do a lot more on offense in the 2nd half. Our 1st quarter scores all came off the defensive pressure, great punts and turnovers....meanwhile Grant continued to give us great starting field position. Yet our offense was flat, uninspired and just kept making mistakes.

    I know a lot of folks here won't like this, but I saw a lot of the pre-Gase Tannehill today that thinks too much in the moment. Yes, he had a great QBR on the day, he was insanely efficient and he threw two TD passes while running for almost 50 yards (or maybe more- haven't seen the stat lines yet). He did well in most regards of the game, yet he played poorly on several critical downs as well. He fumbled twice (both times, running with the ball outstretched) and missed a wide-open Wilson on the deep TD because he didn't plant his feet. This happened several times as he tried to do too much, too fast.

    As good as this kid is, he seems to struggle with getting out of his own head and just executing sometimes.

    Again though, we're 2-0 and that's perfect by NFL standards...just don't think that this team is perfect. We have a lot of work to do on offense from the top down. The line had some issues today as well and even though we have awesome talent at RB/WR, it all needs to come together in a hurry. Gruden is going to throw the kitchen sink at RT next week and it will define what this team will become in 2018.

    The good news on offense is that you can just see the potential for huge breakout plays, so I don't think we're too far from where we need to be. I also think the defense and special teams are already there- this COULD BE a massive year for the Fins. But now is the time to get picky, to be that jerk who raises hell over the little things and fine tune our processes to make this a championship team. We have the talent, the coaching, the depth....everything else is in place.

    Great game today Dol-fans! We beat the stinkin' Jets in NY and it rarely gets better than that! Now let's get back to work and get ready for the Raiders.

    Here's some stats to mull over this Sunday afternoon-

    • The Fins lost the time of possession battle 28:25 to 31:35....it was close though and no biggie.
    • The Jets beat us in total yards 362 to 257.
    • The Jets slaughtered us in passing 362 yards to 122.
    • Tannehill was 17 for 23 and Darnold was 25 for 41.
    • We had 3 fumbles (lost 2), the Jets had 4 fumbles (lost 1).
    So how'd we win?

    • We had 3 punt returns for 48 yards. The Jets had one for four measly yards.
    • We had two picks for 31 yards. Zilch for the Jets.
    • We rushed 35 times for 135 yards, the Jets rushed 19 for 42 yards.
    • We had 1 kickoff return for 34 yards. The Jets never had an opportunity...all touchbacks.
    • We had 2 penalties for 10 yards, the Jets had 7 for 50 yards.
    • Haack planted 5 of his 6 punts inside the 20 yard line (thanks Ronnie Bass!)

    Going by the numbers, we DOMINATED every aspect of special teams and completely shut down the Jet's run game. Folks, NY gained 4 yards TOTAL on special teams! Four freaking yards! Also, early scores forced NY to play catch-up and our D is just too darn stout for that. In a nutshell, this was a defensive victory with a massive help from special teams. And hey, we won the penalty battle...FINALLY! Zero penalties on offense is massive!
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2018
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  2. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    Nice Key! Among other great points, I like that you were objective concerning RT. The thing I keep telling myself is that Gase and RT aren’t blind and stupid. For every obviousy poor play that RT and our offense had that I see, they probably see 10 more instances. As I said in another thread, we were sloppy. However, when they are tallying the wins and loses at the end of regular season, all they care about is the “W”. How we got it doesn’t matter. :-)
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2018
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  3. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Yeah I agree.

    Simple summary so far this season: defense very good, offense average, Gase 2-0.
     
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  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I'm definitely a Ryan Tannehill fan and I think his ceiling is huge, but the mistakes that he made today aren't really coach-able moments. And for the most part it's all little stuff; protecting the ball, sliding in the pocket, planting your feet before launching a deep pass....he absolutely knows to do these things. And I'll be the first to admit that I'm being way overly picky here, but I think we have to if the goal is the Super Bowl.

    I mean, if the goal is being 8-8 or 9-7 then sure, that little stuff doesn't matter. But if the goal is 12-4 and AFC Champs, then we have to clean that stupid stuff up. A better team would have beaten us today.
     
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  5. The Offence will fix the problems it has! No need to worry about that. The Defense is fantastic and can only get better week to to week. When we beat the Raiders next week, we will then be 3-0 and on a collision coarse for week 4 to play the Pats in their own backyard! We're gonna bleed, we're gonna sweat to compete for first place in the division!!
     
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  6. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Of the four games to start the year, I felt the most confident in playing the Raiders and the Pats. The Raiders for obvious reasons (new coach, new system, rebuilding) and the Pats game because we just have their number with our high pressure D. I don't know if we fix all the offensive problems next week BUT I really like out chances of going 4-0 at this point and controlling the division.

    In my season prediction thread, I did think it would take us three weeks to really get the offense chugging along. We lost Sitton though and that's a huge blow, plus we'll be mixing Parker into the rotation next week. So I'm not sure if we'll be rolling on all cylinders by next Sunday.
     
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  7. not right away no, but eventually? This team could be scary good!
     
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  8. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I think so too...especially if we figure out the offensive line. Thank God we had a solid veteran backup in waiting.
     
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  9. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Good post, agreed on all points..

    Godchaux had an outstanding game,

    Mink was so solid
     
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  10. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    You stole my comment, deej. The interior DL was very dependable this game, I just wish we could have stopped Darnold quicker after he leaked out of the collapsing pocket.
     
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  11. Surfs Up 99

    Surfs Up 99 Team Flores & Team Tua

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    I like that we are finding ways to win. If we can get it all to come together, my blood pressure will benefit. :-)
     
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  12. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

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    A lot to like, and a lot to hate. You can't take those two W's away. I really hope we can improve on mistakes and beat Las Vegas next week! Glad that, that game will be on TV here in LV! So ill be ordering pizza, and watching at home! 3-0 would be a great start. 1 game at a time! I am also happy that Darnold did not come back to beat us, because thats all we would have heard on ESPN for a week
     
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  13. Irishman

    Irishman Well-Known Member

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    :dolphin:
    I agree with all of this post. I think the section I made bold can use a little more perspective.

    "but I saw a lot of the pre-Gase Tannehill today that thinks too much in the moment. Yes, he had a great QBR on the day, he was insanely efficient and he threw two TD passes while running for almost 50 yards (or maybe more- haven't seen the stat lines yet). He did well in most regards of the game, yet he played poorly on several critical downs as well. He fumbled twice (both times, running with the ball outstretched) and missed a wide-open Wilson on the deep TD because he didn't plant his feet."

    Each and every one of these points of weakness lend themselves to being easy improvements to make over the next few games.

    No mater how hard Tannehill prepared himself during his off year, the speed and required reaction times of real time NFL level football don't get better overnight. The fact that he plays as well physically and mentally as he is now doing, shows his exceptional ability as a quarterback. His improvement over the next few games is almost a certainty, in that these are smaller details of his entire playing profile that he has overcome in the past and, with the performance of the current offense and defense, will improve even more over the next game or two.

    I almost feel sorry for the embarrassment the next two teams are going to face when we beat them, in spite of the local and national sports press's probable low opinion of the Dolphins.
    Yes, I almost feel sorry for them, but not quite :dolphin:.
     
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  14. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

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    Wins a win but we got lucky easily could have been 28-20 Miami loss. Thank goodness the jets were the jets!
     
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  15. Fin-O

    Fin-O Initiated Club Member

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    One of those fumbles was on Fat Kilgore not RT.

    Great post however, agree on all fronts.
     
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  16. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    That was the 3rd fumble. The first was when RT rolled out on a bootleg and got nailed by the LB...he recovered that one on his own. The 2nd was the fumble/sack where he tried to throw it away and it slipped out of his hand.
     
  17. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I agree- he was very sharp last week and pretty darn sharp today as well. Today, there was no pocket when he threw the bomb, just like there was no pocked when he dumped off to Gore on the pass that was in the dirt (that Gore scooped up for a 20 yard 1st down on 3rd and 19). That's offensive chemistry stuff that everyone needs to work on and I think it will consistently improve over time.

    As far as his decision making and handling pressure in the moment, I think that will come as well IF we solve the larger problem of protection breakdowns. Because once he starts playing like that 2015 QB that's always running for his life, then the timing goes out the window and he's thinking too much.

    The good news is that our defense is young and hungry- I expect them to get better as well. Like others have said, that's freaking scary what we could be come December and beyond. Then we have Grant as a TD always waiting to happen, solid special teams in general, great skill players on offense, etc....I'm definitely not worried at this point about how we'll win ballgames.

    The last play of the first half sums up everything for me- we bend but don't break. NY essentially had three chances within 2 seconds to punch that ball across the goal line. Three times, we landed a punishing hit to prevent it. The offense definitely has some room to grow if our boys on D keep playing at those ridiculous levels.
     
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  18. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I thought we did well defending Darnold, that kid is gonna be a great qb so to defend him as well as we did, I’m good.
     
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  19. phinswolverinesrockets

    phinswolverinesrockets If he dies, he dies

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    2-0. Great job. I can't complain, but...

    Did we draft a 6'6" seam threat with 4.5 speed or was I dreaming??? 4 preseason games & 2 regular season games = 2 catches for 10 yards.

    Im confused
     
  20. Silverphin

    Silverphin Well-Known Member

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    It seems like Tannehill is still adjusting a bit. There were times when he was better than last week, and times when he was worse.

    On the bright side, I'm glad he's running more.
     
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  21. Phil Hutchings

    Phil Hutchings Well-Known Member

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    Hi,

    I’ve just joined the forum, but I’ve been following the Dolphins since Dan Marino's rookie season. I live in the UK, but come over twice a year and stay near Orlando.

    Pre-season, I wasn’t very optimistic about the team, but so far the results have been good.

    I’ve been very impressed with young Minkah Fitzpatrick. His tackle near the goal line last week was great and he made some big plays today too. He seems to read the game well for a rookie. It’s very encouraging for the future.

    Frank Gore also seems to be a great addition to the roster and it’s great that he has settled in so well.

    I know there are bigger tests to come, but I’m looking forward to the season.
     
  22. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

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    Welcome aboard Phil! Glad to have you here!
     
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  23. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    We need to come out with better energy after the half. Change up whatever halftime routine they go through
     
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  24. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    unless he's put in situations where he can use his catch radius, he's a liability on the field at this point.

    I think if gase can find him ways to just have him be a receiver and get him in motion to get free releases, he can make some plays.
     
  25. Phil Hutchings

    Phil Hutchings Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, TI.

    I don’t pretend to know or follow the Dolphins intimately, but I regard Miami as my football team.

    I watch many sports, but my first love is Manchester City, whom I’ve been supporting for nearly 50 years now.
     
  26. shadokp

    shadokp Active Member

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    When was the last time the Dolphins were the only team in the AFC East to win in a week I wonder because it has happened!!
     
  27. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    Interesting question. It looks like the last time was in 2016 week 10 where NE lost to Seattle, Jets lost to Rams, Buffalo had a bye and Dolphins beat the Chargers. If you don't like that because Buffalo had a bye, it looks like last time was in 2014 week 4 where only Miami won.
     
  28. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

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    What honestly concerns me is the passing game. We’re becoming (only 2 games in) reliant on short passing we need to open up mid / longer passing as the season goes on.

    It’s almost like Gase doesn’t trust someone
     
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  29. Phil Hutchings

    Phil Hutchings Well-Known Member

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    Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore seem to compliment each other.

    78 yards between them today. OK, not great figures, but having two quality RBs will keep opposing defences on their toes and Frank will pass on many tips from his vast experience as a top NFL running back.
     
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  30. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

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    Why did it surprise me that it took cbrad a full 10 minutes to answer the question? Is the master slipping?
     
  31. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

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    Gase’s strathegy seems to be to get the opposing D to commit to defending the short pass to open up shots like Kenny Still’s 75 yarder last week.

    I think we’ll see a lot of short passes with a few quality deep shots a game - it was the pattern in 2016
     
  32. cbrad

    cbrad .

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    LOL.. I don't think I saw that post right when it was posted. Took me maybe about 5 minutes I think. It's not difficult to answer because the Patriots lose so few games so you just look at the Patriots' record.
     
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  33. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Like the stat breakdown. I feel our ST have been a deciding element for our season so far, which is a good thing. How long can we rely on good field position though, is it sustainable over a season and into and through a playoff run?

    Otherwise, I had said earlier in the week after the Jets mauled the Lions that as long as we played sound football and didn't give up big plays we should have a solid win. Our defense stepped up and kept the Jets and rookie QB Darnold in check, our ST kept big plays off the board while giving us good position, and we got some shots on offense.

    Fumbles were a problem, need to take care of the ball. This is the kind of Ryan Tannehill game that people tend to fixate on - solid but unspectacular numbers, a few good plays, a few bad plays, ultimately gets either bailed out or burned by the rest of the team. Glad it turned out well. Think we have a good chance to have a big time tune up next week. We always play the Raiders well, and they struggling hard, and have to make the long trip east. Good way to get revved up for the big week 4 matchup. Jags showed NE is beatable.
     
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  34. Ronnie Bass

    Ronnie Bass Luxury Box Luxury Box

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    I added one I think you missed :smile:
     
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  35. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Yup, I thought about that after the fact but the wife was rushing me out the door. I'll copy/paste that in the original post now.
     
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  36. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to the forums Phil...always happy to have you. There are lots of UK Fin fans here so you're definitely not alone!
     
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  37. Irishman

    Irishman Well-Known Member

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    You may also want to consider that everyone who had running yardage also had receiving yardage, except the QB who did not receive a pass.
     
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  38. jdallen1222

    jdallen1222 Well-Known Member

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    I'm thinking he will eventually. They've displayed Tanny split wide in each game so far.
     
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  39. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

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    Jones stop right before the half was huge too. Up 20-0, he scores there, its 20-7, with Jets getting ball after halftime. Momentum swings big time, and its then a game. Especially considering we didn't score in the 2nd half
     
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  40. gilv13

    gilv13 Well-Known Member

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    yeah, he doesn't trust his O-Line.
     
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