Phins Must Dramatically Improve… NOW!

The Phins have little leeway left in the 2021 Season

The Dolphins are off to a dismal 1-3 start with a short trip to Tampa Bay next to take on their old friend and Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady.  Considering how bad the Dolphins looked last week against the Colts, it’s hard to know what to expect in this upcoming game against a much better opponent. But, you never know…

I still think Coach Flores is the right man for the job and believe he can get the Phins to play better on the road against the Bucs. However, playing better probably will not translate into getting a victory. Basically, Miami is in a no lose situation because every price-per-head software has the Dolphins as a huge underdog! The Phins are a double digit underdog at +11.5. No one is giving the Dolphins a chance in this game.

Win or lose, Miami must show improvement!

I expect Flores to at least be very aggressive in this game since everyone is writing them off. The only way Miami has a shot to get upset is with a great effort combined with smart and aggressive play. An optimistic take is the Dolphins have had success against Brady in the past–probably more than any other team in the league. Also, you can bet that Flores is going to do his best to send a lot of defensive pressure against Brady since that’s been the only way to beating the ‘immortal one’. Miami will likely be down Byron Jones, meaning Noah Igbinoghene will play a vital role. Talk about a great chance for the kid to get redemption!

At the very least, the offense must stop all these three and outs! This lopsided Time of Possession is a big taxer on our defense. Game after game, the defense gets worn out by the 2nd Half, which was clearly evident in the last contest against the Colts.

Miami needs to find a way to get Parker and Gesicki involved in the offensive game plan right from the start. The staff and Jacoby Brissett can’t wait to get them involved late in the second half. These two are both very big targets and it shouldn’t be hard to just design a few plays to target these two players and at least get them involved in the game plan. Tampa is paper-thin in the secondary with all their injuries. This does offer Miami some hope.

Time for the Dolphins offense to wake up!!!

The Dolphins need to find an identity and game plan on offense because all this talent is being absolutely wasted. Also, Gaskin needs to play more, instead of Brown, since he has been by far the most effective running back we have had over the last season and half. He is a shifty run that also runs hard, but giving him 2 carries last week is downright sad.

I would obviously love to see the Dolphins go into Tampa and upset Brady and the Bucs, but it’s really hard to imagine that after the way this team has been playing. Jacoby Brissett looks like he can’t throw the ball downfield. Whether or not Tua can be a franchise QB, there’s no doubt that Tua is better than Brissett. Tua is on schedule to play the week after in London against the Jaguars. A Jaguars team that’s in turmoil with the Meyer ‘scandal’ and not very good could be the spark this offense and Tua desperately need. In the meantime, it appears the Dolphins are headed for a 1-4 start. 

What are the rest of the Phins News fans‘ thoughts on this upcoming game?


 

16 comments

  • Randy Buckland

    First thing is I’m glad J.Grant is gone.I was hoping they wouldn’t bring him back at the beginning of camp.He’s fast but can’t catch.He’s had that issue from the beginning.I’ve been a fan since their inception in ’66 and it’s so hard to watch what’s happening right now.We were suppose to be better this year and it’s gone the other way.Mainly it’s the offense,it’s terrible.The O-line is worse than last year it seems to me. If they were able to put Tua back in there this week he would be crushed again.That to me is the #1 issue that has to be fixed,somehow,someway.We need better talent or coaching or both.I don’t know if it’s dedication Flores has to his coaches or he just thinks Jeanpierre is a good OL coach but something needs to change. Maybe that’s the reason Tua was put on IR when he was,knowing Jacksonville would be his 1st game back and some of the OL issues would be solved by then. Anyway I just needed to vent like everyone else here.Let’s hope things get turned around quickly. GO FINS!!!

    • admin

      Since 66′!!!! Wow! I said I’ve been meaning to get to an article about the whys with Flores staff… I WILL this week. I still think Tua should come back at home against the Falcons… but, you might be right that he’ll be back against the Jags. Vent, sir! You have the right as a guy from 66′!!! Must have been so great to see them since then.

      • Randy Buckland

        Glory days,they were great.We were at the airport to greet the team when they arrived back at the airport from L.A. after defeating the Redskins. Years that followed in the ’70’s the Steelers beat us out for the team of the decade(we all thought it should have been us with the undefeated season and all that).The 80’s and 90’s were pretty awesome also but then came the millennium.The world didn’t stop turning but our team turned for the worse and we just haven’t been able to get it back yet. Grier and Flores show up together and we thought finally it was about to turn back,but now in 2021 it’s gone in reverse again. Will I ever see our beloved dolphins get back so my son and I can share that same Euphoria that I shared with my dad? I keep hoping,it’s just a wait and see now.GO FINS!!!

        • admin

          To me, the turning point is when we put Tua in too early and without Gailey being consulted and told. The loss of Fitz, Gailey, and Marshal is being felt… we aren’t a physical team, we don’t run the ball and have low TOP. This D is gassed. But, who put Tua in early? Why force the kid in early? Why not get advice from an acclaimed O mind like Gailey? Flores seems not to be the guy as he said a week prior Tua wasn’t ready. Every player and coach knew he wasn’t ready and didn’t know the PB… WHO made that call? WHY? That began the collapse in my mind, Randy.

  • Steve

    Hello Jimmy and Dol-Fans

    Continuation:

    The Arizona Cardinals traded Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins for the No. 62 selection in the NFL draft as well as a 2020 fifth rounder. Just one day after the team selected Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray with the No. 1 pick .
    We selected Tua at #5 picked and Hubbard went to the Chargers at # 6. Tunnel vision bone head decisions don’t give Hubbard a Try-Out! Nor any other QB players Etc. This has to “STOP” Grier specialty is rolling with one egg in the basket for 5 years.

    2021 Draft: The Dolphins blindly start the season knowing their were ??? with the QB position there was know Try-Out to ensure Justin Fields did not slip by! Chicago selected him at the 11th picked. Over the season’s I have watch a lot of college football and the Dolphins have failed to bring in true Talent.

    • admin

      Steve!!! Great to hear from you… sorry about the delay.

      “I still think Coach Flores is the right man for the job (AGREE 100%).” I’m with you 100%. It seems like the push from the media is to put a bullseye on his back though.
      “Grier has failed this organization draft after draft. He has stripped and Traded away key talent failing to replace it. 2016 offensive line on paper the 2nd best offensive line in the NFL behind Dallas that season.

      “The last of the offensive line was trading Tunsil. The offensive line has been jacked up since then.” I was fine with trading Tunsil… to me he was going to be very expensive and 1 dimensional. The problem is they tried to get cute and replace him on the cheap. They had oppertunities to find a good tackle to replace him and even upgrade on him… the 2020 Draft is looking ugly. I like Waddle but they should have gone trenches this year instead of last year and should have spent some money on a vet lineman as a leader and place holder. They struggle to develop and find quality linemen on offense. It’s bad… then they stick them in the wrong places and train them at every position. The loss of Gailey and Steve Marshal hurts… but, who forced Tua in last year without consulting Gailey or the O staff? That’s nuts… don’t think it was Flores. He said a week earlier Tua wasn’t ready…. we are screwed hard unless a miricle happens… that miracle needs to start with Grier getting canned if he was the one forcing in Tua. We should have had Fitz, Gailey and Marshal building Tua up and if it took 2 seasons, so be it. I’m very worried Flores is getting the shaft… then who will work here? No one wants to come here as is…. not after the Sporano incident and now the Gailey screw job…. tough times unless something big happens.

    • admin

      You were on Herbert, brother!!! I didn’t want either… We missed so hard, it’s like Brees 2.0!!!!!

      • Steve

        Yes! it has been a little while Admin DEALING WITH medical etc. this last year.
        In addition after the Dolphins passing on Justin Herbert I needed to break away!
        Dolphins selected Tackle A. Jackson @ 18th picked : LSU WR Justin Jefferson 22nd picked went to the Vikings. Jefferson and Chase Young were the only two NFL Drafted rookies to make 1st “YEAR PRO BOWL.” I mentioned Jefferson because the Fins WR Parker can’t stay on the field.
        Dolphins selected their picked: 39th Hunt OL. The Colts selected 41st picked Johnathan Taylor RB after the missed on Herbert and Taylor!
        This was like # 1QB and #1 RB. I needed to break away I could not take anymore. Oh by the way we have not found a QB since Dan Marino and We have not found a coach since Don Shula.
        The Dolphins intentionally avoid the truly talented players. They Missed on Justin Fields why? because of Tunnel visions. Their is no way the Miami Dolphins have scouts at these game.
        This Tunnel visions starts with the: Owner
        The Fan’s are bias when drafting certain positions: I’m not speaking of the QB’s.
        Dolphins will not invest in top running backs not one top back. History dictates when the Fins were successful they had top running backs, not just one Jay Ajayi, Ronnie Brown, Rickie Williams. Dolphins need to Continue to draft top R/B every two or 3 years.
        Offensive Line: Free Agency Pro Bowler’s Center and L/T AND DRAFT THE REST.
        The General Manager’s instead of bringing it player’s to keep winning. They try to please the Owner
        Saving money etc. I don’t think they really mind humiliating their fans each season’s.

  • Steve

    Hello Jimmy and Dol-Fans

    I still think Coach Flores is the right man for the job (AGREE 100%).
    Flores is not the problem. He has Super Bowl rings, We don’t. He has proven that he can coach the mediocrity of Talent. G. Grier has failed this organization draft after draft. He has stripped and Traded away key talent failing to replace it. 2016 offensive line on paper the 2nd best offensive line in the NFL behind Dallas that season.
    Branden Albert 2xPro Bowler (1st round)
    Laremy Tunsil L, (1st round)
    Mike Pouncey C. 3x Pro Bowler (1st round
    Jermon Bushrod RG 125th pick 2x Pro Bowler (trade from Saints)
    Ja’Wuan James RT, (1st round)
    2017 Branden Albert was traded to Jacksonville Jags.
    The last of the offensive line was trading Tunsil. The offensive line has been jacked up since then. What is the fixed? Replaced with Pro Bowlers at those positions and solid backups behind them.

  • Van Hamlin

    First of all – Flores is not the problem. The only coaching problems are the play calling is bone headed and the offensive line sucks! The linemen have allot to do with that. The holding penalties are killing drives. The tackles are slow and can’t find leverage moves to deflect the defensive players away from the quarterback during pass rushes. They cannot blast a hole in the DL to save their lives. They may need to play with a fullback all the time. Tight ends can help by using motion to bring more blockers to the point of attack.
    Next, we have the QB issue – Tua is brittle, and the O-line has allowed him to be pummeled. He is better than Bissett but isn’t the answer. At this point in the season -maybe we call Cam Newton. He is big enough to survive the beating our QB’s will take all year with this line.
    We under use Giesecke and fuller is injury prone. Parker is injury prone and has those concentration difficulties at times.

    The defense is out on the field WAY TOO MUCH! We are not getting the pressure we need on the QB. Baker seems slow to me. Phillips is a ghost!

    Grier and Ross are the main culprits here! They took Tua over Herbert. They played trade up and down when they should have taken J’Mar Chase and maybe Najee Harris in the first round. Ross likes the big splash but has no football player savvy! Grier is just a yes an trying to impress his absentee owner boss!

    • admin

      Hey, Van… sorry for the delay… been riding a few projects solo. Jimmy is rarely in now… trying to reorganize myself to run this mostly solo: “First of all – Flores is not the problem. ” Nope, but the cries will get louder and louder. “Tua is brittle, and the O-line has allowed him to be pummeled. He is better than Bissett but isn’t the answer.” Yeah, I agree. “We under use Giesecke and fuller is injury prone. Parker is injury prone and has those concentration difficulties at times.” We have too many damaged parts… sign of poor building. ” Reading my mind here!!!

  • Rich M

    “At the very least, the offense must stop all these three and outs! This lopsided Time of Possession is a big taxer on our defense. Game after game, the defense gets worn out by the 2nd Half, which was clearly evident in the last contest against the Colts.”
    — The dolphins play a 3-4 and 3-3(Spread Defense). With only 3 D-Linemen, it is not built to be on the field for a long time; With 5 offensive linemen, and or a TE, these guys are getting double teamed all day long. You can do that if you can win the time of possession to compensate. Losing the time of possession is a double whammy. They would probably be better off switching to 4-3 in the second half, and/or putting in some fresh legs.

    • admin

      “You can do that if you can win the time of possession to compensate. Losing the time of possession is a double whammy.” We need to run the damn ball… we are too soft!! Toughness starts with the O running the ball… it’s killing this D… TOTALLY agree with you and Jimmy!!!

  • Every time it seems the experts say they know, the results are the opposite. An upset is unlikely, and yet, I can see it. Bucs coming off a squeaker vs Pats and all the hoopla of Brady’s return, etc, etc, could possibly be overlooking the sorry Phins with Brissett. A game plan that features an opposite approach, some hard running (don’t give up so fast as prior games) will keep Brady off the field, the defense fresh to harass him. An air war with Brady is a guaranteed loss, cannot go there. Phins have done this “Run and D” gameplan before and it has worked, remember good ‘ole Knowshon Moreno ? Phins ran him to the ground and pounded Pats years ago at Miami in an important game for NE.
    Kept Brady off the field. Flores knows Brady, this can only help. I would like to see Sinnett in there for one game, but it won’t happen. An upset will have the Phins upbeat, 2-3 and rolling to London to get their record even at 3-3. I am calling a Phins upset – 23-21

    • Randy Buckland

      Edwin,
      I like most of what you said but the OL we have now is nowhere as good as we had when Moreno was here. If we tried as you suggest to run it (like the Csonka days) it would be a 3 and out almost every series and our D would be worn out by halftime. I also would like to see Sinnett in there and see what happens,it couldn’t be any worse. GO FINS!

      • admin

        I think there needs to be a balance, Randy. Teams that make the playoffs are usually strong in one area of the run game: run defense or run offense. We havent been either for a lonnnnnnnng time.