Week 18- Dolphins vs Bills

I do worry a little bit about this myself. I still believe McDaniel is a great coach who I hope is the coach here for years to come, but at some point the shtick has to stop and he'll have to start being a little more of an authority figure to the players. The fact that he didn't put a stop to the "cele" planning during practice time after the Titans debacle is extremely concerning.

 

several of us did not need to read that to understand what is

 

That is what Tua does. Watched a pre game clip by Kurt Warner who said Tua is not good if you take away his first option AND that the Dolphins like attacking 2 areas of the field. Basically, if you stand defenders in those areas the offense is over. That is on coach and Tua, you saw Tua force to those areas last night.

 

What did he say that was not true?

 

This. It's worth remembering he's not just newer to being a HC, but he's also newer to being a play caller and he's young.

I think he connects well to the players, but he needs to now also be the authority, not just the cool uncle. It's a tough balance but it's a requirement. I think vets who put the kibbosh on nonsense may be something to think about this offseason as well.

And Hard Knocks can eff off into the sun forever.

 

I suspect McDaniel has what it takes to be possibly the best offensive coordinator in the league, where he can focus on a subgroup of players and lead only them, while having his technical expertise (Xs and Os) be front and center, and while allowing more of a Dan Campbell type to lead the team in the position of head coach. The technical stuff certainly has its value in the NFL, but it isn't valuable enough to vault someone from the position McDaniel had in San Francisco all the way to the position of head coach, with no evidence that the technical expert has what it takes to lead a full team men in that capacity. The Xs and Os expertise regularly breaks down for this team, and they don't have sufficient "personality" (toughness, determination) to make the difference at those times. They simply get manhandled.

 

Neither of our first picks in the last 2 drafts have played much if any time.

 

After yesterday, I think it would be foolish, if we didn’t resign Wilkins. He’s a clutch player in clutch moments, he’s always playing and seems like the heart and soul of this defense. We don’t have many guys like that on our team.

 

This. Way too early to think McDaniel won’t get better as a HC. I think the offense is way too reliant on Hill. Need to get Waddle more involved when he’s healthy and would love to see a TE to add another layer to attack.

Armstead is very good when he’s healthy but you’re also relying on his back up 4-8 games a season. Would like to see us draft some OL with a nasty side to them. In general, would like to see more players like because right now this team is soft and folds when they get punched in the nose

 

I actually feel they didn't play soft the last three games. The Ravens game got away from them but vs the Bills and Cowboys they got punched and answered the bell each time.

 

Nobody stepped up with Waddle on the bench. Berrios is just meh, Wilson was a total bust, Cracraft doesnt stay on the field and Claypool is a bum who shouldn't have been on the team.

Lack of consistent TE production and down roster WR production was brutal and limiting. It resulted in Tua forcing throws and that results in TOs.

 

I think it's the opposite - McDaniel should consider handing off play calling duty, though not sure if giving to Frank Smith is a good idea since he hasn't called before.

Campbell has his own schtick. Ultimately it's not about being tough or being cool, it's about connecting to your players and getting them to execute and play with controlled emotion. Campbell is doing a great job, but "tough" coaches fail all the time.

Regardless, we aren't firing a dude who has put together back to back playoff seasons.

 

There has been a culture problem for decades and I don't think it will ever change because of the city of Miami. It's a tourist city and night life spot and attracts the wrong kind of players because of it. No one goes to Baltimore or Buffalo to party or vacation. When players have more paternity suits than INTs in a season it tells you all you need to know about were they are focusing time.

Miami Mike is the perfect coach for this team but isn't a winning football coach. He was lost and confused last night and isn't a strong enough leader to get these players focused.

 

I agree, I think coaches like Campbell are cheerleaders who can motivate a team to do well for a stretch, but I'll take McDaniel who can grow into the role of motivator and learn how to be more of an authority figure. Smart coaches will always be more consistent winners than cheerleader coaches. We don't need another fist pumper (RIP Sparano...).

 

I agree. He's a high character player who is dedicated to this team. Grier will let him walk and sign an injured person to replace him. Tua will get his money sadly.

 

I said before we would have been better off keeping Dan Campbell as HC when we had the chance.

 

Resigning Wilkins should be our #1 priority. He is the MVP on defense. Don't know what the **** Grier is waiting for.

 

I'm rooting for them to win. But thinking about it this morning after they made me stay up and get no sleep to watch them choke I'm glad they're going to a hostile crowd in single digit cold Saturday night. I'll find a stream somewhere and watch them freeze from my nice warm couch.

 

Campbell learned and grew a ton under Payton. Much of what he does and is doing in Detroit are lessons he took from that. He also has some staff from there as well.

Let's not litigate ancient history at this point.

 

"The New England Patriots beat more above .500 teams than the Miami Dolphins this season."

https://x.com/CoreyB08/status/1744208832996188275?s=20

 

It's not really a narrative. It's just further highlighting the Dolphins inability to beat good teams.

 

Dude, like 30 ****ing years and the best TE we had in that time was McMichael, who wasn't even that good...all while we've gotten crushed by every TE that plays us, basically.

 

The biggest issue with saying we need a TE upgrade is that most don't give good production in year one. Sam LaPorta in Detroit is a big exception. But generally, it's a tough position for the rookies. But it's not a position where vets are abundant either.

Personally, I'd focus on making our lines top tier. Then look to get an Amon Ra, Tank Dell, Puka Nacua in the mid rounds. They are out there, the WR talent entering the league is good and deep. Find it.

 

I think that is a by product of the OL situation, not Tua's ability. If Tua isn't perfect on his pre and right after snap reads and hits the first option, he doesn't usually have time to progress. The few times he has had time he has been mostly fine. He is really good at doing that, but really good D's are going to be able to take even Tyreek away for 2 seconds. He needs Waddle too. They need to smash mouth some run plays. It's been effective even when teams know it's coming. The big offseason target for O has got to be TE. That could be such a game changer in this O. And, if Waddle is back, they can beat a team like the Chiefs next week. Even with the D injuries as they are. If they can actually get heather week to week...

 

Tua had plenty of time yesterday, and he did not progress well through his reads. He was forcing the ball into double and triple coverage instead of taking what the defense gave him. He is mostly a one read quarterback.

 

It's been clear for a while that you and I aren't watching the same sport. What is a one read quarterback to you?

 

It is the most pointless discussion, isnt it?

theyre not blowing it up. Not when theyve had 4 winning seasons in a row for the first time since a lot of us were in high school.
Detractors are loud today, but can anyone earnestly say the coach and qb arent above average? Being logical and, ya know, real?

mike’s got what, another year or two on his contract? Tua has another year. Both are likely to get extensions. Good organizations need stability. We have lacked it for so long.

baltimore. Pittsburgh. New england. Even yes, buffalo. You identify your core guys, and you build and build. And you let it grow. You dont change direction after every bad game.
Continuity. Its a good and desirable thing.

and make no mistake. That is the only real discussion.

its either: stick with what we got OR everyone goes and rebuild from square 1, starting a year or 2 AFTER the new gm takes over and undoes the cap situation.
So, youre talking 3 sub competitive years because you think the fairhaired girl is out there.

im good with rolling what we got and upgrading around them. Your mileage may differ. But to me, its a results business. As long as the QB and HC keep improving, im with them.

year 1, tua was a bust.
Year 2: hes fragile and cant handle coaching.
Year 3: he cant stay healthy
Year 4: hes not an mvp tier qb.

The moving goalposts show you the progression. Same with the HC.

they both desperately need a breakthrough win. I thought it was Dallas, but alas they didnt really get it done the last 8 quarters of the season.

funny thing is, they have a chance, against the champs, in a very difficult place to play, to change the whole narrative again. We should ALL be rooting for them to do so.

 

I refuse to believe that the entire game those other receivers were covered completely.

 

Some of it could be the OL, and or Tua thinking the OL is going to give up the pressure and not even taking the time to see what else is out there. There has to be a mix of both, without expecting a sack after 2.5 seconds.

 

Thought Ravens was a must win statement game. Thought the Bills was a must win statement game. Now, again there is another must win statement game, hopefully this one turns out much better.

 

I think Tua gets too exited\panics and will just throw it, against the bad teams he seems way more relaxed and does get more reads. On the two minute play in the Ravens game he had 2 guys totally wide open on right side, but he threw triple coverage for an INT. He admitted himself about that.

 

Yes, but I think the cause of his "panic" is knowing that he has to accelerate his clock on teams that get pressure because of his O line. He is not great at going off schedule, but the offense is also not great at going off schedule. He isn't able to get through his progression in a normal manner. I think this is because of how short they are able to sustain pass blocking. They are terrible at it. Others think it's just part of his game. It's a chicken and egg thing that hopefully a more healthy line will prove soon.

 

I noticed on the game ending interception that Buffalo basically went man to man with 2 deep and everyone was touch tight covered when Tua threw the ball to Claypool.

His first interception to Tyreek I think he had Achane open underneath but if you watch the play, he actually had Tyreek. He made the correct read but he just threw a terrible ball that was about 8 yards under thrown. If he puts another 5-8 yards on that I think Tyreek scores.

 

I still think the whole "can't make it through a season uninjured" is playing a massive role in Tua's mind and he's doing everything he can to make sure he finishes this season and gets his new contract.

 

Just look at the first and last interception he threw yesterday. He was locked in on that one read read presnap and ignored the other guys that were open, forced the ball into double coverage both times.

 

See below...

 

He had an open man over the middle on that last interception, but he completely ignored it and locked in on claypool who was double covered.

 

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. We're going to win a big game sooner or later. Hopefully it's Saturday.